Physical Health

Physical health is the state of being free from illness or injury.

It can cover a wide range of areas including healthy diet, healthy weight, dental health, personal hygiene and sleep.

Physical health is the state of being free from illness or injury.

It can cover a wide range of areas including healthy diet, healthy weight, dental health, personal hygiene and sleep.

Physical health is vital for overall well-being. A chronic physical illness is a long-term health problem that will not go away. For example; diabetes, asthma, arthritis or some cancers.

There are many things that you can do to be healthy. These include eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, bathing or showering regularly. You should also attend the optician and dentist regularly as well as brushing your teeth twice per day. Always attend any hospital appointments or see the doctor if you feel unwell.

Social Prescribing supports people to make behavioural and lifestyle changes that can improve their physical health by empowering them to take control of their individual needs. Social Prescribing Link Workers can connect people to a wide range of non-medical support within the community.

There are many lifestyle choices that affect our bodies. Some of the simplest ways of improving health are;

Giving up smoking
Get active
Manage your weight
Eat more fibre
Cut down on saturated fat
Get your 5 A Day
Cut down on salt
Eat fish
Look after your oral health
Drink less alcohol
Avoid illicit drugs
Read the food label

Further information about a healthy body can be found on the NHS website.

Eating Well and Staying Hydrated

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

Eating well can be a challenge, especially if shopping or preparing food is made difficult by a condition, disability or illness. Drinking enough fluid is also essential to maintain health, although the types of drinks you choose affect your health in different ways.

By eating a varied and balanced diet as shown in the Eatwell Guide, the range of nutrients and balanced food groups you receive will provide many benefits in terms of your growth and development, some important nutrients/vitamins the body requires include:

Eating healthily doesn’t have to mean giving up your favourite foods. It simply means eating a variety of foods and cutting down on food and drinks high in fat and sugar, such as sugary fizzy drinks, crisps, cakes and chocolate. These foods should be eaten less often and in smaller amounts.

Equipment is available to help you prepare food more easily, from electronic can openers to easy-grip utensils. If equipment cannot help you then there are providers who will deliver meals to your door to heat in a microwave or oven.

Help is available for shopping and delivery of food, see our Help at Home section.

NHS have advice on staying hydrated.

Further links to Information and Advice

Maintaining Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall health. Becoming overweight or obese increases your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

If you're overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. Making small simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking and your level of activity can really help you lose the pounds. Advice can be found on the One You website.

Being underweight isn't good for your health either. If you're concerned about yourself or someone else, then read the diet advice on the NHS Live Well pages.

Exercise

Lincolnshire has lots of great opportunities to enjoy being active, but most of us don’t do enough physical activity to benefit our health. Being active is really good for your body and mind.

Activities can be found on the Active Lincolnshire website or on the Activities and events page. There are also equipment free workouts for all levels of ability. There are also exercise activities specifically for people over the age of 60 run by Vitality.

Diabetes Prevention Programme

Your local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme supports people at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Programmes will be held in a range of locations across Lincolnshire East, Lincolnshire West, South Lincolnshire and South West Lincolnshire.

If there isn't a programme running in your area at the time of your referral, you will be placed onto the area waiting list until the next programme begins. You also have the opportunity to attend programmes in other areas should you wish.

If you would like to speak about a referral to the service please discuss this with your GP surgery.

For any questions about your referral or for help in understanding more about the scheme, please contact us on 0333 577 3010. Our booking team are available:

Monday / Wednesday 9am – 7pm
Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday 9am – 5pm
Friday 9am – 4.30pm
Sunday closed

Patient information is also available in the following languages:

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40-74. It's designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk.

For medical conditions that are not life threatening call or visit one of the following:

Local Pharmacy - Your local pharmacist can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints, without you having to go to your GP or other healthcare setting.

NHS 111 - NHS 111 is a service which makes it easier for you to access NHS services. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and is free when you telephone 111. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it is not a 999 emergency.

GP Out of Hours service - If you need a doctor out of normal hours, dial NHS 111 to contact the GP Out of Hours service.

