Feelgood 03-02-2012 by Evening Echo

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Feelgood

Friday, February 3, 2012

Not so sweet

On the street they are known as ‘smarties’ but a growing population has become legally addicted to benzodiazepines: 8, 9

Picture: iStock

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FULL STRETCH

Local communities enjoy the health beneﬁts of free outdoor gyms: 4, 5

LISTEN UP

Hearing tests for newborn babies make vital early interventions: 11

POWER FOOD

Why it’s good to eat eggs morning, noon or night: 13

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2 News front Kate O’Reilly WHAT’S ON ■ CUPID’S DASH: The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) is urging walkers, joggers and runners to help mend broken hearts in more ways than one, by signing up for annual Cupid’s Dash 10k fun run on Saturday, Feb 11. The romantic sunset run organised by Irishfit will take place at 5pm on North Bull Island, Clontarf, Dublin 3 and the IHF will receive a €5 donation for everyone who registers. Registration €25 at www.cupidsdash.ie; IHF sponsorship cards are available from Grainne Kennedy, gkennedy@irishheart.ie or phone 01-668 5001. ■ MONTHLY MEDITATION: Twin Hearts Guided Meditation takes place on the first Tuesday of every month at Dervish, Cornmarket St, Cork at 8.15pm. This healing meditation is free and open to all. Donations go to Cork Penny Dinners. For further details visit www.pranichealinginireland.com ■ PARENTING COURSES: Dunmanway Family Resource Centre is organising two parenting courses this month. Parents Plus is a practical programme for the parents of children aged six to 11. It will begin on Feb 21 and run for eight week and there is an information event at the Resource Centre on Monday next at 8pm. The Parents Plus Early Years programme (one to six years) is aimed at young parents in particular and will start on Feb 21 for six week. There will be an information evening next Tuesday at 7.30pm in Dunmanway Youth Café. There is no course fee. Contact Dunmanway FRC on 023-8856818. ■ FAMILY ORIENTEERING: Bishopstown Orienteering Club are organising a Family Day at Fota Arboretum, Belvelly, Cobh this Sunday. Arrive between 10am and 1pm; cost €10 per family.To find out more e-mail bishopstownoc@gmail.com, or call Sean Cotter on 021-4546194. ■ GROW MEETINGS: If you are living with anxiety or stress, GROW’S 12 Step support programme may be able to help. GROW is a voluntary organisation which was founded to offer support to people with mental health problems. To find your nearest group log on to www.grow.ie, or contact GROW’S southern office in Cork on 021-4277520. ■ STAR GAZING: Believe It Or Not is the theme of this month’s First Friday free event at Blackrock Castle Observatory, which runs from 6 to 9pm. There will be four half-hour family-friendly workshops with BCO’s teacher and resident astronomer, Frances McCarthy and a lecture on Hype, Hoaxes and Hysteria covering everything from the Great Moon Hoax to 2012 Doomsday fears at 8pm. For more information visit www.bco.ie or call 021-4357917. ■ PATRICK HOLFORD: If you would like to find out more about Patrick Holford’s Zest4life Nutrition and Weight Loss Programme, there will be a free seminar at the Salthill Hotel, Galway on Tuesday next at 7pm. The 10-week programme will start on Feb 14. For information ring Liz Nolan on 086-8099604 ● Items for inclusion in this column can be sent to koreilly8@gmail.com

FeelgoodMag

Feelgood

FeelgoodMag

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A new US study reveals that hearing gossip, or passing it on, can be good for your health, Arlene Harris reports

Pass it on... Y

OU’RE not going to believe this, but you’ll never guess what I just heard. Got your attention there didn’t I? That’s because, admit it or not, everyone likes to hear a bit of gossip, and while most of us don’t want to be party to spreading stories about people, we all have an innate curiosity which makes us secretly interested in what’s going on around us. And according to an American sociologist, hearing gossip and, more surprisingly, passing it on, can be good for our health. Rob Willer, assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, published a paper in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology which details an experiment where participants showed increased heart rates and tension when discovering something untoward about a colleague and a distinct reduction of stress when this information was passed on to someone else. “We found people very readily warned the next person, passing on socially useful information to them,” he said in a recent interview. “But what was more interesting was the emotional register of the behaviour. As people saw a person behave in a untrustworthy way, they became frustrated and their heart rate increased. But when they had the opportunity to pass a warning on, that reduced or eliminated their frustration and tempered their increased heart rate.”

GOOD VIBES: Exchanging gossip can improve your health, according to a survey. Picture: Posed by models/Thinkstock

The professor and his team followed up with an experiment where gossipers had to pay to pass on information and more than 75% of the participants were happy to do so. These studies combined led researchers to believe that we are hotwired to gossip in order to interact with each other but have developed boundaries to ensure people don’t get hurt. “Even the people who pass judgment on gossipers are gossiping as they do so,” Professor Willer says. Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune, director of the Solamh Clinic in Dublin, says gossiping can be theraputic as long as it is not done with malicious intent. “There is a difference between pro-social

gossip — warning people about risks or negative and untrustworthy people and idle gossip — the kind that is personal and can be damaging to others,” she says. “Pro-social gossip is driven by a concern for others and this makes us feel helpful, positive and ultimately less stressed, so this kind of gossip can and has been shown to have a positive effect on people. “But it is better to protect your relationships from idle gossip as no good can come of it, and usually you find, in retrospect, that you would have been far better to have approached the person in question openly about the matter than listen to or act on rumours.”

HEALTH NOTES groups of 25 or more. Aviva is offering their health insurance members a further reduction of €50. Point of Care will also offer a monthly payment scheme over 10 months for €30.90 a month. Vaccinations will commence on campus on Feb 23. UCD is the first university to engage in the initiative but the USI hopes that it will be rolled out amongst the other Irish universities over the next 12 months.

The Family Heart Screening Clinic at The Mater Hospital has seen a marked increase in demand since its opening in 2007. The clinic offers screening for an undiagnosed heart condition to close relatives of someone who has died from, or survived, a sudden cardiac arrest. For the month of February the Mater Heart Appeal will encourage people to donate much-needed funds — the clinic receives no government funding — online at www.materfoundation.ie or by texting MATER to 51500 to pledge a donation. In addition, people can purchase a Mater Heart Badge which will be on sale nationwide costing just €2, the proceeds of which will go directly to the running of the Family Heart Screening Clinic.

National Pyjama Day in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation’s (IHF) Children’s Hospice Home Care Programme, takes place on Mar 23. The event, which will see children in day care and preschool facilities all over Ireland wearing their pyjamas to help raise funds for the IHF, has so far raised over €1.5 million for children’s charities in Ireland. Funds raised this year will help to support a dedicated hospice home car service for children and five Children’s Outreach Nurses (Pyjama Day nurses) in the community. Register online through www.earlychildhoodireland.ie, or call 087-2755675. www.irishexaminer.com www.irishexaminer.com

HEART BEAT: Tommy Bowe, who took time out of his busy training schedule for the upcoming Six Nations to support the Mater Heart Appeal campaign, is joined by model Allie Lacey. Picture: Sean Curtin Press 22. Aviva Health Insurance in conjunction with Point of Care and the Students Union of Ireland, will offer discounted cervical cancer vaccinations to nearly 12,000 female UCD students on campus. The price charged is €299 per student for

www.irishexaminer.com feelgood@examiner.ie

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Heart failure is linked to a decline in mental processes and a loss of grey matter in the brain, according to new research published in the European Heart Journal, The experts behind a small study found that patients with heart failure suffered greater problems with their immediate and long-term memory and reaction speeds than healthy people. They also experienced changes in parts of their brain thought to be important for memory, reasoning and planning. The researchers said this could mean people cannot always remember simple tasks, such as taking their daily medication at the right times. Heart failure is a serious condition that describes what happens when the heart has trouble pumping enough blood around the body, often because it has become too weak or stiff.

Editorial: 021 4802 292

Advertising: 021 4802 215

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In profile

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THE SHAPE I'M IN

Joe Duffy

Talk to Joe

OE Duffy says healthy activities like swimming and walking brighten up his day but for 2012 the popular Liveline radio presenter vows he’s going to become better acquainted with his kitchen. “I’m going to do more in the kitchen. Now where is it again?” says the 56-year-old. Joking aside, the dad of 16-year-old triplets — Sean, Ronan and Ellen — who’s married to June, might just get the chance to embrace all things culinary now that he has finished writing his autobiography, Just Joe. This was shortlisted in the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards for the Irish Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award. Joe says the hardest thing about writing it was trying to put a sequence and pattern onto life events. “I only realised as I wrote the book that there has seldom been a time, even when I was in full-time education, that I did not do some part time studies at night. The daily discipline of writing was tough at first but after a few months I found it rewarding. I even wrote on Christmas Day 2010.” What shape are you in? When I think of my shape, I think shrine — others think basilica!

Do you pray? Yes, I pray, especially using the Lord’s Prayer as a soothing mantra. What would cheer up your day? Getting up early — swimming, walking, getting to the bathroom before my daughter, finding my son’s gum shields, hiding the remote control, getting even a passing nod of recognition from Pat Kenny — my demands are small. Helen O’Callaghan

ALL COVERED: Now that his autobiography is published, Joe Duffy plans to spend more time in the kitchen in 2012. Picture: Brian McEvoy

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Do you have any health concerns? No great health worries. My mother, Mabel — God Bless her — is hail and hearty at 83. She still cuts the grass, and paints the hall, stairs and landing — so I hope I have her genes. Her own mother lived ‘til she was 98.

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What are your healthiest eating habits? I try to eat a lot of fruit each day — one of the great unsung heroes of Irish industry is Joe Keeling, who has turned his eponymous company into a worldwide purveyor of quality fruit. You want to stay healthy — talk to Joe (Keeling).

