YOUR HEALTH with Dr . Thakkar
YOUR HEALTH with Dr . Thakkar
KEEP SAFE , KEEP WARM , KEEP HEALTHY
Another year has almost gone , the clocks have gone back and the weather has gotten colder . Whilst the excitement of festivity is upon some of us , for others it ’ s a lonely and potentially dangerous time of year . So , what can we do to keep ourselves and the people in our community safe ?
As with most of my articles , the message remains the same , “ prevention is better than cure ”. This article is no different save to say , please don ’ t wait until it ’ s too late . Act now !
One easy step is to make sure you get your flu and pneumococcal vaccinations . Flu can increase the risk of falls , collapse , pneumonia and death . Protection against pneumococcal bacteria reduces the risk of pneumonia , meningitis and sepsis . Unless there is a legitimate reason not to get vaccinated , if you qualify , I ’ d suggest you see your practice nurse to get one . If you haven ’ t had your blood pressure and pulse checked in a while , why don ’ t you get them checked at the same time .
The next issue is falls which is a big problem all year round . In the winter , poor lighting , loose fitting slippers , low temperatures , rain , ice and snow all add to risk . Reducing your risk is essential because of the risk of fracture , head injury and loss of confidence . Equally , if you do fall , do you have a way of getting help ? Check out this link for more info :
https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = IrFvkzHWU3o
Keeping warm is equally important . Hypothermia can lead to confusion and indeed adds to the falls risk . If your boiler hasn ’ t been serviced , perhaps get this checked before the cold really sets in . Also , ensure you have enough food stocks in case we have a bad winter .
Social isolation is very damaging and is considered to be as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day . Isolation in itself is associated with falls and falls , in turn , increase the risk of isolation . Furthermore , depression and anxiety can set in without interaction with others . Mental health problems are linked to poor health outcomes and can increase the risk of a hospital admission .
If you feel lonely , or indeed if you are suffering from mental health problems , please do get help .
Keeping safe , looking after your health and managing your risks before you have a problem is the key here . It ’ s important to be proactive , look after those who are vulnerable and above all , have a happy and safe winter .
20 | hiyabucks . com
Dr . Thakkar is a Buckinghamshire based GP
Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group