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May 14, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Telemedicine – the social distancing healthcare platform

Remember the days when you had to wait for that one village-doctor to come by your house in his horse buggy, with all his tools and diagnose and treat you? Yeah, us neither. We live in modern times, and thankfully, healthcare has evolved with it. Hospitals, vaccines, specialists, anaesthesia, we really have come a long way – we’ve come to depend on our healthcare heroes to nurse us back to health. So when a pandemic like COVID-19 hits, and we’re afraid to step out of our houses or have any kind of contact with other humans, how do we take care of our health? Enter Telemedicine.

What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is a broad term that refers to healthcare services provided with the help of telecommunication technologies – it primarily involves patient diagnosis and monitoring over an audio-visual platform. Telemedicine is not a new term – it has been around since the 1950’s, and essentially came about to reach people in remote places. As all new things go, it has been adapted to suit modern times. With most of us looking for convenience, and not being particular fans of long wait times at the physician’s office, Telemedicine can help connect doctors and patients and skip some lines, so to speak.

How is Telemedicine performed?

Telemedicine these days is usually done over video calls – in most cases, the software used would have to comply with governmental regulations to protect the patient’s health information – where the physician can look at, ask questions and conduct examinations of the patient. Next steps are recommended based on the diagnosis, and if monitoring is necessary, the physician can check in using the same mechanism. In advanced cases, some preparation may be essential – like heart rate monitors that can be connected to the patient so it can send the patient’s vitals directly and continuously to the doctor’s office. Telemedicine is continuing to evolve as new technologies become available, making the healthcare continuum easier to navigate.

Can Telemedicine replace all current healthcare?

Despite its application and uses, Telemedicine cannot be a cure-all. There are still some situations that require physical contact and examination from a physician, as well as surgeries and other therapies that cannot be administered remotely. However, for urgent issues that need a first-line triage and don’t have to involve the emergency rooms, telemedicine can be a useful replacement in avoiding long lines at the hospital.

How can I take advantage of Telemedicine?

Our GPs at Gogodoc are big fans of Telemedicine. One of the pioneers in bringing this option to the public in UK, Gogodoc has been offering phone video online consultations at the click of a button. While we get through one of the worst times in recent history and protect ourselves by staying indoors and socially distanced, it is imperative to continue to take care of our health and promptly attend to any concerns. If venturing out to a hospital seems daunting, take advantage of Telemedicine. Get on an online video consultation with an NHS-registered GP now and get expert medical advice – at Gogodoc, you can even get same-day appointments, and prescriptions and referrals are included in your consultation. Book an appointment using our website, or download the app today! Get modern with medicine, stay home, and stay safe!

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May 13, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Abdominal Pain – Symptoms, Causes, and treatment

Abdominal pain is broadly categorized as pain in the abdominal area – this includes the area  beginning at the bottom of the rib cage and ends where the pelvic area begins. Since this area includes multiple organs – stomach, liver, pancreas, gall bladder etc., abdominal pain covers a lot of disorders.

Symptoms

Acute, sharp, or dull pain in a specific or broad area of the abdomen. Intensity and duration may vary depending on the underlying illness.

Common Causes

Abdominal pain can be caused by inflammation of an organ or membrane, distention or enlargement of an organ, or loss of blood supply to an organ in the abdominal cavity. Sometimes, there may be a functional disorder, like the irritable bowel syndrome, where the organs are simply not working as intended. Causes of abdominal pain may vary from mild issues like food poisoning to more intense issues like infection of the liver of kidneys.

Treatments

Depending on the organ affected and the reason for the pain, treatments vary. Seek medical help if you have abdominal pain, but be prepared to answer questions about duration, patterns, location, and what food/home treatment is currently making the pain bearable. After an examination, a doctor will be able to recommend the best course of action – whether it be pills, observation, surgery, or other treatments.

‘Ask Gogodoc About’  is an educational series providing information on various symptoms, pains, and disorders. (*intended for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms, please reach out to book an online video consultation with a Gogodoc GP. Our NHS-registered GPs can speak to you via video call to provide expert medical advice and get you the right prescriptions and referrals.)

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May 12, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Coping with COVID Stress – 5 ways to relieve anxiety and stress

The world is in crisis mode, so it is only natural that you are in crisis mode too. If you have been dealing with stress, or a roller-coaster of emotions during these difficult times, don’t be alarmed. You’re not alone and everyone is going through this in some form. Here are five tips that can help during a time like this.

Stay Active

Moving the body can do wonders. If you’re not the home-workout/fitness buff, that’s okay. Do what you can – even if it’s a simple 60 minute walk around the house (following social distancing protocol of course). The endorphins from the activity can help with relieving stress and making you feel happier and in control.

