Get the Right Treatment
Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment. It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete's foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble
http://www.selfcareforum.org/
Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated with medicines that are available over the counter. Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label and consult your doctor if the illness continues or becomes more severe.
Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time - you don't need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Your local Pharmacist can also advise on healthy eating. Pharmacists can also advise on healthy eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you visit your GP for more serious symptoms. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription.
NHS Walk-In Centres
NHS Walk-In Centres offer convenient access to a range of NHS services for patients based in England only. You can receive treatment for many ailments including:
- Fractures and lacerations
- Emergency contraception & advice
NHS Walk-In Centres treat around 3million patients a year and have proved to be a successful complementary service to traditional GP and A&E services. Some centres offer access to doctors as well as nurses. However, they are not designed for treating long-term conditions or immediately life-threatening problems. Accident & Emergency (A&E) & Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:
- Pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia
- Persistent, severe chest pain
If you're injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union. Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and are usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an A&E department.
Diarrhoea
Acute diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and affects almost everyone from time to time. A common cause in both children and adults is gastroenteritis, an infection of the bowel. Bouts of diarrhoea in adults may also be brought on by anxiety or drinking too much coffee or alcohol. Diarrhoea may also be a side effect of a medication.
For further information from the NHS Website including the symptoms, causes and treatment of diarrhoea, click on the NHS logo
Click on the video below to see how to treat diarrhoea
Macmillan Cancer Support
Click on the Macmillan Cancer Support logo to see information about diarrhoea as a result of cancer treatments.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
First Aid
MP3 Downloads
To save them on to your computer, right-click on any of the links below and then click 'Save Target As’.
Click on any of the links below to play the audio files.
Burns
Explains the immediate treatment for burns and scalds.
Burns podcast - http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/Files/burns.mp3
Fits
How to deal with fits (convulsions/seizures) in adults and young children.
Fits podcast - http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/fits.mp3
Wounds
Immediate actions for wounds, bleeding, and bleeding associated with fractures.
Wounds - http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/wounds.mp3
Unconscious Patient who is Breathing
How to deal with an unrousable patient who IS breathing (includes recovery position).
Unconscious Podcast - http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/breathing_but_unconscious.mp3
CPR for Adults
Adults who have collapsed, unrousable and NOT breathing.
CPR for Adults - http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/cpr.mp3
CPR for Babies
Babies who are unrousable and NOT breathing.
CPR for babies - http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/cpr_baby.mp3
Collapsed Patient in Detail
Explains the complete scenario including checks for breathing, circulation, etc.
Collapsed Patient - http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/files/collapsed.mp3
These files have been prepared by Sussex Ambulance Service
and comply with European Resuscitation Council Guidelines.
Other Links
Click on the Red Cross logo for simple,
straightforward and easy to understand first aid tips.
St John Ambulance believes that everyone should learn at least
the basic first aid techniques. Click on the St John’s Ambulance logo
for further first aid advice.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
A cold is a mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. It can cause nasal stuffiness, a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough. Usually it's a self-limiting infection; this means it gets better by itself without the need for treatment.
For further information from the NHS website on how to treat a cold,
click on the YouTube video link above.
On average, adults have two to five colds each year and school-age children can have up to eight colds a year. Adults who come into contact with children tend to get more colds. This is because children usually carry more of the virus, for longer. In the UK, you’re more likely to get a cold during the winter months although the reasons why aren’t fully understood at present.
Treatment of a cold
For most people, a cold will get better on its own within a week of the symptoms starting without any specific treatment. However, there are treatments that can help to ease your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. These are available from your pharmacy, which means that you can treat yourself, rather than needing to see your GP. There is no cure for colds. Antibiotics, which treat infections caused by bacteria, don't work on cold viruses. There are a number of self-help measures that may help to ease the symptoms of a cold.
- Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration
- Steam inhalations with menthol, salt water nasal sprays or drops may be helpful
- Vapour rubs may help relieve symptoms for children
- Hot drinks (particularly with lemon), hot soups and spicy foods can help to ease irritation and pain in your throat
- Sucking sweets or lozenges which contain menthol or eucalyptus may sooth your throat
- Gargling with salt water may help a sore throat
- You should try to make sure you get enough rest if you have a cold
- It’s not usually necessary to stay off work or school
Colds & Flu
A factsheet on the causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention of the common cold in adults.
http://www.selfcareforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/20131030-SCF-Fact-Sheet-No-12-Common-Cold-v1-final.pdf
NHS Website - is it the common cold or the flu?
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/coldsandflu/Pages/Isitacoldorflu.aspx
Colds and flu can share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat) but are caused by different viruses, and flu can be much more serious.
https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/directory/f/flu
http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/c/colds
https://patient.info/health/cough-leaflet/common-cold-upper-respiratory-tract-infections
A chest infection is an infection of the lungs or large airways. Some chest infections are mild and clear up on their own, but others can be severe and life threatening. Pneumonia and bronchitis are the most common chest infections. Bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection. Pneumonia is usually due to bacterial infection. Pneumonia may be serious and need hospital admission.
- The main symptoms of a chest infection are
- A chesty cough
- Breathing difficulties (including shortness of breath and wheezing)
- Chest pain or tightness
- High temperature (fever)
- Headache
- Muscle aches and pains
- Feeling very tired
- A rapid heartbeat.
A cold - often called an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) - usually starts with a combination of blocked and/or runny nose and sneezing, sometimes with a mild high temperature (fever). You will usually get a cough, which is often dry and harsh but can also sound like you have a lot of phlegm (sputum), which you may bring up. You may also feel tired and achy, but these symptoms are usually fairly mild and you'll be able to keep going with everyday activities.
Chest infections can start with these symptoms too, but you don't need to see a doctor if these are the only symptoms you have. The only exceptions are people with long-term lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are more likely to develop serious complications.
These symptoms can be unpleasant, but they usually get better on their own in about 7 to 10 days. The cough and mucus can last up to 3 weeks.
What should I do to treat myself?
- If you have a chest infection, you should
- Have plenty of rest
- Drink lots of fluid to prevent your body becoming lacking in fluids (dehydrated) and to help keep the mucus in your lungs thin and easier to cough up
- Inhale steam vapour, perhaps with added menthol. This can help to clear the mucus from your chest. Never use hot water for a child's cough, in case they get scalded by acciden
- Avoid lying flat at night to help keep your chest clear of mucus and make it easier to breathe
- Take paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin to reduce high temperature (fever) and to ease any aches, pains and headaches. (Note: children aged less than 16 years should not take aspirin.
- If you smoke, you should try to stop smoking for good. Bronchitis, chest infections and serious lung diseases are more common in smokers
- If your throat is sore from coughing, you can relieve the discomfort with a warm drink of honey and lemon
- Your pharmacist can suggest decongestant treatments to help loosen the mucus in your lungs so it's easier to cough up.
Further Information
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chest-infection
https://patient.info/health/chest-infection