Walk in centre - Lincoln Walk-in Centre, 63 Monks Road. Lincoln LN2 5HP
Tel: 01522 528153 opening times 8am- 8pm

Grantham Enhanced Out of Hours Service - Kingfisher Suite, Grantham and District Hospital, Grantham NH31 8DG

For booked appointments with the traditional GP Out of Hours Service, dial NHS 111 6.30pm-8am on weekdays or 24hours a day at weekends and Bank Holidays.

For injuries only (cuts, minor burns, sprains and suspected fractures, bites and stings), walk in without an appointment 6.30pm-11.30pm seven days a week.

Minor injury Units:

Sleaford Medical Group, 47 Boston Road, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7HD
Tel: 01529 419100 opening times 8am – 8pm weekdays, 8am – 6pm weekends

The City Care Centre,Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6DB.
Tel: 01733 293800 opening times 8am-8pm

Stamford Hospital, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire,PE9 1UA
Tel: 01780 764151 open 9am- 5pm

Newark minor injury unit and urgent care centre, Newark Hospital, Boundary Road , Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 4DE
Tel: 01636 681681 opening times

John Coupland Hospital, Ropery Road, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 2TJ.
Tel: 01427 816 502, open seven days: 8am - 8pm

Johnson Community Hospital, Spalding Road, Pinchbeck, PE11 3DT
Tel: 01775 652000 , open seven days: 8am - 6pm

Urgent care Centres:

Sleaford Medical Group, 47 Boston Road, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7HD
Tel: 01529 419100 opening times 6.30pm – 8pm weekdays, 8am – 6pm weekends

Skegness Hospital, Dorothy Avenue, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 2BS
Tel: 01754 613504. Open: 24 hours, seven days a week (including Christmas Day and Bank Holidays)

Louth County Hospital, High Holme Road, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0EU
Tel: 01507 600100 ext 1223. Open: 24 hours, seven days a week (including Christmas Day and Bank Holidays)

Accident and Emergency:

Accident and emergency A&E departments provide 24-hour emergency services. It is advised that people only attend A&E with serious or life threatening illnesses, such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems, or serious accidents.

Those who attend with minor conditions will still be treated, but potentially will have long waits.

24 hour A&E departments are at Lincoln County Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital in Boston. Peterborough City Hospital also offers a 24 hour A&E department.

Lincoln County Hospital - Greetwell Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 5QY

Pilgrim Hospital Boston - Sibsey Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 9QS

Peterborough City Hospital - Edith Cavell Campus, Bretton Gate, Peterborough PE3 9GZ

Grantham and District Hospital from 8am-6.30pm.

Grantham and District Hospital - 101 Manthorpe Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 8DG

In a medical emergency call 999

Looking after your mouth

brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste containing 1350 – 1500 parts per million fluoride (ppm) fluoride. Brush last thing at night, so that the fluoride continues to protect the teeth while you sleep, and on at least on one other occasion
your dentist may prescribe toothpaste with a higher fluoride level if you are at particular risk of tooth decay
brush all surfaces of each tooth carefully and the gum line
spit out after brushing but do not rinse away the toothpaste as this reduces the effectiveness of the fluoride – spit don’t rinse
choose a toothbrush with a small head and medium-textured bristles, you can use either a manual or electric toothbrush
if you need support to brush your teeth, toothbrush adaptations are available
replace your toothbrush regularly, every one to three months or when the bristles are worn
reduce the amount and number of times you have foods and drinks that contain added sugars
reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume, such as fizzy and soft drinks and squash
avoid sugary foods and drinks just before bedtime as the saliva flow in the mouth slows down when you sleep, and can increase the risk of tooth decay
as part of a daily oral health routine in addition to brushing, it is important to clean between the teeth using interdental brushes. Some people may not have large enough spaces in between their teeth to use an interdental brush so flossing can be a useful alternative. The dental team will show you how best to clean between your teeth.
Visit your dentist regularly

Visiting the dentist

you should see a dentist regularly for check-ups even if you have no teeth, or are free from any apparent problems with your mouth or teeth, as this helps you and your dentist to keep your mouth, teeth and gums in good health. Your dentist will advise you how often you need a check-up
NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 or under 19 and in qualifying full-time education
women are entitled to free NHS dental treatment during pregnancy and any treatment commenced before their child’s first birthday
NHS Choices provides information on who is entitled to free dental care

Dentist services

For information about how to find a dentist, dental charges, emergency dental care and dental treatment for people with special needs visit the NHS services page.

