Hay fever is an allergy to pollen. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes and sometimes inflammation of the sinuses, affecting 10 million in the UK.
You know yourself better than anyone, and if you’ve noticed a change in your body or something is worrying you, it’s worth talking to someone and getting yourself checked out. Doctors will take your concerns seriously.
8,000 units of blood are needed every day to meet hospital demand in the UK. Blood comes in four main types – O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common which means it is in high demand. Blood can also be subdivided into its main components – red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Unfortunately red cells only have a shelf-life of 35 days, while platelets shelf life is even less, only five days.
Blood is needed constantly, for all kinds of things, such as cancer treatments, operations and in child birth. There are thousands of places all over the country that hold blood donor sessions. Almost anyone aged 17 to 60 years and in general good health can give blood.
More than 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant. Of these, 1000 each year – that’s three a day – will die waiting as there are not enough organs available.
Doctors will help with physical and mental health. Be honest about what you think may be causing the problem, and don’t be embarrassed. Your doctor will have seen and heard it all before.
Ask the doctor to repeat and explain anything you don’t understand. If there are words you don’t understand, ask what they mean. Bring a friend or relative if you’re worried.
Before you make an appointment to see your GP, consider the alternatives. The pharmacist behind the counter at your local chemist may be able to give you the help you need, so you won’t have to spend time waiting for an appointment. Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals, and may offer a wider range of health services than you might think.
Doctors spend an average of 8-10 minutes with each patient. Once you’ve got an appointment, plan ahead to make sure that you cover everything you want to discuss: what questions you have, what your symptoms are, and what treatment you can get.
If you want to see a doctor, you’ll usually need to make an appointment. Most GP surgeries operate independently and have their own booking routines. Your surgery should be able to offer you an appointment to see a GP or other healthcare professional quickly if necessary. However, if it is more convenient, you should also be able to book appointments in advance. Familiarise yourself with your GP surgery’s appointment system, and try to plan in advance if you can.