COUGHS AND COLDS
In spite of all the advances of medical science, there is still no cure for the common cold. The usual advice is to go to bed and take plenty of fluids. If you
have a headache or are feverish, take Aspirin or Paracetamol in the recommended doses. Do not bother to take any antibiotics you may have as these will have no
effect. Do not worry if you do not eat for a few days, you will not come to any
harm!
SORE THROAT
A sore throat associated with a cold is not likely to be helped by an antibiotic,
but one that persists for more than a few days without any cold symptoms may require treatment by a doctor.
EARACHE
Earache often accompanies a cold. If it occurs overnight give Paracetamol (Calpol/Disprol) in the recommended doses which will provide relief until
morning. If persisting, we can always fit a patient into the next surgery.
DIARRHOEA AND SICKNESS
This may be due to contaminated food and drink but, particularly in the case of young children, may be caused by a virus. At first onset of symptoms, stop all
solid food and milk and take frequent small drinks of water based fluids (squash,
fruit juice, etc.) for 24 hours. In the case of small babies, breast feeding should
be continued. Reintroduce solid food gradually, e.g. dry toast, jacket potato, yoghurt. If symptoms are not improving after 48 hours, you may need to seek
medical advice. Do this earlier in the case of small babies or if abdominal pain is
a feature of the illness.
GASTROENTERITIS
Gastroenteritis describes a group of diseases affecting the stomach or part of the
intestine. Symptoms are often diarrhoea, sickness and stomach ache. Because the
lining of the stomach is likely to be inflamed, medicines are often immediately vomited up. Large quantities of water, orange juice or thin soup
should be taken to counter the effect of dehydration. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist for more than a day, or in the case of young babies or children,
6 hours.
BURNS AND SCALDS
Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and
maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes! If the
skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose, dry dressing. If the burn is larger than 4 or 5 inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor.
BACK PAIN
Back pain causes 13 million lost working days in Britain each year! The spine supports the whole weight of the upper body and it is understandable that it
sometimes goes wrong. Because of the complex nature of the spine it is advisable to consult your doctor
if back pain persists for more than a few days. If the pain has been caused by abuse, ie. lifting too heavy weights, etc., be sensible and take things easy. Take
care to sit as upright as possible with support for the small of the back. Take
aspirin or paracetamol which will not only relieve the pain but will help to reduce inflammation.
SPRAINS
Firstly apply a cold compress, containing ice or frozen peas if possible, for up to
30 minutes to reduce the swelling. Apply a firm crepe bandage and give the sprain plenty of rest until all discomfort has subsided. Further strain will
inevitably lead to further swelling and a longer recovery period.
NOSE BLEEDS
Sit in a chair, leaning forward with your mouth open, and pinch the bridge of your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the
bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or hot food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist,
go to casualty.
MINOR CUTS AND GRAZES
Wash the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop the bleeding apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about 5 minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing.
SUNBURN
A completely avoidable illness! Sunbathing can be extremely harmful to the skin and children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful rays of the sun. Prevention
is better than cure and a high factor sun cream should be applied regularly and hats are recommended. If you should be burnt, cool the skin with cold water and
apply Calamine Lotion. Paracetamol will help relieve the pain.
INSECT BITES AND STINGS
Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms. Bee stings should be scraped away rather
than plucked from the skin to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sack into the wound.
HEAD LICE
These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair and are therefore not
a sign of poor personal hygiene. Medicated head lotion can be obtained from the
chemist without prescription but regular combing with a Nit Comb is a more important preventative measure.
MEASLES
The measles rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body around the fourth day of the illness.
It is at its most infectious from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears until 8 or 10 days after that date. Immunisation will prevent this
disease!
CHICKEN POX
On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about 3 - 4 mm across.
Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next 3 or 4 days further patches will appear and the
earlier ones will turn crusty and fall off. Oily Calamine Lotion may be applied to
soothe the often severe itching. Cool baths may also help. The most infectious
period is from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears and up to 5 days after this date. Children may return to school as soon as the crusts have dropped off.
GERMAN MEASLES (RUBELLA)
The rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs
in small pink patches about 2-4mm and doesn't itch. No other symptoms are usually present apart from occasional aching joints. It is infectious from 2 days
before the rash appears, until the rash disappears in about 4 or 5 days from that
date. The only danger is to unborn babies of pregnant women and, therefore it is important that all contacts are informed in order that anyone who may be pregnant can contact their doctor. Pregnant women are routinely tested and will be told if they are at risk.
Immunisation will prevent this disease.
MUMPS
Symptoms are swelling of the glands in front of one or other car often followed,
after a couple of days, by swelling in front of the other ear. It is infectious from 2
or 3 days before the swelling appears until 8 or 10 days after that elate. Immunisation can prevent this disease.
CHOKING
First see if you can remove any obstruction from the mouth with a finger, taking
care not to push the item any further into the gullet. A small child may be supported upside down and patted on the back to allow
gravity to assist in the displacement of the object. In the case of adults, Heimlich's manoeuvre may be performed; stand behind the
patient with your arms around their waist and press sharply inwards and upwards with your joined clenched fists on the upper abdomen below the breast bone.
This may dislodge the blockage which the patient may then be able to cough up.
HEART ATTACK
A patient experiencing a heart attack will usually complain of severe chest pain
and may look pale and sweaty. The patient should rest quietly. If you think that
you or a relative is having a heart attack dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.
STROKE
Patients suffering a stroke will often lapse into unconsciousness or may not be able to speak or move one arm or leg. Lie the patient on their side and remove
any dentures before telephoning the surgery.
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