Mathukia Surgery: 0208 553 9577

January

BURNS TO THE HAND

When attending to a burn on the hand remember to remove braclets watches and rings as soon as possible. This can be done during the cooling process.

Beware burnt tissue can swell quite dramatically. A ring could seriously reduce blood flow to the ends of the fingers and would have to be removed with cutters in hospital


February

GETTING HELP

If you're not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.


March 

HOW TO AVOID HYPOS

  • Eat Regularly.
  • Keep to recommended alcohol limits and do not drink on an empty stomach.
  • Take your insulin at recommended doses and times.
  • Test before driving and do not drive if your blood glucose is less than 5 mmol/l
  • Always carry glucose, snacks and your meter.
  • You may need to reduce insulin doses before and after exercise.
  • If you have a lot of hypos ask to see the specialist diabetes team.
  • Finally don't forget to complete and carry your Insulin Passport.

April 

MEDICINE CHEST

Minor Illnesses or accidents can happen at any time so it's worth being prepared. It makes sense to keep some first aid and simple remedies in a safe place to treat minor complaints and accidents.

  1. Paracetamol.
  2. Mild laxatives.
  3. Anti–diarrhoeal medicines.
  4. Rehydration mixture.
  5. Indigestion remedy (for example antacids).
  6. Travel-sickness tablets.
  7. Sunscreen – SPF 15 or higher.
  8. Sunburn Treatment (for example Calamine).
  9. Tweezers and sharp scissors.
  10. A thermometer.
  11. A selection of plasters, non-absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings.

Remember

  • Keep the medicine chest in a secure place, out of reach of small children.
  • Always read the instructions.
  • Watch expiry dates – don't keep or use medicines past the sell-by date.
  • Take all unwanted and out of date medicines back to the pharmacy. This is to stop medicines getting into the water supply and the wrong people getting hold of medicines someone else has thrown away.

May 

FRACTURES

The vast majority of fractures are not life threatening and very few fractures have the potential to cause serious problems. However they are nearly always very painful and, for the first person on scene, the desire is to "do something" is very very strong. Often the first thought is to apply a sling to keep "everything" as still as possible. To apply a sling inevitably requires moving the injured limb, movement is bad news for fractured limbs. Keep the patient as still as possible and use gentle support to immobilise the fracture. Use a rolled up blanket or a pillow to support the limb "IN THE POSITION FOUND" Dial 999 for help and then stay with the patient.

There is a lot more that could be said about fractures but WPPG have tried to keep it simple.


June 

HAY FEVER (Part One)

Imagine that you are a Grenadier Guard, standing in a sentry box. You surreptitiously watch the approach of a small, mischievous looking young boy. It could be a child but for clarity it makes more sense to implicate -  a boy!!

Hay fever is the result of our bodies immune system, overreacting, to something that is perceived as a threat when, in fact, the body isn’t really under any kind of threat.

As we know our bodies are made of millions and millions of microscopic cells. There are many different kinds of cells, they have specific tasks, they work collectively to maintain our health and growth. One collection of cells work together to keep us healthy, to fight disease, to fight infection, to stop invaders entering the body.

This collection of cells is called the immune system.

Sometimes, the immune system, for reasons that we do not understand, overreacts to a perceived threat - a small mischievous boy, dust, pollen, car fumes, the list could go on. We all react differently to different irritants.

Imagine the Grenadier Guard pressing the panic button if the small boy approaches a little too close for comfort. The small boy is immediately surrounded by very large muscular soldiers squirting pepper spray. Instantaneously the boys eyes begin to run, his eyes are itchy, his nose starts to run and he can’t stop sneezing.

For some people, about 25% of the population, their bodies natural defence system; the immune system, overreacts to a perceived threat. Pollen, dust, grass cuttings may  trigger a defensive chain reaction that results in the immune system producing large quantities of HISTAMINE. (Soldiers with pepper spray) Histamine is responsible for the following symptoms:-

  • frequent sneezing
  • runny or blocked nose
  • itchy, red or watery eyes
  • an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears

Less commonly, you may experience:

  • the loss of your sense of smell
  • facial pain (caused by blocked sinuses)
  • headaches
  • earache
  • tiredness and fatigue

One method of treating hay fever is to take………….. Anti Histamine.


