Lectures on chronic fatigue syndrome: Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome continue to suffer symptoms of fatigue and muscle ache for long periods of time because the immune system is continually challenged by a persistent infection, according to the latest research.
Dr Vance Spence, medical researcher at the University of Dundee will discuss the latest biomedical research findings on ME at lectures in the Victoria Hotel, Victoria Place, Galway (Saturday, May 7th, at 2.30pm), the Gullanes Hotel, Ballinasloe, Co Galway (Monday, May 9th at 4pm) and the Royal Dublin Hotel, O'Connell Street, Dublin (Wednesday, May 11th at 8pm).
Dr Spence is the founder of Merge, an ME biomedical research charity. ME Awareness week runs from May 7th-14th.
More details from Irish ME Support Group, PO Box 3075, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 2350965. email: info@irishmecfs.org
SPONSORED TODDLES: Sponsored toddles of up to half a mile to raise funds for Barnardos will take place in crèches, playgroups and Montessori schools this week. The aim of this creative fundraising campaign is to raise funds for Barnardos Best Start programme which helps disadvantaged babies and toddlers.
See also www.thebigtoddle.ie
VITAMIN D MAY NOT PREVENT FRACTURES: A new study has found that calcium and vitamin D supplements given to reduce the risk of fractures in older women may not be as effective as first thought. Some 3,314 women aged over 70 and at high risk of hip fracture were monitored for two years. Split into two groups, one received advice from a practice nurse on avoiding falls and was given calcium and vitamin D daily, the other received a leaflet on diet and prevention of falls.
During the study period fracture rates were lower than expected but did not significantly differ between the groups. There was no evidence that supplements reduced the risk of fractures.
OBESITY INCREASES DEMENTIA RISK: Obesity in middle age increases the risk of dementia in later life, a 27 year long US study has found. Some 10,276 patients underwent detailed health checks from 1964 to 1973 when they were aged 40-45. In 1994 dementia was diagnosed in 7 per cent of participants.
Obese people were found to be 74 per cent more likely to have dementia, while overweight people were 35 per cent more likely to have dementia compared with those of normal weight. Obesity and being overweight in middle age is strongly associated with an increased risk of dementia in old age, regardless of the presence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in mid and late life, say the authors.
Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson and Dr Muiris Houston