Looking after your gums

The following risk factors may increase the possibility of developing gum disease or complicate its treatment:

smoking this increases the risk of gum disease and affects the response to treatment. It can increase the chance of losing your teeth. If you would like help to stop smoking, ask your dental team, they can refer you to the local stop smoking service
if you have diabetes and have poor sugar control this increases your risk of gum disease, and makes treatment less effective
some medications can affect gum health and can cause dry mouth or enlarged gums. Always let your dentist know if you are on medication

Looking after dental implants

The soft tissue (gums) and bone around dental implants are at the same risk of inflammation and gum disease as those around natural teeth. If you have implants you should look after them just like natural teeth:

clean between and around implants carefully using cleaning aids and toothbrushes as advised by the dental team
attend the dentist regularly, as advised for checks of the health of gum and bone around implants

Reduce your risk of mouth cancer

The main risk factors for mouth cancer are tobacco and alcohol:

the combined effect of drinking alcohol and using tobacco multiplies your risk of developing mouth cancer
do not smoke, or use smokeless tobacco (such as paan, chewing tobacco and gutkha). If you would like help to stop ask your dentist to refer you to the local stop smoking service
the Chief Medical Officer for England has recommended that you are safest not to drink regularly more than 14 units per week, to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level
increase your intake of non-starchy vegetables and fruit

Oral health tips for parents

Information specific to looking after children's teeth is available on the LCC website. Age specific leaflets can also be downloaded from the useful information section of this page.

*Information has been taken from Public Health England - 'A quick guide guide to a healthy mouth in adults' © Crown copyright 2017. 
Re-use of Crown copyright material (excluding logos) is allowed under the terms of the Open Government Licence, visit 
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/2/ for terms and conditions.

Different seasons bring different challenges to staying safe and healthy in adverse temperatures.

Keeping cool in summer is really important to prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If you are over 75, have a long term or serious health condition, have a mobility problem or are taking medication which affects your body’s temperature control, you are more vulnerable.

Staying warm in winter is really important in order to prevent colds, flus, and more serious health conditions. If you are over 65, have a long term health condition, or are disabled you are much more vulnerable to cold-related illnesses.

All types of weather can affect you and those around you. Make sure you're prepared by checking the MetOffice WeatherReady tips and advice on travel, your home, and health and wellbeing.

For information and advice about doorstep safety, fire safety avoiding scams, preventing falls and accidents see the Staying safe at home section.

We use our feet everyday which means they are quite often taken for granted. We push them into shoes that don’t always fit; we wear the wrong shoes for sports and pound them each day onto the pavement. The long term effects of not looking after your feet could have serious consequences for your health.

As we get older we can develop problems that affect our health, such as diabetes, arthritis and circulatory heart problems. Toe nails can thicken and harden as we get older, making them difficult to cut, especially if people have stiff joints or poor mobility. Problems can be caused by wearing the wrong shoes or ill-fitting slippers, which can also cause you to fall and become injured.

The NHS no longer carry out routine nail cutting, but your local Foot Health Practitioner can help you to look after your toe nails. They can advise and help you with:

toe nail care, including toe nail cutting
reduction of thickened toe nails
skin care, including removal of corns and callus (hard skin)
advice on treatment of verrucae and fungal toe nail infections
care of the feet for clients with diabetes, arthritis and lymphoedema

If you are looking for more information about the referral process and access to foot care, there is more information available from the NHS on foot care.

Looking after your feet can also help prevent falls.

Free School Meals

Children in low-income households may be entitled to free school meals and schools can benefit from ‘pupil premium’ to support extra curricular activities. Visit lincolnshire.gov.uk for more information or call 01522 782030.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)

Government funded programme to provide school-aged children eligible for Free School Meals with access to free healthy meals and activities in school holidays. To find out if you are eligible and for further information visit lincolnshire.gov.uk

Lincolnshire Food Partnership (LFP)

Lincolnshire has a range of community support charities, churches and organisations that can help with emergency food. Eligibility and referral processes vary. A map of food banks and contacts is available on their website.

Healthy Start Scheme

Pre-paid card for pregnant women and parents of children under 4 to help buy milk, fruit and vegetables. Visit their website or call 0300 330 7010.