Blog Archive | Page 13 of 17 | General Practice Private Doctors in UK

April 29, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

The CO in COVID – heart-warming stories from around the world

In times of crises, like the one we are in right now, it is easy to get bogged down by all the negative numbers and news. But this is also a time when we can see humanity and solidarity in action – and we’re not just talking about medical staff – general practice doctors, surgeons, emergency responders,nurses, support staff and the like. We’re talking about ordinary people making extraordinary contributions to society during this time – here are 5 stories from around the world to warm your heart and bring back your faith in humanity.

USA – A high school student in Santa Barbara, California – Daniel Goldberg – set up a website called Zoomers to Boomers to collect orders and deliver groceries to older, at-risk people in his area that could not leave their houses to shop. His effort has since sparked numerous other initiatives and examples of the young helping the old.

Italy – Italian Tenor Andrew Bocelli performed asolo concert from an empty Duomo Cathedral for Easter. The concert was live-streamed to millions of people, bringing some hope and positivity to those in lockdown.

UK – Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year old veteran, aimed to complete 100 laps in his garden before turning 100. His goal? Raise £1000 for NHS Charities together. Over a million people have contributed to his efforts and his current fundraising stands at £23 million. Yes, million!

Sweden – Princess Sofia of Sweden traded her tiara for scrubs and volunteered at a Stockholm hospital, assisting in non-medical duties like disinfecting and cleaning.

Brazil – Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro got a makeover and was lit up in a medical uniform last weekend to show appreciation and respect for our frontline heroes – the healthcare professionals.

At Gogodoc, we have our own healthcare heroes helping with the pandemic – every General Practice doctor in our roster is available for online doctor consultation services. Appointments for video consultations with our GPs are easy to book (check out our website for the appointment form), private, and safe in these social-distancing times. Find a general practice doctor near you and get an appointment in as little as one hour!

Book an appointment today!

April 26, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Using this time wisely – 5 self-improvement things to do indoors

We’ve been given a gift, amidst all the chaos around us – that gift is time – and tons of it. So how can we best use this time to add a few good habits to our schedule? Read below.

Home Workouts

No access to the gym doesn’t mean no fitness. Use what you have and invest time in home workouts. Get an app that offers online classes, or watch youtube videos that make it interesting and fun for you. The endorphins after exercising are sure to help you get through these times!

Reading

Audio, digital, hard copy. There are more choices today than ever before. Reading can be incredibly helpful in accumulating knowledge, broadening perspectives and just letting that brain consume relevant and mindful content. Explore a favourite genre, or dip your toes into a new one. Listen to a good story, or go the non-fiction route and pick up a good habit!

Meditation

Sitting still sounds hard, eh? But meditation is one of the easiest ways to bring some mindfulness into your life and reduce stress. Think of it like a reset button. Start with guided meditation if you’re new to the practice – there are plenty of apps on the market – and just 5 minutes! You can build it up as you go.

Organizing

Marie Kondo your flat. Okay, maybe not that intense, but some kind of organization is good. Organizing, even just moving things around, is supposed to help calm the mind. It will also show you how many things you’ve bought thinking you would use them but have barely touched!

Cooking Your Own Meals

Survival 101 right there – knowing how to make sustenance. Now may be the time to check out those youtube videos, or that old cookbook you forgot you paid for. Knowing what you are putting into your body, will help you differentiate between flavour and junk and nudge you in the right direction. Not an expert cook? Start with some help – get meal kits, or start with making portions of a larger meal (eg., buy the sauce, make the pasta).

So tell us – what forms of self-improvement have worked best for you?

April 24, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Feel Something, Say Something – COVID-19 symptoms refresher and what to do

A simple cough is enough to give us a fright these days – so we thought it might be time for a quick refresher on COVID-19 symptoms and what to do if you think you fit the brief.

NHS has designated two major symptoms for COVID-19 –

A high temperature – where your body (especially chest and back) feel hot to the touch.
A new, continuous cough – the key phrase being ‘new and continuous’ – if you have been coughing continuously for an hour, or have 3 or more bad coughing fits in a span of 24 hours – if you tend to have allergies around this time, know that a COVID cough is much worse than the coughing fits you normally have.

If you think you have one or both of these symptoms – the recommendation is to use the 111 Online Coronavirus Service from NHS to figure out what to do next – whether it was a false alarm, or if a test needs to be taken, or if self-isolation is required. Whatever the conclusion, the advice is to ‘stay home’ and sort this out with the NHS online service so you don’t end up infecting anyone else. If the symptoms are unmanageable or if a baby or at-risk elder has these symptoms, the NHS recommends calling the helpline.