Be Kinder to Yourself

Our normal has completely changed. So it does not make sense to measure our success, productivity, goals and the like by the same standards we used in our normal times, before the microorganism took over our lives. Reset goals if you have to, accept that there will be good days and bad days, and do your best. If you are having trouble coping, seek help.

Keep in Touch with Friends and Family

It can start to feel pretty lonely if you are cooped up inside. Let people in, virtually. Talk to friends and family, organize virtual get-togethers and hangouts, check in on them, share stories and memories. Connecting to our loved ones can help us feel less alone and more hopeful for when we get to actually hang out with them in person.

Stick to a Routine

It can get very easy to fall into the ‘what’s the point’ trap during these times. Find, or rather, MAKE your own purpose and routine and stick to it. Following a routine helps your brain focus on sizable tasks in specified chunks of time, which will bring some order into a somewhat chaotic existence right now.

Get Back to the Things You Love

Remember all the times you said ‘if only I had the time’? Well, here it is. Find your way back to the things you loved, or the things you wanted to learn to love. Pick up a new hobby, reconnect with an old one, do things that bring calm and peace to your life right now.

Apart from mental being, physical well-being is also important, so make sure you speak to your GP if you have concerns. If you are afraid to step out to meet one, make use of our online video consultation services where our Gogodoc GP can provide expert medical advice over a video call. Visit our website to know more and book an appointment.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for stress – the above are examples of ways to minimize it, but there are of course many more options and it is important to find the ones that work for you and stick to those. These are weird times, and weird times warrant weird solutions, so whatever gets you through this crisis, go ahead and do that. As always, stay safe, and indoors!

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May 11, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Influenza or the flu

Learn about the flu below:

Influenza, or the ‘flu’, is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.

Symptoms :

Symptoms mimic the common cold but with more intensity. Flu symptoms include (but are not limited to) fever, chills, dry cough, aching muscles, a sore throat and a runny nose.

Common Causes :
The influenza virus can be transmitted in air droplets or through touching an infected object and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Individuals can be infectious for up to 5 days once the virus is contracted.
Treatments :
In most healthy individuals, the flu resolves by itself within a week or two. Immunocompromised and at-risk individuals are recommended to seek medical care for complications. There is also a flu vaccine that is seasonally administered to prevent the onset of influenza.

Please note that while symptoms may be similar, the flu is not the same as the newly contagious COVID-19. Refer to the NHS for COVID-19 symptoms and treatment.

‘Ask Gogodoc About’  is an educational series providing information on various symptoms, pains, and disorders. (*intended for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms, please reach out to book an online video consultation with a Gogodoc GP. Our NHS-registered GPs can speak to you via video call to provide expert medical advice and get you the right prescriptions and referrals.)

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May 10, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Look Inside – What’s Involved in a COVID Test

With the UK pledging to ramp up testing since April, we thought it might be a good idea to discuss the two main types of testing currently available for the COVID-19 illness.

COVID Antibody Test

The COVID Antibody test is to detect whether a person has ever had COVID or its symptoms . This is a finger-prick test whether the blood can be analyzed to look for antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are produced by the human body in response to ‘antigens’ produced by the virus, and are part of the body’s immune system. 

If the test results are positive for the COVID-19 antibodies, it means that the individual has previously been infected with COVID-19 (regardless of whether symptoms were seen). Not much is known about the infected gaining immunity to a second attack though. 

However, a negative test result does not mean that an individual has never had COVID-19. The result may be negative because the infection was very mild, or that the body has not had a chance to produce the antibodies yet. 

The finger-prick antibody test kit is the test kit that the UK has been hoping to make available to the general public. There has been a bit of back-and-forth on the effectiveness of the many units ordered by the government as it relates to general public use, so it remains to be seen if the majority of the population will be tested with this one.

PCR Swab Test

The PCR Swab Test tests for whether an individual currently has the virus. This test is most effective when a patient is currently infected or is showing symptoms of COVID-19. This is deduced by swabbing the nose and throat and testing the swabs for presence of the specific RNA sequence/segment of the virus. The PCR stands for a mechanism that will amplify/produce identical copies of the RNA sequence so it is easier to test.

The test is known to have a bit of discomfort as the nose swab consists of a 6-inch long swab (like a Q-tip) inserted into both nostrils one at a time (to maximize sample extraction) and goes all the way back to the tube that connects the nose to the lungs (nasopharyngeal tube). Swab samples from the nose as well as the throat can tell labs if the coronavirus is present. While an accurate predictor of the infection, the swab test is costlier and fewer in number and is only useful in tracking current infection.

