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Problems

Health

Try to keep yourself as healthy as you can

  • Exercise regularly and try to keep as active as you can. It doesn't mean having to go to the gym and exercise can be fun - a walk in the park, dancing, swimming.
  • If you drive everywhere think about whether you could walk sometimes instead of automatically taking the car out. You will feel much better for it.
  • Try to get some fresh air each day.
  • Eat little and often and don't skip meals.
  • Eat a sensible low fat diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
  • Eating sensibly doesn't mean you have to deny yourself any kind of treats. Some people find that having a few treats at the weekend works well for them.
  • Try to set aside at least 20 minutes each day to completely relax, unwind, listen to music, take a warm bath, meditate, - time for you when you can clear your mind of worries and problems.
  • Learn to notice when you are feeling particularly stressed and try to take some time out to look after yourself. If you keep pushing and pushing yourself you are putting yourself under more stress so recognise when you need to take things easy for a while and recharge your batteries.
  • However busy you may be at work make sure you aren't working non stop to the exclusion of your partner/family/friends. There is no point in having a good salary, good job, working hard, if you work yourself to death - and some people do.
  • Try to avoid too much alcohol or caffeine before going to bed as it can make it difficult for you to get a good night's sleep.
  • Good sleep is essential to keeping healthy and try not to go to bed thinking about problems or all the things you have to do the next day. If you tend to worry towards the end of the day write a list of the things you need to do the next day and then forget about it. Relax before you go to bed and if you find you can't sleep try getting up and making yourself a milky drink and then go back to bed. If getting a good night's sleep is a real problem for you then talk to your GP about it.
  • Check yourself regularly for lumps, any abnormalities. If you do find anything see your GP as soon as possible. It may be nothing to worry about and if it is early diagnosis and treatment is essential.
  • Take care of your sexual health - use contraception not only to protect against pregnancy but also sexually transmitted diseases.
  • If you are diagnosed with an illness, medical condition, there are many support groups and help available. Try to get as much support for yourself as you can. SupportLine keeps details of these so give us a ring or email us if you need help relating to this.
  • Many people go to their GP and come out not having asked all the questions they wanted to. It helps to write a list of questions you want to ask and take the list in with you.

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Agencies which provide information and support

  • SupportLine: 020 8554 9004, email info@supportline.org.uk - Provides emotional support. Also keeps details of counsellors, support groups across the UK

  • Action for Sick Children: 0800 074 4519, www.actionforsickchildren.org - Parent advice service provides information and support to parents and families who have concerns about their children’s health care

  • Amarant Trust: 01293 413000, www.amarantmenopausetrust.org.uk - Information and advice relating to the menopause

  • Brook Young People's Information Service: 0800 0185 023, www.brook.org.uk - Information and signposting service for young people under 25 on sexual health. Confidential enquiry service via the Brook website. Details of local services available via text message. 24 hour recorded information line on range of sexual issues 020 7617 8000). Centres throughout the UK offering free contraception, pregnancy testing and counselling

  • Brook Belfast: 028 90 328866 (Area served N.Ireland), email Belfast.brook@talk21.com - Telephone information and practical services and advice on sexual health and contraception for young people up to 19 years. Gives details of other agencies and drop-ins. Saturday clinic for men up to 25

  • Health Ombudsman: 0845 015 4033 or 020 7217 4051, email ohsc.enquiries@ombudsman.gsi.gov.uk - To make a complaint about NHS services write to: Health Service Ombudsman, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP  

  • Medical Advisory Service: 020 8994 9874 - General medical helpline. Telephone advice and information service covering all general medical enquiries. Includes how to change GPs, explanations of operations and surgical procedures, insomnia, mother and baby, cosmetic surgery. Advice and referrals to specialist agencies and helplines

  • Men's Health Helpline: 020 8995 4448 - Information service on issues relating to men's health. Subjects dealt with include genetic disorders, prostrate problems, cardiac problems, impotence, sexually transmitted diseases, sports injuries

  • Natural Health Advisory Service Ltd. (Women's Nutritional Advisory Service Ltd.): 01273 487366, email wnas@wnas.org.uk www.wnas.org.uk - To make nutritional research and self help information available to both women and men. Running clinics and monitoring individual nutritional programmes by post (for a fee) and by telephone

  • NHS Direct: 0845 4647 (24 hours), www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk - You can ring for nurse advice if you are feeling ill and are unsure what to do, or for health information on particular conditions such as allergies and diabetes. Can also tell you where to find your nearest doctor, pharmacist, dentist or support group

