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Celebrating 25 years of health and wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing

<p> Dr Alan Smith: “The five-year survival rate of people diagnosed with bowel cancer has increased from 50% to 66% over the past 20 years."<br> Picture: Moya Nolan.</p>

health and wellbeing

'Bowel cancer is the third most lethal cancer, but a simple home test is improving survival rates'

The most notable gains in treatment success rates are seen in the age group participating in the bowel screening programme. So why are uptake rates so low?

Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon: 'I’m one of a growing number of young people with bowel cancer'

health and wellbeing

Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon: 'I’m one of a growing number of young people with bowel cancer'

'I tried to stay upbeat for everybody, I kind of lost myself': How counselling helps with healing

health and wellbeing

'I tried to stay upbeat for everybody, I kind of lost myself': How counselling helps with healing

JODY CONNAUGHTON

health and wellbeing

'Just get checked. Better to find nothing wrong, than learn too late'

‘Travellers are dying of same diseases as all of us’

health and wellbeing

‘Travellers are dying of same diseases as all of us’

GERARD WHITE

health and wellbeing

'A colonoscopy found five polyps in my colon'

NIAMH CONROY

'A mother busy with a young family ignored blood in her stool — she had stage four bowel cancer'

One in 10 who develop the disease is under 50, so it’s essential to be vigilant and tackle the stigmas associated with discussing poo

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Cork hospital caterer Martina Murphy: 'Good outcomes are like winning the Lotto'

Cork hospital caterer Martina Murphy: 'Good outcomes are like winning the Lotto'

Martina Murphy is nearing retirement after more than 40 years working as a caterer at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork. She shares her experience working on St Bernadette’s ward - where oncology and haematology patients come for treatment

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

'Give it a go': Former patients share their experiences of cancer screening

'Give it a go': Former patients share their experiences of cancer screening

A diverse network of volunteer representatives who have undergone screening offers the HSE valuable insights into the patient journey and advice on improving its communications

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Photo portrait of lovely teen lady touch chest grateful dressed stylish orange garment isolated on blue color background

Natural health: How can I help my exam-stressed teen?

Shallow or tight breathing is a sign of being in so-called “fight or flight” mode. This can work against your daughter’s goals since it can lead to problems with concentration, headaches, and mental blocks

Sun, 23 Mar, 2025

Human energy body (aura) with chakras - woman and man

Can targeting 'zombie' cells really slow down ageing?

Zombie cells are a hot topic in the scientific community, with groundbreaking research being conducted worldwide to find ways to halt their damaging and inflammatory effects

Sat, 22 Mar, 2025

An underactive thyroid can fly under the radar - here's how to spot the symptoms

An underactive thyroid can fly under the radar - here's how to spot the symptoms

The cause of an underactive thyroid can be primary, secondary, or tertiary.

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

'I had to freeze my eggs at 15 because of cancer'

'I had to freeze my eggs at 15 because of cancer'

Ellen Deegan was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 15. Before undergoing treatment, she attended a fertility clinic to have her eggs frozen, a children's service funded by the Irish Cancer Society

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Young woman managing home finances

Five years on since remote work was widely adopted — is working from home working?

It has been five years since remote work was widely adopted in response to the pandemic. Has it become the new normal, or will employers increasingly push for a return to the office, following trends in the United States?

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Climbing for wisdom blue background

How to reach your goals one step at a time by sticking to daily habits

Why is it so difficult to ditch a bad habit or maintain a good one? The answer is in the brain, writes Dr Catherine Conlon

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

I'm in my early 50s but I struggled to recover from a recent fall

I'm in my early 50s but I struggled to recover from a recent fall

Our ability to balance diminishes from midlife, increasing the risk of falling. So, instead of exercising in the usual way, we need to introduce multidirectional and unpredictable movement

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Working Life: No matter how many mums I care for, meeting their baby is a big moment

Working Life: No matter how many mums I care for, meeting their baby is a big moment

Megan Coleman, student midwife, UCC

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Pattern with chamomile flowers on white background