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What’s your guiltiest pleasure? I feel guilty eating chocolate, which I love. Cadburys chocolate crumb is the nicest in the world. What would keep you awake at night? Worry, but I turn on the radio and listen to myself, which makes me worry more — at the ridiculous questions I ask sometimes! How do you relax? I relax by swimming daily — 6.20am, deep end, local pool — shallow thoughts.

ARE YOU FEELING... Stressed? Overwhelmed? Stuck in a rut? Confused? At a bit of a crossroads?

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Mary McAleese, Harry Crosbie, Moya Doherty, Morah Ryan, Marian Finucane, Matt Cooper, Ryan Tubridy, Ivan Yates and Kathleen Watkins (only if she promises not to drag her husband along).

Would you like to... Overcome procrastination Manage stress a little better Make some changes in your life Manage difficult thoughts and emotions

What’s your favourite smell? Vanilla — I light a vanilla-scented candle every night and think of the other world. What would you change about your appearance? I am way too hairy. Waxing would not just be painful but like painting the Golden Gate bridge — unending.

If YES we might have the course for you! Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) is an evidence based approach that uses a mix of mindfulness, acceptance & commitment strategies

When did you last cry? At the auction for Alexandra Trotsenko, the artist so brutally mutilated by a burglar. In my welcome, I quoted Psalm 80: ‘the stock which thy right hand planted they have burned it with fire, they have cut it down, may they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance’. The silence and reverence of the audience as I looked at the countenance of Alexandra moved me immeasurably.

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What other trait do you least like in others? Arrogance — say it out loud — we all need to be reminded and avoid, avoid, avoid.

Feelgood

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

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Outdoor gyms

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There’s a grand stretch in the evening. Or any time of day. Áilín Quinlan chats

Fresh-air workout T

WICE a week — more if he can find the time — Derry Canty gets away from it all to enjoy a gym workout in his local town park. He particularly likes the Shoulder Builder and the Twister — part of the equipment at the new outdoor Tone Zone recently installed amid the lush greenery of Ballincollig Regional Park in Co Cork. The Shoulder Builder is excellent for the shoulders and elbows, while the Twister can do wonders for your waist and thigh muscles says the enthusiastic painter and decorator — but there are several other pieces of equipment at the facility. “It’s a fantastic public amenity and the machines are being used by people of all ages. It’s something you might see on the continent in public parks and you’d ask why can’t we have that in Ireland. And now we do. “I tend to come down here in the evenings or at lunchtime. You can walk in a full circle around the Park and do the machines as well. I come here twice a week or so, just to fit in a bit of exercise. It’s a world of its own down here. “There’s no-one queuing up behind you telling you to get off the machine and you do things in your own time. It’s different to an ordinary gym — you can do the workout and then go for your walk and enjoy the fresh air.” One morning recently when he came down to the gym, he found every machine full. “People seem to be coming here before work, as well as during lunchtime and in the evenings.” Now in his 60s, Canty, a Fine Gael councillor, is just one of many local residents now using the Regional Park’s new leisure equipment. The outdoor gym in Ballincollig is among more than 50 such facilities installed by local authorities around the country before Christmas under a special grant for outdoor sports-related activities from the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport. From Cork to Dublin and from Galway to Tipperary, Wexford and Monaghan, people all over the country are now enjoying the opportunity to have a fresh-air workout. In Cork, outdoor gyms have already been installed in the towns of Fermoy, Mallow, Youghal, Ballincollig, Passage West, Bandon, Dunmanway, Bantry and Schull, while Carrigaline was the local pioneer in this area — its Tone Zone opened last May and was spearheaded by the Carrigaline Active Retirement Association with the support of Cork County Council and a number of businesses and other organisations. It’s been five years since the opening of Ireland’s first Tone Zone in Dunshaughlin Co Meath — the idea came initially from President Mary McAleese who was interested to see adults of all ages exercising in public parks and open spaces during a state visit to China. China has about 100,000 tone zones, and open-air public exercise facilities have also become popular in European countries such as Germany and Spain in recent years. Costing about €16,500, each of the Irish facilities boast around seven pieces of equipment, which work different muscles in the body; the arms and legs, the hips, shoulders, waist and thighs. Vincent Florish, assistant engineer with Cork County Council oversaw the installation of several outdoor gyms. “It’s not heavy equipment,” he says. “It’s for casual, everyday use at all fitness levels. There’s the Twister for

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with people enjoying exercise at the free tone zones springing up all over Ireland

It’s a fantastic public amenity and the machines are being used by people of all ages

HAVING FUN: James Deegan and his grandson Mathew Cunningham work it out at the outdoor gym at the Centre of Wellbeing, in Stradbally, Co Laois.

WALK TALL: Local residents such as Marie Beamish and Cllr Derry Canty are enthusiastic advocates for the gym equipment at Ballincollig Regional Park in Co Cork. Picture:Denis Scannell exercising the hips, for example, and the Surfboard — which is like a scissors — for exercising waist and thighs. The idea is that when people are out walking they can work out a few extra muscles. “We position them on walkways and often at the beginning of a walkway, for example in the Regional Park in Ballincollig and in Passage West. ” The idea, he says, is to allow people to warm up before their walk. Bandon’s Tone Zone opened just before

Christmas — and has already attracted a loyal following. “The equipment seems to be in use constantly and it is really gratifying to get the very positive comments from users,” says Andrew Coleman, chairperson of the town’s Amenity and Recreation Committee. The outdoor gym is mainly used by people who incorporate it into their daily walk at lunchtime or in the evening, and some people seem to be using in the mornings as well. They seem to get the most use at weekends”.

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However, while the equipment is very straightforward, it might be worth thinking about some simple training before starting, suggests Eamon Timmons of Age Action: “They are designed in such a way that they are simple pieces of machinery but you need to know how to warm up slowly. “You’d certainly get the benefit if you had a beginners’ class in a community. Many local authorities have local authority gyms — and even in the first few months it would be beneficial to have a little instruction which would provide ideas and tips.” Christy Hanbury, whose company Creative Play Solutions imports outdoor gym equipment from Germany, has installed gyms in Mayo, Kilkenny, Laois and parts of Cork. “We get very good feedback from people using it — they find it very good,” he says. The current countrywide network of Tone Zones came about as a result of funding which became available from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in the latter half of 2011. The Department provided a comprehensive list of suggested facilities and projects for which the money could be used — everything from the refurbishment and fit-out of sports halls to multi-use games areas, flood lighting to outdoor gyms. Cork County Council opted to spend the money on the outdoor gym, partly because of the huge popularity of the Carrigaline facility, but also partly because the amenity could be installed by the December 10 deadline, says Florish. It turned out to be an extremely good decision: “Public feedback is very positive,” he says, adding that the machines seem to be in regular use and to date there has been no vandalism. “I have seen people of all ages using the equipment — the one in Carrigaline is very popular with second-level students for instance, while in Ballincollig and Bandon a lot of young mothers enjoy it, or people out walking.” If funding becomes available for more outdoor gyms in the future, he says, Cork County Council would certainly like to avail of it. “Outdoor gyms are very popular and a number of communities have indicated that they would like one, so if funding becomes

Picture:James Flynn

I use it when I am out for my walk I

N Stradbally, Co Laois, they have a playground for toddlers up to the age of three, a playground for children up to the age of 12 — and a very popular outdoor gym for the adults. They call it the Centre for Wellbeing. It’s become so popular that the car park constructed to accommodate people using it was unable to cope with demand — a second one had to be built to handle the overflow. The outdoor gym in particular has been a huge success, says James Deegan, chairman of the Centre for Wellbeing, which was installed in the town last June as part of a community initiative funded by the Rural Development Programme administered by the Laois Partnership. “I use it myself two or three times a week. I like the walking machine, which you can do on your own or with someone else. I also use the Shoulder builder and the leg-strengthening equipment. “I tend to go in the afternoons, when I incorporate it into my walk,” says the

available again we would consider putting more outdoor gyms in towns around the county.” In some cases, communities in areas such as Blarney and Whitechurch have even installed the equipment on their own initiative in new playgrounds. “The idea is that when the kids are on the swings and the slides, their parents can enjoy the adult outdoor equipment.” Marie Beamish, a mother of three adult children, lives less than 10 minutes’ walk

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69-year-old who adds that all 10 pieces of equipment in this gym are deliberately arranged on a special ‘exercise trail’ which is visible from the road so as to discourage vandalism. “It’s very weather-friendly equipment, and very durable.” The committee which spearheaded the equipment, secured a grant from the Sports Council to provide for lessons from a qualified PE instructor: “He showed us how to do the different exercises. For people who had injuries or who had recovered from a stroke, he had very good advice. “Some of the machines are very mild, others are more challenging. It’s been a huge success — it was full yesterday, for instance. ”

GYM FANS: Tom Donohue, Mary Whelan and James Deegan using the outdoor gym at the Centre of Wellbeing, in Stradbally, Co Laois. Picture: James Flynn

from her nearest outdoor gym — and she makes regular use of it. Most mornings she walks from her home to the Regional Park in Ballincollig to enjoy a workout in the open air and a long refreshing walk through the leafy environs of the park. “This morning I was working out on the Shoulder Builder — I incorporate the machines into my walk. It’s a routine. First I do a round on the equipment as a warm-up. I count to 100 on each of them and then take

off on my walk. “I like the Cross Trainer, the Twister and the Shoulder Builder — these are the only ones I use. “I walk for about 50 minutes, but more at the weekends. I do it most days of the week and I really enjoy it. “At first, people would look at you and make comments but now I think they’re really catching on. Last week there were there were quite a few people using them. “They’re a great idea if you aren’t a gym

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person. A lot of people couldn’t afford gym fees. I think this is something that will become popular — people are becoming more health conscious and you can use these as much as you like. You can do it at your own pace. It’s good exercise and the machines are set in concrete and very solid. “My husband, Richard is retiring in February and I imagine that we’ll use them together quite regularly once he retires — he enjoys exercise quite a lot too and we walk every weekend.”

