MS respite: Up to 10 per cent of multiple sclerosis sufferers will now be able to avail of respite care, following refurbishments costing €3.2 million to the MS Care Centre in Bushy Park Road, Rathgar, Dublin. The centre, which was first opened in 1989, is run by the MS Society of Ireland.Tel: (01) 4906234. See also www.ms-society.ie
Grief and belief: People who profess stronger spiritual beliefs seem to resolve their grief more rapidly and completely after a death than those with no spiritual beliefs. Some 135 relatives and close friends of patients admitted to a centre with terminal illness were assessed to examine whether the presence and strength of spiritual beliefs determined how bereaved people recover from their grief. People reporting no spiritual belief had not resolved their grief after 14 months. People with strong spiritual beliefs resolved their grief progressively over the same period. People with low levels of belief showed little change in the first nine months but thereafter resolved their grief.
Pollen counts: Advice for those with hayfever: if you have to go outdoors, go out early in the day as the pollen count rises throughout the day. Keep windows closed, and if you have been out you will have collected pollen on your skin so you should have a shower or bath before going to bed at night to remove it. If you have pets, either keep them in the house or outside but not both.
Urinary tract infections: Regular consumption of cranberry juice offers protection against certain antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers concluded that cranberry juice flushed up to 79 per cent of antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains from the bladder into the urine stream and thus prevented the development of such infections.
Insurance claims: Serious illness claims to private health insurance companies have increased by 62 per cent in the last year, according to a new study by Canada Life. Claims for cancer treatment represent almost half of all claims - 40 per cent of male claims and 66 per cent of all female claims. Improvements in screening procedures, in medical techniques and treatments and more public awareness of health matters were seen as the reasons for the increase.
Lifelines is compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson
lifelines@irish-times.ie