Natural Health: Hot tea burnt the roof of my mouth and it's difficult to eat

Burning the roof of your mouth is painful and frustrating

Sun, 16 Mar, 2025

I went to a rage room for a girls’ day out — here's why it's popular among women

I went to a rage room for a girls’ day out — here's why it's popular among women

There may be a smashing time to be had in a ‘rage room’ but it's not an alternative to therapy

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

I was shocked to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in my 40s

I was shocked to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in my 40s

Ciara Foskin’s diagnosis came out of the blue. She is part of a small cohort of women under 50 who develop triple-negative breast cancer in Ireland

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

Indian white collar male worker in wheelchair having cheerful discussion conversation with his female asain chinese colleague co

As Trump bans DEI programmes, here why an inclusive workplace is good for business

Diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes are not only a respectful way to engage with employees, but they are also proven to improve productivity

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

St Patrick was a great hiker — here's how to follow in his footsteps and walk more

St Patrick was a great hiker — here's how to follow in his footsteps and walk more

Renowned for bringing Christianity to Ireland, St Patrick also blazed a trail as one of our greatest hikers. Modern research confirms he was on the right path

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

Beautiful woman applying cream on her face

16 expert-approved ways to keep your skin looking smooth, youthful, and healthy

What you put into your body is as important as what you put on your face if you are to keep your complexion smooth and youthful

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

LOUISE CASEY

Working Life: I find resilience in the face of suffering remarkable

Louise Casey, principal medical social worker, Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services (OLH & CS), Harold’s Cross, Dublin.

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

We tried 2025’s biggest fitness trends from padel to Hyrox – here's what we thought

We tried 2025’s biggest fitness trends from padel to Hyrox – here's what we thought

From reformer pilates to Hyrox, padel, barre and somatic movement - the Irish Examiner's lifestyle team put this year's viral fitness trends to the test

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Vertical poster collage young woman blogger social media quality feedback estimate clock alarm time management drawing backgroun

TikTok is influencing our approach to diet and wellness — but is that a good thing?

From the hot girl walk to 'little treat' culture, TikTok is influencing Gen Z's approach to diet and wellness. But is the platform encouraging positive changes or promoting obsessive and unhealthy habits?

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Unhappy mature woman scratching her irritated skin on arm

Natural Health: My skin gets so itchy at night — I find it difficult to sleep

Plus: "I’ve just finished a course of antibiotics for a stubborn flu and feel tired most of the time. What can I take to give me a boost?"

Sat, 08 Mar, 2025

Gene Hackman

What is hantavirus, the rare disease that killed Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa?

Virus that caused death of actor’s wife in Santa Fe is rare but serious illness that can damage major organs of the body

Sat, 08 Mar, 2025

Kate Moss

Is the era of body positivity over? How a new generation became obsessed with thinness

Women's magazine editors, body diversity activists and medics all agree on one thing: the thin ideal is back. Having lived through 'heroin chic' and the rise of the body positivity movement, Kate Demolder argues the biggest loss is not weight

Sat, 08 Mar, 2025

Side close up view woman having day nap on couch

How a power nap is good for your health and the best time to take them

Power naps are good for health if they are short and taken early in the afternoon

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

Muscular, shower and man with soap, water and cleaning himself with blue studio background, hygiene or wellness. Hands, male or

Scrubbing up on hygiene: how to make the best of your personal care

We’ve never had a greater variety of products to keep us squeaky clean and spring fresh. But is there a risk of overdoing our personal care routine?

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

ADHD in women: 'If I was told I could take away my ADHD, I’m not sure I would'

ADHD in women: 'If I was told I could take away my ADHD, I’m not sure I would'

A condition associated with boisterous boys is often diagnosed later in women because they internalise the symptoms and mask the behaviours

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

Working Life: This is a safe space for new mothers to talk

Working Life: This is a safe space for new mothers to talk

Karen Prunty, paediatric nurse in neo-nates and founder of Little Roo

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

happy woman with long hair

How hormone fluctuations can cause hair thinning and loss — and what you can do about it

Our hair is not immune to the passage of time, often losing its shine and volume. Sharon Ní Chonchúir talks to experts and gets to the root of the issue

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Young woman relaxing in the sauna

The surprising health benefits of regular saunas

Can stepping into the heat help you live a longer, healthier life?

