RedGage

Your Home Medicine Cabinet

Here are some suggestions for stocking your home medicine cabinet; the pharmacist can help you stock the cabinet and advise on home remedies:

• Paracetamol syrups (e.g. Calpol, Disprol, etc.) for pain or fever in children
• Paracetamol or aspirin for headaches, colds, fever, sore throats and pain in adults
• Cough medicines
• Menthol crystals to treat catarrh and dry, painful coughs or sinusitis – add to hot water and inhale the steam
• Calamine lotion for insect bites, sunburn, stings and itches
• Antiseptic solution for cleaning cuts and grazes
• Rehydration mixtures (e.g. Dioralyte) for use in cases of diarrhoea or vomiting
• Assorted sizes of plasters
• Cotton wool to clean cuts and grazes
• Elastic bandage and dressings to support sprains or bruises
• Thermometer for taking temperatures
• Tweezers for removing splinters

Coping with Aliments and minor illnesses

We recognise that for most of the time you probably act as your own doctor or nurse! Research has shown that people cope with ill health symptoms in eight out of ten occasions. If you are feeling unwell you will try to work out why and take steps to make yourself better, only when you cannot solve or understand the problem will you seek medical help.

Self-care is an increasingly important part of your overall health care with more and more medicines and treatments becoming available directly to you through pharmacists and other care professionals. However, self-care requires you to be able to recognise minor illness and when to call for medical advice. This section provides some advice on self-care but remember do not struggle to deal with health issues if you are worried. We are available to help you, in addition the local pharmacist can give you advice on the treatment of minor illnesses.

Many books are available, such as ‘Family Health’ published by the BMJ; these books can be useful as reference sources, as can very many websites – some sites are included as links from this site – you can surf further with links from them

Danger and Warning Signs

There are warning signs that may tell that something is wrong and when they occur you should contact us as soon as possible. They are:

• losing weight by seven pounds (three kilos) or more without obvious reason
• feeling thirsty without obvious reason
• feeling tired or exhausted without good reason
• losing blood when coughing or vomiting or going to the toilet
• a change in a mole (change in colour, growth, itching or bleeding)
• a change in voice (getting husky or horse and continuing that way for more than three weeks)
• indigestion or belching acid, lasting more than a month(especially in the over-45s)
• change in a breast or nipple.

In children the following signs mean you should contact a doctor immediately:

• violet coloured spots that do not fade when pressed
• breathing difficulties, gulping, gasping, wheezing and being unable to speak or drink
• pain when breathing in
• weakness, drowsiness, confusion and no reaction to anyone or surroundings
• vomiting a lot and seems unwell
• cannot sit up or bend head forward.

Colds and ‘Flu

Colds and ‘flu, like many minor illnesses, are caused by viruses. There are thousands of different viruses with no direct cure, antibiotics do not help, but there are things that you can do to ease the symptoms while your body gets on with overcoming the virus. Paracetamol or aspirin may help relieve aches and fever, but do not give aspirin to children under 12 years. Rest, go to bed and take plenty of drinks (not alcohol) until symptoms subside.

REMEMBER: In October everyone over 65 years old and those in certain ‘at-risk’ groups can get a ‘Flu jab – look out for notices in the centre and here on our website giving details.

Treating High Temperatures

A raised temperature often occurs even with mild infections like colds and ‘flu. Normal temperature is 37°C or 98.4°F. You will usually know if you or a family member has a temperature; you will feel hot or cold, sweaty or shivery, and unwell. Children may be miserable and listless or look flushed. Small babies may seem very sleepy and not want to feed. You should drink plenty of water or weak squash, keep the room temperature comfortable with fresh air circulating and sponge the forehead or body with cool or lukewarm water. Paracetamol or aspirin can be taken by adults and paracetamol, can be given as syrup, e.g. Calpol, to children.

Contact the doctor immediately if the temperature is over 40°C or 104°F, if there is a stiff neck, cramps or vomiting, or if a child seems weak and listless or suffers a fit or convulsion.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting

Diarrhoea and vomiting are amongst the most commonest problems affecting health. In adults, diarrhoea is usually caused by a virus infection and is therefore unable to be treated directly. Although not very ill you may have a high temperature and though the viral illness may go on for two or three days the diarrhoea and associated vomiting can be settled quite quickly by the proper management.

You should avoid solid food and milk, taking clear liquids only until the diarrhoea subsides. After a period of four to five hours a small amount of solid food should be tried such as toast. Medicines to stop diarrhoea are rarely necessary, sometimes they can prolong the illness. Nevertheless you may wish to ask the pharmacist for advice about ‘over the counter’ products such as ‘Imodium’. Holiday diarrhoea is often due to a bacteria and here ‘Imodium’ may also be considered to help you. Where necessary use a rehydration mixture such as Dioralyte; if the symptoms persist for more than a few days see the doctor.

Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs careful attention. Most babies have loose bowel action during the first six months due to their predominantly liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking babies off solids and seeking advice. In all cases, if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, or are accompanied by vomiting and weakness, contact the Centre