Sinusitis can be triggered by a viral or bacterial infection causing the lining of the sinuses to swell. The condition, which can affect anyone, of any age, at any time can also be caused by exposure to household detergents, air pollution and smoke in addition to allergies such as asthma or hay fever.

Our sinuses are small, air-filled cavities located behind our cheekbones and forehead. Their main function is to control the temperature and water content of the air reaching our lungs.

We have four pairs of sinuses;

• 1.two located behind the forehead, referred to as the frontal sinuses,
• 2.two situated either side of the bridge of the nose, known as the ethmoid sinuses,
• 3.the two behind the eyes are called the sphenoid sinuses,
• 4.the final two referred to as the maxillary sinuses are position behind the cheekbones.

Patients with sinusitis will typically experience pain and tenderness in the face, a blocked or runny nose and develop a high temperature.

There are two main types of sinusitis: acute and chronic.

Acute sinusitis can develop very quickly over a few days after a patient has suffered a cold or flu. On average about two thirds of people will be clear after three weeks however in some cases it may take 12 weeks for patients to fully recover.

Chronic sinusitis is less common and can last for many months. If a patient has been suffering with sinusitis for more than 12 weeks, the condition will then be classed as chronic.

Generally sinusitis will clear over time naturally, however there are a wide variety of over-the-counter medicines such as painkillers and decongestants available which can be taken to relieve pain and discomfort in the short term.

Chemist Direct stocks a wide variety of products for treating sinusitis which can be browsed here.

Getting regular exercise, drinking plenty of fluids and cutting back on smoking can all help reduce the chance of contracting sinusitis.

If you have any further concerns you should consult your GP.

Otrivine Nasal Spray (Sinusitis)

Otrivine Adult Measured Dose Sinusitis Spray delivers a measured fine mist of medication with each application.

Size: 10ml

£3.85

RRP: £4.05 | YOU SAVE: 20p

Tubilux Normal Saline Nasal Drops

Tubilux Normal Saline Nasal Drops are used for fast and effective relief from nasal congestion. They help to treat common colds, perennial and allergic rhinitis (including hayfever) and sinusitis within minutes and the relief can last up to 10 hours.

Size: 10ml

£1.45

RRP: £1.99 | YOU SAVE: 54p

Sudafed Non Drowsy Decongestant Tablets

Sudafed Non Drowsy Decongestant Tablets for the symptomatic relief of nasal and sinus congestion associated with colds, flu, sinusitis and nasal allergies.

Size: 12 tablets

£2.35

RRP: £3.05 | YOU SAVE: 70p

Beechams Powders

Beechams Powder provides symptomatic relief of influenza, feverishness, chills and feverish colds including headache, sore throat pain, aches and pains, nasal congestion, sinusitis and its associated pain, and acute nasal catarrh.

Size: 10 sachets

£2.35

RRP: £2.44 | YOU SAVE: 9p

Lemsip Max Strength Sinus Relief Capsules

Lemsip Max Strength Sinus Relief Capsules-For the symptomatic relief of pain and congestion of sinusitis.

Size: 16 capsules

£3.49

RRP: £4.75 | YOU SAVE: £1.26

If you are finding it difficult getting to sleep, or staying asleep for a long enough period of time so that you feel refreshed the following morning, then you may be suffering from insomnia. Insomnia is a common problem amongst many young people and can be caused by anxiety or a disrupted sleeping environment.

For some people, insomnia can be triggered as a result of a stressful event such as concerns about money, health or work or the loss of a loved one. This develops because people have learnt to associate their sleeping environment with a state of being alert, meaning it is hard to relax and rest in the manner required to get a good night’s sleep.

Physical conditions are another big trigger for insomnia. Conditions such as heart disease, hormonal problems - such as an overactive thyroid and muscle and joint problems - are just three examples of conditions which can cause pain and discomfort.

In some cases insomnia can be bought on as a consequence of taking prescribed or over the counter medicines. Antidepressants along with medication for epilepsy and a high blood pressure can all make it difficult for patients to get to sleep.

The length of time you suffer from insomnia can vary from a few days, to a couple of months and in some cases even years. Insomnia can be classified in two ways, short-term insomnia, which typically lasts from one to four weeks, and long-term (or persistent) insomnia, which is defined as anything upwards of four weeks.

So the big question is how much sleep do we actually need? Unfortunately it is difficult to pin point what is a normal level of sleep because everyone is different. The type of lifestyle a person leads, their diet, the environment in which they live and their age will all play a factor. Generally speaking though, school age children should aim for an average of 10 hours sleep a night. Adults on the other hand should aim for between seven and nine hours a night. As we get older our need for sleep reduces. People over 70 often need less than six hours sleep a night, because they are typically lighter sleepers.

