In this episode, Sheena delves into the world of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in Ireland. She explores the nature and necessity of HRT, its various options, benefits, and potential drawbacks. She also addresses the controversy surrounding Minister Stephen Donnelly's 'free HRT scheme', explaining why it may not actually be free for patients and highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by community pharmacists. Finally, Sheena emphasizes the importance of individualized and comprehensive...

Antimicrobial Resistance - What happens when antibiotics won't work? (re-release)REALITY CHECK - This is really important! Imagine a world before antibiotics when a simple cough or cut on your leg could result in death. That's kind of where we are headed if we don't act as a collective in the name of antimicrobial stewardship. In This Episode:What are antibiotics?What do you mean by antimicrobial resistance?How are Ireland doing?How can I help?Is there hope?What role do vaccines play?And...

Sheena was asked "Is Salin Plus a gimmick?" on her instagram this week - this is the answer! This episode focuses on the Salin Plus salt therapy device. Sheena addresses potential concerns about bias due to the sponsorship of the season by Salin Plus. As a pharmacist, Sheena revisits scientific evidence supporting halotherapy, which uses dry salt particles to improve respiratory health. Key points include the benefits of halotherapy in managing asthma, improving sleep quality, aiding in skin...

Understanding and Managing Croup in Children In this episode of the Wonder Care Podcast, Sheena Mitchell, a Pharmacist and mother of three, discusses winter viruses with a focus on croup, a condition affecting the upper airways primarily in children under six. She explains the symptoms, causes, and ways to manage croup, emphasizing the importance of staying calm and offering reassurance to the child. Sheena also provides tips on hydration, rest, and when to seek medical attention....

Understanding Human Meta Pneumovirus (HMPV): Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention In this episode, Sheena discusses Human Meta Pneumovirus (HMPV), a virus similar to RSV that was discovered in 2001 and is prevalent worldwide. Often spread through respiratory droplets, HMPV commonly affects children and can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia and asthma flare-ups. Sheena explains the virus's symptoms, which range from mild flu-like issues in adults to...

Advocating for Vaccine Access: Navigating RSV Immunization Challenges In this special episode, Sheena is joined by Emma, a mother of two, who recounts her harrowing experience with her child's severe RSV infection and her tireless advocacy for broader vaccine availability. The discussion delves into the bureaucratic obstacles and frustrations with the healthcare system, touching on the lack of accountability and the ethical dilemmas surrounding private access to essential vaccines. The...

Comprehensive Guide to the New RSV Immunisation for Parents In this detailed episode, I provide an in-depth exploration of the new RSV immunisation, focusing on its importance, safety, and effectiveness. The discussion covers the basics and risks of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the introduction and benefits of the Nirsevimab vaccine, and potential side effects. The episode compares Nirsevimab with the older Palivizumab, highlighting its superior efficacy in reducing hospitalisations and...

Empowering Women's Health: The Case for Over-the-Counter Vaginal Estrogen In this episode, Laura passionately discusses her advocacy for making vaginal estrogen available over the counter, eliminating the need for a prescription. She explains the role of vaginal estrogen, particularly for women experiencing low estrogen levels due to menopause, perimenopause, and other conditions. The conversation covers the challenges of accessibility, the need for greater education, and the potential...

I am so excited to dive straight into Season 10 of A WonderCare Podcast! Thank you all so much for staying tuned over the past couple of years - I quite literally could not do this without you. Let's find out what's coming up in Season 10! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has announced a new plan to include a two-dose chickenpox vaccine in the childhood immunization schedule for all babies born on or after October 1, 2024. The vaccine will be administered at 12 months and again when the child enters junior infants. There is no catch-up program for those born before this date, who will need to get vaccinated privately. Despite initial concerns about the duration of efficacy, authorities, including HICWA, have determined the benefits outweigh...

In this weeks episode I discuss the anticipated health challenges for the upcoming winter season. I draws parallels to Australia's recent flu season, highlighting the prevalence of diseases like flu, whooping cough (pertussis), RSV, and COVID-19. I emphasise the importance of vaccinations, especially given the uptick in measles and pertussis cases due to missed vaccinations during the pandemic lockdowns. I also give tips on preventive measures such as hand hygiene, the use of antigen tests,...

Head Lice Prevention and Treatment: Everything You Need to Know In this Wonder Care podcast episode, Sheena Mitchell, a pharmacist and mother of three, covers comprehensive information about head lice. She discusses how head lice spread, the best methods for detection, and effective products for treatment and prevention. The episode debunks common misconceptions and provides practical advice on managing and avoiding infestations, including tips on wet and dry combing techniques, product...

