Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor’s appointment. It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete’s foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.

Self-care

Keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated with medicines that are available over the counter. Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label and consult your doctor if the illness continues or becomes more severe.

Your Local Pharmacist

Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time – you don’t need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Your local Pharmacist can also advise on healthy eating.

Pharmacists can also advise on health eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you visit your GP for more serious symptoms. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription.

Accident & Emergency (A&E)

Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:

• loss of consciousness,
• pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,
• acute confused state,
• persistent, severe chest pain,
• breathing difficulties.

If you’re injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union.

Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an A&E department.

Patients across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to use the Pharmacy First service at their local chemist for a range of everyday health conditions. The Pharmacy First Everyday Health Conditions service offers advice and treatment for a range of conditions such as:

• acne
• diarrhoea
• headlice
• thrush

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice and treatment options for common conditions or refer patients on to other healthcare professionals as appropriate.

Patients can visit every pharmacy in Northern Ireland where they will receive a consultation with a pharmacist. Community pharmacies are more likely to be open in the evening and at weekends, and no appointments are necessary to speak to a pharmacist.

Last year, over 150,000 people used the Pharmacy First service for one of 13 conditions.

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Professor Cathy Harrison said: “Community pharmacies are an integral part of the Health Service, delivering services at the heart of the community. Pharmacy First allows patients to consult with a highly-trained professional without having to wait. This relieves pressures on other in-demand care providers such as GPs or Emergency Departments.

“The Health Service is under pressure now more so than ever before. Pharmacy First is part of a planned, coordinated and consistent approach to mitigate the burden on healthcare trusts and staff this winter.”

More information about the Pharmacy First service can be found on the HSC NI website(external link opens in a new window / tab).

Acute diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and affects almost everyone from time to time. A common cause in both children and adults is gastroenteritis, an infection of the bowel. Bouts of diarrhoea in adults may also be brought on by anxiety or drinking too much coffee or alcohol. Diarrhoea may also be a side effect of a medication

Macmillan Cancer Support

Go to the Macmillan Cancer Support website for information on diarrhoea as a result of cancer treatments

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice

Backache may be triggered by overuse, injury, lifting a heavy object, gardening or moving a bulky piece of furniture. Long hours sitting at a desk, poor posture, heavy housework, pregnancy or anything that puts a strain on the muscles that support your spine can lead to problems. It is often the result of an inactive lifestyle, so physical activity and eating healthily will help prevent back pain.

Back pain can also be due to the medical conditions:

• osteoporosis
• osteoarthritis.

National Osteoporosis Society(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Avoiding back pain

To help you avoid backache:

• watch your posture, particularly if you sit down a lot – take regular breaks to walk around and stretch out
• when lifting anything, bend your knees, keep your stomach pulled in and hold the item close to you
• stay within the normal weight range for your height – excess weight puts pressure on your spine
• stay active – walking and swimming are great for keeping your back in shape
• if you work at a desk, your feet should be flat on the floor or suitably supported
• on long car journeys, put a cushion behind your back and take breaks to stretch your legs
• save high heels for special occasions as they put a strain on your spine
• strengthen your core muscles by being active and exercising

If you have backache

Most back pain gets better on its own. The worst thing you can do is stay in bed as this weakens the muscles that support the spine. Instead, try to keep moving and take painkillers such as paracetamol(external link opens in a new window / tab) or ibuprofen(external link opens in a new window / tab).

A hot-water bottle may help to relax muscles.

If you are forced to stay in bed, stay there for as short a time as possible (no more than three days) and get up and move around now and again.

As soon as you can, do some light activity such as walking, cycling or swimming.

For more information visit: nidirect.gov.uk

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice

Signs and symptoms of a chest infection

The main symptoms of a chest infection can include:

• a persistent cough
• coughing up yellow or green phlegm (thick mucus), or coughing up blood
• breathlessness or rapid and shallow breathing
• wheezing
• a high temperature (fever)
• a rapid heartbeat
• chest pain or tightness when taking a breath
• feeling confused and disorientated

You may also experience more general symptoms of an infection, such as:

• a headache
• fatigue
• sweating
• loss of appetite
• joint and muscle pain

What causes chest infections

A chest infection is an infection of the lungs or airways. The main types of chest infection are:

• bronchitis
• pneumonia

Most bronchitis cases are caused by viruses. Most pneumonia cases are due to bacteria.

