Information For Patients

Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point. It causes a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters. They then crust over to form scabs, which eventually drop off. Some children have only a few spots, but in others they can cover the entire body. […]

What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a soft waxy substance found in your blood and in all your body’s cells. You need a certain amount of cholesterol for producing cell membranes and for producing hormones. However, too much cholesterol is a major risk for heart disease (which can lead to heart attack) and for stroke. Heart […]

Bowel cancer is also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer. It affects the lower part of the digestive system (gut). Bowel cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men and women in Ireland. Bowel cancer in Ireland In Ireland, bowel (or colon, rectal or colorectal) cancer is the second most common […]

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious diseases caused by viruses. They are spread by close contact with an infected person    Measles causes fever, cough, red and painful eyes, and a rash. Of the people who get measles: • 1 or 2 in 1000 will die; • 1 in 20 will get an ear infection; • 1 […]

Beneath is a link to an animation designed for use with health workers and the public, describing the health effects and risks of smoking and promoting smoking cessation. Smoking is a leading global cause of sickness, disability and death from cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic lung disease. Tobacco is the now world’s leading agent of […]

We all have blood pressure. It is basically a measurement of the amount of work your heart has to do to pump blood around your body. Everyone’s blood pressure rises and falls during the day, but when it stays high all the time that means that person has high blood pressure or Hypertension (HTN). The […]

Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cells of the cervix (neck of the womb). Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in Europe. Cervical cells change slowly and take many years to develop into cancer cells, making cervical cancer a preventable disease. Does cervical cancer run in the family? No. Daughters and […]

The number of people with diabetes in Ireland is growing rapidly. At present there are an estimated 191,000 people with the condition with approximately 30,000 of these undiagnosed. Knowing the symptoms and risk factors for diabetes is important as non-diagnosis can seriously affect your quality of life. Undiagnosed or poor controlled diabetes can damage your […]

Emergency situation – What to do in an Asthma Attack Occasionally an asthma attack may occur no matter how careful you are about taking your asthma treatment and avoiding triggers. An asthma attack normally doesn’t occur suddenly; most people find that asthma attacks are the result of a gradual worsening of symptoms over a few […]

Being breast aware is about getting to know your breasts so that you know what is normal for you. There is no right way or wrong way to check your breasts, but it should involve both looking and feeling. Find a way you are most comfortable with. This might be when you are in the […]