For someone that has COVID-19 symptoms, NHS recommends a 7-day self-isolation period with no contact with other humans for the fever to subside (longer if fever takes longer to subside) – this is so the risk of spreading of the virus is avoided. Note that a cough may last long after the infection period is complete. For someone who lives with, or has had contact with a COVID-19 positive person, the recommended self-isolation period is 14 days – since it can take 14 days for symptoms to show. If symptoms show, an additional 7-day self-isolation maybe required.

Regardless of work commitments or your general gauge of your own health, now is the time to be safe than sorry. So stay home, monitor your health and seek help if you think you have symptoms. If you are unsure and want to monitor your health without leaving home, schedule an online phone or video consultation with a General Practice doctor at Gogodoc – a doctor can call you within the hour!

Book for a video consultation today!

April 21, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

What to Do When Your Favourite Restaurants Won’t Deliver

General (and good advice) during these times is to stay home and stop the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus/ COVID-19. And as expected in a pandemic, our normal life has been disrupted enormously. Going out seems a thing of the past, home workouts have taken over our social feeds, and we’ve been through everything there is to watch on the telly. We’ve all found a way to replace our favourite activities with things to do at home, but what about eating our favourite meals? What do you do when that favourite restaurant of yours doesn’t do deliveries anymore? You take things into your own hands – things like knives, spoons, and maybe an apron! Here are 5 ways to keep your meals interesting –

Sign up for a meal kit

Don’t know where to begin? A meal kit is the easiest thing to do to get your feet wet in cooking proper meals. They send you everything you need for a 2-person or 4-person meal (depending on the service) – groceries, flavorings and a detailed recipe with all the steps to go from chopped veg to final plate. Bonus? No need to step out for grocery runs!

Get a veg box

Feeling creative? Sign up for a veg box and get organic, seasonal and/or exotic veg delivered to your doorstep. Find recipes online to incorporate the different veg into your meal. Apart from not having to shop for veg at the grocer’s, an added bonus is expanding your recipe repertoire for use long after we’re back to normal.

Get a meal-planning app

Happy with your own recipes? Get a meal-planning app, dump your recipes in there and plan out your cooking days in advance. Not only will it get you excited and looking forward to certain days and meals, it’s also a good way to get just the pantry and grocery items you need – fewer trips, lower wastage, and no more wondering what’s for dinner five minutes before the actual meal!

Follow Recipe videos

Total noob to cooking? Youtube has opened multiple doors to learning these days. And just like with other skills that can be picked up via the internet, cooking can be too, with patience and time. Time is all we have, so add a pinch of patience in there and find youtube chefs to follow. Pick your poison – quick and easy, french or other exotic cooking, one-pot meals – there’s a youtuber for that that will teach you to make a meal from start to finish. Bonus? Pause, rewind, watch multiple times if you don’t get the hang of it the first time.

Take an online cooking class

Want personal attention instead? Find a private chef who is willing to give you lessons over Zoom or Skype – set up times for cooking, get groceries beforehand, then jump on a video call and have them expertly guide you through that complicated Beef Bourguignon or a simple yet amazing soup and salad.

Whatever the option, sharpen those knives and immerse yourself in the joy of cooking – and knowing exactly what you’re putting into your body. And if you don’t like it that much, well, just a bit more time until we’re out of this pandemic and able to try our favourite restaurants again!

Book Online Consultation today!

April 20, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

How Not to Lose Your Mind During Isolation

Isolation, Quarantine, Lockdown, Social Distancing – it’s hard to remember a time when these words weren’t really in our vocabulary. While the infectious disease looming at large is scary in itself, the loss of freedom with isolation can be tough too. So here are some ways to keep your sanity and hold on a little longer until we are out of this scare.

Follow A Routine

One of the first things to go out the window during a quarantine period is any semblance of a routine, normal life. Bring that ounce of control back to your life by making tweaks and creating a new routine. Set aside time for work, breaks, lazy time, working out and weekend chores.

Limit Exposure to
Constant Stream of Information

This is not to say ‘live in your own bubble’ (although that’s good advice for these times, sanitarily-speaking), but putting yourself through a constant stream of negative information – like new cases of covid-19 and the rising number of deaths – can have a detrimental effect on your mental well-being. So stay aware, read up on where things are and what to do, but take a break every now and then and watch a good movie or serial. Or those cute cat videos everyone seems to be sharing.

