November 4th National Stress Awareness Day

People now-a-days seem to be experiencing more stress and it can have a negative impact on your enjoyment of life and also your health.

What is stress?

It is an adverse reaction to too much – or too little pressure. There are a whole multitude of symptoms that can pint to you being stressed.

Psychological

Unable to concentrate or make simple decisions, memory lapses, becoming vague, easily distracted, less creative or intuitive, worry, negative thinking or depression and anxiety

Emotional

Tearful, irritable, mood swings, very sensitive to criticism, defensive, feeling out of control, lack of motivation, angry, frustrated, lack of confidence or self esteem

Physical

Aches and pains, muscle tension, teeth grinding, frequent colds and minor infections, rashes, skin irritations, constipation, diarrhoea, IBS, weight loss or gain, indigestion, heartburn or stomach ulcers, hyperventilating, feeling of a lump in the throat, pins and needles, dizziness, palpitations, panic attacks, nausea, tiredness, changes in periods, loss of libido, sexual problems, heart problems or high blood pressure

Behavioural

No time for relaxation or pleasurable activities, accident prone, forgetfulness, increasing use of alcohol, smoking, caffeine recreational or illegal drugs, “workaholic”, poor time management, poor work performance, absenteeism, self neglect, change in appearance, social withdrawal, relationship problems, insomnia, waking tired, reckless behaviour, aggression or angry outbursts, nervous, uncharacteristic lying

These symptoms (and obviously you don’t need to have all of them) will accumulate and at some point you will have to take notice of them. Some can also be the same as serious illness, so don’t rationalize all of them away. Persisting symptoms should take you to see your GP.

So what can you do to help overcome stress?

Manage your time more effectively

Prioritise your day and do the important tasks first. Unimportant things can wait and often disappear. Don’t put off a task because it is unpleasant, this just makes it even more stressful. Unpleasant tasks automatically have a high priority.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Yes, we say it for everything, but it is true. Eat well and sensibly, don’t smoke, exercise regularly and ensure you get enough sleep each night. We need adequate rest to ensure we are ready for the coming day, and also to give us a better chance of dealing with stress.

Know you limitations and do not take on too much

We like people to like us and so it is often hard to say “No”. Learn to delegate and be assertive. You can say no in a pleasant way that will not upset people.

Find out what causes you stress

Think about what it is that causes you to worry and try and change your thoughts and behaviour to reduce it.

Avoid unnecessary conflict

Do not be too argumentative. Is it really worth it? Try and find a resolution which will please both parties – a “win-win”. Try and sort out the real underlying problem and deal with that

Accept the things you cannot change

You cannot always change things. You may need to recognize this and then accept it. Use your effort instead to change the things that you can for the better.

Take time out to recharge your batteries

We all need our holidays, with at least one break of 10-14 continuous days, but also even a short 10-15minute break whilst at work will help you to perform more effectively. Don’t skip your coffee breaks.

Find time to meet friends

Where would we be without our friends? Talk to them, they can often see far more clearly through the fog of your troubles than you can. Engage in some pleasant activities with your friends, relax and have a good laugh. Relaxation helps to return our bodies to their normal healthy state.

Develop a positive thinking style

Try and look at a problem from another angle. Talk a problem over so it does not take on overwhelming significance. Keep things in perspective. Are you a glass half full or half empty sort of person?

Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine as coping mechanisms

These are faulty coping mechanisms and in the long term cause you even more stress and add to your problems rather than easing them. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants which make the body react in the same way as stress, so increasing your symptoms and alcohol is a depressant!

If you have any concerns, do talk to your doctor.

More Information »

Pandemic ‘flu immunisations

The government have ordered significant amounts of vaccine for the Pandemic ‘flu H1N1. The rules are different to those for seasonal ‘flu and because you are eligible for seasonal ‘flu this does not make you automatically eligible for pandemic ‘flu immunisation.


Vaccination will be offered to :

• People aged over 6 months and under 65 in the current seasonal ‘flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups


• All pregnant women, subject to the vaccine being licensed for use in pregnant women


• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems, e.g. people in regular close contact of these people.


