{"id":1050,"date":"2018-09-18T14:57:14","date_gmt":"2018-09-18T13:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/?page_id=1050"},"modified":"2019-08-16T20:43:12","modified_gmt":"2019-08-16T19:43:12","slug":"health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/?page_id=1050","title":{"rendered":"Winter Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"redbold\">*Please consult your GP if you have any health concerns<\/p>\n<h2>Top winter tips for you and your family<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"alignleft\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/dish.jpg\" alt=\"healthy food\" class=\"black-border\" \/>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li>Eat well &#8211; Hot meals and drinks help to keep you warm.<\/li>\n<li>Give warm drinks to the children throughout the day &#8211; warm milk, hot chocolate, warm juices and herbal tea etc.<\/li>\n<li>Keep active. Move around in your house or do chair based exercises<\/li>\n<li>Keep children active &#8211; Don&#8217;t let them sit in front of computer\/TV for too long<\/li>\n<li>Keep warm &#8211; Wear layers of clothes as this keeps you warmer than one thick item<\/li>\n<li>Keep room temperature between 18&deg; &#8211; 21&deg; Celsius<\/li>\n<li>Use hot water bottle or electric blanket for the bed but not both at same time<\/li>\n<li>Draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed<\/li>\n<li>Stay positive &#8211; The cold, dark winter months can leave you feeling low. Take vitamin D supplements and eat food containing calcium to help absorb the vitamin<\/li>\n<li>Go out \/ take the children out at least once a day to get some fresh air especially when the sun is shining even if it is for a short while.<\/li>\n<li>Wear hat, gloves and a scarf when going out<\/li>\n<blockquote class=\"alignleft\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/scarf.jpg\" alt=\"snowmen - hat and scarf\" class=\"black-border\" \/>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<li>Keep cold, flu, and sore throat medication at home. Your pharmacist can advise you on how to manage minor illnesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cold homes have an impact on people&#8217;s health. One of the best ways of keeping well during winter is to stay warm.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping warm over winter months can help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.<\/p>\n<h2>Some people are more vulnerable to cold related illness<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>If you are over 65<\/li>\n<li>If you are on a low income &#8211; can&#8217;t afford heating<\/li>\n<li>If you have a long term condition &#8211; e.g. respiratory disease, asthma, heart disease such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Common Winter Ailments<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Colds and Flu<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Colds and Flu share some similar symptoms but are caused by different viruses.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"alignleft\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/trees.jpg\" alt=\"trees in winter\" class=\"black-border\" \/>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Cold<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Runny\/blocked nose<\/li>\n<li>Sore throat<\/li>\n<li>Sneezing<\/li>\n<li>Cough<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Flu<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sudden fever of 38-40 &deg; Celcius<\/li>\n<li>Muscle aches and pain<\/li>\n<li>Sweating<\/li>\n<li>Feeling exhausted and need to lie down<\/li>\n<li>Dry chesty cough, sneezing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between a cold and flu. The symptoms of both colds and flu can be managed without seeing your doctor. However get medical help if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You have a long term condition such as Asthma, Diabetes, Heart Disease<\/li>\n<li>You have a very high fever as well as an unusually severe headache, or abdominal \/ chest pain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Help prevent colds and flu spreading by:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sneezing or coughing into a tissue<\/li>\n<li>Throwing the tissue away<\/li>\n<li>Washing your hands<\/li>\n<li>Wiping down \/ cleaning door handles, cups, glasses and towels<\/li>\n<li>Getting the flu jab if you&#8217;re eligible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Winter Vomiting Bug (Norovirus)<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"alignleft\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/paracetamol.jpg\" alt=\"paracetamol\" class=\"black-border\" \/>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The winter vomiting bug is highly contagious causing vomiting and diarrhoea. There is no cure but it should not last more than a couple of days. It is not generally dangerous and most people make a full recovery withour having to see a doctor.<br \/>\nYou should:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Drink plenty of water<\/li>\n<li>Take Paracetamol for any fever, or aches and pains<\/li>\n<li>Eat food that is easy to digest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Stay at home and don&#8217;t go to the doctor as there is nothing the doctor can do. However contact your GP for advice if your symptoms last longer than a few days or you already have a serious illness.<\/p>\n<h2>Vaccinations for at risk groups<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Are you eligible for vaccinations?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Flu vaccination<\/strong><br \/>\nYou can get the flu jab for free if you are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>65 or over<\/li>\n<li>Pregnant<\/li>\n<li>Have a long term medical condition<\/li>\n<li>A carer of someone ill \/ disabled or receiving carers allowance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Talk to your GP, Nurse, or Midwife if you are unsure about the vaccination.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pneumoccal Vaccination<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"alignleft\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/blood_pressure.jpg\" alt=\"blood pressure\" class=\"black-border\" \/>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Pneumoccal vaccination prevents:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pneumonia<\/li>\n<li>Septicaemia<\/li>\n<li>Meningitis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Children under 2, adults over the age of 65, and children and adults with long term health conditions are more at risk from Pneumoccal virus.<\/p>\n<p>There are two different types of pneumoccal vaccination:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Given to all children under 2 as part of the childhood vaccination programme.<\/li>\n<li>Given to people aged 65 or over and people at increased risk.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Sore Throat?<\/strong><br \/>\nGargle with salty water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of part cooled, boiled water.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Asthma?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stay indoors on very cold windy days<\/li>\n<li>Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Avoid slips, trips and falls<\/h2>\n<p>Falling can have very serious consequences for the elderly. Even if you don&#8217;t have any physical injuries, falls can affect your confidence about going out and even moving around in your own home.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tips to avoid falls<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stay as active as you can<\/li>\n<li>Exercise helps to strengthen muscles and keep you mobile<\/li>\n<li>Eat a balanced diet<\/li>\n<blockquote class=\"alignleft\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/water.jpg\" alt=\"hydration\" class=\"black-border\" \/><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<li>Keep yourself hydrated, drink about 1.2 litres of fluids every day<\/li>\n<li>Ensure home is well lit, especially stairs<\/li>\n<li>Keep your home clutter free, ensure carpets and rugs are well fitted<\/li>\n<li>Get your eyes checked regularly<\/li>\n<li>Make sure your shoes and slippers fit properly<\/li>\n<li>Wear shoes with good grips on the soles if you need to go out<\/li>\n<li>Put grit (salt and sand) on paths and driveways to lessen risk of slipping<\/li>\n<li>Do not go out unless you have to if you have a long term condition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Winter Travel<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Listen to the weather forecast before going out<\/li>\n<li>Check vehicle is ready for winter<\/li>\n<li>Wait until roads have been gritted before travelling by car<\/li>\n<li>Prepare a pack of winter essentials to keep in your car for longer journeys:<\/li>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#x2606; Blanket and extra clothes, drinks (hot and cold) and food<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#x2606; Ice scraper and de-icer<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#x2606; Torch and spare batteries\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>*Please consult your GP if you have any health concerns Top winter tips for you and your family Eat well &#8211; Hot meals and drinks help to keep you warm. Give warm drinks to the children throughout the day &#8211; warm milk, hot chocolate, warm juices and herbal tea etc. Keep active. Move around in &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/?page_id=1050\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Winter Health&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1050","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1050"}],"version-history":[{"count":61,"href":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1149,"href":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1050\/revisions\/1149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}