Feelgood 18-11-2011 by Evening Echo

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Feelgood

Friday, November 18, 2011

Right wavelength School support and the Dyslexia Association helped the Flanagan children ﬂ ﬂourish: ourish: 8, 9

ILL AT EASE

How your body tells you what’s really wrong: 6

BREAKING POINT

Book advises couples on how to split up peacefully: 7

THE LOW-DOWN

Ex-Munster rugby player Alan Quinlan on tackling his depression: 13

Picture: Dan Linehan

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2 News front Kate O’Reilly WHAT’S ON ■ TOY SHOW: There will be a huge selection of toys on display from top brands to hand-crafted toys at the Toy Show from today until Sunday at the RDS. Families will also get an opportunity to visit Santa at the ISPCC Winter Trail and the all-important letter to Santa can be posted in the special Toy Show mailroom. Entrance is by donation to the ISPCC. See www.toyshow.ie. ■ DOWN SYNDROME: Down Syndrome Ireland is hosting a conference on the medical, emotional and mental health issues facing people with Down Syndrome tomorrow in the Ramada Viking Hotel, Waterford. Featuring medics and psychologists from the Adult Down Syndrome Centre in Chicago, it’ll give parents a greater insight into the condition and its impact on the individual’s health as they age. Get information and book on www.downsyndrome.ie. ■ FAMILY DAY: There will be a Family Fun Day in the SMA Hall, Wilton, Cork tomorrow from noon to 4pm. Entry is €5 for adults, including tea/coffee with children free and there will be stalls, face-paining, tattoos, and other fun games. Proceeds go towards the charity skydive which is being organised by RedFM to raise money for Childline. There will also be a fundraising table quiz in Flannery’s bar, Glasheen Rd, next Wednesday at 8pm. You can also donate online at www.ispcc.ie. ■ ZUMBATHON: A Zumbathon charity event will be held this Sunday from 3.30pm at K2C Martial Arts and Fitness, North Point Business Park, Blackpool, Cork Simon Community. There is a suggested donation of €10 and all proceeds will go to Cork Simon. All are welcome and no experience is necessary. For more details call 021-4309693. ■ MENTAL HEALTH: Mental Health Reform, the national coalition of organisations promoting improved mental health services is inviting Cork citizens to give their views on what good quality Mental Health Services are, on Tuesday at 6.30pm in Brú Columbanus, Wilton, Cork. As numbers are limited, confirm your attendance by calling 01-6121422 or by emailing RSVP@mentalhealthreform.ie. ■ HEART CLINIC: The Irish Heart Foundation will hold a free blood pressure and cholesterol testing clinic at the Parish Centre, Carrigaline, Co Cork, on Wednesday November 23 from 10am to 12pm. For details call 021-4505822 and if you have questions about stroke or heart disease phone 1890-432787. ■ DAY OF HOPE: On Thursday November 25, The Hope Foundation’s first national fundraising day — A Day of Hope: 1 Day, 1 Bar, 1 Child — will be run in conjunction with Butlers Chocolates. Schools and firms are invited to help raise funds for HOPE’s work with street children by selling chocolate bars for €2. See www.hopefoundation.ie or phone 021-4292990 to get involved. ● Items for inclusion in this column can be sent to koreilly8@gmail.com

FeelgoodMag

Feelgood

FeelgoodMag

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The Irish Dental Association says financial pressures mean fewer people are going for regular checkups, says Arlene Harris

Keep smiling S

MILING is one of the most effective means of relaying warmth to another human being. From the moment a baby bares his gummy grin, there is nothing more simple and reassuring as a smile. But according to a study from the ALDI supermarket chain, people across the land might be swapping their smiles for grimaces as over a third of Irish people are apparently not happy with the condition of their teeth. And a new report from the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has shown that 75% of Irish children suffer from tooth decay before the age of 16. So it seems that despite the fact that dentists urge people to brush for three minutes or longer, one in 10 people have admitted to only giving their teeth a 60 second once-over. Dr John Walsh of the Dental Health Foundation says the economic downturn has caused people to reduce routine dental visits which will result in long-term damage. “Currently the people of Ireland have better teeth than we did in the 1960s as dental health has improved greatly,” he says. “But there is still a really long way to go and when the previous government did away with the PRSI claim backs, people started neglecting their teeth as they could no longer afford the ‘luxury’ of check ups.” “Nowadays many people wait until they have a problem before going to the dentist

DON’T DELAY: Dentists urge you to spend three minutes brushing and also go for regular checkups. Picture: iStock and not only does this cause more work for both themselves and the dentist, but it will also be more costly in the long run,” says Dr Walsh. “We at the IDA feel very strongly about

this and believe it is a ticking time bomb — the more people avoid visiting the dentist, the worse their teeth will become and the backlog for dental appointments will get longer and longer.” Recently the IDA called on the Government to ensure that all revenue raised from a proposed ‘sugar tax’ should go to financing the restoration of the medical card scheme and the PRSI scheme. In the meantime, Dr Walsh says there are a number of preventative measures in which people can ensure their teeth and most importantly, their children’s remain healthier for longer. “We are seeing a big problem with decay in young children, even those at pre-school, where 1 in 3 are affected,” he says. “Parents need to lead by example, show their children the benefits of brushing teeth and do it for them until they are at least seven years old as they cannot clean their teeth properly before that.” “I would also urge parents to approach schools and ask them to introduce a healthy eating policy and an after-lunch teeth-cleaning time to help educate children from an early age.” “We are lobbying for people involved in primary care to be trained to identify children who are at risk from future dental problems and make referrals while they are still young.” ● See www.dentist.ie

HEALTH NOTES CHRISTMAS CHEER: Mark O’Connell from Beaumont Boys National School and Emma Punch from Beaumont National School for Girls posting their letters at the launch of Cork Simon’s Santa Stamp Appeal.

SIXTY primary schools across Cork city and county have signed up to the Cork Simon Santa Stamp Appeal — children insert their letters to Santa into the special €1 envelopes and express delivery to the North Pole is guaranteed! Since its 2006 launch, the Santa Stamp Appeal has raised almost €38,000 for some of the most vulnerable and excluded people in Cork. Schools in Cork and Kerry are still welcome to participate. To register your school or to purchase envelopesfrom Cork Simon, phone 021-4929416 or email sarah@corksimon.ie.

THE Irish Dental Association (IDA) is calling on the Health Minister to put public health warning labels on all fizzy drinks. The call follows a warning by dentists that one in two 12-year-olds in Ireland — as well as 75% of 15-year-olds — have tooth decay. Over-indulgence in sugar-laden foods and drinks seems to be the main cause, prompting the IDA to look for legislation that would require labels on fizzy drinks to highlight the sugar content of these products. PUTTING clocks back by an hour at the end of October may adversely affect children’s health, according to a UK study, which compared quantity of physical activity enjoyed by children during “long” and “short” days. Three-hundred children aged between eight and 11 were followed over four seasons

www.irishexaminer.com www.irishexaminer.com

Picture: John Sheehan Photography

and researchers found they were most active — usually through outdoor play — on long summer days, with the biggest concentration of activity between 5pm-8pm daily. Lead researcher Dr Anna Goodman of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said that the study bolstered the case for putting clocks forward “by an extra hour all year round”.

APPROXIMATELY 2,500 babies are born prematurely in Ireland each year and, to mark World Prematurity Day, Health Minister James

www.irishexaminer.com feelgood@examiner.ie

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Reilly has launched a new support book for parents — Newborn Infants And The Special Care Baby Unit. Written by Dr John Murphy, consultant neonatologist and the team from the special care baby unit at the National Maternity Hospital, the book covers topics including benefits of kangaroo care, guide to neonatal equipment on the ward, psychological impact on parents and how to safely handle and feed your new baby. Free copies of the book are available to hospitals and parents by calling 1800-570570.

Editorial: 021 4802 292

Advertising: 021 4802 215

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In Profile

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THE SHAPE I'M IN

Jimmy Buckley

Amigo in A1 shape

IKE his two bandmates in The Three Amigos, Jimmy Buckley is an individual star in his own right, having worked the country music scene for many years. Jimmy used to run into Robert Mizzell and Patrick Feeney in 24-hour service stations as they each made their way home from individual gigs — they realised their musical tastes were similar and so the next natural step was to collaborate for certain concerts. 2010 saw them tour together as The Three Amigos and now they’re together again for a series of shows this month. But Athenry-based Jimmy doesn’t see much of his fellow Amigos when they’re not doing a concert together. “We don’t get a chance to socialise together in between because of the demands of our individual careers. And, whenever I am off, I like to spend time with my family.” The 39-year-old, who describes himself as very driven — “I tend never to put off until tomorrow what I can do today, there’s always a sense of needing to be on top of my game” — is married to Clarice. The couple have three children, Claudia, 13, Michael, 10, and Charlotte, 7. ● The Three Amigos are at Salthill Hotel, Galway on November 21; Hotel Kilmore, Cavan on November 22; Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on November 23; and in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on Sunday, November 27. What shape are you in? I’m in pretty good shape. I made a conscious decision last year to really look after myself and get fitter. When you’re on the road late at night you eat the wrong food and you tend to lie on for a good few hours next morning so the pounds pile on. Now I go to the gym. I do some running and biking. Do you have any health concerns? My parents are alive and well but four of my uncles passed away recently. I’d be conscious of keeping an eye on my cholesterol and blood pressure.

everybody had left, I had a moment of reminiscence when I was thinking of my uncles — all of my dad’s immediate family have passed on. I got a bit lonesome for him so I had a little quiet tear over that. What would you change about your appearance? I’m prone to putting on weight so it’d be nice to be able to eat anything and not put up the pounds.

