Helping people to look after their own health, and their family’s health also helps to manage demand on health services.

Minor ailments and injuries (such as the ones listed below) can often be treated at home by ensuring you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest.

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Tickly coughs
  • Sore throat
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Earaches

This is how long they may last ...

  • Ear infection: 4 days
  • Sore throat: 1 week
  • Common cold: 1½ weeks
  • Flu: 2 weeks
  • Sinusitis: 2½ weeks
  • Cough or bronchitis: 3 weeks

Did you know? Antibiotics are not an effective treatment for winter symptoms such as a cough, cold, sore throat, flu or nasal congestion. These symptoms are caused by viruses and antibiotics only work against bacteria. If you take antibiotics unnecessarily then they may not work when you need them to treat a bacterial infection.

Save yourself a trip to your GP and pop into your local pharmacy first for expert advice.

Self-care for common conditions can also help free up GPs' time, making it easier to for you to get an appointment when you have a more serious condition. This is especially important during winter, when illnesses like coughs, colds, flu and sore throats are more common. If you believe someone has been spiked please follow this advice given by Drinkaware.co.uk.

 

Remember, NHS 111 can also be a good resource for health advice for things that are not life-threatening.

Self Help

The NHS website also has lots of information on what steps to take to look after you and your family. Visit the NHS website Living Well page.

Following a healthy lifestyle plays an important role in helping you maintain both your physical and mental wellbeing. Even making small changes to your lifestyle can make a big difference.

The services and resources listed on this page are here to help you if you are ready to make some positive changes.

Being more active is good for your body and good for your mind. It can help to improve your health in many ways including losing weight, easing any joint or back pain, manage stress, improve sleep, and increase energy levels.

Helpful Websites

 

Consider your own activity

Your Activity Levels

If you are in work:

  • Do you spend most of your time sitting at a desk?
  • Does your work require you to stand for long periods of time (e.g. shop assistant, hairdresser, security guard, childminder, etc...)? 
  • Does your work require physical effort including handling of heavy objects and use of tools (e.g. plumber, electrician, carpenter, cleaner, hospital nurse, gardener, postal delivery workers etc...)?
  • Does your work involve vigorous physical activity including handling of very heavy objects (e.g. scaffolder, construction worker, refuse collector, etc...)

How often do you engage in the following forms of physical exercise:

  • swimming, jogging, aerobics, football, tennis, gym workout etc.
  • cycling (including cycling to work and during leisure time)
  • walking (including walking to work, shopping, for pleasure)
  • housework or childcare
  • gardening or DIY
Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

You may find it helpful to check your BMI, this helps to identify if you are a healthy weight for your height. You will need to know your height and weight measurements for this. If you are not sure what your height or weight is visit your local pharmacy and ask if they can check this for you. You can calculate your BMI by using the online NHS BMI calculator.

If your BMI indicates that you are overweight or obese please consider joining the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme.

The online tool gives suggestions about what you might consider if your BMI is outside the normal healthy range. We suggest you discuss this with your GP before taking any action.

Ask yourself these questions
  1. How would you benefit from being more active? Think of 2 to 3 benefits e.g. it will help to reduce my blood pressure.
  2. How will you aim to increase your physical activity levels?
  3. If you need support, who are the people that you can talk to e.g. family, friends, colleagues, neighbours.
  4. What are the main difficulties that you are facing?
  5. Are there any solutions that can help?

Cutting back on alcohol can be an effective way to improve your health, boost your energy, lose weight, and save money. Reducing the amount you drink each week, even by small amounts can make a big difference.

Helpful Websites

 

 

Consider your own drinking

Online calculators
Ask yourself these questions

  1. How would you benefit from drinking less alcohol (list 2-3 benefits)? e.g. it will improve my relationship with family and friends

  2. How are you going to start drinking less alcohol?

  3. If you need support, who are the people that you can ask (e.g. family, friends, colleagues, neighbours)

  4. What are the main difficulties that you are facing?

  5. Are there any solutions that can help?

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of keeping healthy. Eating a variety of foods in the right proportions ensures that your body is getting all the nutrients it needs to function well.

Helpful Websites

 

We all have times when our mood is low and we feel sad, fed up, or stressed. But sometimes these feelings last for weeks, or feel like they are happening all the time, and can interfere with our daily lives. You may also find it helpful to write down your thoughts and feelings.

 

Videos

The following videos are all produced for the NHS Better Health campaign:

There is also a Playlist containing all the videos.

 

Helpful Websites

Ask yourself these questions
  1. What small changes can you think of that will have a positive impact? e.g. I could distract myself by watching a favourite TV programme or going for a walk
  2. If you need support, who are the people that you can talk to? e.g. family, friends, colleagues, neighbours
  3. What are the main difficulties that you are facing?
  4. Are there any solutions that can help?

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. It reduces your risk of heart and lung disease, boosts your mental health, and saves you money.

Online Resources

 

 

Consider your own smoking habits

Check your smoking habits and your nicotine dependence level by completing this online Fagerstrom Test.

 

Ask yourself these questions
  1. How would you benefit from quitting smoking (list 2-3 benefits)? e.g. save money
  2. How many cigarettes will you aim to reduce per day or per week?
  3. If you need support, who are the people that you can talk to? e.g. family, friends, colleagues, neighbours
  4. What are the main difficulties that you are facing?
  5. Are there any solutions that can help?
Think! Who can best help?

Need further help? Find out how your local pharmacy can help you...

Pharmacy

The Emergency Department is for serious or life threatening illnesses or accidents