The Irish Times - Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Health briefing

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Parents warned over effects of screen time

THE CHIROPRACTIC Association of Ireland (CAI) has warned parents about the effect of spending too much time in front of computer and TV screens for their children.

The CAI has said excessive time in front of computer and television screens could mean an increase in back pain, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches for their children.

The association cited a study published in the BMC Public Health Journal, which has found a link between the amounts of time adolescents spend using computers, watching television and playing computer games, and back pain and headaches.

The study’s authors say that the link between back and head pain and screen time might not be related to the kind of screen activity the teens were engaged in, but to the amount of time they spent doing it and how they sat or stood while screen-engaged.

Attracta Farrell, president of the CAI said: “Not moving for extended periods causes the muscles in the neck, arms and back to stiffen up and become sore. On top of that, slouching increases the compressive force through the spine.”

This increased force may, over a period of time, fatigue the spinal muscles and cause pain, or may lead to early degenerative changes. Despite the health risks associated with overuse of computers and television, Dr Farrell stressed it wasn’t necessary for teenagers to give up technology entirely.

“It’s all about moderation. Computers and TV can be a valuable source of entertainment and education for young people and you’re never going to convince them to give it up altogether,” she said.

Spanish surgeon to carry out first leg transplant

A SPANISH surgeon is preparing to perform the world’s first leg transplant after being given the go-ahead by the authorities. Dr Pedro Cavadas has put a 35-strong team of professionals, including nurses and anaesthetists, on standby for the pioneering operation.

The unnamed recipient had both his legs amputated above the knee after a car accident and would face life in a wheelchair without the operation.

Now the search is on for a donor after regional health bosses approved the surgery on the recommendation of Spain’s National Transplant Organisation.

A successful transplant will offer hope to thousands of whole-leg amputees, including British soldiers injured in landmine explosions.

Dr Cavadas (44), who performed the world’s first double hand transplant four years ago, admitted: “We’re moving in uncharted waters here. We’re going to be the first because nobody else out there is researching this field. It’s all come about thanks to our work on lower-leg surgery.

“We’ve discovered enough from that to make it possible to carry out a full-leg operation, and to feel confident about it.”

The operation is expected to last between 16 and 24 hours, the same time a double arm transplant takes.

Bones from the dead donor’s legs will be connected to the recipient’s body followed by the tendons, arteries, nerves and veins. Nerves regenerate at the rate of about an inch a month and it is estimated the patient will be able to feel their legs after a year.

The operation is due to take place at La Fe Hospital in Valencia where Dr Cavadas has carried out previous transplants.

Call for older LGBT study participants

A MAJOR STUDY into the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Irish people over the age of 55 has called for participants to come forward.

The Visible Lives study, which is being carried out by TCD, aims to improve services and policy for people in that cohort. The research spans areas of health, wellbeing, social contact and community, ageing, end-of-life issues, and experience of health services.

See visiblelives.ie