The perfect keepsake to celebrate a baby’s birth

What trait do you least like in others? I dislike people who give the impression they think they’re better than others. What trait do you least like in yourself? I have a terrible short fuse. If I get stressed out, I shoot from the hip. Sometimes it might be better to count to 10 —I get to about three. I’m very intense and passionate about what I do and I’m a perfectionist but if I get something wrong I always apologise. Do you pray? I do — I have great faith in Our Lady. I don’t go to Mass nearly as often as I’d like to though. What would cheer up your day? Seeing the people around me in good, bubbly form. Helen O’Callaghan

KEEP IT COUNTRY: Jimmy Buckley made a conscious decision last year to really look after himself and get fitter.

What are your healthiest eating habits? I grill or boil food rather than fry it. I like stews and a lot of the traditional foods. I have a boiled egg for breakfast, as well as a bowl of muesli. I stay away from toast unless it’s brown toast.

€50 A framed Irish Examiner front page from the day baby was born.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Well-salted, home-cured bacon with cabbage, a few big spuds and a doorstep of butter.

Contact the Irish Examiner on Tel. 021 4272722 Email: counter@examiner.ie

What would keep you awake at night? Most of the time, I sleep very well. I might switch on the TV for a while, nod off and hit the remote button as I begin to nod off. But leaving stuff undone or worrying about a member of my family would keep me awake. You also worry with the children getting older. You see how kids can come in harm’s way so you’re thinking about how to keep them away from that and keep them focused. How do you relax? I love to spend time with Clarice and to do the everyday daddy things with the kids and have the craic with them in the evenings. I love going into Galway for a cup of coffee. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Elvis Presley would be my number one guest, followed by Marty Robbins, a singer-songwriter who died in the ’80s, and also President John F Kennedy. What’s your favourite smell? A particular perfume that my wife was wearing when I first met her. She still wears it occasionally — it’s Magie Noire. When did you last cry? The last time was on a day recently when my parents and some other family came to visit. It was my Uncle James’s birthday — he died six months ago. That evening after

Feelgood

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

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4 Present time

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Plum out of ideas for Christmas gifts? Helen O’Callaghan suggests a selection

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of products for him and her, from the wallet-friendly to slightly more indulgent

BETTER WATCH OUT! <

Keep frozen ears warm when out on early morning power walks with Paul Costello earmuffs €18.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Birch and arnica are a lovely soothing combination for aching muscles after you start you New Year’s keep fit campaign, from Dr Hauschka at Here’s Health €18.45.

Exercise portion control with the Diet plate, which illustrates exactly how much of each food group you need to help maintain a healthy heart. It is endorsed by the British Heart Foundation and is available from www.dietplate.com (from €25 plus p+p)

Picture: Getty Images

It’s not just the girls who are slathering on the lotions and potions these days, the boys are at it too. Voya Totally Balmy is an unctuous cleansing balm designed for both sexes and comes with a cotton cleansing cloth, €40 at department stores.

Breathe in the beautiful aroma of white peony tea and Moroccan mint with the Max Benjamin candle duo, €30 at Meadows & Byrne, Avoca and Brown Thomas.

For the friend who has everything, give them the gift that keeps on giving by donating two little ducks to a poor family in Africa on their behalf, €27 from Oxfam shops and www.oxfamireland.org/unwrapped.

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Travelling over the holidays? Then everything will need to be compact and easy to carry like the Corioliss Couture travel hair dryer, €22 at Boots.

Picture: iStock Images

Doesn’t the sound of grapefruit and moss make you feel clean already? Check out this lovely little stocking filler from The Handmade Soap Company. €4.50 from Kilkenny and gift shops nationwide.

Up your daily dose of vitamin C to help ward off coughs and sniffles with a stylish manual juice machine finished in steel and girly pink. A donation from its sale is donated to Breast Cancer Campaign, at Debenhams approximately €55.

Davidoff Champion Energy is a new fragrance for men with undertones of grapefruit, bergamot and cedarwood, in a witty gym locker style presentation box, €45 from chemists and department stores.

Pop open a tin of Burt’s Bees bath crystals and soak away the stresses and strains of the holiday season, €11.95 at Here’s Health.

The party season requires perfect grooming of hair and nails. Try a two-in-one kit of straightening irons and nail polish with handy holdall for overnight visits, €26 at Boots.

Organic scented candles are a gorgeous luxury. Try a three-wick version from Neom perched on the side of the bath for maximum relaxation, €50 at Brown Thomas.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

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4 Present time

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Plum out of ideas for Christmas gifts? Helen O’Callaghan suggests a selection

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of products for him and her, from the wallet-friendly to slightly more indulgent

BETTER WATCH OUT! <

Keep frozen ears warm when out on early morning power walks with Paul Costello earmuffs €18.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Birch and arnica are a lovely soothing combination for aching muscles after you start you New Year’s keep fit campaign, from Dr Hauschka at Here’s Health €18.45.

Picture: Getty Images

Breathe in the beautiful aroma of white peony tea and Moroccan mint with the Max Benjamin candle duo, €30 at Meadows & Byrne, Avoca and Brown Thomas.

Feelgood

Travelling over the holidays? Then everything will need to be compact and easy to carry like the Corioliss Couture travel hair dryer, €22 at Boots.

Picture: iStock Images

Doesn’t the sound of grapefruit and moss make you feel clean already? Check out this lovely little stocking filler from The Handmade Soap Company. €4.50 from Kilkenny and gift shops nationwide.

Davidoff Champion Energy is a new fragrance for men with undertones of grapefruit, bergamot and cedarwood, in a witty gym locker style presentation box, €45 from chemists and department stores.

Pop open a tin of Burt’s Bees bath crystals and soak away the stresses and strains of the holiday season, €11.95 at Here’s Health.

The party season requires perfect grooming of hair and nails. Try a two-in-one kit of straightening irons and nail polish with handy holdall for overnight visits, €26 at Boots.

Organic scented candles are a gorgeous luxury. Try a three-wick version from Neom perched on the side of the bath for maximum relaxation, €50 at Brown Thomas.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

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Psychology

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Stress-related pain is an unwelcome nuisance, but it may just be telling you what you need to get better

Listen to your body

Tony Humphreys

HE word “stress” is borrowed from the area of technology which considers stress as a pressure or strain. For example, some plane crashes have been known to be due to metal fatigue; too much strain and pressure on metal over too long a period of time. The latter has echoes of the Irish and other European banks undergoing “stress tests” to determine their viability. Human stress also became defined as a pressure or strain and it can be physical or social or psychological or some combination of these. Physical stress can arise from cold, long-standing, lifting heavy objects, breathing in toxic fumes, loud noises and so on. Examples of social stress are living next door to the “neighbour from hell”, violent and verbally aggressive partner, work-place bullying, excessive demands from others, and co-dependence. Psychological strain arises from such factors as hating oneself, comparing oneself with others, addiction to what others think, lack of confidence, shyness, passivity — to mention just a few. It is well established that stress accounts for anything up to 80% of medical illnesses. In spite of the stress-related nature of illness, treatment tends to be primarily medical with little or no regard for the emotional and social origins of the illness. The seven leading causes of death are also stress-related — heart-disease, brain strokes, cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, lung ailments, accidental injuries and suicide. Typically, stress is seen as being caused by either external or internal factors or a combination of both. In my view, how a person is within themselves — their interiority — determines how they respond to external sources of stress. In other words, if I am internally under pressure, then I am not in a solid place to withstand the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune. The much loved John O’Donohue puts it eloquently “when you inhabit your own individuality you possess a solid interiority from which nobody can distance, demean, lessen or exile your presence in any way.” It is also true to say neither will you threaten, diminish, dismiss or distance yourself from another. When individuals experience any one or combination of stress symptoms, the tendency is to see the symptoms as the problem. For example, back pain accounts for 60% of lost work time and there are countless medical and alternative treatments for this condition. When any stress symptom keeps recurring, of course, it is important to get yourself medically checked out, but my concern is that this becomes the primary concern and the deeper intentions of the illness are missed. There is also the issue that the literal interpretation of a stress-related illness sees the presenting symptoms as the enemy, the body letting one down and the amazing healing power of the body is forgotten. We possess some two billion brain cells which operate for our wellbeing — there is no enemy within! There is a further consideration and that is that we possess an unconscious mind that also operates for our good. At this level of mind, symptoms may be created to bring attention to an alienation from self that was developed in childhood in response to emotional, social, physical, intellectual, behavioural and sexual threats to our wellbeing. The

