News

4th February – National Libraries Day

2012-02-01T00:01:00.010Z

The library is perhaps not the first place you would think of going to find out about your health – but it contains a wealth of useful information. We have a small but extremely useful library in Selsey and as a library member you can make the most of all the facilities.

GPs can prescribe “Books on Prescription” and the Selsey library can find the book you have been recommended. There is also a large reference section. Books on health matters can be found by looking for the number 610 at the start of the longer number. This is for health, medicine, human biology etc.

If you do not have internet access at home you may wish to use the PCs in Selsey library (for a small charge). Please note that the library staff are not able to take you step by step in using the computers, but if there was a problem they will try to sort it out for you. Those people who are computer novices or would like to develop their computer skills, may wish to enrol in an adult education class.More information »

For people with visual handicap, you are able to borrow audio books free of charge (talking books). There are also large print books.

The Housebound Reader Service
If you are housebound and unable to get to the library, a volunteer can collect your books and deliver them for you. The library is also looking for more volunteers to do this. More information »

Like a lot of things, you don’t miss them until they have gone. Our library is a valuable resource and so we should all make an effort to use it.

For more information on library services and a volunteer application forms please Click here »
For more information on local computer classes Click here »

National Bug Busting Day - 31st January 2012

2012-01-01T00:01:00.006Z

Male head louse. Source: Wikipedia

Head lice are a real problem for children, so easily passed from head to head at school whist at work in the classroom or playing together. What seems like a simple remedy is to get an insecticide and apply that. However, by regularly using the Bug Buster kit, you can keep your child free from infestation and without possible side effects from the chemicals in insecticides. Also there is no risk of the lice developing immunity to the insecticides.
A head louse usually hatches 7-10 days after the egg (nit) is laid, but can be anything from 5 to 11 days. Once hatched the louse becomes full grown after a minimum of 6 days. Full grown lice tend to move from head to head whereas immature lice tend to stay put. Full grown lice also mate and the female can start laying eggs at the earliest one week after she hatched!

Bug busting is all about breaking the life cycle, prevent them from spreading by removing them before the 6th day of hatching and preventing them from reproducing.

Most of the chemical products rely on killing hatched lice as it is very difficult for the chemical to penetrate the egg and difficult to remove all the eggs by combing alone. When insecticides are used a week apart, the risks are the lice can hatch and start laying their own eggs before the next application, or the live hatch after both applications. There may be re-infection from another head!

The Bug Buster Kit is recommended by the Department of Health and is re-usable. By using the specially designed comb, your regular shampoo and conditioner, you can easily remove head lice. It is recommended that you use the special combs twice a week for 2 weeks, which should rid you of an infestation (unless there is re-infection from another source).

More information »

Medical Centre Opening

2011-12-01T00:01:00.018Z

The medical centre is open as normal, closing at the usual time on Friday December 23rd. We reopen on Wednesday 28th December and work normally until closing Friday 30th December to reopen for 2012 on Tuesday 3rd January.

Because of the bank holidays, it is likely that we will be busy and if you wish to discuss an ongoing problem or need to be seen for a routine check, please try and avoid making an appointment just before Christmas. It is important that you make sure you have adequate medication for the holidays. Have a look now to see if you will run out and get your repeat slip to the medical centre in good time. Not only are we very busy, but the Chemists also need adequate time to dispense your medication. If everyone drops in their repeat on 23rd and expects it before Christmas, neither the staff at the Medical centre nor the chemists could cope.

Remember to check your first aid kits at home for minor ailments and injuries so that you are well prepared. You should have simple analgesics (paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin) and if you have small children make sure you have preparations suitable for them. A good range of plasters, simple bandages and antiseptic cream or ointment is a good investment. Your chemist will be able to help and advise.

Everyone at the Selsey Medical Centre would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.

Keep your Cool this Yule

2011-12-01T00:01:00.016Z

The British Association of Anger Management
What an odd subject for Christmas but according to the British Association of Anger Management (BAAM) more than half of us have family disagreements at Christmas and the average family has its first argument at 9.58am on Christmas day morning. Not good for the season of goodwill to all men!
So what can you do to avoid all this angst?

The BAAM has come up with a superb check list to ease the festive season.

Pre- Christmas Preparation
Don’t give yourself a hard time about making Christmas perfect – it is not all your responsibility and it is just one day in the year.

Think about what makes you angry and work out in advance how you are going to deal with it.

Plan to share the responsibility for the day. Get firm agreements on what each person will do adults and children alike.

Do as much as possible in advance.

Agree with other family members rules and arrangements that will make things go smoothly.

On the Festive Day(s)
Don’t drink too much, alcohol fuels arguments.
Listen to what other people are saying, show you understand their point of view even if you do not agree. Don’t shout, speak. Don’t argue, discuss.
If you feel that you are getting angry, remove yourself from the situation. Go for a walk. Give yourself time to calm and think about the bigger picture. You can always use the excuse you have overeaten and need to walk it off!
If you shout, other people will shout back!
Try not to cover controversial matters on the ‘phone, email or text. Seeing the other person gives vital body language clues to how they are feeling.
Break recurring conversations that always lead to argument. Change the subject as smoothly as you can.
If you are getting frustrated, take deep breaths and count to 10. Think about the consequences and step back.
Accept the inevitable (mess, relations you may prefer not to spend time with etc).
Look at the positives (happy memories for the children, enjoying the meal etc)

For the young people
Try to get enough rest before Christmas day as tiredness makes everyone grumpy.
If you get overexcited or if some-one is annoying you, walk away and find a quiet place.
If your brothers or sisters are annoying you, tell a grown-up who isn’t busy.
You may find listening to your favourite music or repeating a calm word to yourself while breathing deeply will help avoid an angry outburst.

More information »

World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day 16th November 2011

2011-11-01T00:01:00.001Z

COPD is a term used for a number of lung conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It leads to damaged airways in the lungs, making the airways narrower and so harder for air to get in and out of the lungs.

The commonest cause of COPD is smoking. Once you stop smoking, your chances of developing COPD lessen and if you already have COPD, stopping smoking slows down the progression of COPD. Some occupational factors also cause COPD such as coal dust and there are some inherited factors that cause COPD.

The best way of diagnosing COPD is through Spirometry, a simple breathing test that can be done at your GP surgery. Early diagnosis as in most illness is better and symptoms include cough, phlegm and shortness of breath, sometimes symptoms only occur in winter. Occasionally, further tests are needed in hospital.

How people with COPD feel is very different from person to person. In mild cases, the symptoms are as described earlier. As the disease progresses people feel more short of breath to the point that normal activities become very difficult. The reaction to this is often to lessen physical activity in order to lessen the symptom of breathlessness, but this makes the person even more unfit, so that when they try to do any activity, the breathlessness is even worse. Shortness of breath can also cause a feeling of panic or anxiety. Fitness can be preserved and there are pulmonary rehabilitation courses which help with this.

COPD cannot be cured once you have it, but things can be done to help with symptoms and try to slow the progression.

Stopping smoking will help improve cough and phlegm and also slow the progression of the illness.

Diet. Sensible eating and maintaining a healthy weight means your lungs do not have to work as hard as someone who is overweight.

Exercise to maintain fitness levels and lessen breathlessness.

Bronchodilators can help in some people whose main symptom is breathlessness. The medicine is inhaled and works directly on the lungs.

Nebulisers can provide bigger doses of medicine but in most cases inhalers work just as well. What you are given depends on your response to treatment.

Steroids are sometimes used if you become suddenly short of breath with worsening symptoms. Your doctor may decide to give you steroids for a few days. Some people have inhaled steroids on a regular basis if the doctor feels these will help.

Antibiotics are also sometimes used for an exacerbation (sudden worsening) when phlegm changes colour, becomes much stickier or increases in amount.

Flu vaccination every autumn helps to reduce the risk of exacerbations caused by flu.

Some people with COPD have low oxygen levels in the blood. Oxygen will improve this but not help with the breathlessness. The decision about oxygen at home is made by tests done in hospital. Oxygen at home is given either by cylinders which can be portable, or an oxygen concentrator which is a machine that can take the oxygen out of the air. Oxygen is given via small plastic tubes which are soft and fit just inside the nostrils. The supply tube can be very long so you can move around your home easily.
The most important thing to remember is that there are treatments for COPD and the earlier you get help, the better it is.

