Back pain is usually due to excessive strain on muscles, ligaments and small joints.  Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen usually work best.  Hot/cold packs are available that can be placed in the microwave or freezer and applied to the affected area.

Try to keep as mobile as possible.  Ask your doctor for individual advice if the pin is severe, lasts more than two days, or if you develop numbness, weakness, pins and needles or problems emptying your bowels or bladder.

If pain has an obvious cause such as lifting heavy weights, be sensible and take things easy. Take care to sit upright as possible with support for the small of the back.

Aspirin or Paracetamol will not only relieve the pain but will relieve the inflammation. Your Doctor may well prescribe stronger drugs, gentle exercise and physiotherapy.

Burns: Immerse the area in cold, running water, or soak a clean towel in cold water and hold against the burn until pain eases.  Dress the burn with a clean, non-stick, non-fluffy material such as sterile gauze.  In an emergency, wrapping cling film round a large burn helps to prevent fluid loss.  Burns easily become infected - seek medical advice for all but the most superficial burns.
- Don't use adhesive plasters
- Don't apply butter, oil or grease
- Don't burst any blisters
- Don't try to remove any clothing stuck to the burn
- Don't use fluffy dressings (e.g. cotton wool)

Suffering from a cold, flu or hayfever can be irritating and draining at the best of times, but having a constantly streaming or blocked nose can rally leave you feeling miserable.  Here are some tips on how to survive:
- To help clear your sinuses, breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water with a few drops of eucalyptus oil.
- To help soothe your throat and ease your sinuses, try a comforting hot drink made with water, lemon juice and honey.
- To help contain the spread of germs, use tissues rather than fabric hankies and dispose of them in a plastic bag not long after use.
- Take plenty of fluids, paracetamol or (if over 12 years of age) aspirin.

You should be improving after seven to ten days and be better in two weeks. We recommend you come to see us if the illness persists any longer than this.

Coughs: These can be soothed by a drink made with honey and fresh lemon juice in hot water. If particularly irritating, steam inhalations or your favourite cough medicine can be worthwhile.

If you bring up coloured phlegm and are feeling short of breath or have a wheeze, we may need to examine your chest.

Most Cuts & Grazes can be treated at home.  Minor cuts and grazes should be treated as follows:
- Clean the wound thoroughly
- Cover with a plaster containing an antiseptic pad to ensure that infection is prevented.

Contrary to popular belief, leaving a wound uncovered to dry and form a scab actually slows down the healing process.

Larger bleeding wounds can by treated by:
- Firstly controlling the bleeding
- Call an ambulance
- Apply pressure with a clean pad
- Apply a sterile dressing or large plaster to protect
- Wait for medical help

In children, diarrhoea is best treated by drinking plenty of fluids (but avoid milk which can make diarrhoea persist).  Electrolyte powders or fizzy tablets are important to make up salt solutions that replace lost minerals.  Paracetamol will reduce abdominal cramps if necessary.

Adults may take anti-diarrhoeal medicines such as loperamide or codeine if symptoms are disabling.  Drink plenty of fluids and only eat a light diet.

If diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain are severe or persistent, seek medical advice, especially for young children or the elderly who can quickly become dehydrated.

Earache is usually due to inflammation, infection or increased pressure in the middle ear.  Most infections are due to a viral infection that gets better on its own.

Steam inhalations containing decongestant oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus or menthol blends are helpful.

In children, the treatment of choice is paracetamol elixir which can also reduce fever.  If a discharge occurs, cover the ear with a clean dry pad and contact your doctor who may prescribe antibiotics if a bacterial rather than a viral infection is suspected.  Also seek medical advice if symptoms seem to be getting worse rather than better, or if there is a high temperature.

Fits: Do not move, do not forcibly restrain and do not put anything in the mouth. Place in the recovery position - on his/her side and ensure he/she has a clear airway. Do not give anything to drink.

A tension headache feels like a severe continuous pressure on both sides of your head.  It may resemble a tight constricting band, a heavy weight pressing down on top of your head, or seem more like a non-specific ache.

Aspirin, paracetamol, codeine or ibuprofen usually solve the problem quickly.

Seek medical advice if headaches are severe, recurrent, or are associated with dizziness or visual problems.

If you suffer an acid burning pain in the area of the breastbone you are most probably suffering from heartburn - although many people mistake this pain for indigestion.  The pain of heartburn can feel like a burning sensation behind the breastbone or spreading upwards from your stomach towards your throat.  you may also have noticed that certain situations - such as lying down in bed at night, or eating rich or spicy food - are more likely to trigger this pain.

