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 and tendons, supports the whole weight of the upper body, and  therefore it is understandable that it sometimes goes wrong. Because of the  complex nature of the spine it is advisable to consult your doctor if back pain persists for more than a few days. If, as is usual, the pain has been caused by abuse, i.e. lifting too heavy weights etc., be sensible and 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 not only relieve the pain, but will help to relieve inflammation. Your doctor 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 and 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 inches in diameter, or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Chicken Pox

On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about 3-4mm across. Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next 3 or 4 days further patches will appear, and the earlier ones will turn "crusty" and 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 appears and up to 5 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. 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 doctor. In adults and older children, Kaolin mixture will help reduce the diarrhoea after the worst is over. 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  doctor.

Flu

Influenza is another viral infection. It causes fever, aching, shivering and 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  and a cough linctus 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.

German Measles (Rubella)

The rash appears during the first day 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 2 days before the rash appears, until the rash disappears in about 4 or 5 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 can contact their doctor.

Headlice

These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair and are, therefore, not a sign of poor personal hygiene. We recommend the ‘Bug Busters’ method of combing wet hair with conditioner applied using a special comb availabe at the chemist. This has to be done regularly but has the advantage of preventing re-infestation. Medicated head lotion can be obtained from chemists.

Insect Bites & Stings

Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms. Note: Bee stings should be scraped away rather than "plucked" in order to avoid squeezing the contents of  the venom sac into the wound.

Measles

This usually causes high temperature, cough and sore eyes, before the typical rash appears. The 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 doctor. It is strongly  recommended that every child is immunised by the MMR vaccine.

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 that day. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor.

Minor Cuts & Grazes

Wash the wound thoroughly with water and 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 in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and  pinch your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time  the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or hot food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Sore Throats/Tonsillitis

Sore throats invariably get better within a few days whatever treatment is 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 for longer than 8 hours or increases in intensity you should consult your doctor.

Sunburn

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