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Heston Blumenthal comments

My wife sectioning me is the best thing to happen to me — Heston Blumenthal

"I thought at the time, the highs and the lows were normal, but they weren’t"

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

'A huge shock': Helen Reilly on oesophageal cancer diagnosis and recovery

'A huge shock': Helen Reilly on oesophageal cancer diagnosis and recovery

Helen Reilly was only in her 50s and atypical for oesophageal cancer, which is more common among older men

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

EMER DEANE

Workplace Wellbeing: How to utilise healthy stress to excel at work

Letting stress run rampant can be detrimental to your health, but harnessing its natural response and striking a healthy balance can help keep the mind steady and open avenues to success

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Adele Miner: I tried Mel Robbins' early morning routine and this is what happened

Adele Miner: I tried Mel Robbins' early morning routine and this is what happened

I tried out the viral 'million-dollar' early morning routine promoted by motivational speaker Mel Robbins. I embraced the challenge during weekdays like a competitive sport, but I decided to draw the line at weekends

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Two Cork women on a mission to start 'food revolution' encouraging healthy alternatives for kids

Two Cork women on a mission to start 'food revolution' encouraging healthy alternatives for kids

Clonakilty's Kids Food Revolution aims to end the practice of schools and sporting bodies giving sweets as rewards and instead offer healthier alternatives or non-food items to celebrate achievements

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Working Life: I treat children I first met as babies

Working Life: I treat children I first met as babies

Prof Damien Kenny, consultant cardiologist, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI)

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Young woman having painful stomachache. Chronic gastritis. Abdomen bloating concept.

Natural Health: I need help easing heartburn pain

And is there a natural remedy for bloating in the days leading up to my periods?

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Ozempic Insulin injection pen for diabetics

On the rebound: What are the long-term risks of Ozempic?

While GLP-1 drugs can be game-changing for those who want to shed weight, there are always a certain number of ‘non-responders'. Some people lose 40% of their body weight on the drug, but then one in 10 people don’t lose any weight at all.

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Workplace Wellbeing: Women supporting women to get ahead at work

Workplace Wellbeing: Women supporting women to get ahead at work

To mark International Women’s Day, we look at female-led organisations and networks helping females to progress their careers despite the odds

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

I tried the Ireland's Fittest Family course and was covered in bruises for two weeks

I tried the Ireland's Fittest Family course and was covered in bruises for two weeks

Ciara Byrne goes behind the scenes and puts the TV show’s gruelling assault course to the test, including the 10ft high Eliminator

Sat, 22 Feb, 2025

Overworking

Fight the flagging: Eight simple science-backed ways to combat tiredness

Lack of sleep is not necessarily the cause. You might also be deficient in vitamins and nutrients, not getting enough natural light, be dehydrated or too sedentary

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

David Beckham's midlife underwear modelling highlights benefits of exercise as men age

David Beckham's midlife underwear modelling highlights benefits of exercise as men age

David Beckham is back modelling in his underwear and showing midlife men what's possible when you're committed to pumping iron. Whatever happened to the acceptable dad bod?

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

a background with a toilet on a Solid color background, 3d rendering

Natural Health: What can I do about my urge to pee?

Plus: natural ways to get about soothing teething pains

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Male entrepreneur talking about reports with his colleagues on a meeting.

Workplace Wellbeing: How honest talk among colleagues sparks growth

Psychological safety in the workplace, where people feel free to voice their opinions, can help create a culture where innovation thrives.

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

'Loneliness can be a killer': Why lonely people are at risk of serious health conditions

'Loneliness can be a killer': Why lonely people are at risk of serious health conditions

A new study links proteins found in the blood of people experiencing loneliness to serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke, writes Helen O’Callaghan

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

This is delicious!

Taking the roughage road to health and vitality

Fibre, which supports a healthy gut microbiome, is the key to keeping us well

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

Working Life: I avoided sport because it made me breathless, but I didn’t know I had asthma

Working Life: I avoided sport because it made me breathless, but I didn’t know I had asthma

Dr Maitiú Ó Faoláin, GP and member of the Asthma Society’s Medical Advisory Group

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025