General Health Tips
Breast Screening for the over 70's
Chickenpox
Coughs
Diarrhoea
Earache
Fractures
German Measles (Rubella)
Head Lice
High Temperatures
Influenza
Itching
Minor Cuts and Grazes
Mumps
Nose Bleeds
Sore Throats
Sprains
Stomach Ache
The stuffy, runny Nose
Sunburn
Vomiting
Worms
Breast Screening
The National Programme
has now been extended to screen women up to 70 years of age and invitations will
be sent out automatically.
Women over 70 can
be screened every three years if they request it.
If you are over 70 and
would like to make an appointment for screening, please contact:
Breast Screening
Assessment Centre
The Royal Sussex County
Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
Telephone 01273 66496
Chickenpox
The rash of chickenpox starts as small, itchy, red spots, which progress
into clear blisters and then scab over. The spots and blisters are very
itchy and can cause distress when they are numerous in the mouth and around
the genitals. It is infectious from about five days before the rash and
until the last spot has scabbed over. Treatment is with paracetamol mixture
and calamine lotion. Adults are particularly prone
to a more severe form of the illness and may need anti-viral medication.
Pregnant women are at an increased risk, especially if they have never had
chickenpox themselves, and may need blood tests and an immunisation. Both
these groups should consult their doctor.
Coughs
Most coughs are the result of a viral infection and as such cannot be
treated with antibiotics. The best treatment is often with steam
inhalations. Removing the pillows at night will also prevent mucus (phlegm)
from running down the back of the throat. Do not smoke in the presence of
children. Even better, do not smoke at all. You
should see the doctor if the cough continues for more than a week or if it
is accompanied by pain in the chest, shortness of breath or if you are
coughing up blood.
Diarrhoea
Most diarrhoeal illnesses are short lasting and do not need any specific
treatment. Just drink plenty of clear fluids. There is no strict rule about
starvation, but eating may cause intermittent cramping pains.
Anti-diarrhoea tablets should never be used for children - they make
the illness worse. Sugar/salt replacement sachets (eg Dioralyte or Rehidrat)
are specially made for use in diarrhoea and vomiting. They are available
from the chemist. You should see the doctor if the
diarrhoea does not begin to settle within 48 hours, if the pain is
continuous rather than intermittent or if the motions are blood-stained.
Severe diarrhoea in infants under 6 months, or if a child is
vomiting as
well, are also reasons to consult your doctor.
Earache
Earache is a common symptom in children. It is frequently the result of an
ordinary cold and often starts at night. If caused by catarrh it will
usually settle within 48 hours. The treatment is paracetamol every four
hours. In most children, antibiotics will not be necessary for earache.
Persistent earache may require antibiotics and a visit to the doctor is
justified if earache has not settled after 48 hours.
Fractures
If a child gets up at once after a fall and moves about normally, it is
unlikely that a bone has been broken. If a limb is difficult to move, or
unable to bear weight, it may be broken and it is sensible to go to the
hospital Emergency Department.
German Measles (Rubella)
This is still pretty rare thanks to immunisation with the vaccine. The
rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs
in small pink patches about 2-4 millimetres across and doesn’t itch. There
are usually no other symptoms apart from occasional aching joints. It is
infectious from two days before the rash appears until the rash disappears
in about four or five days. The only danger is to unborn babies and
therefore it is important that all contacts are informed in order that
anyone who may be pregnant can contact her doctor. IMMUNISATION CAN
PREVENT THIS DISEASE.
Head Lice
These creatures are very common and are not a sign of poor personal hygiene.
The mainstay of treatment is wet combing using shampoo, usually also using a
medicated head lotion which can be obtained from the chemist without
prescription. Other members of the family should be checked, especially
looking in the hairs behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, but only
the affected person needs to be treated. For further advice contact your
Health Visitor.
High Temperatures
Children, especially babies, can get a high temperature very quickly. You
should bring down a temperature by:
-
Giving your child plenty of drinks like water and squash, preferably small
quantities frequently.
-
Giving paracetamol mixture every four hours.
-
Taking most of the child’s clothes off so he/she can lose heat through the
skin and put him/her in a room without additional heating.
-
Tepid sponging: wash the child with luke-warm water and let the water dry
on the skin.
If the
temperature remains high in spite of all the above then telephone the doctor
for further advice.
All
parents of children under the age of 12 should have a modern digital
thermometer (available for a few pounds from any chemist) and some
paracetamol syrup (such as Calpol) ready for childhood illnesses.
Influenza
If you have long lasting chest, heart or kidney disease, Diabetes, or are on
Steroids or are over the age of 65,then a ‘flu vaccination (usually done in
October) is recommended. The best remedy for ‘flu’ is to remain indoors,
rest and drink plenty.
Itching
Itching can be relieved by calamine lotion or an antihistamine tablet, eg
Piriton or Zirtek (available from Chemist).
Minor Cuts and Grazes
Wash the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop bleeding
apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about five
minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing.
