Ascot Medical Centre
Heatherwood Hospital
London Road,
Ascot Berkshire, SL5 8AA
Telephone:
01344 877772
01344 638593
Minor Illnesses
We have compiled some information on a few of the more common conditions and reasons why people visit their Doctor, along with some useful tips and ways that you can help yourself to overcome these problems:
- Colds and Flu - viral infections:
- Conjunctivitis:
- Constipation:
- Elevated Temperature:
- Gastroenteritis - vomiting & diarrhoea:
- Hayfever:
- Lumps, Bumps and Moles:
- Thrush:
- Colds and Flu - viral infections:
- The common infections known as colds and flu are caused by viruses. Colds tend to have minor symptoms compared with flu, that commonly has fever and muscular aches and pains.
Cold and flu viruses affect the upper respiratory tract and cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and cough. The viruses responsible are highly infectious and are passed on via airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of infected people.
It is not usually necessary to see the Doctor if you have a cold or flu unless a secondary bacterial infection develops since viruses cannot be killed by antibiotics. Symptoms may be relieved by over the counter analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and coughs, sore throats and blocked noses can be relieved by cough remedies and decongestants.
The elderly and anyone else with chronic lung conditions may choose to receive an annual flu vaccination in an attempt to immunize and protect themselves from the strain of viruses most likely to strike.
Ways you can help protect yourself against colds and flu:- Take 1-2g vitamin C two to three times daily, especially in autumn and winter, to help boost the immune system.
- Take 15mg zinc daily throughout autumn and winter to help boost the immune system. Men are more likely to be zinc deficient than women. Take in the morning, with breakfast.
- Have a 15-20 minute hot bath (40 degrees C) with 500g epsom salts once a month to raise a light fever and kill off any latent viruses. Keep wrapped up warm afterwards.
- Continue with the recommendations above.
- Drink plenty of watery fluids - non-fizzy - such as water, squash, diluted fruit juice.
- Make a 'flu brew' (see below) and drink 2-3 cups daily.
- Keep well wrapped-up and sweat it out.
Ingredients required.- 1 clove garlic, chopped.
- 1" cube root ginger, grated.
- 1 pinch fresh chilli, chopped.
- Juice of 1/2 lemon.
Combine the 1st three ingredients in a teapot or jug
Add boiling water
Steep for 5 minutes
Strain into a mug and add the juice or 1/2 lemon and honey to taste
Have 2-3 cups or mugs of Flu Brew daily if you sense a cold or flu is coming on, or if you are already experiencing symptoms. 
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- Conjunctivitis:
- Conjunctivitis is an infection of the surface of the eye. It can be due to allergy, a bacterial or viral infection. It can also develop following the lodging of a foreigh object in the eye e.g. an eyelash, piece of grit etc. Symptoms include soreness, often described as gritty or burning, redness of the white of the eye, itching, waterign or discharge and slight sensitivity to light.
Treatment will depend on the cause of the conjunctivitis. Your Doctor will be able to establish this. Antibiotic drops or ointment is the most commonly prescribed therapy following diagnosis of infective conjunctivitis, if the cause is bacterial. Allergic conjunctivitis will simply require you to stay away from whatever is causing the reaction. If the cause is animal fur or cosmetics this may be easy, but if it is pollen you will need to follow the advice under the section entitled Hayfever. Viral conjunctivitis will clear up on its own.
What you can do to help:- If you normally wear contact lenses, don't wear them until the conjunctivitis clears
- Avoid touching or rubbing the eyes, as this could spread the infection
- Don't let any towel or face cloth you use come into contact with the other eye
- Don't share pillows, towels or utensils with anyone
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- Constipation:
Regular bowel movements are essential to remove waste matter and toxins from the body, otherwise they accumulate, recirculate and lead to low energy and ill health. Everybody should have at least one bowel movement daily.
Constipation is diagnosed if having a bowel movement is difficult or painful, or infrequent. It may be due to insufficient dietary fibre, too little water consumption, lack of muscle tone in the colon (large bowel) or stress that results in lack of an urge. Very rarely it may be due to a twisted bowel or other medical problem, resulting in an emergency. In this case it would be accompanied by excruciating pain.
