Health

Staying active, eating well and looking after yourself can help you have a good quality of life. Here’s some tips on living well, managing pain, accessing services and common health conditions.

All health articles

As an adult, your health is a priority. We have compiled a list of handy tips that will help you to stay fit and healthy and to improve your general wellbeing.

helping you to plan your visit to Newcastle so you know where public and accessible toilets are available

Acupuncture is a safe treatment for everybody and it can help to alleviate a number of health problems such as back pain, high blood pressure

Addiction is when you are unable to stop yourself from, taking a chemical, drug, substance or carrying out an activity. Even if it causes you or others mental and physical harm. Common addictions are alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex.

Please report any abuse in Newcastle. Abuse can be emotional, physical, sexual, financial, discriminatory, exploitation, psychological, organisational, domestic, neglect, self neglect or modern slavery.

Advance decisions allow you to set out your decisions and choices about refusing medical treatment in certain situations, should you lose the mental capacity to make these decisions in the future.

Advocacy is where someone helps you to get your views and opinions heard. They can support you to access services if you are unable to do so by yourself.

imAGE #Age Proud Newcastle is a celebration of organisations, events, activities and opportunities for older people during October. It is a collaboration led by the Elders Council, Equal Arts, Newcastle City Council and voluntary partners.

Whether you are drinking to socialise, cope with difficult times or just to relax, you may not realise how much you are drinking and the damage it could cause. A small change can make a lasting difference to your health. Local help and support is available

Two in three people experience anxiety or depression at some point in their life. It can be mild and last only a few weeks or it can be a lot more severe.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve wellbeing and health, either by massaging them into the skin, adding them to bath water, or inhaling them from a diffuser or spritz.

There are many different types of funerals to choose from and financial help may be available.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and tendons, which can cause pain and difficulty when you move around. Other possible effects of arthritis are loss of grip and strength.

is a condition that affects the airways, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed when the asthma is triggered, making it difficult to breathe.

is a life-long condition which affects a person’s ability to communicate or to do everyday things. This page has more information about local support organisations and groups in Newcastle.

This section gives you information on what to do before you go into hospital, which will hopefully help to prepare you for your visit.

Being diagnosed with a health condition or illness can be a worrying and uncertain time.

Being active is key to leading an independent life. Doing a little bit of activity regularly can make a real difference to your health.

The death of someone close to you, whether it was expected or sudden, can be an extremely difficult time, and you will experience many different emotions. Help is available.

Bipolar disorder is a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another.

First aid advice and guidance on how to deal with bleeding. In emergencies always dial 999 or go straight to hospital.

The Message in a Bottle scheme helps you store your personal and medical information in your fridge door, so it can found quickly by emergency services. This simple idea could help to save your life.

Sign language is a visual means of communicating using gestures, facial expressions and body language. Sign language is used mainly by deaf people and people with hearing difficulties.  Some television programmes have subtitles or text on screen which describes the spoken word and sounds taking place during a programme.

First aid advice on treating burns and scalds. In emergencies dial 999 or go straight to hospital.

1 in 3 people in the UK will develop cancer at some stage in their life and it is more common in later life. A healthy diet and lifestyle are key factors in prevention.

carers can apply for funding to help improve their health and wellbeing. It can be used to take breaks and opportunities that give them choice, independence and control.

This article signposts you to children’s health information from the Little Orange Book and on the NHS website.

Chiropractic involves the Chiropractor using their hands to treat disorders of the bones, muscles and joints.

First Aid advice on what to do if someone is choking. Always dial 999 in emergencies.

COPD is the collective term for some lung diseases that make breathing difficult.

Chronic pain is pain that persists despite medical treatment. This pain lasts for a long time (generally more than 3 months).

These are a great way to get involved in local activities. Here’s a handy list of community centres and hubs in Newcastle, so you can find out what’s happening near you.

There are a number of day services to choose from in Newcastle including lunch clubs, social activities, fitness classes and much more.