If you are having trouble sleeping it’s a good idea to avoid tea, coffee and chocolate before bedtime due to their caffeine content as well as spicy foods which may cause heartburn or indigestion. Drinking a glass of warm milk with honey can help, as milk contains tryptophan which converts to seratonin in the body and induces sleep. Exercising regularly is also essential for ensuring a good night’s sleep. A combination of aerobic exercise that will get the heart and lungs working, and stretching, will help you relax and sleep well.

Chemist Direct stock a wide range of products to help you get a good night’s sleep but if you are concerned about your insomnia you should consult your GP. You can browse our full range of sleeping products here.

Bach Rescue Night Spray

Bach Rescue Night combines Rescue Remedy with the Bach Original Flower Essence of White Chestnut to help switch off the mind from unwanted, repetitive thoughts, allowing you to enjoy a natural night's sleep.

Size: 20ml

£8.29

RRP: £9.45 | YOU SAVE: £1.16

Breathe Right Nasal Strips Mentholated Small/Medium

Breathe Right Nasal Strips Clear relieve nasal congestion caused by colds and allergies, helping you sleep better throughout the night. Gently scratch the outer surface of the strip to release the soothing mentholated vapours, and scratch again to reactivate.

Size: 8 strips

£4.65

RRP: £6.11 | YOU SAVE: £1.46

Deep Sleep Every Night Hypnosis CD

The Deep Sleep Every Night Hypnosis CD is produced by hypnotherapist Glenn Harrold, who is the author of some of the UK’s best selling self-help audio titles.

Size: one cd

£8.15

RRP: £11.95 | YOU SAVE: £3.80

Kalms Sleep Tablets

Kalms Sleep is a traditional herbal remedy containing a blend of plant ingredients that help to relieve worry, irritability and stress, and allow you to wake up feeling refreshed for the day ahead.

Size: 50 tablets

£4.09

RRP: £4.59 | YOU SAVE: 50p

Nightcalm One A Night

Nightcalm One A Night contain Diphenhydramine Hydrochoride to help you get a restful night's sleep.

Size: 20

£3.09

RRP: £3.59 | YOU SAVE: 50p

The skin is one of the largest and most complex organs of the human body, containing oil glands, nerves, hair follicles, blood vessels and sweat glands. As well as protecting our body from the environment, our skin also regulates our body temperature and helps to fight off infections.

We can look after our skin by maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, protecting ourselves from harmful UV rays, cutting out smoking, drinking plenty of water and ensuring we regularly get a good night’s sleep.

Here are Chemist Direct’s Top Tips for looking after your skin:

1.Sun Care

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are contained within sunlight and are the main cause of skin ageing, and in some cases can lead to skin cancer. It is very important that we all protect ourselves from the sun and take special care with babies and children. You can protect yourself by using sun cream, wearing protective clothing and remaining out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, which is between 11am and 3pm.

2.Smoking

Smoking reduces the skin’s natural elasticity by causing a breakdown of collagen. This causes wrinkles to develop and alters the complexion of the skin, making it appear much older than it actually is. The best thing is to stub out the habit for good and Chemist Direct has a range of products and tips to help you quit smoking.

3.Alcohol

One of the many perils of alcohol consumption is that it leaves the skin dehydrated, which in turn leaves it looking old and tired. This can be prevented by drinking plenty of water or by drinking non-alcoholic drinks in-between the booze such as soda water or fruit juice.

4.Keep your skin clean

Washing the skin regularly can help prevent the spread of infection. Using soaps and bath oils helps keep the skin healthy whilst moisturising prevents it from becoming dry and lifeless. If you have dry skin, it is best to avoid using harsh alcohol-based products as these can further irritate it. If you have oily skin, you should avoid oil based products and used water based products instead.

5.Sleep

Lack of a good night’s sleep can seriously damage your skin and leave it looking tired. The amount of sleep required varies from person to person but the average person needs between 7 and 8 hours a night.

In addition to the tips above, we’ve compiled a list of our top products to help you maintain healthy vitalised skin:

Evian Affinity Holiday Skin Nourishing Body Lotion For Dry To Very Dry Skin

Evian Affinity Holiday Skin Nourishing Body Lotion has been particularly adapted for dry skin and hydrates your skin during 24 hours while it offers a light even looking tan.

Size: 200ml

£1.55

RRP: £1.99 | YOU SAVE: 44p

Garnier Youthful Radiance Multi-Active Care Day Dry Skin

Garnier Youthful Radiance Multi-active care Day for dry skin smoothes lines, boosts radiance and hydrates skin for 24 hours.

