Treatment Resources

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition, comprising a group of eye diseases, and is a leading cause of sight loss around the world. It has several forms, with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) the most common. Glaucoma can affect people of all ages but is more prevalent among older adults. It is a progressive condition and has a huge impact on quality of life, affecting the person’s ability to continue to lead a normal life. This article focuses on glaucoma in adults, and provides information on symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. The aim is to help nurses and non-medical prescribers to recognise and refer suspected cases, improving outcomes and quality of life for all those affected by this devastating disease.

In the last 80 years, the number of people in the UK with diabetes has risen from 200,000 to over four million (Nazarko, 2023). People with diabetes have at least double the risk of heart failure than the general population (Kenny and Abel, 2019), with American research indicating that 22% of people who have diabetes have heart failure (Pop-Busui et al, 2022). Most cases of heart failure are diagnosed in hospital, although 40% of people with heart failure have symptoms that the British Heart Foundation (BHF, 2025) comment ‘should have triggered an earlier assessment’. This article examines the link between diabetes and heart failure to update nurses working in primary care on who is at risk, when to suspect heart failure, as well as how it is diagnosed and treated.

Diagnosis of low back pain can be intriguing and complex. Careful history-taking and physical examination are essential to ensure red flags (serious issues) are not missed, that treatment is appropriate, evidence-based and timely, and that follow-up and review are well documented and understood by the patient. This article covers some of the more common causes of back pain in primary and urgent care.

Laryngeal cancer falls under the umbrella term of head and neck cancers and is the second commonest cancer type within this group. The condition often presents with symptoms shared with those of other less serious diseases, making diagnosis challenging.
This article hopes to give nurses and non-medical prescribers an overview of symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis with the aim of raising awareness and helping to get an earlier diagnosis of this devastating disease.

Each year, 245,000 people in the UK develop sepsis, with most cases arising in primary care (Rudd et al, 2020). Currently, around 20% of people who develop sepsis do not survive (Burki, 2018), and approximately 40% of survivors have cognitive or functional impairment (Prescott and Angus, 2018). In an effort to save lives and improve outcomes, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in common with other international guidelines, has recommended that sepsis is treated within an hour with broadspectrum antibiotics (Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, 2022). On the 31 January 2024, NICE updated its NG51 guideline for the UK, which was originally published in 2016. The update includes recommendations on recognition and early assessment, initial treatment, escalating care, finding the source of infection, early monitoring, and information and support. This article updates readers on changes to the NICE guidance and how they affect clinical practice.

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening condition, consisting of a soft-tissue infection with rapidly progressive, widespread fascial necrosis and sepsis. Prompt diagnosis and  treatment are essential, but in the early stages, it is difficult to differentiate from other skin conditions such as cellulitis. A high level of suspicion and a low threshold for surgical referral are essential to avoid significant mortality. Following often lengthy hospital treatment, patients will be discharged for management in the community — usually with extensive wound care needs. As part of recovery, supported self-care is an option for some patients and the benefits may help improve outcomes.

Rectal cancer is a common diagnosis which is often treated by surgical resection of the cancer. However, cancer treatment can result in changes in bowel function. Faecal incontinence can occur because of cancer treatment, as well as increased defecation. Although these symptoms will improve with time over a few months, making changes, such as dietary ones with nursing support, can help. Having a greater understanding of issues that can occur and ways in which to resolve them can improve both healthcare professional confidence and circumstances for patients with bowel dysfunction.

Hypertension is common and is a cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Many affected are unaware that they have a problem, and it is found opportunistically when their blood pressure is recorded during a consultation for another problem. If the disease is inadequately treated, it can have potentially fatal outcomes. Nurses and non-medical prescribers are likely to come across patients with raised blood pressure readings during routine clinic appointments. This article hopes to give them a better understanding of the condition, its treatment and complications, with the aim of reducing the risk of serious problems and improving outcomes for all those affected by this potentially dangerous condition.

Coughs are extremely common and vary in duration and degree of severity. Coughs of any duration are a frequent reason for seeking medical advice and unresolved coughs lasting beyond eight weeks are a cause of patient anxiety and reduced quality of life. Chronic coughs are those lasting for more than eight weeks. There are many causes, some more common than others. This article hopes to give nurses and non-medical prescribers who are approached by patients asking for advice some insight into diagnosing and resolving the problem, with the aim of improving quality of life for those affected.

Diagnosing and managing lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women aged 65 years and over is important to ensure their health and wellbeing. This article explores how to diagnose lower UTI, considering alternative diagnoses especially in older adults, as their symptoms may mimic UTI but may indicate other underlying conditions. It also looks at how to manage and treat uncomplicated lower UTI and provides guidance on recurrent UTI, usually  defined as three or more episodes in a year.