Mumps
Symptoms are swelling of the glands in front of one or other ear, often
followed after a couple of days by swelling in front of the other ear. It is
infectious from two to three days before the swelling appears until eight or
ten days after that date. If the pain Is severe you should consult your
doctor. IMMUNISATION CAN PREVENT THIS DISEASE.
Nose Bleeds
Sit forward and squeeze the nose just below the bone on the soft part for at
least fifteen minutes, repeat the procedure if necessary. Ring the doctor
for advice if you are unable to control heavy bleeding.
Sore Throats
Five out of six sore throats are caused by viral infections which
antibiotics cannot cure. The throat will settle on its own. The temperature
and pain will be helped with paracetamol and/or gargling with soluble
aspirin. CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ASPIRIN
Sprains
Remember R.I.C.E
Rest: The affected joint should be
rested. Gradually build up to normal activities.
Ice: Apply cold compress (e.g. bag of
frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel).
Compression: A firm crepe bandage or
Tubigrip will give the sprained joint adequate rest.
Elevation: Elevate the joint where
possible.
Stomach Ache
Most attacks are not serious and are usually caused by indigestion or wind.
A hot water bottle helps, as may Gaviscon or Milk of Magnesia or a teaspoon
of Bicarbonate of Soda in a half glass of water. If the pain lasts longer
than six hours, or increases in intensity, consult your doctor.
The stuffy runny nose
The common cold often starts with a dry throat and the patient feels
generally unwell and achey. After a day or two the nose starts running with
clear liquid and after three or four days a yellow green discharge. There
may be a slight temperature and the whole illness lasts seven to ten days.
There is no magical cure for the common cold and antibiotics are of no help.
Steam and Menthol inhalations may help relieve nasal congestion. The Chemist
can give advice concerning relief of symptoms. Children and babies may be
troubled by coughing when they lie down at night. This is caused by the
discharge from the nose running down the back of the throat. The child or
infant should be put on its side and the pillow removed.
Sunburn
Care should be taken to minimise exposure to the sun particularly between
10.00 am - 2.00 pm and by the use of appropriate clothing, especially hats.
Prevention of sunburn in children is extremely important. Creams with a sun
protection factor (SPF) of 15 are ideal.
Vomiting
Fluid replacement is vital but it is best not to drink anything
for about the first hour after vomiting, and then sip small quantities of
water, frequently. Eat nothing initially. As the stomach settles, take
semisolid food, such as soups, before returning to a normal diet.
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR:
-
If
vomiting is accompanied by continuous stomach pain
-
If
vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours
-
If
a vomiting child has a persistent temperature of more than 38˚C
-
If
there are symptoms of another infection eg earache or pain on passing
water
Worms
This is a very common problem in school children and is not a sign of poor
personal hygiene. Treatment may be obtained from the Chemist without
prescription. The whole household must be treated. Keeping hands clean and
the nails scrubbed helps prevent recurrence.
SOME
TOP HEALTH TIPS
We would like to regularly bring you some advice on looking after your own
health, based upon the latest evidence. Many health problems are caused or
influenced by our own experience or behaviour. There is growing evidence
that our western lifestyle contributes hugely to the kind of health problems
that we suffer and that there are many things that we can do to prevent or
improve our health problems. Of course, some health problems are unavoidable
and we can't live forever! But there is much that we can do in the area of
'Self Care' to reduce the risk of us or our children developing serious
illnesses and prolonging life and the quality of life.
1. Reduce your risk of cancer by 40% by eating whole grain cereals at
least four times a week. These include wholemeal bread, cereals, rice and
pasta.
2. Don't smoke. If you do smoke, plan to stop! You know this is the
best thing you can do for your future health - and we are here to help you.
Arrange to see our trained nurses for their Support to Stop programme.
3. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day,
especially red ones! These can significantly reduce the incidence of stroke
(by more than 50%) heart disease (by about 15%), diabetes (more than 50%),
and breast cancer (by about 20%)
4. Now be sensible with this one! If you are not alcoholic, drinking
moderate amounts of alcohol can improve your health, reducing heart disease
and cancer. But it can increase it if you drink too much. So stick within
the limit of 21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women
preferably spread throughout the week rather than in one or two sessions (1 unit = half
pint of beer, small glass of wine, single shot of spirits).
5. Eat fish. Eating a small amount of oily fish every week (say 4oz)
reduces death from heart disease by about 30%. Tuna, salmon, mackerel, trout
etc.
6. Taking a multivitamin a day may be of value, especially if it
contains at least 200mcg of folic acid (which can substantially reduce heart
disease and cancer). Of course you can get folic acid from fruit, greens,
beans and peas.
7. Small increases in fitness dramatically reduce risk of death from
heart disease (among other things). Try to get breathless with exercise most
days - walking will do. Why not walk your child to school or walk to work (a
mile or so is enough).
8. If you are overweight, lose it. It's not that easy, true, but
losing a little helps, especially if you have diabetes. There are many
benefits from losing excess weight.
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