Self-care

Self-care is about keeping fit and healthy and understanding how and when you can look after yourself. It is also about knowing when to seek help from a health professional such as your pharmacist, GP, community nurse, or therapist. These are some of the common conditions people can often manage for themselves:

• coughs and colds
• sprains and strains
• sore throat
• sinusitis (a common condition where the lining of the sinuses – behind your cheekbones and forehead – become swollen)
• earache
• constipation
• headache

If you have a long-term condition, such as diabetes or asthma, self-care means understanding that condition and how to best live with it.

You can also make sure you are as prepared as you can be, by keeping a small stock of over the counter medications that you might need such as cough and cold remedies as well as things like plasters and painkillers. Also keep a note of where your nearest pharmacy is and their opening hours. For Public Holidays or if you are going away, make sure you order prescriptions in advance so you don’t run out of the medication you need.

If you’re unsure about which conditions you should be managing yourself or how to manage them, please see your local pharmacist.