Dr Sheraz Gondal

Online Doctor

Traditional, in-person doctor visits can be inconvenient and time-consuming. Online doctor services in Ireland revolutionise healthcare with convenience and accessibility, addressing the challenges of in-person visits.

Eirdoc Online Doctor stands out as a leading provider of online GP services in Ireland. With a team of experienced and qualified Irish Medical Council (IMC)-registered doctors, it offers a comprehensive range of services. This includes consultations for general health concerns, minor illnesses, allergies, skin conditions and chronic disease management.

Your gateway to convenient and personalised healthcare

Eirdoc provides patients with a wealth of benefits, including:

• Unparalleled convenience: access healthcare anytime, anywhere, through secure video or phone consultations.
• Streamlined appointment booking and shorter wait times: schedule appointments within 24–48 hours and enjoy significantly shorter wait times.
• Enhanced accessibility for mobility-challenged individuals: receive personalised medical advice and treatment from the comfort of your own home.
• Cost-effectiveness: enjoy affordable healthcare solutions that save you both time and money.
• Personalised care: receive treatment tailored to your unique needs through in-depth consultations with our experienced doctors.

We are breaking down geographical barriers
and providing equitable access to healthcare.

Embrace the future of healthcare, experience the benefits of online GP services

We are breaking down geographical barriers and providing equitable access to healthcare. Eirdoc Online Doctor offers streamlined, personalised healthcare for your physical and mental wellbeing. We are poised to become an integral part of your healthcare journey.

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A charity offering help and support to those having suicidal thoughts or self-harming is gearing up to meet the growing demand for its services over the holidays.

For some, the festive season can feel overwhelming. Many who struggle with their mental health or feelings of isolation may feel worse than at other times of the year.

Crisis helpline preventing self-harm and suicide

Pieta, a suicide and self-harm prevention charity 85% funded by public donations, is providing clinical support services across 20+ locations in Ireland. Around Christmas, it foresees over 1,500 engagements with its one-to-one therapy — with 600+ expected to be under 18, seeking professional help.

Clare McKim, National 24-hour Crisis Helpline and Therapy Service Line Manager, says: “Last year alone, we received 230 calls and texts to our crisis helpline on Christmas Day. We expect significant numbers of people who are struggling to reach out this year.”

Prioritising wellbeing through activities
like mindfulness, exercise and positive
connections can foster inner peace.

Call or text for professional support

The charity’s 2022 figures showed a total of 100,000 calls and texts made to the crisis helpline. Around 52,000 hours of therapy were completed with 7,000 clients across the country.

Apart from preventing and aiding individuals with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, services also support anyone bereaved by suicide. Last year, over 600 families received free support from Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service officers.

Tips for minding your mental health

Prioritising wellbeing through activities like mindfulness, exercise and positive connections can foster inner peace. Below are a few ways to invest in your mental health, better moods and fulfilment.

• Compare leads to despair. Comparing our lives to others can have a negative impact on our mental health and lead to intense feelings of inferiority. Try limiting your exposure to social media and consumer advertising.

• Connect with nature. Getting outside for fresh air or a change of scenery can induce better thoughts.

• Try to stick to your normal routines, as disruptions over the holiday season may cause an imbalance in your mental health.

• Feelings of isolation and loneliness can be heightened. Try to stay connected. Spend time with friends or family, or get involved in community groups and volunteering.

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Sunlight benefits people with psoriasis. However, winter exacerbates it due to reduced UV light, colder weather, hotter showers and central heating.

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterised by red or silver scaly patches. It can affect any part of the body, but typically the elbows, knees and scalp. The cosmetic appearance and fear of social stigma can cause stress for many people. Factors that can trigger psoriasis flares include excess alcohol, smoking and stress.

Helpful tips for psoriasis management

• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Quit smoking
• Moisturise daily; regular use of emollients (moisturisers) decreases itch, burning, stinging and scale and increases penetration of prescribed active treatments
• Seek emollient advice from your healthcare provider or pharmacist regarding options including ointments, creams, gels, foams and aerosol sprays (some with active ingredients like urea to help descale psoriasis)

Let your healthcare professional know
if you are not responding to treatment
so that an alternative can be found.

