Health - Life

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#Health - Life

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Kate Ryan: ‘We should seek out fresh blood black pudding makers and support them.’ Picture: Joleen Cronin</p>

health and wellbeing

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

Many people baulk at the thought of eating fresh blood black pudding, but it predates potatoes, soda bread, whiskey, and stout as a source of nourishment

<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

<p>Friends at Work: Sandra Murphy and Kylie Basnett are good pals who work together at the Triago Hotel Group. Picture: Noel Sweeney</p>

health and wellbeing

Workplace wellbeing: When your colleagues become your friends

Sew social: Meet the people championing Ireland’s quiet craft revival

health and wellbeing

Sew social: Meet the people championing Ireland’s quiet craft revival

I thought things would be different

advice

Sex File: We're just married but my libido is gone — what does this mean?

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

health and wellbeing

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

Senior business man holding tablet and having fun with coworkers

Workplace wellbeing: Playing the generation game at work

Much is made of age-related attitudes in the workplace, but the reality is that most of us, from Boomer to Gen Z, want the same things from our jobs

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

Caucasian grandmother, senior old woman cooking in her kitchen traditional recipes of Italian couture. Homemade pasta.

Will you live to 100? The numbers don’t add up

Saul Newman’s book ‘Morbid’ debunks the science behind the longevity industry and the claim that people in blue zones live longer

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

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

Young couple sleeping back to back in their bed

Sex File: Trying for a baby is starting to feel like a chore

You are absolutely right to focus on bringing closeness and lightness back to your sexual relationship, because stress has a huge impact on ovulation and the menstrual cycle

Mon, 14 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

Workplace Wellbeing: How earning less can pay off with a better quality of life

Workplace Wellbeing: How earning less can pay off with a better quality of life

Though we’re living through a cost-of-living crisis deciding to earn less to improve your quality of life isn’t necessarily a poor decision

Sat, 12 Sep, 2026

I was told I would never father children — these lifestyle changes made it possible

I was told I would never father children — these lifestyle changes made it possible

When a couple is struggling to conceive, the immediate focus is often on the woman. However, a male factor is the likely reason in half of all cases, strengthening the case for testing men sooner

Fri, 11 Sep, 2026

Father and son bond through volunteering with young patients: 'It's the highlight of my week'

Father and son bond through volunteering with young patients: 'It's the highlight of my week'

Ian and Ben Rattray volunteer with the LauraLynn children’s hospice on Sunday mornings. They talk about the friendships they have forged and how the experience has brought them closer

Fri, 11 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

Affectionate couple talking in a bed during morning time.

Sex File: Will moving in together ruin our connection in bed?

Although you are most concerned about changes in the frequency of sex, you might be better off looking ahead to the impact that living together could have on your relationship more broadly

Mon, 07 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

Ray D'Arcy: Exercise helped to keep me sane

Ray D'Arcy: Exercise helped to keep me sane

Broadcaster Ray D’Arcy says being active has always supported his mental wellbeing. He tells Gemma Fullam that finding a sport you enjoy is key and explains why September is the ideal time of year to kickstart a fitness routine

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Working Life: Justin Gleeson — clinical midwife specialist in substance and alcohol misuse, HSE

S Working Life: Justin Gleeson — clinical midwife specialist in substance and alcohol misuse, HSE

I care for pregnant women with substance and alcohol misuse issues

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Workplace Wellbeing: Pursuing a hobby could lead to the ideal career or even starting a business

Workplace Wellbeing: Pursuing a hobby could lead to the ideal career or even starting a business

Following their interests has led four women to set up enterprises that, for now, operate as a side hustle

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Sex File: Why are things so hot in bed since I found out he was sexting another woman?

Sex File: Why are things so hot in bed since I found out he was sexting another woman?

There is nothing like getting caught cheating to make someone realise how much they have to lose if they blow their marriage up.