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Eventually, when I considered what my lower back pain may be symbolically saying, I found the answer that led to a complete resolution unconscious disconnection from one’s real self needs to be brought to consciousness so that as an adult — needing to no longer be dependent on mother and father, family and other significant adults — you can slowly but surely begin to reside in the house of your own individuality. In my opinion, stress-related illnesses are an attempt by the unconscious to bring attention to the greatest dis-ease of all — a lack of loving of self. Because the mode of awakening the person is unconscious and the language of the unconscious is metaphorical, then stress signs need to be interpreted metaphorically — symbolising an aspect of the interior world of the person who is ill. When one sees the symbolic meaning, it becomes clear that stress-related illness, rather than being the enemy, is the ally wanting to come home to your unique and sacred self. In my own life I experienced severe lower back pain over a number of years. My first responses to it were annoyance, frustration and resorting to the use of painkillers. I also took up tennis to strengthen my body, time-managed my work, ate more healthily and took up doing relaxation exercises. All of these responses arose from the literal interpretation of the back pain. There is no doubt that these therapeutic efforts made a difference, but, whenever I stopped these efforts to control the pain, the pain returned. Somehow, I was not getting down to the hub of the matter. Eventually, when I considered what the lower back pain may be symbolically saying, I found the answer that led to a complete resolution. For me back pain symbolically represented: “putting my back out” for others; “backing out” of care of myself; “taking the world of other people’s pain on my back”; “bending over backwards” to please others. What was being called for was for me to put my back into caring for myself and to support others to do likewise. It is important to understand that back pain can symbolise different things for different people and at different times. Only the person who is in pain will recognise the metaphorical interpretation as putting its finger right on the button of the meaning of his or her illness. Medical and alternative therapies — particularly, when there are serious stress-related illnesses present — are necessary to restore the body to its healthy state, but, ultimately, what is needed is a healing of the deep emotional self. Dr Tony Humphreys is a clinical psychologist, author, national and international speaker. His book with co-author Helen Ruddle ‘The Compassionate Intentions of Illness’ is relevant to this article.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE ADVERTISING

Target more females in Munster and Cork than any other daily newspaper. To reach them, advertise in ‘Feelgood’.

Call Lori Fraser

Tel: 021 4802265 lori.fraser@examiner.ie

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Couples

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The emotional fallout from when a relationship ends can be torturous. Whatever factors are involved, there is help available, writes Suzanne Harrington

Challenging times

ALLING in love is easy. Staying in love is more difficult. And breaking up can be agony. Generally, we are not very good at breaking up. Our emotions — fear, loss, grief, anger — can take over, and we forget how to be grown-up. If only there was a manual to help us through this most tortuous, yet common, life-stage... oh wait, there is. Relationship counsellor Lisa O’Hara, who works with Relationships Ireland, has just published When A Relationship Ends: Surviving The Emotional Rollercoaster of Separation. In it she provides a clear guide through the process, acknowledging how disruptive it can be, emotionally, logistically, and socially. Such it its ubiquity that by 2008 the rate of Irish marital breakdown had risen to over 27% (6,222 separations and divorces) compared with 15% in 2001.. Women are more likely to pull the plug — 58% of divorces and 72% of legal separations were femaleinstigated. We break up for lots of reasons, one of the most common one (around one-quarter of all break-ups) being that a couple simply falls out of love. A Grant Thornton survey last year discovered the “11-year itch”, with 70% of divorces happening between 11 and 20 years of marriage. Apart from growing apart, other reasons include affairs (27%) and unreasonable behaviour (18%). Lisa O’Hara has noticed changes in her years as a couples therapist. “There are layers to the issues that couples are faced with nowadays that Picture: Getty images weren’t there ten years ago,” she says, adding that increased technology has created further distraction (as anyone in a relationship with a smartphone addict will concede). Plus there’s the instant availability of porn, even more addictive and damaging. “It’s unclear whether there is increased infidelity (again it’s more accessible — online dating, chatrooms, porn, etc) or whether more people are now seeking professional help, but we have noticed an increase in the last few years,” she says. “Personally my case load has gone from 20% to 30% in the last 24 months. Although

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women are also unfaithful, research tells us men are still twice as likely to be unfaithful and this is also consistent with our own statistics. “Anecdotally, our sex therapists have noticed an increase in men coming in for help with low libido, dispelling the myth that women are less interested in sex and they report that it’s due to increased stress and worry, job loss, not getting on with their partners etc.” And Christmas, of course, which can really put the boot into damaged relationships, hence the separation spike in the New Year — people hold their breath throughout the holidays, then walk in January. “Couples may have already made the decision to separate yet to leave it until after Christmas for the sake of the children so that they do not remember Christmas being a sad time,” says Lisa. “The pressure is on for everything to be perfect but that can come at a high price when issues between the couple become heightened. For some, Christmas is the last straw and they make the decision to end the relationship.” It’s far easier to dismantle a relationship if it’s just you two, but staying together for the children — despite people thinking it’s a good idea — may actually be more damaging in the long run. But how you handle the break up is paramount. “Children will adjust to their parents separation,” says Lisa. “But how well they adjust all depends on how the parents handle the separation themselves. Although children are more likely to want their parents to stay together, where there has been ongoing conflict between the adults, they do experience relief when they separate, believing that there will be no more fighting. “They have a right to love both parents and not feel they have to choose. They tend to feel very uncomfortable and can become anxious when they hear one parent badmouthing / blaming the other.” ● When A Relationship Ends: Surviving The Emotional Rollercoaster of Separation by Lisa O’Hara, Orpen Press €14.99

When breaking up is hard to do HERE are some of Lisa O’Hara’s tips on how to end a relationship well: ■ If you have decided to end your relationship, it will be normal for you to experience conflicting feelings — like fear of staying versus fear of leaving. ■ It would make sense that you act with certainty. If you act with uncertainty, your partner is likely to experience more prolonged grief if they believe there is still hope. ■ It’s impossible to predict how your partner will react but be prepared for the upset that will come. Some people never see it coming and it is a huge shock.

■ You may be experiencing great relief that the decision is finally made. Your partner may feel quite differently, please be patient with them — you have known about this a lot longer. ■ It is quite normal for the issues that were present in your relationship to be heightened for a while after separation. ■ Even if you wanted the relationship to end, you may be surprised that you can still feel waves of sadness and pain and wonder if you made the right decision. This is normal. ■ Although it may be difficult at times, please try to be respectful. ■ The end of a long-term relationships brings up feelings of abandonment which are primal and can be terrifying.

The first SALT THERAPY CLINIC in Munster has opened at the Hazelwood Centre, Glanmire, Cork DID YOU know that only 20 - 25% of the drug in inhalers travel to the lower airways and 75 - 80% of the medication deposits in your mouth and throat? For many years naturally occurring salt chambers have been found to be extremely beneficial to health - especially those suffering with respiratory problems. At the salt Climatherapy Room we produce a micro climate better than what is found in natural salt chambers, we start by purifying the air in a climate controlled insulated room to produce a germ free and allergen free environment. Then we fill the air with predefined concentrations of salt aerosol, suited to inhale without causing side effects. You can then sit back and relax breathing normally and enjoying the positive effects of your treatment. They will reach the most hidden parts of your sinuses and the remotest small bronchial tube in your lungs. This treatment is a drug free treatment for asthma, bronchitis, sinus problems, coughs and colds and has shown to boost the immune system. It also increases sports

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performance by increasing stamina and endurance and ensuring the body performs at optimal level. Sessions last 60 minutes and the Salt Climatherapy Room is very safe for children. This is the only respiratory treatment that can treat the WHOLE respiratory system. Salt therapy is 100% natural, safe and drug free. It could provide effective long-term relief from various respiratory illnesses. It can be used as a complementary treatment or as a sole treatment.

