Advice from GPs

Expert articles

Acute breathing difficulties in children

By Dr Lisa Anderson, General PracticionerContact
Heathfield Medical Centre NHS, The Wellington Hospital

There are a number of different causes of acuteHas a sudden onset. breathing difficulties in children and, as this can be a serious condition you should immediately consult your doctor if you are in any way concerned. It is useful for all parents including those who are first aid trained to familiarise themselves with how to treat choking in children. This article discusses the common causes of breathing difficulties in children including acute asthmaA respiratory disease featuring attacks of breathlessness and wheezing due to inflammation and narrowing of the upper airways. There is often an allergic component., allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and bronchiolitisAn acute viral infection of the lungs, mainly affecting babies and small children..

When should you see your doctor?

By Dr Knut Schroeder, General Practitioner

When you develop symptoms such as a head ache should you not do anything? Take some pain killers? See your pharmacist? Consult your GP? See a specialist or other health professional privately? Go to the nearest Accident and Emergency department – or, in the worst case, should you phone 999 for an ambulance? To stay healthy and get the best available medical advice and treatment when you fall ill, you need to be able to make rational decisions about your health. Doing so can at times be tricky and even a bit scary. In many cases you’ll be able to make the right decision just by using common sense, but it’s easy to feel out of your depth.

Medical Consultation Checklist

By Mr Daryll Baker, Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Medical Director totalhealthContact
The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, The Wellington Hospital

Planning is everything, and planning for your medical consultation is no exception. A small amount of time taken in advance of your appointment will improve the likelihood that both you and your doctor will get all of the information that you need and it will probably save time in the long run.

Recent news

Choose your doctor today and keep the hospital away

Total Health | April 23rd, 2012

A study from the University of Leicester found that allowing patients to see their preferred GP had a positive impact upon the numbers of patients admitted to hospitals. By allowing only 1% more of patients to see a specific GP, elective hospital admissions were reduced by 7.6 in an average-sized practice from 2006–07.

Get yourself a health buddy

Total Health | February 23rd, 2012

Buddy, a digital app for mental health service users, is being rolled across the UK from today following a successful London-based trial. The smartphone app sends text messages and helps patients with anxiety, depressionFeelings of sadness, hopelessness and a loss of interest in life, combined with a sense of reduced emotional well-being and other mental illnesses to keep a diary of how they are feeling and what they are doing allowing them to pinpoint which behaviours are positive and could help in their journey to recovery.

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