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Meadowbridge Surgery

Slaughterford Road | Whitehead | Carrickfergus | BT38 9TG
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Health News

Mounjaro for Obesity: Patient Information Leaflet

This leaflet gives the following information:
What is Tirzepatide? | Current Availability in Northern Ireland | Private Treatment | Safety Warning

Improving Services and Access for those with hearing loss or deafness.

The Practice maintains a register of patients who are D/deaf or have hearing loss to adopt a consistent approach to identify, record, flag and share relevant information with other healthcare providers as appropriate. We are asking patients who are D/deaf or have a hearing impairment to complete a questionnaire which will help us to review and hopefully improve the journey from making an appointment to providing awareness of services available.
If you would like to take part please download, complete and email the above questionnaire back to [email protected] or return completed forms to the practice.

Some Useful Links:

Review of NHS Accessible Information Standard (AIS)

The Accessible Information Standard directs and defines a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss.

Sensory Support Teams

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis advice from our Pharmacist William Hollinger.  Click the button below for information on how and when to use your Epipen etc:

Recommended Health Benefits

From Our Nurse Practitioner Gillian Watson.

Exercise and Benefits:

Now the weather is changing and people can get out and be active here is exercise information our Nurse Practitioner Gillian Watson recommends, using the following links, The Benefits of Exercise & Fitness Studio exercise videos:

Statins and Busting the Myths

Statins are usually used in combination with lifestyle measures such as: eating a healthy diet low in saturated fat, exercising regularly, stopping smoking & moderating your alcohol consumption. Please access the following links for more information: Statins & busting the myths Healthy Eating Statin medication

Do you have Asthma?

People with asthma should NOT have daily symptoms such as cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath or wheeze. If you have any of these symptoms, you need to check –

  • Are you taking your inhalers as prescribed and not missing any doses?
  • Are you taking your inhalers correctly? – see Using your inhalers | Asthma + Lung UK
  • Have you been exposed to anything that you know makes your asthma worse- such as cats, dogs, cigarette smoke etc?
  • Do you have hayfever that is not being treated?

In order to ensure you are on the best treatment it is essential that you have a review (either face to face or by telephone) once per year. Our practice nurse, Lynn Martin, works through all our asthma patients throughout the year, however, if you have any of the above symptoms or have not yet had a review and feel this would be beneficial please contact the practice to make an appointment.

Diabetes Awareness

There are two types of diabetes:

  • Type 1, which is a lifelong condition that results in the immune system destroying the cells that produce insulin
  • Type 2 diabetes, where the body no longer produces insulin or the body’s cells no longer react to insulin properly.

Type 2 diabetes is much more common, with over 90% of adult diabetes sufferers having Type 2. Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, or pre-diabetes, is also an issue in the UK. This increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes; however, there can be lifestyle changes made that can reduce this risk.

It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of diabetes so that you know whether you or someone close to you is starting to develop symptoms. Symptoms can include: always feeling thirsty, urinating more often than usual, feeling very fatigued, having slow-healing cuts, blurred vision and more. If you’re worried that you might be suffering from any of these symptoms, or there is a history of diabetes in your family, it’s important to arrange an appointment with your GP practice.

Gynae Red Flags

There are five types of gynaecological cancer that you should be aware of. These are ovarian, cervical, endometrial, vulval and vaginal. Common symptoms that may be caused by all types can include: bleeding when you’re not expecting to, pain during sex, and unusual vaginal discharge. If you’re worried that you might be suffering from these symptoms, or if gynaecological cancers run in your family, then it’s important that you get in touch with your GP practice. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, and can be extremely painful and difficult for the sufferer to deal with. Symptoms of endometriosis are often different in each person, as there are many ways in which it can affect the body. Some examples of symptoms are: painful and heavy periods, lower-back pain, pain during and after intercourse, fertility problems, and breathing difficulties. If you’re worried that you might have some of these symptoms, then you should make an appointment with your GP.

Healthy Diet in Women

It’s important to make sure you’re consuming a healthy diet and having a healthy lifestyle in order for you to prevent any medical problems and to ensure you’re taking care of your mental health. It can be difficult to eat nutritional meals or take time for yourself if you’re busy, but it’s important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. To find out more ideas for recipes, or to learn more about portion sizes, see the link below:

Cholesterol

High cholesterol can be a serious issue for your overall physical health. High cholesterol can cause fully or partially blocked blood vessels, which may eventually lead to strokes or a heart attack. The main causes of high cholesterol are smoking, eating fatty foods, not exercising enough, and regularly drinking alcohol. There are no symptoms of high cholesterol, and you can only find out through a blood test.

There are ways in which you can naturally lower your cholesterol. These can include eating more oily fish, reducing your saturated fat intake, eating less fatty foods, exercising more, stopping smoking, and/or cutting down on regular drinking. These are methods that may be able to lower cholesterol before it becomes dangerous, and can improve your overall health.

Bullying

Bullying is something that, unfortunately, many people have experienced at some point in their lives. Bullying can take place both in person – for example, at school – or online. There are many different types of bullying, and all of them can be really difficult to deal with. If you’re feeling like you’re being bullied in person or online, it’s important to tell a trusted adult, who will be able to help. There are also websites such as Childline where you can find more information or chat to someone if you don’t feel you can tell anyone you know.

Changes that can happen with age

Bullying is something that, unfortunately, many people have experienced at some point in their lives. Bullying can take place both in person – for example, at school – or online. There are many different types of bullying, and all of them can be really difficult to deal with. If you’re feeling like you’re being bullied in person or online, it’s important to tell a trusted adult, who will be able to help. There are also websites such as Childline where you can find more information or chat to someone if you don’t feel you can tell anyone you know.

Bowel Cancer

If you’re between the ages of 60 and 74, you will automatically be sent a bowel screening kit every two years. It’s really important to make sure you do the tests, because these tests can help to discover issues early on, which may help to reduce fatalities.

There are many causes of bowel cancer; these include your age, family history, diet, smoking, drinking, and digestive disorders. Symptoms can include: a persistent change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and blood in your poo. If you have any concerns, it’s important to get in touch with your GP as soon as possible.

Emergency Alerts and Domestic Abuse

Refuge offers support for women and children suffering domestic abuse. If you’re experiencing domestic violence, including coercive control, Refuge can help. If you’re concerned that your abuser may be keeping a check on which websites you’re using, ensure that you use a safe or incognito browser and keep an eye on the “Quick exit” tab to the bottom right of the screen.

Watch the video on Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you’re experiencing domestic abuse:

Managing Emergency Alerts on your Phone

Emergency Alerts on your Phone
Refuge.org.uk
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