More information »

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Winter 2011-12

2011-09-01T00:01:00.033+01:00

Now is the time to start thinking about your seasonal flu vaccine. It is wisest to get it as soon as you can, don't wait until 2012 when flu is already rampaging through the community.

Reconstructed 'flu virus

Seal Medical Group will start making appointments on 19th September and vaccination will commence the first week in October once we have the supplies from the manufacturer.

Selsey Medical Practice will make appointments from September and vaccination will commence the first week in October also.

Who should be vaccinated?

Anyone aged 65 years or older
Any pregnant woman

It is recommended that all pregnant women have the flu vaccination irrespective of the stage of pregnancy. Evidence suggests that pregnant women are more likely to get serious complications with flu, especially if they catch the H1N1 strain. The vaccine itself does not cause complications to either the mother or the child.

People with a serious medical condition.

Chronic (long term) respiratory disease including severe asthma, COPD, Bronchitis etc
Chronic heart disease such as heart failure
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic liver disease
Chronic neurological disease such as Stroke, TIA, Polio syndrome
Diabetes
A weakened immunological system due to conditions such as HIV/AIDS, or treatments that suppress the immune system such as chemotherapy

People living in a long stay residential care home or other long stay care facility (but not prisons, young offender institutions or university halls of residence)
People who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if that person is ill
People who are frontline health or social care workers. In this case your employer is responsible for ensuring their staff has access to the seasonal flu vaccine - usually through occupational health

Flu vaccines are made from a variety of flu strains. The World Health Organisation decides each February which flu strains are likely to be the biggest threat in the coming winter months. The flu viruses are grown in hens' eggs. The virus is then inactivated (killed) and purified before being made into a vaccine.

7-10 days following your flu jab, your body starts to make antibodies to the dead virus. The antibodies are then able to recognize the live virus if you become infected and stop them multiplying and kill the invading virus before they are able to make you ill.

Side effects from the flu jab are minor, occasionally mild fever and slight muscle ache for a day or so. The flu jab will not give you flu. The virus in the vaccine is killed so cannot multiply to make you ill. However you may be unfortunate enough to catch other flu like viruses or to catch flu before you body has had chance to make the antibodies from the vaccine.

Allergic reactions to the vaccine are rare.

Who should not have the flu jab?

People who have had a previous allergic reaction to a flu vaccine (rare)
People who have a serious allergy to hens' eggs (very rare)
If you have a fever, do not have your flu jab until you have recovered
If you are healthy, under 65 and do not fall into the above list of 6 categories who should be vaccinated. You do not need a flu jab as your body can fight off the virus if you become ill with it.

New “Missed Pill” Rules for the Combined Oral Contraceptive

2011-09-01T00:01:00.028+01:00

New guidelines have been published about the Combined Oral Contraceptive pill as to what to do if you miss a pill.
If you miss only 1 pill or start the new pack only 1 day late you will still have contraceptive cover.

However if you have missed pills earlier in the pack or in the previous pack seek advice from your GP or Family Planning Clinic.

If you miss 2 or more pills from anywhere in the packet or start a new pack 2 or more days late your contraception may be compromised, but:

Take the last missed pill now
Continue taking the rest of the pack as usual
Leave any earlier missed pills
Use an additional method of contraception for the next 7 days
If you have had unprotected sex in the previous seven days, you may need emergency contraception so seek advice from your GP or Family Planning Clinic

How many pills are left in the pack?
If there are 7 or more, finish the pack and have the usual 7 day break or take the placebo tablets
If there are less than 7, finish the pack and begin a new one the next day. (this means no seven day break or omit taking the placebo tablets)

If ever you miss a pill and are unsure, continue taking the pills, use another method of contraception such as condoms and seek advice.

If you vomit within 2 hours of taking a pill, it will not have been absorbed into your body. Take another pill as soon as you feel well enough. As long as you are not sick again, you should have contraceptive cover. Take your next pill at the normal time. If you continue to be sick, seek advice.

If you have severe diarrhoea that continues for longer than 24 hours, your contraception may not be effective. Continue to take your pill but treat each day you have severe diarrhoea as if you had missed a pill and follow the instructions as above.

Some other medicines may affect the Pill. Most antibiotics do not (unless they cause severe diarrhoea in which case follow the above rules). Some medicines used to treat epilepsy, TB, and HIV can affect contraceptive pills so check with your doctor. Also St John’s Wort may make your pill less effective.

If you have any worries or concerns about your sexual and reproductive health, speak to your GP or go to the community Family Planning Clinic at Chapel Street, Chichester (tele. 623300 for times of clinics).

More information »

World Contraception Day 26th September 2011

2011-09-01T00:01:00.027+01:00

This is the 5th year for World Contraception Day. It is hoped to highlight and improve awareness of contraception and enable people to make informed decisions on sexual and reproductive health.

Unprotected sexual intercourse is increasing across the world. Although 80% of young people acknowledge their responsibility for arranging contraception before having sex with a new partner, 44% put personal hygiene and applying perfume above contraception when preparing for a date that may lead to sex.

45% people still have unprotected sex with a new partner, an increase of 25% from 1 year ago!

32% believe that the withdrawal method is a reliable form of contraception, when it is very unreliable (up to 17 pregnancies in 100 women over 1 year using that method).

42% have a close friend or family member with an unplanned pregnancy, a rise of 30% in the last year.

It would seem that not using contraception is about not having it available at the time. Some people “forget” to use contraception and some partners “refuse” to use contraception.

Young people in the UK have easy access to knowledge about contraception and sexual health in Schools, Family Planning Clinics and on-line. What they need to do now is to put this into action. Most young people in the UK actually think that they are quite knowledgeable about sexual and reproductive health but where they fall down is on applying the knowledge to themselves.

More information »

Gut Week

2011-08-01T00:01:00.003+01:00

22nd – 28th August

We are exactly what we eat. In order to survive and repair our bodies we have to eat and drink. What passes our lips is incredibly important to our long term health. The occasional unwise choice is likely to cause no more than a slight tummy upset, but long term unwise choices can have damaging effects on our health.

No matter how young or old, it is never too late to learn good eating habits and adopt a healthy diet.

It is much better to have small regular meals (about 4-5 hours between meals) than long gaps without any food. Starchy snacks between meals should be avoided.

Do not eat a large rich meal late at night. The cooked meal is best taken midday as it is more easily digested.

Make sure you are drinking enough. Although water is best, it doesn’t have to be water on top of other drinks. If you are eating a lot of vegetables and fruit, these contain a lot of water. Remember that your fluid requirements increase when you are ill (fever makes you sweat more) and in hot weather.

We need fibre for health, good digestion and regular bowel habit. Fibre is best found in vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread and pasta.

We don’t need lots of fat! Choose leaner cuts and grill rather than fry. Fish is even better!

Sugar and salt are also bad for us. Try not to add sugar or salt to your food. Avoid lots of sugary snacks and drinks. Have a piece of fruit instead of sweets and chocolate.

Spices are not harmful and can add interest to food. Some people do find that a sudden change to a spicier diet can upset their intestines. If you know that spicy food tends to give you heartburn, diarrhoea or abdominal pain, then they are best avoided. Also if you know you have heartburn or irritable bowel syndrome it is probably best to avoid them all together.

A healthy balanced diet should give you all the vitamins and minerals that you need. If you take extra, the only benefit is to the balance sheet of the vitamin manufacturer. If you have a particular medical problem that means you require a supplement of some kind, it will be prescribed by your doctor.

Vegetarian diets can be very healthy as there is no animal fat and plenty of soluble fibre. The only problem may be a lack of B12 in vegans who avoid all animal derived foodstuffs. Also very limited and extreme diets may be harmful as you will not be getting the variety of foodstuffs to keep you healthy.

Stomach, bowels and liver are adversely affected by alcohol, smoking, lack of physical activity and stress. Alcohol should be kept to within 21 units per week if male and 14 units if female. Smoking is linked to gastric and duodenal ulcers and is also a risk factor for cancer of the stomach.

Food poisoning is thankfully usually a short lived but unpleasant experience. Poor hygiene definitely increases your chances of getting an infection. You should always wash your hands after visiting the toilet and before preparing or handling food. I am always amazed at the number of people who STILL do not wash their hands after going to the toilet! Storage of food is very important, particularly in hot weather. When going food shopping in the summer, why not take a cool bag for your refrigerated and frozen items as there is more chance that they will make it home is a safe condition. Look at the thermometers in shop fridges and report raised temperatures to the staff and don’t buy anything from that fridge. When reheating food ensure that it is really hot all the way through. This is particularly important with microwaves and barbeques.

