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How Do-It-Yourself Healthcare Works Most of Us Can Treat Ourselves for Minor Illnesses Without Having to Worry Busy Doctors, Discovers Jennifer Veitch

Posted on: Monday, 6 February 2006, 09:00 CST

By Jennifer Veitch

LONG before the days of the National Health Service, families usually coped with sickness and ill health without the help of even a friendly neighbourhood apothecary, let alone the skills of a highly trained doctor or nurse. But with pressure increasing on the health service - as well on as most people's time for sitting in waiting rooms - it can often be forgotten that most of us are eminently capable of treating ourselves when we fall ill.

Colds, flu bugs and upset stomachs are the most common ailments, especially during the winter months, and are undoubtedly very unpleasant to endure - both for the patient and whichever unfortunate family member is landed with the unofficial nursing duties.

It may be advisable to seek expert guidance when elderly people, young children or those with chronic conditions such as asthma fall ill, but, formost fit and healthy people, cold, flu and stomach bug symptoms should pass within a few days without any further complications.

Yet there is widespread confusion about what to do and which (if any) health services to call on when someone in the family is ill. Research by the health education charity, Doctor Patient Partnership, recently found that 72percent of Scots mistakenly thought that a GP was required to visit them on request.

The Scottish Executive recently launched a campaign to encourage the public to make the best use of the health service, calling an ambulance, a GP or using accident and emergency departments only if absolutely necessary.

The first port of call may be your local pharmacist who can advise on common conditions such as f lu and stomach bugs. If you feel you need further advice, and your GP's surgery is closed, the next step is to call the national helpline, NHS 24, so that a nurse adviser can offer expert advice on treatment, or guidance on what to do next.

"So that help can get to those who need it most, particularly during the winter period, traditionally a busy time for the whole NHS, people should use out-of-hours services when they feel their condition can't wait until theirGP's practice is open, " says Eunice Muir, nurse directorwith NHS 24.

"There are lots of simple things you can do to help your NHS at this busy time. If you take regular medication, ensure that you have an adequate supply to see you through weekends, public holidays and holidays away from home. You should make sure that you have your request for your repeat prescription into your GP surgery in plenty time so that you can collect your medication from the pharmacist before they close."

She adds that most common ailments can be easily treated at home. "If you do feel unwell, there are lots of things you can do to treat your symptoms at home. We would advise people to stock up their home medicine cabinets with suitable over-the-counter remedies to treat yourself and your family for common winter illnesses. These are things such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, along with sore throat and cough remedies. Your local community pharmacist can advise you on the most suitable remedies for you."

Muir adds that a high number of calls to NHS 24 are for conditions that can be safely treated at home, with the support of pharmacists. "Many of our calls are pharmacy-related and can safely be dealt with by pharmacists who are highly skilled and trained professionals.

"We work closely with community pharmacists who can answer any questions you may have about choosing and using the right medicine, provide easy-to-understand advice on treating everyday ailments, and help you decide whether you need to see a doctor.

"We also have a number of pharmacists working directly for NHS 24 in our contact centres who are able to answer pharmacy-related calls that may come into the service, thus freeing up our nurses to deal with clinical symptom-based queries. Community pharmacists will also provide services and advice on many other medical matters."

Where to get more advice on health for your family:

If your GP surgery is closed or you are unsure what to do, call the confidential NHS 24 helpline on 08454 24 24 24 or, for a self- help guide to common conditions, visit www. nhs24. com For information and advice on treating flu, visit www. infoscotland. com/ flu For information on health and disease, visit www. patient. co. uk For information on stomach bugs, visit www. digestivedisorders. org. uk

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

MODERN medicine has a treatment, if not a cure, for most ills. But many people prefer to use complementary remedies and alternative therapies to help them to cope with common ailments.

Simple relaxation techniques can help to alleviate stress and tension and reduce aches and pains, and aromatherapy is one of the most widely used alternative treatments for family health and well- being.

