Page 48 - Real Rochdale Issue 15 Autumn 2022

get bronchitis off your chest
Lesley Kaengele wins NHS schools’ competition
10-year-old schoolgirl from St Gabriel’s
RC Primary School in Castleton has
A won a top prize in a contest thanking
NHS staff, while learning about the many
careers it provides.
As part of the ‘Step into the NHS’
competition run by Health Education
England, Lesley Kaengele created a rainbow
poster with showing the diversity and range
of health service staff with a ‘thank you’
message to the NHS.
Lesley was awarded the top prize for the
north west region in the contest, which saw
916 entries from more than 1,080 pupils
in 36 primary schools across England this
year.
As well as encouraging students to
challenge gender stereotyping in health
professions, pupils had the chance to say
‘thank you’ to the NHS in their own
personal and creative way.
In a special prize presentation assembly,
Lesley received a certificate, a £25 Amazon
voucher and an exciting goody bag.
REAL ROCHDALE - AUTUMN 2022
Lesley said: “I learnt that the NHS is a lot
bigger than it seems; it’s not just doctors
and nurses but computer scientists, and
cleaners, and they’re all as important as
each other.
“My mum inspired me because she’s strong
and puts her strengths into helping other
people which inspires me to be just like her.
“To me, the NHS means a huge diverse army
that helps everyone from all backgrounds
without judgement.”
Lianne Powers, ward sister, Rochdale
Infirmary said: “The artwork was
outstanding and really showed the diversity
of the NHS. Seeing how engaged and
hearing how many of the children’s parents
and family worked within the NHS was very
humbling and made me feel proud to be a
nurse within our local community.”
Health Education England runs the
competition each year to raise awareness of
over 350 career opportunities in the NHS,
while supporting the career aspirations of
young people in education.
48
Autumn brings with it a fall in temperature temperatures. Colder air is one of the most
and a rise in coughs, wheezes, and sneezes. common causes of irritated bronchial tubes
and keeping your inhaler close at hand is
Sadly, the dying embers of a cold can imperative.
morph into bronchitis, the first condition
listed under the acronym COPD (Chronic You have probably heard the word
Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder), which for “norovirus” more frequently over the last few
one in twenty patients can then progress to years. This causes stomach inflammation and
pneumonia. There is also a chance that your regular vomiting and cramps. Bouts of this
lungs may become scarred, which may mean hyper-contagious virus begin in autumn and
a hospital admission. typically stretch throughout the winter. It is
transmitted from person to person (though
Bronchitis is typified by a hacking cough and recent research has also claimed it is carried
the bringing up of mucus. The coughing can in seafood) and so those maxims around
be so severe, it might even lead to a sore cleanliness apply again.
chest and tummy.
Weather change and indeed lower spirits
Bronchitis is usually an infection that enters mean that physical and mental health
the air passageways. Given that it is usually typically deteriorates during the autumn;
caused by a virus and not a bacterium, but I see it as a season that prepares us for
antibiotics won’t treat it. Rest, plenty of fluid winter, and invites us to make every attempt
and if you already have breathing problems, to care for ourselves.
steroids, are the best way to beat bronchitis.
We all know that Covid has caused a backlog
Covid has reminded us that keeping hands in appointments and so we must play an
and surfaces clean curbs the spread of even bigger role in self-care, whether by
viruses. The best way to avoid any chest getting our flu, Covid and pneumonia jabs or
complaint is to stay off cigarettes. Yes, modifying our diet, increasing our exercise
quitting is not easy; but it will make you and giving-up the smoking.
breathe easier and is essential for long life.
That way we can all breathe a little easier
Asthma is another potentially dangerous this autumn.
condition that can flare-up with plummeting
ABOUT THE WRITER
Dr Chauhan OBE is a respected GP, health and social care
campaigner, and champion of social justice and charity.
As a local GP, he has become a powerful advocate for his
patients and introduced innovative methods to improve
their care.
His work mentoring and employing young people has
won national recognition and he was awarded an OBE in
2020 for his creation of the Homeless-Friendly charity.
49 REAL ROCHDALE - AUTUMN 2022