Be especially careful on holidays. Where hygiene is poor drink only bottled water (you may even need to use this to clean your teeth). Avoid salads and fruit that may have been washed in unsafe water. Buffet meals should be piping hot as lukewarm food is the ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. Ice in drinks and ice-cream should be avoided and shellfish may also be a problem.

Stress can cause abdominal symptoms, indigestion, diarrhoea, pain and worsen ulcers and pre-exiting bowel disease. Try and de-stress your life.

Regular exercise is good for the heart but also excellent for the digestion. A sluggish life can mean sluggish bowels. Constipation after a stay in bed is very common. A good brisk walk every day can be just as good as going to the gym.

When should I see my doctor?

A sudden, persistent change in the pattern of how your bowels work.
Bleeding from the back passage or blood in the stools.
Increasing heartburn, indigestion or other stomach pain.
Loss of weight unexpectedly.
Persistent vomiting.

More Information »

Dementia Week - 3rd to 9th July

2011-07-01T00:01:00.001+01:00

As we age, it is common to become more forgetful and is often not due to dementia. There can be other reasons for memory loss. We all forget things from time to time. We tend to remember the things that are more important to us and forget the un-important.

Poor concentration is a common cause of memory loss. You do not notice things as much and so do not remember them. Most often poor concentration is because of being tired or bored, but can be a symptom of depression or anxiety.

Depression can slow down our thinking processes and as a result cause memory problems. Physical illnesses also affect concentration. An underactive thyroid slows down the body’s functions and makes you forgetful. Urinary tract or chest infections are common causes of confusion and memory loss in the elderly.

Drugs can often affect thinking processes, particularly if they make you feel sleepy.

Age associated memory impairment is common over the age of 60. It is not dementia. It is harder to learn new skills as we age, however the more we try to learn new things the better our memory remains.

Dementia is a disease of the brain causing gradual loss of mental ability, encompassing not only memory problems, but difficulty in understanding, judgement, language and thinking. Anyone affected may find day to day activities and in particular the ability to look after themselves being eroded.

There are a number of different forms of dementia, the most common being Alzheimer’s disease where there is a slow shrinkage of the brain as nerve fibres and the chemicals that allow signals to be transmitted around the brain reduce. We do not know why this happens. The next commonest is Vascular dementia (Multi-infarct dementia). Here small blood vessels in the brain are damaged and there are numerous small strokes in the brain. As tiny sections of brain tissue die because of the damage, the person’s mental ability also declines. Your risk of developing this type of dementia is related to your risk of stroke, i.e. smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc. There other more rare forms of dementia and occasionally a person can suffer form more than one type (mixed dementia).

Dementia is a common problem.

After the age of 65 about 1 in 20 people will develop dementia.
Over 85 about 1 in 5 people are living with dementia.
It is rare in young people.

Symptoms of all types of dementia are similar.

Loss of mental ability.
Memory problems are the most obvious. Often memory for things in the past is preserved much longer than recent events. Memory for common facts is poor, such as who is the Prime Minister, and they often have difficulty finding words. Language problems can develop so that processing speech or written information becomes difficult. People with dementia may ask questions all the time or appear restless. New surroundings and people can be very taxing and confusing to a dementia sufferer which is why they will often cope better in their own home when the dementia is mild.

Changes in mood, behaviour and personality.
A person with dementia may appear easily irritated and moody. In the early stages the person may realize that their mental ability is failing and will become depressed. However most are unaware and may remain cheerful. More challenging behaviour may develop over time. Some people with dementia can become disinhibited and behave quite out of character, which can be distressing to relatives and friends. Others may become agitated or aggressive and the behaviour may be directed towards their carers.

Problems carrying out day to day activites.
Self care becomes a problem over time. Without prompting and help, hygiene may be neglected, medication forgotten and routine house work become too difficult. When cooking and eating become difficult it will result in weight loss. Driving is another issue that will need addressing as the sufferer is unable to drive safely.

The speed of progression in dementia is very variable from person to person. In most, symptoms develop very slowly, often over many years.

Diagnosis can be difficult and recognition of a problem is the first hurdle. Family and friends tend to protect the affected person, but it is also often they who present the problem to a doctor. If you have concerns about either yourself or a family member or friend, you should see your doctor or encourage your relative or friend to see their doctor. The doctor can then start to look into reasons for the memory or other problems, usually with blood tests and a short test of memory skills. Your doctor may then refer you to a specialist.

The sad fact is that currently there is no cure for dementia. Som medication can help in some forms of dementia, and with vascular dementia, steps can be taken to try and halt the vascular insults to the brain.

More information »

Are you drinking enough?

2011-06-29T13:47:00.002+01:00

Are you drinking enough - water that is. More information in our latest Summer 2011 Newsletter available for down load here:
Summer 2011 Newletter »

Teenage Health

2011-06-29T11:31:00.004+01:00

NHS Choices have dedicated web pages for teenage health - they are split by Girls and Boys' Health.

For more info. on teenage girls health click here »

For more info. on teenage boys health click here »

Patient Participation Group

2011-06-10T22:56:00.017+01:00

Get involved to help shape the way health services are delivered by your practice..

"Patient Participation Groups" work to improve communication between the practice and its patients, to ensure the services on offer truly meet the needs of all patients. For example, successful groups in local practices have:

Organised a health promotion day to raise awareness of ways to tackle obesity and the harms associated with smoking
Agreed priorities and issues for patients including themes from complaints
Been involved in practice changes to access

Seal Medical Group aims to form a virtual Patient Participation group:- we are asking for patients email addresses in order to be able to contact you, keep you up to date with what is going on in the practice and to ask for your views.

If you would like to particpate please print the Contact Form fill it in and return it to the health centre.

FAQs » Contact Form»

Extended Hours

2011-06-01T00:01:00.006+01:00

Seal Medical Group now has nurses working Wednesday evenings between 6.30 and 8pm. You can only book theses appointments during normal working hours (i.e. before 6.30pm) as the door is locked and entrance is by appointment only and via a buzzer system so the receptionist can allow you entry.

These clinics are ideal for people who work and find it difficult to access the surgery during normal working hours. Appointments for COPD, asthma, diabetic reviews, family planning and contraception, smoking cessation, travel advice and injections, smears, dressings, ear syringing, spirometry and NHS health checks can all be booked.

Repeat Prescriptions

2011-06-01T00:01:00.004+01:00

Now we are moving into the holiday season, it is important that you do not forget to take your medicines away with you. You may need to request more sooner than you would usually, so it always a good idea to add a note explaining why you need your medication earlier than usual. The computer system is very good at letting us know if there appears to be an over usage.

We do occasionally get people at the desk desperate for their medication. It is useful to get into a routine about re-ordering. Don’t wait until you have almost run out before re-ordering. Please remember that the medical centre staff needs 48 hours to deal with prescription requests. If you ask for something that is not on your repeat slip, then this may take even longer as a doctor will then have to read through you notes and may not even then prescribe if it is felt to be inappropriate. You can collect your prescription either from the desk or arrange for it to go directly to a chemist of your choice. If you are requesting that a prescription go to a chemist you also need to allow 48 hours for the chemist to dispense your medication. If you drop your prescription into a chemist, then it arrives at the medical centre the next working day.

It would seem sensible to request your medication at least 1 week before you are due to run out.

You can also order your medication on-line. P2U is a pharmacy who can be contacted via the telephone, on-line or by post. They manage your requests and deliver to an address of your choice.

More Information »

Cancer Prevention week 9th – 13th May 2011

2011-05-01T00:01:00.008+01:00

The 8 top tips for cancer prevention are:

being physically active for at least 30 minutes a day.
Be as lean as possible without being underweight.
Limit consumption of energy dense foods (high in fat and sugar and low in fibre) and avoid sugary drinks
Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains and pulses.
Limit consumption of red meats (beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
If consumed at all limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women per day.
Limit consumption of salty foods and food processed with salt.
Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer – choose a balanced diet instead.

More information »

May is National Walking Month.

2011-05-01T00:01:00.005+01:00

Two organisations are joining forces in May to encourage us all to leave our cars at home and walk ourselves into a healthier and happier lifestyle. They are Living Streets and Walk England. In May there are 2 special weeks, Walk to Work Week (9th to 13th May) and Walk to School Week (16th – 20th May).

