Self Care

Self-Care – What does that mean to you?

Its so important to look after ourselves whenever we can. Self-care is about not only looking after yourself physically but also looking after your mental well-being. Please see the following advice about healthy living, including eating a balanced diet, healthy weight, exercise, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol.

Self-care helps relieve pressures on GP practices, A&E and Walk-in centres, potentially saving the NHS around 136m each year. You can treat minor ailments with simple, over-the-counter solutions that are available from local pharmacies and supermarkets. Please see below for more details:

Self-Care – Sore Throat

Sore throats are likely to get better within 3 to 7 days (and a maximum of 2 weeks) without the need for treatment by a health professional. Advise to rest, take paracetamol, and drink lots of fluids.

When to see a GP

If you have a persistent high temperature over 38 degrees for more than 3 days that does not come down, even when taking paracetamol or ibuprofen.

  • If you find it hard to breathe in, and their throat feels like its closing up.
  • If you suffer from a sore throat and have a deficient immune system because, for example, they have HIV/AIDS, take high dose steroids, are going through chemotherapy, take anti-rheumatic drugs, or a drug called carbimazole.
  • Your voice becomes muffled.
  • If your sore throat doesn’t get better within 10 to 14 days or is getting worse, may suggest glandular fever.
  • If you find it difficult to drink enough fluids and become dehydrated.

Self-Care – Cough

A cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks. There is usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.

You will need to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and try to stay at home to avoid contact with other people, if you have a high temperature, or do not feel well enough to complete normal activities. Please take paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat any pain.

When to see a GP

If you have had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough). If you are losing weight for no reason, or you have a weakened immune system – for example because of chemotherapy or diabetes.

When to seek an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS111

  • Cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing.
  • You feel very unwell.
  • You have chest pain.
  • The side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands)
  • You find it hard to breathe.
  • You are coughing up blood.