Patient Services - Health Advice

As part of the team approach to promote health we offer the following few health guidelines.

Accidents

Minor accidents happen to anybody. A simple first aid kit (plaster, bandages, sling, antiseptic) is all you need for most problems.

Blood Pressure/Cholesterol

Both blood pressure and cholesterol can be measured in the surgery and if either are found to be too high then appropriate advice can be given. Please do take advantage of this service as the risk of strokes and heart disease can be cut considerably by attention to these.

Burns and scalds

Immediately run lots of cold water over the burnt area until the pain starts to settle. If the burn appears deep or if it is bigger than a fifty pence piece then you should either go to the surgery or hospital as soon as you can manage. Blisters are good protection and should not be burst. Plasters should not be put on burns as they stick! Use a bandage and a non-stick dressing.

Cigarettes

Cigarettes kill more people than any other single thing in this country and also causes more ill health. Whilst people are gradually realising this (just ask how many doctors smoke!) smoking is actually increasing amongst certain groups, particularly teenage girls.

If you are a smoker, and would rather not be, please make an appointment with any of the health professionals at Somerset Bridge and we shall be more than happy to give you all the help and advice that is necessary.

Cuts

The basic treatment for bleeding is pressure and normally bleeding can be brought under control by firmly pressing the cut preferably with clean tissue or handkerchief for 5 minutes. The area should be gently washed, preferably with a mild antiseptic and covered. If the edges cannot be brought together, or if the wound is dirty or large then you should attend casualty. You will need to check whether a tetanus vaccination is needed.

Diet

It is becoming simpler nowadays to keep a check on your diet. Most products have a list of ingredients. Quite simply the basic advice is plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and as little fat as possible, and avoid excessive alcohol. If you need further advice please see one of the Practice Nurses.

Exercise

Regular exercise is not only useful in promoting health, but is also fun. Everybody should obtain some kind of exercise as a regular part of their lives. Exercise is useful if it makes you a little short of breath and brings up a sweat. If it doesn't then it may not be helping you.

Swimming is recommended by most professionals as the most healthy form of exercise. Walking is useful as long as it is brisk. Cycling and team sports are extremely beneficial, as is jogging. If, however, you have recently been ill or suffer from a debilitating disease such as arthritis, asthma or heart disease please check with your doctor.

Fainting

Fainting is very common and normally harmless. It is particularly common in teenagers and around the menopause. The skin will feel cool to the touch. The victim normally has a few seconds warning before actually passing out. All that happened is that the blood pressure has fallen.

Lie the person down, the blood pressure will return to normal and the patient will soon wake. As long as the person recovers within 5 minutes there is no need to contact a doctor. However, if the problem keeps occurring, is associated with pain, other illnesses, early pregnancy or bleeding, then seek medical advice.

Head Injury

Minor head injuries are very common and if the patient is not knocked out and does not lose memory, then it is unlikely to be serious. However, medical help should always be obtained if the person was knocked out, loses memory, develops double vision, starts being sick or suddenly gets severe headache after the original injury has started to settle. These symptoms could represent delayed concussion which can be serious and particularly in the elderly, can actually happen some weeks after the original injury.

Immunisation

All children are included in a comprehensive scheme of immunisation. Adults should seek advice well before travelling abroad and all adults should have a tetanus booster every 10 years or when they suffer a cut.

Flu vaccination is recommended for over 65's or people suffering from chronic disease. Flu vaccination is given annually every autumn.

Hepatitis vaccination is offered to people such as health workers, police, etc. Who are exposed to risk of infection from members of the public.

Nose bleeds

As with other bleeding, the correct treatment is pressure. Sit still in a chair either leaning forwards or reclining backwards with your mouth open and hold firmly the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes. The clot that forms in the nose should be allowed to stay there. Quite obviously blowing the nose soon after a nose bleed is likely to restart it. If bleeding goes on for more than an hour or if faintness starts to develop then you should lie the victim down and seek medical help.

Sex, Drugs and Alcohol

As a society we are encountering increasing problems relating to sexually transmitted and the use of both alcohol and illicit drugs. We recognise this trend at Somerset Bridge Medical Centre and are very willing to offer help and advice both to individuals concerned and also to their families. Many of these problems can indeed be either prevented or treated and we attempt to offer a non-judgemental approach in handling these problems.

Our patients are encouraged to make appointments with either doctor; nurse or health visitor and we will do our best to offer the appropriate advice or to make the appropriate referral.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

These are an increasing problem and can, amongst other measures, be reduced by the use of barrier methods of contraception (condom, cap, etc). Detailed advice can be obtained from any health professionals at Somerset Bridge.

Smears

Smears are offered every 5 years to women between the ages of 20 and 65 in order to prevent cancer of the neck of the womb.

Sprains

If possible immediately apply a cold compress containing ice (a packet of frozen peas is excellent), this will reduce the swelling. Support the limb with a bandage and where possible elevate the affected limb. It is important to rest the limb usually for 2 or 3 days during which time it should improve. If it fails to do so please contact the doctor. After this time gently exercise to prevent stiffness.