Amir Bhogal, superintendent lead pharmacist and director of Pyramid Pharmacy Group, has revealed the most common health worries Brits bring to their local pharmacy.
Bhogal says repeat infections and poor sleep are among the top reasons people seek pharmacy advice, alongside pregnancy scares, gut discomfort, headaches and skin reactions.
1. Repeat infections
Bhogal says repeat infections often come down to how the immune system recognises and responds to different viruses. "This often comes down to how your immune system recognises and responds to different viruses. After an infection, your immune system creates targeted antibodies, but these are strain-specific, so the next virus you encounter may look completely different to your body."
"On top of that, the lining of your nose, throat and chest can remain slightly inflamed for weeks after an illness, making those tissues more reactive. Therefore, new infections can take hold more easily or symptoms can feel more intense. If infections feel unusually severe or last longer than expected, speak to a healthcare professional for further assessment and appropriate testing."
2. Poor sleep
"During deep sleep, your body releases a hormone which actively repairs cells and tissues. Simultaneously, your immune system produces proteins that fight infection and control inflammation. When sleep becomes disrupted or insufficient, this restorative cycle breaks down. Cortisol rises, keeping your body in a state of heightened alert when it should be resting. You wake feeling tense, anxious and drained, with headaches increasingly common and your immune system weakened."
He advises starting with simple adjustments. "Start with straightforward adjustments, such as establishing a consistent bedtime each night, avoiding caffeine after midday, and ensure your bedroom remains dark and cool. Most importantly, put your phone away at least an hour before bed so blue light doesn't disrupt your natural sleep cycle."
3. Pregnancy scares
"An unexpectedly late period can trigger anxiety, but it helps to make sense of your options. Emergency hormonal contraception works by preventing or delaying the release of the egg, and without ovulation, fertilisation cannot take place. This is why acting quickly is so valuable."
"The sooner you seek advice, the more options remain available to you. A properly timed pregnancy test, combined with guidance from a healthcare professional, can give you the definitive answers you need to help you move forward with confidence. Pharmacists are trained to navigate this situation, offering confidential, non-judgemental advice to help you understand your options."
4. Gut discomfort
"Gut discomfort is incredibly common, and it's closely linked to the way your digestive system communicates with your brain. Your gut has its own network of nerves, often called the 'second brain,' which connects to your nervous system. This means emotional stress can translate into physical symptoms. Infections, sudden dietary changes and food intolerances can also disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut."
"Many episodes settle with simple lifestyle adjustments. This could be eating regular meals, increasing fibre gradually or assessing for intolerances such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)."
5. Headaches
"When you sit for long periods, the muscles in your neck, shoulders and scalp can gradually tighten. That muscle tension can irritate surrounding nerves and create the dull, band-like pressure around the head that's typical of a tension headache. Dehydration can make this worse, as lower fluid levels may reduce blood flow efficiency and trigger pain-sensitive structures in the brain."
"A sudden, severe headache, especially if it's the worst you've ever experienced, or one accompanied by blurred vision, weakness, confusion or difficulty speaking requires urgent assessment. If headaches are recurring, it's worth reviewing your daily habits and lifestyle factors to identify potential triggers."
6. Skin reactions
"When this happens, it's usually because your immune system has identified a substance as a threat. Immune cells in the skin release chemicals such as histamine, which cause blood vessels to widen and fluid to move into the surrounding tissue, leading to redness, warmth, swelling and that intense urge to itch."
"In mild cases, symptoms improve once the trigger is removed and you've taken basic care steps such as gently rinsing the area and applying an antihistamine. It's important to avoid scratching, as this can damage the skin barrier and increase the risk of infection. However, if a reaction includes swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness or a rapidly spreading rash, this requires urgent medical attention."
