Health, Digestion, Healthcare, Well-being, Women's Health
Thirty-five million GP consultations yearly are for advice on how to deal with coughs and colds. As a result, seven million antibiotic courses are prescribed for these common upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). As viruses cause the majority of upper respiratory tract infections, antibiotics will not help but there’s a range of self-care at home advice available on NHS websites to help reduce the severity and duration of coughs and colds without requiring a wasted trip to the doctors.
Pharmacist Dr Dick Middleton says: “Resting well, staying hydrated with fluids, soothing sore throats with honey in warm water, and gargling with a homemade saltwater mouthwash will all help.
“A self-care option that is little known is a herbal medicine containing extracts of pelargonium that is recommended as part of NICE guidelines as a self-care treatment option for adults and children 12 years and above to help treat coughs without resorting to antibiotics.”
More information about the use of Pelargonium can be found on the British Herbal Medicines Association website bhma.info or try Centoreze, a new licensed herbal medicinal product containing Pelargonium used to relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, including common cold, such as sore throat, cough and blocked or runny nose, based on traditional use only. Visit centoreze.co.uk 21 tablets £10.95 including delivery.
If symptoms persist and don’t clear up after a week, visit your GP or pharmacist.
Another common infection amongst women and that can become more frequent with age is Cystitis.
The infection is usually caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, most commonly in women from bacteria through wiping back to front after going to the toilet. Going through menopause as well as not drinking enough fluids also increases the risk of developing cystitis.
Common symptoms of cystitis can include a burning, stinging or painful sensation when you urinate, needing to urinate more often or more urgently than usual, a pain in your lower tummy, and urine that is dark, cloudy or strong smelling.
At the first sign of symptoms, drinking plenty of water is helpful and some sufferers find drinking cranberry juice can be helpful.
The herb, Uva Ursi, has antimicrobial properties and makes is an infection fighter used to relieve symptoms of mild cystitis, particularly where symptoms such as pain, burning or stinging sensations during urination or frequent urination is experienced. Try a licensed herbal medicine such as HRI Water Balance containing a combination of Uva ursi and dandelion £7.49 for 60 tablets from hriherbalmedicine.co.uk Amazon* and Holland & Barrett.
Some symptoms can be a sign of a kidney infection which can be serious if not treated quickly, so it’s a good idea to check when to seek medical help from a reliable source and by visiting nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis
Most people suffer from indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, at some point. In fact, gastrointestinal disorders account for 25% of all visits to the GP. It is not normally a sign of anything more serious, and you can treat it yourself with over-the-counter remedies purchased from pharmacies, supermarkets or on-line.
Indigestion symptoms can occur after eating or drinking and include: feeling sick, burping and breaking wind, feeling bloated, a painful burning feeling in the chest that we call heartburn, and bringing up food or bitter tasting fluids into your mouth known as reflux.
If you are prone to indigestion, it can help to avoid rich, spicy or fatty foods, cut down on tea, coffee, alcohol and fizzy drinks. At night, don’t eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed, and sleep on your left side and try and raise the head of your bed or use pillows to ensure your shoulders and chest are above your stomach. Some medicines can also cause or worsen indigestion symptoms including aspirin containing products and ibuprofen, so avoid these where possible.
Your pharmacist can advise on medicines to relieve symptoms such as antacids that neutralise stomach acid and help to relieve indigestion and heartburn. These products come as either a chewable tablet or liquid and will usually relieve symptoms in a few hours, although they do not treat the underlying cause of the indigestion. Some antacids are combined with coating agents called alginates which can help to reduce acid reflux and indigestion at the same time.
Natural alternatives include newer coating agents such as colloidal silica gel, which coats the stomach with a protective lining and adsorbs excess acidity and gas to help relieve acid reflux, heartburn and nausea symptoms of indigestion. It can be taken with other medications as long as it is taken an hour before or after taking medicines. It is available in sachet and oral gel form.
Silicolgel 200ml bottle £9.15 or 500ml £19.95 available from Superdrug, Boots*, Holland & Barrett or buy convenient travel-sized Silicolgel Sachets, £10.95 12 x 5ml sachet available from Boots* and silicol.co.uk
Always see your GP if you keep suffering from indigestion, heartburn or being sick, have lost a lot of weight unintentionally, have difficulty swallowing, are in severe pain, or have blood in your vomit or poo.
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