There are approximately nine million people in the UK who are deaf or hard of hearing. More than half of people over the age of 60 years old have a hearing loss, which is usually related to the ageing process.

A state of confusion that occur suddenly and may be caused by a medical condition.

Dementia is a term used to describe various disorders involving a loss of brain function, such as thinking, memory, reasoning and language.

Newcastle is committed to becoming a Dementia Friendly city.

An NHS dentist is a dentist who has agreed to provide NHS dental services. Some dentists may provide a mixture of NHS and private care.

There are different types of depression or low mood. The symptoms can be mild or severe and impact people differently. Help and support is available if you are feeling sad, lost, lonely or in a low mood.

Diabetes is a health condition where the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high. With the right treatment and care you can manage your diabetes.

can happen to anyone. It’s described as any incident or pattern of incidents that are: controlling, coercive, threatening, violent.

There are many options for what happens to your body or organs after you die. Donating your body for scientific research or medical training is an option.

Concerned about drug use in your local area? Worried about your own or someone you love’s use of drugs or alcohol? Support and advice is available.

support to keep you and your ears healthy

Information about types of eating disorder and who can help.

Emergency funds provide lump sum cash payments or loans to cover extra expenses that you find difficult to cover from your regular income.

In a life threatening or emergency situation dial 999 to contact the Fire, Police, Ambulance, or Coast Guard service.

Emollients are a type of moisturiser used to help treat skin conditions. They are flammable so here’s some tips on how to use them safely.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition which causes seizures. There are many different types of epilepsy and seizures.

English as a second language or other language (ESOL) classes can help you to learn English. There are a range of classes and sessions available in Newcastle.

provides care for patients who have any eye conditions that can’t be treated by a GP or at a Minor Injuries Unit.

Information on how to avoid falls and what to do if you have a fall.

Looking to connect and make new friends? There are many places to meet up with people in Newcastle.

Taking exercise, or doing some form of physical activity, can be an enjoyable way to spend your leisure time, as well as being of great benefit to your health.

Flu is an infectious virus and is most common from December to March. There is no cure for flu but you can get a flu vaccination.

Gardening is good for you. It is therapy and fitness rolled into one.

How to get involved in research, share your experiences to improve services or speak up for your your community This may be called activism, involvement, engagement, co-production or collaboration.

Getting to hospital can be a worry for some people. This section gives details on how you can travel to and from the hospitals in Newcastle.

Smoking is the biggest cause of death and illness in the UK. Giving up smoking can improve your health with immediate benefits.

Alopecia is a condition that can affect men, women and children. It has no harmful effects to general health but hair loss can be distressing.

A hate crime or incident are acts of violence, aggression, prejudice or hostility directed at someone because of their, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, transgender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age.

You can help to improve our health services. You can volunteer to take part in groups or forums to make sure the views of patients, carers and the public are heard. Your feedback is used to improve health services in the North East of England.

Head injuries are potentially serious and require a proper assessment.

A well-balanced, nutritious diet can help to prevent many illnesses and can significantly improve some existing health conditions.

To keep your feet healthy you need to look after them; keeping them clean, warm and well-supported.

A few simple changes to what you eat and drink and how you brush your teeth can make a big difference to the health of your mouth, gums and teeth.

A hallucination is a sensory experience that occurs in the absence of an external stimulus. For example hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling or feeling something that isn’t there.

It can be useful to know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. In an emergency dial 999.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) occurs when your arteries become blocked and restrict the blood and oxygen supply to your heart.

happens when the body becomes dangerously overheated, usually due to a high fever or prolonged exposure to heat.

Read more about NHS services and how to use them, including translators

Most NHS services are free, however, you may be entitled to free treatment or help with some of these health costs.

If High Blood Pressure is not treated and kept under control, it can cause heart disease or a stroke.

If you need some support at home with personal care such as bathing, dressing and making meals, there are organisations that may be able to help you.