Size: 50ml

£7.69

RRP: £9.19 | YOU SAVE: £1.5

Flexitol Hand Balm For Very Dry Skin

Flexitol Hand Balm for Very Dry Skin is specifically formulated to soothe dry hands.

Size: 56g

£4.65

RRP: £4.99 | YOU SAVE: 34p

Nivea Lotion For Dry Skin

Nivea Lotion for Dry Skin is a daily moisturiser that hydrates and protects your skin.

Size: 250ml

£3.09

RRP: £3.59 | YOU SAVE: 50p

Vaseline Essential Moisture Dry Skin Lotion

Vaseline Essential Moisture Lotion is a multi-vitamin moisturiser. It replenishes 100% of daily hydration, along with the essential nutrients that skin needs to be vibrant and feel healthy every day.

Size: 75ml

£1.45

RRP: £1.79 | YOU SAVE: 34p

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is UK’s number one cause of death, with someone having a heart attack every two minutes. According to the NHS there are around 2.7million people in the UK with CHD and as February is National Heart Month, we thought we’d share our top tips and product recommendations to make sure you maintain a healthy heart.

CHD occurs when the heart’s arteries become too narrow or, worse still, blocked, thus reducing the supply of blood to the heart muscle.

This can be caused by fatty deposits in the coronary arteries which interfere with the normal flow of blood to the heart. There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the risk of CHD, such as stopping smoking, being more active and making changes to your diet by reducing fatty foods and ensuring around a third of your intake is made up of fruit and vegetables.

As smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack, because they reduce the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry to the heart and body, stopping smoking or reducing the amount you smoke can dramatically reduce the risk of CHD.

Regular exercise helps to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure in addition to helping you to lose weight. Activities such as running or walking can make a big difference, and the NHS recommends 30 minutes of exercise of this kind at least 5 days a week.

National Heart Month is an annual campaign which aims to increase the awareness of heart and circulatory disease. Find out more on our website here.

At Chemist Direct we stock a range of products to help you maintain a healthy heart, here are our top recommendations:

Healthy Heart Supplements

Healthaid Balanced Omega 3.6.9 Capsules

HealthAid Balanced Omega 3.6.9 Capsules is optimally balanced to provide Omega 3, 6 & 9 which are useful for cardiovascular health, brain function, healthy growth and development. Omega 9 also helps with dry, flaky skin. An ideal suppplement for all-round health.

£12.65

Chemist Direct Odourless Garlic

Chemist Direct Odourless Garlic - Garlic has been valued for its therapeutic effects for thousands of years and as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, garlic may help to keep cholesterol and blood pressure at normal levels. Chemist Direct Odourless Garlic Capsules are suitable for the whole family and help to support general health and wellbeing, and all with the added benefit of eating garlic without the unwanted after taste.

£1.05

Manage your Cholesterol

Cholesterol Monitoring Kit

Cholesterol Monitoring Kit is a professional, medically approved blood cholesterol monitoring kit for use at home. Keeping your cholesterol count under control with the correct diet is an essential part of modern healthcare. With this kit you have all you need to check that important reading between hospital and GP visits.

£81.99

Healthaid Lycopene 25mg Tablets

HealthAid Strong Lycopene 25mg Tablets is a powerful antioxidant as it helps to prevent free radical damage. It can help maintain healthy heart, low cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation. It can also help enhance the bodys defence.

£10.25

Blood Thinning Aids

Aspirin Enteric Coated 75mg Tablets (Low Dose Aspirin)

Aspirin Enteric Coated 75mg Tablets, commonly referred to as low dose aspirin is useful for patients suffering from angina and after a heart attack or stroke and following by-pass surgery. Not to be used for pain relief.

£1.55

Dispersible Aspirin 75mg Tablets

Dispersible Aspirin Tablets 75mg are an antiplatelet agent which helps prevent blood clots in patients who have had a heart attack, stroke or heart bypass surgery or who have angina.

£0.19

Our favourites

Seven Seas Pulse Advanced Omega-3 Pure Fish Oils Capsules

Seven Seas Omega-3 Pure Fish Oils are a range of Omega-3 fish oil supplements in a convenient and taste-free capsule, formulated to help maintain a healthy heart.

£7.19

Cardioace Original Healthy Heart & Circulation

Cardioace Original is the first and only supplement in the UK to combine the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids with garlic, antioxidants and important trace minerals. In fact, it is one of the most comprehensive, research-based nutritional supplements for a healthy heart and circulation.

£5.09