High temperature: Children get a temperature because of infection. Most infections are mild and due to viruses so they do not need antibiotics. The following advice should help bring the temperature down:

- Always keep a supply of Paracetamol at home (e.g. calpol) Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 12
- Dress the child in loose clothing and cool the room down
- Give plenty of cool drinks such as water or squash
- If this does not work or if the child is particularly ill, contact the Doctor

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in which symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and intermittent constipation and diarrhoea occur should only be diagnosed by a doctor.

If you are told you have IBS, a number of treatments are available from the pharmacy to help.  these include fibre supplements and mebeverine which helps to relax smooth muscles in the intestinal wall adn eases colicky pains and associated diarrhoea.  Peppermint oil also helps to relieve bowel spasms.

Migraine causes a severe throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head and centred around one eye.  Abdominal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting can also occur.

When symptoms starts it helps to lie down in a darkened, quiet room.  Take a simple painkiller such as aspirin or paracetamol or a more powerful blend of paracetamol with codeine or dihydrocodeine.

Some products also contain an anti-emetic to stop you feeling sick.  Herbal extracts containing the herb Feverfew (tanacetum parthenium) are also effective.  If attacks are frequent or disabling, consult your doctor.

Minor infections: use an antiseptic solution or wipe to help keep the area clean, and dress with a sterile dressing or plaster.  If redness, swelling and pain increases, seek medical advice.

Motion sickness Travel sickness occurs when motion detectors in the inner ears are stimulated while information from the eyes suggests the body is stationary.  This is most likely to happen when travelling in a closed space such as a car, where you tend to focus on a nearby object.

Prevention tips include keeping a window open to let fresh air circulate and only giving light meals before and during travel.  Avoid reading or other close activities in a car or bus, and look out of the window at the horizon.

A variety of travel sickness treatments are available from pharmacies.

Muscle aches and pains are commonly due to sports injuries or rheumatic problems.  Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen will help to reduce inflammation.  Ibuprofen may be combined with codeine for more effective pain relief.

A sports gel containing an anti-inflammatory painkiller may be rubbed directly into the area and sinks down to deliver pain relief exactly where it is needed.  Hot or cold packs may also help.

Nausea can be helped by over the counter remedies designed to settle an upset stomach - your pharmacist can advise on which is likely to suit you best.  medicines should not be taken for morning sickness during pregnancy however.

Nose bleeds: Sit in a chair, lean forward with your mouth open and pinch your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or blowing your nose for 12 hours. If the symptoms persist consult your Doctor.

Period pain is linked with the formation of hormone-like chemicals in the lining of the womb that trigger muscle cramps.  Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen can help.  Combination products such as paracetamol plus codeine or dihydrocodeine are also effective.

Some products contain hyoscine - a medicine that helps to relax uterine muscles.  If period pain is excessive, consult your doctor as you may need investigations to find out the cause.

Sore throats: If over 12 years of age gargle with Soluble Aspirin, otherwise Soluble Paracetamol, drink plenty of fluids and use lozenges or boiled sweets if they help.

Sprains: cold helps to constrict blood vessels and minimise swelling and bleeding.  Apply ice wrapped in a towel for around five minutes at a time.  If possible, elevate the affected area to reduce swelling or apply an elasticated compression bandage.  Take a simple analgesic (e.g. paracetamol or codeine) or an anti-inflammatory (e.g. ibuprofen by mouth or via sports gel) to reduce pain.  Rest until pain subsides then gently exercise to prevent stiffening.

Stings: if a bee leaves its sting and poison sac lodged in the skin, remove it gently by scraping with a fingernail or a sterile needle - don't grasp with fingers or tweezers or you may force more poison into the wound.

Wash the area with soap and water and, as bee stings are acid, apply a little baking soda mixed with water.

Wasp stings are alkaline, so apply a little wine vinegar or lemon juice to relieve pain.  Reduce itch and swelling by applying an ice pack (e.g. a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a clean cloth for a few minutes at a time.  Then, apply antihistamine, local anaesthetic or 1% hydrocortisone cream.

Sunburn: Treat as other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine Lotion will relieve the irritation. Paracetamol may also help. Children are particularly vulnerable to sunburn so put a hat on them, dress in lightweight clothing to cover arms and legs and use a sun barrier cream on exposed areas. Over exposure to the harmful effects of sunlight can cause cancer in later life.

Unconsciousness: Do not move a patient who may have a broken neck or back. If this is not the case turn the patient carefully into the recovery position - on his/her side and ensure he/she has a clear airway, cover with a blanket to keep warm. Call an ambulance and your Doctor.