Lifelines

GUT REACTION: One of the common causes of indigestion is when stomach acid flows back into the gullet, resulting in heartburn…

GUT REACTION: One of the common causes of indigestion is when stomach acid flows back into the gullet, resulting in heartburn, belching and even respiratory irritation.

Usually as a result of a weakened sphincter at the entrance of the gullet to the stomach, acid reflux can be exacerbated by other factors. Norwegian researchers have found that those who routinely added salt to meals were 70 per cent more likely to have acid reflux. In addition, those who had smoked for more than 20 years were also 70 per cent more likely to have acid reflux than non-smokers.

FOLLOWING US: On foot of Scotland's decision to follow the Republic's initiative and ban smoking in public places from 2006, comes the news that the British Medical Association in Wales is to lobby for a similar move to be implemented. The BMA Cymru Wales plans to petition parliament for a ban in public places in Wales. Welsh Secretary of the BMA, Dr Tony Calland notes that in over 30 years of medical practice he has seen the devastating effects of illness on individual patients, many of which have "come because of the choices patients make through their lives. No choice has a more devastating effect on health than the choice to smoke tobacco".

HEALTH SPEND: Two-thirds of Europeans think that more money should be spend on healthcare as people are living longer and need access to new medicines. Only 35 per cent of those aged between 25-64 are satisfied with the quality of their health systems, compared with 44 per cent of those over 65. The European opinion poll was carried out by the New York based Consensus Research Group.

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AGE AND ACTIVITY: Participation in physical activity programmes was found to be higher among those over 60 than among young people in a study carried out by the Flemish Institute for Health Promotion. However, the study also found fear of injury and cost of activity programmes can prevent some older people from regular physical exercise.

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