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#Health - Body

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Juliette O’Connell was 41 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She now works for Breast Cancer Ireland as an outreach co-ordinator. She urges everyone to take the time to check themselves and speak to a GP if they’re unsure. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

health and wellbeing

Being breast aware: The 15-minute habit that could help to save your life

With 3,700 cases diagnosed here annually, none of us can afford to ignore the signs of breast cancer. Checking for symptoms is a simple, potentially life-saving practice we should all develop

<p>Prof Eddie Moloney, clinical professor of respiratory medicine TCD, and president of the Irish Thoracic Society. Picture: Gareth Chaney</p>

health and wellbeing

Working Life: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland

<p>Professor Caitriona Ryan at the Institute of Dermatologists, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney</p>

health and wellbeing

I'm a consultant dermatologist — here's what parents need to know about common skin conditions

Woman with hands holding pressing her crotch lower abdomen. Medical or gynecological problems, healthcare concept

health and wellbeing

Natural health: What can I do about my vaginal thrush?

'It’s a dynamite food': Why iron-rich black pudding should be part of your diet

health and wellbeing

'It’s a dynamite food': Why iron-rich black pudding should be part of your diet

young pretty woman sleeping in bed with white sheets

health and wellbeing

Out like a light: How darker autumn affects our sleep

Artificial intelligence brain symbol and hand

Six ways to keep your brain sharp as you age

Our brains start to shrink in midlife, but some behavioural habits can play an outsized role in accelerating age-related cognitive decline, giving us more control than we might think,

Thu, 24 Sep, 2026

Young girl eating hot school dinner uk

'Total overhaul' of school meals programme needed, campaign group says

Approximately half a million of hot school meals are delivered to primary schools across the country every day

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

'I decided I wasn't going to suffocate under the weight of my prostate cancer diagnosis'

'I decided I wasn't going to suffocate under the weight of my prostate cancer diagnosis'

Gearóid Bradley was diagnosed with stage-4 prostate cancer in 2023 and given months to live. He says seeking support has been vital to maintaining his mental wellbeing

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Does cholesterol tell the whole heart health story?

Does cholesterol tell the whole heart health story?

A leading medical researcher believes the risk assessment for cardiovascular disease should extend beyond a narrow focus on LDL cholesterol

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

The Ear ache. The sad woman with headache or pain on a pink studio background

Natural Health: What can I do about my tinnitus?

Plus, I get bloodshot eyes quite easily - what can I take to make them less sensitive?

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

CIARA SCALLAN

Working Life: A man rang me in his last few days of life to say thanks for all the help during his illness

Ciara Scallan is senior respiratory physiotherapist with the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

'Walking has been life-changing. Where I am now compared to three years ago is chalk and cheese'

'Walking has been life-changing. Where I am now compared to three years ago is chalk and cheese'

National Walking Week, which starts on Monday, encourages us all to get out and stretch those legs. It’s not only good for our general health, but it can also help calm the mind

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

At 5pm I finished chemo. By 8am I was holding my newborn son

At 5pm I finished chemo. By 8am I was holding my newborn son

Ben Halpin was operating at full tilt when he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. He had recently set up a business with his wife, who was six months pregnant with their first child

Sun, 13 Sep, 2026

Stress headache, burnout and woman in office overwhelmed with workload at desk with laptop. Frustrated, overworked and tired wom

Natural Health: What supplement can I take to reduce my stress?

Plus: I developed arthritis in my right hand what can I do?

Sun, 13 Sep, 2026

Working Life: The care I received from a student nurse and colleagues was exceptional

Working Life: The care I received from a student nurse and colleagues was exceptional

Lorraine Clarke, director of education, policy and standards at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)

Fri, 11 Sep, 2026

Week 1 — A short and simple Pilates workout to bring exercise into a busy routine

Week 1 — A short and simple Pilates workout to bring exercise into a busy routine

We get it. Routines go out the window in summer, and never more so than this year, with weeks of blistering heat. To help make the transition to daily exercise as simple as possible, we asked Pilates instructor Aoife Lennon to design a short and simple programme you can do at home

Wed, 09 Sep, 2026

Serious childhood illness affects the whole family: 'We grieve the life our daughter would have had'

Serious childhood illness affects the whole family: 'We grieve the life our daughter would have had'

Maria and Colm Lynch felt like they were living in a warzone during their daughter’s treatment for a brain tumour, which also had an impact on their other children

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Woman with hands holding pressing her crotch lower abdomen. Medical or gynecological problems, healthcare concept

Natural Health: How can I prevent another cystitis infection?