Scalp psoriasis management steps

Scalp psoriasis affects approximately 80% of people with psoriasis and can be difficult to treat. Descaling is important to allow prescribed treatments to penetrate.

• Part hair at 1 cm intervals
• Apply tar preparation or coconut oil to parting; leave on overnight with a shower cap
• Loosen scale with a fine comb; comb upward, under the hair before shampooing
• When shampooing your hair, keep the water temperature tepid and use the cool setting on the hairdryer

If you experience inflammation, applying prescribed treatment can help. To maintain your scalp, use a treatment shampoo and lather on for 7 to 8 minutes. Apply emollient and descale regularly.

Be honest about your skin’s condition

• Let your healthcare professional know if you are not responding to treatment so that an alternative can be found. Do not suffer in silence. If your skin is getting you down, seek medical advice. There are many effective treatments for psoriasis.

The Irish Skin Foundation (ISF) is a national charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of people living with skin conditions. We operate an Ask-a-Nurse Helpline service, which provides accessible and specialist one-to-one guidance from dermatology nurses for people affected by all types of skin conditions in Ireland.

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Health plan provider maintains long-standing ethical principles by offering comprehensive healthcare coverage and supporting charities through Hospital Saturday Fund.

The Hospital Saturday Fund charity, and its trading company HSF Health Plan, mark its 150th year by upholding the charitable principles of its founders. Notably, all profits made by HSF Health Plan are passed on to The Hospital Saturday Fund. It offers comprehensive healthcare coverage, including dental, optical, GP services, physiotherapy, acupuncture, mammograms and vaccinations.

Providing healthcare plans

Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive since 2011, explains the organisation marked its landmark anniversary in June with events in London supported by Graham Norton, and in Dublin, where it donated more than 300,000 euros to around 50 charities.

Founded in 1873 by social reformer Reginald Brabazon, the 12th Earl of Meath, it provides health plans in Ireland and the UK for accessible healthcare. Additionally, it supports registered health charities, hospices, doctors, medical organisations and individuals in need of grants for medical projects, care, research and medical training.

Called the Hospital Saturday Fund (the day people paid their penny for access to medical care), Jackson explains: “Today, we offer various health plans depending on how much cover people would like.”

Every policyholder is part of the work of the
charity just by taking the insurance out.

Improving lives across sectors

In Ireland, 54% of people have private medical insurance. Employers such as the HSE, Government departments, AnPost, Dublin Bus, Boots and Screwfix are supporting employee wellbeing with HSF Health Plans.

Starting at €2.60 weekly, it stands out by investing in local communities via donations to medical charities. “Our whole ethos is to improve people’s lives,” says Jackson. This year, it will donate around 2.5 million euros and, since 2008, has donated around 15 million euros to 5,500 charities.

Supporting charities and policyholders

Charities The Hospital Saturday Fund has supported include Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Cork Life Centre; DEBRA Ireland; Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind; LauraLynn (Ireland’s Children’s Hospice); Spinal Injuries Ireland; and Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine.

“We get great feedback from charities and policyholders,” says Jackson. “Every policyholder is part of the work of the charity just by taking the insurance out because any profit from health plans goes to charity.”

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Free courses give construction industry stakeholders the confidence that they are complying with building regulations while using products, systems and materials effectively.

Whether you are a busy construction industry professional or a property owner involved in a significant DIY project, it’s essential to be aware of — and comply with — the latest building regulations.

Upholding high building standards

Certainly, if you know how to use building products and materials correctly, your work is more likely to be of a high standard and compliant with those regulations.

That’s the thinking behind two Technical Academies, which were founded by French building materials multinational Saint-Gobain in 2010 and 2015, respectively. The Academies — based in Kingscourt, Navan, County Meath and Dublin — run free training courses to upskill and educate all construction industry stakeholders.