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Outdoor gyms

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There’s a grand stretch in the evening. Or any time of day. Áilín Quinlan chats

Fresh-air workout T

Feelgood

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with people enjoying exercise at the free tone zones springing up all over Ireland

It’s a fantastic public amenity and the machines are being used by people of all ages

HAVING FUN: James Deegan and his grandson Mathew Cunningham work it out at the outdoor gym at the Centre of Wellbeing, in Stradbally, Co Laois.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Picture:James Flynn

I use it when I am out for my walk I

Feelgood

GYM FANS: Tom Donohue, Mary Whelan and James Deegan using the outdoor gym at the Centre of Wellbeing, in Stradbally, Co Laois. Picture: James Flynn

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

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6 Medical matters

Dr Julius Parker is a GP with HSF Health Plan’s free 24 GP advice line. For more information visit www.hsf.ie or lo-call 1890 451 451

If you have a question about your health email it to feelgood@examiner.ie or send a letter to: Feelgood Irish Examiner City Quarter Lapps Quay Cork

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WE’VE hardly had a night’s sleep since my 10-month-old started teething. Should I give him an OTC product or just put up with it?

A. It’s a mystery why some babies seem to sail through their teething with hardly any fuss while others have a miserable time. As the first front teeth cut through their gums, many babies become irritable and grizzly, drool more, and may develop a slightly raised temperature. These symptoms may translate into some very disturbed nights. There are many suggested remedies and, as none comes with a guarantee, most parents try several approaches. Your baby may enjoy chewing on your finger and you may massage their gums gently as they do so, perhaps trying a teething gel as well. You can often feel a firmer raised area where the tooth will emerge. If this soothes your baby then a teething ring may help. Some parents keep a couple in the fridge (not the freezer) as the cold sensation may also comfort your baby. This approach can be applied to food, for example, cold yoghurts or chilled fruit purees. Babies may also chew on food; you can buy sugar-free teething biscuits, but it’s better to cut strips of carrot or apple. Always stay with your baby when they are eating. Some babies will be happy simply chewing on a cold wet flannel, or you can offer a cooled drink. If your child has a succession of distressed nights, it is reasonable to try a child formulated painkiller which will contain paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the dosage instructions first. Trying to distract attention by playing will often be helpful for a short time. Cuddling will help you and your baby and may also help them settle off to sleep. Q. I developed thrush during my pregnancy and hoped it would clear up once the baby was born. It hasn’t and I’m feeling pretty fed up. My GP has suggested Canesten cream but I’m reluctant to use an artificial product on such a sensitive area.

NEWS UPDATE

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Improvements in the health service often arrive at a snail-like pace, but finally ‘snail mail’ is being abandoned in favour of email in the case of referrals from GPs to hospital consultants. A new electronic referral programme has been developed by the National Cancer Control Programme and the Irish College of General Practitioners. The new system is now up and running for referrals for breast, prostate and lung cancer and this system is being used as a model to roll out a universal system of referral. When a GP is referring a patient s/he fills out the form at their surgery and submits it to the consultant, from whom they will receive an automatic receipt. The consultant then assesses the referral and must send back an appointment letter within five days. Patients suspected of having cancer are then supposed to get an appointment at one of the rapid access cancer clinics within two weeks. Currently over 80% of the country’s general practices are computerised and have access to an online patient management system. The system is designed to overcome the scandal that erupted in 2010 when it was discovered that

What would you suggest? A. Congratulations on your new baby and I hope things are going well. Unfortunately thrush is more common during pregnancy and it’s certainly not unusual for it to persist after delivery. Whether or not you’ve had a postnatal check you should mention your continuing symptoms to your doctor. It may be helpful to take some bacteriological swabs as a check to confirm whether an infection is present. If you do have thrush then Canesten is a well recognised treatment which is available as a cream and a vaginal pessary. It’s usually very well tolerated with no side effects. I do understand your concern but this may be the

EMAIL ALERT: A new electronic referral system will see GPs using email to refer patients to hospital consultants. thousands of GP referrals for orthopedic surgery had not been processed. A review of the system in Tallaght found a system of ‘queueing to queue’ and unopened letters stored in cardboard boxes. One of the recommendations of the Tallaght review was the introduction of an electronic referral system.

simplest and most effective approach to what can be a really annoying problem. Oral treatments for thrush are available but you should check with your pharmacist or GP, they’re not suitable for everyone and can’t be used if you’re breast-feeding. Hopefully your symptoms will resolve completely with treatment, but there are approaches that reduce the chance of another infection. Avoid potentially irritant perfumed soaps, shower gels and douches and wash the vaginal area with water only. Wear cotton and avoid tight-fitting underwear or trousers. Most men show no symptoms of thrush and sometimes it can unknowingly ping-pong between partners. If you have a partner and get further infections, both of you should be treated.

NOTE: The information contained in Dr Julius Parker’s column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor first

Catherine Shanahan MUM’S WORLD Feelgood

HERE was a time when having hordes of kids was the sign of a committed Catholic. Then, down through the decades, as welfare payments grew more generous, certain people were perceived as knowing how to work the system. Still, few would have predicted having legions of children would someday carry more cachet than hiring a Tibetan nanny to look after them. In the shallow world we now live in, a big brood has become the ultimate status symbol: expensive accessories clearly demand a certain degree of prosperity. This is good news for people like me, expecting child number three, who would otherwise have no hope of ever enhancing our social pedigree in the face of declining incomes and exorbitant mortgages. An additional baby seat will double the value of our 10-year-old banger. I don’t of course buy into any of this baloney, regardless of what the Jolie-Pitts are doing with their small army. I don’t believe having a large family carries the same clout as owning a Caribbean beach house or a Ferretti sailboat because these require substantial upfront investment, whereas procreation is by and large inexpensive. If you can afford the beach house compound, the sailboat and the high kid headcount, you can argue a case for having made it. Otherwise, having multiple kids probably

means you like children, or your choice of contraception isn’t working, or you’re planning for your old age care. If we were all to sit down with a piechart before getting our kit off, the world would be far less populous. If money was a deterrent, the baby boom we are currently experiencing wouldn’t be happening. Besides, there are far easier ways of displaying a fortune than successful procreation. A Rolls Royce Phantom requires no commitment. A racehorse can be stabled anywhere. No-one will tut tut if you pay a yardhand to look after it. A corporate jet will get you to that beach house in the time it would take you to work your way through an airport with a squadron of kids by your side. If you subscribe to the notion of conspicuous consumption — spending for the purpose of demonstrating income — then let me suggest a trip on the Orient Express, or a five-star cruise around the Med, or a week’s skiing in St Morritz, all of which are far less taxing than rearing a huge brood, simply to show you can afford to. Child-rearing is an expensive activity and kids these days do little to contribute. You don’t see them toiling in fields. You can no longer send them up chimneys. Few expect them to pay for their upkeep, at least until they’ve reached their teens. But Trophy Kids? Seriously? Only in Hello! magazine.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

If we sat down with a piechart before getting our kit off, the world would be far less populous. If money was a deterrent, the current baby boom wouldn’t be happening

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Psychology A diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome does little to help a child troubled by unhappy relationships

Core connection Tony Humphreys

TEAM of researchers at Cambridge University is currently exploring the connection between high-achieving parents, such as engineers, scientists and computer programmers and the development of their children. Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, who is the director of the Autism Research Centre at the university, says there are indications that adults who have careers in the areas of science and math are more likely to have autistic children. In studies in 1997 and 2001 it was found that the children and grandchildren of engineers were more likely to be autistic and that mathematicians had higher rates of autism than other professions. What is shocking is that Dr Baron-Cohen and the team of researchers are one: assuming that autism is a scientific fact and, two: missing the glaringly obvious fact that if the adults they researched live predominantly in their heads and possess few or no heart qualities, their children will need to find some way of defending themselves against the absence of expressed love and affection and emotional receptivity. After all, the deepest need of every child is to be unconditionally loved and the absence of it results in children shutting down emotionally themselves because to continue to spontaneously reach out for love would be far too painful. Children’s wellbeing mostly depends on emotional security — a daily diet of nurture, love, affection, patience, warmth, tenderness, kindness and calm responses to their expressed welfare and emergency feelings. To say that these children have a genetic and/or neurobiological disorder called autism or ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) only adds further to their misery and condemns them to a relationship history where their every thought and action is interpreted as arising from their autism. It is frequently the case that it is when these children go to school that their emotional and social withdrawal or eccentricities are noticed, mainly by teachers, who themselves can struggle with how best to respond to these children. An unconscious collusion can emerge between parents and teachers to have these children psychiatrically assessed so that the spotlight is put on the children and not their adult carers’ own emotional and social struggles. Regrettably, the relationship contexts of the children’s lives are not examined and their mature development is often sacrificed on the fires of the unresolved emotional defences of those adults who are responsible for their care. It is important to hold to the fact that these carers do not consciously block their children’s wellbeing, but the unconscious hope of children is that other adults (teachers, relatives, educational psychologists, care workers) will recognise that when they are emotionally and socially troubled, it is their adult carers who often need more help than they do. Indeed, my experience in my own psychological practice is that when parents and teachers resolve their own fears and insecurities, children begin to express what they dare not express before their guardians resolved their own emotional turmoil. A clear distinction needs to be made between the autism described by psychiatrist Leo Kanner in 1943 and the much more recently described ASD (autistic spectrum disorder,

