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Back Pain
Back pain causes
thirteen million lost working days
in Britain each year. If the pain
has been caused by excessive strain,
e.g.; lifting excessive weights or
slipping whilst doing so, be
sensible and take things easy. When
sitting, sit upright with support
for the small of the back. Take pain
killers and try to move as normal as
possible. Local warmth such as a hot
water bottle or from a rubbing
liniment will also help to ease the
discomfort.
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Childhood Ailments
DO NOT
GIVE ASPIRIN IN ANY FORM TO A CHILD
UNDER 12 YEARS
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a viral illness which
begins as a red spotty rash which
then develops small blisters in the
centre of each spot. Over the next
three to four days further patches
and blisters will appear and the
earlier ones turn crusty into a scab
and then fall off. These are often
intensely itchy and most sufferers
have a mild temperature and
cold-like symptoms for a few days
before the rash arrives. Patients
are infectious from two days before
the rash appears and until the last
blister scabs over. Calamine lotion
may be applied to sooth itching.
Patients, particularly children,
should try and avoid scratching the
ace as this can cause scars.
German Measles
(Rubella)
A pink rash appears on the neck,
body, arms and legs associated with
mild malaise and some aching in the
joints. The rash is not itchy. The
illness is mild and lasts only a
couple of days and is not dangerous
except when contracted by pregnant
women as it may affect the unborn
baby unless the mother has
previously been vaccinated.
Measles
This is a more severe illness with a
red blotchy rash appearing on the
face and body after three of four
days of a flu-like illness. This
illness is caused by a virus and
treatment is by Paracetamol and
fluids.
Mumps
This is characterised by swelling of
one or other of the parotid glands
in front of one ear followed after a
day or two by swelling by the other
side. This is a viral illness and
should be treated with Paracetamol
and fluids and medical attention
sought if severe earache develops.
Meningitis
A rare illness that
is most common in babies, children
under 4 years and teenagers with
only occasional occurrences in
adults. It requires urgent
attention. It is important to be
aware of the symptoms which are
listed below:
Signs and symptoms in BABIES and
VERY YOUNG CHILDREN are:
*Difficulty waking
*A high pitched cry that is very
different from a normal cry.
*Repeated vomiting
*Refusing feeds
*Pale or blotchy skin, especially
with red or blue/black bruises that
don’t go white when you press them.
(The Glass Test - Press a glass
against the skin to see if they
disappear under pressure.)
*Tight or bulging soft spot on the
top of your baby’s head.
Signs and symptoms in OLDER CHILDREN
and ADULTS are:
*High temperature
*Vomiting
*Drowsiness or confusion
*Dislike of bright lights
*Stiffness of the neck (moving their
chin to their chest will be
particularly painful.)
*A rash of red/blue spots that don’t
go white when pressed. (See Glass
test above)
If you are in any doubt, contact
your doctor immediately.
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COMMON
AILMENTS
Colds
The common cold is an infection
caused by a virus. There is still no
cure and sufferers will feel much
more comfortable if they drink
plenty of fluids and take
Paracetamol (or Calpol in children).
Adults may take Aspirin if they
prefer. Most colds can be treated by
yourself at home. There is no need
to visit the Doctor for an
uncomplicated cold as antibiotics
will not aid recovery.
Coughs
Coughs are very common. They are
generally caused by infection or
inflammation affecting the lower
airways. Most are viral.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can be caused by a viral
infection passed from person to
person or by food poisoning by
eating infected food. Most diarrhoea
clears itself after a few days, but
can be unpleasant while it lasts and
is often associated with abdominal
cramps and sometimes vomiting as
well. When diarrhoea occurs, rest
the stomach and bowel by not eating
and by drinking plenty of clear
fluids like water, fruit juice or
special sachets for drinks available
from the chemist. If the diarrhoea
or if vomiting prevents adequate
fluids being taken in, then the
doctor should be consulted. You
should be more cautious with young
babies who become dehydrated very
easily. Avoid anything milky until
the diarrhoea has settled. The
doctor is always happy to give
advice over the telephone and in
cases of doubt will decide if an
appointment is necessary.
Head Lice
These are very common. Contact the
health visitor at the health centre
or your local Pharmacy.
Influenza
Influenza is also a viral illness
spread from person to person
particularly in winter months. It
causes a temperature and also aches
and pains elsewhere in the body and
usually a headache too. Antibiotics
are no help whatsoever and sufferers
should be able to treat themselves
with rest, plenty of fluids and
Paracetamol.