In this episode, we are joined by Kim Wyse, a trustee of the Irish Sepsis Foundation, who shares her powerful and personal story of surviving sepsis. Kim talks about her life before sepsis as a busy mother of three and her diagnosis with Crohn's disease in 2015. She recounts the shock of an unexpected pregnancy while dealing with her autoimmune disease, the subsequent health complications, including a severe case of sepsis, and her struggles with mental health post-recovery. Kim also...

Understanding Ultra Processed Foods: A Family Discussion In this introductory episode, the host, Sheena, discusses the concept of ultra processed foods, aiming to educate parents, children, and anyone interested in healthier eating habits. The episode explores what ultra processed foods are, gives examples, and explains why they can be harmful. Sheena underscores the importance of a balanced diet rich in natural foods for providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. She also emphasizes...

Settling Back into School - Survival Guide!Now that the kids are back in school, it will become obvious that some children adapt better to the change in routine than others. As parents, we are often faced with significant challenges! In this Episode:00:00 Welcome to Wonder Care Podcast 00:47 Understanding Childhood Anxiety 01:48 Recognizing Signs of Anxiety 03:58 Effective Communication with Your Child 06:09 Addressing Behavioral Issues 08:37 Managing School-Related Anxiety 12:38 Promoting...

Mpox is making headlines - Want to know why? In this episode: What is MpoxRisk of Mpox in IrelandWhat do we need to do to stay safe We need to keep educating ourselves to be proactive about our health. I will continue to try to bring you the most evidence based, practical and reasonable health information I can! Season 9 Partnership – Salin Plus (available here!) I am so thrilled to be partnering with Salin plus for an entire Season packed with lots of family health information! This 100%...

There is a different form of contraception available for every individual and every life stage! In this episode I chat about all of the pro's and cons of the various forms from pill, to patch, injection, to coil to make sure when you go to the GP you know what you want! The way things currently stand in Ireland you need a GP appointment to have contraception prescribed - I can see that changing inline like global policy shifts. With the current restrictions on the contraceptive scheme and...

This weeks episode tells you all about tick bites and Lyme disease. Lyme disease awareness is a huge part of prevention. What are ticks and do they all cause Lyme disease?How to know if you've been bitten by a tick.What ticks are in Ireland.Signs and symptoms of Lyme diseaseDiagnosis and treatment of Lyme diseaseHow to prevent tick biteswhat animals carry ticks? Product Recommendations: Tick Product recommendation for young kids from 3 months and up! Tick Product recommendation for children...

I chat with Conal Harpur all about ADHD. We discuss the merits of diagnosis and its role in supporting both children and adults. With ADHD being so widely recognised on social media and with more and more well known faces disclosing diagnosis I wanted to chat about how that diagnosis is given, where is best to get it, and what benefits it offers. You can find Conal Harpur and his team at CBT Solutions here - https://www.cbtsolutions.ie/ Season 9 Partnership – Salin Plus (available here!)I...

I'm so excited to be back for Season 9 of A WonderCare podcast! I'll be chatting all things family health once more and keeping you up to date on all of your health news! Follow me on instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/wondercare_irl/?hl=en Check out my online pharmacy here - https://www.wondercare.ie/ Season 9 Partnership – Salin Plus (available here!)I am so thrilled to be partnering with Salin plus  Especially during hay fever season!! This 100% natural salt therapy device is...

This is a beautiful episode for anyone who is struggling with the balancing 'parenting life'. We are surrounded by images of perfection and often the reality is a very different picture. Are we making life even harder for our children by having such high standards? This episode is a tonic for the soul for every parent out there! Huge thanks to Dr Mary O'Kane for her wisdom and joy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this 'Living with' episode I chat with Ollie Hickey, age 9, all about living with Muscular Dystrophy. Ollie is a talented drummer and also now an advocate for himself and others with MD. Ollie has a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Bethlem Myopathy and his parents explain it to me and highlight the amazing Walk4Ollie Campaign! Claire and Paddy Hickey are beacons of positivity and encouragement for Ollie and are now doing an amazing job at raising funds for other children or adults...

Dr. Suzanne Crowe, a pediatric intensivist, discusses her role in intensive care medicine and the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the health system. She emphasizes the need for vaccinating babies against RSV how crucial it is to expand the planned programme for this Winter. Dr. Crowe highlights the trauma that babies and their families experience when a baby is hospitalized with RSV and the strain it puts on healthcare resources. She calls for a more holistic approach to...

A Gay Dads Journey From Childhood in Rural Ireland to Marraige and Family Life with Seamus Kearney Martone. I found this episode hugely insightful, to think we grew up in the same town but had such different experiences. Castlerea is a wonderful locality and community, but like any rural Irish town in the 1980's and 1990's, fear of anything other than a conventional relationship was an underlying current. It wasn't out of hate in my view, it was out of lack of exposure and diversity. ...