Given the nature of the virus, and how new it is, the scientific community is still studying, developing, and testing new methods of prediction, analysis and cure for the virus. In the meantime, the best we can do is stay indoors and practise social distancing guidelines. If you or someone you know has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please follow the NHS guidelines for self-isolation. Get on an online video consultation with a Gogodoc GP to get expert medical advice if you are unsure of what to do. Our qualified GPs are available as early as the same day – book your appointments through the website or by downloading our app.

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May 9, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Allergies – causes, characteristics, and treatment

Allergies are the immune system’s response to a foreign object (allergen) that is ‘perceived’ to be harmful (these are typically harmless for others).

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary depending on type of allergy. Food – hives, nausea, vomiting. Skin – rash, itchiness, inflammation. Seasonal – runny nose, sneezing, swollen eyes. In severe cases, symptoms can include anaphylaxis, which is a dangerous condition resulting in shortness of breath and loss of consciousness. Symptoms and severity differ from person to person.

Common Causes:

Allergens can be varied and include (but not limited to) dust, animal products, mold, certain types of food (like shellfish or nuts), pollen, latex and even certain metals.

Treatments:

Depending on severity and cause, treatments range from topical ointments, nasal sprays, etc. to immunotherapy courses and emergency epinephrine shots. If you think you might have an allergy, get tested promptly and seek medical advice on treatments.

‘Ask Gogodoc About’  is an educational series providing information on various symptoms, pains, and disorders. (*intended for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms, please reach out to book an online video consultation with a Gogodoc GP. Our NHS-registered GPs can speak to you via video call to provide expert medical advice and get you the right prescriptions and referrals.)

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May 8, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

5 Healthy Eating Habits to Form Today

The latest numbers say that the average person in the UK spends around ÂĢ45 per week on food – including groceries and eating out. So, how do we make sure we’re getting our money’s worth? Here are 5 simple, easy, HEALTHY eating habits to form – 

Stay away from fad diets

This should be a no-brainer. Yes, that juice cleanse all your friends are doing on Instagram seems fun, but pause for a second and think – will it help you achieve your fitness and weight goals? Is it sustainable for you in the long run? Or will it be a one-week wonder and you’re left to your devices again? Understand your body, set realistic goals, and create a sustainable diet. A good diet is one that you can continue adhering to, is balanced, and right for your body.

Keep a food diary

The first step to finding or fixing an issue is to collect enough data about it. Keep a food diary to understand what goes into your system each day. Write it down or use an app that will calculate everything for you. With this information, you can track macros and calories, and also make a note of how the foods are affecting your moods and well-being. Monitor, then adjust.

Eat a balanced meal

No-carb is a thing of the past. Try and opt for a balanced meal instead – one that has enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. This also means more fruits and veg, less sugar, and less salt. Also keep in mind that a ‘meal’ includes what you drink – swap out that sugary, fizzy unhealthy drink for a healthier option. Or better yet, opt for some hot water or tea, which will help you digest your food better.

Find healthy alternatives

Studies show that deprivation can result in more intense binging. So how else do you stop eating unhealthy food? By finding healthier alternatives. For example, if you like your grain, choose one with higher fiber content – brown rice instead of rice, wheat bread instead of white bread. Sugar craving? Eat your favourite fruits instead to satiate that. Find healthier options and integrate the swap slowly into your diet.

Watch your meat intake

The NHS recommends a serving or two of fish everyday – mainly for the omega-3 fatty oils that are available in abundance in fish. On the other hand, the general consensus is that red meat may not be as good for us in large portions. Where possible, eat more white meat than red. And more fish than white meat.

Whatever habits you choose to keep or make, ensure that they do not introduce additional stress on your health – physical or mental. What we consume is closely tied to our well-being, so it is important to consume right. If you have questions about allergies, portion control, or how certain foods are affecting your health, talk to your GP. You can also speak to an expert GP at Gogodoc by scheduling an online video consultation  – visit our website or download our app to book an appointment as early as the hour. Eat well, stay safe, and be healthy!

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May 4, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Talk to your GP – Why this is important now more than ever

While the world talks incessantly about the COVID-19 crisis, there is a lesser-known issue we might be overlooking – our general health and well-being.

The National Health Service is worried about the steady decline in the number of patients coming in for other illnesses – strokes, cardiac issues, pregnancy-related visits, sick children and the like. There is around a 29% decrease in A&E visits and doctors fear that people needing care are not visiting hospitals. It is understandable, given that many of us are worried and anxious about stepping outside and would rather not visit places with more people. Especially when hospitals are also currently treating COVID-19 patients.

