GETTING a face-to-face GP appointment is proving a struggle for more than a quarter of patients.
According to a survey this week almost one third delayed seeing their GP in the past year, despite being in pain, because they couldn’t see them in person.
GettyHow can you determine when to see your GP, or to treat yourself at home?[/caption]
Now video appointments are likely to become the norm for everyday ailments.
The survey of 2,000 Brits by Savanta ComRes revealed a third more simply stopped trying, a quarter said they’d bought medication at a pharmacy or online without medical advice, while almost 20 per cent went to A&E.
So, how can you determine when to see your GP, or to treat yourself at home?
Sun on Sunday Health’s doctor, Jeff Foster, lists the eight most common concerns people take to their GP.
He said: “As doctors, we want to help everyone, but the current state of the NHS and lack of GPs means that we cannot physically respond to every individual who has a medical problem.
“So, we need to make sure we are seeing those who really need medical attention first.
“We also ask patients where possible to think about whether they really need to see a doctor or whether they could discuss the problem with a pharmacist and treat at home.”
1. COUGH: The majority of patients will get over a cough without a prescription, even if it is bacterial.
If you’ve had a cough for less than two weeks and have no underlying respiratory conditions like asthma, then stay hydrated and use the over-the-counter medicine to soothe symptoms.
See the doc: If it persists beyond about a fortnight.
2. BLOCKED NOSES, SNEEZING AND SORE THROATS: These are all part of the common cold and normally last at least two weeks.
There is no treatment that a GP can offer.
Over-the-counter medicines and nasal drops may offer temporary relief.
See the doc: This is one to just sit out at home, but do stay hydrated.
3. HIGH TEMPERATURE: This is very common at this time of year, particularly in children.
GPs need to see only babies under six-months-old, and elderly or frail adults.
GettyYou only need to contact the GP if your temperature lasts longer than five days[/caption]
Older children and otherwise healthy adults should recover at home within a few days, taking paracetamol and ibuprofen and drinking lots of fluids.
See the doc: You only need to contact the GP if it lasts longer than five days.
4. BACK PAIN: Most of us experience this at some point and 90 per cent will get better within six weeks without physio or needing an MRI scan.
Over-the-counter pain relief helps.
Rest makes back pain worse, though, so try gentle movements and make use of free NHS exercises online.
See the doc: Only if you also experience tingling, numbness or altered toilet habits along with the back pain.
5. EXCESSIVE TIREDNESS: Lots of people come and tell us they’re tired all the time.
Look at lifestyle first.
Aim for a set sleep routine with the same daily bedtime and wake-up, as well as exercise and a balanced diet that doesn’t involve gorging on carbs and sugars or going a long time between meals.
See the doc: If you follow my advice, have looked at your life-style and still feel tired, it would be time to see your GP.
6. FEELING ANXIOUS: It’s first important to try to recognise why you feel anxious.
Could it be temporary feelings of sadness or worry, such as after a break-up or bad news?
These do not require a GP.
At these times try to socialise, exercise, and avoid alcohol, to release more endorphins — even if it feels difficult.
See the doc: If you have felt low or anxious for longer than a month.
7. HEADACHES: Headaches are extremely common and can affect children as young as five.
The majority are caused by lifestyle factors such as stress, dehydration, sugar addiction, alcohol hangovers, sinus problems or even eye strain.
GettyThe majority of headaches are caused by lifestyle factors such as stress, dehydration and sugar addiction[/caption]
If you are getting recurrent mild headaches that keep coming and going, firstly look at factors such as screen time, think about whether you need an eye test and ask yourself if you’re drinking too much coffee.
See the doc: If a new headache is accompanied by a temperature or an aversion to light or neck stiffness.
Or if you have a headache which is worse on a night or morning, worse when you cough or sneeze or any headache with sensations or loss of function.
Make an appointment for any headache that has not resolved after two weeks.
8. SKIN RASHES: Indoor heating and cold weather both cause skin to dry out and eczema to flare up.
Apply thick, moisturising, emollient cream, from the pharmacist, to red, itchy areas, four times a day.
See the doc: If it’s still cracked or bleeding after five days