Page 3 - Gurdev Sehmi

Asthma can change as you get older, and for some people it does get worse with age, though this is far from inevitable and is usually manageable with the right care. Ageing affects the lungs and airways, other conditions can complicate the picture, and asthma can even appear for the first time later in life. This guide explains what to expect and how to stay in control. Our asthma and COPD page sets out the available treatments, and any inhaler or medicine is prescribed only after a clinical review.

Can Asthma Get Worse With Age?

For some people, yes. There are a few reasons asthma can feel harder to manage as the years go on. The lungs naturally become a little less elastic with age, the chest wall stiffens slightly, and the muscles used for breathing can weaken. On top of that, older adults are more likely to have other health conditions that affect breathing or interact with asthma treatment.

That said, plenty of people find their asthma stays stable or even improves over time. Age is

Choosing contraception after 40 is a little different from earlier in life. You can still get pregnant during perimenopause, so contraception still matters, but some methods carry different considerations as you get older, and a few can even help with perimenopausal symptoms. This guide walks through the main options and explains when you can safely stop. You can explore suitable methods in our contraception range, all prescribed after a clinical consultation that takes your health into account.

Why Contraception Still Matters After 40

Fertility declines with age, but it does not disappear until you reach menopause. Ovulation in perimenopause is unpredictable, so pregnancy remains possible, as we explain in our guide on getting pregnant during perimenopause. If you do not wish to conceive, contraception is recommended right up until your fertility has ended.

How Your Options Change With Age

Most methods remain available in your forties, but the balance of risks and benefits shifts. The

If you are lying awake wondering why you can't sleep, you are far from alone. Insomnia, meaning difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, is one of the most common health complaints in the UK. The reasons range from stress and lifestyle to underlying health conditions, and the good news is that effective treatments exist. This guide explains the causes and what actually helps. Where a short-term prescription is appropriate, options such as Circadin melatonin are considered only after a clinical assessment.

What Counts as Insomnia?

Most people have the odd bad night, and that is normal. Insomnia is when poor sleep happens regularly, typically three or more nights a week, and starts to affect how you feel and function during the day. It is described as short-term when it lasts up to a few weeks, often tied to a clear trigger, and long-term, or chronic, when it persists for three months or more.

Why Can't You Sleep? The Common Causes

Insomnia usually has more than one

Psoriasis and eczema can look similar at first glance, both leaving skin red, itchy and inflamed, but they are different conditions with different causes and treatments. The quickest way to tell them apart is often the itch and the appearance: eczema tends to be intensely itchy with weepy, cracked skin, while psoriasis produces thicker, scaly plaques. This guide explains the differences clearly and how each is managed. Our eczema and psoriasis page sets out treatment options, all prescribed after a clinical assessment.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema, most commonly atopic eczema, is a condition in which the skin barrier does not work as well as it should, allowing moisture out and irritants in. This leaves the skin dry, inflamed and extremely itchy. It often starts in childhood and is linked to allergies, asthma and hay fever, which tend to run in families. Eczema typically appears in the creases of the elbows and knees, on the hands, neck and face, and it can flare and settle over time.

What Is