Below are a number of information leaflets on common conditions that regularly present at the practice. Many of these conditions will resolve on their own or using medication that can be obtained over the counter. Please read the leaflet most appropriate to your condition, which will explain when you should present to the GP.
Please note: Although these resources are from a trusted source and we hope they are helpful, they are not intended to act as a replacement for a consultation with a suitable medical professional.
Babies and Children
Chickenpox
Coughs and Colds
Eczema
Fever
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Nappy Rash
Brain and Nervous System
Migraine
Tension Headache
Chest and Lungs
Common Cold
Cough
Influenza (Flu)
Digestive Health
Constipation
Food Poisoning
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Indigestion
Piles / Haemorrhoids
Trapped Wind, Gas and Bloating
Ear, Nose and Throat
Earache
Ear Wax
Hay Fever
Nosebleed
Sore Throat
Eye Care
Chalazion (Eyelid Cyst)
Conjunctivitis
Dry Eyes
Stye (Eyelid Infection)
Watering Eyes
Kidney and Urinary Tract
Blood in Urine
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Mental Health
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia (Poor Sleep)
Skin Conditions
Acne
Athlete's Foot
Antihistamines
Contact Dermatitis
Fungal Groin Infection
Insect Bites and Stings
Ringworm
Shingles
Skin Rashes
Women's Health
Cystitis (UTI) in Women
Heavy Periods
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Menopause
Missed Periods
Period Pain
Vaginal Thrush
Long Term Conditions
Asthma is a common condition that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness. Most people with asthma who take the appropriate treatment can live normal lives, but left untreated, asthma can cause permanent damage to the airways.
Symptoms of asthma
The usual symptoms of asthma are
- coughing
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest.
- Not everyone will get all of these symptoms. Some people experience them from time to time; a few people may experience these symptoms all the time.
Useful Links
Asthma and Lung UK
This website is designed meet the needs of the thousands of people with asthma who visit the site each day, to find important information about asthma and how to control it
NHS – Asthma
Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of Asthma
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.
One in three people will be affected by cancer at some stage in their life. There are many different types of cancer and this page doesn’t cover them all, but the general information will help you to access further information and support.
Cancer Support
There are videos available about Macmillan and the support they offer on the Macmillan Video Site
There is further information and educational videos on the Cancer Research UK Video Site
Useful Links
Cancer Research UK
Free information service provided by Cancer Research UK about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families. Information is formatted in such a way that makes understanding the website an easy process.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Europe’s leading cancer information charity, with over 4,500 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.
NHS – Cancer
Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of Cancer.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.
Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for all diseases of the heart and circulation. It includes everything from conditions that are inherited or that a person is born with, to those that develop later, such as coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, stroke and vascular dementia. There are around 7.6 million people living with cardiovascular disease in the UK. (British Heart Foundation CHD Statistics April 2023). CVD causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK; that is more than 160,000 deaths each year, or 460 each day – that’s one death every three minutes. 48,000 of these deaths are premature. Early deaths from heart and circulatory diseases (before the age of 75) are most common in the north of England, central Scotland and the south of Wales, and lowest in the south of England.
British Heart Foundation
There are videos available on all aspects of the British Heart Foundation and heart disease on the BHF video site
Audio MP3 Downloads
Now you can download and listen to podcasts free from the BHF – either on the move or in the comfort of your own home. We have a few examples below.
Controlling Cholesterol
Giving Up Smoking
Risk Factors & Heart Disease
Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
The British and Irish Hypertension Society recommends that only properly validated BP monitors be used both in the clinic and at home. All the monitors listed on their website have been clinically validated. This means that all the machines, regardless of their cost, give reliable readings when used correctly. Please note that added cost does not equate to added accuracy.
View a list of clinically validated BP monitors
Useful Links
NHS – Cardiovascular Disease
Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.
“The British Heart Foundation is Britain’s leading charity fighting heart and circulatory disease – the UK’s biggest killer. The BHF funds research, education and life-saving equipment and helps heart patients return to a full and active way of life. The charity relies on donations to continue its vital work.”
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. The main symptom of COPD is an inability to breathe in and out properly. This is also referred to as airflow obstruction.
What is COPD?
Useful Links
NHS – COPD
Guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and risks of COPD from the NHS
Asthma and Lung UK
Information and guidance on living with COPD
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is also known as diabetes mellitus. There are two types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2.
According to the charity Diabetes UK, more than five million people in the UK have the condition, including 850,000 more who are estimated to have diabetes without realising they do. Additionally, more than 2.4 million people are at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the UK based on blood sugar levels.
Around 90% of patients with diabetes have type 2 diabetes mellitus. This used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes mellitus. The number of people with type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing as it commoner in the overweight and obese, which is itself a growing problem.
