Inflammation Nation

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Peter Boyd meets Professor Annie Curtis where they discuss our circadian rhythm, exposure to daylight and blue light, the impact of eating at specific times of the day and how this interacts with our sleep patterns. They also discuss the role of melatonin and cortisol and the connection between body clocks, inflammation and disease.

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Gráinne O’Leary meets Dr Deirdre Lundy and Mary Gillespie to discuss joint health and menopause, overlapping symptoms and the role of HRT treatment. They also talk about a range of topics including the importance of sleep, managing stress, exercise and diet, reaching out for support and being an advocate for yourself.

In this episode, Gráinne O’Leary meets Dr Conor Hearty. They discuss different categories of pain, the point at which people should seek help, assessing patients and treatment options. They also cover the importance of self-management and a collaborative approach for pain management including the biopsychosocial model. We also hear about medications used, the vulnerability of those who live with chronic pain, managing expectations and validating the individual experiences of pain.

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Tara Regan meets Úna Martin and Dr Kate McCann to discuss the role of lifestyle medicine in making changes to your health and wellbeing. The interview breaks down the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine, with advice on how to get started, check progress and celebrate milestones. A new booklet with a step-by-step guide to incorporating lifestyle medicine into your life, written by a specialist team of healthcare professionals is now available to view on the Arthritis Ireland website. Download.ashx (arthritisireland.ie)

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Gráinne O’Leary meets Andrew McCann to discuss the complex area of rights and entitlements. This is an in-depth discussion that covers a multitude of topics, including, the importance of seeking expert help, completing applications correctly, medical and GP cards, the long-term illness scheme, disabled person’s parking cards, housing adaptation grants, cross-border surgery, and digitisation of application forms.

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Tara Regan meets occupational therapist Dr Yvonne Codd and Aoife McCoy who lives with rheumatoid arthritis and is a busy mum to her young son. Yvonne and Aoife discuss strategies for parenting with arthritis, planning, delegation of parenting tasks, asking for help and the importance of surrounding ourselves with family and friends that can be relied on in times of need. They also talk about having confidence in your own self-management skills and giving yourself permission to say no when you need to. http://www.arthritisireland.ie/

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Gráinne O’Leary meets Professor Helen French where they explore the important role of exercise in treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis. They also discuss the risk factors for developing osteoarthritis and the importance of maintaining mobility and a healthy weight to reduce risk. They explore the types of exercise suitable for those living with osteoarthritis, particularly if they experience pain and fatigue, and have not engaged in exercise or physical activity for some time.

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Peter Boyd meets Dr Jennifer Wilson O’Raghallaigh to discuss the difficulties of living with an invisible condition and how to effectively communicate needs and challenges to those around us. They discuss the complexities that invisible illnesses can bring, especially when people appear to ‘look fine’. They also explore how to recognise the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, when and where to seek help, and the importance of self-management.

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Gráinne O’Leary meets Professor Gaye Cunnane where they discuss her journey of documenting the progress of rheumatology in Ireland. Gaye also discusses her inspiration and love for rheumatology, the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and how developments in rheumatology have made significant changes to outcomes for those living with arthritis. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Peter Boyd meets dietitian and Communications Manager at the INDI, Louise Reynolds. They discuss the importance of getting trustworthy, evidence-based advice from a registered dietitian. They also examine how to incorporate the Mediterranean diet into everyday life, the pitfalls of excluding food groups from your diet and tips and tricks for planning and cooking when experiencing a flare, pain or fatigue. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

Jane Brownlee, Senior Occupational Therapist at Naas General Hospital and Anna O’Laoghaire, Arthritis Ireland Helpline Volunteer Peter Boyd meets Arthritis Ireland Helpline volunteer Anna O’Laoghaire and Senior Occupational Therapist Jane Brownlee to discuss ways in which those with a chronic condition can navigate pain and fatigue while managing everyday tasks and the expectations of family, friends and colleagues. Anna also discusses her phone theory, a practical insight into the day-to-day challenges of managing unpredictable energy levels when dealing with a chronic condition. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

Professor Rose Anne Kenny, REGIS Professor and award-winning physician and researcher who has been head of the Department of Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin since 2006. She is the founding principal investigator of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Professor Rose Anne Kenny meets Gráinne O’Leary in this episode, dispelling the myth that genetics play the strongest role in ageing. Professor Kenny discusses how to mitigate the negative consequences of ageing, the importance of social engagement, laughing and having colour both on your plate and in your life. The interview also includes advice on how to maintain physical health while ageing with arthritis, including how to improve balance and avoid falls as we get older. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

