Today's other stories in brief
Games project may help in stroke rehab
COMPUTER GAMES specially designed to help rehabilitate stroke sufferers are being tested by researchers at the University of Ulster. The Games for Rehabilitation project involves players using their hands and arms to touch targets which move around the screen. Their movements are tracked by a webcam. Researcher James Burke (above), a PhD computing student, said a number of studies looking at applying interaction technology to stroke rehab- ilitation, have had encouraging results.
Blood type could be key to choosing the right food
KNOWING WHAT blood group you belong to might seem advisable in case of a medical emergency but hardly essential information for doing the grocery shopping.
Proponents of blood type diets disagree. They believe that blood type is an indicator of a person’s bio-chemical make-up and points to what foods would be beneficial and which to avoid.
If you eat the wrong foods, you can get something similar to an immune reaction, causing symptoms such as tiredness and body pain, says naturopath and herbalist Gaby Wieland.
For half the Irish population who have type O blood, wheat, dairy and potatoes “are a disaster”, she comments. They would be better off eating sweet potatoes or parsnips, along with fish, seaweed and small portions of organic red meat.
For those with type A blood, a vegetarian diet is recommended, avoiding wheat, potatoes and most dairy foods.
Determining food choices by blood type is promoted by American naturopathic doctor Peter D’Adamo, in his best-selling book, Eat Right 4 Your Type.
Critics say that while his suggested diets may result in improved health and weight loss, as shown in his research, linking them to blood type is not scientifically proven.
Wieland will conduct a one-day course, Cooking for your Blood Type, at The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim, this Saturday from 10am-5pm. Cost is €90pp including lunch. See theorganiccentre.ie or tel: 071-9854338.
Haemodialysis at home boost for renal patients
PEOPLE WITH end-stage renal failure will be able to avail of haemodialysis treatment in their own homes under a pilot programme announced by Beaumont Hospital.
The programme will allow some patients, who are currently visiting hospital three days a week for four hours of haemodialysis, to instead treat themselves at home.
Mark Murphy, chief executive of the Irish Kidney Association, said that some patients had already commenced using this innovative programme.
“The first patient commenced this home treatment in September 2009 and since then another four have started haemodialysis at home,” he said.
“Home haemodialysis reduces pressure on hospital dialysis facilities, many of which are already close to capacity,” he added.
Prof Peter Conlon, consultant nephrologist at Beaumont Hospital, said that a dedicated home haemodialysis training facility had been set up in Beaumont to train patients in how to treat themselves.
It is hoped that by the end of this year up to 20 patients will have availed of the programme, rising to 80 nationwide in the next five years.
Every year in Ireland about 450 patients reach end-stage kidney disease, requiring treatment for their non-functioning kidneys.
There are about 1,480 patients nationwide who receive haemodialysis. A further 202 people are treated through home peritoneal dialysis. The number of patients receiving treatment is expected to rise by 5 to 6 per cent each year.