Bed Bugs

Bedbugs

Bedbugs are small wingless parasites that live in bedding and soft furnishings. They feed on the blood of their victim and are pale coloured when hungry and reddish brown after a feed from their host.

These insects come out of their hiding places at night, attracted to the carbon dioxide that we breathe out and to our body heat, which is why they particularly like a sleeping host – thus the name ‘bed bugs’.

All homes are at risk of a bed bug infestation, but outbreaks often occur where there is a high turnover of visitors, such as hostels and hotels. The insects bite the host and inject a numbing substance in their saliva which is why their bites go unnoticed. The saliva also has an anti-clotting agent so they can enjoy a lengthy feed of your blood.

The inflammation and red marks resulting from bed bug bites is thought to be as a result of these substances, but often people are only aware of having been bitten is the presence of tiny spots of blood or animal faeces on their sheets.

Bed bugs are opportunistic, and hide well, so an infestation is not a sign of an unclean place to stay. However in order to rid a place of bed bugs you will need to be persistent, clean thoroughly and often use insecticides several times to ensure the area is bed bug free.

Anything that can be washed should be washed using hot water. Any other item that cannot be washed may be placed in a plastic bag and frozen for 24 hours. Furniture must be dismantled and drawers and cupboards opened before thorough spraying with a suitable insecticide. All foods and pets must be removed before the insecticide is sprayed, and bathroom items such as toothbrushes removed or sealed away from the insecticide.

The insecticide must be allowed to dry before the rooms are reassembled, with consideration given to repeating the fumigation to ensure that the infestation is successfully eliminated.

The source of any infestation must also be considered, it is not uncommon for second hand furniture to act as the mode of transmission from one house to another, so careful inspection before use is often a useful preventative measure.

In order to treat the bites you will need to use the same sort of treatments as you would any other insect bite. Often the allergic reaction is persistent, so you may need oral antihistamines, as well as mild anti-inflammatory creams such as hydrocortisone cream. Remember to keep the skin well moisturised in order to limit the damage caused by scratching or sharp fingernails.

Talk to your pharmacist about suitable treatments for both the bites and to rid the infestation. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you about managing the effects of any infestation as well as prevent their return.

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)

Causes of swallowing difficulties

Swallowing difficulties can happen at any age. There are a wide range of causes for them, including:

some medicines, such as antipsychotics
heartburn and acid reflux
cancer, such as mouth or throat cancers
nervous system or brain disorders
muscle disorders
blockages or structural issues with your mouth, throat or oesophagus.

Symptoms of swallowing difficulties

Symptoms of swallowing difficulties may include:

coughing or choking when eating or drinking
bringing food back up, may be through your nose
the feeling that food is stuck in your throat
having issues chewing your food
problems with dribbling.

Swallowing difficulties can cause weight loss, dehydration and chest infections.

Diagnosing swallowing difficulties

Let your healthcare provider know if you have swallowing difficulties. They will ask you about your symptoms and check if any other health conditions you have may be the cause.

Your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist for tests. These may include a:

gastroscopy—a camera is passed down through your mouth to look at your throat and stomach
swallowing study—your throat and stomach are x-rayed as you swallow small amounts of food.

Treating swallowing difficulties

How your swallowing difficulties are treated depends on the cause and how severe it is. Treatments may include:

medicines to treat acid reflux
swallowing therapy with a speech and language therapist
making changes to what you eat and drink, such as softer foods and using thickener in drinks
using special spoons, plates and cups
surgery to widen your oesophagus.
using special medication lubricants eg Gloup to help make it easier to swallow tablets etc. For more information click here.

Self care for swallowing difficulties

As well as seeing your healthcare provider, the following tips may help you to get food or liquids into your stomach.

Sit upright in a chair—at a table is best.
Have regular small meals instead of the main large meals.
Eat or drink small mouthfuls at a time.
If your voice is gurgly when you eat or drink, give a small cough to make sure your airway is clear.
Wet food will be easier to swallow as dry food can catch in your throat.
If your food has 2 consistencies, such as fruit in juice and cereal in milk, try to mix it into 1 consistency, or eat the solid and liquid portions separately.
Concentrate on eating and avoid talking.
Hot, ice-cold or fizzy liquids are easier to swallow than room temperature liquids.
If you are told to have thickened liquids, avoid ice-cream and jelly as they thin before swallowing.
Drink from the top half of you cup to avoid tipping your head back.

Have a look at our range of Gloup medication lubricants here which can help with difficulties swallowing tablets...

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