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Common Ailments Guide
We have included this section to help patients understand what to do if they have common ailments / Illnesses. Please follow the advice under each section but if you are in any doubt contact us for advice. The information given is intended only as general advice and does not remove the need for you to see us here at the surgery if you are concerned about your sepcific condition. Please read our disclaimer here
Management of Minor Illness
The NHS Direct website is a valuable source of advice for you to look up for advice about most minor ailments. 
Colds and Flu
Colds are due to one of many thousands of different viruses causing an infection of the upper airways. There is still no cure for the common cold - antibiotics do not treat viruses only bacteria which are larger organisms. A cold usually last for a few days and then the body’s own immune system gets on top of it. Like all illness, colds in the very young and very old can be more severe and these patients may sometimes need to see a doctor or nurse. However, most colds can be managed with rest, Paracetamol, increased fluids and simple remedies such as cough medicines. The bacterial complications of a cold can require antibiotics and so earache, severe sore throat, a productive cough or symptoms of sinusitis may mean a trip to the surgery. If a patient becomes extremely unwell, especially with neck stiffness, light hurting the eyes or develops a rash that does not fade when you press a tumbler glass against it they should be seen as an emergency.
Flu is a much more severe viral infection which occurs in epidemics in the winter every few years. The symptoms are those of a cold but you feel much more unwell with a high temperature, headache and bad aches and pains. 10% of people with Flu develop a chest infection and 10% of those develop pneumonia. With Flu it is much more likely that you will need to be seen and examined but the advice above on how to manage a cold will help a lot with the symptoms of Flu too.
Back Pain
Most people get back pain from time to time - it seems to be a consequence of our upright posture. 90% of episodes of simple back pain will settle down with a period of rest and pain killers. The 10% of cases which don’t can usually be helped by Physiotherapy or Osteopathy. If you go and see a Physiotherapist make sure they are a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and that an Osteopath is on the Osteopath’s Register. Very occasionally a bad back will require surgery but this is unusual. X Rays will not usually help in the management of back pain because most of the pain of bad backs comes from soft tissue - a torn muscle or ligament or displaced disc - all of which is soft tissue, and X Rays only show bone. Although you may need to rest a little for the first day or two, generally the more you can stay active during an episode of simple back pain the better. Pain-killers can help you to do this - massage and heat can also help ease muscle spasm.
Excessive bed rest causes the muscles in the back to become weak and this will hinder recovery. For someone who has had a bad back, sitting too long in one position, driving, lifting incorrectly, spending long periods bending over, not taking regular exercise and excessive worry should all be avoided. Taking up some additional form of exercise such as keep-fit exercise, exercise bikes or swimming is sensible. You may be given advice about specific exercises which will help strengthen your back muscles. You may also be advised to lose weight if you are overweight.
Gastroenteritis - Diarrhoea & Vomiting
Gastroenteritis is very common and is usually spread by direct contact and so hand washing and simple hygiene measures are very important in preventing spread of the disease. Some infections - usually the more severe types - can be spread via poorly prepared food. The danger with gastroenteritis is dehydration due to more fluid coming out of you than is being taken in. Dehydration is more likely in babies, young children and the very elderly. The basic management of gastroenteritis is to stop eating and have CLEAR FLUIDS ONLY. You can always tell if you are having enough clear fluids because you will have a good urine output. If you put anything nourishing into the gut, especially food but even tea, coffee, milk, alcohol or soup, the bug will just feed on the food and the whole thing will carry on. Any temperature can be managed with Paracetamol and abdominal gripy pains may be helped with heat and massage. Usually you will not feel hungry whilst you have gastroenteritis and it is best to just listen to what your body is telling you and not eat until the diarrhoea and vomiting have settled and your appetite has returned.