These infections are usually spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This launches tiny droplets of fluid containing the virus or bacteria into the air. These droplets can then be breathed in by others.

The infections can also be spread to others. This happens if you cough or sneeze onto your hand, an object or a surface, and someone else shakes your hand or touches those surfaces before touching their mouth or nose.

Certain groups of people have a higher risk of developing serious chest infections, such as:

• babies and very young children
• children with developmental problems
• people who are very overweight
• elderly people
• pregnant women
• people who smoke
• people with long-term health conditions such as:
  • asthma
  • heart disease
  • diabetes
  • kidney disease
  • cystic fibrosis
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• people with a weakened immune system – this could be due to:
  • a recent illness
  • a transplant
  • high-dose steroids
  • chemotherapy
  • a health condition such as:
    • an undiagnosed HIV infection

Caring for your symptoms at home

Many chest infections aren’t serious and get better within a few days or weeks. You won’t usually need to see your GP, unless your symptoms suggest you have a more serious infection. While you recover at home, you can improve your symptoms by:

• getting plenty of rest
• drinking lots of fluid to prevent dehydration and to loosen the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough up
• treating headaches, fever and aches and pains with painkillers, such as paracetamol  or ibuprofen
• drinking a warm drink of honey and lemon to relieve a sore throat caused by persistent coughing
• raising your head up with extra pillows while you’re sleeping to make breathing easier
• using an air humidifier or inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water to ease your cough (hot water shouldn’t be used to treat young children with a cough, due to the risk of scalds – running hot water briefly in a bathroom, to create steam, and bringing your child into it, after draining the hot water away, might be a safer alternative)
• stopping smoking

Avoid cough medicines, as there’s little evidence they work. Coughing actually helps you clear the infection more quickly by getting rid of the phlegm from your lungs.

Antibiotics aren’t recommended for many chest infections. They only work if the infection is caused by bacteria, rather than a virus. Your GP will usually only prescribe antibiotics if they think you have pneumonia, or you’re at risk of complications such as fluid building up around the lungs (pleurisy).

If there’s a flu outbreak in your local area and you’re at risk of serious infection, your GP may also prescribe antiviral medication.

When to see your GP

You should see your GP if:

• you feel very unwell or your symptoms are severe
• your symptoms are not improving after allowing a reasonable period of time (with a viral bronchitis, the cough generally lasts seven to 10 days, however, 45 per cent of people will still have a cough after two weeks, and 25 per cent will still have a cough after three weeks)
• you feel confused, disorientated or drowsy
• you have chest pain or difficulty breathing
• you cough up blood or blood-stained phlegm
• your skin or lips develop a blue tinge (cyanosis)
• you’re very overweight and have difficulty breathing
• you have a weakened immune system
• you have a long-term health condition

It is also important to see your GP if:

• you think your child (under five years of age) has a chest infection
• you’re pregnant
• you’re 65 or over
• and your symptoms are getting worse, or your child’s condition is deteriorating.

Your GP should be able to diagnose you based on your symptoms. They will also listen to your chest using a stethoscope (a medical instrument used to listen to the heart and lungs).

In some cases, further tests, such as a chest X-ray, breathing tests and testing phlegm or blood samples, may be necessary.

For more information visit: nidirect.gov.uk

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice

Symptoms of a cold

The symptoms of a cold usually develop within a day or two of becoming infected. The main symptoms include:

• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• sneezing
• a cough
• a hoarse voice
• generally feeling unwell

Less common symptoms of a cold include:

• a fever (high temperature) – generally considered to be 38C (100.4F) or over (see fever in children)
• a headache
• earache – severe earache may be a sign of a middle ear infection
• muscle pain
• loss of taste and smell
• mild irritation of your eyes
• a feeling of pressure in your ears and face

The symptoms are usually at their worst during the first two to three days, before they gradually start to improve. In adults and older children, they usually last about 7 to 10 days, but can last longer. A cough in particular can last for two or three weeks.

Colds tend to last longer in younger children who are under five, typically lasting around 10 to 14 days.

For more information visit: nidirect.gov.uk

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice