Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
The purpose of this section is to pick out common conditions and symptoms which have not have been covered in the other sections on adult health. These include symptoms for which there can be multiple causes such as dizziness and swelling of legs as well as common but important symptoms such as acute constipation which often your local pharmacist can help you with.
From the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Age Related Hearing Loss Service (multiple organisations)
Complete a simple 2 page form and contact your provider of choice using the contact details included in the form. Clinic locations are included in the form so you can chose a place close to you.
Download form: Age-Related-Hearing-Loss-Audiology-Self-Referral-Form-Ox-FINAL
From Oxon & Bucks NHS Audiology Service
“For patients over 55 to arrange an appointment for a free hearing test and free hearing aids “ NHS Hearing Aids | Oxon / Bucks NHS Audiology Service | England
From Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
How to contact NHS 111 How to contact NHS 111 if you’re deaf or have hearing loss – RNID
From Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
There are effectively 4 options to consider with any condition
The different options are based on what actions are required with different conditions. Many common conditions are covered on this page. The articles from the NHS website very helpfully suggest for each condition how you can provide self-care for yourself with or without the support of your pharmacist, when you should attend your GP practice or contact 111, and when you should attend A&E (directly without going through your GP practice).
Always remember you can contact 111 if you are not sure what to do and they will be able to guide you.
If you are not sure which service to attend then 111 can advise you
As the NHS suggests
NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now
The articles from the NHS website, including those on this page for some common conditions, very helpfully point out for each condition how you can provide self-care for yourself with or without the support of your pharmacist. Your pharmacist can provide you with both advice and relevant over the counter medication. The range of what a pharmacist can offer is expanded on here
Some of these conditions can be supported with self-care or the support of your local pharmacist. Some may need a clinical assessment in a GP practice and occasionally you may need to attend the accident and emergency department (A&E). All of these options are particularly well explained in the the NHS articles. Patient info and NICE provide more detailed information.
From Patient info
Brain and Nerves Brain and Nerves | Patient
Common dental causes of headaches/ facial pain/ facial swelling is included under
Headache due to migraine and epilepsy are included in the long term conditions section under
From the NHS
From Patient info
From NICE
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Trigeminal neuralgia
Common eye conditions, including emergencies and how they can be managed are covered under
This includes what conditions can normally be managed by your local pharmacist and optician, what are the common eye emergencies which should be assessed in an eye casualty and what conditions need assessment by your local GP practice.
From patient info
Ears, Nose, Throat and Mouth Ears, Nose, Throat and Mouth | Patient
From the NHS
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Ear wax build up
Drops to remove wax from your ears can be effective and these can be bought from your local pharmacist.
Many GP practices do not now remove ear wax, as it is outside NHS commissioned services. There are a number of private providers including opticians who now provide this service.
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Tinnitus
From Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
This excellent website covers many aspects of support for hearing loss
For detailed information on hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis see under
From the NHS and Patient info
Nasal polyps
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
This includes information from patient info how to deal with a nose bleed
Nosebleed
Common conditions relating to the mouth are included under
This includes some conditions which can be treated by your pharmacist.
If mouth ulcers are present less than 3 weeks they can be treated by your local pharmacist.
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Mouth ulcers
From the NHS and Patient info
Pins and needles
From the NHS and patient info
Tremor or shaking of the hands
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Raynaud’s phenomenon
From Patient info and NICE
Student’s Elbow (olecranon Bursitis)
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Indigestion
Gastritis
Swallowing problems (Dysphagia)
From NICE
Symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal tract (upper) cancers Symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal tract (upper) cancers | Diagnosis | Gastrointestinal tract (upper) cancers – recognition and referral | CKS | NICE
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Indigestion
Gastritis
Swallowing problems (Dysphagia)
From NICE
Symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal tract (upper) cancers Symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal tract (upper) cancers | Diagnosis | Gastrointestinal tract (upper) cancers – recognition and referral | CKS | NICE
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Constipation
Laxatives
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Diarrhoea
From the NHS
Anal pain Anal pain – NHS
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Piles (haemorrhoids)
From the NHS
Anal pain Anal pain – NHS
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Anal fissure
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Itchy Bottom (Pruritus Ani)
From the NHS and Patient info
Swollen ankles, feet and legs (oedema)
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Leg cramps
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Restless legs
From the NHS and Patient Info
Pins and needles
From the NHS and Patient info
Peripheral neuropathy
From NICE
Neuropathic pain – drug treatment Neuropathic pain – drug treatment | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Dizziness
Vertigo (spinning symptom)
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Faint and Blackouts
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Hiccups
For detailed information on food allergy and intolerance see under
As Allergy UK suggest
“We estimate that allergies affect the lives of up to 41 million people in the UK. Between 5 and 8 per cent of children in the UK live with a food allergy. There are many kinds of allergies, from food, which is probably the most widely recognised, to skin, respiratory, eyes, drugs and venom allergy. While in most people, allergy reactions will be mild to moderate they can be fatal in a condition called anaphylaxis, the most severe allergic reaction which requires an immediate emergency response.” About Allergy | Allergy UK | National Charity
Detailed information can be found on allergy and anaphylaxis under