Insect Bites
The redness and irritation caused by
insect bites can be eased with local
application of Calamine or
antihistamine lotions such as
Anthisan. If pain and redness
worsens after a few days, then the
bite may have become infected and an
appointment with the doctor should
be made.
Nosebleeds
Most nose bleeds occur from one side
or other of the nose. Apply
continuous pressure from the outside
of the nose with your finger,
pressing quite hard to stop the
bleeding, and continuing pressure
for a full ten minutes, with the
nose tilted forward, timing this
with a watch. This will normally
stop the bleeding, if not consult a
doctor at casualty. Do NOT tilt the
head backwards.
Sore Throats
Tonsillitis begins with a pain
in the throat which causes soreness
on swallowing. There may also be a
temperature and sometimes enlarged
lymph glands in the neck. Most sore
throats are caused by a virus
infection so the first treatment
should be rest, plenty of warm
drinks which are soothing and
regular Aspirin or Paracetamol
(Calpol for Children). Adults may
find gargling with a soluble Aspirin
dissolved in water very soothing.
Most sore throats begin to disappear
after three or four days with this
treatment, but if your symptoms then
persist or get worse, it may be
worth visiting the doctor so that
you can be checked for other causes
of sore throats such as bacterial
infection (which may respond to
antibiotics) or glandular fever. The
doctor should also be consulted if
earache develops and persists or if
there is an associated headache,
vomiting or rash despite adequate
treatment with fluids and
Paracetamol.
Sprains
First apply a cold compress
(containing ice if possible) for
fifteen to thirty minutes to reduce
the swelling. After this apply a
crepe bandage firmly and give the
limb plenty of rest until the
discomfort has subsided. If you are
unable to weight bear upon a
sprained ankle consult your doctor
or attend the local casualty
department.
Temperature
Children often run temperatures with
no symptoms. They need to be cooled
down and given Calpol and they will
feel better. If this does not work
in 24 hours please ring the surgery
and speak to the Doctor who will
give the necessary advice or see
your child.
Worms
These are very common in children.
It is worth checking to see if
others in the family are affected.
Some people like to treat only the
family member affected but many like
to treat the whole family just in
case. Treatments are available from
the Chemist.
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Burns
Rapid treatment of
burns and scalds can help to prevent
serious harm. Cold water should be
poured over the skin immediately and
continued for several minutes to
cool the area. If the burn is large
and the skin becomes broken where
there is severe blistering, then a
doctor should be consulted at
casualty. Aloe vera gel can be very
helpful when applied to burns.
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Top
Muscle & Joint Pain
Pain in muscles and
joints are common and seldom need to
be seen by a doctor.
Causes range from strain due to over
exertion, injury, inflammation and
wear and tear. For muscle pain,
massage the affected part and keep
it warm, rest and take painkillers
such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
For joint pain, rest the sore joint
and take pain killers as for muscle
pain.
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Preparing for Pregnancy
If you are planning
to start a family you must, of
course, cease contraception. If you
are taking the pill you should
change to a barrier method for a
period 1 month. This is to allow for
the normal hormone levels and egg
production cycle to re-establish
itself.
If you smoke, both you and your
partner should stop. A woman who
smokes during pregnancy stands a 30%
greater risk of miscarrying or
losing the baby at birth due to a
variety of complications.
You should also ensure that your
alcohol consumption is kept to an
absolute minimum if you are unable
to abstain totally.
Both partners should give attention
to their diet with particular regard
to choosing fresh unrefined foods.
Ask the Practice Nurse to check if
you are immune from rubella (German
measles), if not, she will arrange
immunisation. In such a case you
should continue with a barrier
method of birth control for a period
of at least 2 months whilst the
vaccine takes effect.
If you are not up to date with your
smear tests it is advisable to
arrange one to ensure that you have
a healthy cervix prior to becoming
pregnant.
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Family Medicine Chest
Here is a list of
useful medicines and dressings.
Keep them in a box or cupboard
OUT OF THE
REACH OF CHILDREN.
Paracetamol – For adult use.
Good for headaches, sore throats and
painful burns.
Paracetamol Mixture – For the
relief of pain and fever in
children.
Calamine Cream – Applied
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 use and will last a childhood.
Tweezers - For removing
splinters, stings and thorns.
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