Lifestyle Advice

Question 1

Mouth Ulcers

Answer 1

• Can be triggered by poorly fitting dentures
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush to avoid irritating the mouth
• Avoid acidic or spicy foods which may exacerbate ulcers

Question 2

Heartburn

Answer 2

• Avoid slouching, try raising head at night
• Fatty foods can worsen heartburn
• Avoid acidic foods
• Recent dietary changes?

Question 3

Nausea and Vomiting

Answer 3

• Triggered by anything?? Food poisoning, alcohol, pregnancy

- Hydration is important, eat when they feel able

Question 4

Motion Sickness

Answer 4

• Make sure medication is administered in good time as once vomiting starts it is little that can be done
• Car: sit in direction of travel, open the windows, look out the front window
• Suck on sweets to relieve a dry mouth (from medication)
• Keep children occupied
• Do not read
• Ginger can help alleviate nausea
• Pressure wristbands

Question 5

Constipation

Answer 5

• Increase fibre in diet: fruit, veg, beans/lentils, wholemeal
• More fluids
• Avoid alcohol
• For children: increase fluids, give more fruit, dont add extra water to formula for babies

Question 6

IBS

Answer 6

• food diary to identify foods that make it worse
• fresh ingredients
• probiotics
• exercise
• reduce amount of fruit eaten
• reduce fatty/spicy foods

Question 7

Threadworm

Answer 7

• Treat the whole family
• Hygiene - shower in the mornings
• Change bedding daily
• Children should wear pyjamas
• Keep nails short, wash hands regularly

Question 8

Cold and Flu

Answer 8

• Hydration & rest
• Gargle salt water for a sore throat
• Steam baths can help with congestion

Question 9

Coughs

Answer 9

• Hot lemon and honey

- Fluids and rest

Question 10

Oral Thrush

Answer 10

• Use a very soft toothbrush
• Spacers help reduce the risk of thrush if using an inhaler (also rinsing mouth with water after)
• Remove dentures at night
• Smoking is not good for oral thrush
• Babies: sterilise dummies regularly, sterilise bottles properly

Question 11

Diarrhoea

Answer 11

o Drink plenty water, plenty of Rest
o Follow good toilet hygiene
o Always wash hands before preparing food.
o Avoid foods that aggravate diarrhoea e.g. dairy products, foods high in fat, sugar.
o Eating bland foods is best – bananas, toast, potatoes, rice.
o Tackle stress / anxiety
If going on holiday – drink bottled water and eat hot, well cooked food, bottled water for brushing teeth, avoid tap water, raw fruit & vegetables

Question 12

Haemorrhoids

Answer 12

• Relieve/prevent constipation
• Avoid straining
• Pat dry don’t wipe
• Hygiene care (infection risk)
• Avoid opioid analegsics (constipation)

Question 13

Rhinitis

Answer 13

Seasonal:

• sleep with windows closed
• dark sunglasses may help with itchy eyes
• avoid going outside with high pollen count
• don’t mow the lawn

Perennial:

• avoid stroking animals
• if pets, restrict to certain parts of the house
• hoover regularly
• replace carpet with wooden floors

Question 14

Headache

Answer 14

· Get plenty of rest, take regular breaks when on a computer/concentrating for a long period
· Regular exercise or warm baths can help relieve tension
· Apply ice pack to painful areas
· If trigger is known, try to avoid
· Massage
- Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks in between alcohol

Question 15

Migraine

Answer 15

· Keep a diary of everyday life so when a migraine occurs, can help pinpoint a trigger such as certain foods, smoking or certain drugs
· During the attack, lie down and rest (preferably sleep) in a dark, quiet room
- Try to lead a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition, plenty of water, sufficient sleep and exercise

Question 16

Sore throat

Answer 16

Life style information

• Drink plenty of fluids. Warm drinks containing lemon juice & honey can be soothing
• Gargle with salty water / aspirin (adults only, not if you’re taking other aspirin medication/ <16 yrs)
• Don’t smoke or avoid smoky environment
• Don’t share cups, cutlery
• -Avoid food or drink that is too hot as this could irritate your throat

Question 17

Sprains and Strains

Answer 17

· Immediate treatment should lead to PRICE:
· Protection
· Rest – joint should be rested for 48 hrs after injury to avoid further damage
· Ice – apply ice asap after injury for 10-30mins max. e.g. bag of frozen peas
· Compression – gentle compression such as tubigrip can be used
· Elevation – by elevating the affected area, it helps reduce the swelling and bruising
After the first 48hrs and inflammation has gone down, can apply heat for pain by using hot water bottle, warm bath or a counter-irritant (heat rub cream)

Question 18

Vaginal Thrush

Answer 18

• Partner displaying symptoms?
• Avoid sex until symptoms resolve
• Treat a male partner if no symptoms (refer if symptomatic)
• Avoid tight underwear
• Don’t over cleanse
• The application of live yogurt not only has a soothing action but can restore the balance between bacterial and fungal cells, making fungal overgrowth less likely

Question 19

Cystitis

Answer 19

• Cranberry juice can help prevent cysitits
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Avoid tea/coffee as they dehydrate
• Pain relief e.g. paracetamol
• Empty bladder soon as possible after having sex

Question 20

Dysmenorrhoea

Answer 20

• Exercise during menstruation is not harmful and may be beneficial - some evidence that moderate aerobic exercise can improve symptoms of PMS.
• Evidence that a healthy diet helps - healthy fats, avoid caffeine etc
• Some doctors suggest starting painkillers the day before the period is due – may prevent pain from building up

Question 21

Insomnia

Answer 21

• Avoid caffeine and nicotine for at least 6 hours before bed
• Avoid alcohol and heavy meals before bedtime
• Regular exercise can help, but avoid exercising within 4 hours before bedtime
• Avoid daytime naps
• Try having a warm bath or milky drink before bed every night
• Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing
- night mode on devices (blue light)
- regular bedtime routine