Homeopathy is a “treatment” based on the use of highly diluted substances to cause the body to heal itself.

This section looks at the different ways you can raise concerns you may have about health services.

Giving blood or giving an organ could save lives.  It doesn’t matter how old you are or your ethnicity.  Organ donation is a precious gift.

If you are not happy with the service or goods that you have received you can make a complaint, or in some cases you may be able to return the goods and secure a refund.

Tips on how to stay active at home including chair-based exercise, strength and balance exercise and aerobics.

The healthcare provided by our National Health Service (NHS) in the UK is important to all of us. This page is about how to access a GP (or doctor’s) surgery, to make sure you get the healthcare you need.

is excessive breathing. It is normally caused by acute anxiety and it may accompany a panic attack.

Hypnotherapy attempts to engage a person’s subconscious mind, using the power of suggestion to make a positive change.

Incontinence can affect all age groups. Incontinence may happen for a number of different reasons. Help is available.

Other useful and reliable online information services in Newcastle

There are a range of organisations that provide interpreting and translation services in Newcastle

The way the healthcare services are planned and purchased in Newcastle and the whole of England has changed. NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have now replaced the NHS Primary Care Trusts.

Complementary therapy includes a wide range of treatments that can be used alongside or as an alternative to conventional medicine.

First aid skills are easy to learn and will hopefully stay with you for life. Your knowledge could save someone’s life and it is likely to be those closest to you who will benefit from your skills.

NHS and government information about Covid 19

For children, older people, or people with chronic health conditions, hot weather can be dangerous and potentially fatal.

Keeping warm in cold weather is important. Alongside cold and flu, cold weather can cause serious health problems, such as heart attacks, stroke, hypothermia and pneumonia. It’s important to stay warm.

Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

A learning disability is a life-long condition. It affects a person’s ability to communicate or to do everyday things. People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate.

Leaving hospital can be just as worrying as going into hospital for some people. Here’s information on what should happen when you leave hospital and tips on how to prepare for your return home.

There are a number of support services and groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, Queer/Questioning and other identifying (LGBTQ+) people in Newcastle.

These services are available to you if you have eligible care and support needs. This is decided when you have a needs assessment with Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council. Care and support can be arranged by the Council.

Some people have difficulties making decisions. This could be due to a learning disability, dementia, a mental health problem, or a brain injury

ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) is also sometimes referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It can affect people of any age.

Medicines or medication are drugs used to treat, cure and prevent diseases and health conditions. Its important to know how to get medication, take it, safely store it and what to do if you have any medication issues.

The menopause happens to all women. Support and help is available to help deal with the side effects.

Information about periods and menstruation and where to get free and affordable products.

Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. 1 in 4 people in the UK have a mental health problem which affects their daily life, relationships or physical health.

If you need help with a mental health problem outside normal working hours here are services you can use.

The stress and trauma associated with serving in the armed forces can impact on your mental health. Support is available.

For many people the main symptom is a painful headache. Other symptoms include disturbed vision; sensitivity to light, sound and smells feeling sick and vomiting.

Mindful therapy and meditation can be practised on your own or through the help of a service.

are for patients with injuries such as sprains, cuts and grazes. The waiting times are generally much shorter than at Accident and Emergency.

Opticians and Optometrists test your sight and examine the health of your eyes. There are some health conditions that can effect your eyes and the symptoms are only found on examination. Regular checks are important.

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become weak, fragile and can break easily. It is more common in women than men.

Palliative care is a term that is used when someone is supported through a serious life limiting progressive illness. It also includes care for their families.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition which affects movements such as walking, talking and writing.

The system for paying for care can be quite complicated. The amount you pay depends upon your circumstances.

The NHS offers personal health budgets and personal wheelchair budgets to certain groups of people.

Pharmacists or chemists are experts in the use and effect of medicines. You can get advice, medicines and some treatments in pharmacies without waiting to see your GP.