Pick up a Hobby

All we have now is time, right? A hobby can be a good distraction and even seem therapeutic. Pick up something tactile – making things by hand will get you to slow down, connect more with yourself, and calm your mind. Get home kits for crafts, or watch youtube videos and get started with what you have on hand!

Finish that To-Do List

Remember all those things you said you’d do “if only there was time”. Well, voila! You’ve received the gift of time. Get cracking on that to-do list – whether it’s personal or professional. Organize your space, tackle one or two in a day and watch that sense of accomplishment get you to a more positive mood.

Call a Loved One

Social distancing doesn’t mean we’re also mentally distanced from our loved ones. Call your family and friends, check on them, spend a good chunk of time sharing stories and smiles. Missing your night outs with your mates? Get a drink and get on a group call – after all, it’s the conversation that makes it a fun night!

Take Care of Your Health

Pandemics are unchartered territory for us. That doesn’t mean we neglect our health. This is in fact a more important time to monitor our health and take good care of it. While elective surgeries will have to wait so we don’t overwhelm the healthcare system, a quick check-in with your doctor, if you think something is amiss, is a good idea. To keep up with these social distancing times, our Gogodoc doctors are available over the phone or through video consultations to help you keep tabs on your health!

Book your Online Consultation today.

March 24, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

I’LL DO IT – The True Heroes of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Self-isolation and Social Distancing – two terms we are all quite familiar with these days, thanks to the Coronavirus. Roads and malls and restaurants are deserted, rightfully so, as we try to make sense of, and defeat, the latest pandemic that is the COVID-19. And while some of us are armchair-criticising and debating on social media about the seriousness of this issue, there are others who are bravely grabbing this beast by the horns, putting themselves out there despite fear of infection, so our daily lives are not disrupted. Meet the TRUE HEROES of the pandemic.

Healthcare Workers

Frontline warriors – our nurses, doctors and other healthcare personnel who are putting themselves in harm’s way everyday to test, monitor and cure patients. They have been doing this forever, but the rapid spread of COVID-19 means longer shifts (sometimes 36-48 hours with no sleep) and difficult decisions.

The images are difficult to see – nurses with rashes on their faces as the masks dig into their skin all day and all night, doctors having to decide who gets care as the system is flooded with people – but these heroes show up every day like it is normal, and do their duty without expectations.

Transportation and Retail Workers

Groceries, medical supplies, other essential and non-essential items, sick people who need to go to the hospital – these are still being transported by our amazing transportation workers – no work-from-home for them. Given the scale of the pandemic, if it weren’t for the smooth running of this industry, we could be deprived of essential medical supplies, there could mass hysteria as resources get depleted, and general chaos. This is one of those industries where we take notice only when things aren’t going seamlessly, so a big thank you to our wonderful transportation heroes!

Post and other Delivery Persons

We live in an age of convenience. Pandemic? No problem – I’ll sit at home, watch the telly, and order what I want from Amazon. Except that delivery is made by someone who is putting themselves at risk by doing their job. Our postal and other delivery workers are going about it like it’s no big deal – carting packages across the country, having to interact with more people than is safe during this time, and still delivering everything on time. The next time you hit that ‘checkout’ button on an online shop, say a quick thank you to your delivery individual.

All the Kind People

And let’s not forget random acts of kindness from people during this time. That person who helped you get your bags to the car, the neighbour that didn’t mind cooking for you, the stranger who wrote something uplifting on the pavement to cheer you up, friends who stayed home and called you on FaceTime, individuals who are helping others monetarily and otherwise – these are all heroes of humanity during this difficult time. They are people that listened to the question “Who’s going to save us?” and answered with a resounding ‘I’ll do it!’.

Gogodoc thanks them for their service and pledges to help with the pandemic. For the next month, we are offering online video and phone consultations with a doctor so everyone can take care of their health without having to go outdoors – a qualified GP is only a call away.

March 22, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

What to do if you think you may have the Coronavirus

It’s a pandemic, we are hearing and reading about it everyday on the news. A friend of a friend of a friend has it. And now you think you have it too – because you coughed that one time.

Don’t Panic. Take a deep breath, and let’s look at what to do if you think you have the dreaded Coronavirus.

COVID-19 Symptoms

The coronavirus causes COVID-19, which is a respiratory illness very similar to the cold and the flu. The initial symptoms are a high temperature and cough. Other, more intense symptoms might be a shortness of breath.