Attendees include trade professionals, merchant staff, supply chain professionals, installers, specification engineers and members of the public. All are trained to use Isover products and systems according to current construction techniques and standards.

The need to make buildings compliant to
airtightness has become an increasing
requirement of building regulations.

Workshop environment for practical experience

Jason Horrex, Manager of the Technical Academies, describes the courses as a ‘value-added service’ from Saint-Gobain, which owns Isover, a provider of insulation solutions. “The learning we provide has been specifically designed to help attendees comply with the relevant regulations and give them the confidence to use our products to achieve the best building performance,” he says. “Ultimately, if we equip them with techniques and tricks, they’ll use our materials correctly and more efficiently.” It’s a win-win.

One example is a popular course on airtightness, which demonstrates the most effective ways to ensure there are no unintended and draughty gaps in a building envelope. “The need to make buildings compliant to airtightness has become an increasing requirement of building regulations,” says Horrex.

“We show how to use membranes, tapes and sealants for that purpose, and that care needs to be taken in the detailing — such as sealing reveals around windows and doors or areas where cables or pipes run through walls.”

Flexible and adaptable learning

For remote learning, Horrex and his team offer a selection of e-learning webinars lasting between 60–90 minutes. In-person courses, meanwhile, can last for half a day or a day and be a blend of classroom and practical learning.

“We have a workshop environment so that attendees can get real hands-on experience with the materials we provide,” he says. “I think they like that — and the fact that when building regulations or products change, we can quickly adapt our courses to reflect those changes.”

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Fintan Smyth

Building Physics Manager, Isover Ireland

Companies in the construction industry can make a positive difference to the planet by improving the sustainability of their products and manufacturing operations.

These days, companies make big announcements about their commitment to sustainability. “The thing is, the public is a lot more switched-on about this topic now,” says Kieran Holohan, Managing Director of insulation solutions provider, Isover Ireland. “If a business can’t back up its words with actual initiatives, then it won’t count for a whole lot.”

Range of sustainability measures in construction

Holohan says that his company is committed to walking the sustainability walk. “It’s the biggest agenda we have,” he says. “As a provider of construction materials, we have a responsibility to ensure that our products contribute to the sustainability of buildings. So, we’re redesigning our products to make them less carbon-intensive; plus, we’re duty-bound to provide environmental product declarations for all our products, verified by a third party, to help our customers make well-informed choices.”

Isover is busy implementing measures to mitigate its environmental impact. “We’re part of the Saint-Gobain group, which is committed to net zero by 2050,” says Holohan. “We’re investing in our manufacturing plants to reduce their energy consumption. We’ve started our first solar farm installation, which will enable us to generate our own electricity. We’ve switched our company vehicles to electric, and we’re trialling hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in our trucks.”

The built environment produces more
than 40% of the world’s carbon.

Fintan Smyth

Well-considered sustainability approach

Nevertheless, the construction industry must do more to contribute to a greener and cleaner world, agrees Fintan Smyth, Building Physics Manager, Isover Ireland. “The built environment produces more than 40% of the world’s carbon,” he says.

“That’s a huge figure, so the construction industry has a big role to play — but it’s complicated, and there are no silver bullets. It means taking a considered approach to what’s required in the short, medium and long term to design a low-carbon strategy for building that provides for the needs of communities. It also entails thinking about a range of issues including health and wellbeing, air quality, energy use, construction materials and a construction strategy that can be adaptable to future climate and societal change.”

Putting sustainability at the heart of operations

He insists that companies within the sector must put sustainability at the heart of their operations. “Businesses must take ownership of their actions,” says Smyth. “Within the company, we all work together to ensure there’s no greenwashing going on. It’s crucial to collaborate externally, educate others and encourage them to do more. No one will figure this challenge out on their own, so good collaboration is perhaps the most important.”