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SHUT-DOWN: The deepest need of every child is to be unconditionally loved and the absence of it results in children shutting down emotionally. Picture: Fotoware often referred to as Asperger’s syndrome). The former “condition” was an attempt to understand severely emotionally withdrawn children; the latter concept, which is being used in an alarmingly and rapidly increasing way, is an attempt to explain children’s more moderate emotional and social difficulties. Curiously — and not at all explained by those health and educational professionals who believe that autism and ASD are genetic and/or neurobiological disorders — is the gender bias of being more diagnosed in boys (a ratio of four to one). This bias is also found with ADHD. Surely that gender phenomenon indicates the probability that boys are reared differently to girls and that due to social and cultural factors boys respond to the troubling behaviours of their adult carers in ways that are radically different to girls. What is equally distressing is that, as for ADHD, a whole industry involving research, assessment, screening, education and treatment has been developed, despite the absence of any scientific basis or test for either the originally “detected” autism or for the broader construct of ASD. Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and two colleagues rigorously examined over 5,000 research articles on autism and ASD and found no scientific basis for what they now refer to as mythical disorders. They outline their findings in their book The Myth of Autism (2011). The conclusion of their indepth studies is that “there is no such thing as autism and the label should be abolished”. These authors are not saying that children are not emotionally and socially troubled. What they are saying is — and I concur with them — that focus needs to be on the relationship contexts of these children’s lives, and to take each child for the individual he or she is and to examine closely the family and community narratives and discover creative possibilities for change and for more dynamic and hopeful stories to emerge for both the children and their carers. Dr Tony Humphreys is a consultant clinical psychologist, author and national and international speaker. His book All About Children is relevant to today’s article.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

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8 Cover story

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Addiction: Taking benzodiazepines

Addiction to benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax, can happen in a matter of weeks yet rates of prescription have not slowed, says Jack Horgan Jones

Just what the doctor ordered

HILE Barry was still in school he started taking his father’s Xanax. The pressure of his Leaving Cert, along with a bad break-up, was too much. He would take the pills, prescribed for his father’s anxiety disorder, before leaving his house in the morning. “It just took all of my problems away,” he says. Barry found the medicine so helpful that he visited his local GP, and was prescribed his own supply. It wasn’t long before he began supplementing his prescription with illicitly bought tablets. “Even from day one, I never really took them as prescribe. I got it off the street a few times. I started getting it off the internet. I always had a supply. I always found it.” When he went to college, Barry continued to use Xanax to deal with the everyday pressures of exams, assignments, and presentations. “In my head, I’d be taking them for genuine reasons ... for anxiety. And I couldn’t do what I was supposed to do unless I reached a certain level. I’d take the Xanax until I got that level, that feeling of ‘OK, I can function’,” he says. Barry’s dependence escalated until it was part of his daily routine. “When I’d be leaving the house, you know the way you check your pockets for your phone, your wallet. I was checking for phone, wallet, fags, Xanax,” he says. Barry’s addiction was eventually discovered. His behaviour became more erratic as he increased his benzodiazepine dosage to deal with the comedowns caused by his use of mephedrone and other head-shop drugs. “I went crazy on that (mephedrone). I started buying a lot more Xanax for the comedowns. My father came down to visit me in college and found that I had hundreds of Xanax bought,” he says. Barry, now 25, entered a residential detoxification programme with Cuan Mhuire, joining the growing numbers of people seeking assistance for addiction to Xanax, Valium and other prescription medicines known to medical professionals as benzodiazepines, and on the street as ‘sweets’ or ‘smarties’. While they are usually prescribed on a limited basis for people suffering from stress or anxiety disorders, recent research by the Health Research Board (HRB) shows that the numbers of people who are seeking help for benzodiazepine dependency has climbed sharply over the last few years. According to Dr Suzi Lyons, of the HRB, “what we’re seeing is a continuing trend of people reporting with benzodiazepines as a main problem substance. For example, there were only 42 cases in 2005. This had increased to

RISING PROBLEM: Dr Suzi Lyons says there is a growing trend of people reporting with benzodiazepines as a main problem substance.

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When I’d be leaving the house, you know the way you check your pockets for your phone, your wallet... I was checking for phone, wallet, fags, Xanax

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140 in 2010, the most recent figures available. That’s over a 200% increase,” she says. According to the HRB data, between 2004 and 2009 benzodiazepines played a part in 32% of all drug-related deaths, second only to alcohol. Addiction to benzodiazepines is becoming increasingly common. Some say these statistics only represent the tip of the iceberg. “There’s definitely more people taking benzodiazepines than is recorded,” says Dr Fiona Weldon, clinical director of The Rutland Centre in Dublin, which treats people with substance abuse problems. She says as many as 40% of the people coming to her have a problem with benzodiazepines, and that the HRB report does not

give a full picture of the scale of the problem. “Certainly, it would be an underestimation of the amount of people who are on the substance … and developing a problem with being on it,” she says. From stars like Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks to people from all walks of life, benzodiazepine addiction can insidiously creep up on a user. Dr Sharon Lambert works in Cork with the Matt Talbot Centre on a national community detox pilot programme, with the aim of helping people battle their addiction within the community, rather than by entering treatment. “The problem is that they — the users — get dependent very quickly. Somebody could be taking benzodiazepines for two weeks and

become dependent,” she says. Because tolerance increases as quickly as dependency occurs, users can find that the volumes of tablets they must take to get the same effect skyrockets beyond that which they have been prescribed. Dr Lambert says this means that users can become involved in criminality to fund their habit — a batch of 1,000 benzodiazepine pills on the street can cost upwards of €350. “Also, if you take benzodiazepines and alcohol, it can affect your memory and can make you quite aggressive, so users might be involved in public-order incidents and have no memory of it,” she says. Dr John Delap is a GP in North Dublin and chairman of the Irish College of General Practitioners. He has a policy of not prescribing benzodiazepines, and says that addiction and dependency have significant negative side effects for users. “They have the problem of impaired cognitive function and accidents. It’s well-reported that benzodiazepine users have an increased rate of traffic accidents. In the elderly, there is an increased rate of falls and fractures. They’re also very relevant in suicide, in that people who take overdoses of medicines very often die of those overdoses, and benzodiazepine associates with a significant number of those,” he says. Jenny’s addiction to benzodiazepines, along with alcohol, saw her go right to the brink.

Now aged 33, lor available to she estimates she GPs. only had two or “In my practice, three weeks to live we’ve had a spewhen she began a cialist mental detox programme. health nurse in The effect it had primary care availon her life was able to us for the devastating. last three years or “You’re in a fear so. Last week, she of not having told me that enough in your she’s now been home. If it’s not withdrawn from there, you’re nearly primary care,” he in a panic state. says. The anxiety of goThe withdrawal STOCKING UP: Jenny’s addiction to benzodiazepines, means that the only ing into a superalong with alcohol, saw her go right to the brink. market, big open service remaining spaces, I became “You’re in a fear of not having enough in your home... for patients suffervery fearful of go- if it’s not there, you’re nearly in a panic state,” she ing from stress and ing up Henry says. Picture: Posed by models/Thinkstock anxiety is referral to Street for Christan oversubscribed mas, or even in a small space, queuing in a voluntary counselling service, rather than a bank — it’s like a shattering effect, taking this skilled mental health professional. medication,” she says. Dr Delap says these resource shortages, In addition to people who are seeking help rather than ignorance or incompetence among for addiction to benzodiazepines, the number GPs, are to blame for the numbers of patients of people using these medications for relief being prescribed benzodiazepines. “If a doctor from stress, trauma and anxiety is also increasis faced with a distressed person who is looking. ing for relief, on any human terms, the doctor Joan O’Flynn, director of the National Advi- is going to feel the need to provide something sory Committee on Drugs (NACD), says “the to give the person relief. If the only thing that level of lifetime use of tranquillisers in is available is a prescription, then is a doctor to 2006-2007 was 10.6% across the population, say: ‘No, I’m going to do nothing’?”. and that has increased in 2009-2010 to 14%.” Compounding these issues is the belief O’Flynn says the upward trend is also seen among many with front-line experience of among those who have used the medicines in treating benzodiazepine addiction that depenthe last year, climbing from 4.7% to 6.5% of dency on the drug may be underreported, parthe population in the same time period. ticularly among those who have a long-term These patterns have prompted Minister of problem with low-to-medium doses of the State with Responsibility for Primary Care, drug. Roisin Shortall, to ask the HSE to conduct a Patricia Barrett, a community drugs worker review into the practice of prescribing benzoin Cork, says it can be difficult to detect even diazepines by GPs. when someone is dependent on benzodiO’Flynn welcomes this move, saying the reazepines. port “will hopefully give us more information “At the lower end of usage, it’s not that easy about what’s happening and the extent to to detect. Somebody can come in and they can which there may be repetitive prescribing or look very ‘with it’ and you wouldn’t know it.” over-prescribing.” Barrett says the most important thing is to Some experts say the root cause of the upremember that drugs like benzodiazepines surge in people using benzodiazepines is aren’t supposed to solve life’s problems, and over-prescription by GPs. As revealed in this cannot be depended on to do so. newspaper last year, Primary Care Reimburse“With medication, it’s supposed to help you, ment Service (PCRS) data shows that 400,000 but you need to be doing other things at the prescriptions were written for Xanax in 2009, same time,” she says. compared to 283,000 in 2005. “If you’re having panic attacks and the medProfessor Colin Bradley, of the department ication helps you not to feel the impact of of general practice in University College Cork, that, it doesn’t mean whatever is underlying says that GPs need to be more aware of the these symptoms has gone danger of benzodiazepine addiction and deaway — you need to be pendency. looking at your life and “I think they (GPs) are aware that they can what’s causing you be addictive, but maybe they’re not aware of stress.” just how easily people become addicted to them … they may not see the addiction in the sense that it’s related to them prescribing it,” OWN POLICY: Dr he says. John Delap chairman Dr Delap says the issue is not that GPs are unaware of the dangers of prescribing benzodi- of the Irish College azepines, but rather the “huge problem” in ac- of General cessing alternative services, such as counselling Practitioners has a or psychotherapy. Despite the primary care policy of not strategy in 2001, which envisaged that primary prescribing care teams would have access to these facilities, benzodiazepines he says few have a psychotherapist or counselto patients.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

How it all began

Addictive behaviour

The first benzodiazepine — chlordiazepoxide, or Librium — was synthesised in 1955. When submitted to animal tests, it showed strong sedative, anti-convulsant, and muscle-relaxant effects. It was introduced to the market in 1960 and was followed three years later by diazepam, or Valium. While there is awareness of the negative effects of benzodiazepines, prescriptions for short-term anxiety relief have not significantly dropped worldwide. Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Effects include sedative, sleep-inducing, anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, and muscle relaxant. The four most common benzodiazepine prescriptions are:

Ask yourself what time do you get up in the day? What do you do with your day? How do you fill your day? What kind of sleep are you getting?

