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| Birley
Health Centre - Your health: How You
Can Help Yourself |
 Flu
- Coughs - Colds and sore throats
These diseases usually get better by themselves
and last only a few days. They are commonly due to
viral infections. Coughs, colds, sore throats, aches
and pains, fevers and nausea all usually improve
without any need to see a doctor.
If the symptoms are uncomfortable then you can
take simple measures like bed rest, Paracetamol
and/or Aspirin, fluids or simple foods.
- It is best to use Paracetamol for children
under 12 years old.
- Antibiotics are of no benefit in the treatment
of common virus infections.
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What
to do if you have a temperature
A raised temperature often happens even
with mild infections like colds or coughs. A normal
temperature is 37 degrees centigrade or 98.4 degrees
farenheit. People usually know if they have a temperature
they feel hot or cold, sweaty or shivery and unwell.
Children may be miserable, have no energy or look
flushed. Small babies may seem very sleepy and not
want to feed.
A higher temperature or fever
means the body is fighting the infection. Help
it along by drinking plenty of water or weak squash,
keeping the room at a comfortable temperature with
fresh air circulating, and sponging with cool or
lukewarm water. Adults can take Paracetamol tablets
and you can give Paracetamol syrup to children
under the age of 12 years old.
Contact the GP immediately if
the person has a temperature over 40 degrees centigrade
or 104 degrees farenheit, if there is a stiff neck,
cramps or vomiting, or if a child seems weak and
listless or suffers a fit or convulsion. |
Gastroenteritis
(Diarrhoea with or without vomiting)
This is normally caused by an infection
(usually a virus) in the stomach and/or bowel. Diarrhoea
(the runs) and vomiting may be unpleasant and uncomfortable
but are nature's way of flushing infection out of
the system. Unless symptoms are prolonged or very
severe, it is usually better not to take any medicines
or tablets. These may only interfere with your body's
natural responses, possibly 'bottling everything
up' which can lead to further problems. The symptoms
usually get better by themselves within 24 - 48 hours.
The best remedy is to take sips
of plain fluid (water not milk-based), sugar and
salt solutions (which you can get over the counter
from the chemist) or breast milk for breast fed
babies. If the problems continue, or a young baby
is affected, the surgery will be pleased to advice
on appropriate treatment. |
Indigestion
and Stomach Ache
Most problems are not serious and are usually caused by indigestion, wind or
irregular eating habits. Indigestion is a common complaint and often linked to
a known cause - such as unwise eating and drinking. Some people suffer the symptoms
more often because of an underlying problem like inflammation of the stomach,
an ulcer or hiatus hernia. Whatever the cause, the symptoms are usually quite
similar and can be distressing. They may include pain in the upper abdomen, wind,
nausea and heartburn. They can often be helped by taking antacids, peppermint,
Paracetamol (not Aspirin) and possibly a hot water bottle. If they do not go
away and are severe you should seek advice from your doctor. |
Coping
with Minor Ailments
Burns
Cool down the affected area immediately
with lots of cold water and continue to do this
for at least 10 minutes. If the burn is larger
than 4 or 5 inches across, if it is on the face
or if the skin is broken, see the nurse at you
GP surgery as soon as possible. If the burn is
deep, heavily blistered and very painful, or if
the skin has turned white or black, go to the nearest
Accident and Emergency (Casualty/A&E) department
immediately. |
Cuts
Try to stop the bleeding from a minor cut
by pressing it, with clean hands, for a few minutes;
hold a cut arm or leg up high. If a cut bleeds freely
any germs will normally be washed away by the blood.
If it is a deep cut and the edges cannot be pulled
together, ask for advice at your GP surgery or go to
the A&E department. Redness or swelling can be
a sign of infection in a cut or graze and you should
make an appointment to have it seen at your GP surgery.
You may need to have a tetanus injection if you haven't
had one for 10 years. |
Sprains
- Remember: "I C E"
I
stands for ice.
Pack the sprained area immediately with ice or
a bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a cloth, to reduce
swelling and speed up the healing process. Keep
this on for about 20 minutes.
C means compression. Bind the
injured area with an elastic bandage so it is
well supported, but not so tight that it restricts
blood flow. Re-tighten a few times a day.
E means elevation. Rest the
sprained area and keep it held high. For example,
if you have a sprained ankle, rest it on a stool
that is higher than the chair you are sitting
on. |
Head
Injuries
For a minor knock or bump, put on a cold damp
cloth. The person should be taken to see a GP or to
A&E without delay if he/she has the following symptoms:
vomiting, unconsciousness, double vision, drowsiness
or confusion. |
Choking
Stand behind the person and hug them firmly
above the waist, pushing your fist up under their ribs
to make them cough up the blockage. For a young child,
hold the child upside down and thump on the back. |
The
Recovery Position
This is a position in which to place a person
who is unconscious. Turn the person onto their side
with their head turned to one side. Then bring the
top leg over so that it is resting on the ground. This
will help prevent the person from vomiting or choking. |
Warning
Signs
The following warning signs may tell you something
is wrong and that you should arrange to see your
GP:
- Losing weight (7 pounds or 3 kgs or more) with
no obvious reason
- Feeling thirsty all the time with no obvious
reason
- Feeling more tired or exhausted than usual
- Losing blood when coughing or vomiting or going
to the toilet all the time
- A change in a mole (change in colour, size,
thickness, itching or bleeding)
- A change in your voice (getting husky or hoarse
and staying like that for more than 3 weeks)
- Indigestion or belching acid, lasting more
than a month (especially in people over 45)
- A change in your breast or nipple.
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