Welcome to the autumn 2011 edition of our quarterly Patient Newsletter. The dark nights are almost upon us already and it doesn’t feel like we’ve had a summer yet! With autumn comes the start of the flu season so make sure you read the article about the flu vaccination. We have also added QR codes, where relevant, to the newsletter. A QR code is a type of barcode designed to be read by smartphones. The codes included in our newsletter link directly to the relevant websites.
Chronic Disease Monitoring
Many of youtake long-term medicine to control various conditions they have e.g. asthma, hypertension (high blood pressure), COPD (lung disease), heart or kidney disease. These conditions are called ‘chronic’ simply because they are long-term; chronic doesn’t necessarily mean that they are getting worse.
At Woodside we monitor these conditions by inviting you to attend a 20-minute Quality of Life (QOL) appointment once a year with either Rachel or Fiona, two of the nursing team. You will get a letter shortly before your review is due, asking you to make an appointment to have this done. There is a tear-off slip at the bottom of the letter which you can fill in and return to the surgery if you want to opt out. However, we would encourage you to come along as it’s a good opportunity to talk to the nurse about your condition, the medicines you take and share any worries you may have about your health.
At the appointment we will check your blood pressure, weight and urine, take some blood and ask you questions about your lifestyle. If you have a chest condition we will do some simple checks of your lungs and ask about your inhaler use.
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the future at these appointments.
Flu Clinics
Our flu clinics will be starting shortly so keep an eye out for notices in the surgery and ask our receptionists for an appointment. If you are in the eligible groups as far as age or clinical condition (see below) is concerned then make sure you book an appointment. If you are not sure if you should get the flu jab please ask a GP or nurse.
Get your flu jab if:
-you are 65 years of age or older
OR
-you are less than 65 years of age but suffer from a chronic illness such as diabetes, asthma, COPD or kidney disease or have suffered from a heart attack or stroke etc.
Growing Older
We are all aware that as we grow older many problems in our health and wellbeing arise. In this general overview we will concentrate on problems from middle age onwards.
As we grow older the body gradually begins to wear down and does not repair itself as quickly as it once did. Most of our problems become ones of degeneration and these can affect all systems of the body. Some of these systems are mentioned below and there are some pointers for healthy living. We have also highlighted some symptoms which, if you have them, should alert you to a potential problem and the need for a consultation with the doctor or nurse.
Cardiovascular system
This is the heart and blood vessels. In the West we have a high incidence of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks). The risk of these can be reduced if we watch our diet, stop smoking and exercise, all of which will help any degenerative disease. If you find yourself getting breathless or have pain/discomfort in your chest on effort, then consult your doctor.
Other problems include varicose veins, a hardening of the arteries causing pain in the calf when walking. These can be helped by support and medication and occasionally surgery. At times you may find an irregular heart beat and if this is the case then make an appointment with your GP.
Respiratory system
As we get older our lung capacity decreases and we can become breathless. Again, a major risk factor is smoking. Long term smoking increases the risks of chronic lung disease like chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If you smoke and are interested in stopping, then consult your doctor or local pharmacist for advice and possible treatment.
Digestive system
This includes everything from your mouth to your anus. We suffer from indigestion from time to time, but if you have weight loss and nausea and loss of appetite then you need to make an appointment for further investigation. At the other end of the GI tract, any bleeding or change in bowel habit (either constipation or diarrhoea) also needs looked at.
Genitourinary system
As men get older then they find that they may have to get up during the night to pass urine or that the stream is not as good and ends with dribbling. These are signs that the prostate may be enlarging and you are advised to see your doctor.
Women pass though the menopause and some symptoms may persist for quite some time. If you have bleeding or abdominal swelling or weight loss, then make an appointment for advice/investigation.
