Health Advice

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Head Lice – Help!!!

Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

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Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

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Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

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NHS Choices - Causes of piles (haemorrhoids)

(15/05/2014)

The exact cause of piles (haemorrhoids) is unclear, but many cases are thought to be linked to increased pressure in blood vessels in and around the anus.

This pressure can cause the blood vessels in your back passage to become swollen and inflamed.

Who's at risk

Factors that increase your chance of getting haemorrhoids include:

  • being overweight or obese
  • persistent constipation, often due to a lack of fibre in your diet
  • prolonged diarrhoea
  • regularly lifting heavy objects  
  • a persistent cough or repeated vomiting
  • prolonged sitting down
  • being pregnant, which can place increased pressure on your pelvic blood vessels, causing them to enlarge (the haemorrhoids will usually improve after you give birth)
  • being over 45 years of age  as you get older, your body's supporting tissues get weaker, increasing your risk of haemorrhoids
  • a family history of haemorrhoids, which could mean you're more likely to get them