A Thorough Guidebook for Assessing and Managing Common Symptoms and Illnesses Seen in the Pharmacy

Pharmacies, and pharmacists, are often the first source for information and advice used by a patient when health problems arise. This book supports pharmacists to recognize symptoms, advise with confidence, and recommend appropriate treatment or referral, while also providing a comprehensive digest of common conditions ideal for both practical use and reference.

Informed by the experiences and expertise of seasoned pharmacists and GPs, each chapter in the book provides pharmacists and their staff working in the community with a decision-making framework along with suggestions on “when to refer” contained within summary boxes. A unique feature of the book is that case studies are provided throughout, in which pharmacists, doctors, nurses and patients themselves describe assessment and treatment of a wide range of common problems.

This 9^th edition of the book also includes:

• Consideration of conducting pharmacy consultations remotely as well as in person in the pharmacy
• New content on COVID-19 and Long-COVID in pharmacy practice
• Information about medicines recently reclassified for OTC supply
• Expanded content on women’s health including information on desogestrel, menopause and incontinence
• Broadening of the insomnia chapter to include consideration of mental health problems
• Increased content on non-drug treatment options and their supporting evidence
• A summary of evidence sources at the end of each chapter
• Decision-making support for unique cases which involve ethical dilemmas

Practicing and Foundation trainee pharmacists, as well as undergraduate pharmacy students and other healthcare professionals, will find Symptoms in the Pharmacy: A Guide to the Management of Common Illnesses invaluable when dealing with both common and obscure symptoms and illnesses.

Alison Blenkinsopp is Professor of the Practice of Pharmacy and is an Educational Consultant.

Martin Duerden is a recently Retired General Practitioner and Medical Adviser for the Diploma in Therapeutics at Cardiff University.

John Blenkinsopp trained both as a pharmacist and a doctor and is Chief Medical Officer for Avipero Ltd.

Preface

Introduction and how to use this book

About the companion website

Chapter 1 Respiratory Problems 1

Coughs and colds

Cough

Sore throat

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

Respiratory symptoms for direct referral

Chapter 2 COVID-19 and Long-Covid

Chapter 3 Gastrointestinal Tract Problems

Mouth ulcers

Heartburn

Indigestion

Nausea and vomiting

Motion sickness and its prevention

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Irritable bowel syndrome

Haemorrhoids

Chapter 4 Skin Conditions

Eczema/dermatitis

Acne

Common fungal infections

Cold sores

Sunburn

Warts and verrucae

Scabies

Dandruff

Psoriasis

Chapter 5 Painful Conditions

Musculoskeletal problems

Headache

Chapter 6 Women’s Health

Cystitis

Incontinence

Dysmenorrhoea

Premenstrual syndrome

Menorrhagia

Menopause

Vaginal thrush

Emergency hormonal contraception

Desogestrel oral contraception

Common symptoms in pregnancy

Chapter 7 Men’s Health

Lower urinary tract symptoms

Erectile dysfunction

Hair loss

Chapter 8 Older People, Frailty and Falls Prevention

Chapter 9 Eye and Ear Problems

Eye problems: The red eye

Eye problems: The dry eye

Common ear problems

Chapter 10 Childhood Conditions

Infections and rashes

Infantile colic

Teething

Nappy rash (napkin dermatitis)

Head lice

Threadworm (pinworm)

Oral thrush (oral candidiasis)

Chapter 11 Insomnia and Mental Wellbeing

Difficulty sleeping

Mental Wellbeing

Chapter 12 Prevention of Heart Disease

Prevention of heart disease

Chapter 13 Malaria Prevention

Chapter 14 Pharmacogenomics

Appendix: Summary of Symptoms for Direct Referral

Index