50 Questions we all want to ask a GP

...and Dr Ellie’s no-nonsense answers

WHATEVER happened to the Family Health Encyclopaedia – that doorstep-sized tome everyone had on their bookshelves that listed just about every ailment you and your kids were ever likely to have, and how to treat them?

They were written by teams of doctors, and put out by the British Medical Association, and other trusted organisations. And they were a resource you could really rely upon.

But today most are out of print and instead we go online when we get a new symptom, be it a rash, lump or bump, a horrible infection or have an accident, to ask Dr Google.

In fact, eight in 10 people now get health information via internet search engines, and almost half of us use them to look for specific treatment advice.

Despite worries about ‘cyberchondria’ (the name given to the anxiety caused by self-diagnosing problems via search engines) and fake health news, I think the internet has on the whole had an astonishingly positive impact on public health.

With a few strokes of a keyboard, patients can arm themselves with upto-date health advice, and the latest medical research. This can be empowering – and liberating.

But there are pitfalls, too. A study published earlier this month found that search engines give an ‘inaccurate diagnosis’ about a third of the time.

And that’s unfortunate, given that easy access to reputable health advice is more important than ever right now.

As I wrote recently, GP services are very much open for business, and have been throughout the crisis.

Of course, things are different. The majority of our appointments are now via video calls, and prescriptions are filled out online.

I have been among the first to criticise the relentless march to ‘digitising’ healthcare, as I feared it would leave many of my older, or more vulnerable, patients behind.

But in fact, they’ve been the most avid adopters of these changes – and are delighted that they can now get appointments the next day, from the comfort of their own sofa.

Some specialist services such as skin clinics and physiotherapy are, of course, suspended. However, I am still monitoring patients on the blood-thinning drug warfarin, reviewing sick children and seeing patients with extreme stomach pains.

DESPITE this, surveys suggest that many people are reluctant to ‘bother’ their doctor during the pandemic.

This is, of course, a worry, as I fear there will be some with serious conditions going undiagnosed. And, with this mind – if you won’t, or can’t, go to the GP – I’ll bring the GP to you.

Over the following pages, you’ll find my vital guide to coping with all of your family’s health problems at home.

This includes answers to 50 questions I’m most often asked in my clinic – from how to handle bad backs and sore knees, to spotting the symptoms of a chest infection, treatments for painful headaches and eye problems.

Consider this package your very own Family Health Encyclopaedia – an invaluable resource that’ll safeguard your health, and the health of your loved ones.

HEADACHES AND OTHER PAINFUL PROBLEMS 1 IS IT safe to take painkillers every day for a headache – and what’s the best type?

Headaches have many causes – and often they’re surprising. Headaches in the morning can be a result of jaw-clenching and toothgrinding while we sleep. Both of these are a result of stress.

Dehydration is another culprit, and if the headache is worse when bending forwards, it may indicate a sinus infection.

It is safe to take painkillers for a few days, but if you need them every day for a week or longer, you should speak to your doctor and try to work out what’s behind the problem.

Painkillers every day can actually worsen the problem – a condition called medicationoveruse headache.

Alternate between paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, and try resting without any painkillers, to avoid making things worse.

Ibuprofen and aspirin can irritate the stomach, so if you are taking them regularly, ensure it is with meals.

It’s worth knowing that dehydration and stress are both very common headache triggers.

2 CAN I take ibuprofen and paracetamol together for my arthritis pain?

Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be safely taken together.

The usual daily dose for paracetamol is 1g (two tablets) four times a day.

For ibuprofen, it is 400mg (usually two tablets) three times a day with food for an otherwise healthy adult.

Combining medications is a sensible way to control pain, and taking them regularly when you have a flare-up is a good way to keep moving, which is also vital.

Alongside painkillers, applying ice to joints is a great way to ease the pain, particularly if they are swollen as well, as is using rub-in treatments from the chemist.

3 I HAVE awful toothache, but the dentist is closed. What should I do?

Toothache will usually go within a few days with no treatment. Take regular painkillers for a few days and ensure strict dental hygiene with chlorhexidine mouthwash and regular brushing. Ibuprofen or aspirin are good for dental pain. At the moment, some dentists are available on the phone or via video to offer advice. They may be able to prescribe and treat you remotely.

4 I KEEP getting random nosebleeds. What’s the best way to stop them?

Most nosebleeds are not a sign of anything serious and can be treated at home. Sit down, and pinch your nose, just above the nostrils and hold for 10 minutes. Try to lean forward while doing this, to stop the blood draining back into your throat.

Once the bleeding has stopped, stay upright – don’t lie down, as this will increase the blood pressure inside your nose – and put a bag of frozen peas on the bridge of your nose. This causes the blood vessels in the nose to contract, preventing another bleed.

The lining of the centre of the nose is fragile and can break and bleed, particularly with noseblowing, dry rooms or if you take blood-thinners. Often new nosebleeds are caused by an infection in the lining of the nose. An antibiotic cream on prescription is needed to treat that.

If they are happening regularly, talk to your doctor. It is rare, but they can be a result of high blood pressure, so it is worth taking your blood pressure at home.

5 WHAT cream should I put on a painful burn?

None. If your burn is mild enough to be treated at home, you shouldn’t need to use a cream, as they can cause your skin to become irritated – not what you want in addition to the burn.

Just run the burn under cool water for 20 minutes, then cover with clingfilm to keep it clean.

Don’t wrap it, as this can constrict the burn and that’ll hurt more.

You can keep the clingfilm in place with a bandage.

To deal with any pain, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Most minor burns heal with minimal scarring within one to two weeks. Do not burst any blisters.

COUGHS, COLDS AND HOW TO TACKLE A FEVER 6 HOW long does it take to recover from a cough or cold, and when do you need antibiotics?

At the moment, any new cough, high temperature or loss of sense of smell should be treated as a warning sign for coronavirus, and the advice is to self-isolate for seven days, or longer if symptoms persist.

Patients should also go to the HSE website, as a Covid-19 test might be indicated. But in general, one of the most (if not the most) common thing I see in my clinic is