• People aged over 65 in the clinical at-risk groups. This does not include healthy over 65s since they seem to have some natural immunity to the virus.


• Frontline health and social care workers.

At the time of writing this we do not have a date for this to start, but for updates check this blog regularly or watch the media or your medical centre for more information.

These recommendations may alter over time as more evidence become available.

Contact your GP surgery to arrange your seasonal ‘flu jabs and watch out for more information about pandemic ‘flu.

Seasonal ‘Flu Immunisations

October brings with it the reminder to get your influenza vaccination. As usual, not everyone is eligible for the jab!

Those at risk from seasonal ‘flu and recommended to get a jab are people with:

• Chronic respiratory disease and asthma that requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or oral steroids or with previous exacerbations which need hospital admission, this includes COPD or COAD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung fibrosis, pneumoconiosis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, children who have been admitted to hospital for lower respiratory tract disease.
• Chronic heart disease, which includes congenital heart disease, high blood pressure with cardiac complications, chronic heart failure and individuals requiring regular medication and/or follow-up for ischaemic heart disease.
• Chronic renal disease including chronic renal failure, nephritic syndrome and renal transplantation.
• Chronic liver disease including Cirrhosis, biliary atresia and chronic hepatits.
• Chronic neurological disease including stroke and transient ischaemic attack.
• Diabetes of all types
• Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, patients undergoing chemotherapy which leads to immunosuppression, absence of spleen or spleen dysfunction, HIV infection, people treated with or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for longer than one month at a dose equivalent to prednisolone 20mg or more each day or for children under 20kg a dose of more than 1mg per kg per day.
• Anyone over 65.
• Front line health care and social care workers.
• Carers giving personal care where were they to be ill, the person they care for would be at risk.
  

12th-19th September 2009. National Eczema Week

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin, which causes the symptoms of dryness, redness, flakiness of the skin and itching. It can be caused by many things and affect varying amounts of skin.

Whatever the cause, it leads to itching and redness and the skin can be dry and flaky. It can also blister and weep, with the skin surface moist, with crusting. Once the skin’s protective layer is broken then a secondary infection can take hold. The commonest kind of eczema is called Atopic Eczema.It can run in families and is associated with asthma and hayfever. In an “atopic family” many members can be affected by one or all of the above. The itching from eczema can be intense and tends to occur where limbs bend on the inside creases. Skin can become very sensitive and often soaps and cosmetics can make it feel worse.

The commonest type of eczema is atopic, but other causes include chemicals which irritate the skin (detergents, soaps, industrial chemicals), allergies (like an allergy to adhesives on sticking plasters and drug patches), and varicose or gravitaqtional eczema associated with varicose veins.

Diagnosis is usually made by your doctor, but if in doubt, he may wish to refer you to a dermatologist.

There is no known cure for atopic eczema. Chemical and allergic eczema is helped by avoiding whatever it is which caused the problems. The mainstay of treatment is moisturising the skin. Ointments are better at this than creams although not as cosmetically attractive. Shower and bath oils also help to maintain the skin’s natural protective oils. Washing often caused the skin to dry out, so it helps to use these special washing oils.

Steroid cream or ointment may be prescribed by your doctor. These reduce the itch and inflammation, but long term liberal use can be damaging to the skin and so your doctor will want you to use these sparingly and the least potent steroids will be prescribed to deal with the magnitude of the problem.

If your eczema is particularly severe, then a dermatologist may prescribe a different type of topical treatment (applied to the skin) called immunomodulators.

Antihistamines taken orally often help with the itch.

If skin becomes infected, your GP will prescribe antibiotics.

It is important to use the creams and ointments etc prescribed by your GP. Eczema can be hard work for the person who has it (or if a small child, it’s parents!) but regular use of the emollients helps to keep the skin soft and supple and less likely to dry out and crack.

Try to avoid scratching. Fingernails will break the skin’s protective surface and encourage bacteria through and cause infection.

