Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke, is the most common cause of death in Ireland, representing 43 per cent of all deaths in 1997. Irish deaths from coronary heart disease for men and women under 65 are the highest in the EU. A four-and-a-half year international study, HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation), found treatment with the blood pressure-lowering medication, ramipril, could reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and death in 22 per cent of patients. The HOPE centre in Ireland was St James's Hospital, and the study involved patients with an average age of 66 at risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found that 10 mg per day of ramipril could reduce the risk of new diagnosis of diabetes by 34 per cent, stroke by 32 per cent and cardiovascular death by 22 per cent.
Irish people eat less fruit and vegetables than many other Europeans. According to a survey by Bord Glas and the Health Promotion Unit, we eat only three servings of fruit and vegetables a day - but the recommended intake for a healthy, balanced diet is "four or more". This is Fruit and Vegetable Week, and Bord Glas is promoting awareness of the importance of eating four or more portions of fruit and vegetables, to protect against cancers and heart disease.
Although almost 20 per cent of men take no exercise, many of these would go to the gym if they thought it would result in more sex, according to a US health poll. A significant percentage of men do not tell the truth to their doctor: more than 25 per cent lie because it is easier; another 25 per cent lie because they are afraid the doctor will be angry and 35 per cent lie because they are embarrassed. Other findings include: almost 35 per cent of men in the poll would not visit a doctor for chest pain, and 25 per cent would not go for erectile dysfunction, although they would be more likely to go if they were offered a free Swedish massage. --(Reuters Health)
Malaria, which kills two million people every year in Africa, could become a health problem in Europe. Diseases, such as malaria and TB - which have not been seen in Europe for many years - could be returning as a result of increased foreign travel and global warming, say UK scientists. In Britain, there are 32 species of mosquito, including five which transmit malaria and one which is a killer. A further problem is that malaria is becoming increasingly drug-resistant and no new drugs are in development. Europe is also at risk of a hepatitis A epidemic unless a programme of mass-vaccination is established, according to experts at a medical conference in Italy. Up to 10 million cases of hepatitis A occur worldwide each year, and travellers to high- risk countries should be vaccinated against the liver disease. --(BBC Health)
Only a small number of whitening toothpastes are effective at removing stains, according to a study published in the British Dental Journal. Although many toothpastes claim to have whitening properties, the only one accredited by the British Dental Association is Macleans Whitening, which, with Aquafresh Whitening, performed well in the Bristol Dental School study - which also found whitening toothpastes are no more abrasive than ordinary toothpastes.
As part of Homeopathy Awareness Week, the Irish Society of Homeopaths is holding a three-day conference this weekend, entitled "Vision of Healing" and covering topics such as homeopathic treatments for childbirth and addiction. From Friday at NUI, Galway. For details contact Kate Soudant (091-565040).
Treatment which destroys the addictive quality of drugs such as cocaine, PCP and nicotine could be undergoing human trials by the end of the year. Experiments with injections of antibodies into cocaine-addicted animals stopped them from seeking out the drug and one anti-cocaine vaccine has already been tested for safety on drug users. The ethical debate has already begun in the US. Should people be vaccinated because they belong to a high-risk group? Should parents be able to have their children vaccinated? Could employers screen employees for traces of the vaccination? --(New Scientist)