Health Tips
Advice on common problems
Try to treat these problems before contacting your doctor. Remember the pharmacist may also be able to give you advice.
If you know the name of your condition, please also look at www.patient.co.uk for a large variety of good expert reviewed patient information leaflets.
Acne (spots)
Patients with mild acne can try self treatment. Click here for advice, which is quite comprehensive and helpful, but if problems persists you should see a doctor.
Bad breath (halitosis)
Complex problem with a lot of different causes. Avoid smoking and foods, that cause bad breath. See your dentist regularly. For in depth advice click here. If problems persist despite of several different approaches see your doctor.
Back pain in pregnancy
Paracetamol is the mainstay of all pregnancy related pains. However, so called TENS machines often provide great relief with no known adverse effects to the foetus. They can be bought online and at pharmacies at about £10-£15. Physio can be helpful, too. If pain is severe and cannot be controlled you will need to speak to your doctor.
Back pain (simple)
Simple back pain can be relieved by painkillers. Antiinflammatories like Ibuprofen 400mg three times a day with food appear particularly effective, but must be taken for several days to reach full effectiveness. Be aware, that some patients including Asthmatics and people with previous stomach problems should not take antiinflammatories. Modern advice avoids bedrest and tells patient to keep walking a lot to keep your back supple and avoid spasm. Another useful addition is gentle stretching of your back and looking into your posture. Personally, I (Dr Kittel) found the physiotherapist Robin Mc Kenzies book "treat your own back" extremely useful. You should however see a doctor if you cannot pass water, get perianal numbness or if the pain goes down below your knee. This can represent a slipped disc and may have to be treated urgently.
Coughs
Most are caused by viruses and will not respond to antibiotics.You may find steam or a variety of over the counter products helpful for coughs. Please ask the pharmacist for advice
Colds
Most are caused by viruses and will not respond to antibiotics.There are a variety of over the counter remedies for colds, most of them nasal decongestants. Always ask your pharmacist or follow the label for appropriate use of these remedies.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis = (inflammation / infection of the eyes) can have a variety of causes including allergies, viruses, bacteria, light etc. A simple good start is to bathe eyes using cotton wool with tepid and mildly salted water x 3 per day. Should problems persist or get worse, please see a health professional. Some pharmacists also prescribe for conjunctivitis.
Constipation
Simple constipation is caused by inactivity, dehydration and a lack of fibre in your diet. Therefore excercise, plenty of fluids and a regular high fibre cereal for breakfast are good starters for healthy bowels. See a health professional if problems persist.
Dental and gum problems
Gum problems are often caused by lack of dental hygiene. For inflamed gums use Chlorhexidine Solution (i.d. Corsodyl) x 3 per day, which will improve problems swiftly and brush your teeth and gums with a soft brush. For dental problems always see a dentist. Click here for addresses for an emergency dentist.
Diarrhoea
For diarrhoea increase your fluid intake and consider glucose/salt preparations from the pharmacist, particularly for the very young. Fever is one of the body’s natural ways of fighting infection. For comfort, you may wish to remove clothing and bedding, consider Paracetamol as directed on the bottle / pack.
Earaches
Most earaches settle within 2 to 3 days with Paracetamol. Consider seeing a clinician at the surgery if the problem persists.
Flu like illness and fevers
Flu like illness and fevers (high body temperatures) can cause a variety of symptoms. They are commonly associated fatigue, nausea / vomiting and muscle aches. It may be useful to use a fan and sponge down the patient with tepid water. Keep the room at about 18 degrees Celsius. Paracetamol and / or Ibuprofen will both help to lower the temperature and make patients feel a lot better. Influenza ("proper flu") causes extreme fatigue and high temperatures. Unfortunately there is little health professionals can do and it is advised not to make a doctors appointment in all, but the most severe cases or patients with pre-existing chronic conditions.
Hay Fever
Hay fever represents usually a reaction to certain pollen and in most sufferers rarely lasts more than 4-6 weeks per year. Common culprits are birch and grass pollen. There are 3 common hayfever treatments, comprising antihistamin tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops. Hay fever treatments are all available over the counter and all cheaper than prescription charges. Do not spend large amounts on branded products as non-branded one's are just as effective and much cheaper. Common products are cetirizine or loratadine tablets. Start with them at the first sign of symptoms and keep going steadily every day until your symptoms stop. Some patients feel certain tablets are helping only for a certain amount of time until they become weaker, a phenomenon called "tachyphylaxis", and sometimes a switching of products within the hay fever season can help. Tablets will like all medications not always fully stop, but ameliorate symptoms. If symptoms are persistent add nasal sprays and eye drops. Nasal sprays are usually pretty effective in most patients as they are steroid based. However, steroids are contraindicated for use in the eyes in hayfever, because of the risk of glaucoma (an increase in eye pressure), and therefore the current eyedrops are the weakest link in the triple approach to hayfever. All in all, most hayfever sufferers will feel relieved using these preparations, but of course the real improvement comes when the season is over.
Mouth Ulcers
There is some scientific evidence, that mouth ulcers respond to rinsing with Chlorhexidine Solution x 3 per day. There is no evidence, that other treatments work and there is no point to make a doctors appointment in all but the most severe cases.
Nose Bleeds
Sit forward and breathe through mouth. Pinch the lower fleshy end of the nose for 10-20 minutes. Repeat twice more if necessary and if bleeding persists make arrangement to be taken to Casualty.
Sore throats
Most are caused by viruses and will not respond to antibiotics. They start to improve within 3 to 5 days. Keep the throat moist with fluids or lozenges and take Paracetamol if necessary. You may find ice lollies, jelly, hot lemon and honey drinks help.
Warts / Verrucas:
Where appropriate consider wart treatments like Salactol Paint. Be aware you need to treat for quite some time i.e. up to 12 weeks depending on area of the body. Treat once daily and stop for a day or two should surrounding tissues get too irritated. Almost all warts respond to this treatment. Failure to respond may indicate a different skin lesion and would need further assessment. Be aware, that currently some wart treatments are considered "low priority" and are not available on the NHS.
Disclaimer: Advice given on this website is general and does not apply to all patients. Forest End Medical Centre cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any illness and injury as a result of advice given via it's website. You may have reasons why medication recommended in the health advice is not suitable for you and this may invalidate the advice given. Always follow instructions given with the medication you purchase.