Physical activity infographic

Whatever stage of adult life you have reached, it is important to think about planning ahead for your future care, later life, end of life and your estate after death.

Registered podiatrists (or chiropodists) are trained in all aspects of care for the feet and lower limbs.

is a legal document, which authorises one or more people to handle your finances, health and welfare. You can set up a lasting power of attorney for a limited time, or longer.

Reflexology is the application of pressure to feet and hands to relieve pain and treat medical conditions.

Reiki is a form of touch therapy where the therapist uses distant healing techniques. Their touch should be gentle, light and comfortable.

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that causes a range of different psychological symptoms, including: hallucinations, hearing or seeing things that do not exist, and delusions.

Self-care and self-management for people with a disability are terms that are used regularly in today’s society, particularly by the NHS and associated health and social care organisations. There are services and benefits that can help too.

Information about sexual health, protection from sexual transmitted infections, contraception and details of organisations that can provide you with expert advice and guidance.

Find out more about your body, protection, screening, check ups, relationships and services available.

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage which involves applying pressure to various points on the body used to relieve pain and promote health.

is a common disease which occurs in people who have previously had chicken pox. It can affect anyone.

Shock is a physical reaction to an injury usually related to blood loss or circulatory problems. Shock can be potentially fatal. Here are some tips on treating shock.

Sleep is an essential process that our bodies and minds need in order to function.  This article explains why sleep is important and what can affect it.

a helpful list of equipment and aids that you can buy to help make life easier.

Social Prescribing is where you are prescribed activity or exercise to improve your physical and mental health. It may be used in place of medication or alongside treatment.

A stroke occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of its blood supply, causing brain tissue to die. This is usually the result of a clot or burst blood vessel.

Dealing with thoughts of suicide, self harm how to help someone and help if you are bereaved by suicide.

If you are seeking asylum in Newcastle there are a number of local services that can help with support and advice.

This article signposts you to support and help if you are on a low income.

Identifying as a LGBTQ+ person can sometimes lead to harassment, bullying, hate crime or discrimination (treated less by others because of who you are). You have rights and support is available if you are experiencing problems.

There are a range of support groups in Newcastle that help, advise and support people through difficulties including offering emotional support to those people dealing with illness, social isolation, end of life or a long term condition.

 

This article explains the housing and support services that are available for people with a learning disability or autism.

The Elders Council of Newcastle is the older people’s forum in Newcastle. It is a voluntary organisation run by and for older people in Newcastle. They work to get the voice and views of older people heard in our city.

The thyroid produces hormones which control the body’s metabolism. These hormones are important in regulating your body’s energy.

The NHS provides a free telephone helpline, symptom checker and website for non life threatening health and medical advice.

are the most common infection health problem amongst older adults. They can be painful and uncomfortable, but can be treated easily.

When being discharged from hospital after a period of illness, you may find this information useful to help plan your care at home and aid your recovery.

Vision impairment means that your eyesight cannot be corrected by glasses or lenses.  Conditions include: cataract, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and a condition related to stroke, hemianopia.

Volunteering is a great way to learn a new skill or develop an existing one, meet new people and have fun.

Urgent Treatment centres are for patients who want fast and convenient access to healthcare advice, information and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries.

Walking is good for you. It is therapy and fitness rolled into one.

Your weight can impact upon your health and wellbeing. Support is available to help you manage and maintain your weight.

Hoarding is when someone collects large amounts of items and is unable to throw any of them away. This can become a problem and be risky for the person living in the home and their neighbours.

Here’s a helpful guide of practical issues that you made need to consider and act upon following the death of a loved one.

This article explains what to expect during your stay in hospital.

If you die without making a Will, known as ‘dying intestate’, it can become complicated for the people that you leave behind to carry out your wishes or know your intentions.

General Practitioners (GPs) provide a wide range of health services. They provide consultations in their practices and through home visits.