Head to toe,
close to home.

When you feel unwell, it isn't always obvious whether to book a GP appointment or head straight to an emergency unit. Choosing well gets you the right care sooner, and keeps emergency units free for the people who need them most.

Go to emergency, or call an ambulance, if you notice

• Chest pain, pressure or tightness, especially if it spreads to your arm, jaw or back
• Difficulty breathing, or not being able to speak in full sentences
• Signs of a stroke: a drooping face, weakness in an arm or leg, or slurred speech
• Heavy bleeding that won't stop with firm pressure
• A head injury followed by confusion, vomiting or loss of consciousness
• Swelling of the lips or tongue, or a rash with difficulty breathing
• A fever in a baby younger than three months

In South Africa, call 10177 for an ambulance, or 112 from any mobile phone.

Book with your GP for

• Coughs, colds, flu and sore throats that aren't improving
• Earache, sinus pain and eye infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Sprains, strains and minor injuries
• Rashes, allergies and skin infections
• Ongoing pain, tiredness, or anything else that has you worried

Still not sure?

Phone the practice on 021 882 8827 during practice hours and tell us what's going on. If it sounds like an emergency, we'll tell you to go straight to an emergency unit.

Stellenbosch is full of people training for something: a Cape Epic, a Wines2Whales, a first marathon. Training plans cover the kilometres. Fewer cover the body doing the work.

Why check before the season?

Endurance sport places real demands on your heart, lungs, joints and immune system. A check before you increase your training can pick up problems while they're still easy to manage, and gives you a baseline to compare against later.

What we look at

• Heart health. Blood pressure, heart rhythm, family history, and any symptoms during exercise such as chest discomfort, palpitations or fainting.
• Old injuries. The knee or ankle that never quite recovered is usually where trouble starts.
• Blood tests, if needed. Low iron, for example, can quietly limit endurance performance.
• Vaccinations. Trail falls happen, so make sure your tetanus cover is up to date.
• Medication and supplements. Some common medicines affect hydration, heat tolerance or bleeding after a crash.

On race day

Don't race with a fever or a chest infection. Drink and replace salt on hot days, use sunscreen and chamois cream generously, and take any knock to the head seriously. After a concussion, don't ride or run again until a doctor has cleared you.

Dr Jonsson has worked on the medical team at the Absa Cape Epic and covers events like the Cape Town Marathon. Call 021 882 8827 to book a pre-season check.

Between the wet Cape winter and the pollen of a Winelands spring, blocked noses are a fact of life in Stellenbosch. Most clear up on their own. Some need a doctor.

Cold or sinusitis?

Most sinus symptoms start with a common cold virus. The lining of the nose and sinuses swells, mucus builds up, and you feel pressure across your cheeks and forehead. This viral sinusitis usually improves within seven to ten days, and antibiotics won't make it go away faster.

When to see a GP

• Symptoms that last longer than ten days without improving
• Feeling better, then suddenly worse again
• A high fever with facial pain or swelling
• Sinus problems that keep coming back

Swelling or redness around the eyes, changes in your vision, or a severe headache need urgent attention, so see a doctor the same day.

What helps at home

• Saline nasal rinses or sprays to clear mucus
• Steam, warm drinks and rest
• Pain relief such as paracetamol
• Decongestant nasal sprays, for no more than a few days at a time

Could it be hay fever?

If your symptoms come with itchy eyes, sneezing and a clear, runny nose, and return at the same time every year, allergies are the more likely cause. We can help you find a treatment plan that gets you through spring.