LOCAL health leaders are encouraging people to make the best use of new gadgets such as smartphones and tablets to help them look after their health at the touch of a button.
Dr David Spraggett, chair of NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk) is a trusted resource that can help you make lifestyle changes such as losing weight, stopping smoking or getting fit. It also has lots of information on a wide range of illnesses.
“You may have been diagnosed with a condition – such as asthma, diabetes or a heart problem – that can’t be cured, but can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. These are called long-term conditions, and around 15 million people – that’s one in three – in England are estimated to have one.
“NHS Choices helps you understand more about your diagnosis. There are also short films of people with the same condition as you explaining how they look after themselves.”
NHS Choices also has a series of symptom checkers. Answer a series of questions about what symptoms you’re experiencing, and you’ll be given advice on conditions that may be causing concern.
The site will also tell you, based on your symptoms, the best course of action to take, whether that’s managing the symptoms yourself right through to going to A&E. In most instances self-care is the best option, but this website will give you the confidence that it’s the right thing to do.
For more information visit www.nhs.uk .
