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. If the pain is severe, consult your GP.

Minor Cuts + Grazes

Wash the wound thoroughly with water + 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.

Nose Bleeds

Sit on a chair (leaning forwards with your mouth open) and pinch your nose, just below the bone, for approximately 10 minutes. By this time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist, consult your GP.

Sore Throats + Tonsillitis

Sore throats invariably get better within a few days whatever the treatment given. Mostly they are caused by viruses which do not respond to antibiotics. Take paracetamol and suck lozenges for relief of symptoms.

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 longer than 8 hours or increases in intensity you should consult your GP.

Sunburn

Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation and 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.

REMEMBER

If you have any anxieties about any condition (particularly in the case of children, the elderly or infirm) please contact the surgery on 0141 531 9610 to make an appointment or ask for advice. The GPs are available to answer telephone queries between 1 and 2 p.m. and we also offer a limited amount of telephone consultations daily as well as the usual surgeries.

Drs Pettigrew + Partners (August 2006)

Drs Pettigrew, Polding & Henderson

Springburn Health Centre

200 Springburn Way

Glasgow

G21 1TR

Tel: 0141 531 9610

A SELF – HELP GUIDE

ADVICE ON THE TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS

The following is intended as a guide to the treatment and prevention of common ailments.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: IF YOU ARE IN THE LEAST UNSURE OR ANXIOUS, ESPECIALLY OF THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PEOPLE, CONTACT THE SURGERY. Tel: 531 9610.

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 + tendons, supports the whole weight of the upper body. It is, therefore, understandable that it sometimes goes wrong. If the pain has been caused by heavy lifting, be sensible + 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 relieve the pain and help to reduce inflammation. Your GP may well prescribe stronger drugs, heat treatment, gentle exercise or physiotherapy.

Burns

Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible + 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 burn is larger than 4 or 5 cm in diameter or, if the skin is broken, consult your GP or local casualty department.

Chicken Pox

On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about 3 – 4 cm across. Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters appear in the centre of the patches. During the next 3 or 4 days further patches will appear and the earlier ones will turn “crusty” + 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 and up to 5 days after this date. Children should return to school as soon as the last “crusts” have dropped off.

Colds

Even in this day + age 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 aspirin or paracetamol. Do NOT bother to take any antibiotics you may have in the house – these will have no effect.

Diarrhoea + Vomiting

The main treatment aim here is to prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of clear fluids. Vomiting usually settles within a few hours – if it persists beyond 24 hours, consult your GP. In adults and older children, simple remedies from the chemist will help reduce the diarrhoea. Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs careful attention. Most babies have loose bowel action during their first 6 months due to their predominantly liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking the baby off solids and feeding cooled boiled water. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or are accompanied by vomiting or weakness, consult your GP.

Flu

Influenza is another virus infection. It causes fever, aching, shivering + coughing. Usually it subsides in a few days but it may leave the sufferer feeling washed out for a while. Treatment of symptoms with paracetamol is usually all that is possible. If you are concerned, consult your doctor as complications are possible, particularly in the elderly or infirm. For these groups of people a yearly vaccination is advisable + recommended.

German Measles(Rubella)

The rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms + 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 time. The only danger is to unborn babies and therefore it is important that all contacts are informed so that anyone who may be pregnant can contact their GP.

Headlice

These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair and are, therefore, not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Medicated head lotion and various preparations can be obtained from the chemist without prescription.

Insect Bites + Stings

Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms.

Measles

This usually causes high temperature, cough + sore eyes before the typical rash occurs. This rash is red, blotchy and occurs on the face and trunk. It is contagious until 10 days after the rash began. Severe illness is unusual but complications can occur so consult your GP. It is strongly recommended that every child is immunised with the MMR vaccine.