Health Screening

We are here to help you keep fit and healthy. Health checks that are provided here in Rosslare Pharmacy are:

Diabetes Glucose Testing

 

What is Diabetes?

When a person is diagnosed with Diabetes it means they have high levels of blood sugar (glucose) in their body. This is caused by a lack of or inability to produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls how our bodies use glucose.

 

What are the types of Diabetes?

There are three main types of Diabetes:

Type 1 : Believed to be caused by an autoimmune condition which means your immune system attacks and destroys the cells that make insulin. The damage caused by this is permanent.

Type 2: This is when your body is not able to use the insulin it produces efficiently . This in turn makes the cells in your pancreas make even more insulin.. It continues to make more until it is unable to continue to keep up with the demand. The amount of insulin produced then decreases and leads to your body having high blood sugar. Factors that cause Type 2 diabetes are believed to be:

  • Genetics
  • Lack of excersise
  • Being overweight
  • Other health factors
  • Other environmental factors

 

Gestational Diabetes: This is caused in pregnancy due to insulin blocking hormones being produced. You will only ever get gestational diabetes when you are pregnant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why test for Diabetes?

Diabetes, when left untreated can be very serious. If a person has Type 2 Diabetes and doesn’t get treated this can lead to long term damage to your feet, liver & eyesight just to name a few. It can also increase your risk of heart disease.

When to get tested?

You should consider getting tested for diabetes if you fall into any of the following risk factors:

  • If you are overweight for your height
  • If you are over the age of 40
  • If diabetes runs in your family i.e. either of your parents suffer from it.
  • If you excersise very little ( > 2.5 hours in the week )
  • If you suffer from High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol

You should also consider being tested for Diabetes if you suffer from any of the following symptoms regardless of the above risk factors:

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Unexplained blurred vision
  • Frequent urination
  • Always thirsty
  • Extreme tiredness/fatigue
  • Feeling hungry even though you have eaten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blood Pressure Check

 

What is blood pressure?

Everyone has blood pressure. This is what shows how hard your heart has to work to get your blood pumped around your body. The normal reading for blood pressure is around 120 ( systolic) over 80 ( diastolic). The systolic reading is the measurement when your heart is working its hardest. This is when the muscles in your heart are squeezing to pump the blood from your heart. The diastolic reading is when your heart is relaxed, and the blood flows back into the heart.

 

 

What is High Blood Pressure?

A blood pressure reading of 140/90 or 140/80 if you are diabetic would suggest a consultation with your GP. The higher your blood pressure reading the more likely you are to suffer from a heart attack or stroke.

 

Our Blood Pressure Check

When you come to Rosslare Pharmacy to have your blood pressure checked you will be guided to our private consultation area. We aim to offer a private and confidential service in a stress free environment. There is no cost associated with a blood pressure check. We will record it for you and give you the reading to bring along to your GP if required. We can also keep it on file for you if you wish to continue to monitor your blood pressure for a period of time.

 

Smoking Cessation

 

Why Quit Smoking?

Lets face it , if you smoke you probably enjoy it. You have a daily routine of when you will have your first cigarette right down to the last one at night. Changing that habit and that ‘want’ or ‘need’ is the hardest thing a smoker will do. You have to WANT to quit smoking. Whether that be for the important benefits to your health or the improved quality of your bank balance, as lets face it, its not a cheap habit to have.

We can tell you all the statistics, one in every two smokers will die from a smoking related illness. Smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer and chronic respiratory diseases and is also a significant cause of heart disease, but again these may not really resinate with you unless you have been directly affected.

Alot of people have the ” It won’t happen to me” mind frame unfortunately.

Once you have stopped smoking there is no doubt that you will feel better both physically and mentally. However, this wont be straight away. You will battle with the cravings, which can he helped using NRT ( Nicotine Replacement Therapy ) , you will battle with your inner voice. With the help of others you CAN become a non- smoker.

 

Types of NRT – Nicotine Replacement Therapies

There are a number of products available to people who wish to stop smoking.

  • Patches
  • Gum
  • Lozenges
  • Inhalers
  • Mouth Sprays

Speak to ourselves or your GP to determine which product is right for you.

How to get NRT

You can buy NRT over the counter at your local pharmacy. You can also get it prescribed by your GP, and if you have a medical card some of the products are available on the medical card scheme.

In some circumstances NRT may not be suitablet. Talk to your GP if you are :

  • Under 18
  • Pregnant
  • Have recently had a heart attack

 

There is also fantastic information available on www.quit.ie where you can sign up to their quit plan and choose the best way for you to quit and what help you need to aid you in being successful. Be positive, you can do it!

Rosslare Pharmacy