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Fintan Smyth

Building Physics Manager, Isover Ireland

Jason Horrex

Manager, Saint-Gobain Technical Academy & Isover Ireland

Living in a poorly insulated property can be detrimental to our health. Getting your home winter-ready with some quick fixes will be good for your wellbeing and bank balance.

Typically, people associate the ‘winter readiness’ of their homes with energy efficiency. That’s important in this chilly economic climate because if a building is poorly insulated, it’s going to be more expensive to heat.

Where to look and ensure proper home insulation

A cold and draughty indoor environment can also impact our physical and mental wellbeing. “That can be underappreciated,” says Kieran Holohan, Managing Director of insulation solutions provider Isover Ireland. “We all spend a lot of time indoors — whether it’s at home, work or school — and, while we’re there, we need a general level of comfort. That means good ventilation, optimum indoor temperature and good acoustics.”

Because heat rises (approximately 25% of heat can be lost through the roof), a quick ‘winter-ready’ win is to ensure your loft is properly insulated with mineral wool insulation. “Then, look at the weaker areas of the rest of the building envelope,” says Jason Horrex, Manager of the Saint-Gobain Technical Academies in County Meath and Dublin, which run free courses to upskill construction industry stakeholders. “Often, the problem is found at the junction of windows and doors, where heat could be escaping.”

Simple measures include using mastic products to
fill gaps in the seals around windows and doors.

What you need to know about making your home airtight

Simple measures include using mastic products to fill gaps in the seals around windows and doors. “A more fundamental approach can also be taken,” says Horrex. “You can make the junction between your walls and windows airtight by installing airtightness membranes behind the plasterboard reveal.”

However, he stresses that airtightness is only about getting rid of unwanted leakage of air. Prescribed levels of ventilation are essential for any building; otherwise, dampness, mould and air quality issues can occur.

Improving moisture control with drylining systems

Fintan Smyth, Building Physics Manager at Isover Ireland, points out that a drylining system can be used to insulate interior walls to improve airtightness and moisture control. “This is a very adaptable solution on a frame that creates a space between the plasterboard and wall, which is filled with insulation,” he says.

“It’s suitable for older buildings with solid walls and helps to manage issues around condensation and dampness — although its appropriateness for your walls should be assessed by someone competent. With any winter readiness projects you are undertaking, my advice is to look at available grants from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and get the right advice from experts.”

The post How to get your home insulation ready for winter — and feel better as a result appeared first on Health News.

Colder weather, more time indoors and increased circulation of flu and viruses mean that winter can be a challenging time for our lung health. The good news is that there are measures we can take to help protect it.

The Irish Thoracic Society is urging members of the public to ‘Show Your Lungs Some Love’ this winter by undertaking five actions to safeguard your lung health.

Action 1: Quit while you’re ahead

Smoking damages the airways within the lungs. It causes chronic cough and breathlessness, reduces quality of life and increases the risk of lung diseases. By quitting before serious damage is done, we can prevent diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma from getting worse. Visit quit.ie, text QUIT to 50100 or call 1800 201 203 for more information on available supports.

Action 2: Adopt a healthy, balanced diet

A diet of fruit, vegetables, fish, low salt and reduced trans-fats and omega-6 fatty acids will help maintain good lung health. Foods that are rich in antioxidants are particularly beneficial, such as blueberries, red cabbage, spinach and beetroot. Foods rich in magnesium — such as nuts, cereals, seeds, carrots and seafood — are also beneficial.

Foods that are rich in antioxidants are particularly
beneficial, such as blueberries, red
cabbage, spinach and beetroot.

Action 3: Undertake regular exercise

To stay healthy, engage in 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five days a week. Remember that any type of physical activity counts as exercise. Joining up with a friend or colleague will make it more fun and help keep you motivated over the winter months.

Action 4: Breathe in fresh air

Indoor air pollution can arise from smoking, fuel used in heating and cooking, dampness and even cleaning materials. More time spent indoors in winter means it is important to reduce indoor air pollutants that can have a detrimental effect on our lung health.