Just a cough by itself may not be cause for alarm here – have you travelled to a country with COVID-19 cases or come into close contact with them? Is the cough new or have you always had one from allergies etc. Did you go to a crowded place or did you come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus?

When to Take the Test

Okay, you think your symptoms mimic the virus – the first instinct is to go see your GP and get a test done. However, the latest directive from NHS says that you do not need to visit a GP, pharmacy, or hospital. All they want you to do is to stay put, at home (also called self-isolation) for at least 7 days. In most healthy individuals, the COVID-19 will exhibit symptoms and be gone within that time-frame, very much like the common cold. You are only advised to call the NHS 111 helpline if you are unable to manage the symptoms on your own, or if the condition worsens. The NHS will then appropriately guide you on next steps.

Self and Social Isolation

If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolate for 7 days. Do not meet with anyone, try not to travel outside unless absolutely essential, wear a face mask or cover your mouth with your sleeve (or a tissue) if you do have to be outside, and wait for the illness to subside.

Anyone who has come in contact with you should also practise self-isolation for 14 days (from the day they met you and you had symptoms) to avoid being carriers of the disease.

Even if you don’t have the virus, it is best to consider social distancing and avoid crowded places where you might pick up the virus. Remember to wash your hands frequently, and with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap is not available) and avoid touching your face, to minimize the risk of being infected.

If you are still unsure and would like some expert opinion and guidance on your case, schedule an online consultation with a qualified GP. Book a phone/video doctor consultation with Gogodoc and get all your questions answered right away. Whatever the case, stay indoors, wash your hands, and let’s ride this out.

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March 19, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Busting 5 Myths about the Coronavirus

It has been three months of non-stop news about the Coronavirus, and no doubt it has given rise to memes, myths, conspiracies, and conflicting information. Here, we bust 5 myths associated with the Coronavirus and give you the relevant facts.

MYTH #1
You can get the Coronavirus from pets.

FACT : The WHO has confirmed that household pets are not carriers of the Coronavirus. They do, however, recommend that you wash your hands thoroughly after playing with or handling pets to prevent other pet-related illnesses.

MYTH #2
Face Masks can protect you from the virus.

FACT : Face Masks are only effective in preventing the spread of the disease when worn by someone WITH the coronavirus. For a healthy person, face masks are usually ineffective as the virus can also be transmitted by touching an infected surface and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth

MYTH #3
Only old people die from the virus.

FACT : While it is true that older people with existing illnesses and comorbidities are more susceptible to fatalities with the coronavirus, it can just as easily be deadly for anyone with a compromised or weakened immune system. Even in healthy individuals, a successful battle with the coronavirus may still leave the immune system tired and weak and make it susceptible to other newer illnesses.

MYTH #4
Drinking water frequently can ‘wash away’ the virus.

FACT : While hydration helps in any situation, a respiratory virus such as the Coronavirus cannot just be washed away. The best form of protection is to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and practise social distancing.

MYTH #5
The virus cannot survive in warmer climates.

FACT : The thing about viruses is that they mutate and adapt to their host and surroundings, so this is not true. The WHO has declared that climate has nothing to do with killing the virus as it can survive in both hot and cold temperatures.

There are likely many more myths floating around and the best path forward is to do the research, understand and evaluate for ourselves what is fact and what is a myth waiting to be busted. If you are unsure about what you read/hear and want an expert opinion, our GPs at Gogodoc are here to help – book a phone/video consultation today and get the right facts.

Check out few more myths & facts on coronavirus

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March 16, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Meet 2020’s Top 10 Superfoods

Superfoods are in the spotlight again – foods jam-packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and the best bang for your buck when it comes to nutrition. As we fight the newest Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic, here is a look at the immunity-boosting, nutritious superfoods in 2020 – check it out to see how many you are including in your diet today:

Turmeric

This star spice has been used a lot in Asian medicine – it boasts of anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants and is good for your immune system and heart.

Try: Get a full dose of this superfood by drinking a turmeric latte, complete with ginger, cinnamon and black pepper (pepper helps curcumin in turmeric to be absorbed by the body).

Avocado

A superfood for a few years now, the avocado is going nowhere due to its grammability (#AvoToast) and the healthy fats it provides (it is a staple in keto diets).

Try: There’s the OG avocado toast, but you can eat it in guacamole form, or simply slice and add to a grain/salad bowl.

Garlic

This strong contender is good for the heart, contains antioxidants, and may help prevent Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Try: Make Garlic Bread, or add garlic oil to flavour creamy soups!