Walking is one of the most effective forms of exercise you can do, with the added advantage that it is cheap and simple! Walking for a mere 30 minutes each morning can transform your fitness levels, reduce anxiety and stress and improve your concentration levels for the rest of the day (particularly important for children at school).

You only have to try and negotiate School Lane at either end of the school day to see how many children are driven to and from school. As most children live within a mile and a half of the schools (unless they live outside Selsey), why do they need to be chauffeured? The walk will improve fitness levels and concentration. An astonishing 43% of children are now driven to school. Changes in a child’s fitness at this early age may discourage the upward trend to obesity. 23% of the UK population is now classed as obese with the level rising rapidly with the ensuing health and economic problems.

Children are not the only people to rely too much on their cars or buses. How many adults use their car to “pop into the village” when they could just as easily walk to the shops? Taking a walk over your lunch break or walking to a bus stop further away all helps. You can use the walking time as thinking time and plan the day ahead, or unwind after a hard day at work or school.

So, you don’t need to spend a fortune on special clothing or footwear, you don’t have to sign up for expensive gym membership, just put on a pair of comfortable shoes and step out to get fit. You can easily work in a good walk as part of your daily routine.

Walk to Work. More Information »
Walk to School. More Information »

Do Not Attempt Resuscitation!

2011-04-01T00:01:00.007+01:00

Some people are asked about resuscitation as part of their care package. It can seem a very scary thing to be discussing, and a lot of patients, friends and relatives possibly do not understand what it really means.

Do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) decisions refer only to cardiac and pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). That means a failure of the heart to beat or lungs to breathe. It does not refer to any other investigation or treatment that some-one may need after they have made a DNAR decision.

CPR is very invasive. It has significant adverse effects including fractured ribs, fractured breast bone, tearing of the liver or spleen, prolonged Intensive Care Unit (ICU) treatment and possibly artificial ventilation (where a machine takes over breathing for you). Following resuscitation, the person may be left with significant brain damage and disability – particularly if there is some time delay before CPR commences. CPR can be very traumatic, so that death occurs in a manner that neither the person nor the people close to that person would have wished.

Survival rate after attempted CPR is better in hospital, but at the very best only 15-20%. In the community the very best is 5-10%. Success depends on many factors including:

What caused the arrest?
How soon did CPR commence?
Who is available to deliver it?

Successful CPR is usually followed by a period of observation and treatment in ICU, Coronary Care Unit (CCU) or both and there may be a need for extensive therapy following on.

Thankfully for most people the likelihood of an arrest is small. However for some people, there is an identifiable risk, either because of an incurable condition such as terminal cancer, or a recent heart attack or stroke, or an acute problem such as severe infection. It is best to try and decide in advance what each individual would like to happen, rather than making a snap decision in a crisis.

No-one assumes that the same decision would apply to everyone in the same clinical situation. Everyone has different ideas on what they would wish for themselves. The decision should be an objective view of what would be in that person’s best interest taking into account all the medical and other factors and most importantly, that person’s own views.

When someone is in the final stage of an incurable illness, CPR is very unlikely to be successful and if it is, it is more likely to prolong or increase suffering and subject that person to a traumatic and undignified death,

People can decide before they are ill what they would like to do for the best in particular circumstances. It is called an Advance Decision or Living Will. You put into writing what your wishes are. You can leave a copy with your doctor, but it is more important that you tell your close friends and relatives as your GP may not know of an emergency admission and so be unable to pass on the vital information. Always advise any doctor treating you of your wishes in your Living Will.

Once a decision is made, it is not irrevocable. People are allowed to change their minds as situations and feelings can vary.

Most importantly, DNAR applies only to CPR. Any other investigations, treatment or care will continue as if a DNAR had not been implemented.

More Information »

World Glaucoma Day - 12th March 2011

2011-03-01T00:01:00.007Z

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases affecting the optic nerve. If not diagnosed and left untreated, most types of glaucoma progress without the person really being aware of a problem until it is too late and a substantial loss of vision has already occurred. Unfortunately, once the damage has occurred it is very rare that the sight can be salvaged.

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. And we do not fare very well in developed countries as up to 50% of people affected are unaware that they have a problem. This may rise to 90% in underdeveloped parts of the world.

Most glaucoma is primary, a few cases are due to another problem (secondary). Some forms you are born with or occur in infancy or childhood, however most cases occur after the 4th decade and it becomes more common the older you are. It seems to affect women and men the same. It was thought to be due to raised pressure inside the eye and this is still the case in some people, but you can still get glaucoma with out an abnormally raised pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP).

Some factors will predispose you to having glaucoma, e.g. family history, high myopia (being very short sighted) and age.

The most common types of adult onset glaucoma are Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (seen mostly in people of Caucasian and African ancestry) and Angle Closure Glaucoma (seen mostly in people of Asian ancestry). The latter can be a chronic condition like Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, but sometimes presents acutely with a painful eye leading to rapid vision loss.

There is no cure as yet, but there is treatment, either medication or surgery which can halt or slow down the progression of the disease and hopefully maintain useful vision, so early detection is vital. An optician should screen for glaucoma as part of a routine eye examination.

If you suffer from glaucoma it is sensible that you inform your blood relatives of your condition so that they can have regular checks for themselves.

You are entitled to a free NHS eye test if you are aged 40 or over and you are the parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a person diagnosed with glaucoma, or you have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma.

More Information »

Walk 4 Life

2011-01-01T00:01:00.004Z

How many of you have made a New Year’s Resolution for it to be forgotten by the end of January?

Instead of trying to make a major change, try something easy and achievable.

Walk 4 life is part of the Change 4 Life health campaign. Walking is an easy and safe way of exercising. You don’t need any specialist equipment or clothing, just a pair of sensible shoes.

The recommendation is that adults walk for 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week, and children need to walk for 60 minutes. We are very lucky in Selsey as the terrain is flat and easy walking for the beginner. Start simple, just walking to the shops or taking the children to school (or if they are older, encourage them to walk to school rather than the frustrating school run in the car). There are lovely walks along the sea wall or try the north end of Paddock Lane. Once you get more adventurous, you can walk to Bracklesham Bay along the beach. The local ordinance survey map has footpaths marked on it and can be a useful aid to finding new walks in our countryside. Of course you can go out of the town and walk round Pagham Horbour, but if you fancy a hill, try walking up the Trundle or Kingley Vale.

Walking can be a very sociable activity. If you walk with your children, it can be a useful time to talk to your children and find out what they want to talk to you about, rather than them trying to vie for your attention at home whilst making a meal, dealing with the laundry and the other one hundred and one things going on at home. You can walk with friends, or help out a dog owning friend by taking their four-legged friend for a walk (you could also make this part of the Selsey Time Bank, a new innovative project where you can help out other residents by using your practical skills and support for someone else. You “deposit” time when you help out someone and you can withdraw time when you need help from someone else.)

More information »

Have A Healthy Christmas

2010-12-01T00:01:00.001Z

We all want to have a healthy and happy Christmas. Below are the operational times of the Medical Centre over the holiday:

Friday 24th close at 1pm
Monday 27th closed
Tuesday 28th closed
Wednesday 29th open as normal
Thursday 30th open as normal
Friday 31st open as normal
Monday 3rd closed
Tuesday 4th open as normal

You can imagine that the days leading up to Christmas and the few days between the bank holidays are likely to be very busy. If you are due to be seen for a routine check, it will help if you can book your appointment outside of these times. Remember the Out of Hours service run by Harmoni is available when the medical centre is closed (tele. 0300 130 1313) for problems that cannot wait until the medical centre is open.

Check well in advance that you are not going to run out of your necessary medication over the holiday and get your repeat prescription to the medical centre or chemist in good time. Our staff will not be able to process hundreds of prescriptions at the last minute (and the chemist will not be able to dispense if they are over-run).

Every year I remind you that this is a good time to check your first aid supplies and make sure they are stocked and in date. You should have simple analgesia, paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, a simple antacid, loperamide for diarrhoea, and a laxative for constipation. Make sure you have plasters and antiseptic ointment or cream. You will be able to get all these things from the chemist or general store. If you are starting from scratch there are first aid kits you can buy (but check what they contain).

Keep Healthy Over The Holiday

It is so easy to overeat and drink during the holiday. Try to get some exercise even if it only a brisk walk before a meal. Avoid snacking between meals. You can try and limit your alcohol intake by also serving water during meals. Not everyone will want an alcoholic drink, particularly if they are driving. Plan your meals and shop accordingly. Then you won’t have a trolley full of impulse buys (generally high fat and salt content) and food rotting in the fridge into the New Year.

