Looking After Yourself (Self Care)
Did you know you can treat lots of small illnesses at home?
If you take care of small problems yourself, doctors have more time to help people who are very ill.
You can often treat these at home:
- Back pain
- Skin rashes
- Tummy pain (heartburn or indigestion)
- Blocked nose
- Constipation (when you can’t poo)
- Migraines (bad headaches)
- Coughs
- Spots (acne)
- Sprains (twisted ankle or wrist)
- Headaches
You can find help on the NHS website. Visit the NHS website
Antibiotics
Many people go to the doctor with coughs, sore throats, or chest infections.
Most of these are caused by viruses.
👉 Antibiotics do not work on viruses.
If you are usually healthy, you can get better by:
- Resting
- Drinking lots of fluids
- Taking paracetamol
Here’s how long some illnesses usually last:
- Earache: about 4 days (most get better on their own)
- Sore throat: about 7 days
- Sinus problems: about 2 weeks
- Cough or bronchitis: about 3 weeks
Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them can make them stop working in the future.
Patients with long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes and COPD are eligible for flu and pneumococcal vaccinations. Ask at reception for more information.
The Little Orange Book offers help and advice to parents caring for babies and young children
Medicine cabinet
You can treat many minor ailments such as colds, coughs and indigestion by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.
We suggest you keep the following:
- Paracetamol and aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin)
- Mild laxatives
- Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
- Rehydration mixture
- Indigestion remedy (for example, antacids)
- Travel sickness tablets
- Sunscreen – SPF15 or higher
- Sunburn treatment (for example, calamine)
- Tweezers and sharp scissors
- A thermometer
- A selection of plasters, non-absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings
Remember:
- Keep the medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children
- Always read the instructions and use the suggested dose
- Watch expiry dates – don’t keep or use medicines past their sell-by date
- Take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy
Other NHS services
As well as our practice, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment.
You can ask your local pharmacist about lots of health issues, including when to visit your GP. And there’s no need for an appointment.