Mon, 31 Aug, 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

Workplace Wellbeing: How to step into autumn at work with a spring in your step

Workplace Wellbeing: How to step into autumn at work with a spring in your step

Summer is ending, but you can still look on the bright side, even as the evenings shorten, the children return to school, and companies gear up for a busy fourth quarter. It’s key to identify what you enjoy so you can maintain a healthy work-life balance

Sat, 29 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

‘I’ve been battling cancer for 22 years, and I’ve had four heart attacks’: Why we go to the Men’s Shed

‘I’ve been battling cancer for 22 years, and I’ve had four heart attacks’: Why we go to the Men’s Shed

By working shoulder to shoulder on projects, men who join a local shed get to know and support each other. The tea and chat that follows is often when strong friendships are formed

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Working Life: Julie Greene, lead tutor, learning and development team, Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI)

S Working Life: Julie Greene, lead tutor, learning and development team, Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI)

Caring for a family member with dementia can be overwhelming and emotional

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Claire Thomson: My essential recipes to leave home with

Claire Thomson: My essential recipes to leave home with

Food writer and chef Claire Thomson has written ‘Dear Grace: Recipes From Your Mother for the Next Chapter in Life’, a cookbook that grew out of exchanges with her college-going daughter

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

CLAIRE BYRNE

Claire Byrne: I have to exercise most days, or I can’t function

NewsTalk presenter Claire Byrne is in work mode from the minute she wakes up, so a balanced lifestyle is essential to sustain her demanding schedule. She talks to Gemma Fullam about her non-negotiables, including sleep, strength training and family time

Fri, 28 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

Blue backpack with alarm clock and school equipment. Back to school concept on blue background with copy space.

Turning the page from summer to school

Sinead O’Moore experienced an emotional rollercoaster during the holidays, from feeling overstretched by her children’s constant demands to feeling nostalgic about how quickly they seem to be growing up. Now, as the schools are about to reopen, she is preparing to reclaim her life again

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

Working Life: Maebh Mullany, chief executive of the Rutland Centre

Working Life: Maebh Mullany, chief executive of the Rutland Centre

One of the biggest changes is polysubstance abuse

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

I just can't deal with this

Workplace Wellbeing: Chasing perfection is a fast track to burnout

Wanting to do our best is a healthy attitude, but striving for flawlessness can leave us feeling like we have failed if we don’t get things exactly right. That mindset can have a serious impact on our wellbeing

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

You're fired!

In the firing line of a narcissistic manager: 'I had to resign for my mental health'

A boss with the personality disorder can be stressful and may prevent you from getting promoted. Adopting psychological strategies can help, but sometimes the best option is to leave your job

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

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

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

Working Life: Hanna Bäckmo, founder of Hanna’s Bees

S Working Life: Hanna Bäckmo, founder of Hanna’s Bees

Keeping native Irish honey bees alive is my main aim

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

'I've got more out of volunteering than I've given. I've made lifelong friends'

'I've got more out of volunteering than I've given. I've made lifelong friends'

Irish Cancer Society volunteer Brenda Convoy says losing her sister to cancer and battling the disease herself inspired her to help others on their cancer journeys

Sun, 09 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

Top 8: These luxury ice creams are the cream of the crop

Top 8: These luxury ice creams are the cream of the crop

This month we looked for luxurious ice creams, hoping for some new brands that might catch our eye

Sat, 08 Aug, 2026

I tried six viral wellness trends — here's my verdict

I tried six viral wellness trends — here's my verdict

From fibremaxxing and elaborate skincare routines to lymph drainage and red-light therapy, there are a host of wellness trends doing the rounds online. But which are worthwhile and which should we scroll on by?

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

'There is nothing soft about soft skills. They are central to the workplace'

'There is nothing soft about soft skills. They are central to the workplace'

Soft skills like communication, teamwork and resilience can make you stand out in a competitive jobs market as employers seek candidates who can add value to a work environment

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

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

One young woman Feeling free outdoor in the wheat field

Can we choose to be happy? — and what is the difference between joy and happiness?

Happiness, like love, is more likely when we don’t actively pursue it, but, instead, appreciate the small, frequent, unplanned moments of joy, says Deirdre McArdle

Sun, 02 Aug, 2026

Empowering kids in the kitchen: Teaching healthy eating is best done hands-on

Empowering kids in the kitchen: Teaching healthy eating is best done hands-on

With routines disrupted during the summer holidays, it can be difficult to manage children's constant demands for meals and snacks. Jolene Cox, author of Now You’re Cooking!, offers inspiration for getting them active in the kitchen.

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026