1. Xanax — alprazolam — is one of the top-selling brands. It is prescribed for anxiety or panic attacks. Sometimes used for depression.

■ Looking for repeat prescriptions without attending a doctor.

2. Ativan — lorazepam — is used to treat those with anxiety or anxiety with depressive symptoms. 3. Valium — diazepam — is used for anxiety disorders or for short-term relief of anxiety. It can be used to treat muscle spasms or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (agitation and tremors). 4. Klonopin — clonazepam — is prescribed for anxiety, certain types of epilepsy, seizures and panic attacks.

■ Mixing up day and night and the loss of regular patterns of life. ■ Not eating well or over-eating. ■ Becoming more isolated and beginning to give up things. ■ Not getting enough exercise. ■ Prematurely seeking medication.

■ Reacting to distress and anxiety by seeking a prescription immediately. ■ Always consult a GP before attempting to give up any substance.

URGENT NEED: One withdrawal symptom is when a person reacts to distress and anxiety by seeking a prescription immediately. Picture: iStock

What can happen with withdrawal Suddenly stopping using benzodiazepines can be dangerous. It’s important to talk to your doctor about a gradual withdrawal programme if you have been using it regularly. Withdrawal symptoms can include: ■ Abdominal pains ■ Convulsions ■ Agitation

■ Feeling nervous ■ Being confused or depressed ■ Feeling afraid ■ Paranoia ■ Anxiety ■ Agrophobia

■ Aggression

■ Feeling disconnected from other people or things

■ Loss of taste or metallic taste

■ Heightened sense of awareness (sounds may seem louder than usual)

■ Decreased sex drive

■ Uncontrolled shaking

■ Disturbed sleep

■ Pain, stiffness or muscle aches or spasms or flu-like symptoms

■ PAGE 10: Sexual addiction ■

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8 Cover story

XH - V1

Addiction: Taking benzodiazepines

Addiction to benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax, can happen in a matter of weeks yet rates of prescription have not slowed, says Jack Horgan Jones

Just what the doctor ordered

RISING PROBLEM: Dr Suzi Lyons says there is a growing trend of people reporting with benzodiazepines as a main problem substance.

Feelgood

When I’d be leaving the house, you know the way you check your pockets for your phone, your wallet... I was checking for phone, wallet, fags, Xanax

Picture: Posed by model/Thinkstock

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

How it all began

Addictive behaviour

Ask yourself what time do you get up in the day? What do you do with your day? How do you fill your day? What kind of sleep are you getting?

1. Xanax — alprazolam — is one of the top-selling brands. It is prescribed for anxiety or panic attacks. Sometimes used for depression.

■ Looking for repeat prescriptions without attending a doctor.

■ Reacting to distress and anxiety by seeking a prescription immediately. ■ Always consult a GP before attempting to give up any substance.

URGENT NEED: One withdrawal symptom is when a person reacts to distress and anxiety by seeking a prescription immediately. Picture: iStock

■ Feeling nervous ■ Being confused or depressed ■ Feeling afraid ■ Paranoia ■ Anxiety ■ Agrophobia

■ Aggression

■ Feeling disconnected from other people or things

■ Loss of taste or metallic taste

■ Heightened sense of awareness (sounds may seem louder than usual)

■ Decreased sex drive

■ Uncontrolled shaking

■ Disturbed sleep

■ Pain, stiffness or muscle aches or spasms or flu-like symptoms

■ PAGE 10: Sexual addiction ■

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Addiction: Sexual pursuits

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Sexual addiction exists because it provides an intense emotional reward but it brings shameful consequences in its trail, therapist Eoin Stephens tells John Hearne

Some sexplanation

ICHAEL Fassbender’s new film Shame tells the story of Brandon Sullivan, a New York sex addict whose life is slowly coming apart. It’s a portrayal which therapists say accurately captures the reality of sexual addiction. Fassbender’s character relentlessly pursues something he needs but can’t enjoy, something that’s exciting without being truly satisfying. Eoin Stephens is a cognitive behavioural therapist who has worked extensively with sexual addiction in Ireland. He says that the condition is a brutal reality for many Irish people. “If it provides you with an intensely emotional reward, then it’s potentially addictive,” he says. With sex addicts, the high tends to come not from ‘normal’ sexual encounters, but from intense experiences — multiple affairs, using prostitutes and pornography. In defining what sexual addiction is, Stephens is keen to point out what it isn’t. Having a high sex-drive is not sexual addiction. There’s no moral dimension to it. Having affairs, using porn, fetishism — none of these things are sexual addiction in themselves. If a partner is concerned about porn use, Stephens explains, that may be a marital issue, but it will not necessarily be a sexual SEX SHAME: Michael Fassbender stars as Brandon and Nicole Beharie stars as Marianne in the addiction. film Shame and right, Tiger Woods, who has received treatment for sexual addiction at a US clinic “Having lots of affairs isn’t necessarily sex following the break-up of his marriage. addiction,” says Stephens. “I don’t know Picture: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili whether Tiger Woods is a sex addict because I don’t know where he stands with it. Was he trying to control it and failed? Or was it the Acknowledgment, acceptance and naming than 50%. He also says that a similar propor- tend to be a bit more ‘out there’ and obvicase that he had no interest in controlling it the problem are the first steps in treatment, tion of those presenting with sexual addicous. Female sex addiction is less about porn and just got caught? Eoin Stephens explains. Thereafter, it’s tions succeed in overcoming them. There are and prostitution and more about affairs, “The addictive dynamic is something important to change the environment, to try now a range of treatment options available, chat-rooms and dating sites.” you’ve got to find out from somebody by and remove the addict from the temptation including one-to-one counselling or There also tends to be a greater burden of talking honestly with them.” and to make them more accountable for their psychotherapy, residential addiction treatshame attaching to female sex addiction. That dynamic is common across addictions. time. ment centres in Ireland and the two 12-step “Tough enough as it might be for a man to It centres on developing an out of control “Will power doesn’t do it for any addicfellowships: Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous come to me and say, ‘I think I might be a relationship with whatever it is the addict is tion, you’ve always got to change your and Sexaholics Anonymous. sex addict’, it’s much, much, more difficult consumed by. “In the case of sexual addiccircumstances, change your lifestyle, change The vast majority of those who present for for a woman,” adds Stephens. tion, we might be looking at the threatened your environment. There’s no point hanging treatment are men, though Stephens anticiloss of a marriage, the pain caused to somearound with smokers if you’re trying to give pates that this will change. “Men’s addictions ● See:www.eoinstephens.com one loved, loss of self-respect, neglect of up smoking.” work and other important areas of life. If Computer access needs to be limited or negative consequences were reason enough to supervised, routes home may have to be stop, addiction would not be the changed. Habits, says Stephens, problem it is. Ambivalent motihave to be broken. Getting the vation is central to all addictions person to develop an awareness of — ‘I wish I wanted to stop, but I the negative consequences of their actually want to continue to look actions is another important part Sex addict profiles tend, generally speakat porn’.” of treatment. “When you’re doing ■ There are legal consequences associating, to divide along introvert/extrovert Addict or not, Tiger Woods things that are ruining your life ed with soliciting lines. Like Brandon Sullivan in the movie, has received treatment for sexual but part of you doesn’t want to Shame, the extrovert will addiction at a US clinic which stop, you tend to screen out the ■ There’s huge potential for present a charming, conoffers classes in ‘shame reduction’ bad things.” relationship damage when fident persona whose and ‘setting sexual boundaries’. Therapists will try to involve the the addict is caught addictive behaviour cenWoods is, of course, one of the partner in treatment if the partner cheating tres on multiple sexual many celebrities who have is willing. Shame, as the film’s title encounters and prostitusought similar treatment. In his suggests, is a big part of all addic■ Inevitably the financial tion. By contrast, the inmemoir, Russell Brand said that tions, but it looms particularly burden in sustaining a sexutrovert’s addiction tends he checked himself into a treat- WARNING SIGNS: Eoin large with sexual addictions. “It’s ally addictive lifestyle can be Stephens says the high a tough addiction for partners,” to focus on pornography, ment centre in Philadelphia substantial. for addicts comes from says Stephens. “Most of them chat-rooms and webwhile X Files star David Because a pornography cams. Duchovny was admitted into sex intense experiences. would say ‘I wish he was an addict isn’t running these For the extrovert, the rehab following his divorce from alcoholic, I wish he was a comkinds of risks, the problem risks are more immediactress Tea Leoni. pulsive gambler’. They take it can stay hidden for much ate: Whether sex addiction is a very personally, it hurts them very longer. “But ultimately,” Picture: Posed by model recognised illness or not, sexual health deeply, it shocks them and shames them.” says Eoin Stephens, “dam■ There’s the risk of conexperts in the US put the percentage of the There are no Irish statistics, but in age to the primary areas of tracting a sexually transmitted disease population suffering from the condition at Stephen’s experience the marriage survival life always comes.” between 3% and 5%. rate for sex addicts comes in a little higher

