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

Action For M.E. General Enquiries
0117 927 9551
www.actionforme.org.uk
Action for M.E. empowers people with M.E. to fulfil their potential and secure the care and support they need, while working towards a greater understanding of the illness and ultimately a cure.

Bladder and Bowel Community
www.bladderandbowel.org
Support for millions of people in the UK who are living with conditions that affect their bladder or bowel. Also support for relatives and carers.

Request the original toilet access card from the Bladder and Bowel Community. They use the universally acknowledged W.C. signage, giving you the benefit of discrete and clear communication for those moments where you just can't wait to use the toilet. The Just Can't Wait card is now completely free of charge when ordered online. Fill out a few details and we will post your high quality, durable Just Can't Wait card to your home.

Brook Young People's Information Service:
www.brook.org.uk
Information and signposting service for young people under 25 on sexual health. Confidential enquiry service via the Brook website. Centres throughout the UK offering free contraception, pregnancy testing and counselling

Burning Nights CRPS Support:
01663 795055
www.burningnightscrps.org
Support for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) sufferers, their families, friends and carers.

Different Strokes:
0345 130 7172  
www.differentstrokes.co.uk
Registered charity providing unique free services to younger stroke survivors throughout the UK. Helps stroke survivors of working age to optimize their recovery, take control of their own lives and regain as much independence as possible by offering rehabilitative services, information and advice. Network of different stroke exercise groups, telephone helpline, counselling network.

Flippin Pain
https://www.flippinpain.co.uk/
A public health campaign with one goal. To change the way we talk about, think about, treat consistent pain.

Mens Health Forum
0330 097 0654
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/
The Men's Health Forum is a charity supporting men's health in England, Wales and Scotland.

Live Well With Pain
https://livewellwithpain.co.uk/
For people living with pain, written by a group of clinicians experienced in working with people with persistent pain 

Narcolepsy UK:
0345 450 0394
https://www.narcolepsy.org.uk/
Supporting people with narcolepsy, their families, carers, and others interested in improving their quality of life. 

NHS Choices:
Telephone: 111 (24 hours)
www.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:
Smokefree National Helpline:
0300 123 1044
www.nhs.uk/smokefree
Advice, support and information for people who want to stop smoking. Also signposts people to local stop smoking services and sends out leaflets.

https://stopsmokinglondon.com/
Advice, information, support on stopping smoking

Pain Concern:
0300 123 0789
www.painconcern.org.uk
For those living with chronic pain and those caring for them. Information, helpline, online forum.

Parliamentary & Health Services Ombudsman:
0345 015 4033,
www.ombudsman.org.uk
To make a complaint about NHS services write to: Health Service Ombudsman, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP

Patients Association:
0800 345 7115
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

The Advocacy People
0330 440 9000
https://www.theadvocacypeople.org.uk/contact
Independent health complaints advocacy with a range of services covering a number of areas in the South of England, providing advocacy on issues which include health complaints, mental health, disability.

Sexual Healthline:
0300 123 7123
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/
Information and advice on all aspects of sexually transmitted infections and HIV prevention

Support Dogs
0114 261 7800
https://www.supportdogs.org.uk/
Support Dogs (registered charity number 1088281) is a national charity dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children and adults with various challenging medical conditions. They provide, train and support specialist assistance dogs to achieve this. Seizure alert dogs for people with epilepsy. Their dogs are trained to provide a 100% reliable, potentially life saving alert up to 1 hour before an epileptic seizure. This enables the client to find safety and be in control over their seizure, allowing a much more independent life. 

03303 530 541
https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/
The Sleep Charity incorporating the Sleep Council, provide advice and support to empower the nation to sleep better. 

Stop Smoking London
0300 123 1044
https://stopsmokinglondon.com/
Stop Smoking London exists to help you to quit smoking. Support, informatioin and advice.

The Pain Toolkit: Self Pain Management
www.paintoolkit.org
A persistent pain problem can be difficult to understand and manage on an everyday basis. This Pain Toolkit website has been developed from the Pain Toolkit aimed at those living with persistent pain and those who support them.

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

Young Epilepsy
https://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/
The Childrens and Young People's Epilepsy Charity

The Channel
https://thechannel.org.uk/
A dedicated space for young people with epilepsy. Find life hacks, share experiences, get answers.

Useful websites

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

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

https://crps-uk.org/ 
CRPS UK Living With Pain - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Online community for sharing of information and support through facebook group
www.facebook.com/groups/CRPSUKlivingwithpain/

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

https://www.daisynetwork.org/
Premature menopause support group, information, forum

www.easyhealth.org.uk
Easyhealth was made so that people know where to find accessible health information. Accessible information is information that uses easy words with pictures.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/886659264698817/permalink/4650239991674040/
Fibromyalgia Friends & our M.E. community
This group is for people who suffer with fibromyalgia,chronic fatique,sleep disturbances,joint and muscle pain, to be able to share your experiences good and bad, to compare what helps and what to avoid, and to talk through issues concerning your condition

https://foggyfriends.org/
An online community for ME/CFS patients, created and run by ME/CFS patients. The aim for Foggy Friends is to provide a forum where ME/CFS sufferers, their parents, carers and friends can seek and find online help, support, advice and friendship.
The Forum has many threads which answers the common questions about the illness. Members are also invited to post their own questions, comments and ideas. Members will be able to talk about most things from symptoms and medical matters, helpful tips, benefits advice, general life, TV, cinema, random chat, crafts and hobbies and even word games.

https://www.livescience.com/36618-embarrassing-health-problems.html  
Advice and information on embarrassing problems

www.healthtalk.org
Information and support on health issues from seeing and hearing people's real life experiences

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

www.livinglikeyou.com
A real look at life with Multiple Sclerosis

www.mesupport.co.uk
Advice, information and support on M.E.

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/food-and-mood/#.WV0Pok2Wzcs
A site which explores the relationship of what you eat and how you feel

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
NHS - A-Z of health conditions

https://www.neurotherapycentre.org/selfcare-videos
Self care videos from the Neuro Therapy Centre include explaining what it is like to have a neurological condition, setting goals, pacing, challenging thoughts, worry tree technique, and improving sleep.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
advice and information on health issues

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

www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk
useful information on all aspects of nutrition and a database of UK nutritionists.

https://www.selfhelp.org.uk/
Empowering self care through mutual support including directory of self help groups

sleep station
An  NHS approved service to help with insomnia

www.verity-pcos.org.uk
Information and support for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, also guides, books, discussion boards and local groups