Self Help Information

Most people will have low back pain at some time in their lives, and the vast majority will recover with little or no treatment within six weeks. Usually arising from the discs, joints of the spine, muscles or ligaments, the pain is described as ‘mechanical’. This type of pain is commonest between the ages of 20 and 50.

Pain spreading to the foot or toes is sciatica and merits seeing your doctor if not resolving in a few days. Current advice is to keep going and continue normal daily activities including work, as rest may actually prolong back pain.

Use simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

You should seek medical attention if any of the following occur:

• The pain lasts more than 6 weeks
• Weakness of legs
• Numbness in the groin or buttocks
• Loss of control of bladder or bowels
• Aching pain at night disturbing sleep
• You have fever, sweating or chills

On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about 3-4 mm across. Within a few hours, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next three or four 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 two or three days before the rash appears and up to five days after this date. Children may return to school as soon as the last ‘crusts’ have dropped off.

Colds

Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, take plenty of drinks. It is probably best to stay at home to avoid spreading your cold to others. Take it easy and rest if possible. Keep warm, and keep the atmosphere moist. Drink plenty of fluids, as you will lose a lot through mucus production and possibly perspiration. Avoid smoking if possible, as it will further irritate the throat and the lining of the nose.

Take aspirin or paracetamol as per the dosage.

Nosebleeds

If you are having a nosebleed you should: Sit down and firmly pinch the soft part of your nasal cavity, just above your nostrils, together for 10 minutes, lean forward and breathe through your mouth leaning forward drains the blood down your nose instead of down the back of your throat, maintain the pressure on your nose for 15 minutes (time this on the clock) in order for the blood to clot, place a covered ice pack on your cheek to help soothe the area, the bleeding should stop and not start again, unless your nose is knocked or picked, and avoid blowing your nose and strenuous activity for at least 12 hours after a nosebleed. Avoid hot drinks for a few hours after that.

Try also not to wipe your nose too much, or to sneeze. If the bleeding persists, consult your doctor.

Children

Many babies have diarrhoea and vomiting 3 times a year. Most vomiting gets better within 3 days and diarrhoea within a week, but 2 weeks is possible. Medication is rarely of any benefit. Give small amount of fluids often, even to a child who is vomiting. Avoid fruit juices and carbonated drinks. In severe cases an oral rehydration mixture is recommended that can be bought from Pharmacies. If a child is hungry and willing to take feeds, continue them. Continue breast feeding. There is no need to starve the patient. A diet of bland carbohydrate such as rice and soups is a good start during recovery. A child under 1 year ill for more than 2 days should see a doctor. If there is a fever, see specific advice.

Signs of worsening illness to look out for are:

• Decreased urine output or few or dry nappies
• Dry mouth or tongue
• Pale or cold skin
• Blood in motions
• Lethargy or unusual sleepiness

Adults

Gastroenteritis in adults is rarely serious. Drink plenty of fluids, say 200ml after each loose stool. If you are vomiting, take small sips of fluid slowly. Resume a normal diet as soon as you feel well enough. For diarrhoea, over the counter medication such as loperamide is useful.

Seek medical advice if:

• There is blood in the stools
• You have worsening abdominal pain
• You develop a high fever
• There is drowsiness or confusion
• You have diarrhoea for more than a week
• You have recently come back from abroad
• You have recently been discharged from hospital

It is worthwhile purchasing a digital electronic thermometer, which is best placed in the child’s armpit to record the temperature – forehead thermometers are less accurate. The infra-red type that measures the temperature of the ear drum is the most reliable. Significant fever is defined as a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more. Most cases are viral and will recover rapidly. Use paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed to lower the temperature, but we no longer recommend tepid sponging. Give plenty of fluids.

However, there are circumstances when you need to seek medical advice:

• An infant under 3 months
• Fever lasing more than 5 days
• A rash that doesn’t blanch on pressure – see below
• Unusual sleepiness
• Dry nappies or not passing much urine
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty breathing

The glass test is used on rashes to exclude serious illness.