The more severe forms of gastroenteritis such as Salmonella are bacterial and are more prolonged and often characterised by passing blood. Most gastroenteritis can be managed with simple clear fluids only but bloody diarrhoea, diarrhoea contracted whilst abroad, severe abdominal pain, a rash, prolonged symptoms or gastroenteritis at the extremes of age would all be reasons to see a doctor. It is not a good idea to prepare food for other people whilst you have gastroenteritis. If you work anywhere involved in food production or distribution you should stay off work until you are completely better. Some firms will require you to have a stool specimen done before you return to work but they will arrange this via their Occupational Health departments. Remember that abdominal pain with vomiting but no diarrhoea can be due to other causes such as appendicitis and you would need to be seen in these circumstances for your abdomen to be examined.
Nosebleeds
It seems like you are bleeding a lot with a nosebleed but usually very little blood is lost. Squeeze the fleshy bit of the nose below the bone for a full 10 minutes. Spit out any blood instead of swallowing it. If the nosebleed does not stop you may need to go to Casualty to have your nosed packed to stop the bleeding.
Sunburn
The best thing is to avoid sunburn to begin with. Try to go out in the sunshine in the first part of the morning or in the evening when the sun is weakest. Always cover up and wear a broad-brimmed hat. Look at how the people in that country manage the sun and copy their habits of clothing and siestas. Drink plenty of non alcoholic drinks. Wear strong sun factor (SF) suntan creams. Children are especially susceptible and great care should be taken with them to exclude over-exposure. If you do get sunburn, as with other burns, cold water on the skin can ease the symptoms. Calamine lotion can also relieve the irritation and Paracetamol will help the general discomfort. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and try to stay reasonably warm as in severe sunburn the skin will lose its regulatory functions in maintaining body temperature and hydration.
Fever in a Child
- Give Paracetamol syrup or Nurofen syrup regularly at the maximum dosage suggested by the instructions on the packet.
- Give an extra amount of the child’s favourite drink or iced lollies.
- Dress the child in cool clothes leaving the head uncovered. Cool down the room by opening doors and windows. Only cover the child with a light cotton sheet when they are in bed.
- Place the child in the flow of air from a fan if you have one.
- Sponging the child down with a tepid flannel (about the same temperature as a baby’s bottle) will cool them down. Using tepid water is more effective than using cold water.
A child should be seen by a doctor or nurse with any of the following
- You are worried about them.
- They are less than 1 year old.
- If the condition gets worse or new symptoms develop.
- If they develop neck stiffness or if light hurts their eyes.
- If they develop a rash that does not fade when you press a tumbler against it.
- If they develop severe diarrhoea.
Occasionally, a child under 6 may have a convulsion with a high temperature. This is called a febrile convulsion. This is very frightening but will usually stop within 5 minutes. Put the child on their side and stay with them until it stops. Ask someone to call the doctor if there is someone with you. If not, call when the convulsion has passed. If a child has a febrile convulsion they would usually need to see a doctor, especially the first time it happens. A child having their first febrile convulsion is very often admitted to hospital.
Cystitis
The 3 typical symptoms of cystitis are pain passing water, a feeling of needing to pass water very often and, sometimes, blood in the water. The usual cause is a bacteria from the gut which has made its way into the bladder. It is commonest in women. Kidney stones or diabetes can also cause cystitis. Drinking plenty of fluids can help to prevent cystitis in the first place but if you do get it -
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Drink Barley Water, Lemon squash or pure Orange juice which can alter the acidity of the urine. There is something in Cranberry juice which stops bacteria being able to stick to the walls of the bladder so this can help too.
- Potassium Citrate mixture from the chemist can be tried.
If you still feel infected after one day, if there is blood in the water or if you are pregnant you should see a doctor or nurse.
Sore Throat in Adults
- Increase fluid intake. Drink something non-alcoholic at least every hour.
- Take regular pain relief such as Paracetamol, following the instructions on the packet.
- Gargle with salty water, TCP or soluble Aspirin.
- Avoid foods that cause discomfort during swallowing.
- Throat remedies such as Zinc lozenges from the chemist are available - they can advise you.
- Rest.
- Stop Smoking.
You should see a doctor or nurse -
- If you are worried.
- if you develop a rash.
- If the sore throat is prolonged.
- If the sore throat has lasted for more than two weeks or if there is an alteration in your voice after this time.
- If it is impossible to swallow your own saliva.
- If you become very unwell in yourself or get a high fever.
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