  • NHS Smoking Helpline: 0800 169 0169, www.givingupsmoking.co.uk - Advice, support and information for people who want to stop smoking. Also signposts people to local stop smoking services and sends out leaflets

  • Patient Choice Helpline: 0800 032 9191 www.collegeofhealth.org.uk - Telephone information about NHS hospital waiting times in the UK

  • Patients Association: 0845 6084455, www.patients-association.com - Information on how to make a complaint, accessing medical records, changing GPs. Details of health related self help groups and associations

  • Quitline: 0800 0022 00, email stopsmoking@quit.org.uk, www.quit.org.uk - Helpline for smokers who want to quit and people trying to remain as ex smokers

  • Sexual Health Direct: 0845 3101334, www.fpa.org.uk - Helpline offering information and advice on a whole range of sexual health issues including contraception, planning a pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, general medical and family sexual health

  • Sexual Healthline: 0800 567 123, www.playingsafely.co.uk - Information and advice on all aspects of sexually transmitted infections and HIV prevention

  • Sexwise: 0800 28 29 30, www.ruthinking.co.uk - Helpline providing information advice and guidance for young people aged 12-18 on sexuality, and sexual health. Issues dealt with include contraception, pregnancy, family planning clinics, sexually transmitted diseases, peer pressure and relationships

  • Sexual Dysfunction Association: 0870 7743571, email info@sda.uk.net, www.sda.uk.net - Helpline, advice, support and education for sufferers of sexual dysfunction and their partners. Up to date medical information on sexual dysfunction and treatments available.

  • Women's Health: 0845 125 5254 email health@womenshealthlondon.org.uk, www.womenshealthlondon.org.uk - Helpline and written information on women's gynaecological and sexual health including abortion, fibroids, hysterectomy, menopause, period problems and other gynaecological issues. Leaflets, self help support groups around London and N.E. London

  • Women’s Health Concern: 0845 123 2319, email counselling@womens-health-concern.org, www.womens-health-concern.org - Telephone and email advice for women on gynaecological and sexual health problems including the menopause. Factsheets available via website.

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Useful websites

  • www.acnehelper.com - information on latest treatments and resources.

  • www.bad.org.uk - Information on skin and skin diseases.

  • www.bbc.co.uk/health/nutrition - A comprehensive look at everything you need to know about how your body relates to food and liquid. Look at how your body changes as you age, how your body uses calories and how the nation ships for food. Learn how to read the labels on food and calculate how many calories you are eating.

  • www.bhf.org.uk - This site describes the work of the British Heart Foundation and includes information on keeping your heart healthy.

  • www.channel4.com/health - Lots of information on health, complementary health and mental health.

  • www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk - Online guide to health and hospital life for young people, children and families with expert advice from the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

  • www.dailystrength.org - Online community support for health related conditions.

  • www.embarrassingproblems.com - Advice and information on embarrassing problems.

  • www.foodcomm.org.uk - The UK's independent food watchdog. The Food Commission owns this site. It provides details of the Commission's campaigns, and issues such as additives, nutrition.

  • www.foodstandards.gov.uk/healthiereating - The site explodes food myths and offers advice on vitamins and minerals and food intolerances.

  • www.healthnet.org.uk - This site offers information about preventing coronary heart disease and includes online magazines, reports and lifestyle sections on diet, exercise, smoking and stress.

  • www.kidshealth.org - Lots of information for children, teens, parents relating to health, diseases, body image etc.

  • www.likeitis.org.uk - Sex education and teenage life.

  • www.medicdirect.co.uk - Medical and health information.

  • www.netdoctor.co.uk Information relating to health and wellbeing including how to get a good night's sleep.

  • www.nhs.uk - Site dealing with all aspects of health care

  • www.nutrition.org.uk - Takes a look at diet, and obesity.

  • www.playingsafely.co.uk - Advice and information on sexually transmitted illnesses and how to find your local GUM clinic.

  • www.sortedin10.co.uk - Information resource about erectile dysfunction including advice on how to approach your doctor, treatments available and dealing with impotence for partners.

  • www.surgerydoor.co.uk - Lots of information relating to health, mental health, complementary health etc.

  • www.ukselfhelp.info - Directory of self help groups.

  • www.webhealth.co.uk - Very informative site containing lots of information on health and complementary health. Includes details of support groups, information on diet, stress, case studies etc.

  • www.youthhealthtalk.org - Collection of interviews with young people about their experience of health or illness. You can watch videos, listen to audio or read interviews.

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