“Recently brought my two little girls up for treatment. My youngest little girl is 3 and suffers badly from asthma she tends to wake a lot during the night with wheezing, after one treatment I noticed a visible improvement and she slept through the night. My eldest daughter who is 5 tends to be prone to sinus congestion and generally seems to pick up a lot of coughs and colds especially in the winter months. I was extremely pleased with the results for both of them and will definately be returning for further sessions” - Nicola Fitzpatrick www.saltlifetherapy.ie “My one year old daughter had bad nasal congestion and a chesty cough which improved greatly even after the first treatment. I was delighted with the results and would recommend Salt Therapy to anybody seeking a natural alternative to over the counter medicines” - Denise Martin www.saltlifetherapy.ie “I found it a lot easier to breathe and slept a lot better after the sessions” - Paddy McCarthy www.saltlifetherapy.ie

Gift Vouchers are available

The Salt Climatherapy Room is Open from 10am - 7pm Monday to Friday With Adult only Sessions from 5pm - 7pm Daily • Saturday Opening Hours are from 10am - 5pm

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

For more information contact 021 4820587 www.saltlifetherapy.ie

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Male story health 8 Cover

Tackling xxxxxx dyslexia

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Dyslexia can hamper a child’s development if undetected. But with proper educational support, those with the condition can excel in all areas of life, writes Áilín Quinlan

Getting over a bad spell

YSLEXIA — we view it as a problem, but a new book claims the condition may be more of an ability. At 10, a dyslexic child might be a cause of concern to its worried parents but by adulthood many have achieved undreamt-of success — in fact, according to two experts, dyslexia may even change the brain for the better. American neuro-experts Brock and Fernette Eide found that many dyslexics they tested had excellent three-dimensional spatial reasoning and mechanical ability. Their thinking processes were different — they saw relationships in terms of analogies, and thought in pictures and stories rather than in words or numbers. Authors of The Dyslexic Advantage, the duo believe that dyslexics tend to use more of the right hemisphere of the brain and can process big picture issues extremely well. They’re great at problem solving and good at spotting important connections and seeing the relationships between ideas. According to the book there’s a very high percentage of dyslexic engineers, artists, computer designers, architects, inventors, film producers, actors and entrepreneurs — more than twice the actual percentage of dyslexics in the population. A large number also end up in careers such as aviation, radiology, geology and as orthodontists. So maybe we have the wrong attitude to dyslexia to begin with. Take Aoife Flanagan, for instance. When Aoife Flanagan was diagnosed as dyslexic in primary school, a lot of things suddenly made sense to her mother Margo. Aoife found rote learning difficult and disliked reading aloud — yet the youngster was extremely bright — and a whizz at maths. At the time, recalls Margo, a book-keeper based in Youghal, Co Cork, she knew nothing about dyslexia. But when Aoife was in fifth class in primary school, Margo received a call from her teacher. Curious about why her reading was so poor when she excelled in so many other areas, he had tested Aoife and felt she could benefit from learning support. Margo agreed to the suggestion and suddenly her daughter began to make more progress. Aoife — now aged 21 and studying Quantity Surveying at Waterford Institute of Technology — was officially diagnosed as dyslexic a year later. She started to attend a weekly workshop in Cork run by the Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) for help with her reading, writing and spelling and little by little, things fell into place. But, as is clear from her achievements to date, the condition hasn’t held her back. Aoife’s situation is not uncommon — figures show that between 8% and 10% of the population has some degree of dyslexic difficulty. Rosie Bisset, chief executive of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland, says that of that number, about half have a milder ver-

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MISSING WORDS: We most often associate dyslexia with reading, writing and spelling difficulties, but some dyslexics may also have difficulties with mathematics, working memory and the fast processing of information. Picture: Getty Images sion of the condition and could go undiagnosed, while the other half could have severe symptoms affecting everything from reading, writing and spelling to maths, working memory and the fast processing of information. Bisset too believes that dyslexia can bring its own strengths. “People with dyslexia have strengths in other areas — visualisation, creativity, the

EDUCATIONAL psychologist Mary Ball, pictured, who is a director of Education for the Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) and a former second-level teacher has the following suggestions on what parents can do. ■ Be alert to possible language difficulties. Always talk to your child. There is a great deal of learning that can be done through constant dialogue and expanding the vocabulary. Play word games with your child like I-Spy or Finish The Sentence.

arts. A high percentage of people with dyslexia are in the areas such as art, graphic design, architecture,” she says, pointing out that dyslexic people also have a proven ability to think outside the box and to engage in ‘big picture’ thinking. “There is a high incidence of dyslexics represented amongst entrepreneur and investors — they have great ability to come up with new ways of doing things or to

come up with a creative idea. “Dyslexics tend to have very good interpersonal skills and are often great in dealing with people.” She points out, they are also very often “incredibly determined” because of their difficulties with things like literacy, working memory or the speed in how they process information. “They have to work harder and it stays with them in the workplace. They are very

determined and will put in extra time.” At the beginning it can be exceptionally frustrating, she acknowledges. “The reality is that children with dyslexia are spending huge amounts of time on their homework,” she says. “But because of the dyslexia, that huge investment is not always obvious as they may not be reading or spelling as well as children who do not have dyslexia and spent much less time on their work.” In an average class of 30 children, Bisset explains, at least three will usually have some form of dyslexia. Parents nowadays are more aware of the condition, she believes, a trend that is underlined by a significant rise in the number of requests for information received by the DAI. “We see a year-on-year increase in the number of calls and requests for information from parents. In the past five years or so we have seen an increase of at least 25% in the amount of inquiries and requests for information. “We get requests from parents, adults, teachers, students, employers — there is a very rapidly-increasing awareness out there, but there is still a way to go.” As there is no register of dyslexia in this country, statistics are not available to show whether diagnoses are on the increase. But, Bisset points out, DAI has also registered a 10% increase in the number of assessments that the organisation carries out on children and adults between 2008 and 2010. Following Aoife’s diagnosis, Margo got together with other parents, and founded a DAI branch in Youghal — the group runs a workshop for children with dyslexia. Once she entered second-level education, Aoife started to attend the Youghal workshop, and continued to attend classes right up to her Leaving Certificate year. Margo also had her second child, Patrick, assessed: “When I heard about Aoife I decided that Patrick should be assessed. He didn’t have the reading problems or any obvious symptoms — he was still young at the time, but I decided that I wouldn’t take a chance.” Patrick too, was diagnosed as dyslexic: “It showed in his spelling – his spelling

SUCCESS STORY: Margo Flanagan’s daughter Aoife and son Patrick have dyslexia — but with early diagnosis and extra help both are thriving in education. Picture: Dan Linehan was very bad as he spelled what he heard.” Patrick also attended the DAI workshop in Cork city, but moved to the workshop in Youghal once it was established. Both children also got strong support from their schools, recalled Margo: “Their schools were fantastic to me and to the children. The help they got was brilliant,” she says. “They both did very well. They needed the extra help and they got it.” During her Leaving Certificate, Aoife was allowed to have a reader to read her papers to her, and she also availed of a waiver on grammar and spelling. Currently in her third year at Waterford

Different ways you can help your child deal with difficulties ■ Read stories to your child for at least 10 minutes every night. Talk about what they have read ■ Environmental language is important – post the names of objects around the room on printed signs. ■ Watch out for lack of organisation – some children with dyslexia can have difficulties with doing things in a meaningful sequence so help your child to organise their PE gear for school or to use checklists, reminders and coloured timetables

■ Give one instruction at a time, not three or four: a feature of dyslexia is poor working memory. As many children with dyslexia have difficulty learning by heart, break the piece (for instance the 10 times tables) into chunks.

■ Dyscalculia can co-exist with dyslexia and make understanding mathematical processes difficult. Try to use concrete ma-

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

terials for maths (for instance, to demonstrate a quarter, cut an apple in four). ■ Don’t allow homework take up more than what you would expect to have at that age – an eight-year-old, for example, should not be spending two hours per night on their homework. Meanwhile, Mary Ball also says to watch out for the following indicators of dyslexia in children between the ages of five and 12.

Institute of Technology, Aoife now has a tutor who, because of her dyslexia, will check her assignments before she submits them: “The college also has a special skills centre which provides tutors to students with any form of learning disability. A child should not be stopped by a learning difficulty. A lot of children with dyslexia are very bright,” emphasises Margo, adding that because of his dyslexia, Patrick, now aged 17, was allowed to do his Junior Cert exam on a laptop instead of writing his papers by hand. However, while the Flanagan children received support from the education sys-

■ Slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds ■ Has difficulty separating words into sounds, and blending sounds to form words (phonemic awareness). ■ Has difficulty repeating multi-syllabic words (for instance emeny for enemy, pasghetti for spaghetti). ■ Confuses small or easy words: at/ to; said/ and; does/ goes. ■ Reverses letters (for instance swapping d for b as in dog for bog). ■ Has continued difficulty reading text aloud or silently. ■ Still confuses letter sequences (for instance soiled for solid; left for felt).

tem, Bisset is worried about the future. While the learning support system has so far avoided the cutbacks imposed on the education system over the last few years, other cuts have had a knock-on effect, she points to “the reduction in the number of language support teachers, the closure of a number of special support units for children with general learning disabilities and also the reduction in the number of special needs assistants and reductions in the allocation of resource hours.” This, says Bisset, means that some children who would benefited from additional support in these facilities are now back in the mainstream classroom with only the learning support teacher to provide support outside the classroom. It’s important to understand that dyslexia covers a wide spectrum of specific learning difficulties. “It is quite common for someone to have more than one learning difficulty,” she says. “Conditions that can co-occur include attention deficit disorder; dyspraxia (also known as developmental co-ordination disorder); Asperger’s syndrome (the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum), or dyscalculia, which is a specific learning disability in relation to mathematics.” However, says Bisset, as a result of cutbacks in the special needs system, learning Support teachers are coming under increased pressure with more and more children to cater for. “It is getting more competitive and more difficult to get time with the learning support teacher, and parents are increasingly frustrated with the difficulty of getting learning support in school,” she warns. The research shows, she points out, that every euro on early intervention saves five or six later in life. If learning difficulties are dealt with in an early and appropriate way the state can save huge amounts of money, and have a significantly positive effect on a person’s ability to progress successfully through the education system and into a worthwhile career. ● For more information, phone the Dyslexia Association of Ireland on 01-6790276 or 01-6790275; email info@dyslexia.ie or visit www.dyslexia.ie

■ Poor reading accuracy and/or fluency. ■ Uses avoidance tactics when asked to read orally or write. ■ Has slow or poor recall of facts. ■ Forgets to bring in or hand up homework. ■ Has difficulty remembering what day or month it is. ■ Has poor planning and organisational skills. ■ Has poor time management ■ Has slow, dysfluent or illegible handwriting Continues to experience severe spelling difficulties ● For further information on the indicators of dyslexia in children of different ages, visit www.dyslexia.ie.