What do you do with the left over turkey?

If you buy a turkey that is large enough for the Christmas dinner only, then you won’t have leftovers. But if you do, try adding them to salad with a bit of salsa in a soft tortilla to make a tasty wrap – a bit of a change from sandwiches. It can also be added to soup that you can make with the rest of the left over vegetables and a bit of stock – a lovely winter warmer.

Everyone at the medical centre would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a wonderful healthy New Year.

Mouth Cancer Action Month

2010-11-01T00:01:00.005Z

In 2006, 5,325 new cases of mouth cancer were diagnosed in the UK. This was more than ever before. The annual number has increased by 41% in the last decade. A third of cases of mouth cancer are found in the mouth cavity and a quarter on the tongue. What is really worrying is that about 70% of mouth cancers are found at a late stage, reducing the chances of survival, as early detection transforms survival chances to more than 90% cases.

So what can you do to reduce your risks?

Tobacco is the most common cause of mouth cancer. Risk is the same for all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, paan, areca nut and guthka. Switching to a low tar cigarette does not help as research shows that users tend to inhale more smoke to compensate. The Medical Centre has advisors here to help you quit so don’t feel that you have to go it alone.

Alcohol is another major risk factor. More than 70% of people diagnosed with mouth cancer drink more than the recommended daily limit. Alcohol increases the rate of absorption of tobacco in the mouth so a combination of smoking and drinking means you are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.

Diet Eating a healthy diet with 5 portions of fruit and vegetables is protective and studies suggest that even more fruit and vegetables will lower your risk even further. Fish and eggs have also been linked to reduced risk.

Sunblock. A protective screening lotion of lip slave will help to prevent lip cancer whilst you are out in the sun.

Your dentist as part of your regular dental check will also be looking out for early warning signs of mouth cancer, another reason to ensure that you visit your dentist regularly.

Symptoms of mouth cancer

Most people with mouth cancer have no early symptoms at all, but others may have:

an ulcer in the mouth or on the lip that won't heal
constant pain or soreness
red or white patches in the mouth
a lump on the lip, tongue or in the neck
bad breath
unexplained bleeding in the mouth
numbness in the mouth
loose teeth

These symptoms aren't always caused by mouth cancer but if you have them, visit your dentist or GP.

More Information »

18th 24th October Alcohol Awareness Week

2010-10-01T00:01:00.004+01:00

This year’s campaign is aimed at young people. It hopes to minimize harm, reduce the risk and restrict marketing.

What is a safe level of drinking alcohol?
If you are a man, you should drink no more than 21 units in a week (and no more than 4 in any one day)
For a woman, this is 14 units per week (and no more than 3 in any one day).
Children under 15 should never be given alcohol, even in small quantities.
What is a unit of alcohol?
It is 10ml by volume of pure alcohol or 8g by weight. As a rough guide, 1 unit of alcohol is the equivalent of half a pint of beer, cider or lager (3-4% alcohol by volume), 1 small measure of spirits (25ml of spirit 40% alcohol by volume), a standard (50ml) measure of fortified wine, port or sherry (20% alcohol by volume). A small glass of wine (125ml or 1/6th of a standard bottle) contains 1.5units (12% alcohol by volume). If your beer, wine or spirits are stronger than this, then obviously the units contained will be higher.

Drinking more than this can lead to alcohol related disease, including cirrhosis of the liver, damage to the pancreas, certain cancers, heart disease and sexual problems to name but a few. It can also have a devastating impact on your family and friends and cause problems in the workplace.
Do you have a problem with alcohol?
Ask yourself these 4 questions.
1. Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
If you have answered “yes” to one, then it is possible you have a problem with alcohol. If you have said “yes” to 2 or more, then it is highly likely that an alcohol problem exists.

Not all problem drinkers are dependent on alcohol and could stop drinking without withdrawal symptoms but for whatever reason they chose to continue drinking. Alcohol dependence is where the drinker is addicted to alcohol. There will be a strong desire for alcohol, which can be overwhelming. The body becomes used to having a large amount of alcohol and after some hours without a drink the body develops symptoms of withdrawal, nausea, sweating, feeling awful, trembling, craving alcohol and in severe cases a seizure may occur. If you are dependent, then suddenly stopping alcohol can cause severe problems lasting up to 5 days and proper “detoxification” is undertaken. For young people, alcohol has its own particular problems. Whilst it might seem a laugh to go out with your mates and drink so much you can hardly remember what happened, the fact that you are incapable through alcohol puts you more at risk of having a serious accident. For a woman, she is more at risk of getting into a sexual situation that she regrets the next day, (including being raped). There is an increased risk of STI’s as alcohol loosens your inhibitions and you are more likely to have unprotected sex. Alcohol is a poison in large quantities. If you realize you have a problem, there is help out there, but only you can stop drinking. Alcoholics Anonymous have been around for a very long time and give you help and support life long. They also offer help and support to families of alcoholics. Your GP can also give you information on the local drugs and alcohol team.

You can get help from:

Drinkline – National Alcohol Helpline

Helpline 0800 917 8282 Monday to Friday 9am – 11pm, Weekends 6pm – 11pm

Or click on the following links for more information:

Alcoholics Anonymous »

AL-Anon Family Groups »

Department of Health: Alcohol misuse page »

Know your Units campaign. »

National Eczema Society Week 18th – 25th September 2010

2010-09-01T00:01:00.010+01:00

Ditch the Itch

Atopic Eczema is probably one of the commonest forms of eczema. It is an inflammation of the skin which will flare up from time to time. It usually starts in early childhood. There is no cure, but treatment can ease and control the symptoms. About 2 out of 3 children will “grow out” of it by the time they are teens.

The cause is unknown. The skin will feel dry. Some areas become red and inflamed, most commonly near skin creases, e.g. the front of the elbows and wrists and behind the knees, but it can occur anywhere. The skin becomes very itchy and if scratched a lot the skin will become thickened. Sometimes the skin can become blistery and weep and can then become infected.

The usual treatment consists of :

Avoiding known irritants and “triggers”
Emollients (moisturisers) used daily to prevent inflammation developing
Topical steroids (steroid creams or ointments) used when the inflammation is marked.

Lots of things are irritants and triggers. Common are soaps, bubble baths, shower gels. They dry out the skin even more. Instead use a soap substitute and a bath or shower emollient. Try not to scratch, keep nails sort. Rub with the fingers rather than scratch with the nails if you really need to relieve an itch. Cotton is the best fabric next to the skin. It is the smoothness of the material so some man-made fibres can be as good. Try to avoid extremes of temperature. After washing clothes make sure they are rinsed well to remove traces of detergent. Biological detergents can be especially problematical as can softeners. Some people have certain foods which act as triggers, usually when there is a severe form of eczema in young children.

Regular use of emollients is the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF DAY TO DAY TREATMENT for eczema. They should be applied frequently; this may be twice a day, or several times a day. As a rule, thicker, greasy ointments work better than thinner creams but to a lot of people are not as acceptable. But if you opt for a cream you will have to apply it more often. Use it liberally. You cannot overdose on emollients as there is no drug to be absorbed into the skin. A common mistake is to stop using the emollient as soon as the skin appears okay, then patches of inflammation appear that would otherwise have been prevented. Some emollients come as bath additives and shower gels. These should be used as well as creams or ointments and not instead of them.

Topical steroids work by reducing the inflammation in the skin and come in varying potency. The greater the potency the more the risk of side effects with continued use. The lowest potency steroid effective is used to clear the flare up. Some people like to use steroids as they quickly dampen down the inflammation, and are less “bothersome” than using emollients regularly, but regular or repeated use of steroids can cause:

Thinning of the skin, which can eventually cause stretch marks, bruising, discolouration or thin visible spidery blood vessels
Worsening or triggering of other skin conditions such as acne or rosacea
In children when the steroid gets into the blood stream there can be an effect on growth

Your GP will be able to advise on how best to use topical steroids.

Occasionally a flare up of eczema will become infected. When this happens, you can get weeping blisters, lumps, crusting and failure to respond to your normal treatment. When severe you may develop a fever and feel unwell. See your GP who will be able to assess and if necessary prescribe an appropriate antibiotic.

In severe cases, your GP will refer you to the hospital to see a Dermatologist who may prescribe different treatments.

