PRACTICE NURSE
CLINICS
| ASTHMA | BLOOD PRESSURE | DIABETES |
ASTHMA.
Our nurses are fully trained in asthma assessment, and management. If you are an asthmatic , please see the nurse for a regular review on:-
-Maximising the benefits of your inhalers
-Diagnostic assessment with Peak Flow meter;s, and Spirometer's
-Advice regarding Health Promotion , stopping Smoking, 'Flu' and Pneumococcal vaccines
Consult your doctor if:
· You have asthma symptoms for the first time
· Your symptoms fail to respond to your usual treatment
· You begin to use your asthma medicine more often than usual
· You start producing a lot of phlegm that's green or bloody.
Call an ambulance (dial 999) or go immediately to the Sidmouth Hospital if you have a severe asthma attack and breathing is so difficult you feel like you're suffocating. In the meantime, take any medicine you might have to control your asthma. If one dose of an inhaler doesn't relieve the problem, repeat it.
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Normal blood pressure - In in a healthy young adult is 120/80
High blood pressure (Hypertension) - occurs in about 1 in 7 people.
- may run in families.
-usually causes no symptoms.
Untreated high blood pressure results in:-
a. an increased incidence of heart disease and strokes.
b. an adverse effect on the kidneys and eyes.
Treatment of raised blood pressure does not always include drug therapy.
The following simple measures will reduce the risk of high blood pressure and may bring a raised blood pressure back to within the normal range.
a. Achieve and maintain the correct body weight.
b. Adjust diet - decrease salt.
- increase potassium and fibre.
c. Stop smoking.
d. Take regular exercise.
e. Limit alcohol to recommended level.
f. Avoid situations liable to cause excessive stress and anxiety.
How often should you have your blood pressure checked?
If you are under 55 years - every 3 years.
If you are over 55 years - annually.
Do you need to visit your doctor?
No - you can make an appointment with the practice nurse who will -
a. Check your blood pressure.
b. Advise on self-help measures.
c. Liaise with your doctor if necessary.
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The practice runs regular diabetic checks for all Non Insulin Dependent Diabetics ( Late Onset ) and some Insulin Dependent Diabetics. These are coordinated by the practice nurse with special training in diabetes management.
-All diabetics are offered 6 monthly screening.
-Retinal screening to detect early retinal eye damage , and so prevent blindness.
-Dietary advice and education , from both the nurse and specialist diabetic nurse/dietitian in Wonford Hospital.
-Joint annual visits with their GP and the practice nurse.
-Annual screening is offered to all relatives of diabetics, particularly Late Onset , as these patients have a 30% chance of developing the condition , which is vastly more likely if patients are over weight or unfit.
Further information http://www.devondiabetes.org.uk/index.shtml
British Diabetics Association www.diabetes.org.uk
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