Medical Advice & Self treatment of common illnesses & accidents
Cervical smears
Women between the age of 25 and 65 years are advised to have regular
Cervical Smear tests. If an abnormality is detected it can be treated immediately. Smears
are recommended once every 3 years. This test can be carried out by our Practice Nurse.
The service is available at our Well Woman Clinics
Breast awareness
It is a good idea for all women to examine their breasts regularly for
lumps or irregularities. If you are not sure how this is done, your Doctor or Practice
Nurse will be happy to show you. If you do notice any lumps or anything unusual in your
breasts, please see the Doctor. Most lumps are benign, but it is important to exclude
anything serious
Advice on immunisation for
children
It is important that all children and babies are immunised. Illnesses such as Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio are, thankfully, rare because
of recent immunisation policies, but if contracted can be crippling or even fatal.
Whooping cough (Pertussis) causes a very distressing illness with severe prolonged
coughing which can lead to lung damage. The risk of vaccination if indeed there is any, is
minute and has certainly been overstated in the past. We do strongly recommend that all
babies have their vaccinations. If you have any queries or worries about any aspect of
your child's immunisations, please feel free to talk them over with the Doctor or the
Practice Nurse
Measles, mumps & rubella
These can all now be prevented by immunisation. Please ensure that your
children are up to date with their MMR vaccinations. It is
safe and effective and a vital measure to protect your child
Influenza vaccination
Each year, starting at the end of September, we offer a completely free Flu Vaccination to our
patients. It is strongly recommended for high risk patients, i.e. those with heart or
chest complaints, diabetics or those in Nursing Homes. Please ask for details if
required
Pneumococcal Vaccination
Recommended for all patients over the age of 65 years to help protect from pneumococcal infection. Appointments may be made with our practice nurse for this FREE injection.
Holiday vaccinations
People going abroad or taking holidays need to protect themselves for
various contagious diseases prevailing in the particular countries. For details please
book an appointment to be seen in the Travel
Clinic. We are a Yellow Fever Centre
Self treatment of common illnesses & accidents
Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home, without the
need to consult a doctor
Back pain
Often, lifting or bending will have caused the pain, so 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 help to relieve the pain and consult the
doctor if it persists for more than a few days
Colds & flu
Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for these. Go to
bed, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish, take Aspirin or Paracetamol
Diarrhoea
In adults, diarrhoea is usually caused by a virus infection. The
symptoms can usually be eased by the traditional Kaolin and Morphine mixture or by
medicine containing Codeine. Most babies have loose bowel actions during the first six
months, due to their liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be
treated by taking the baby off solids and feeding it on an electrolyte solution which will
be recommended by your chemist. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours contact
your doctor for further advice
Sprains
Firstly 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 all discomfort has subsided
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 bum is large or
if the skin is broken, go to the Accident and Emergency Department
Nose bleeds
Sit in 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. If symptoms persist, consult you doctor
Minor cuts & 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
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
Headlice (Nits)
These creatures, contrary to public belief, prefer clean hair and are
therefore not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Inspect hair regularly, if head lice or
eggs found, wash hair daily, apply conditioner and comb with a special comb whilst the
hair is wet. If not successful medicated head lotion can be obtained from the chemist
without prescription
Chicken pox
On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about - across.
Within a few hours of these developing small blisters appear in the centre of these
patches. During the next 3 or 4 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 2 or 3 days before
the rash appears and up to 5 days after this date. Children may return to school 7 days
after the outbreak of the most recent crop of spots
