A weekly insight into the latest issues in health, fitness and the medical profession

GET switched on to MS - that's the message Pam St Clement and the Multiple Sclerosis Society are sending out.

Next week is national MS Week and the EastEnders star, who plays Pat Butcher, wants people to understand more about the devastating neurological disease which strikes 50 people in the UK every week.

MS branches are organising awareness-raising events throughout the region. In Darlington, MS sufferers will be in Marks & Spencer on Monday morning.

To learn more about the MS Society, ring 0808 800 8000 or visit the website: www.mssociety.org.uk

Hay fever hotline

CLINNIX, the medical database used by the majority of UK General Practitioners, needs volunteers to help develop a nation-wide early warning system for viruses and allergies - starting with those who suffer from hay fever.

All volunteers will need access to a PC and the Internet. The data will be collated to create an accurate map of "pollen allergy hot spots", making sufferers aware of high-risk areas and enabling them to seek early treatment. Volunteers will be able to use the Clinnix service free of charge for as long as they continue reporting, a saving of £29.99 per year.

If you are willing to help, please call the Hay Fever Hotline on 0800 652 0098 or go to www.clinnix.net and register and you will be sent your Clinnix Health Manager CD-ROM.

Drugs warning

DOCTORS have warned heart patients to take greater care over their choice of common pain killers.

A panel of international pain relief experts has urged the estimated eight million UK patients who are taking some types of heart drugs for high blood pressure and heart failure to use paracetemol as their first choice pain relief.

This is because paracetomol does not interfere with the beneficial action of their heart drugs, while drugs such as ibuprofen and C-2 inhibitors can cause drug interactions which reduce the efficiency of some heart drugs.

Royal speaker

ROYAL correspondent Jennie Bond has agreed to speak at a major fund-raising event for cancer relief in the region.

Jennie is speaking at the Macmillan Cancer Relief Golden Jubilee Luncheon at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, on May 3. Proceedings start at 10.30am. Tickets cost £30. Please ring 0191-378 1188 or write to Macmillan Cancer Relief, County Durham Appeal, Meadowfield Clinic, 1 Frederick Street South, Meadowfield, County Durham, DH7 8LZ, enclosing a SAE.