Treating Common Illnesses
General points regarding minor illness:
- Many minor illnesses and accidents can be treated at home without needing to see the doctor
- Common infections e.g. colds & sore throats are often caused by a virus - antibiotics are not effective in viral infections and
many such infections will settle over a few days requiring only simple pain-killers
- Don't forget that your local pharmacist may be able to offer useful advice and suggest medications available over the counter
IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN WHAT TO DO OR ARE WORRIED CONTACT US FOR ADVICE
Common problems & how to deal with them:
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- Back pain causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each year
- The spine is a complex structure consisting of 24 bones and associated cartilage and tendons
- Back pain can result from twisting or lifting
- Bad posture can also predispose to back injuries
- Treatment for low back pain is to stay mobile and avoid bending or lifting
- Paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen can be useful to relieve discomfort (all available from the chemist)
- Bed rest is not recommended in most cases
- When sitting, sit upright and support the small of the back
- If the pain is particularly bad or persists for more than a few days, contact us
- You may need stronger pain killers or physiotherapy
If you have severe loss of sensation or problems with your bowels or passing urine - contact us
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- Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area immediately
- Continue cooling until the pain eases and the skin cools
- Do not burst blistered areas
- Cover area with a loose, dry dressing
- Take paracetamol or aspirin/ibuprofen for pain
- Infection can occur, if you are worried contact us
If the skin is broken &/or a large area is affected contact us. If you are unsure SEEK ADVICE
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- Chest pain can signify many conditions from muscle strain to heart attack
- Stomach problems, rib injury & muscle strain are just a few possible causes
- Most people are worried about heart attacks but these are relatively rare especially in younger people
- If you are worried or feel sweaty, breathless, have poor skin color or are vomiting call us
- If the pain leads to a collapse see what to do in an emergency
If you have SUDDEN, CRUSHING, VICE-LIKE PAIN IN THE CENTRE OF THE CHEST WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ARMS, THROAT, JAW, ABDOMEN OR BACK, AND WHICH
DOES NOT EASE WITH TEN MINUTES REST call us or dial 999
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- This is caused by a virus
- The typical rash develops with small blisters scattered all over the body
- The rash is very itchy and the spots soon crust
- Calamine lotion can help relieve the itch
- Children can return to school after the last crusts have dropped off
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- These symptoms usually result form a viral infection
- Antibiotics have no effect on viral illnesses
- Treatment with paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen & simple cough linctus can relieve symptoms
- Steam inhalation may be helpful
- If a sore throat is present, gargling with the soluble aspirin may help
- Take plenty of fluid
- Cigarette smoke will make coughs worse
- Colds can last 7 to 10 days
Children under the age of 12 should not take aspirin
If a cough persists, produces blood, or is associated with chest pain or shortness of breath, contact us
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- Poor fluid intake, diet and increasing age are common causes
- Drugs prescribed by us (eg water tablets & pain-killers) can also cause constipation
- It is not important how often you open your bowels
- It is more important that the motions are not too hard
- A good fluid intake and eating fibre, eg brown bread, bran, vegetables and fruit should help
- Try not to take stimulant laxatives (eg senna) on a regular basis
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- Wash the wound thoroughly
- Use a clean dressing and apply pressure and if possible elevate until the bleeding stops
- If the wound is very dirty contact us as tetanus immunisation may be needed
If the wound is deep, gaping or you are worried, contact us
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- This results from inflammation of the bladder
- Symptoms include pain on passing water and a feeling that you need to immediately go again
- Drink plenty of fluids can help
- Cranbury juice may be helpful and preparations from the chemist can help make the urine less acid
- Paracetamol or aspirin can provide pain relief
- If the symptoms do not improve contact us and bring a urine sample (in a sterilised bottle), with you
If the symptoms do not improve, you develop backache or a high temperature contact us
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- Often caused by a virus infection and in adults and older children the symptoms usually settle on their own
- Treatment consists of replacing the fluid lost by drinking plenty of fluids and resting the digestive system by avoiding solid food and milk for 24hrs
- Oral rehydration preparations (eg dioralyte) from the chemist can prevent dehydration
- Vomiting usually settles within a few hours, if it persists beyond 24 hours contact us
- In adults and older children, Kaolin mixture will help reduce the diarrhoea after the worst is over
- Diarrhoea in very young children and babies can lead to severe dehydration
- Most babies have loose bowel action during their first 6 months due to their predominantly liquid diet
