Tel. 01845 577297 * Fax. 01845 577128
| Topcliffe Surgery, Topcliffe, Thirsk, YO7 3RP
Tel. 01845 577297 * Fax. 01845 577128 |
Back pain
Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home without the need to consult a doctor.
Back pain causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each year. The spine supports the whole weight of the upper body so it is understandable that it sometimes goes wrong. In most cases back pain does not have a medical cause but is related to the way we live our lives. Take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen but remember to maintain mobility. Try and walk every day, reducing sitting and driving, and also avoid lifting. Most acute back pain takes two weeks to resolve, so seek medical help if it persists longer than this or if the pain is worsening rather than easing.
Burns
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 the burn is larger than four or five inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, make arrangements to come to the Surgery or the Minor Injuries Unit at the Lambert Memorial Hospital in Thirsk.
Chickenpox
On the first day a 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 three or four days further patches will appear and the earlier ones will turn “crusty” and fall off. Calamine lotion may be applied to soothe the often severe itching. Cool baths may also help. The most infectious period is from four days before the rash appears and up to five days after this date. The incubation period is 14-21 days, usually 21. Children may return to school as soon as the last spot has crusted over, as long as a week has gone by since the spots first appeared. Chickenpox is dangerous for pregnant women who have not had chicken pox so pregnant women should be informed of any potential contact.
Colds
There is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish, take paracetamol or ibuprofen. Do not bother to take antibiotics as these will have no effect! Remember that most winter colds and coughs take two weeks to get better.
Diarrhoea/Gastroententis
In adults, diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral infection and so unable to be treated directly. The symptoms can usually be eased by codeine-containing medicines or loperamide (available over the counter). Milk and eggs may make the diarrhoea worse. Starchy foods, such as toast, may help. If the diarrhoea is accompanied by vomiting there is no point in attempting to take tablets, rather stop all food or milk for 24 hours and drink water only. Small sips frequently are better than a whole glass every now and again. Consult your doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a few days.
Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs careful attention. Most babies have loose bowel action during their first six months due to their predominantly liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking the baby off solids and feeding them a cooled solution of boiled water, Dioralyte or similar. In children under five consult your doctor if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, or are accompanied by vomiting.
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 across and doesn't itch. There may have be no other symptoms but fever, headache, gritty eyes and occasionally aching joints can occur. It is infectious from 2 days before the rash appears until the rash disappears in about 4 or 5 days. The only danger can be to unborn babies so pregnant women should be informed of any potential contact. Nowadays most women are rubella immune so their unborn baby is safe from harm. Immunisation can prevent this disease.
Hand, foot and mouth disease
This is due to a virus and there is no direct treatment. The child may suffer from a sore throat, pain in the mouth or on swallowing, a fever of 38-39°C on 1 or 2 days and small swellings or blisters in the mouth, on the hands and the feet. Occasionally blisters appear on the buttocks. The disease lasts for 7 days. The incubation period is 3 days.
Head lice
Our health visitor has a useful leaflet on this condition. Head lice are greatly on the increase often preferring nice clean hair! If you can see only nits stuck onto the hair and no, or only a few, live lice then daily wet combing after washing may be the only treatment required. Head lice lotion can be purchased from the chemist but should be used only where live lice are seen in profusion. It should not be used more than once without health visitor's advice.
Insect bites and stings
Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms. Note: bee stings should be scraped away rather than “plucked” in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.
Measles
Measles is very uncommon. But the drop in immunisation rates has resulted in cases starting to appear, including in North Yorkshire. Measles begins with an illness of fever, runny nose, conjunctivitis and cough. The rash appears 3-5 days later. It is fine and pink and appears first behind the ears, then down the body with the spots merging into one another, fading on the third day. Measles is at its most infectious before the rash appears and continues until 8 or 10 days after that date. The incubation period is 8-24 days. 1 in 15 people with measles will get complications, usually an ear infection, pneumonia or fits. Contact the doctor if you suspect that your child has measles as this is a notifiable disease. Immunisation can prevent this disease - see the NHS website, MMR the facts.
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 gland in front of one ear or both ears developing over a period of 1-3 days. It is infectious from 2-3 days before the swelling appears until 7-10 days after that date. The incubation period is 16-21 days. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor. Immunisation can prevent this disease.
Nose bleeds
Sit in a chair, lean forward with your mouth open, and pinch your nose firmly immediately below the bony part (not at the fleshy end) for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid blowing your nose, hot drinks and hot food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist consult a doctor.
Sprains
Remember RICE: Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate:-
Rest the injured part as soon as injury occurs. Further strain will inevitably lead to further swelling and a longer recovery period.
Ice compress. Treat with a cold compress, containing ice or frozen peas if possible (but not directly against the skin) for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the swelling. Do not have a hot bath or shower. Compress the injured part by bandaging firmly with a crepe bandage. Elevate the injured part by resting it higher than your trunk on a chair or similar.Give the sprain plenty of rest until all discomfort has subsided.
Stomach ache
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 half a glass of water will help. If the pain persists for longer than eight hours or increases in intensity consult your doctor.
Sunburn
Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation whilst paracetamol will also help. Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn and great care should be taken to avoid overexposure to the harmful effects of the sun. Use Sun Protection Factor 15 or above and limit the time spent in the sun.