A WonderCare Podcast

Kids’ Dental Health: Early Screening, Diet, Fluoride and Reducing Anxiety with Dr. Abigail Moore Sheena speaks with Dr. Abigail Moore, a pediatric dentist at Happy Teeth , about why early dental visits and screening matter, especially as school screening in Ireland is inconsistent and poorly communicated. Dr Moore explains pediatric dentistry training, the main issues she sees (preventable tooth d...

A meningitis B (MenB) outbreak in Kent has raised urgent questions for Ireland — here’s what parents, students, and healthcare professionals need to know right now. Recorded on Sunday 22 March, this episode of A Wondercare Podcast breaks down the latest UK outbreak data, what it means for Ireland, and the practical steps you should take to protect yourself and your family. This episode is essentia...

Celebrating Nollaig na mBan - A Tribute to Women's Solidarity and Respect In this episode, Sheena Mitchell, a pharmacist and mom, shares her heartfelt message about the importance of Nollaig na mBan, an Irish tradition celebrating women's solidarity. Sheena discusses the relevance of this celebration in today's world and emphasises the need for respect, autonomy, and dignity for all women, regardl...

Effective Strategies for Managing Children's Nasal Congestion In this episode, Sheena Mitchell, a pharmacist and mother of three, discusses various strategies to manage nasal congestion in children, particularly during the school season when viruses are rampant. She provides an array of advice, from utilizing saline nasal sprays and humidifiers to practical tips like inclining beds and maintaining...

The Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination: Sheena's Personal Experience and Health Advice In this episode, Sheena explains why she was unable to speak with the audience last week, detailing her recent battle with COVID-19. She shares her personal experience of contracting the virus for the first time since the pandemic began, emphasizing the severity of her symptoms and the slow recovery process. She...

Understanding Glandular Fever: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery In this episode, Sheena Mitchell, a pharmacist and mom of three, discusses glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis. She covers how the Epstein-Barr virus causes it, common symptoms such as fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and extreme fatigue, and the means of transmission. Sheena explains the significance of the in...

Understanding the Children's Flu Vaccine with Pharmacist Sheena Mitchell In this episode, Sheena Mitchell, a pharmacist and mother of three, discusses the importance of the children's flu vaccine. She provides insights on the benefits and safety of the vaccine, busts myths surrounding it, and explains why it's essential to vaccinate children annually. Sheena also shares information about the flu s...

Boosting Your Child's Immune Health for the School year! In this episode, Sheena dives into the complexities of supporting children's immune health as colds, flus, RSV, and COVID become more prevalent in the autumn and winter months. She discusses practical lifestyle tips, the role of multivitamins, and the importance of holistic health. Emphasising key elements like sleep, hydration, and hand hyg...

Organising Chaos: Tips from a Professional Organiser In this episode, Sheena is joined by Ann Teehan, a professional organiser, who shares practical tips for managing a busy household. Anne discusses her own experiences with a large family and offers strategies for organising spaces, establishing routines, and maintaining systems to reduce stress. She emphasises the importance of evening resets, h...

RSV Immunisation Update: Inclusion of Catchup Cohort and New Developments In this episode, Sheena explains the recent updates on the RSV immunisation program in Ireland. Last year, the monoclonal antibody called Nirsevimab was offered to babies born between September 1st and February 28th, providing protection against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This year, the program has expanded to in...

Corrected audio! In the final episode of Season 12, Sheena extends gratitude to Salin Plus and dives into the RSV Pathfinder Program in Ireland. She discusses the importance of RSV immunisation for infants, the success of the new monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab, and the implementation hurdles faced by public health authorities. Sheena highlights the delays in policy execution, the need for better c...

Understanding Measles and the risks travelling or staying at home! In this episode, Sheena Mitchell, a pharmacist and mom of three, delves into the critical topic of measles. She discusses the highly contagious nature of the virus, its transmission, symptoms, and severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis. She emphasizes the alarming resurgence of measles in Ireland and Europe, largely d...

How Climate Change is Intensifying Hay Fever in Ireland In this episode, Sheena explains how climate change is worsening hay fever in Ireland. The discussion covers the extended pollen seasons due to warmer and wetter climates, the increase in pollen counts fueled by higher carbon dioxide levels, and the introduction of new allergens like ragweed. Sheena also provides actionable advice on identify...

