What should I do to make sure me and my family are prepared for the Easter holidays when our local GP surgery is closed?

The first thing to do is make sure you are prepared by knowing the opening times of your local GP surgery and pharmacy, which is sounds like you have already done. Remember to order in advance any repeat prescriptions you or your family require and collect them in plenty of time. If you are unlucky enough to get a cough, cold or flu, buying over the counter medicine, staying at home and keeping warm will make you feel much better. Your local pharmacy is a good source of safe, reliable advice. Make sure you have a well stocked medicine cabinet with over the counter medicines, such as

€¢ paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief,

€¢ anti-histamines for allergies and runny noses,

€¢ anti-diarrhoeals and oral rehydration sachets for diarrhoea

€¢ indigestion remedies such as an antacid

€¢ a first aid kit

If you have been putting off making an appointment with your GP to discuss a health matter, it may be a good idea to make a routine appointment before the Easter holiday weekend. There are also lots of tips on staying healthy available at www.nhsinform.co.uk

Every spring my hayfever comes back. Is there anything I can do this year to prevent it from coming back?

It is very difficult to completely avoid pollen. However, reducing your exposure to the substances that trigger your hay fever should ease your symptoms.

If possible, try to stay indoors when the pollen count is high. The following tips may help reduce your exposure to pollen:

€¢ Keep windows and doors shut in the house. If it gets too warm, draw the curtains to keep out the sun and keep the temperature down.

€¢ Don't keep fresh flowers in the house.

€¢ Vacuum regularly, ideally using a machine with a HEPA (high-efficiency particle arresting) filter.

€¢ Damp dust regularly. Dusting with a wet cloth, rather than a dry one, will collect the dust and stop any pollen from being spread around.

€¢ Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pet does come indoors, wash them regularly to remove any pollen from their fur.

€¢ Don't smoke or let other people smoke in your house. Smoking and breathing in other people's smoke will irritate the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways, and can make your symptoms worse.

€¢ If possible, avoid drying clothes outside. This will help prevent bringing pollen into your house.

€¢ Rubbing a small amount of Vaseline inside your lower nostrils can help prevent pollen from entering your nasal passages.

If you need to go outside or are travelling, the following tips may help reduce your exposure to pollen:

€¢ Avoid cutting grass, playing or walking in grassy areas and camping - particularly in the early morning, evening and at night when pollen counts are highest.

€¢ Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes.

€¢ Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body.

€¢ Keep car windows closed. You can buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car. This will need to be changed every time the car is serviced.

What is Gout?

Gout is a common type of arthritis. The symptoms of gout include painful swelling and inflammation in one or more of the joints. Gout usually affects the big toe, but it can develop in any joint in the body.

Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is a waste product that is produced during the process of metabolism (when the body breaks down food to use as energy). Usually, uric acid is expelled (excreted) by the kidneys.

People whose kidneys do not excrete uric acid properly, or those who produce too much uric acid, can have high levels of uric acid in their blood. If the level of uric acid in the blood becomes very high, crystals form in the joints. The crystals cause the joints to become inflamed and painful.

Gout should be diagnosed and treated by your GP so if you think you may be affected then make an appointment to see them.