Back Pain Back pain causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each year. The spine, being made up of 24 fragile bones and associated cartilage and tendons, supports the whole weight of the upper body, and therefore it is understandable that it sometimes goes wrong.
Because of the complex nature of the spine it is advisable to consult your doctor if back pain persists for more than a few days. If, as is usual, the pain has been caused by abuse, i.e. lifting too heavy weights etc., be sensible and take things easy. Take care to sit as upright as possible with a support for the small of the back.
Take aspirin or paracetamol, which will not only relieve the pain but will help to relieve inflammation. Your doctor may well prescribe stronger drugs, heat treatment or gentle exercise.
Burns Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintainthis until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes! If the skin is unbrokenbut blistered, apply a loose, dry dressing.If the burn is larger than 4 or 5 inches in diameter, or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Colds Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, takeplenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish, take aspirin or paracetamol. Do not bother to take any antibiotics you may have in the house - these will have no effect!
Do not give aspirin to children under 12 years old.
Chicken Pox 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 3 - 4 days further patches will appear, and the earlier ones will turn crusty and fall off.
Oily Calamine lotion may be applied to soothe the often severe itching. Cool baths may also help. The most infectious period is from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears and up to 5 days after this date.
Children may return to school as soon as the last crusts have dropped off. [Top of Page]
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 5 minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing. If you have not had a tetanus immunisation in the previous 10 years you will require a booster.
Diarrhoea Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs careful attention. Most babies haveloose 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 it a solution of Dioralyte, Rehidrat or similar electrolyte solution from the chemist. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, or are accompanied by vomiting or weakness, consult your doctor.
Fever This is a common symptom in children and adults and is commonly due to simple virus infections such as colds or flu, when it lasts only 24 - 48 hours. Persistence after this time, especially in the old, young or frail, may indicate a complication, so medical advice should be sought after this time.
Simple measures to low a raised temperature are usually effective in both adults and children:
- · 1. Wear few clothes and tepid sponge the skin:
- · 2. Keep in a cool, well ventilated room, with an electric fan (if available).
- · 3. Give cool drinks, encouraging the patient to have more than usual.
- · 4. In an adult or a child over 12, Paracetamol will help lower the temperature and reduce symptoms such as sore throats and headaches DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN TO CHILDREN UNDER 12.
Children under 12 years can be given Paracetamol, available form the pharmacist in several flavoured brands, which should be repeated every 6 hours until fever has gone.
Occasionally young children under 5 years may have a fit with a temperature. This is very frightening, but the child usually comes around quickly. The fit may just be a brief vacant episode and the child may become unconscious and have twitching in all their limbs.
Put the child on his/her side and remove all objects away from them. Do not put anything in the mouth. Call your doctor or an ambulance straight away [Top of Page]
Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis describes a group of diseases affecting the stomach or part of the intestine. Symptoms are often diarrhoea, sickness and stomach ache. Because the lining of the stomach is likely to be inflamed, medicines are often immediately vomited up. Therefore, the stomach and bowels need to be rested. In older patients, sips of plain water may suffice but in babies and toddlers special rehydration fluids (Dioralyte or Rehidrat) are available. If sickness and/or diarrhoea persists, contact your doctor.
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 and doesn't itch. No other symptoms are usually present apart from occasional aching joints. It is infectious from 2 days before the rash appears, until the rash disappears in about 4 or 5 days from that date.
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 their doctor.
Girls within the practice who are 11 years of age are offered vaccinations, if they have not previously been immunised. Children are immunised with the MMR vaccine at the age of 1 year.
Measles The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body around the fourth day of illness. It is at its most infectious from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears until 8 or 10 days after that date. Children are immunised with the MMR vaccine at the age of 1 year.
IMMUNISATION CAN PREVENT THIS DISEASE
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 2 or 3 days before the swelling appears until 8 or 10 days after that date. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor. Children are immunised with the MMR vaccine at the age of 1 year. [Top of Page]
IMMUNISATION CAN PREVENT THIS DISEASE
Nose Bleeds Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Sprains First, apply a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the swelling. Apply, firmly a crepe bandage, and give the sprain plenty of rest until al discomfort has subsided. Further strain will inevitably lead to further swelling and a longer recovery period.
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 lasts for longer than 8 hours or increases in intensity you should 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 over-exposure to the harmful effects of the sun.
Headlice 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 the chemist without prescription. Consult you health visitor.
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. [Top of Page]
Borough Road, Middlesbrough TS4 2EJ Tele: 01642 247029/247401 Fax : 01642 223803
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