Long term conditions
Find out about preventing and managing long term conditions.
Long term conditions
Long term conditions
Welcome to our long term conditions information hub, where you can find out about preventing and managing long term conditions, as well as the support that is available in Northamptonshire.
Top tips for managing your long term condition
Staying well
- Get vaccinated against any illnesses you are eligible for. If you have a long term condition you are at increased risk of becoming seriously unwell if you catch illnesses such as flu and Covid-19. People in certain risk groups may be eligible for a free NHS vaccination. Visit our vaccinations hub to find out more.
- Attend monitoring appointments at your GP practice, even if you feel well. You will receive regular reviews and monitoring of your condition from your GP practice. The appointments you will need will depend on the condition you have and each GP practice may carry this out in slightly different ways.
- Keep yourself in good health by following a healthy diet, staying active where possible, limiting alcohol intake and stopping smoking.
- Limit the spread of infection by washing your hands regularly and keeping away from anyone who is unwell. You may be more vulnerable to common illnesses if you have a long term condition.
- Carry out any self-monitoring of your condition as advised. For some conditions you may need to monitor your health at home, for example by monitoring blood sugar or your blood pressure. This will help you to manage your condition yourself and act quickly if you have any flare ups. Your GP practice will tell you if there is anything you need to monitor. It is important to continue to do this at times when you may be out of your normal routine or eating and drinking differently, for example during holidays, celebrations and festive periods.
- Check if you are eligible for Covid-19 treatment. The NHS offers treatments for COVID-19 to people who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill. For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/CovidTreatments
Medication
- Don’t run out of medication. Keep a close eye on how much medication you have left, particularly if you are going to be away from home or ahead of a bank holiday. If you are running low, order your repeat prescription as soon as possible from your GP practice, allowing five working days to process it. If you do run-out, use NHS 111 for an emergency supply.
- Use the NHS App. The NHS App will be really useful to help you manage your condition. You can use it to manage your repeat prescriptions, check your health record and contact your practice.
- Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. If you are experiencing any difficulties with your medication or side-effects that you can’t manage, get in touch with your GP practice. Most GP practices have clinical pharmacists as part of the practice team who are specialists in medication and managing long term conditions.
- Check your inhaler technique. If you use an inhaler, even if you have been using one for a while, check your technique to make sure your lungs are absorbing the medicine properly. Click here for more inhaler advice.
- Don’t forget your rescue medication. Carry any rescue medicine you need for your condition with you at all times.
Managing flare ups
- Don’t delay coming forward for care if you are unwell or you have a flare up in your condition, even at the weekend. Contact your GP practice or use NHS 111.
- Follow your plan. Make sure you, and any carers or close relatives, no what to do if you have a flare-up. For some conditions you may have a management plan to follow. Your GP practice will tell you if you need one.
- Know your triggers. Learn what triggers your particular condition so you can act quickly to prevent you becoming seriously unwell.
- Contact your own GP practice when away from home. If you are away from home in the UK, and you are unwell or you are worried that your condition is deteriorating, contact your own GP practice in the first instance. You will be able to have a telephone or video appointment and any updated prescriptions can be sent electronically to a pharmacy near where you are. Alternatively use NHS 111.
Winter advice
As well as the advice above to help you manage your condition all year round, we also recommend some further actions to keep you well over the winter months.
People with a long term condition can be more vulnerable in the cold weather. Keeping warm can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia.
- Heat your home to a temperature that’s comfortable for you, ideally at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use
- Keep your bedroom windows closed at night.
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast so you can plan ahead so you don’t need to go out in very cold weather, for example by stocking up on food and getting any medication you might need.
- If you do need to go out, wear a scarf over your mouth to prevent chest infections. Alternatively, ask a neighbour, relative or friend to go out for you.