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Male story health 8 Cover

Tackling xxxxxx dyslexia

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Dyslexia can hamper a child’s development if undetected. But with proper educational support, those with the condition can excel in all areas of life, writes Áilín Quinlan

Getting over a bad spell

Feelgood

■ Dyscalculia can co-exist with dyslexia and make understanding mathematical processes difficult. Try to use concrete ma-

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

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10 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 473 473 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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MY seven- year-old has eczema and is always scratching. What’s the best way of helping with this?

A: One of the most difficult symptoms of eczema is the itching, and many children get into an itch-scratch cycle that can mean their skin is always being damaged. It’s also very distracting; it’s hard to sit still and concentrate in class if you’re always feeling itchy. Fortunately there are lots of ways you can help. Not all may work for your child, but some will. The first thing is to get some professional support; you shouldn’t try to manage your child’s eczema on your own and because eczema is common, most GPs are very familiar with its treatment. One of the bedrocks of looking after eczema is moisturising: a dry skin is an itchy skin. One of the best times to use moisturiser is after a shower or a bath. Apply it smoothly and gently, and give it 15-20 minutes to soak in before bed. By seven, many children can apply their own moisturiser but you should be there for encouragement. You can keep moisturiser in the fridge or a cool box, so it’s pleasant to use. Keeping cool is also important as heat makes the skin itchy more. Give your child loose clothing, avoiding wool, and make sure they have time to rest after running around or playing sports. Children often get hot at night, so use cotton sheets and nightwear, a light duvet, and keep the room cool and air circulating by opening a window. On very hot summer nights you can try a fan, but not directly on your child. Soaps and bubble-baths can make eczema much worse by stripping the skin of its protective oily layer. If using soap get a product that also contains moisturiser, don’t buy bubble-bath, and keep the bath or shower cool. You can also buy bath oils designed to help eczema. Keep fingernails short. Many children are unaware that they are scratching, and may do so unconsciously, for example when watching TV. You can help by encouraging your child to hold their arm, sit on their hands, or even try wearing gloves. Some children’s eczema is made worse by triggers, such as household pets, or some foods. If you can identify such a cause then it’s usually easy to avoid it, although you should talk to your GP to ensure your child is still getting a balanced diet. Hopefully some of these ideas will help.

NEWS UPDATE

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WHILE families can be rightly concerned that cutbacks across all areas of government spending may impact negatively on their quality of life, the announcement last week that health spending will be a priority for this government will be of some relief. Aside from the commitment to develop the National Children’s Hospital which — although several years away — will improve hospital services for children, the decision to proceed with the building of more primary care centres is a welcome development. The idea is that patients in need of chronic care, but who can be treated on an out-patient basis, will be treated at their local GP centre rather than having to travel to a hospital

CARE CENTRE: Plans are in place for more patients to be treated by GPs. Picture: iStock — or possibly having to stay in a hospital to get treatment. This will make access to treatment much easier for family members with

Q. How should I care for a feverish child? A. A child’s normal temperature is between 36.5C and 37.5C. A fever, or high temperature, is generally considered to be a temperature at, or above, 38C. They are common in young children and settle down quickly. Children with fever often have other symptoms. It’s normal for them to look tired and flushed, be grumpy or irritable, and older children may complain of a headache or other aches and pains. Children can go off food. Taking a child’s temperature is often easiest from the armpit There are several ways of making your child more comfortable. If your room is a normal temperature, you can take off some of their clothing to cool them down. A room fan, not directly onto your child, but keeping air circulating, can be helpful, and opening a window will have the same effect. It’s important to encourage fluid intake. Little, but often, is best. If you are breastfeeding you should continue with this. Maintaining fluids

chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. Minister for Health James Reilly is intent on transferring some hospital services (particularly in-patient services) to a primary care setting and in order to achieve this, he announced that the government will fund primary care centres in rural or deprived areas where this wouldn’t prove economical for private operators to set up. In theory, this should facilitate the development of primary care centres across the country, which in turn should speed up the transfer of treatment of patients who don’t require hospital stays. Hopefully, this commitment will mean quicker and easier access to care for chronic conditions at a local level.

prevents dehydration. ‘Cold sponging’ used to be popular but is not now recommended and children often find it unpleasant. Many children are happy to have a cool bath or shower and this may help settle them off to sleep. Many parents do give paracetamol or anti-inflammatory products specifically marketed for children; these can be used alternately, providing you are careful to follow the dosage instructions, which are related to the child’s age. There’s no need to treat a mild fever with medicine if your child is comfortable and not distressed. Fevers often settle by themselves and after a few hours rest and a drink your child may be playing normally again. Occasionally fevers can be a sign of a more serious illness, but your child will have other symptoms. Children who become drowsy, have difficulty in breathing, develop a rash, or who vomit recurrently so they can’t keep down their fluids, or who are complaining of pain that won’t settle, need a doctor’s assessment, as they may have an infection that requires specific treatment, such as antibiotics.

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

HEN your three-year-old asks why your belly looks like you’ve ingested a baby heffalump, it makes for a tricky start to explaining the mechanics of procreation. The buzzword among the experts is to keep it “age appropriate” but these days that can mean anything up to a level I was barely aware of by the time I started dating. When I told her I was growing a baby, she almost keeled over. “WHAT??” she spluttered before yelling for her brother to verify that she had heard me correctly. Looking at me quizzically, he asked the question I was dreading: how in tarnation had a baby got in there in the first place? Tempted to say “ask your father,” I explained it was a present from daddy. “Do you mean Santa?” he asked, sceptical that his father had such a gift in him. I shook my head. Santa’s expertise was in toymaking and while a polar workshop was a legitimate backdrop for making babies, the task had been given to men who generally made an appearance more than once a year. His next query, thankfully, was not “How did daddy get it in there?” but how would the baby get out? A veteran of two caesareans, the answer was straightforward enough. “That’s yuck,” my son said when I explained, before deciding to let the matter

rest. My friend’s 11-year-old child had more on his mind. He had heard certain words from his peers that left him at sea and so he asked his mother to elaborate. Some were so top-shelf, she barely knew herself. Clutching the worktop for support, she asked what he thought they meant. In his innocence, bless him, he explained. His interpretations were pretty much textbook. More than slightly shell-shocked, she phoned her husband at work. “It is time for The Talk,” she said, “our child may know more than ourselves”. The experts say when it comes to the birds and bees and telling the kids, it’s best not to mince your words. In fact best avoid altogether terms like “birds” and “bees” and just call it as it is. One book — A Chicken’s Guide to Talking Turkey with Your Kids about Sex — claims to cover his or her development “not just from the waist down, but also from the neck up, where the important decisions about sex are made”. My eldest is five and a long way off his first shave, so I haven’t read it yet. Still, as Baden-Powell would say, best be prepared. You never know when they’ll hit you with the kind of query that could leave you shamefaced in front of a neighbour or running for cover to the therapist.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

I explained to my son the baby was a present from daddy. “Do you mean Santa?” he asked, sceptical that his father had such a gift in him. I shook my head. Santa’s expertise was in toymaking

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Celebrity

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TV presenter and choreographer Arlene Phillips talks to Gabrielle Fagan about life after Strictly Come Dancing, the loss of her mum, and the family so close to her heart

Back in step

RLENE PHILLIPS breezes into the restaurant wearing a diamante-studded leather jacket, a clinging red dress, and a huge smile. The 68-year-old has got every reason for outward contentment because she looks amazing, and she’s extra confident about her current look because her daughters, Alana, 31, and Abi, 21, have given it the thumbs up. “There’s no escape from my daughters’ ‘evil eyes’,” she explains. “If ever I buy something I shouldn’t because it’s too young for me, they’re quite outspoken and immediately say, ‘Mum, you can’t wear that, not at your age!’ I always listen to them.” It’s been two-and-a-half years since dancers on Strictly Come Dancing listened to