July 

HAY FEVER (Part two)

Do not delay visiting the doctor if you suffer from hay fever symptoms, especially if you suffer with asthma.

The following self help ideas my help to alleviate the symptoms. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

Hay fever can be horrible for adults and for children (runny noses aren't fun, and a blocked nose disrupts sleep - beware exam time -). Practical measures to reduce exposure to pollen do help, but, sadly, most people don't take them. Pollen levels are highest in the early morning and early evening so keep windows (including in the car) closed.

If possible, stay indoors when the pollen count is high, over 50.

If it becomes too warm indoors, draw the curtains to reduce the temperature.

Remove cut flowers, vacuum every day and dust with a damp cloth to prevent pollen from being spread.

Keep pets out of the house. If pets must be brought into the house wash them.

Do NOT allow any body to smoke inside the house or near to entrance doors.

When children/adults have to go outside:-

Wraparound sunglasses will help to protect their eyes, and smearing Vaseline inside their nose can reduce pollen inhalation.

When travelling in the car keep the windows closed and fit a pollen filter to the air vents.

Encourage all members of the household to take a shower when they come in from outside as pollen sticks on hair and skin. It is also a good idea to wash outdoor clothes, and change into “Indoor cloths,” after the shower.


August

Sun bathing

Did you know that “Sun” means, “Yellow Dwarf.”

If the Sun was hollow, you could fit about a million planet earths inside it.

The Sun does a number of things, some good and some, sorry to say, bad.

About 40 years ago, I was in a hospital ward for nearly three weeks. The weather was pretty good and, to all the patients delight, one sunny morning, the nurses pushed all the patients, still bed bound, outside onto the veranda. It was wonderful to feel the sunshine and the warmth on our faces. I for one felt much much better.

Recent studies have given scientific credence to my, “feel good” experience. Sunshine can reduce stress. Patients nursed in sunny rooms reported experiencing less pain and needed less medication. Exposure to sunlight resulted, for many patients, better quality of sleep. And, of course exposure to sunshine stimulates our body to produce vitamin D which helps to keep our bones healthy.

However have you noticed that furniture fades in the sunshine. The paint work of cars fades in the sunshine. The sun will dry the earth to the point where it becomes rock hard and impossible to cultivate, without a good supply of water plants wither and die.

Over exposure to the sun damages our skin and increases the risk of cancer, - malignant melanoma.

So sunshine is good for us but overexposure is definitely not good for us. Take care, prevention is better than cure.

Use sunscreen of at least SPF15 (sun protection factor) with four or five stars, applying it generously half an hour before and again shortly after going out in the sun. The sunscreen’s star rating shows its ability to protect your skin from damage and premature ageing. Reapply sunscreen at least every 2–3 hours and if you’ve been in water, reapply when you are dry.

Get to know your skin type – whether you burn easily can influence the strength of sunscreen you should use and how long you can be outside in the sun without burning.

Remember that anyone can develop skin cancer, so it’s important to protect your skin whatever your skin type. When you’re using sunscreen, apply it to your ears if they’re exposed, as well as your face, neck, arms, any bald patches on your head and any other uncovered part of your body.

A hat will protect your head, face, ears and eyes. Wear sunglasses that have a CE mark, UV400 label or a statement that they offer 100 per cent UV (ultraviolet) protection. When the weather is hot, your skin may also feel drier than usual. Using moisturiser can help keep your skin healthy.


September

Vaccine For Meningitis

“My computer has crashed and I cannot access any of my information or data.”…………..Nightmare!!

Recently a group of older teenagers were asked, “If your house was on fire which one thing would you try to save as you escaped from the house”? The vast majority of replies indicated that their phone or their computer would be the one thing that they would save.

Now imagine that you had to decide which one of your organs you would choose to save? heart, kidneys, lungs stomach or brain? ………… Think Computer think Brain.

Your brain is incredibly well protected, nourished cared for, it’s every need is catered for. However sometimes one of the protective systems  may not work so well, it might become infected, the result  could be similar to your computer crashing. You would cease to function.

If you are wrapping a fragile item, ready for posting; before placing it into a hard protective box you might cover it in a layer of cling film and then tissue paper and finally a protective layer of bubble wrap. Your brain is protected by a bony box and also by three layers of “Wrapping” - cling film, tissue paper and bubble wrap.

Doctors refer to these three layers as the Meninges. If these protective coverings become infected we refer to this as - Meningitis.

