Your health

• So how can I help myself to stay healthy?
• Bird (Avian) Flu
• Self treatment of common illness and accidents
• Stress
• Quit smoking

Self treatment of common illness and accidents

Colds

Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common cold. You should go to bed, rest, and take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish take paracetamol. Do not bother to take any antibiotics you may have in the house - these will have no effect! These symptoms will take time to clear and will not disappear in 24 hours.

Sore throats

Make a gargle mix with soluble Aspirin & water. Gargle at regular intervals; do not swallow the gargle mix! Take paracetamol to reduce the inflammation, ease the soreness and take down the temperature. Rest and give it time to clear.

Stomach aches

Most attacks are not serious and are usually caused by indigestion or wind. A hot water bottle will often relieve the symptoms and in the case of indigestion, a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water will help.

Sprains

Apply a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for 15-20 minutes to reduce the swelling. Obviously if with swelling severe pain, go to casualty.

Burns

Apply large quantities of water to the affected area and maintain 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 4-5inches in diameter, or the skin is broken, obtain medical advice as soon as possible.

Nose Bleeds

Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your head down and mouth open) and pinch your nose just bellow the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or hot food for approximately 24 hours. If symptoms persist, consult medical help.

Do not underestimate the help that your local pharmacist can offer to you.

There are vast amounts of medication you can purchase to treat common illness without a prescription, Always let the pharmacist know if you are on prescription medication or any other circumstances like pregnancy.

Measles

Immunisation can prevent this illness!!

A blotchy red rash appearing on the face & body following a few days of the child having been miserable and often with a temperature. Infectious a couple of days prior to the rash and for up to 8-10 days after that date.

Mumps

Immunisation can prevent this illness!!

Symptoms are swelling of the glands in front of one ear, often followed, after a couple of days, by swelling in front of the other ear. It is infectious from 2-3 days before the swelling appears until 8-10 days after that date. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor.

(Rubella) German Measles

Immunisation can prevent this illness!!

The rash usually covers the body, legs & arms in small pink patches about 2-4mm across with no itching and occasionally aching joints. There are usually no other symptoms. It is infectious from 2-3 days before the rash appears to 4 or 5 days after rash appears. This illness can be dangerous to pregnant women as it can affect the unborn baby. If you need advise contact your midwife.

Chickenpox

Day one the rash appears as small red patches about 3-4mm across. Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next 3-4 days further patches will appear and the earlier ones will turn “crusty” and fall off.. The blisters will itch and this can be relieved by applying calamine lotion which can be kept in the fridge to keep it cool and cool baths will also help. The most infectious period is from 2-3 days before the rash appears and up to five days after that date. The child should feel well enough to return to school soon after this period if eating and sleeping as normal.

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 your local chemist without prescription. The best way of preventing infection is to use a tooth comb every time you wash the hair and wet comb conditioner through the hair before rinsing.