Phillips’s advice — and sometimes quaked at her brutally honest comments. Her sudden departure caused a storm of accusations that the decision to end her tenure had been down to ageism, a claim strongly denied by the BBC. Phillips, undoubtedly rocked by the decision, especially as privately she was also dealing with the death of her agent and close friend of 40 years, Michael Summerton, has since rallied and flourished. She has her own clothing range, a series of children’s books, is constantly busy as a choreographer — this year she worked on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of The Wizard Of Oz — and has just produced a new book. Dance To The Musicals is a step-by-step guide, including a DVD, featuring routines

from her 10 favourite shows, such as Grease, She’s giving her opinions about each week’s Saturday Night Fever and We Will Rock show in Strictly Speaking, for the QVC You. shopping channel website. “For me, dancing is like breathing. It makes “When I watch the dancers I instantly me who I am. And I think secretly there’s a know what the ‘secret golden weapon’ would yearning to dance in all of us,” she says. be for each one, that key move or improve“But it isn’t easy and ment that would make all I just wanted to show the difference to their perpeople routines that formance. But, of course, I’d they can get a buzz never reveal what those are, from mastering at it wouldn’t be fair.” home, and along the Phillips, who grew up in way help themselves Prestwich, Lancashire, first get trim.” found fame with her Hot She’s certainly pracGossip dancing troupe in the tices what she preaches ’70s — Strictly judge Bruno and keeps an eagle eye Tonioli did the hair and on her diet, shedding make-up for the group. more than two stone Undeniably, she has exin weight shortly ceptionally high energy levbefore leaving Strictly. els. She’s currently touring Phillips is philosophthe US and Canada promotical about the fact that ing her book, and only reher link with the laxes when she’s at home Strictly series will nevwith partner, Angus Ion, 58. er be forgotten, and “Angus is the coolest guy. recently she’s reconI almost feel it was prenected with it, albeit ordained that we met. in a small way. “We bumped into each “I’ve moved on so other on a Freddie Mercury far in my life, but for DANCING QUEEN: Arlene Phillips has video shoot, got talking, been busier than ever since her exit whatever reason I’m didn’t stop, and still haven’t still identified with the from Strictly Come Dancing. Picture: PA after all these years.” series,” she says. “A few months ago, I thought, ‘Oh for ● Dance To The Musicals: The Fun Way To goodness sake, it’s never going to go away, Fitness (with free DVD) by Arlene Phillips is just embrace it’.” published by Kyle Books, £18.99.

In the right hands

this is an aeroplane.

Spoon by spoon, we grow together. Feelgood

For advice on weaning and for money off coupons, visit

spoonbyspoon.ie FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

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Healthy food

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Getting real Mathematical nutritionist challenges convention

Roz Crowley

ALKING to Zoe Harkham puts you in a bit of a spin. Not because she is confusing or crazy, edgy or threatening. She is calm, logical and reasonable. What she has to say however, goes against some of the received wisdom we have come to rely on when thinking about losing weight. Unpopular with food manufacturers, she fights them with every fibre as she is convinced the obesity epidemic has gone hand in hand with their profits. A Cambridge mathematics and economics graduate, Harkham is also a nutritionist. These days she works researching obesity and has recently submitted a book for a PhD at Cambridge. She often appears on radio dispelling what she calls myths about food, dieting and obesity. She’s good at figures, as in both maths and physical body shape, and has myriad statistics to support her arguments. What makes Harkham more believable than others, is her lack of attachment to sponsored studies in universities. She says everything she has studied has been analysed inside out, and traced back to its source where she has found the anomalies which have led to her conclusions. “Isn’t it ridiculous that so many people want to be slim, yet are overweight or obese?” she asks, and suggests we rethink how we approach food and lifestyle. For those who don’t want to pump iron or run marathons to lose weight, the news is good. She doesn’t like the idea of counting calories, believing that the calculation of what constitutes a calorie is flawed and takes our eye off the most important issues of how we should deal with obesity. A former vegetarian, since sinking her teeth into nutrition studies, she believes that meat and fish have more to offer our diet than thinking of vegetables as the panacea for heart and cancer ills. “To understand how to lose weight we need to study how human fat tissue is formed and built up,” she says. The body searches for sources of what is requires to function. If it takes in too much refined food, it gets confused and keeps searching for satisfaction. Refined foods get stored as fat and it’s very difficult to get rid of it. In other words, a steak is far healthier than a load of pizzas. And sugar is our enemy, especially as it appears in most processed foods in one form or another. Eating real, unprocessed food is key to avoid becoming obese. The body wants protein, fats and carbohydrates and knows what to do with them. Some high calorie foods are good for us. Walnuts and avocados are a good example. Some fruit, such as bananas need to be watched. “Half a banana can throw the balance of sugars and carbohydrates off,” she says.

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Five simple foods ZOE’S five simple foods are: 1. Liver: Offal is nutritious and is the best form of meat. However, other forms of meat are good too. Beef has less saturated fat than venison and a trimmed pork chop has more water (45%) than a mere 1.5% of saturated fat. All meat has some combination of saturated, mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Chicken has too little nutritional value to be worth eating. 2. Sardines: This is a good example of particularly nutritious fish as we get calcium from the little bones, especially when they are canned and the bones are soft enough to eat. All fish is good, and even more than the three times a week generally accepted limit. The smaller the fish, the better as it feeds on healthy plankton and not other fish. Be more worried about chemical overdoses from man-made products such as fake tan creams. 3. Eggs: A complete food, it’s well worth including eggs to keep up a constant supply of protein and vitamins. Its chromium content can control cravings. 4. Sunflower seeds: High in vitamin E, eat nuts and seeds to supply healthy fats and satisfaction. 5. Dark green vegetables: These should be eaten every day in the form of cooked cabbage, spinach, kale, broccoli. Serve them with some butter so that the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) can be best used by the body.

The five-a-day fruit and veg idea is a myth invented at a meeting comprising a US cancer institute and 15 fruit and vegetable companies Five golden rules

QUESTIONING ASSUMPTIONS: Zoe Harkham says food manufacturers dislike her opinions, particularly her tendency to link the obesity epidemic to their quest for profits. “The five-a-day fruit and vegetables idea is a myth,” says Harkham. Invented at a meeting comprising a US cancer institute and 15 fruit and vegetable companies, there is no evidence to prove this number can give any kind of guarantee of being cancer free. Lots of fruit juices are full of sugar which sets up a cycle of conversion to carbohydrates, and eventually insulin has to be produced by the body to deal with it.” Harkham has numerous statistics to support her argument. “Food industries hate us nutritionists. We question their assumptions while they barrage consumers with their own statistics and product labelling which support their common aim — to make large profits.”

She believes that the substitution of processed foods by the five foods she recommends is more important than eating less and exercising more. We need good body-building protein to support an exercise routine, balanced with fats and carbs. Harkham is concerned that heavy exercise without good nutritional support redirects the body’s system to recovering from the strain of exercise and away from the business of the maintenance of good health, cell repair and bone building. “Walk, talk, sing, dance, cook, clean and tend the land — that’s what we should do. Not pump iron,” she says. ● www.zoeharcombe.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

ZOE’S five golden rules are: 1. Eat real food: Not processed, just natural and simple — a fillet of fish or meat with something green and leafy such as spinach or lettuce is ideal. Instead of worrying about saturated and polyunsaturated fats, think this way: Good fats are those made by nature; bad fats are those made by man. 2. Eat three times a day: No snacking. This gives your body a chance to burn fat in between. It’s the glucose hit that matters. There is the equivalent of a teaspoon of sugar in your blood at all times. When we eat too soon we prompt our body to make insulin which affects our weight. 3. Give up sugar in all forms: It can be addictive and if not burned up quickly it will be stored. Dark chocolate is the treat of choice. Eat fruit in modest amounts, enjoying it when in season. Avoid dried fruit. 4. Reduce carbohydrate intake: Even of wholefoods, such as brown bread and brown rice. But don’t give them up. 5. Milk is good for us: So don’t give up dairy. Eat butter (rich in vitamins A and D), not processed margarines.

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Male Male health health 13

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On the ball with positivity F

ORMER Irish rugby player and Munster stalwart Alan Quinlan has spoken previously about his experience of depression. Now, he wants to talk about managing those negative feelings and anxiety that assail some, more than others. “I’d be a natural worrier and can get quite anxious, particularly if I’m doing a lot of running and racing and get too stressed,” said Alan, 37, who announced his retirement from professional rugby this year. “I’ve learned to be more open and want to highlight things that you can do in your life to manage depression,” he said, adding that his work on the Lean on Me depression awareness campaign last year gained huge feedback from members of the public. It’s an ongoing campaign to encourage open discussion about depression and to provide people with the knowledge and resources to recognise symptoms. “Rugby is quite a macho sport and men can be afraid to show their feelings as it can be seen as a weakness,” said Alan, who had highs and lows in his own rugby career. “I learned to become more open and more aware of my own state I’ve learned to share my thoughts with friends and family and it’s great to know that people are concerned about you. I had to learn to change my thought processes. Things happen, but there’s

MUTUAL SUPPORT: Former Munster player Alan Quinlan with performance coach Caroline Currid who are talking about managing depression as part of the lean on Me campaign.