In this episode, Sheena explains the importance of focusing on men's health, highlighting alarming statistics such as shorter life expectancy, high rates of disability, and homelessness among men. Sheena also discusses crucial direct health risks including smoking, alcohol misuse, and mental health challenges. Emphasising the value of early detection, she outlines the leading causes of death—cance...

The Malone Family's Experience With Meningitis: A Closer Look In this episode, Sheena is joined by Wayne and Tricia Malone, who share a harrowing experience involving their daughter Emma and her battle with bacterial meningitis. The Malones discuss their family background, Emma's initial symptoms and ensuing health crisis, the hospital's responses, and the critical decisions that saved her life. T...

Tips and Therapies for Better Living through hay fever season! In this episode, Sheena, a community pharmacist, dives into effective strategies for preventing and managing hay fever. She stresses the importance of prevention alongside treatment, sharing practical tips to minimise pollen exposure and enhance quality of life during pollen season. Sheena introduces ' Salin Plus ,' a unique air filtra...

Beyond the Symptoms In this episode of A WonderCare podcast, host Sheena Mitchell, a pharmacist, delves into the lived experience of Doireann Barrett, who shares the profound and widespread impacts of endometriosis beyond reproductive health. Doireann discusses the challenges of finding specialised care in Ireland, the significant financial burdens imposed by chronic illness, and the systemic fail...

Endometriosis: Doireann's Story of Physical and Emotional Impact In this episode, Sheena Mitchell, a Pharmacist, welcomes Doireann Barrett to discuss the profound physical and emotional effects of endometriosis on her life. Doireann shares her journey with endometriosis, from experiencing symptoms since infancy, through misdiagnosis, to the challenges of living with a chronic condition. The conver...

Understanding Endometriosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment In this episode, Sheena discusses endometriosis, covering the basics of what endometrial cells are, the symptoms and complications of the condition, and the potential causes. She explains diagnostics and various treatment options, including medical, surgical, and complementary therapies. She addresses the situation in Ireland regarding a...

A WonderCare Podcast Season 12: Health Topics That Matter In the debut episode of Season 12 of the Wonder Care podcast, the host outlines various health topics that will be covered. These include endometriosis, the rise of measles in the US, air quality issues, and summer health tips. The host emphasises the importance of informing the public about these issues and mentions their decision to rely...

In this episode, Sheena interviews Tomi Reichental, a Holocaust survivor, who shares his harrowing story of being incarcerated at the Bergen Belsen concentration camp at the age of nine. Tomi recounts the persecution inflicted upon Jewish families in Slovakia under President Josef Tiso's regime, the dehumanising experiences faced by Jews, and the horrors of life in the concentration camps. Despite...

A Plea to Support Community Pharmacy: Ensuring Fair Compensation and Sustainable Health Services Sheena, a third-generation pharmacist, addresses the new Minister for Health, expressing concerns over the future of community pharmacy. She recounts the integral role of pharmacies in communities and shares personal anecdotes about growing up with a pharmacist father. Sheena highlights the discrepancy...

In this episode, Sheena introduces the concept of ultra processed foods and their impact on health. Aimed at parents and children, the discussion covers what ultra processed foods are, examples of such foods, and reasons why they are detrimental. She emphasises the importance of enjoying food while maintaining a balanced diet, explaining the nutritional benefits of natural foods and the drawbacks...

In this episode of the Wonder Care podcast, Sheena Mitchell discusses the critical issue of cardiovascular health in women, particularly focusing on high blood pressure. She highlights the increased risks for women, especially around menopause, and emphasizes the importance of regular blood pressure checks. Sheena talks about natural ways to manage and prevent high blood pressure, including dietar...

Embracing Imperfect Parenting: A Conversation with Dr. Mary O'Kane In this episode of the Wonder Care Podcast, Sheena Mitchell, a pharmacist and mum of three, discusses positive parenting with Dr. Mary O'Kane, a lecturer in psychology and author of 'Perfectly Imperfect Parenting' and 'Anxious Children in an Anxious World.' They explore societal pressures on parents, the importance of allowing chil...