Central nervous system
This is the brain and all the nerves that run from it through the spinal cord to all the body. Anything that affects the brain can have an effect somewhere in the body. This is most obviously seen if someone has had a stroke or TIA. These occur when there is a lack of blood to a particular part of the brain, either a clot or burst blood vessel. The symptoms will be seen in the area of the body that part of the brain controls e.g. speech, limb movement. If you notice these symptoms then you should ask for immediate medical help.
Other distressing problems include Parkinson’s disease where there is a tremor and decreased ability to move. The incidence of Dementia is increasing as we are all living longer. Both these conditions can be helped by medication and there are charities that give advice and help to sufferers and carers.
Endocrine system
These are the ‘glands’. Problems in this system that affect us as we get older include diabetes and thyroid disease. Both these conditions are treatable. The numbers of late onset diabetes is increasing due to our lack of exercise and increasing obesity, so yet again the advice is to do some exercise and watch what we eat. The thyroid can be over or under active and the symptoms are the opposite of each other as one might expect. The thyroid controls the metabolism of the body and so if you find yourself speeding up or really slowing down then consult your doctor.
This list is not exhaustive so, if you have any concerns about your health as you get older then do consult us at the surgery.
Do exercise, watch your diet and avoid smoking and drinking excess alcohol. Do come for the regular health checks that are offered and we hope you will enjoy a long and healthy life.
Managing Your Migraine – The Migraine Trust
The Migraine Trust is holding an information event for people living with migraine on Saturday 17th September from 9.30am – 3.00pm.
Topics covered:
- What is migraine and diagnosis
- Acute and preventative treatments
- Lifestyle management and complementary treatments
- Chronic migraine and medication overuse headache
- Migraine and hormones
- Q&A, feedback and discussion
Speakers:
Dr Callum Duncan, Consultant Neurologist
Dr David PB Watson, GP with Special Interest in Headache
Venue:
The Caledonian Hotel (Terrace Suite), 10-14 Union Terrace, Aberdeen, AB10 1WE
Cost:
£10 per person (includes refreshments). Places must be booked in advance.
Book online:
Call: 020 7631 6983
Repeat Prescription Ordering
Some patients require regular medication and do not have to see the doctor each time they require a prescription.
Patients using the repeat prescribing system will be given a request slip listing the medications that can be ordered without seeing the doctor. Requests for repeats can be made in a number of different ways and will be ready for collection from the practice 2 working days after receiving your order (please note that prescriptions can be collected at any time of day but will not be available for collection until the afternoon of the day they are due to be ready).
Telephone number 492050 is a dedicated line for patients to use when ordering repeat prescriptions. You will be asked to leave details of your name, date of birth, items required and a contact telephone number as well as details of whether it will be collected, go to the pharmacy or posted (SAE required) It should be noted that messages left out of hours on this number will only be dealt with by practice staff during normal office hours.
The following services are available for your convenience:
Some pharmacies will collect your prescription from the Practice on your behalf and you can then collect your medication from the pharmacy. Please arrange this service with your pharmacy.
Enclose a stamp addressed envelope with your prescription reorder form and we will post your prescription to you.
GP Registrar
Dr Adaeze has now successfully completed her training as a GP and has moved on to pastures new. We now have a new GP Registrar, Dr Sigera, who will be with us until February. I am sure you will all join us in wishing Dr Adaeze well in her career and in welcoming Dr Sigera to the practice.
Routine Pregnancy Tests
We have had several requests recently by patients to have a pregnancy test done at the practice. Please note that we do not routinely offer pregnancy testing unless there is a clinical need to do so. If you think that you could be pregnant, please do a test prior to coming to the surgery. Pregnancy tests can be bought from your local pharmacy or supermarket and can be as cheap as £1 per testing kit!
Going on Holiday?
If you are going away on holiday it is a good idea to take a list of any medications you take with you, as well as a note of any medical ailments/conditions you suffer from. This is useful information for any doctors to have who may have to treat you whilst you are away.
Some countries have a reciprocal agreement with the UK for health care treatment so its worth checking this out prior to your holiday.
QR code for European health card application / renewal (online).