Eat, drink and be merry!

Dr Paul Laker, Clinical Vice Chair, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS HMR CCG)

Health experts are urging people in Rochdale Borough to make sure they enjoy festive Christmas feasts without any unpleasant trimmings.

“It’s the time of year to eat, drink and be merry, but over-doing the seasonal spirit could cause an unhappy Christmas,” said Dr Paul Laker, Clinical Vice Chair, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS HMR CCG).

“Indigestion, sickness and diarrhoea caused by over-indulging or stomach bugs, coughs and colds passed on by friends and family can spoil festive celebrations. It’s worth having a few essentials in your medicine cabinet to help you combat the symptoms.”

Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can help with pain relief for anything from back-ache, to a sprained knee or headaches, and can help to reduce a high-temperature.

And a wide range of effective indigestion remedies and fluid replacement products are also available from pharmacies and worth having in your medicine cabinet.

And Littleborough GP, Dr Laker, added: “Don’t forget, your local pharmacists can provide expert, confidential advice, treatment for minor complaints and know when to refer to a GP or other local NHS services such as the Urgent Care Centre.”