Extrovert and introvert profile

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

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Life’s challenges

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Caoimhe Murphy was the first baby to be diagnosed with a hearing difficulty by the Cork University Maternity Hospital screening programme, says Arlene Harris

Sound investment J

UST after she was born last summer, Caoimhe Murphy was the first baby to be detected with a hearing problem using the new audiology screening programme at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). Although there has been no history of deafness in her family, audiologists at the new system in Cork have started testing all newborns in the hope that later speech and language problems might be avoided. “Our first baby, Caoimhe, was born on June 5 last year, and the day after her birth she was taken for a hearing test in the hospital,” says mother, Caroline, 31, who is a hairdresser. “Neither myself nor my husband Dave (a 33-year-old engineer) were the slightest bit concerned, as no-one in either of our families has ever had any problems with hearing. “The first probe into her ear flagged something, but the audiology screeners told us that there is often fluid in the ear after birth, and although she had to have a second test the following day, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.” But, once again, the audiology screeners were unable to give Caoimhe the all-clear and the little girl was referred to an audiologist for an in-depth test. To Caroline and Dave’s shock, results showed their baby had a problem in both ears, one worse than the other, and would need to wear a hearing aid for the foreseeable future. “When we went to see the audiologist, we still didn’t imagine there would be anything wrong, but he probed her ear with a specialist machine, which is more precise — he even did it twice to make totally sure,” says Caroline. “We were devastated when we were told that she has a hearing problem and will need to wear a hearing aid. Our family members thought there must be some mistake, but after all the tests that were done, the same conclusion was reached every time.” However, despite being told their first-born baby couldn’t hear properly, the couple soon came to terms with the shock and realised that they were fortunate to have discovered the problem so early in her life. “The initial blow was awful, but the hospital staff immediately put us in touch with other parents and the Cork Deaf Society, which was a great help, as talking to other people in the same boat made it easier,” says Caroline. “And since meeting other families, we have come to realise how lucky we are that Caoimhe’s hearing difficulties were picked up so young. She has been wearing a hearing aid since she was born, so she is used to the sounds around her and this will help her greatly when she starts communicate verbally. “A lot of people don’t find out until their child is at speaking age and then they have to go through lots of tests before the final verdict is given. “In our case, Caoimhe should have no problems with speech and language, as, when she is wearing the aid, she can hear as well as the rest of us. “The screening programme is a wonderful

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HARD TO HEAR: Caroline and David Murphy were shocked by their daughter’s diagnosis, but early intervention means she can now hear normally. Picture: Dan Linehan

The facts ■ The newborn hearing screening test is carried out at the mother’s bedside in the maternity hospital, before the infant leaves the maternity hospital. If the screen is not completed within that time, an outpatient appointment is offered within a matter of weeks. ■ Since the service began on Apr 26, 2011, more than 6,500 babies have been screened. ■ Of those screened, 108 have been referred to audiology for diagnostic assessment and seven have been confirmed with hearing loss. ■ The babies with hearing loss have all received cochlear implants within three months of birth. ■ The HSE is funding the newborn hearing screening in Cork on a permanent basis. ■ Various other supports, such as the Visiting Teacher for the Deaf and Community Paediatric services are available. ■ 3% of parents have declined the service.

facility and will greatly benefit parents. And who knows what the future will bring for Caoimhe, there might be some radical treatment when she gets to her teens, but, for the moment, she is developing normally, is monitored regularly. The only issue we have is trying to stop her from putting her hearing aid in her mouth.” Claire Cashman, the newborn hearing screening manager at CUMH, says the programme is an important tool for detecting hearing problems at an early age. “Every year, there are approximately 84 children born in the Ireland with a significant permanent hearing impairment,” she says. “Evidence has shown that early identification and intervention, for moderate and serious hearing impairment in children, significantly lessens the impact of the condition. By detecting the condition within weeks of birth, it gives the child a better life chance of developing speech and language skills and encourages social and emotional interaction from an early age.” ENT consultant Peter O’Sullivan and one of the founders of the audiology programme at CUMH says the introduction of the new service in Cork is long overdue. “Irish audiology services have not been functioning well for a number of years and it was agreed in 2002 that a neonatal screening programme needed to be put in

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place,” he says. “But it wasn’t until the National Audiology Audit, in 2010, that the go-ahead was finally given and work began on setting up the service, which began in April of last year. “CUMH was chosen as the first place to start the programme, as we have maternity and audiology under one roof, but in time it will be standard practice all over the country — it is a very exciting time to be in ENT in Ireland.” The consultant points to the great many advantages to the neonatal hearing-screening programme. “Detecting hearing difficulties at a young age is vital to a child’s development,” he says. “Having no hearing is the loneliest disability, as it makes communication very difficult, and on top of that the knock-on effects of developmental, emotional, psychological and financial problems can make the whole process very difficult, both for the child with hearing problems and their parents. “Early detection allows intervention at a very young age, which enables the child to become accustomed to their hearing device and develop speech and language at a normal rate.” ● For more information about this and other winning projects from the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Awards, see www.changingtomorrowawards.ie.

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Healthy food

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GO CRACKED ON

ONE OF THE Roz Crowley

CHEAPEST AND CONVENIENT

GGS are hard to beat. The most complete natural food, they are the ultimate protein and easily digested by the body. An egg has about 75 calories so is good for those still struggling with excess festive kilos. And for a little as €1.50 for a half dozen, they are also great value. The nutrients are too numerous to list, but some are particularly beneficial. Lecithin in egg yolks not only helps to prevent heart disease but also the formation of gallstones. Because they have no carbohydrates, they do not have a GI (glycaemic index) rating and are useful in a low GI diet. The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) endorses the message of An Egg a Day, reducing to four — six a week for those with diagnosed high cholesterol. Note the IHF does not recommend cutting them out as the benefits are so great and they contain a substance which breaks down fats. Other good reasons to eat eggs are their protein and iron content as well as the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help to protect against age-related eye diseases. Vitamins A, D and E are all found in the yolk, along with B12. Folic acid is mostly in the yolk too. To get the full range of benefits eat all of the egg. It doesn’t matter in what form — hardboiled versions are as nutritious as soft boiled. Babies over six months benefit too, so get them started early to enjoy the benefits of calcium found in the yolk. Ideally, choose organic and free range eggs for flavour and texture and to support farms which use feed with little or no chemical additives and keep hens in the best possible conditions. Watch for certification from IOFGA and The Organic Trust. Duck and goose eggs are delicious and excellent in cakes. I have even tasted turkey eggs, recognisable by their pointed shape. Breakfast The obvious breakfast treat is a boiled egg, but at the weekend I go further and enjoy Eggs Benedict. The combination of toasted thick bread, a rasher or a few slices of dried ham, a poached egg, topped with hollandaise sauce is sublime. In Cork the Crawford Gallery does the best, most genuine sauce. At home a simple hollandaise is easy to make in a liquidiser. For a few tips and a recipe go to www.jamieoliver.com Scrambled eggs with some chopped smoked salmon are delicious and great for lunch too. Add a few chopped chives or parsley, some finely chopped tomatoes and onion and a dash of Tabasco for great flavour. If you like your scrambled eggs creamy, add a little cream and butter. If you like them drier, cook for longer.

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HEALTH FOODS AROUND

SHELL AWARE: Eggs pack a big nutritional punch and can be served up any time of the day. Picture: Fotoware

Eggonomical Lunch Eggs make a terrific lunch dish. Try filling some baked potato shells with scrambled eggs flavoured with finely chopped anchovies and chopped tomatoes. Top generously with chopped parsley for added colour and nutrition. In winter, grated Jerusalem artichoke is delicious added to scrambled eggs at the beginning of cooking. Boiled eggs dipped with tender fresh asparagus will be a great treat when asparagus comes into season. The varieties imported from Africa and South America — apart from the excessive air miles they use getting here — are often quite bitter. An omelette folded over with a filling of steamed spinach and a little cream cheese or cream added is superb. Flavour the spinach with a little freshly grated nutmeg as it cooks. For out-and-out extravagance add some steamed mussels seasoned with some finely chopped onion and cream to the fold of the omelette. An omelette flavoured with fruit is also delicious. Try poaching some quartered pears or apples in 50g each of sugar and butter until they are barely soft. Add a squeeze of lemon juice when the mixture become like soft caramel. Nestle into the fold of the omelette before serving and drizzle the leftover caramel on top. This idea is also delicious

with crepes, another good and lighter way of using eggs. Watch this page for recipes before Pancake Tuesday.

Dinner I use egg yolks most often for mayonnaise. Since starting to make it myself, I don’t bother with bought versions, even delicious Hellmann’s. The texture of the real thing is wonderfully creamy and the freedom of adding flavouring such as simple lemon juice, fresh herbs or garlic means a special dish can be conjured up in minutes. I recently used some on toast topped with cooked mussels as a simple tapa to serve with drinks. Over simple, barely cooked French beans, even frozen ones, homemade mayonnaise is delicious, especially as a starter course. There are plenty of recipes on line. (Make meringues with the leftover egg whites.) Pasta alla carbonara It’s hard to beat pasta with eggs for a luxurious supper. The traditional recipe uses egg yolks, not cream, and is sumptuous. Try this one. Thinly sliced Pancetta is often used, but thinly sliced rashers or dried or leftover cooked ham, will do very well too. I like tagliatelle for this but often use spaghetti or penne. Any type of pasta will do. Serves 4 25g butter 100g pancetta 2 eggs, beaten

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1 large clove garlic 80g parmesan 400g pasta Add the pasta to a large pot of water with a dessertspoon of salt and cook until still firm. It will continue to cook further when drained. Meanwhile, flavour the butter gently by melting it in a pan and adding the whole garlic and pancetta, cut into matchstick size. Cook until the garlic browns a little. Remove and discard the garlic. Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss well. Remove the pan from the heat and add the eggs, tossing quickly to coat all the strands of pasta. Add half the parmesan and season if necessary, probably with just some black pepper. If it seems too thick add a few dessertspoons of the pasta water to loosen it up. Tip into a bowl and serve with the remaining parmesan. A little pecorino cheese is also good grated and added to the parmesan for extra creaminess. To provide vitamin C and iron, serve a green salad on the side. Chicory is available now and can be sliced thinly and dressed with lemon juice and olive oil with a little honey to take away the bitter taste.