According to Valerie Ann Worwood, author of The Fragrant Pharmacy, there are roughly 300 essential oils, extracted from flowers, fruits, leaves and trees, which can provide effective treatments for a range of ailments. "Each single oil is used for many diverse purposes, " she says. "For example, peppermint oil is an antiinflammatory used to treat rheumatism and arthritis, and it is prescribed by doctors for the relief of discomfort in the digestive system."

She recommends a basic care kit of 10 oils - lavender, tea tree, peppermint, chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, rosemary, thyme, lemon and clove. These can be inhaled through steam or on a tissue, vaporised using an oil burner, added to baths or diluted in a carrier oil for massage.

Lavender oil is one of the most versatile essential oils. It can treat headaches, aid restful sleep and even soothe cuts or burns, as it is one of the few oils that is gentle enough to be applied neat to the skin. It is also valued by aromatherapists for its anti- depressive qualities. Tea tree oil - a highly antiseptic traditional remedy used by the Aborigines in Australia - is useful for a range of skin conditions including acne and sunburn. One of Worwood's favourites is geranium, which has antiseptic and astringent properties, and is reputed to calm the nerves and reduce stress.

The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood is published by Bantam ([GBP]9.99).

DENTAL HEALTH

IT is a sign of the success of NHS dentistry that more people are now reaching old age with all - or at least most of - their own teeth. But it takes a lifetime of daily dental care to stop the rot from setting in, and children should be encouraged to look after their teeth from a young age.

The British Dental Health Foundation recommends that everyone brushes their teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, using a soft bristle brush to reach the gaps between the teeth and tilting the bristles at a 45-degree angle against the gumline to aid plaque removal. To avoid bad breath, clean your tongue using your toothbrush or a tongue scraper, and floss once a day to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth.

Toothbrushes should be replaced regularly, once every two to three months. Avoiding sugary drinks and snacks will reduce the risk of tooth decay, as will chewing sugar-free gum after eating.

"The important thing is that people need to develop a good oral health routine, " says Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation. "This includes twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on the frequency of sugary foods and drinks, and visiting your dentist regularly."

Dentists will also check for signs and symptoms of oral cancer - cases of which are growing faster in the UK than any other cancer. So a routine visit may save more than your teeth, according to Dr Carter.

"The condition is now affecting more women and younger people than ever too, " he says, "so whether you are a smoker, nonsmoker, young or old, you still need to keep an eye on your mouth.

"If you notice any changes, get it checked by a dentist - it could save your life."

The British Dental Health Foundation's helpline, which offers free impartial dental advice, can be contacted on 0845 063 1188, 9am- 5pm, Monday to Friday, or by e-mailing helpline@dentalhealth. org. uk.

Medicine cabinet essentials

NHS Scotland recommends keeping the following medicines on hand - but out of the reach of children - in addition to a basic first aid kit:

Remember to read all labels, and do not take more than the recommended dose of any medicine, for example, paracetamol is in a number of different flu remedies, as well as standard paracetamol tablets.

PPain relief: Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin are the most common pain killers. Aspirin and ibuprofen also reduce inflammation (please remember aspirin should not be given to anyone under 16 years of age unless instructed to do so by a doctor).

AAnti-histamines: These help allergies and runny noses and are available as tablets and liquids.

SSore throat remedy: General pain relief is recommended, for example, paracetamol. Adults may gargle with soluble aspirin.

Throat lozenges and sprays may also ease symptoms.

Cough linctus: Many different types are available. These will either stop a cough or loosen it.

Diarrhoea treatments: Make sure you drink plenty of nonalcoholic liquids for the first 24 hours. Your pharmacist can also recommend rehydration drinks, which you add to water.

Indigestion remedy: Various different types are available. A simple antacid will relieve the majority of symptoms.

Hangover treatments: It is important to drink plenty water or nonalcoholic liquids. There are specific rehydration remedies available from your pharmacy which include paracetamol.

Children's medicines: Children's varieties are available for most of these medicines, so ask your pharmacist. Try to have both paracetamol and ibuprofen available in liquid form in addition to a liquid anti-histamine.

Source: Herald, The; Glasgow (UK)

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