At the moment a very nasty strain of Meningitis has reared its ugly head and older teenagers are most susceptible. If you are about to leave school to begin work or study in an environment where you will be with lots of people, e.g. university or college, your chance of contracting meningitis is increased quite considerably. However not too worry.  A vaccine - MenACWY - is available and is being offered to 17 and 18 year olds. Prevention is better than cure and vaccination is the only way to prevent contracting Meningitis.

If you are 17 or 18 this year then please consider carefully the offer of the vaccination.

Rarely people who have contracted Meningitis die from the disease. Those who recover are left, sometimes, with severe impairment

• a borderline low IQ (<85), both verbal and non-verbal

• deficits across all aspects of memory and an inability to plan and make decisions.

  • hearing loss
  • amputation
  • epilepsy
  • speech and communication problems

Please consider the offer of the vaccination.


October

The Flu Jab

What’s the difference between bird flu and swine flu?

For bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment.

* Phil Proctor

* Flu, if somebody offered you a thousand pounds to simply get out of bed you would tell them to,……… go away.

* You feel awful, your muscles ache, you are feverish, you might have a cough and terrible sore throat and symptoms last for about ten days.

* REMEMBER the flu is a virus. Antibiotics will not make you better. You would not put salt and vinegar onto apple crumble, do not expect antibiotics if you have the flu.

The “Flu Jab” is designed to protect you from the worst effects of this years “Flu Bug”.

The flu virus changes it’s tactics every year, a bit like a young child trying to find ever new methods to extract more pocket money from mum and dad, flu protection only lasts for about twelve months.

Some people are at greater risk of developing serious complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia and flu can be more severe in certain people:

• anyone over the age of 65

• pregnant women

• children and adults with an underlying health condition (particularly long-term heart or chest disease)

• children and adults with weakened immune systems.

Weakened immune system?——— You know how grandma nearly always gives in to requests for more cake or pocket money,………. her resolve is weakened compared to mum and dad. Grandma is not as “immune” to her grandchildren's requests!! I know, shopping trips with the grandchildren are expensive!!

After you’ve had the jab you might have a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days - however, nothing to worry about. Also, as a nice bonus, recent research suggests that having the flu jab reduces your risk of having a stroke.

If you tried to take part in the Great North Run without doing proper training you would feel pretty awful at the end of the run. Indeed you could be very poorly!! You start your preparations early, run a short distance to

begin with, kind of a shortened version of the real thing. The jab, ( proper name - vaccine) gives your body’s defences the opportunity to, “get into training” or if you like , be prepared.

By the way, did you know that a sneeze comes out of your mouth at 100mph. The “cloud” of bugs, from the sneeze, can travel about 200 feet!!!!

The only way to protect yourself against the flu is to have this years jab.

Please ask your doctor for information about having the flu jab


November

Antibiotics

Travelling to the shops, perhaps a distance of half a mile?

Visiting grandma; she lives just over a mile away.

Taking the children to school, only 500 yards?

Going to the seaside, only 20 miles away?

Quick day trip to the Lakes, takes about one and a half hours, -  by car.

Yes, “BY CAR.” No matter how short or, within reason, how long, if we are travelling somewhere or nipping down to the shops we tend to think - “GO BY CAR” Travelling any distance greater than quarter of a mile we think - “CAR!!!”

For many of us the first thought for transport is “CAR”

Do ever consider the alternatives? Bus, Taxi, Bike or walk?

If we are feeling a little poorly; headache, bad cold - could be flu - or even, man flu. And what do you know, we feel bad enough to need the GP, we tend to think….. ANTIBIOTICS!!!!!  “Come on Doc just give me something that will make me better.”

Do we consider the alternatives? I might be feeling bad because my illness  has been caused by a fungal infection or a virus?

There could many reasons why you feel poorly but we tend to think - “CAR” -  sorry we tend to jump to the conclusion that -   ANTIBIOTICS -  will always make us better.

Do not assume that ANTIBIOTICS will cure all ills. Consider the alternatives before assuming that your health problem was caused by a bacteria.

We would not even consider using the car if we were travelling to America or Australia. There are many many journeys when the most appropriate means of transport would be by boat or plane. There are many times when using antibiotics will do nothing to make us better. Indeed inappropriate use of antibiotics may well cause harm.