Kessingland Surgery News
Issue 5

HAPPY FEET? OR SORE FEET?

It seems to be generally accepted that we are living longer.

Therefore it is all the more important that we do as much as possible to ensure that we stay sufficiently healthy and mobile to enjoy this longevity.

We are aware of the need to maintain a healthy diet and to take regular exercise, in keeping with our age and fitness.

Are your feet up to scratch?

Is your mobility all that it could be?

If not, is part of the problem your failure to look after your feet properly?

A relatively simple problem can significantly affect the comfort of the feet and therefore mobility.

Keeping nails correctly trimmed, hard skin and corns removed and feet free of infections and injury will provide considerable improvements.

Are you diabetic? Do you regularly have your feet examined, and treated? This is essential to maintain their well being and ultimately your health.

Your poor old feet have been crammed into fashion shoes, they have walked many miles and you stand on them for hours, you have had them for years and, as it is unlikely that you will get another pair, why not look after the ones that you have.

I may not be able to cure all of your foot problems, but many can be treated to alleviate discomfort. Also I can advise you how to help keep them functioning so that you can continue to use them, hopefully, for the rest of your life.

Top tip

Regularly examine the inside and outside of your footwear for wear and damage as both can cause injury.

M D Measer MSSCh MBChA

Kessingland Pharmacy

The Role of the Surgery Nurse 

The Practice Nurses work in collaboration with the General Practitioners to support the patients to achieve optimum wellbeing by providing quality health care and promoting good health.  The Practice Nurse team provides a broad spectrum of nursing services to the Practice population. 

We work in conjunction with the Health Visitor to provide immunisation to babies and children.  We also offer a variety of services relating to both women’s and men’s health needs working alongside the doctors to help patients to manage their long term conditions such as Diabetes, Respiratory Illness, Heart Disease and Hypertension.  We provide assessment and treatment for patients presenting with minor injuries and also provide a range of investigative tests, which include Blood Tests, ECG, Spirometry and Doppler Ultrasound.

We routinely assist the Doctors with minor operations and also provide ear care.   Two of the Nursing Team are trained to provide LEVEL 2 Smoking Cessation support to patients who are trying to stop smoking.  We provide travel advice and a range of travel vaccinations to patients planning to holiday/work abroad.  We recommend that, should you with to discuss travel, then you should book to see one of the Nurses 6-8 weeks prior to your journey.

With the exception of the Baby Immunisation Clinic, a patient can make an appointment to attend any Nurses Clinic regardless of their specific need.  This allows the patient more flexibility to attend at a time convenient to them.

Water – The Natural Remedy

Water is vital to life.  70% of the human body is water.  It is needed for body fluids and as part of metabolic reactions.  It keeps the linings of mucous membranes, digestive tract and bronchial tubes moist and it lubricates joints.  We obtain water from foods, such as fruit and vegetables, from drinks and some is produced in the body.  We also lose water through sweating and other bodily functions.

As water is crucial to bodily health, insufficient fluid intake can lead to dehydration.  Some common symptoms can in fact be a signal of chronic water shortage in the area concerned.  These include dyspepsia or gastric pain, low back and neck pain, neuralgia and headaches and hangovers.

As brain cells are said to be 85% water there is a strong likelihood that muzzy headaches and hangovers are the result of dehydration.  Instead of reaching for a packet of pills, drinking a glass of water followed by another 20 minutes later might help to eliminate the pain. Drinking a glass of water 20 minutes before a meal provides the fluid necessary for healthy digestive processes.  However, if you should have gastric discomfort try a glass of water and wait for 20 minutes or so and take another if needed. 

The cartilage surfaces of bones in joints contain water which helps the opposing surfaces to glide freely during movement.  Dehydrated cartilage will eventually wear causing severe damage and discomfort.

The weight of the upper body is supported largely by the spinal disc core which ideally contains a high percentage of water so drinking plenty of water is one way to prevent back pain – combined with appropriate exercise.

Whilst water should not be regarded as a “magic potion” or a replacement for medical treatment where necessary, the importance of water to the healthy functioning of the body should not be ignored.  Tea, coffee and carbonated drinks are no substitute.