A diagnosis of constipation may result in the prescription or recommendation of laxatives. These are a quick fix to stimulate the bowel and allow it to empty. They can be quite harsh, do not address the cause of the problem and, with long term use, can result in the bowel becoming lazy.
Other ways to reduce constipation include:- Drink 2 litres of non-caffeinated, non-fizzy drinks daily - ideally water or herbal teas
- Consume the recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily
- Include whole grains in the diet daily - brown rice, oats, barley, millet, wholemeal pasta
- Eat bitter-tasting foods (endive, radicchio, dandelion etc) regularly to stimulate bile flow
- Take 1 tsp psyllium husks in a large glass of water daily
- Add 1-2 tbsp ground flaxseed/linseed to meals daily - cereals, pasta dishes, smoothies, mashed potato etc
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- Elevated Temperature:
- Answer to come here.
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- Gastroenteritis - vomiting & diarrhoea:
Information to come here......
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- Hayfever:
- Hayfever is a seasonal form of allergic rhinitis where the membrane lining the nose becomes irritated and inflamed due to an allergic reaction when certain airborne substances (pollens) are inhaled. Symptoms include an itching sensation in the nose, frequent sneezing, a blocked, runny nose, itchy red watery eyes and headaches. Often there is a genetic tendency to develop hayfever, although food sensitivities can also be a predisposing factor.
Hayfever occurs when someone with a sensitivity inhales a trigger substance (pollens) and specialized immune cells (mast cells) release histamine - a chemical that triggers inflammation and the other symptoms.
Once diagnosed your Doctor may prescribe antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, decongestants or corticosteroids to alleviate the symptoms. Many of these can also be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy.
Ways in which you can help yourself include:- avoid furry animals
- only use pillows with synthetic fillings
- have bare wooden floors in place of carpets
- avoid going outside before 10am in summer - the pollen count is at its highest then
- keep doors and windows closed at night
- wear dark glasses outside to prevent eye irritation
- take 1-2g vitamin C three times daily during hayfever season - it is a natural antihistamine
- take 400mg quercetin three times daily during hayfever season
- avoid dairy foods - they are very mucus forming
- consider consulting an acupuncturiat or herbalist for personalised treatment
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- Lumps, Bumps and Moles:
- At Ascot Medical Centre we assess lumps, bumps, moles and lesions in order to determine if any of these these are pre-cancerous, or potentially problematic. Skin cancers are a significant cause of death that can be prevented by early detection and action.
Once skin lesions are assessed we will advise as to whether they are pre-cancerous and whether removal is recommended. Where removal is advised we are able to provide this minor surgery at the medical centre, negating the need for a hospital visit or a trip to a specialist skin care clinic. - Back to Top
- Thrush:
- Thrush is a vaginal yeast infection, predominently found in women, caused by the overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans, which is naturally present in the vagina. The condition is not serious but can cause uncomfortable symptoms including intense irritation and itching around and inside the vagina, redness of the vulva and a thick white discharge.
Normally the level of Candida is suppressed by the immune system. However, changes in the level of a woman's sex hormones, possibly due to pregnancy, menstruation or oral contraceptives, can result in fewer protective bacteria, thereby allowing the condition to establish. Stress may also trigger or exacerbate the condition, as can perfumed soaps and bath products and spermicides as they interfere with the body's natural defences.
Men can also catch yeast infections from their partners. Symptoms include redness, itching and soreness of the foreskin and head of the penis. If these symptoms are present, see your Doctor.
Once diagnosed your GP may prescribe suppositories and creams to relieve the symptoms, or oral treatment with an anti-fungal drug. Many of these types of treatments are also available from your pharmacist.
Ways in which you can help yourself include:- take a daily probiotic supplement as a dietary supplement and as a suppository
- eat a good quality, unsweetened natural yoghurt every day
- follow an anti-candida diet - no sugar, sweeteners, yeast-based products, mushrooms or alcohol and consume one raw clove of garlic daily
- homoeopathic Helonias or Kerosotum
- nutritional supplement of Mycopryllic Acid (BioCare 'Mycopryl 400')
- herbal remedy - Pau D'Arco
- avoid tight fitting jeans or pants
- wear pure cotton underwear
- avoid scented tampons or vaginal deodorants
- wipe from front to back when going to the toilet
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