Dispensary Corner

IS THIS the next opportunity for pharmacy to provide a healthrelated service?

The latest Apple Watch, which can conduct electrocardiograms (ECG) and deliver alerts if atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as the first OTC ECG product being sold direct to consumers.

Could a pharmacy have one to offer the ECG service to patients who could then be referred to their GP for evaluation? WHAT happens if you hold one in? Gastrointestinal gas, that is.

We all have it and plenty of it, apparently with women and men producing on average similar amounts, according to research published in Gut.

Variously dubbed flatus or passing wind (polite), breaking wind or farts, the daily experience of us all has been analysed to extreme in clinical studies.

One showed that increased fibre generated the same volume but with less frequency - ie., it could be held in more easily.

Volumes are individual ranging from 476ml to 1,490ml per day.

Hydrogen is the largest component (361ml), then carbon dioxide (68ml) then nitrogen and in around 30% of participants, small amounts of methane.

Perhaps it’s best to take a little walk before leaping into that lift going to the 20th floor...