Long Term Conditions

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.

There’s currently no cure, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so it doesn’t have a big impact on your life.

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Asthma Checks

Asthma checks are undertaken by our practice nurses. It is recommended that if you are asthmatic that you have a review annually unless recommended earlier. Appointments can be arranged via reception staff. My Lungs My Life will enable you to understand more about your COPD or asthma and help you to use self-management effectively as an equal partner with your healthcare professionals. 

Further information on asthma can be located at Beat Asthma and there are also Breathe Easy Support Groups available.

The first symptom of breast cancer most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.

Most breast lumps (90%) aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your Doctor.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

It includes:

• emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs 
• chronic bronchitis – long-term inflammation of the airways

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of death both in the UK and worldwide. CHD is sometimes called ischaemic heart disease.

If you’re becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you’re over the age of 65, it may be a good idea to talk to your GP about the early signs of dementia.

As you get older, you may find that memory loss becomes a problem. It’s normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, or certain illnesses and medications.

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Local Support

You can self refer to Memory Support at the Green on: 0191 220 5985. There may be a wait until you can be assessed and seen. The service is available during normal working hours – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

Dementia Friendly Cafes in North Tyneside – Run by Age uk

For More Information please call: 0191 280 848

• Olives at the Station, Whitley Bay, NE26 2QT- The 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10am to 11.30am.
• Customer First Centre Wallsend, NE28 8JR- The 4th Wednesday of every month from 1pm to 3pm. 
• Jarretts Coffee Shop, 13 Saville Street W, North Shields – 0191 2808 484

The following radio programme is very useful; it provides an understanding about how dementia can affect people, and provides some solutions and ideas that people have used to help them both manage their condition and continue to have a fulfilling life (it really is worth a listen):

The Doctor’s Dementia BBC Radio Programme

Staying active is incredibly important, especially if you have an illness like dementia; the following videos show how you can remain active and healthy and reduce the impact of dementia on your life.

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Useful Links

There is a lot of information, help and support available to you. Below are some websites that contain useful information.

• Glorious Opportunity
• Alzheimer’s Research
• Dementia Action Alliance
• Patient Information leaflet: Dementia local help
• Dementia with Lewy bodies

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

Diabetic clinic

The practice operates a diabetic clinic on alternate Wednesday afternoons. A GP, practice nurse, dietitian are  in attendance. Appointments are usually sent out to you approximately 2 weeks before your appointment is due.

There are 2 main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes – where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin 
• Type 2 diabetes – where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin

Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures.

Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Epilepsy can start at any age, but usually starts either in childhood or in people over 60. It’s often lifelong, but can sometimes get slowly better over time.

If you suffer from epilepsy and are receiving medication it is recommended that you have a review at least annually. You will be sent an invitation when this is due. Checks can be carried out by the either sister Gallagher, sister Rogers, or one of the GPs.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms but if it goes untreated, increases the risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. More than 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many won’t realise it.

The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked.

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Hypertensive clinic

If you suffer from high blood pressure then it is essential that you have a review. The practice nursing staff and GPs undertake hypertensive reviews on a regular basis.

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain and stiffness. Some people also experience swelling, tenderness and a grating or crackling sound when moving the affected joints.

The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in the UK. It usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years.