Self Treatment

Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home without the need to consult a doctor.

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, gently exercise or some kind of supportive corset.

BED SORES
Bedsores are far easier to prevent than cure. They are caused by prolonged pressure to certain parts of the body when lying in bed for long periods of time. They can be prevented by encouraging the patient to shift position as often as possible and taking care to smooth out creases in the bottom sheet, which could lead to localised irritation. Keep your eye open for red marks appearing at the pressure points such as heels, elbows, buttocks and hips and if they begin to appear inform the doctor before they get worse.

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
In adults diarrhoea is usually caused by a virus infection and is therefore unable to be treated directly. The symptoms can usually be eased by the traditional Kaolin and Morphine mixture or by medicines containing codeine.

Holiday Diarrhoea is often due to bacteria. Again, Kaolin and Morphine can be taken.

In both the above cases, consult your doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a few days. Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs careful attention. Most babies have loose bowel action during their first six months due to their predominantly liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking the baby off solids and feeding it a solution of boiled water with a teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt to the pint. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or are accompanied by vomiting or weakness consult your doctor.

GASTROENTERITIS
Gastroenteritis describes a group of diseases affecting the stomach or part of the intestine. Symptoms are often diarrhoea, sickness and stomach ache. Because the lining of the stomach is likely to be inflamed medicines are often immediately vomited up.

Large quantities of water, orange juice, milk or thin soup should be taken to counter the effects of dehydration. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist for more than a day or in the case of babies or young children, 6 hours.

GERMAN MEASLES
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.

HEAD LICE
These creatures, contrary to belief, prefer clean hair and are, therefore, not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Medicated head lotion can be obtained from the chemist without prescription.

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
The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body around the fourth day of illness. It is at its most infectious from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears until 8 or 10 days after that date.

Immunisation can prevent this disease.

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.

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 date. If the pain is severe you should consult a doctor.

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 food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

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.

SPRAINS
Firstly apply a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the swelling.

Apply, firmly, a crepe bandage and give the sprain plenty of rest until all discomfort has subsided. Further strain will inevitably lead to further swelling and a longer recovery period.

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.