Deirdre O'Flynn

MOSTLY MEN

a solution to every problem.” A co-commentator on ITV’s coverage of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he makes time for himself in his life. “The biggest change I’ve made is to find things to make myself relaxed. I always try to take time every week to play golf and go to the gym. It’s relaxing and quiet and I don’t feel any pressure and it re-energises me. Finding that downtime works for me.” Alan will be guest speaker at Lean on Me — To Win events at the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford on Monday, November 21, at 7pm and at the Leisure and Spa Hotel, Clonmel, Co Tipperary on Thursday, November 24 at 7pm. Former Dublin football captain and qualified physiotherapist Paul Griffin will speak at the Hilton Hotel Dublin Airport, Northern Cross, Malahide, Dublin 17 on Tuesday, November 22 at 7pm and at the Radisson Blu Hotel, St Helen’s, Stillorgan Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin on Wednesday,

Picture: iStock

November 23 at 7pm. The theme is overcoming adversity and maintaining a healthy, positive mind. They will be joined by performance coach and sports psychologist Caroline

Weekend to focus on boys of all ages

Think about the drink from the night before

MEN and women from more than 50 countries are calling on people around the world to unite and focus on Giving Boys the Best Possible Start in Life in the run up to International Men’s Day tomorrow. Organisers are promising the biggest boys’ weekend ever seen, as the worldwide observance of International Men’s Day shares a 48-hour part-

WITH the new lower drink-driving limits now in place, it is important to remember the “morning after”. Under the Road Traffic Act 2010, the legal blood alcohol limit has been reduced from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood while professional drivers and learner drivers will face a “virtually zero” rate of 20mg per 100ml of blood. “The reality is that many of us still do not think about what we drank the night before when we get in the car the following morning,” said Fionnuala Sheehan, chief

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nership with Universal Children’s Day on Sunday, and is endorsed by the United Nations. This event asks people around the world to focus on five key challenges that boys experience in the areas of health, education, family life, violence, and life choices, and to develop local solutions to the global problems that young men face. Log on to www.international-mens-day.com

TEEN BOOK: A recent survey by ReachOut.com, the Irish youth mental health online support service, revealed that 91% of surveyed teens and young adults who had visited the website agreed that “anyone can experience a mental health problem”, yet 59% of young people “wouldn’t want other people to know”. In response, author and teacher, Clair Swinburne, in association with ReachOut.com, has launched a new book geared towards

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Irish teenagers called So What Do You Think? — A Guide for the Teenage Mind. The book aims to give teenagers an understanding of how their mind works, along with practical strategies on how to improve their own well-being. Clair wrote the book after receiving feedback to her “personal development” module which she teaches to transition year students, based on NLP and neuro psychology. Priced at €9.99 it is available from Amazon.

Currid, a volunteer from Aware. ● For more information, log on to www.leanonme.net.

DId you know...

executive of drinkaware.ie. “It takes your body about an hour to get rid of one standard drink. That’s one hour for a half a pint, or a small glass of wine, or a pub measure of spirits.” The secret to sobering up is time — no amount of coffee, energy drinks, cold showers or breakfast rolls will speed up the process. To find out more about the new lower drink-driving limits or how many standard drinks are in what you would normally drink on a night out, log on to www.drinkaware.ie where you can try the handy his & hers drinks calculator.

33% of men are unprepared for the physical side-effects of prostate cancer treatment Source: Irish Cancer Society

Staying well in winter

SUNSHINE VITAMIN: If you are suffering from the winter blues, try the sunshine vitamin. Research suggests that Vitamin D can help keep us feeling positive during winter months, as well as protecting against colds and flu and being important for bone health. Many Irish people are deficient. Solgar Vitamin D3 costs €8.95 for 50 caps from pharmacies, health stores or solgar.ie

MOOD BOOST: If someone is feeling despairing, unhappy, negative, resentful or sad, choosing Mood Essence may help them feel more uplifted, says A Vogel herbal adviser Nicola Murphy. Mood Essence is a combination of 10 different flower essences that work gently on the emotions and it won’t interact with medication or other supplements. Using Mood Essence alongside vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements is recommended as this provides both physical and emotional support. Jan de Vries Mood Essence is €4.85.

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FLOWER HELP: Star of Bethlehem was referred to by Dr Bach as “the comforter and soother of pain and sorrows”. Each of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies works to gently bring that pattern back into balance. Star of Bethlehem is helpful in any situation where shock or trauma has been experienced. It can be also used in combination with Honeysuckle, which helps people let go and move forward. Bach Flower remedies are €8.95 each for 20ml or Mixed Bach Remedies are €14.95 for 30ml; available from the Nelsons Homeopathic Dispensary, 15 Duke Street, Dublin 2, mail order 01-6790451 and health stores.

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Beauty

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If you don’t fancy Botox there are other products to help you hide signs of ageing

Filling in for time

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The news on... VOYA I LOVE the fact that we have an elegant Irish natural beauty brand that uses seaweed — it’s not a new idea, but it’s certainly a good one. Since launching, Voya have been hitting all the right notes with really great products that are simple, delicately fragrant and are a real pleasure to use. New from them, just in time for winter, is the Maskerade Mask, €35, designed for dry skin. Give over 10 minutes of your day, smooth it on to your skin and let the chamomile and pro-collagen seaweed extracts work their magic. Available from selected stockists nationwide; voya.ie

Emily O’Sullivan

HERE is literally nothing, nothing that would incline me to get cosmetic surgery in order to look younger. Nothing. Now, fair enough, I’m 37 — I may change my mind when I’m 65, but I can’t imagine that I will. I’m not in the least bit interested in Botox — it completely freaks me out. And I can’t see myself ever shelling out for injectable fillers as an appropriate use of my hard-earned cash. In fact, I wouldn’t even get it done for free. And I have been asked. But I don’t think I sit on some kind of smug moral high ground. That’s just how I feel. Some of my friends think like me. Some are more open to the idea. The reality is that, despite what magazines and some newspapers have you believe, ‘everyone’ is not having cosmetic treatments done in their lunch hour. Some are; most aren’t. For me, there are two reasons why it doesn’t appeal — neither of which have to do with high self-esteem or a fear of needles. Number one: I don’t believe that the puffy face look you get from fillers, or the frozen face look you get from Botox is any improvement on wrinkles. Yes, when you first get it done it looks pretty okay. But then the longer you get this stuff injected into your face, the more strange it starts to look. Number two: non-surgical procedures are a bit like Pringles — once you pop, etc — and they’re expensive. You need to get them topped up at least every six months and then before you know where you are, you’ve got an expensive habit to maintain. And it does need to be maintained — unless you want to go from spongy puffy face to saggy jowley face in the space of a few months. So, for me it’s easier to just say no. Or just say, “not now, and probably not in the future”. That said, who can really tell how I’ll feel when the inevitable pull of gravity really starts to kick in. I’d like to think I’d be all Helen Mirren about it, but I may just go the way of Joan Rivers. I’ve written before about how I’m not a massive fan of expensive anti-wrinkle creams. But an increasing number of over the counter wrinkle fillers have started to tempt me to give up my stoic ways and part with lots of money in an effort to blur the collection of

Take three... LIP BALMS Korres Lip Butter Balm, €7.50. Love lip butter balms. They sound like they’re going to be majorly greasy, but they’re not, and this one, from cult natural brand Korres is an instant winner. It’s available in a number of flavours including wild rose, plum, jasmine and mango and there’s one sold every minute — so it must be good. Lovely colours, too, with a very slight tint.

AGEING GRACEFULLY: Actress Helen Mirren is one of those celebrities who seems to have eschewed the Botox route in favour of just using make-up to camouflage her blemishes somewhat. Picture:Ian West/PA Wire

crow’s feet and fine lines that are dancing cruelly across my face. The whole modus operandi of non-injectable cream fillers is to blur the appearance of your wrinkles (by filling them and smoothing over them). And let’s face it, it’s such a subtle act that it’s probably naked to the invisible eye, but products such as Kiehl’s Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler have been getting rave reviews, particularly in the US. I used it for several weeks and was actually pretty happy with it, but it did start to give me a slight dry patch in the cleft between my eyes where I had been applying it

in the hope that it would make me look 16 again. It didn’t. Still, there’s something I do quite like about this wrinkle filler business. They act as quite good primer, giving your face an overall firmer effect while also claiming to improve the appearance of your wrinkles in the longer term. Plus, they are particularly effective around the lip area, especially if your lipstick is prone to feathering. Still, if all you want is your complexion to look its best, then skin-perfecting products such as Clarins’ Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, €26, and Lancôme’s Éffet Miracle Base, €32, might just have the edge.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm, €6.50. A very pleasant, very satisfactory that does feel like it’s doing a mightily good job from the moment you put it on. There’s nothing fancy about it — it has a clear waxy texture and comes in a standard twist up tube. Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm, €6.50. It’s quite a small pot so if you’re after a balm that will slip almost seasmlessly into your back pocket, then this is a good choice. Very heavily scented as most Lush products are, you need to be a fan of the smell. The feel on the lips is a little greasy and I didn’t think it lasted terribly long, but it’s not a bad option.