Question 22

Dermatitis

Answer 22

• Avoid known substances that cause irritation or wear protective clothing e.g. gloves
• Avoid itching or scratching or rubbing the skin
• If exposed to known allergen, wash skin immediately with cool water and soap (to remove allergen
• Moisturise hands to prevent dry, cracked skin
• Avoid skin contact with substances that may worsen the condition:
¬ Hot water
¬ Soaps
¬ Chemicals
¬ Acidic substances
¬ Creams and lotions
¬ Irritant Contact Dermatitis - onset of the skin reaction is usually within 48 hours of coming into contact with the irritant
¬ Allergic Contact Dermatitis - often a delay of many hours to several days before symptoms develop following contact with the allergen

Question 23

Eczema

Answer 23

• Aggravating factors – worsened during hayfever season, house dust or anima danders
• Try to avoid any triggers that make the eczema worse
• Soaps, detergent, cold wind can dry skin therefore aggravate condition
• Woollen materials can irritate skin – cotton clothes is better for the skin
• Stress or worry can make it worse
• Use non-biological washing powders
• Avoid over-bathing
• Avoid itching and scratching

Question 24

Cold Sore

Answer 24

· If the sore has developed, try to avoid touching it and if so, wash hands thoroughly to avoid spreading it to other parts of body – especially the EYE
· Don’t kiss someone when you have a sore
· Don’t share a towel, flannel, lipstick etc
Never touch the eyes or genital area before washing your hands if you have touched the cold sore

Question 25

Athlete's Foot

Answer 25

o Wash feet every day and dry thoroughly especially between the toes using separate towel. o Avoid sharing towels to reduce risk of passing the infection on. o Wear socks made of cotton or wool (natural materials), and change them at least twice a day or when they have become damp. o Avoid wearing shoes made of synthetic materials. Wear sandals or leather shoes instead. o Powder the feet and inside of shoes with an antifungal powder o Finish course of treatment, stopping early can lead to re-infection o Wear plastic shoes or flip-flops in communal showers, changing rooms and around pools. Spend time bare foot allowing feet to breathe when possible.

Question 26

Warts and Verrucae

Answer 26

· Avoid direct contact with another person's wart · Don't share towels with a person who has warts or shoes or socks with someone who has a verucca · Keeping feet dry and changing socks daily · Don't scratch or pick at a wart, this may encourage it to spread · Wear flip-flops in communal showers · Veruccas are covered with a plaster or special swimming socks (no bare feet) · People with hand warts should wear gloves if they are using communal equipment (for example, in a gym).

Question 27

Scabies

Answer 27

· All bed linen, clothing and towels should be machine washed after the treatment has been applied to prevent re-infection · Any items that can’t be washed e.g. cushions, sofa etc should be covered in plastic for 72 hrs to contain the mites until they die · If you wash your hands during period of treatment then product will need to be re-applied · Itching may continue after 3 weeks of successful treatment – eurax cream needed All household members should be treated on the same day as symptoms may take up to 8 weeks to develop therefore risk of reinfestation

Question 28

Dandruff

Answer 28

· Brushing hair on a regular daily basis · Washing hair at least 3 times per week · Rinsing hair thoroughly after washing · Using specially medicated shampoo every 1-2 weeks to prevent reoccurrence · Avoid using chemical hair dyes · Ensuring a well balanced diet to include vitamins such as zinc, beta-carotene, B6, B12 and selenium. · Avoid using hair products that may irritate the scalp, switch to a different product that may cause less irritation. · Avoid scratching the scalp. When washing the hair use the tips of your fingers, NOT the nails. · For mild dandruff use a shampoo used for dry hair, this will remove the flakes shed and the moisturiser in the shampoo will protect the scalp. Use an anti-dandruff shampoo & conditioner.

Question 29

Headlice

Answer 29

· Avoid direct head to head contact. · Minimise itching of scalp/behind ears. · Carry out regular checks using the wet combing method. Every week, and also check behind the ears and neck · Protect eyes and face when treating, with a towel · Comb the hair every night · Check hair clothes regularly for black specks Inform all close contacts if lice are found

Question 30

Infective conjunctivitis

Answer 30

ϖ Good hygiene of hands & face (don’t share face towels) ϖ Don’t rub eyes, as you may spread the condition ϖ Pus & crust can be removed by using lukewarm salty water ϖ Use disposable tissues when you dry your eyes ϖ Dispose of antibiotic eye drops after the treatment is over

Question 31

Irritant conjunctivitis

Answer 31

ϖ Wear sunglasses to avoid glare ϖ Place a bowl of water by a radiator to prevent the eye from drying out ϖ Take regular breaks from the computer

Question 32

Psoriasis?

Answer 32

· Keep the skin lubricated – oils, creams, Vaseline · Mild soaps or soap-free cleaners are recommended such as Nivea and dove · Exposure to the sun can help · Bathing in hot water can help reduce scaling · Avoid skin injuries and infections · Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day · Increase your fruit/veg intake - Limit alcohol intake

Question 33

Colic

Answer 33

- Could try a 1 week trial dairy free - improvement here would require a referral - If bottle fed and symptoms are severe, could try hypoallergenic formula. Again, improvement would require referral Assure parents it will go away by 3-4 months, not their fault

Question 34

Common ear problems

Answer 34

- Never insert anything into the ear - Don’t use COTTON BUDS/FINGERS / SMALL OBJECTS to clean ear as this will simply push the ear wax deeper – increase the build up - Swimming – the use of EAR PLUGS can help prevent water from getting into the ear. - For ear glue – avoid SMOKY ENVIRONMENT