Sometimes, the key to our recovery, lies with us. For example, if you have a minor illness or a less serious injury, then self-care at home is the best option.

Symptom checker

NHS Inform has self-help guides. These guides use set of questions similar to those that your GP or a call handler from NHS 24 would ask to establish the seriousness of your health complaint. See some of the most common health complaint guides below:

• • Sore throat

Got a sore throat? Here’s how to help it

• • Cold
  • Cough
  • Flu
  • Earache
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – What you need to know

There are also guides on common conditions such as abdominal pain, rashes, back ache, headaches and many more – visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/self-help-guides

Medicine cabinet

It is good to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet with remedies for treating common illnesses.

Items to keep at home include:

• Paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief (check the label or speak to your pharmacist to check it’s suitable for you)
• Hayfever or allergy tablets to help allergies
• Hydration sachets for diarrhoea
• Sickness tablets to stop vomiting
• Indigestion remedies such as an antacid
• Mild laxative for constipation
• A first aid kit
• Medicines for children

If you have given it sufficient time and are not seeing any improvement in your symptoms, or if your symptoms get worse, then get further advice by

• Visiting NHS inform website
• Calling NHS 24 on 111
• Visiting your Community Pharmacist
• Calling your GP

Muscle & Joint Pain

Lanarkshire patients with muscle and joint pain can visit our Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy web pages for advice and self-referral information.
Visit the NHS Inform website to read about musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and self-management advice.

See our Self Referral page for information on a range of health services that you can contact directly for help, without going through your GP.