Plus remedies for migraines that could be related to perimenopause

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

€100 device has 'empowered' heart patients in Cork to understand symptoms

€100 device has 'empowered' heart patients in Cork to understand symptoms

Project at clinic in Bantry General Hospital treats patients with heart rhythm problems, but more nurses are needed to expand it

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Woman massaging painful wrist at work repetitive strain injury

Natural Health: What can I do about my RSI?

Plus how to concentrate at work after returning from a holiday

Sun, 30 Aug, 2026

Woman having headache. Isolated over pink background.

Cortisol: Everything you need to know about the stress hormone

Cortisol is not just a stress hormone, it also helps regulate blood sugar and control the body’s use of fats, proteins, and carbs. However, when levels are persistently raised, problems can arise

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

woman hand holding her crotch suffering from pain,itchy concept

Natural Health: What can I do to reduce my risk of developing thrush again?

Plus, my bed-bound father is coughing up phlegm, can we give him anything to help?

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

Why I volunteer to honour my parents: 'I’ll never fill my dad’s shoes, but I’ll just keep going'

Why I volunteer to honour my parents: 'I’ll never fill my dad’s shoes, but I’ll just keep going'

Cork nurse Stephanie Cronin’s mother had multiple sclerosis, so her father joined MS Ireland in gratitude. Now, she volunteers in memory of them both

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

'Cancer doesn’t wait for your 50th birthday — it didn’t wait for my 40th'

'Cancer doesn’t wait for your 50th birthday — it didn’t wait for my 40th'

Anna O’Donoghue was diagnosed with breast cancer at 39, more than a decade before the national screening programme begins. She asks why women should wait until their 50th birthday to receive a BreastCheck invitation

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Open female mouth during oral checkup at the dentist. Selective

'Ireland needs to do better' on dental care for people with disabilities

'It’s important that people living with disability in Ireland have the same number of teeth as others, that they can access services just like people without disabilities'

Thu, 20 Aug, 2026

Child scratching and looking his arm

Natural health: What can we do about my grandson's eczema?

Plus, what should I do about shiny patches on my legs

Sun, 16 Aug, 2026

Foraging packs a real nutritious punch: 'I focus on edible wild plants taste amazingly fresh'

Foraging packs a real nutritious punch: 'I focus on edible wild plants taste amazingly fresh'

The founder of a nature restoration project near Glengarrif says people are embracing foraging and, in the process, making a real connection with the world around them

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Back view, sportswoman sitting on mat and touching sore spine, suffering backache after physical training

Hands-on back pain treatment: 'Try to keep active if you have just hurt yout back'

A new large-scale study has found that people with chronic pain can benefit as much from massage and acupuncture as from recommended active therapies

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

'I was stunned by my diagnosis': What you need to know about protecting your bone health

'I was stunned by my diagnosis': What you need to know about protecting your bone health

Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Although bone loss typically begins years before menopause, it's possible to strengthen your bones at any age

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

I'm an oncologist: Cancer can develop in anyone — even a healthy person doing all the right things

I'm an oncologist: Cancer can develop in anyone — even a healthy person doing all the right things

Dr Lynda McSorley, consultant medical oncologist and Lead for Cancer Genetics at St Vincent’s Healthcare Group in Dublin.

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Concentrated caucasian teenage boy with acne problem at his face looking in mirror at home bathroom. Teenager skin care every da

Natural health: My teenage son has bad acne, how can he heal it?

Plus: Is there any way to keep that summer feeling all year round?

Sun, 09 Aug, 2026

Mature man tying shoelace preparing for urban jog

Can I reduce my risk of type 2 diabetes?

As research reveals a rise in the number of younger adults developing type 2 diabetes, what are the changes you can make to your lifestyle that will help you to minimise your risk of developing the condition?