Ensure your house is well-ventilated, particularly after cooking, taking a shower or using cleaning agents. Maintain gas appliances, make sure chimneys are cleaned, install carbon monoxide alarms and test for radon.

Action 5: Get the jab

Getting vaccinated can protect you from a range of diseases and help keep your lungs healthy; this is especially important over the winter months. The flu, pneumococcal pneumonia, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough are examples of diseases that can be minimised or prevented entirely by vaccination.

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As you attempt to crawl out of bed each morning in winter, it’s easy to see why animals choose to hibernate. In the natural world, winter is a time for slowing down.

There are huge benefits to slowing down in winter. In the past, people followed the seasons more closely, getting up much later and going to bed earlier. Winter would be easier if we stopped fighting our instincts to slow down and embraced it instead. 

Focusing on calmness in the winter

In Scandinavia, they are much better at embracing it than we are in Ireland. In Denmark, they have a concept called ‘Hygge’ (pronounced hoo-guh), which places a focus on taking time away from the restlessness of life to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures. Winter is the perfect time for adopting it into your life. It could be anything from spending time with friends or family or snuggling up with a book.  

Take time to unwind in nature

Another way to look after yourself this winter is to spend time in nature, and experts have long championed the benefits of it. In Norway, they call disconnecting in nature, ‘Friluftsliv’ or ‘outdoor life.’ Even getting outside for five minutes is helpful. The key is not waiting until you ‘feel like it’ because the chances are you rarely will. That means wrapping up and braving the elements. Remember: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing.

Winter would be easier if we stopped fighting our instincts to slow down and embraced it instead. 

Making the most of wintertime

• Try to go outside every day for natural sunlight, whether it’s a walk or enjoying your morning coffee. 
• Resist the temptation of that box of chocolates, and try to fit in wholesome options like soups and stews. 
• Take time for activities you enjoy, be it a hobby or watching a movie. 
• Use December as a time to reflect and plan for the upcoming year. Write down reflections without shaming yourself for the things you did or didn’t do. 

In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to ignore winter’s call to slow down. Instead, our focus is on doing as much as we can, as fast as we can. By following these simple ways to wind down, we give ourselves the chance to keep well this season.  

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With the winter upon us, it’s hard to ignore the effects this time of year can have on our skin, particularly if we suffer from skin immune conditions.

The cold weather and low relative humidity can sap moisture from the skin — leaving it dry, red and flaky. This can worsen with the dry heat blowing indoors throughout the winter. Moisturising helps to relieve these symptoms, and petroleum or cream-based moisturisers tend to be better than lotions.

Skin immune conditions in winter

As in all organs of the body, the immune system plays a major role in the skin; not only in preventing and fighting infection but also in maintaining healthy regulation. The cold weather can interfere with these processes or act as a trigger to drive abnormal responses. This is seen in a number of skin immune conditions where the symptoms seem to worsen during these colder, darker months.

For instance, psoriasis is a condition where specific skin cells over-multiply; leading to redness, rashes, and itchy, painful skin that can crack and bleed. The cold, dry air can worsen the symptoms; and with less sunshine and people wrapped up, the skin lacks exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sunlight. This UV light impedes the hyperactive skin cells, and UV therapy is an effective treatment for psoriasis; hence, its scarcity in winter can worsen the disease.

Eczema is an allergic skin disease, where an overreaction to factors leads to red, very itchy skin that’s prone to infection, particularly at the bends of the arms and knees. Along with the cold weather effects, people are more likely to have longer baths or showers at this time of year, which aggravates the itchiness and skin damage.

The cold weather and low relative humidity
can sap moisture from the skin.

Winter can bring relief to some sufferers

However, winter isn’t so bad for all skin disorders. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful disease characterised by persistent lesions and abscesses, which ooze and bleed. It primarily affects skin folds like the underarms and groin and is worsened by heat and sweaty conditions. Hence, the cooler climes are welcomed by HS sufferers, and there’s a notable drop in HS patients attending A&E during the winter months.

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