Press a clear glass or plastic tumbler firmly onto the affected skin; the rash should fade or blanch as blood is squeezed out of the skin – if it doesn’t, seek urgent medical attention.

If you are stung by a wasp, bee, hornet, etc, then scrape out the sting as quickly as possible. Do not pluck it out as this may squeeze more venom into the skin. In most cases the sting causes pain and slight swelling, but has little other effect.

Some people are allergic to stings and can develop reactions that can be life-threatening.

Call an ambulance immediately if you suspect an allergic reaction soon after being stung.

Insect bites (not stings) rarely cause serious allergic reactions but can cause small itchy lumps to appear on the skin. Itch may be eased by a soothing ointment, antihistamine tablets, or steroid cream. Some insects infest pets, furniture, etc, and can cause repeated bites.

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

Measles

The symptoms of measles usually begin to develop about 7-11 days after the person first becomes infected. The first symptoms are normally similar to those of a bad cold:

• Fever
• Runny nose
• Sore throat and a cough

A few days later a bright red, blotchy rash breaks out on the forehead, face and neck. Within a few days the rash spreads to the body, arms and legs, by which time the rash will begin to fade from the face.

Measles is most infectious from two or three days before the rash appears until eight or ten days after that date. Though the rash is very dramatic, measles is accompanied by more upsetting symptoms:

• The whites of the eyes and inside the nose become sore, red and watery
• A cough develops
• and many patients also suffer from earache.

Paracetamol syrup and a simple cough linctus will help. The patient will also find comfort staying away from bright sunlight in a shaded room.

If the symptoms are very distressing contact your doctor.

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Mumps

Mumps is an infectious illness caused by a virus.

In the 2004-2005 mumps epidemic, most of the people infected with the virus were aged between 15 and 24, but you can catch it at any age.

It is now less common because of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination. It is most easily caught from people with the infection from two to six days before they get swollen glands to about nine days after. It usually takes about 14 to 21 days to develop symptoms after being exposed to the virus (the incubation period).

About one in three children with mumps don’t get any symptoms. At first, the symptoms of mumps are similar to those of flu, and can include:

• fever
• headache
• sore throat
• earache that is made worse by chewing
• pain on chewing and swallowing
• loss of appetite
• tiredness and muscle aches.

If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor.

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Rubella (German Measles)

Symptoms of German measles can include any of the following:

• Slight fever sometimes accompanied by a runny nose.
• Swollen glands behind the ears and around the neck
• Loss of appetite
• Sore throat
• Rash that starts on the face and then spreads to the body. This rash usually lasts for about 3 days and usually covers the body, arms and 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 two days before the rash appears, until the rash disappears in about four or five days from that date.

The only danger is to unborn babies and, therefore, it is important that all contacts are informed in order that anyone who may be pregnant may contact their doctor.

Minor Cuts and Grazes

Most cuts and grazes are minor and can be easily treated at home. Cleaning them thoroughly and covering them with a plaster or dressing is all that’s needed.

Stopping the bleeding

If your cut or graze is bleeding heavily or is on a particularly delicate area of your body, such as the palm of your hand, you should stop the bleeding before applying any kind of dressing.

Apply pressure to the area using a bandage or a towel. If the cut is to your hand or arm, raise it above your head. If the injury is to a lower limb, lie down and raise the affected area above the level of your heart so the bleeding slows down and stops.

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Dressing

To dress a cut or graze at home:

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly
• Clean the wound under running tap water, but do not use antiseptic because it may damage the tissue and slow down healing
• Pat the area dry with a clean towel
• Apply a sterile adhesive dressing, such as a plaster

Keep the dressing clean by changing it as often as necessary. Keep the wound dry by using waterproof dressings, which will allow you to take showers.

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Sprains

Firstly apply a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for 15 to 30 minutes. A bag of frozen peas is ideal for this. This will reduce blood flow to the sprained area and, therefore, minimise bruising and subsequent swelling. Apply, firmly, a crepe bandage and give the sprain plenty of rest until the discomfort has subsided. If possible, keep the sprained joint raised.

This will make it more comfortable and less swollen.