There is little evidence that alternative therapies have much to offer, and just because something claims to be natural does not mean that it is without side effects.

More Information »

Playday 4th August 2010

2010-08-01T08:01:00.000+01:00

Play is very important to children. Children can be valued members of our community and it can only bring value to a community if there is a bridge across the generation. This happens naturally in families, there is often a close and positive bond between children and their grandparents. It would be great if this could be emulated in the general community. You can see this in action at Snak Shak in the High Street, an outstanding project run by local volunteers that meets the needs of young people.

This year Playday, an established national campaign that aims to raise the profile of play, is using 4th August as Our Place. Hopefully thousands of children, young people and communities will get out to play at locally organized events.

There is an event at Manhood Community College on 6th August from 12.00 to 4.00pm:

Click here for Event details »

Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to

ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or sunbeds.

As I write this, we are experiencing lovely sunny weather, who knows if it will continue into August, but this is a good time to remind everyone about the dangers of the sunshine. Parents need to be vigilant as children are children and cannot remember to cover up and use sun cream.

Slip on a shirt
Slap on a hat and
Slop on some sun cream

There is no such thing as a Healthy Tan! Going brown is the skin trying to protect itself. It can be worse by the sea and you will not feel burning until it is too late because of the lovely sea breezes. Make sure you have adequate factor in your sun cream. Single figures just doesn’t cut it. And don’t forget to keep applying. It will wear off over the day. But wearing a long sleeved shirt and a hat will also help to ward off the rays.

Enjoy the summer and be safe.

More information »

Dementia Awareness Week (4th – 10th July 2010)

2010-07-01T08:01:00.000+01:00

Dementia affects around 750,000 people in the UK. It usually affects older people, but can affect younger people although this is much rarer (over 16,000 people in the UK with dementia under the age of 65).

Dementia is a term applied to a number of different diseases but the common symptoms are:

Loss of memory, particularly of recent events in the initial stages
Mood changes, especially when the part of the brain that controls emotion is involved in the disease process
Communication problems, seen as a decline in the ability to speak, read and write.
As the disease progresses people will have problems carrying out everyday tasks like washing and dressing, cooking and cleaning and become more and more reliant on help from other people.

There are lots of different types of dementia and they have different causes. The commonest form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The chemistry and structure of the brain changes over time and this leads to the death of brain cells. Vascular dementia is due to stroke, more usually a series of small strokes which slowly kill brain tissue. In this type of dementia, a person’s decline tends to be step wise as each successive stroke kills off more brain tissue. There are many other types of dementia, some very rare such as Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (CKD).

Some people have difficulty remembering to do things, but after tests it is found to be “Mild cognitive impairment”. A small number of people with this will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease, but the risk is small – only 10-15%.

If you are concerned about yourself or a relative, it is important to seek help, so that a diagnosis can be made. It also helps as doctors can rule out (or discover) other illnesses that have symptoms similar to dementia, so that these can be treated appropriately. Having a proper diagnosis, although it will seem daunting and scary, helps as you can then prepare and plan for the future, either for yourself or your affected relative.

Most forms of dementia cannot be cured, but some can be helped to slow down the progression. Some people with Alzheimer’s disease will be offered drug therapy; people who have vascular dementia can be helped if underlying causes of their strokes are improved (high blood pressure controlled, cholesterol lowered, stopping smoking etc).

Because we really do not know what causes most of the forms of dementia, it is difficult to advise on prevention, however like most things, evidence seems to indicate that a healthy diet and lifestyle may help to protect. Do not smoke, exercise regularly, avoid fatty foods and keeping mentally active may help to reduce the risk of developing vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

If you are experiencing memory problems there are lots of things you can do to help yourself and make life so much easier. For everyday activities, do as children revising for exams. Make a “to do” list. Larger tasks should be broken up into smaller bite-sized chunks. Don’t try to do more than one thing at a time. Try to have a routine to your day and take your time. Use memory aids, keep a diary to note appointments and your “to do” lists – you can mark things off as you do them. Keep important things in the same place so you do not mislay them and important ‘phone numbers by the ‘phone so they are always to hand. Don’t try too hard to remember something; it will often pop back into your head later.

More Information »

If you are a carer for someone with dementia, don’t forget the Selsey and District Support Group who are there for carers who support people with any disability or disease.

More Information »

Carers Week 14th – 20th June 2010

2010-05-26T10:25:00.000+01:00

Six million people in the UK provide unpaid care to a relative or friend who is frail, ill or disabled. Because of this input of time, carers are often unable to pursue their own lives to the full. Three in five of us will become carers at some time in our lives. Carers are estimated to save the state around £87 billion. Carers week is to highlight the difficulty carers experience and try and get more support

The main carers benefit at present is the Carers Allowance, £53.10 for a minimum of 35 hours which is £1.52 an hour. Carers often have to give up their own employment with the knock on effect to their own pension and future employment prospects.

A survey done for Carers Week has shown that carers cover all ages from children to the elderly. The majority of carers provide over 50 hours of care each week. Over 70% of the responders had been carers for over 5 years. Most care for a close relative. Most of the carers felt they were ignored or overlooked by professionals, employers, friends, family and society. They had had a significant negative impact on their own lives. Most felt isolated and that their own health was suffering. Many have very little respite and as a result, feel they would benefit from practical support, someone to talk to and the chance to have a break.

We have our own carers support group in Selsey, the Selsey and District Support Group. This is a registered charity which helps carers lead fulfilling lives. They provide information on services available, support cares to access the help they need and involve carers in the planning and development of services. They have an Information and Support centre at 109 High Street, Selsey, and you can get them on the phone on 01243 603602. They say that tea, coffee, biscuits and a smile are always available for anyone needing emotional or practical support, or simply feels the need to see a friendly face and have a chat. They are also able to give comprehensive information for carers about all the services, support groups and help available locally. They are open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 2pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm. Their helpline is 01243 601039 and this is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week for information or if you wish to talk to someone confidentially about caring.

More Information »

Complementary Therapy Service offered by the Carer's Support Service Chichester

Carers can avail themselves of a bit of important "me" time and also have various complementary therapies to help you unwind. This is offered by the Carers Support Service based at 60A North Street Chichester, tele 537011, but don't worry, you do not have to travel to Chichester as the Medical Centre in Selsey have made a room available for the therapies to be done closer to home.

If you are a carer and think you would like to try this out, contact the Carers Support Service on 537011 and they can make you an appoinitment. Unfortunately, they do make a small charge of £5 a session - much less than you would pay elsewhere, but if your budget is very tight, still contact them and they will see how they may be able to help in securing payment for the sessions.

More Information »

National Stop Snoring Week. 19th – 24th April 2010

2010-03-30T10:50:00.000+01:00

Snoring can be a nightmare to sufferers and their sleeping partners, but is often the butt of jokes and tended to not be taken seriously.

Snoring is the sound made by vibrations of the soft palate and other tissues in the nose, mouth and throat. The vibrations start because of air turbulence caused by narrowing in any of the airway from the nose to the larynx. The problem is basically that we have to eat and breathe through much of the same passageway. When we are away, muscle tone is sufficient to hold these passage ways open, but when we are asleep, muscle tone lessens and they tend to collapse in. A more severe form of this is sleep apnoea when the air way occludes entirely and for a varying amount of time the body is starved of oxygen. There is usually a break in the normal rhythmic snoring and after a quiet interlude the silence is shattered by a dreadful “snorting” sound

Snoring cannot but cured, but it can often be controlled.

Some physical characteristics can tend to cause snoring such as a double chin, deviated nasal septum, nasal congestion to name a few, some things we can control and others are out of your personal control and you may need professional help.

Overeating and lack of exercise leads to an increased amount of fat around the neck and this may lessen the muscle tone, so weight loss and exercise can diminish snoring. Alcohol and sleeping pills also causes decrease in muscle tone when you are asleep and may induce sleep apnoea.

Smoking irritates the lining of the airways and causes swelling and increased catarrh. The more you smoke, the worse this is likely to get.

Sleeping position can have its effects on snoring. It tends to be worse if you sleep on your back, than if your sleep on your side.

Allergies also tend to increase snoring for the same reason as smoking because of inflammation and swelling and more catarrh.

Mouth breathers who sleep with their mouths open are more likely to snore due to the increase in turbulence.

Sometimes the shape and size of your nose can be a problem. People with small or “Collapsing” nostrils” tend to mouth breathe and so snore more. With others it is the tongue that is a problem.