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

Young woman with epilated bikini zone holding flower on light background

Is vulvovaginal health being taken more seriously?

More women are discussing vulvovaginal health, but experts advise speaking to a qualified medical professional rather than seeking counsel or products online

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

Happy multi generational women having fun together at city park - Multigenerational female friends taking selfie after sport wor

Call for women to be good sports during outdoor activity week

The annual HER Outdoors Week aims to get more women involved in all types of sporting activities and adventure

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

'An absolute gamechanger': Cork man hails impact of pioneering trial for cancer patients

'An absolute gamechanger': Cork man hails impact of pioneering trial for cancer patients

The trial was funded with €300,000 from the Irish Cancer Society. It recently received additional funding from the society and pharmaceutical company Pfizer

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Young couple sitting on lounge chairs and relaxing on the beach while enjoying view of setting sun reflecting on calm sea water

Sex File: Will holiday sex be a let-down?

Will my girlfriend expect sex more often while we're on our first holiday together?

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

I'm an obstetrician-gynaecologist — here are six tips worth knowing

I'm an obstetrician-gynaecologist — here are six tips worth knowing

Consultant obstetrician gynaecologist Breffini Anglim O’Regan, whose subspeciality is in urogynaecology and pelvic floor reconstructive surgery, The Coombe Hospital, Dublin

Sun, 02 Aug, 2026

How exercising on Ireland's Greenways and Blueways can improve your health

How exercising on Ireland's Greenways and Blueways can improve your health

Discover the restorative power of our blueways and greenways as you reset, re-energise, and expand your horizons through accessible outdoor adventures this summer

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Sweet dreams concept

Can you change your routine to get a better night's sleep?

Half of Irish people wake up every day feeling groggy, and while stress is a cause of sleeplessness, stress is exacerbated by tiredness. Before summer turns to autumn is the time to change your pattern, says Sharon Ní Chonchúir

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

woman scratching shoulder and neck

Six common summer rashes — and how to treat them

Although the current warmer weather is a great mood booster, the combination of heat, sweat and friction creates the perfect environment for a number of common skin rashes.

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

How to make the most of seasonal gluts

How to make the most of seasonal gluts

Learning how to preserve fruit and vegetables while they're fresh and bountiful is an economical, sustainable and mindful way of holding on to nourishing and delicious foods even when they're out of season.

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

A man's arm with insect bites.

Natural health: How can I heal infected mosquito bites?

Plus: What remedy can I take for rheumatic pain in my fingers?

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Beach yoga: 'Reclaiming our connection with water is essential to our wellbeing'

Beach yoga: 'Reclaiming our connection with water is essential to our wellbeing'

Tap into the feel-good vibes this season by exercising outdoors. Esther McCarthy joins a beach yoga class at a local beach to get the lowdown on the Downward Dog

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Food containing natural iron. Healthy eating

Iron — why is it important, and how do I know if I am deficient?

Anaemia is one of the most common dietary disorders, and while meat and poultry are great sources of iron, plants can provide sufficient amounts

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

'I’ll never be able to eat a packet of crisps again': Cork man on his tongue cancer diagnosis

'I’ll never be able to eat a packet of crisps again': Cork man on his tongue cancer diagnosis

A painful mouth sore led to a tongue cancer diagnosis for Tim Madden, who reminds people to visit their dentist regularly

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

I was struggling to conceive, and was always tired — I had an underactive thyroid

I was struggling to conceive, and was always tired — I had an underactive thyroid

Thyroid disorders can easily go undiagnosed, with symptoms such as fatigue, low mood and weight gain often attributed to other health issues. It took mother-of-three Michelle Audley years to learn that her underactive thyroid was hindering her ability to conceive

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Asian woman with shoulder pain

Natural health: What can I do about the pain in my upper back

Plus: how do I help my cranky 12 week old settle?

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Working Life: Dr Sofia Nunes, consultant clinical geneticist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

S Working Life: Dr Sofia Nunes, consultant clinical geneticist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

Genetics can help when traditional approaches reach their limits

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Congo-Ebola-U.S. Citizen

Health worker monitored for Ebola in London hospital after working in DRC

UK resident was evacuated from Democratic Republic of the Congo where there is an outbreak of the disease

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026