STUFF WE LIKE RoC Retin OX Deep Wrinkle Filler, €33.09. Launched in 2009, RoC’s Deep Wrinkle Filler was one of the first products on the market and is the only one to use both hyaluronic acid and retinol to pump up the skin. As well, as a smoothing effect on application, like most modern fillers, Retin OX also claims to

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progressively plump those wrinkles up. Estée Lauder Perfectionist [CP+] Targeted Deep Wrinkle Filler, €46.50. It has almost a putty-like feel to it, thicker than a lot of the others, but it does smooth into the skin well so that you don’t feel like you’re wearing an extra layer. It works particularly well around the lip area and acts as a good boundary to keep lipstick in place. Tests showed that it “showed a significant reduction in lipstick feathering for up to eight hours”. Kiehl’s Double Strength Deep Wrinkle

Filler, €35. Kiehls’s new wonder product has been a big hit in the US, so I was particularly dying to try it. I did notice a slight blurring effect when I first put it on, and it’s definitely one I would have stuck with, but I did have a slight skin reaction. Might not be ideal for sensitive types. Olay Regenerist Anti-Ageing Lip Treatment, €26.99. Your lips can really be where ageing shows itself — after all, there’s something a little bit lovely and soft about laughter eyes around the eyes, whereas Dot Cotton-mouth can be a little

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

harder to carry off. Lip Treatments do have a limited effect, but they can be particularly good if you need something to prevent fine lines looking so prominent and you want your lipstick to stay in place. StriVectin-WF Deep Wrinkle Filler, €57.06 at salonskincare.co.uk. It looks pretty high-tech and suitably medical, but this one from StriVectin works in much the same way as the others on the market. The difference? It’s a natural “skin tightener” with sugar and acacia gum, oat kernel extract, chamomile and glycerin.

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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

My husband has been suffering for the past month with heel pain. It’s not a heel spur nor is he on any medication, there is no bruising and has been bathing the foot in epsom salts but to no relief. He has no pain at night only when standing and walking which he does everyday, the pain it just under the heel, can you advise on anything to treat this? A. I must admit, heel spur was the first thing that sprung to mind when I began reading your question, so I am glad that this has already been ruled out! There is another reasonably common condition with similar symptoms which can lead to heel spur. The condition is known as Plantar fasciitis, and it is due to degeneration of the collagen fibres close to the attachment to the heel bone. With this condition, the pain occurs just under the heel, as you describe, and worsens with pressure on the heel — which would also account for the pain being associated with standing and walking rather than resting. Picture: Getty images Topically, your husband can use NatraFlex balm to help dilate the blood vessels, which will assist healing and repair of the tissues, plus it will make movement easier. Rub the balm into the soles of the feet throughout the day and night as needed. NatraFlex balm is a unique formulation developed by NatraHealth to assist in relieving joint and muscle pain by using a synergistic blend of Boswellia, Capsaicin, and MSM (Methyl sulphonyl methane — organic sulphur). This blend, also known as BC421, has been shown independently to effectively relieve pain in 75% of test Q. I am 36 and for the last year and a half subjects. I have suffered with persistent flare-ups of NatraFlex is available from the manufacturinflammation of my right eyeball. This ocers themselves, either online at www.natracurred post the removal of a cyst on my health.com or by phoning 0044 right eye lid. I have been diagnosed with 01889-271333. 150ml costs around £8.50. severe episcleritis. I have had all the releWhatever you do, avoid using cold treatment, vant immunology blood tests done which such as icepacks, for pain relief since this rehave all been negative. But I have develstricts the blood vessels and slows healing sigoped fibromyalgia from the stress of dealnificantly. When it comes to tendon, joint, ing with this eye condition. I am on tissue, ligament, and even spine issues, steroid drops continuously into my right footwear choice is crucial. Masai Barefoot eye. I react to taking the steroids (the Technology (MBT) shoes are highly recompressure in my eye rises) hence this could mended, since they encourage a style of cause glaucoma, so I am now on anwalking which helps to improve the posture, ti-glaucoma drops. I have one daughter reduce stress on joints and muscles, and actiaged two and I would love to have more vate muscles which are typically neglected. . children but have been advised not to get You can get MBT footwear from King’s pregnant while on the steroid drops and Shoes in Kilkenny (www.kingsofkilkenny.ie; anti-glaucoma drops. If I come off the 061-419977). It is important to treat this drops my eye gets so bad I have to lie now, even getting physiotherapy if necessary, down in a darkened room. My eye besince this will become a chronic condition comes completely inflamed and the pain is and likely cause additional health and mobiliunbearable. I have attended a naturopath ty issues if left untreated.

My husband has no pain under his heel at night only when standing and walking which he does everyday

and I am taking omega 3 fish oils, krill oil, magnesium malate, pre bio 7, immuno shield, vitamin D3, Acai juice, Glutamine powder, low acid vitamin C, and folic acid. I was also put on a Low GL diet. I have lost 13 pounds in the last 5 weeks. I run 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week. So I am fit and healthy otherwise. I am thinking of getting an earthing sheet but I am not sure if they would reduce the inflammation in my eye. Would have any advice at all that would help to relieve the symptoms that I have? A. Episcleritis is a condition where the episclera, located between the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye, becomes inflamed as a result of disease, external irritants, or in most cases, an unknown cause (idiopathic). It is most common amongst women aged between 20-50, and is generally self-limiting unless there is in fact an underlying disease. In your case, it is likely that the cyst removal was the primary trigger for this condition, but the fact that it has become severe and prolonged suggests that you have an underlying digestive tract/bowel issue. Other systemic disorders which can contribute are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and even viral conditions such as herpes zoster or simplex. The good news is that episcleritis doesn’t progress to the more serious scleritis, which affects the entire sclera. I am unsure why you are being prescribed steroid drops, particularly since you react to them and this is increasing your risk for glaucoma and requiring further medication with side effects. There are many natural ways to treat inflammation and prevent infection of the eye, so these drops (in my opinion) simply aren’t worth the risk and additional medication. Two fantastic herbs for treating episcleritis are bilberry and Sutherlandia — an adaptogenic plant from South Africa which is antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal as well. Bilberries contain a bioflavanoid called anthocyanoside, which works to protect the retina and lens from oxidation. Sutherlandia frutescens is also renowned for reducing stress, depression, and treating conditions such as ME, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia. Sutherlandia is available from the Little Herbal Company, where it is sold as Filisa, and available from www.littleherbal-international.co.nz (00-44-1484-689807). Solgar’s Bilberry extract is available from www.hereshealth.ie (021-4278101). I wouldn’t worry about an earthing sheet at this point, simply getting some time barefoot on the earth (when the weather allows!) will be enough, and you are already incorporating many good health practices in your life.

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

Megan puts the spotlight on:

HILE many of us reach for the paracetamol or aspirin bottle when a headache hits, there are many natural methods and supplements which can help relieve the pain and prevent headache frequency. The first place you should look is to the cause of the headache — is it due to injury, diet, or stress (or a combination)? Regardless of the cause, relaxation is of great benefit for both prevention and treatment. Relaxation Training, Biofeedback, Tai Chi, and Yoga have all been shown to help significantly in cases where injury or stress causes ongoing headaches. It is crucial that you inform the instructor, practitioner, or trainer in any of these modalities if you have an existing injury so that this can be taken

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into account with methods and poses. Results from a small clinical trial indicated that a 15-week program of Tai Chi was effective in reducing the frequency and severity of tension headaches when compared to a control group. Acupuncture is particularly effective at dealing with chronic headaches. In a review of two large trials in people with tension-related headaches, researchers found that acupuncture along with pain relief was more effective than pain relief alone. Adding acupuncture to acute treat-

Natural Remedies for Headaches ment or routine care has also been shown in trials to help in reducing migraine frequency and intensity. Massage is a modality that works well for some but not others. The specific technique combining principles of acupuncture, osteopathy, and massage, known as craniosacral therapy, works well for headaches due to stress and/or injury. This technique involves very light touch and manipulation of the skull and spine. Some individuals experience great results from chiropractic and osteopathy, and it has

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been shown to offer benefit for some migraine sufferers as well, working equally as well as the medication, amitriptyline. If food intolerance or allergies are at the root of headaches or migraines, then the solution is as simple as removing the offending items or groups of food from your diet and working on healing your intestinal health. Supplements such as vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and coenzyme Q10 are useful in treating headaches, magnesium can help where it is tension related, and the herbs feverfew and butterbur are great for both headaches and migraines. These two herbs can cause gastrointestinal upset, so use with caution. They are not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011