Lifelines

Taking insulin four times a day instead of the usually recommended twice can give pregnant women better control over gestational diabetes, according to a recent study in the British Medical Journal. Researchers at the HaEmek Medical Centre in Israel treated just under 200 patients with insulin four times a day and the same number with the traditional twice daily dose. They found the former group had better control over glucose levels. They also noted fewer Caesarean sections and pre-term births in this group. Gestational diabetes affects about five per cent of all pregnancies. In most cases, the condition disappears after birth. (Ivanhoe)

People who pray frequently are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. The psychologists from Sheffield's Hallam University in England who surveyed a total of 500 men and women between the ages of 18 and 29, also found that personal prayer was much more likely to have an effect than going to church for social reasons. Commenting on the study, a spokeswoman for the Mental Health Foundation in Britain said: "People who are religious on a personal level rather than adopting organised religions, who perceive reasons for things and their role within a wider universe, appear less likely to suffer mental ill-health." (BBC Health News)

There are currently 30,000 dementia sufferers - including those with Alzheimer's disease - in Ireland, and this figure is expected to increase to 42,000 over the next 20 years. Early diagnosis is important - not only for effectiveness of drug therapy, but also to help both sufferers and carers make decisions about the future. St John of God hospital in Stillorgan has just opened a Memory Clinic for the assessment and treatment of people with memory impairment and possible dementia. The private clinic operates an outpatients' service through GP referrals. Tel: 012881781, ext 393 for more details. A memory clinic already exists in Ireland, in St James Hospital, Dublin.

The Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf, Dublin is a national centre which offers free services to children and adults with physical disabilities. It is holding a fund-raising event at 8 p.m. next Thursday (November 25th) at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin. The CRC Comedy Night will feature well-known comedians including Barry Murphy, Mark Doherty and The Nualas. Tickets cost £10.50, £12.50 and £15.50. Tickets from Olympia Box office (01-6777744).

lifelines@irish-times.ie