STEP AWAY FROM THE TABLETS
REGULAR WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISE STRENGTHENS BONES AS WELL AS REDUCING FALLS AND JOINT PAINS – YOU COULD AVOID PAINKILLERS AND OSTEOPOROSIS MEDICINES! My Weekly’s favourite GP from TV and radio writes for you
Every year, doctors have more pills to prescribe. Pharmacists have more to choose from too. But there still isn’t “a pill for every ill” and GPs would far rather help your symptoms without tablets if possible. So when can you – and they – safely and effectively use an alternative to medication?
The single most commonly prescribed medicine class in the UK is statins to lower cholesterol, but there are lots of non-drug ways to lower cholesterol.
If you’ve had a heart attack or stroke, or have type 2 diabetes or kidney problems, all doctors agree statins are essential. But most people in line for statins aren’t in these categories. Lifestyle changes which could mean you don’t need statins include: ◆ Stopping smoking ◆ Keeping your weight to recommended levels which lowers bad and raises “good” HDL cholesterol ◆ Exercising regularly ◆ Adopting a heart-healthy Mediterranean-style diet, low in saturated fat and high in veg, fruit and unrefined (wholemeal and whole grain) carbohydrates and oats ◆ Taking a plant stanol or sterol like Flora Pro-Activ or Benecol, from supermarkets ◆ Keeping blood pressure down – more in a minute. You can’t have missed the publicity from Public Health England about antibiotic resistance and the importance of not using antibiotics where possible. Most sore throats, coughs and colds are caused by viruses, so antibiotics are useless. If you’re in an at-risk group (including all over-65s), having your immunisations –
IF YOU ARE TAKING REGULAR TABLETS, DON’T STOP WITHOUT TELLING YOUR GP – BUT DO ASK IF THERE ARE LIFESTYLE STEPS YOU COULD TAKE TO AVOID THEM
against ‘flu and pneumococcus – will greatly reduce your risk of complications. Otherwise, your pharmacist has a host of options to ease symptoms while your system fights off the infection. They can also advise when you need to see the doctor. Honey and lemon soothes sore throats; vitamin C, echinacea, ColdZyme or Kaloba may speed recovery.
High blood pressure raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. Make a real difference by eating less salt; taking regular exercise; and that Mediterranean-style diet. It may mean you can avoid tablets, or take fewer.
Painkillers are very widely prescribed. Half of over-50s have osteoarthritis (OA) and 8 in 10 of us get back pain. There has been huge concern about the risk of addiction to opioid painkillers amid rising levels of prescribing in the UK. Anti-inflammatory tablets may cause side effects. And paracetamol doesn’t appear to work on its own for back pain.
So OA treatment focuses on a mix of weight control (to reduce pressure on joints) and exercise. Many of my patients fear it will damage joints; the opposite is true. Regular exercise (ideally after advice from a physiotherapist) reduces pain and stiffness and strengthens muscles, cutting the risk of falls. Ask your GP about a physio referral.
Rosehip extract GOPO can reduce inflammation and protect cartilage in joints. Studies show it can cut the number of painkillers needed. Take regularly for best effect.
About 1 in 5 people in the UK suffers depression at some point, from low mood to being almost paralysed by sadness, poor concentration, disrupted sleep, even feeling you’d be better off dead. In severe cases antidepressants can transform lives. But they can cause side effects and often don’t help in milder cases. Counselling, exercise and mindfulness may be more effective – speak to your GP. Next week: Do you have OCD?