Don’t let stomach upsets spoil your Christmas

Traditionally, Christmas and New Year are times to eat, drink and be merry. But a festive feast with all the trimmings can have some unpleasant side-effects.

Indigestion, sickness and diarrhoea caused by over-indulging or stomach bugs, coughs and colds passed on by friends and family can spoil Christmas and New Year celebrations. Fortunately having a few essentials in your medicine cabinet can combat the symptoms.

The local pharmacy can give you advice and treatment for conditions such as indigestion, stomach upsets, coughs and colds and aches and pains. There are a wide range of really effective indigestion remedies that can treat anything from stomach ache to vomiting and diarrhoea. With stomach upsets the best advice is to drink plenty of fluids and rest.

Dr Nick Dawes, medical director at NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale said: “Your local pharmacists can give you expert, confidential advice and treatment for minor complaints, to avoid unnecessary visits to your GP and A&E”

Elaine Radcliffe, prescribing advisor for NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale added: “Having a few basic essentials in your cupboard can help to treat the symptoms for many common illnesses such as coughs and colds. 

“Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for example can help with pain relief for anything from back-ache, to a sprained knee or headaches and can help to reduce a high-temperature.  Pharmacy staff really are your local experts on this.”

Aneet Kapoor, local pharmacist and Local Pharmaceutical Committee representative said: “We see ourselves as part of the NHS team. We can do so much more these days than just give out prescriptions. 

“Pharmacists are highly-qualified, with in-depth knowledge about prescription and over-the-counter medicines.  Most high-street chemists have a confidential consulting room and we know when to refer to a GP or other local NHS services such as Urgent Care Centres and Walk-in Centres”.

Health leaders believe more than 51 million people a year who visit their GP with minor illnesses and ailments could either care for themselves or visiting their local high-street pharmacy for help.