Beets

The red-bodied stepchild is a favourite pick for 2020 due to its antioxidant properties – beets also help improve blood circulation and maintain a clean delivery system for all your other nutrients.

Try: Cut up some luscious beets and add goat cheese, apple slices and arugula for a healthy salad.

Fermented Foods

Fermented foods like pickles, miso, kimchi, yogurt and kefir are good for your gut – they promote the growth of healthy bacteria, which help regulate metabolism and boost immunity.

Try: Add miso to your soup broths, or add kimchi to your curries for an extra boost of flavour.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are a type of plant fibre that lay the groundwork for probiotics and promote gut health. Good sources are asparagus, chicory and oats.

Try: Roasted asparagus goes well with polenta, mashed potatoes and balsamic vinegar.

Pulses

Think peas, lentils, and beans – they are rich in protein (most vegetarian diets rely on them for protein), carbs and fiber.

Try: Lentil soups for the win! Slow-cook them french style.

Seeds

Sunflower seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and sesame seeds are all good to add to your diet – they have healthy fats, vitamins, fiber, protein and minerals.

Try: Add chia seeds to your overnight oats or breakfast parfaits.

Microgreens

Basically the miniature version of most greens – kale and mustard greens are good examples, packed with vitamins and minerals.

Try: Get a dose by adding them to your grain bowls/salads.

Dragon Fruit

Fiber, vitamins, minerals, and exceptionally photogenic for the ‘gram. Need we say more?

Try: Slice this gorgeous fruit and use it to top off your smoothie bowls. Don’t forget to take a picture!

Regardless of superfood status, adding healthy, nutrient-rich foods to our diet can go a long way in building immunity and lowering the risks of diseases. Ask your GP if you are unsure of what to eat, when. At Gogodoc, our online video consultations with qualified doctors can help you manage your nutrition and health – book a same-day appointment today! And tell us in the comments which of these superfoods you are most likely to consume 🙂

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March 13, 2020 by Community Manager 0 Comments

Monitor Your Health : Preventive Tests And When To Take Them

When was the last time you had a complete health checkup? Or are you one of those people who only goes to the doctor when something hurts enough to interfere with your lifestyle? We are totally not judging, but just wanted to get on here and remind you that the first step to maintenance, especially in health matters, is monitoring. This is where preventive tests (or screenings) come in.

Screenings look for specific indicators of a particular illness or disease in seemingly healthy people. The tests are based off of existing research and the frequency requirements and recommendations for testing are updated as the research updates. The NHS has a list of screenings it provides as part of its service and can be found on their website (or talk to a doctor about it). Screenings help you understand the condition of your health and how best to move forward, should something come back positive (positive meaning the indicators for the illness are present). Screenings are typically ‘recommended’ and not ‘mandatory’ because they are very personal – test results can sometimes be associated with difficult decisions – like terminating a pregnancy because a test shows the fetus is at risk for something, or having to make treatment decisions for life-altering illnesses. Regardless, being aware of preventive screenings and when to take them will help you take charge of your health.

Here is a list of common preventive screenings – some of these are administered by the NHS. This list is by no means comprehensive, and your GP will be able to best help you get the type of screening you require, based on your health needs.

For Pregnant Women

Screening for possible birth defects, syndromes, infectious diseases and abnormalities – a gynecologist or physician should be able to refer and decipher results.

For Children

Hearing Test and physical examination (including bloodwork) is common.

For Women

Breast Cancer screening – X-ray mammography screenings for women over 50 (every 1-2 years)

Cervical Cancer screening – checks for the health of cervical cells and helps in the early detection of cervical cancer. every 3 years for those in the 25-49 age range and every 5 years for 50-64.

For Men

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening (AAA) – For men, and typically around the age of 65

General Screenings

Eye Tests for Diabetics – Anyone aged 12 and above with a diabetic condition can get an eye test to check for retinopathy

STD screening – for sexually active adults

Bowel Cancer Screening – Adults over the age of 55, most times a one-off test

Apart from these, cancer screenings, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, and medication use review should be considered if you are at risk due to genetic, lifestyle, or other factors. There are very many tests out there, but fret not! Talk to your doctor.

Your GP can refer you for most screening procedures (screenings for pregnant women and children might need specialist referrals) and will receive a copy of the results to best direct you on next steps. If you are looking for a GP appointment with no wait time, book your home visit with a Gogodoc GP today – we have same-day appointments in most cases. Or simply get an online video consultation with our doctors and monitor your health from the comfort of your home. Leave us a comment if you have any questions 🙂

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