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Male Male health health 13

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I reached out I

T’S never easy to lose a parent, regardless of your age. Denis Vavasour had just turned 16 when his mother, Cathy, died from cancer just under two years ago. “It was a surreal time,” says Denis, 17, a Leaving Cert student from Killiney, Co Dublin. “Especially at such a young age, I didn’t know anything except a father, mother and sisters and brother. “I tried to get support from friends. If I needed a break, I’d hang out with them and have a chat,” says Denis, who is currently undertaking his mock exams. “If I was having a rough day, I’d go for a run to clear my mind or play rugby or Gaelic games — just to throw yourself into the game for the hour and lose yourself.” Denis also found support from ReachOut.com, an online support service for young people who may be, or may know someone, going through a tough time. It provides information, shows examples of how young people get through their difficult time (via blog, video, etc), it encourages help-seeking and help-getting behaviour and provides signposts to further services for those who may need them. “I came across ReachOut.com on Facebook and my aunt had mentioned it to me,” says Denis. “It was good to see how others were going through similar things. It was other young people talking through blogging — there was an intimacy to it, it wasn’t some psychologist but someone your own age.” Now, a youth ambassador for ReachOut.com, Denis is speaking to highlight his participation in one of a four-part series on mental health on RTE One’s Four Live afternoon show. Next Thursday Denis will be

Deirdre O'Flynn MOSTLY MEN

speaking to former Munster and Ireland rugby star Alan Quinlan about his recent experiences. “I’ve learned to take the good with the bad and get on with life. This is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life,” he says, adding that living through his mother’s experience of cancer has helped him to talk to others. “One of my best friends’ mother had breast cancer and she’s got the all clear, but it made us closer and more capable of talking about that.” Now, as a ReachOut.com youth ambassador, he helps out at events to raise the awareness of mental and physical health. “The two tie in together. If one’s not in the right place the other won’t be right.” ● For more information, click on www.reachout.com or look for ReachOutIreland on Facebook or ReachOut IRL on Twitter.

STAYING POSITIVE: Denis Vavasour says he has learned to take the good with the bad. Picture: Nick Bradshaw

Lung cancer is now the biggest killer

Measuring up to a healthy waistline

Lung cancer now claims more lives in Ireland than any other form of the disease. In 2010, 1,708 people died from the cancer — 1,006 of them were men. That’s according to the Irish Cancer Society, which says smoking is the key cause of lung cancer. The key to increased survival for lung-cancer patients is early detection. Rapid Access Clinics for lung cancer have been set up in all eight of the designated cancer centres. “The late stage of presentation of lung cancer in the past meant treatment options were limited, but now there

Having a waist size greater than 37 inches for a man is a clear indication that a person is carrying excess weight. That’s according to safefood, which has released research showing only 40% of adults now classify themselves as overweight though two out of three adults in Ireland are overweight. This indicates that thousands of men and women are putting their health at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. The research was conducted as part of

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is a clear plan to ensure that people are fast tracked so that diagnosis is made and treatment started quickly,” says Irish Cancer Society spokesperson Norma Cronin. “Anyone concerned about lung cancer can now go to their GP, where they will be examined, and if necessary referred to a rapid-access clinic.” ● If you’re concerned about lung cancer, contact the Irish Cancer Society’s National Cancer helpline on freefone 1800 200 700, and ask for a free copy of its new publication, Look After Your Lungs.

MINDFUL LIVING: A recent survey by Yakult revealed while 76% of us regard health as our number one priority, our wellbeing is not something we give much thought to on a daily basis. Mindfulness can be applied to all areas of our lives, right down to the way we eat, adds Olena Polyakova, nutritionist and fitness expert. Eating mindfully simply means being more aware of what you are eating, when you are eating and how you are eating, but it should be a natural part of our daily approach to life.” ● For tips on keeping your mind relaxed, your body healthy, visit www.yakult.ie.

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safefood’s ongoing Stop the Spread campaign to tackle overweight and obesity. Safefood is sponsoring RTÉ’s Operation Transformation and has developed myot.ie, a mini-web application where users can track their progress against their leader and access key advice while on the move. Safefood is also answering viewers’ weight -loss questions through a live link to its Facebook page via the show’s website www.rte.ie/ot.

DId you know...

Headphone-wearing pedestrian teens and young adult men are at increased risk of fatal injuries Source: University of Maryland, Baltimore, US

Nature’s remedies

MORNING BOOST: Trying to cut down on caffeine? Pukka Herbs Morning Time tea is a caffeine-free brew of uplifting herbs that can be enjoyed with out milk to help kick start your day. This 100% organically grown and fairly traded blend contains rooibos and honeybush to enliven and refresh, as well as red ginseng and roasted maca, a natural pick-me-up. Pukka Morning Time is €2.49 for 20 tea bags from Tesco and health stores; www.pukkaherbs.com

GOOD DIGESTION: Improving your digestion couldn’t be easier if you follow some simple steps according to A Vogel advisor Nicola Murphy: Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of plain water daily and herbal teas rather than coffee, tea and fizzy drinks. Boost your circulation with exercise, at least a brisk 10-minute walk in the fresh air daily. Cut down on processed foods and alcohol and eat more fruit, vegetables and wholefoods. Relax. Repopulate the good bacteria in your gut. Taken daily as a citrus-flavoured drink, A Vogel’s Molkosan is made from organic whey and will help keep intestinal flora healthy. It costs €7.20 for 200ml, from pharmacies and health stores.

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RESTFUL NIGHTS: Is snoring stopping you from having a good night’s sleep? The Good Night Anti-Snoring ring utilises Chinese acupressure therapy. The manufacturers are also offering a 30-day money back guarantee. Place the ring on your little finger before you go to sleep. It works on two pressure points located on your little finger and on your natural bio rhythms to free up your breathing passages and give a snore-free sleep. The Good Night AntiSnoring ring costs €39.99 from pharmacies.

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Beauty

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An eye cream won’t turn back time, but keeping that delicate skin area of your face well cared for doesn’t have to cost a fortune

Emily O’Sullivan

Y eyes don’t look great right now. In fact, my whole face is in a sulk. And it’s not just me. I’ve noticed a few sullen-faced, baggy-eyed types around this winter. They say the darkest hour is just before dawn, and likewise, the most wretched time for your skin is just before spring. We’ve endured cold weather, lack of sunlight, sluggishness, hours parked in front of Come Dine with Me. Is it any surprise that our eyes look like they’re packed up and ready for two weeks in Lanzarote? The thing is that the eyes need special care. And despite the fact that I don’t think wrinkle creams work, despise Botox and fillers and mistrust most of promises and claims made by beauty companies, I am a total sucker for a good eye cream. In fact, it’s the one beauty product that I’d really struggle to do without, and I’ve been using one since I was 22. Do they work? Well, maybe not. An eye cream won’t turn back time on the eye area, but I do think that keeping the eye area well cared for and well hydrated improves the condition of the skin, reduces the “appearance” of wrinkles, and actually makes your eyes look better. A good eye cream undoubtedly costs a lot. But you don’t have to spend a whole whack of money to get a product that’s pleasant to use — there are good quality products from Garnier and Avon that cost under a tenner. Still, if you do feel like splashing out, you’ll find that even expensive eye creams do give a good return on your investment. You only need to use a tiny amount, they last quite a long time, which makes them not bad value at the end of the day. The trick for nailing the perfect eye cream

The news on... NYC INDIVIDUAL EYES NYC EYES are among the best value palettes I’ve seen around in a while. A lot of cheapie eye shadows can have a not-so-great texture, but these little gems are smooth and silky and come in a great range of tones to suit your individual eye colour. Choose from Union Square for brown eyes, Bryant Park for blue eyes and Central Park for green eyes. If you’re a blue-eyed type, then you’re in luck — Bryant Park has the best combo of colours with shades of lilac, silver, violet and deep grey. The palettes also come with a primer, illuminator and small foam applicator — quite a bargain for €3.99, from department stores nationwide.

Take three... MOODY NAIL SHADES

LIFTING THE LID: An eye cream keeps the skin well hydrated and can improve its condition, reducing the “appearance” of wrinkles. Picture:iStock

Eye wear is consistency. Once upon a time, somebody told me (it may have even been a dermatologist) that very heavy bags under the eyes are actually full of old eye cream (because the cream has been to heavy to be absorbed and just congeals there), I’ve been edging towards the lighter side of things. Light eye creams are immeasurably more pleasant to use than their richer counterparts. And they work particularly well if you leave them in the fridge. They absorb better, and they make your eyes look more refreshed, which is the look we’re after right now. Personally, my favourite time to use eye creams is at night, after cleansing and just before bed. This can be a much better option than in the morning, because if you use an eye cream that’s too greasy under make-up, it can contribute to eyeliner

smudging and mascara smudging. My current favourite is Kiehl’s Midnight Eye Recovery, which claims to do a whole lot of stuff including diminishing the appearance of fine lines, reducing puffiness and reducing under eye circles. It comes in a little tube, which is really very handy, as it means you’re not adding bacteria to the cream by dipping your fingers into it night after night. Light and very easily absorbed, it may not make us look younger, but my eyes feel a helluva lot better in the morning. Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair eye has exactly the consistency that I love, too — a slight gel texture that feels amazing on the eyes. It does tend to get mixed responses (probably because the Advanced Night Repair is so universally loved by all who try it), but if you’re after something light, soothing and very refreshing, then this could be it.