If your snoring is causing you or your sleeping partner a problem, then it is worth seeing your GP. It is also worth bringing along your sleeping partner as they can often give a much better history of what is happening to you whilst you are asleep. Sleep apnoea in particular is difficult to decipher without a sleeping partner along as well. There are some simple measures you can try yourself as well, and yes you can almost guess what I am now going to say:

Stop smoking
Lose excess weight
Exercise.

More Infromation »

Endometriosis awareness week. 8th – 14th March 2010

2010-03-30T10:48:00.000+01:00

What is endometriosis? This is a condition when cells like the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body, usually in the pelvis, around the womb, ovaries and tubes, and between the womb and bowel. It can also occur in the bowel and bladder and extremely rarely in other parts of the body far removed from the womb.

Why does this cause a problem? The abnormally placed cells go through the same monthly changes as the lining of the womb, growing then eventually breaking down and bleeding when you have your period. However, there is no way for the blood which is shed to leave the body as with a period and so it causes inflammation, pain and scar tissue. Occasionally blood filled cysts are found in the ovary due to endometriosis and here are called “chocolate cysts” due to the colour of the old blood within the cyst.

No one knows why it occurs, but the classical symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods, painful sex and infertility. The period pain often starts before the period and the periods can be heavy and prolonged. It can also cause painful bowel movements and pain on passing urine. Symptoms can also be similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome. However some women with endometriosis will have no symptoms what so ever.

The amount of endometriosis a woman has is not related to the amount of symptoms she will experience, the symptoms seem more related to the site of the problem.

It is a very common problem and thought that about 2 million women are affected in the UK.

The only way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy (a procedure when a small telescope is passed into the abdomen and the pelvic organs are looked at directly). Because of the varied ways it presents diagnosis can be difficult and often delayed.

So once you have a diagnosis, how can it be treated? This very much depends on the individual circumstances of the woman, how severe is the disease, how bad are the symptoms, does she want to get pregnant, how old is she? Your doctor will be able to discuss various treatments with you once a diagnosis is made.

Usually the first line is hormonal therapy, aimed at stopping ovulation and giving the abnormal deposits chance to die away. This is achieved by kidding the body that you are pregnant or menopausal, but is reversible once the drugs are stopped.

Surgery is sometimes used to remove the abnormal deposits, usually via a laparoscopy, but the deposits will often return after time. In very severe cases and only after much consideration, a hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries is recommended, but this is a decision not to be taken lightly.

Complementary therapies are often used by women but there is no evidence to support their efficacy.

If you have any concerns you can discuss this with your GP

What is endometriosis? This is a condition when cells like the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body, usually in the pelvis, around the womb, ovaries and tubes, and between the womb and bowel. It can also occur in the bowel and bladder and extremely rarely in other parts of the body far removed from the womb.

Why does this cause a problem? The abnormally placed cells go through the same monthly changes as the lining of the womb, growing then eventually breaking down and bleeding when you have your period. However, there is no way for the blood which is shed to leave the body as with a period and so it causes inflammation, pain and scar tissue. Occasionally blood filled cysts are found in the ovary due to endometriosis and here are called “chocolate cysts” due to the colour of the old blood within the cyst.

No one knows why it occurs, but the classical symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods, painful sex and infertility. The period pain often starts before the period and the periods can be heavy and prolonged. It can also cause painful bowel movements and pain on passing urine. Symptoms can also be similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome. However some women with endometriosis will have no symptoms what so ever.

The amount of endometriosis a woman has is not related to the amount of symptoms she will experience, the symptoms seem more related to the site of the problem.

It is a very common problem and thought that about 2 million women are affected in the UK.

The only way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy (a procedure when a small telescope is passed into the abdomen and the pelvic organs are looked at directly). Because of the varied ways it presents diagnosis can be difficult and often delayed.

So once you have a diagnosis, how can it be treated? This very much depends on the individual circumstances of the woman, how severe is the disease, how bad are the symptoms, does she want to get pregnant, how old is she? Your doctor will be able to discuss various treatments with you once a diagnosis is made.

Usually the first line is hormonal therapy, aimed at stopping ovulation and giving the abnormal deposits chance to die away. This is achieved by kidding the body that you are pregnant or menopausal, but is reversible once the drugs are stopped.

Surgery is sometimes used to remove the abnormal deposits, usually via a laparoscopy, but the deposits will often return after time. In very severe cases and only after much consideration, a hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries is recommended, but this is a decision not to be taken lightly.

Complementary therapies are often used by women but there is no evidence to support their efficacy.

If you have any concerns you can discuss this with your GP.

More Information »

Red for Heart, National Heart Month – February 2010

2010-01-31T18:29:00.000Z

The British Heart foundation is running a fundraising month in February and also trying to raise people’s awareness of heart disease. It is a very common illness and I am sure there is no one who does not have a friend or relative who has suffered from some kind of heart disease.

So how can we prevent heart disease?

Blood Pressure
A long standing raised blood pressure can be a factor. It is worth getting your blood pressure checked occasionally. If it is raised you may initially be asked to have a number of readings as the occasional raised reading is not a worry, and some people have “white coat hypertension” which means that whenever they set foot into a surgery, the BP goes up! We can distinguish this with a 24 hour monitor which takes your BP repeatedly whilst you are about your normal business. If it is raised, then your GP will be able to initiate treatment for you, usually medication. But lowering weight and salt intake can both lower your BP.

Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol, good and bad. Your total cholesterol could be higher than normal, but if this is made up of good cholesterol, then there will be no real impact on heart disease, if however you have the bad type, this can cause furring up of your arteries which can be a factor in heart disease. A low fat diet can aid cholesterol reduction and your GP may also feel it is necessary to try drug treatment to lower the cholesterol.

Weight
If you are overweight and especially if you are obese, this adds extra strain on your heart. Aim to reduce your weight and if possible get to a normal weight. Exercise will help to reduce weight and is also good for the heart. Aim to work hard enough to feel slightly breathless but still able to hold a conversation. A good brisk walk is an excellent way of getting fit as are swimming and cycling.

Smoking
Yes, smoking is bad for you, and here is another very important disease closely linked to smoking. There is no safe level of smoking. One cigarette a day doubles your risk of heart attack! The NHS can help you to quit. The Medical Centre has Smoking Cessation Advisors who will help you to stop.

Diabetes
Having diabetes is another risk factor for heart disease as diabetes attacks the small blood vessels. Controlling your diabetes if you have it, and avoiding developing Type 2 diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight will reduce your risk of heart problems.

Family History
You cannot alter your genes, but if you have a strong family history of heart disease it is worth discussing this with your GP and definitely try and reduce the other risk factors.

Stress
Stress can be a factor. Try and de-stress your life.

More Information »

Beating Bowel Cancer

2009-12-31T10:05:00.000Z

January 25^th – 31^st is Be Loud Be Clear, the annual fundraising event for Beating Bowel Cancer charity. Bowel cancer is one of the commonest forms of cancer affecting over 35000 people each year. But if it is caught early, then it can be successfully treated. Some people ignore the early signs because of embarrassment. Please do not let embarrassment stop you seeking help from your GP. You should be able to recognize the early symptoms that something may be amiss. The following symptoms do not mean that you have bowel cancer, but should get you along to discuss them with your doctor if they persist for more than 6 weeks.

Bleeding from the bottom – (rectal bleeding) without any obvious reason. If you have other symptoms such as itching or needing to strain it may just be piles, but still get checked in case.
Persistent change in bowel habit – especially going to the toilet more often or if the stools are looser than normal.
Abdominal pain – especially if severe.
A lump you can feel in your tummy.
Unexplained weight loss or tiredness.

Your GP will be able to arrange any further investigations he feels necessary or refer you to the hospital. Do not be put off because you need to have an examination of your bottom.

What can you do to reduce your risk of getting bowel cancer?

Reduce your alcohol intake – as bowel cancer is linked to high alcohol intake. The more you cut down, the more you reduce your risk .
Diet – can have a big impact. Bowel cancer is still quite rare in the developing world, so you need to reduce your saturated fat, reduce your intake or red and processed meat, and increase your dietary fibre (fruit and vegetables).
Increase your physical activity – try for half an hour of moderate activity five times a week. The more active you are the better.
Obesity is associated with an increase in bowel cancer, so weight loss to a healthy BMI will lower your risk.
Smoking – long term smokers are more likely then non-smokers to develop bowel cancer. So another really good reason to quit.