While the advice and general consensus is to delay elective procedures until it is safe to venture out, more critical, time-sensitive health issues need to be tackled sooner rather than later. A delay in seeking the right kind of care can not only be detrimental for your health (or the health of a loved one), but will also ultimately add more strain on the already overworked and limited health resources and healthcare system. Moreover, if there is a COVID-19 risk,it is better to ensure we are not immunocompromised in any way so a recovery might be possible. 

One way to protect yourself is to ascertain if a hospital visit is needed first. Talk to your GP, explain your health situation and seek counsel. You can now consult with a general practice doctor without having to leave the house – through an online or video consultation. 

Gogodoc’s team has NHS-certified General Practice doctors who can offer expert medical advice over an online/video call so you can get the help you need while still practicing lockdown rules. A private online GP consultation can be scheduled through our website or through the Gogodoc app and a GP – appointments could be as early as within the hour. Online doctor consultations include prescriptions that can be filled at your pharmacy, should you require it, as well as advice on whether you need advanced medical care at a hospital.

If you do have to seek medical attention at a hospital, do it without delay, but take protective measures before venturing out – including masks and practicing social distancing. Again, talk to your GP, get your health checked, and get guidance on next steps. Take care, and stay safe.

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May 2, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

COVID-19, NHS and the UK – How our healthcare system is battling the pandemic

Month 4 into the COVID-19 pandemic and here’s a quick look at how the NHS, and several other bodies, are tackling the novel virus.

Harnessing the Power of Data

The NSHX – the health service’s digital innovation unit, has teamed up with several Tech Giants (including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, and Faculty AI) to analyze data around COVID-19 patients and tests. The analysis will help follow the progression of the virus, track hotspots, and efficiently manage the use of resources like ventilators and test kits.

Contact-Tracing App

The NHSX is also developing a smartphone app that works over Bluetooth. The app will work to keep track of who has COVID-like symptoms, and who they might have come into contact with, and dispense isolation advice based on that. The app is being tested at the RAF facility in North Yorkshire and is expected to be available to the general public sometime in May.

Drive-Through Testing

Drive-through testing is being administered in several areas in southern England (and expanding), mostly targeting healthcare service members. Though the UK is still not where it should be with tests and testing kits, this aims to bridge the gap somewhat.

Vaccine Trials

Oxford University has just begun human trials for a possible vaccine for COVID-19 / Coronavirus. Over a thousand people are expected to take part in this trial where they test if a healthy individual could be made immune to the deadly and contagious Coronavirus.

Even as the NHS (and other auxiliary services) battle the pandemic to help keep us safe, they advise that our general health should not be neglected. Going to a hospital to receive necessary medical care (even if non-COVID related) is a valid reason to step out of the house. Talk to a GP to understand if it’s necessary for you. Our general practice doctors at Gogodoc are available for online video consultations through the week and can see a patient from the comfort of your home in as little as one hour (visit the website or download the Gogodoc app to book an appointment).

We will get through this together. But until then, Stay Home, and Stay Safe.

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April 29, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

COVID-19 Updates from WHO and NHS

With the deluge of news around the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be difficult to discern the real from the fake, the recent from the outdated. Here is a quick summary of updates from the two trusted sources leading the fight – the World Health Organisation and the NHS. 

WHO’s situation report shows that the COVID-19 illness has taken over quite a few lives – as of April 28, 2020 the coronavirus has affected over 2.8 million people and claimed over 198,000 lives. In the UK, the highly contagious illness has taken over 21,000 lives with daily reports continuing to document new cases and deaths.

Amid the debate and controversy on the UK’s testing targets and the availability of test kits, we also learned that there are now drive-through test centers for healthcare and allied workers. And that the NHS is partnering with several companies in the IT and digital sectors to collect, collate, and analyze information on COVID-19 and be able to diligently and efficiently use resources. A soon-to-be-released contact-tracing app may be able to tell us if we have come into contact with someone that has developed COVID-19 symptoms. A vaccine trial is also underway at Oxford University though it will be a while before we are able to ascertain its effectiveness.

The NHS has also updated its advice for those that think they may have the coronavirus – in order to not inundate the 111 phone line, NHS has created a 111 online service where people can answer a questionnaire about their symptoms – this will serve as a first-line triage and additional advice is offered based on the answers. For those with symptoms, NHS recommends self-isolating for at least 7 days, and for those that have come in contact with someone that has symptoms, they recommend a 14-day isolation period to see if any symptoms develop.

Regardless of the updates around us, it is important to continue to practice social distancing rules, stay indoors, sanitize our hands and common surfaces frequently, and remember to take care of our general health. For any questions related to your health, talk to your GP. Or reach out to us at Gogodoc – an online-video consultation appointment can be booked in as early as an hour and our NHS-certified GPs can offer you expert medical advice on what to do, all over a video consult so you don’t have to leave your house. Now more than ever, be aware, and stay safe.

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