Common Long Term Conditions Adult
Brain and nerves (Adults)
Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
LOCAL SUPPORT FOR BRAIN AND NERVE CONDITIONS - SELF REFERRAL
PHARMACIST SUPPORT
As the NHS suggests
You can get advice and support with a new medication from a pharmacist for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and long-term risk of blood clots or blocked blood vessels. You can also get advice for new medication for risk factors for a stroke including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
New Medicine Service (NMS) – NHS
Further support
There is other local support provided below:
MEASURING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE TO check IF IT IS HIGH
Many local pharmacies can take your blood pressure if you wish to check you blood pressure (in between surgery appointments).
From the NHS : How your pharmacy can help – NHS
Many patients are now buying their own blood pressure machine as suggested by the British Heart Foundation to support any readings done by their practice or local pharmacist.
From the British Heart Foundation
- Blood Pressure Monitors Blood Pressure Monitors | BIHS Approved | British Heart Foundation
- How to choose a blood pressure monitor and measure your blood pressure at home Blood pressure monitors: All you need to know
CHECK WHAT YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS MEAN AND IF ANY ACTION IS REQUIRED
If you take your blood pressure at home or with your local pharmacy you can also check what your blood pressure reading means and get information what to do next. Do not use if you are already on treatment for blood pressure.
From the NHS
Check your blood pressure reading Check your blood pressure reading – NHS
Support after a stroke
From the Stroke Association
- Bucks Stroke Support – Stroke Recovery Service Bucks Stroke Support – Stroke Recovery Service | Stroke Association
- “Support in your area” – if you live on the borders of Buckinghamshire you may find a more relevant service. Support in your area | Stroke Association
HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
Good physical wellbeing can support the treatment after stroke or a transient ischaemic attack, and includes local support in the areas of
- Exercise
- Healthy Weight includes information on reducing your risk of diabetes
- Health Eating includes information on improving your cholesterol
Reducing risk factors, if relevant to you, are well supported locally
LOCAL SUPPORT FOR ALL LONG TERM CONDITIONS - SELF REFERRAL
As the Personalised Care Institute suggest
“Personalised care gives patients more control and choice when it comes to the way their care is planned and delivered, taking into account individual needs, preferences and circumstances.”
“What is personalised care?” The Personalised Care Institute. Retrieved 9th February 2024.
Support for a person with a long term condition needs to be broader than just focusing on medical needs but also involves considering what matters to them in supporting their overall wellbeing. This is delivered as personalised care which includes local support for physical, mental and social wellbeing. See under
- Long Term Conditions Support – Adults – RECOMMENDED
Includes specific mental health support for patients with a long term condition.
NATIONAL SUPPORT - SELF REFERRAL
NATIONAL HELPLINES
There is excellent national support in this area covering all the common conditions including stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and migraine. See below
STROKE AND TIAS
From the Stroke Association
- Helpline “place for information and support” Stroke Helpline | Stroke Association
- Support and guidance overview Stroke: Support and guidance
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
From Parkinson’s UK
Helpline and local advisers Helpline and local advisers | Parkinson’s UK
EPILEPSY
From the Epilepsy Society
Epilepsy helpline Epilepsy helpline | Epilepsy Society
From Epilepsy Action
Help Line “information, advice and support “ Information, advice and support | Epilepsy Action
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
From the MS society
Helpline gives emotional support and information on MS MS Helpline | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK
MIGRAINE
From the Migraine Trust
Helpline The Migraine Trust Helpline – The Migraine Trust
STROKE AND TIA FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Transient Ischemic attack (TIA)
Stroke
- Stroke – NHS
- Stroke | Signs, Symptoms and Recovery | Patient
- Stroke and TIA | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From the Stroke association
A helpful resource on stroke Stroke Association | Home
From Patient info
Information on stroke (section of Brain and Nerves) Brain and Nerves | Patient
From Lab tests online
Covers potentially relevant blood tests
- Stroke Stroke
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Hypertension
- Cardiac Risk Assessment Cardiac Risk Assessment
- Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) CVD
- Diabetes Diabetes
Vaccinations
From NHS England
Getting the flu vaccine NHS England and NHS Improvement London » Getting the flu vaccine
From the NHS
Flu vaccine Flu vaccine – NHS
More information is available under
REDUCING YOUR RISK OF STROKE
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a stroke, both if you have never had a stroke but also if you have had a previous stroke. See under
COMMON NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
EPILEPSY
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Epilepsy
- Epilepsy – NHS
- Epilepsy and Seizures | Triggers and Treatments | Patient
- Epilepsy | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From the Epilepsy Society
- About epilepsy About epilepsy | Epilepsy Society
- Living with epilepsy Living with epilepsy | Epilepsy Society
From Epilepsy action
A helpful resource on Epilepsy Epilepsy Action | Epilepsy information and advice
From Patient info
Information on Epilepsy and Seizures (section in “brain and nerves”) Brain and Nerves | Patient
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Parkinson’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease – NHS
- Parkinson’s Disease symptoms and management – Patient | Patient
- Parkinson’s disease | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From Parkinson’s UK
A helpful resource on Parkinson’s disease Homepage | Parkinson’s UK
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Multiple sclerosis
- Multiple sclerosis – NHS
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Patient
- Multiple sclerosis | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From the MS society
A helpful resource on Multiple Sclerosis
- About MS About MS | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK
- Care and support Care and support | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK
MIGRAINE
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Migraine
- Migraine – NHS
- Migraine | Symptoms, Causes and Treatment | Patient
- Migraine | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From the Migraine Trust
- Living with migraine Living with migraine – The Migraine Trust
- Help someone with migraine Help someone with migraine – The Migraine Trust
From Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)
Detailed evidence-based guidelines produced for patients based on a systematic review of the scientific literature. Very helpfully the patient booklet, visually shows how strong the evidence is for any treatment recommendation made.
Migraine Migraine (sign.ac.uk)
OTHER NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
From Patient info
Brain and nerves Brain and Nerves | Patient
From NICE
Neurological Neurological | Specialities | CKS | NICE
DEMENTIA
Dementia is covered in detail under
Videos and podcasts
On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering the topic of brain and nerves.
- Videos And Podcasts – see section “health conditions.”