Things are going to lighten up in a big way for spring, and it’s just around the corner, so pick up your fix of some fabulous dark and moody nail shades before everything goes pink. Ciaté Paint Pots, €10.50 in Tweed and Nails. I liked this shade so much I recently got my entire bedroom painted in a version of it. It’s a muddy olive that looks really great, no matter what your skin colour. Ciaté polishes don’t last the longest when compared to others, but they are paraben, formaldehyde and camphor-free, which we like. Essie Nail Colour in Little Brown Dress, €10.75. Think black coffee and you’ll probably get the shade of this great little polish from Essie. It’s perfect if you’re after a brown with an edge. Very elegant, day and night. Max Factor Colour Effects Mini Nail Polish in Prussian Blue, €4.99. A lovely rich navy blue in a perfectly sized container — just enough to take you through to summer. Love it.

STUFF WE LIKE Kiehl’s Midnight Eye Recovery, €35. It’s a small bottle, but it goes a long way — especially as you only use it once a day. This light cream sinks in to the eye area really well, leaving it feeling very refreshed. I wouldn’t go to bed without it. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream, €49. It says cream, but really this is more of an eye gel, with a very light texture that is perfect for popping on after cleansing to help the eye area feel really hydrated. It’s expensive but it does last quite a long time. A pricey option, but

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very pleasant to use. SK II Signs Eye Cream, €86.60. A very expensive product — you’d have to work out for yourself whether you think it’s worth the investment. It has a very smooth and silky texture which does feel incredible on the eyes, and it has an instant boosting effect. A nice option if you’re looking to treat yourself. REN Lipovector Smoothing Eye Contour Cream, €30. This light cream is a good everyday hydrator, a good option if you want a cream that you can wear day and night. It’s light enough that it doesn’t seem to inter-

fere with eye make-up (some heavier creams can leave the eye area feeling a little greasy, which can help to smudge liner and mascara). It comes with plant collagen, native wheat peptides and vitamin A from rosehip seed oil. Clinique All About Eyes Serum Depuffing Eye Massage, €29. Roll-on eye creams are a bit gimmicky, and I never really noticed much of an ‘effect’ from supposedly massaging the eye area with a rollerball, but this is one I have enjoyed using. It’s light and sinks into the skin very well indeed.

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Nivea Visage Anti-Wrinkle Q10 Plus Eye Cream, €11.60. This is a very good product, and it’s competitively priced. It targets dark circles and signs of ageing. Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, €31. Origins’ award-winning eye cream promises 86% brighter appearance, and 80% reduction in puffiness. Did it deliver? Well, it’s hard to measure but our eyes didn’t look half bad after using it. Designed to be used the “morning after”, which you can translate as every day, it’s packed with ginsing, caffeine and magnolia extract.

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Natural health

Megan Sheppard Do you have a question for Megan Sheppard? Email it to feelgood@examiner.ie or send a letter to Feelgood Irish Examiner City Quarter Lapps Quay Cork

WOULD you recommend Roaccutane as a treatment for severe acne? My daughter, now aged 19, has suffered from spotty skin since she was 11 years old. Over the years she has tried every natural remedy imaginable, topically and internally, all to no avail. She was prescribed Dianette and Yasmin which did not help. The only product that seemed to work was Trimethoprim. However, with concerns about the effects of long term use of antibiotics as well as a health scare, she discontinued use after six months. She has a healthy diet, takes evening primrose oil, fish oils and agnus cactus daily and milk thistle occasionally. She is a poor sleeper and is lethargic during the day. Her confidence is being badly affected by this problem. A. Having acne from such a young age is challenging. I am glad to hear your daughter has a healthy diet, since this is an important factor in healing any long-term condition. Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) is quite a severe medication to be prescribed, and is typically only suggested in very persistent and serious cases. It is one of the vitamin A derivatives known as retinoids, and it will usually work well to reduce the production levels and decrease the size of the sebaceous glands. The main issues with this medication are the side effects — including, but not limited to, depression, headaches, hair loss, dry skin, excess facial or body hair, allergy, arthritis, muscle pain, eyesight deterioration, nosebleeds, eczema, headaches, reduced white blood cell count, respiratory issues, inflammatory bowel disorders, menstrual irregularity, and hearing issues. While the extent to which these may be experienced differs between patients, the fact that side effects have been reported for 80% of all Roaccutane users is worth taking into account. Having said all of that, I can appreciate your daughter’s wish to simply use something that works. The sleep issue is well worth addressing, since most cellular repair and hormonal regulation is done during our sleeping hours. We really need quality sleep too — and the time of night is a significant factor, because our bodies are linked to a specific time ‘schedule’ when it comes to this nightly maintenance. This is why it is recommended that we don’t eat after 7pm — if the body is busy digesting foods when it should be doing the repair and maintenance work, then we end up with a backlog of important bodily tasks that never get addressed properly. The most crucial hours for sleep are said to be those between 10pm and 2am.

this is not the case. The many nutrients found in chia seeds are not damaged in the baking process. You seem to compare chia with flax, which does lose some of its omega 3 content when heated. But chia seeds have a high level of natural antioxidants that protect the omega 3 and prevents oxidation. This means you can bake with chia and not lose its nutritional content. Furthermore, flax needs to be ground and stored in the fridge to protect the nutrients that immediately start to diminish but chia has a soft outer shell that doesn’t need to be ground to gain the nutritional benefits. Debbie Dooly, Chia Bia A. I appreciate your feedback and useful information regarding my recent comments about chia seeds. You are quite right, in that chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) are one of the few seeds that our body can break down without needing to grind Picture: iStock them. They are also a renewable and reliable source of omega 3 essential fatty acids, however, all omega 3 is highly sensitive to heat and oxygen. Chia certainly does have high levels of antioxidants, which means that they will not oxidise in our system when we consume these seeds. They can be used in cooking at low temperatures without destroying the omega 3 content, however this means that if they are included in baking, it must be at temperatures lower than 180°C (350°F). Most baking is done at or above this level, so I typically recomIntestinal health is particularly important mend that in order to get the full benefits of in determining the likelihood of any skin these seeds, people consume them raw. If problems, with one study showing that 50% people would prefer to use them in cooking of individuals with severe acne had gut isor baking, and can work them into recipes sues, causing an increase in the levels of toxbelow this heat, it is certainly worth doing. ins in the bloodstream. Almost all traditional They are not, as you rightly mention, as medicine systems hold the founding belief fragile to heat and light as flaxseeds/linseeds, that the skin is a mirror of our internal which is another reason why I choose chia. health, and in your daughter’s case this is an It is worth noting that there are both black important place to focus as well, since the and white varieties of chia — the nutritional antibiotics will have tipped the balance of composition is very similar, however the gut flora. Seven Seas Multibionta (www.sevblack ones would be better for cooking since enseas.ie; 1850 681012) is ideal because it they contain more protective antioxidants. combines beneficial bacteria with essential The other bonus with chia seeds is that vitamins and minerals. they are naturally gluten free. Chia is also Plenty of pure water — a minimum of considered to be a complete protein, as it three litres — is also beneficial for cleansing rates 115 on the amino acid scoring index and detoxification. It will not only help with (whole egg proteins are only 100). If you skin health, and support the liver, it will also choose to take them by sprinkling the raw help to shift lethargy and improve sleep. seeds over a salad, then do be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, since Q. In a recent answer to a question about they absorb around nine times their weight chia seeds in Feelgood you wrote: “the in water! high heats involved in the cooking process Chia Bia has a wide range of chia products do indeed eliminate most of the healthavailable in Ireland. Check out their website giving properties of this wonder seed”. at www.chiabia.com, or phone 051-393685. However, according to research experts,

Most cellular repair and hormonal regulation is done during sleeping hours

■ NOTE: The information contained above is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor first.

Megan puts the spotlight on:

HEN it comes to treating ourselves to a luxury experience such as those offered by beauty spas, well, we just don’t tend to make the time (or have the money). The only time I have made the effort to go out for a relaxing spa treatment was when it was given to me as a gift voucher some years ago. If you have the time and money, then I wholeheartedly recommend finding a great spa using holistic and natural treatments — take some well-earned time out for yourself. For the rest of us, here are a few things you can do that take five minutes or less each... Masque treatment: As soon as you get home from work, cleanse your face

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with your chosen product, or just a soft cloth and water, then apply a face masque. It doesn’t have to be a fancy store-bought masque — honey works well, as do ground oats and water, clay, avocado, or even strawberries if you want to specifically treat pigmentation issues. For the next five minutes, you can now do the things you would normally do as soon as you walk in the door, or sit in a quiet and relaxed space if possible. Rinse the masque off and enjoy the fresh and energised sensation. Brush up your bod: Each morning before your shower, take five minutes to brush your skin — begin with the soles of your feet and work your way up us-

Five-minute home spa treatments ing long gentle strokes. Brush towards the lymph nodes, and towards the heart. Avoid sensitive areas, such as breasts, face, and genitals, but make sure that you do brush the buttocks. Use a natural bristled brush and, if you wish, add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil. This is great for detoxification, circulation, and preventing/treating cellulite. Tibetan toning: The Five Tibetan Rites are a set of simple exercises that you can do daily to help tone the body and calm the mind. They are reportedly used by Tibetan monks to maintain wellbeing, and longevity. It is difficult to describe these accurately within the confines of this column, so I suggest

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that you search “5 Tibetan rites” on the internet for detailed instructions on how to correctly perform these powerful yet simple exercises. And remember, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so if you are stuck for a gift to give your loved one... splash out on a spa voucher. Most places offer specific treatments for men and women.

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