Avoid exposure to substances likely to cause problems, anything you know you are allergic to, or strong soaps and detergents and other chemicals. When doing housework it helps to wear protective gloves.

You can get further information from the UK National Eczema Society . They have a helpline open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm on 0800 089 1122 and the web site contains a wealth of useful advice

National Pandemic Flu Service

The governments National Pandemic Flu Service is now in place.

To use this service you will need the following information about the patient:

• Their date of birth


• Their current symptoms


• Their history of any serious medical conditions


• Their home address including postcode

You will also need a pen and paper to write down information they give you.

If you do not have all of these, please go and get them before carrying on with the service.

Enter National Pandemic Flu Service »

Important information about swine flu

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:

• Read up on swine flu Symptoms
• Then use the NHS Direct swine flu Symptom Checker
• If you are still concerned, call the National Pandemic Flu Service(NPFS) on 0800 1513 100 or go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu.
• If it is thought you have swine flu then the NPFS can give you access to free anti-viral drugs if necessary. You will be given a voucher number and asked to arrange for a 'flu friend' to pick up your anti-viral drugs from a distribution point.
• The NPFS is intended to take the pressure off NHS Direct and GPs who have seen a huge surge in the number of flu-related calls and consultations. Those who still wish to do so may contact their GP.

Certain groups are advised to contact their doctor rather than use the National Pandemic Influenza Service; these are: people with serious underlying health conditions, pregnant women, children under one or children whose condition suddenly gets worse and those whose condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 days for a child).

Good hygiene
Preventing the spread of germs is the single most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu. You should always:

• Ensure everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water
• Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs
• Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• Place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible

For the latest information from the government go to Swine Flu Latest News

Symptoms » • Symptom Checker » • Latest News »

Information from NHS Direct

24/7 Samaritans Awareness Day, 24th July 2009

The Samaritans say that they don’t know when you may need them, so that is why they are open 24 hours a day. You can talk to someone at the Samaritans any time of day or night. They are always there to offer you support.

They were started by Chad Varah. As a priest in the early 1950s when suicide was still a criminal offence, his first funeral was that of a 13 year old girl who killed herself fearing she was seriously ill when in fact she had started to menstruate. He vowed at her graveside that he would devote himself to overcoming the ignorance and isolation that had caused this young girl’s death. He was an early advocate of sex education and when he became Rector at the church of St Stephen, Walbrook in the City of London, he opened a drop in centre where emotionally distressed and isolated people to go and find a sympathetic ear. He advertised not for trained counselors but ordinary people who could offer a listening ear and emotional support. From this small beginning grew the Samaritans, which now covers the whole of the UK and Ireland and has over 18000 volunteers.

Why might I need the Samaritans?

Common reasons for seeking their help are relationship and family problems, loss of any kind, be it bereavement or your job, financial worries, stress related to work, school or college, or body image issues.

The Samaritans are there to help you by either telephoning them on 08457 90 90 90, you can email them at jo@samaritans.org, you can write to Chris, PO Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA or you can drop in to your local branch which for us is at Bognor Regis, 13 Arglye Road, Bognor Regis. PO21 1DY, tele 01243 826333. Their opening times are
Monday 12.15pm – 9.00pm
Tuesday 3.15pm – 9.00pm
Wednesday 7.15pm – 9.00pm
Thursday 3.15pm – 9.00pm
Friday 12.15pm – 9.00pm
Saturday 8.00am – 10.30am and 7.15pm – 9.00pm
Sunday 8.00am – 10.30am and 3.15pm – 9.00pm

What do the Samaritans do?

The Samaritans are volunteers who will listen in confidence to anyone in any type of emotional distress no matter what your age, they will not judge not tell you what to do.
Samaritans do not offer advice, but by encouraging people to talk about their feelings they are able to help explore all options. They allow people to work their problems and difficulties through in confidence, finding an inner strength and perspective which allows them to find your own way forward.

You can find a lot of information on their website http://www.samaritans.org/ . You may wish to volunteer; there are whole hosts of ways you can help. You don’t have to be the person on the end of the phone, there are lots of other ways you can help the Samaritans.