- Episodes of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking the baby off solids and
feeding boiled water
- If the symptoms persist for more than 24 or are accompanied by leathargy and weakness contact us
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- Painful ears often occur during the course of a normal cold
- Paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen can be used for relief
- If symptoms fail to resolve contact us
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- Can occur with many infections such as cold or flu
- Remove excess clothing and sponge the forehead and body with lukewarm water
- Take plenty of cool drinks
- Paracetamol can help to keep the temperature down
- If the fever persists, especially in babies or the elderly contact us
- A child or adult with a high temperature will not come to any harm wrapped up and brought to the surgery
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- Influenza is a viral infection
- It causes fever, aching, shivering and coughing
- Usually it subsides in a few days, but it may leave the sufferer feeling washed out for a
while
- Treatment of symptoms with paracetamol and a cough linctus is advised
- If you are worried contact us, as complications are possible, particularly in the
elderly or infirm
- Annual flu vaccination is advisable if you are over 65 or suffer from asthma, heart disease, kidney disease or diabetes
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- This is another viral illness
- A rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches
which are not usually itchy
- Other symptoms are rare, apart from occasional aching joints
- It is infectious from 2 days before the rash appears, until the rash disappears about 4 or 5 days later
- The only danger is to unborn babies so all contacts should be informed so that anyone who may be pregnant can seek medical advice
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- Minor head injuries can be managed with paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen
- If loss of consciousness has occured contact us
- Consult the doctor if loss of consciousness occurred
- If you have blurred vision, vomiting, drowsiness, difficulty in walking or severe headache contact us
- In the young and old symptoms may take days to develop
If in doubt contact us
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- Head lice actually prefer clean hair and are not a sign of poor personal hygiene
- For advice, take your child to the health visitor or contact us
- Medicated head lotion can be obtained from the chemist without prescription
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- Cold compresses can help
- Calamine lotion or antihistamine cream eases soreness and itching
- Antihistamine tablets (eg Piriton) and Hydrocortisone cream can be obtained from the chemist
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- Measles is caused by a virus
- This usually causes a fever, cough and sore eyes, before the typical rash appears
- The rash is red,blotchy and occurs on the face and trunk
- Measles is contagious until 10 days after the rash appears
- Severe illness is unusual, but complications can occur, so contact us
- It is strongly recommended that every child is immunised by the MMR vaccine to reduce the incidence of measles
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- Mumps is caused by a virus
- Swelling of the glands in front of initially one and then both ears
- It is infectious from 2 or 3 days before the swelling appears until 8 or 10 days later
- If pain is severe contact us
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- Sit in a chair leaning forward with your mouth open
- Pinch the NOSTRILS together (just below the bony bridge)
- If the bleeding has not stopped after 30 minutes, or if you feel unwell, contact us
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- Many rashes in children are due to viruses
- They are self limiting problems and are not cause for concern
If children become unwell, especially with headache, vomiting, discomfort with bright light or a high temperature, contact us
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- Apply the principles of RICE:
- Rest - rest the affected area
- Ice - apply a cold compress (eg pack of frozen peas wrapped in a towel)
- Compression - a firm bandage may be applied
- Elevation - raise the affected area to reduce swelling
If you think you have broken a bone contact us
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- High protection sunblock creams should be used to prevent sunburn
- Burnt areas can be treated as for other burns
- Calamine lotion and paracetamol may help ease the discomfort
- Sunburn can lead to skin cancer so take care and protect yourself
- Take particlular care with children
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- If your child has an itchy bottom this could be due to threadworms
- The female threadworm (quarter of an inch long like a piece of thin thread) lays eggs by the anus at night
- Vermox on prescription will eradicate them after one dose and a repeat dose after two weeks will reduce reinfection
- The whole family should be treated
- Wearing pants for a few nights and cutting fingernails short helps reduce scratching and reinfection if the problem recurs
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- Common cause of an itchy vaginal discharge in women
- Can be triggered by antibiotic treatment
- Canesten cream & pessaries are an effective treatment from the pharmacy
- If symptoms fail to resolve contact us
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