The remainder (around 8%) have type 1 diabetes mellitus, which used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
What’s the treatment for diabetes?
It’s recognised that the sooner the blood sugar levels are brought under control, the better the long term prospects of preventing damage. Lifestyle advice about diet, weight management and regular activity is the first step.
Type 1 diabetes will require immediate insulin therapy.
Type 2 diabetes will first be managed with a drug called Metformin, if lifestyle changes alone aren’t effective. There are now several other drugs used in type 2 diabetes, although eventually some type 2 diabetics will need insulin therapy as it’s a progressive disease.
Diabetes UK – Signs and symptoms of all types of diabetes
There is further information and education on the Diabetes UK Video Site
Useful Links
Type 1 Diabetes
An excellent resource with useful information and references relating to Type 1 Diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
An excellent resource with useful information and references relating to Type 2 Diabetes.
Diabetes UK
Largest charity in the UK devoted to the care and treatment of people with diabetes in order to improve the quality of life for people with the condition.
NHS – Diabetes
Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of Diabetes.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.
Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England which affects their daily life, relationships or physical health. (Figures from Mind)
Mental health disorders take many different forms and affect people in different ways. Schizophrenia, depression and personality disorders are all examples of mental health problems. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia generally develop in old age, whereas eating disorders are more common in young people.
Mental Health Wellbeing Podcasts
You can subscribe to wellbeing podcasts on the Mental Health Foundation Website.
The website of the Mental Health Foundation outlines the charity’s work in research, policy, service development and service user involvement. The site offers information and publications to download on research, good practice in services and on mental health problems and key issues.
Useful Links
Alzheimer’s Society
Comprehensive information for people with all forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mental Health Foundation
Founded in 1949, the Mental Health Foundation is a leading UK charity that provides information, carries out research, campaigns and works to improve services for anyone affected by mental health problems, whatever their age and wherever they live
Mind
Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales. Founded in 1946 as the National Association for Mental Health, it celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2016. Mind offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf.
NHS – Mental Health
The NHS website provides detailed information about the symptoms, diagnoses and treatment of various mental health conditions.
NHS – Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters is a section of the NHS website dedicated to mental health. Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay on top of your mental wellbeing.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting over 10 million people in the UK. It develops gradually over time, causing joints to become stiff and painful. It can affect any joint but commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine.
Osteoarthritis: a real story
Who develops osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis usually develops in people who are over 50 years of age, and it is more common in women than in men. It is commonly thought that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of getting older, but this is not true. Younger people can also be affected by osteoarthritis, often as a result of an injury or another joint condition.
Useful Links
Arthritis Action
Arthritis Action is the UK charity giving hands-on, practical help to improve the quality of life of people affected by arthritis.
NHS – Osteoarthritis
Guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and risks of Osteoarthritis from the NHS
Osteoarthritis Factsheet
This factsheet is for people who have osteoarthritis or who would like information about it.
Arthritis Care
Arthritis Care exists to support people with arthritis. They are the UK’s largest organisation working with and for all people who have arthritis.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.
Living with Pain
The NHS website contains lots of useful information, tips and advice on living with chronic pain.
Help from your GP and use of NHS services dedicated to pain management can help make sufferers more independent, reduce the severity of pain and assist in day to day with coping with what can be a debilitating condition.
Useful Links
NHS – Back pain
NHS – Neuralgia
NHS – Complex regional pain syndrome
Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of certain types of chronic pain.
Action on Pain
A charity providing support and advice for people affected by chronic pain.
Pain Concern
A charity for people with pain or anyone who cares for someone in pain.
The Pain Toolkit
The Pain Toolkit is a collection of helpful tips and strategies to manage persistent pain, developed by someone with long-term pain.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.
A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Like all organs, the brain needs the oxygen and nutrients provided by blood to function properly. If the supply of blood is restricted or stopped, brain cells begin to die. This can lead to brain damage and possibly death.
Strokes are a medical emergency and prompt treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.
Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or ‘mini-stroke’, is caused by a temporary fall in the blood supply to part of the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause symptoms that are similar to a stroke, although they don’t last as long. A TIA lasts only a few minutes and is usually resolved within 24 hours
As TIAs are serious, it is important that they are always investigated so that appropriate treatment can be given quickly. With treatment, the risk of a further TIA or a full stroke can be greatly reduced.
Useful links
NHS – Stroke
The NHS Stroke pages offer a great deal of information about stroke, including how to recognise the signs, some real stories of stroke sufferers and advice on how to live your life after a stroke.
Stroke Association UK
The UK’s leading stroke charity which provides specialist support, funds critical research and campaigns to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support to rebuild their lives.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact an appropriately trained medical professional for advice.