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Ways to Keep Healthy
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- Smoking
Smoking is the cause of many
diseases. Smoking in pregnancy affects both mother and baby and
passive smoking has been shown to be harmful to others. There are
various methods of helping people to stop smoking and if you cannot
manage it on your own you should seek help from your Doctor.
- Alcohol
Moderate consumption of alcohol should not cause problems but
alcohol in excess can be harmful. The recommended safe limit is 21
units a week for men and 14 units for women, spread throughout the
week. A unit is approximately one glass of wine , half a pint of beer
or a single measure of spirit.
- Exercise
Regular exercise is good for circulation and general wellbeing and
is a good habit to maintain from youth. If you have not exercised
recently, do not do anything too strenuous to begin with, but build up
gradually. If in doubt about your fitness have a word with your doctor
or nurse before starting.
- Diet
Healthy eating helps reduce the risk of developing many conditions
such as heart disease, cancer, constipation, diabetes, obesity and
tooth decay. A well balanced diet should contain a variety of foods
with plenty of fruit and vegetables and foods rich in starch and
fibre. Eat the right amount to be a healthy weight and avoid too much
fat and sugary foods. Further dietary advice is available from our
nursing staff.
The Family First Aid Box
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Here is a list of useful medicines and
dressings. Keep them in a box or cupboard well out of the reach of
children.
- Paracetamol Tablets
For adult use. Good for headaches, sore throats and general pain.
- Paracetamol Mixture
Calpol for relief of pain or fever in children.
- Inhalants
For stuffy noses and head colds use inhalants, e.g. Vic, Olbas
Oil or Karvol. Always read the directions on the label.
- Calamine Lotion
Apply directly to take the heat out of insect bites, stings and
sunburn.
- Dressings
Sticky plaster dressings, cotton wool, antiseptic solution and
three inch crepe bandage.
- Thermometer
Invest in a good one. A digital thermometer is easy to read and
will last a lifetime.
Management of
Common Ailments (Back to Top)
Many conditions get better on their own
and can be treated successfully at home. Your pharmacist may be able
to help you with these and advise about medicines you can buy over the
counter.
- Cold and Flu
These usually start with a runny nose, cough, temperature and
aches. Children with these symptoms often get swollen glands at the
same time. These are mostly caused by a virus and antibiotics are
of no use in their management. Treatment with paracetamol and
other simple remedies is usually enough. Remember to drink plenty of
fluids. If you or your child seem very unwell, or if the symptoms
last for more than a few days, you should consult your doctor.
- Diarrhoea and Vomiting
In adults and older children, diarrhoea and vomiting will
usually get better on its own. Treatment consists of replacing the
fluid you have lost and resting the digestive system by having
nothing to eat for 24 hours. Fluids in small quantities should be
taken frequently. If diarrhoea contains blood or there is severe
pain or high fever you should discuss it with your Doctor.
Diarrhoea and vomiting in small babies and young children should be
treated with caution, and your Doctor will be happy to advise you
about this over the phone and arrange to see you if necessary.
Elderly people and those with medical conditions (e.g. diabetes)
should consult the Doctor.
- Back Pain
Most acute strains and sprains will settle within a few days. It
is considered best to keep mobile and control pain with simple
painkillers such a s paracetamol. If the pain is difficult to
control or not improving, then consult your Doctor.
- Head Lice
Head lice may affect anyone and are not a sign of poor hygiene.
Regular combing of hair with a special comb (purchased from the
chemist) has been shown to be as effective as lotions but medicated head lotion can be obtained from the chemist without a
prescription.
- Insect Bites and Stings
Most of these do not need treatment. Anti-histamine tablets can
be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will relieve
most symptoms.
- Worms
Theses are common in children. It is worth checking to see if
others in the family are affected. Some people like to treat only
the family members affected but many like to treat the whole family,
just in case. Treatments are available form the chemist.
- Nosebleeds
Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch
your nose just below the bone for about ten minutes by which time
the bleeding usually stops. If bleeding continues, consult your
Doctor.
- Burns and Scalds
Remove any clothing from the area and apply lots of cold water.
Do not burst any blisters that form. If there is a large area
involved or if the blisters are broken you should see the nurse for
a dressing or seek medical help.
Childhood
Problems (Back to Top)
- The Child with a Temperature
We are aware of how worrying it can be to have a sick child. If
you are concerned about your child we will always be able to see
them the same day at Surgery. We do ask that you bring your child to
the Surgery. A child will come to no harm being brought to the
Surgery and can usually be seen sooner. Your co-operation in this
matter is greatly appreciated. It is always wise to keep a supply of
children's paracetamol (Calpol) at home. Paracetamol reduces a
child's temperature so should be given four-hourly whenever a child
has a temperature. In most minor illnesses in childhood this is the
only treatment required.
If you are worried about the child or if the child fails to improve
in two or three days, he or she should be brought to the surgery for
a check.
- Chicken Pox
This is the most common childhood infection, for which,
immunisation is not universally available. The rash typically takes
the form of small blisters and is infectious until all the spots
crust over. Usually it is fairly mild and only needs treatment with
calamine lotion to ease the itching and paracetamol to help the
fever. Both of these can be bought from a chemist.
- Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection involving the salivary glands and
presents as swelling of one or both sides of the face and neck.
IMMUNISATION CAN PREVENT THIS DISEASE.
We hope all children will now be immunised against Measles,
Mumps and German Measles by having the MMR injection soon after
their first birthday, with a booster at age four.
All the above infections are caused by viruses and usually
require no treatment from the Doctor. However, if your child appears
particularly unwell or if you are worried, your Doctor will be happy
to give you advice.
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