There are some risk factors that you can do nothing about! But this still does not mean that you are bound to develop the disease.

Age – bowel cancer is commoner in people 60 and over (but 2 in 10 are younger than this)
Bowel disease – some bowel diseases give you an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, but if you are known to have these diseases, then it may be possible to arrange regular bowel.
Family history – some families have an inherited factor and also if you have a close family member with bowel cancer this can increase your risk. Discuss this with your doctor as it may be possible to arrange screening.

So now you can SURVIVE

Stop smoking
Understand your symptoms and see your doctor if you have had symptoms for 6 weeks
Regular exercise
Value you body, keep to a healthy weight
Intake less alcohol
Visit your GP if you have worrying symptoms
Eat healthily

You can get more information from the Beating Bowel Cancer by telephoning 08450 719300.

More Information »

How to have a stress free and healthier Christmas

2009-12-01T08:00:00.000Z

Have you noticed how stressful it can be over Christmas? What for most people is meant to be a relaxing few days off work turns into some dreadful marathon event, especially for the lady of the house. Well it needn’t be. With a little forward planning, the holiday will go by stress free and more importantly, healthily.

Do you need to get any repeat medications as you will run out during the holiday? Look at your medications well in advance and get your repeat slips into the chemist or Medical Centre in good time. Neither the ladies at the Medical Centre nor the chemist can look after the population of Selsey in the last few days before Christmas and definitely not on Christmas Eve.

Make sure you have a well stocked first aid cabinet for cuts and bruises, burns (those turkeys can be difficult to get in and out of a hot oven) and minor ailments. Your chemist can advise you on what a well stocked first aid box should contain and often sell first aid kits ready made.

Hands up how many of you eat and/or drink too much over the festive season. Why is it that for a few days over December you feel that the family will not survive without huge tins of chocolates, crisps by the large bag, nuts and other sugar and fat laden “treats” not to mention the last minute dash to the supermarket with a trolley so full that looks as if you are stocking up for a nuclear attack! Many shops will be open again by Boxing Day, so why buy so much food which will probably end up in the dustbin in the New Year? I cannot imagine that many people do not get chocolate of some kind as a gift, so why buy it for you as well?

Plan your menu. Work out exactly what you will feed your family and friends for the meals over the holiday. Write it down. Choose the wine to go with your meal (if you wish it). Then use your menu to make your shopping list. Do not buy anything that is not on the list! If you feel your family cannot survive without some nibbles, then get satumas or clementines (very festive) or other fruit. If you have to eat nuts, get those with the shells on so at least you have to do a bit of work to get them out and it is harder to eat masses of them in a rush. Avoid crisps, cheesy biscuits, other savoury nibbles and chocolate. That way, you won’t be reaching for the indigestion tablets and worrying about weight gain by the New Year. If you want a traditional turkey for your Christmas dinner, think about how many people will be eating it. Do you want to have it as left overs? If not, buy a turkey which is going to be a suitable size. Talk to your butcher. He will be able to recommend the best size of bird. If you want sausages and bacon rolls to accompany the turkey, you will require less turkey meat. If no one likes the dark meat, get a turkey crown. All this means less wastage and could save money as well. Buy vegetables that you know the family will enjoy. Why buy Brussels sprouts if no one is going to eat them?

Stock Roasted Potatoes

This is a low fat but really tasty alternative to traditional roast potatoes and loved by my family and friends.

Medium sized potatoes peeled and then placed in a tablespoon. Make cuts down onto the spoon, as close together as possible, but don’t cut right through the potato. Place into a baking dish, cut side upwards. Use an oven to table dish and it saves washing up!

Fill the dish with chicken stock (I used Knorr cubes) so that the liquid is just over half way up the potatoes.

Melt a tablespoon of butter and brush over the tops of the potatoes then sprinkle with garlic salt.

Put into the oven with the roasting meat and it takes about 1 hour for the potatoes to cook and brown beautifully on top.

Serve.

You can alter the flavour of the stock depending on what meat you are serving and they are truly delicious with the potato absorbing the stock and still having a crisp top.

Try not to overdo the alcohol. Make sure you have lots of water at meals so you are less likely to drink alcohol when thirsty – water to quench your thirst and wine to savour! Do keep an eye on the units as they tend to creep up on you. Remember that alcohol takes time to get out of your system and the more you drink, the longer it takes. Many a person has been breathalysed the morning after and found to be still over the limit, so if you know you are driving, be careful the night before unless you want to lose your license. Don’t push alcohol onto other people. Have soft drinks to offer, or even a nice cup of tea!

After your main festive feast, give it a little while to settle and then take a walk. Exercise will freshen you up and make you feel less sluggish and also help with constipation which is a problem with all this protein laden food! You could even try a brisk walk before you eat whilst the meat is in the oven.

My handy hint for next year is that if you are out during the year and spot the ideal present for friend or family, get it then and keep in a special place (which you will be able to remember). Then next year you won’t have the hassle of present buying at the last minute (not so useful for small children who want the latest “must have” or anything with a guarantee). It also helps to spread the cost.

The Medical Centre will close at lunchtime (1pm) on Christmas Eve to reopen December 29th. We then close for New Year’s Day. In case of an emergency when we are closed please call Harmoni, the GP out of hours service on 0300 130 1313. You can also get advice from NHS Direct on 0845 4646.

May everyone at the Medical Centre wish you a happy, and stress free Christmas and a very healthy New Year.

November 4th National Stress Awareness Day

2009-10-26T18:56:00.000Z

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

2009-09-20T19:39:00.000+01:00

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

2009-09-20T19:38:00.000+01:00

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

2009-09-02T13:53:00.000+01:00

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

2009-07-23T20:05:00.000+01:00

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

2009-07-20T09:33:00.000+01:00

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

2009-06-17T19:25:00.001+01:00

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.

What is Osteoporosis?

2009-06-17T19:21:00.001+01:00

It is a thinning of the bones due to loss of bone strength meaning that anyone with osteoporosis is more likely to suffer from a bone fracture (break). This can result from a fall or in the case of the backbone, a spontaneous crush fracture of a vertebral body can occur with no trauma to precipitate the injury.

One in two women and one in five men will have a fracture after the age of 50, which for women is higher than the risk of break cancer or cardiovascular disease.

Women have a 1 in 6 lifetime risk of hip fracture currently. The after effects of a hip fracture can be very severe. In the first 12 months after hip fracture over half the people who were able to walk unaided prior to the fracture will be unable to walk independently afterwards. Over half will require assistance at home and a third will have difficulty sleeping because of pain.

Vertebral fracture will cause loss of height and if multiple result in a curving forwards of the spine. They can also cause pain.

What makes it more likely that I will develop osteoporosis?

* A family history of hip fracture after the age of 50 (or a more general history of bone fracture).
* Inactivity - prolonged bed rest encourages bone loss as does a sedentary lifestyle
* Poor diet, particularly lack of Vitamin D and calcium
* Steroids - either given medically because of health problems or taken illegally
* Alcohol -more than 2 units per day increases the risk of an osteoporotic fracture
* Smoking - again increases risk, Past smokers are also at increased risk but less than that of current smokers
* Menopause - decrease in levels of oestrogen encourage bone loss

So what can I do to help myself?

You cannot alter your genetics, but if you have a family history then it is even more important that you take preventative action.
Get active, but to improve your bone stock you need to take weight bearing exercise, so swimming and cycling, although excellent for the heart are not so good for your bones. A good walk will do the trick. Take the stairs rather than the lift. Get off the bus a stop early and walk that little bit further. Walk into the village rather than take the car. It is easy to increase your physical activity. By getting active (and there is no age limit to this) you not only improve your bone health, but you actually make your risk of falling less as you become more physically able. Research has shown that no matter how old or infirm you are, increasing your physical activity makes you more able to do the day to day things that were perhaps beginning to get difficult, as well as improving your bones!
Good diet -a healthy mix of fresh food so that you get a balance of vitamins and minerals. Calcium is best found in dairy products and is actually higher in skimmed than in full fat milk.
If your doctor is prescribing steroids for a long period of time, he will also be prescribing something to help protect your bones.
Look at your alcohol intake. Try to reduce it to safer levels.
See the practice smoking cessation adviser to help quit.
If you have an early menopause, talk to your GP about bone health.

By adopting the above, not only will your bone health improve, but your general health will also benefit.