Dr. Mary Canavan, Assistant Professor of Immunology in the School of Medicine & School of Biochemistry and Immunology in Trinity College Dublin and Dr. Viviana Marzaioli, Research Assistant Professor in the Molecular Rheumatology Group at in the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. In this episode, Dr. Mary Canavan and Dr. Viviana Marzaioli lift the lid on the mystery surrounding those working as researchers, what inspired their interest in research and the paths that they took to get where they are today. They also discuss their ambitions to make a positive impact on those who have arthritis, the collaborative nature of their work and how the enthusiasm and passion of their colleagues makes their work enjoyable and rewarding. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

Professor Douglas Veale, Consultant Rheumatologist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. and Louise Moore is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner based at the Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Disease Unit at Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services Harold’s Cross. In this episode, Gráinne O’Leary meets Professor Douglas Veale and advanced nurse practitioner, Louise Moore to discuss the challenges and considerations that would-be parents need to consider when planning a pregnancy. The interview also includes advice regarding fertility, the role of medication, how to maintain health before, during and after pregnancy and remission during pregnancy. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

Professor Geraldine McCarthy, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Mater Hospital. In this episode, Professor Geraldine McCarthy explains to Peter Boyd what happens with a gout attack, why this happens and how gout is treated. The stigma associated with gout, and the misconception that eating and drinking too much can cause gout, means that some people are embarrassed to seek treatment. Professor McCarthy explains that gout is also linked to higher mortality, associated with heart attacks and stroke and that it should be taken seriously and managed carefully. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

Professor Frank Barry, Professor of Cellular Therapy and National University of Ireland Galway and a principal investigator at the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI). In this episode, Gráinne O’Leary meets Professor Frank Barry, to discuss a promising ongoing cell therapy trial for osteoarthritis. Professor Barry talks about his motivation for the trial which is driven by the significant impact on the quality of life of osteoarthritis patients and the lack of disease modifying treatments. He discusses how cell therapy has the potential to treat patients eliciting a repair response, the different stages of the trial and the challenge of ensuring that the potential treatment is affordable and accessible to patients. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

In the final episode of the current series of Inflammation Nation, award-winning novelist, Sinéad Moriarty, and IT contractor, Sean Lacey, speak with Brian Lynch about being newly diagnosed with arthritis. Sinéad was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2015 and shared her experience in the book, My RA Story. Sean was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in early 2020 during the first phase of the Covid pandemic. The conversation explores issues like coming to terms with the diagnosis; its impact on work, relationships; managing flares; and what they have found to helped in the journey. Also in this episode, Peter Boyd speaks with paediatric rheumatologist, Dr Emma MacDermott, about how arthritis affects children and young people; highlighting that it is not just an 'old person's disease'. Niamh Hogan travelled to Portlaoise to gauge the views of people there on the issue. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

Áine O Hara is an award-winning performance artist, theatre maker and facilitator who is based between Dublin and Mayo. Áine creates exciting and vulnerable work for and about people who are often left out of traditional art and theatre spaces. In this episode she discusses living with fibromyalgia and how she naturally gravitated towards art to help work through her diagnosis and connect with similar people. To find out more about Áine's work you can head to her website www.aineohara.com. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

Prof Luke O'Neill is a world-renowned immunologist, science communicator par excellence, author and professor of biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin. In this episode he talks to Gráinne O'Leary about his own beginnings in immunology, what we've learned from the pandemic and some of the exciting developments taking place in arthritis and autoimmune disease research. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.

In this episode, Prof Kate Lorig talks to Gráinne O’Leary about self-management for people living with arthritis and other chronic conditions. Arthritis Ireland has delivered the Living Well with Arthritis programme since 2006, which has positively impacted thousands of people who have completed the course. Prof Lorig served as director of the Stanford Patient Education Research Center and professor of medicine in the Stanford University School of Medicine. She developed the chronic disease self-management programme. Also in this episode, Peter Boyd explores some myths around the disease of kings and high-living - gout. He talks to consultant rheumatologist, Prof. Geraldine McCarthy, while Niamh Hogan spoke to the people of west Dublin to get their views on the subject. For further information visit www.arthritisireland.ie. Inflammation Nation is supported by Pfizer.