NHS — all stories
Free NHS flu vaccine 2026 in England: who can get it and how to book
Eligible people can book online, in the NHS App, at a pharmacy or through a GP surgery, and the NHS says the vaccine can be given with the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.
A very large meal or too much alcohol can trigger a gout attack
NICE says there is not enough evidence that any specific diet prevents flares, while the NHS suggests some alcohol-free days each week.
PSA test: the limits, and who can ask for one
The NHS page, last reviewed in September 2024, says routine PSA testing is not offered, though people can ask a GP about one; a screening committee backs a targeted…
Bronchiolitis in babies: what the signs look like
The NHS lists four signs that mean calling 999 and eight that mean an urgent GP appointment or a call to 111.
Sinusitis: how long it usually lasts
The NHS lists salt-water nose cleaning among home treatments, but a Cochrane review said the trials of rinses for colds and similar infections were generally small.
Central heating can make dry eyes worse
The NHS lists eight things that make dry eyes more likely, from contact lenses to windy weather, and says a pharmacist may be able to help.
Is 18°C warm enough indoors in winter?
Age UK called 21°C and above ideal for living rooms in a 2013 release, while the NHS and the World Health Organization name 18°C.
Sore throats normally clear up within a week without antibiotics
A Cochrane review found antibiotics bring a modest symptom reduction, and the NHS lists the signs that call for a GP, 111 or 999.
Ear infections often clear up on their own within three days
A Cochrane review found antibiotics did not reduce children’s ear pain at 24 hours, though NICE names groups who may benefit more.
Heartburn: why extra pillows can make it worse
The NHS suggests raising the head of the bed instead, but the authors of a 2021 review of trials say the research is too limited for definitive recommendations.
NHS trust sacks 15 staff over Nottingham attack victims’ records
NUH has told the Information Commissioner’s Office and Nottinghamshire Police, and aims to bring in a system to flag suspicious access in early 2027.
Colds and cold air can set off asthma symptoms
Asthma usually starts in children but can happen at any age, and adults with asthma needing a steroid inhaler or tablets can get a free flu vaccine, the NHS says.
Taking migraine painkillers too often can mean more headaches
NICE counts painkiller days by the month and sets different thresholds for triptans and for paracetamol, aspirin and similar drugs.
Fibre and constipation: two reviews, two different results
A 2025 review of seven trials in older adults found no significant gain in stool frequency, but significantly less use of laxatives or enemas.
Eczema can flare as the weather turns cold
Atopic eczema cannot be cured, the NHS says, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.
Winter vomiting bug: why hand gel is not enough
UKHSA figures show hospital outbreaks of norovirus in England 25.4% below the five-season average for the 2026/2027 season so far, though laboratory reports are above it.
High cholesterol: why only a blood test can find it
The NHS guide puts a healthy total cholesterol level for adults at below 5mmol/L.
Lung cancer: the signs and when to see a GP
Symptoms range from a lingering cough to feeling tired all the time, and some people notice none at first, the NHS says.
Cold, flu or COVID-19? Symptoms alone can’t settle it
The NHS says flu tends to be more severe than a cold and comes on within hours, while a cold appears gradually.
Mould at home can affect more than your lungs
Social landlords in England must investigate significant damp and mould within 10 working days of a report, and Awaab’s Law will extend to more hazards from 30 November…
Carbon monoxide can feel like flu: the signs to know
The NHS advises an alarm in every room with a gas, oil, coal or wood appliance, and government guidance sets alarm rules for landlords in England.
Tired all the time? Six everyday things worth checking
Regular meals, a short walk and less caffeine are among the NHS tips, and the health service says tiredness lasting a few weeks with no clear reason is a reason to see a…
Shingles vaccine linked to fewer dementia diagnoses
A study in Wales put the relative reduction at 20% over seven years, while the authors of a second say their findings could help design a large trial to confirm a…
Flu still low but above recent winters: who can get a jab
UKHSA says September flu activity was higher than in the past four winters, though levels remain very low, and the autumn COVID-19 vaccine is open for booking.
Vitamin B12 and folate: who runs short
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency affects around 1 in 10 people aged 75 or over, the NHS says, and the most common cause of B12 deficiency in the UK is not diet.
Five a day: what counts, and what studies found
Potatoes do not count towards five a day, but sweet potatoes and parsnips do, the NHS says.
What the evidence says about SAD lamps
Many people find a SAD lamp helps their symptoms, the NHS says, but it also says to speak to a GP before trying one.
Coffee and an irregular heartbeat: what a trial found
NHS advice for people with atrial fibrillation lists caffeine among the triggers to avoid.
Ultra-processed food: linked to ill health, but why?
In an April 2025 update, the government’s nutrition advisers said the evidence is almost all observational, with only one small randomised trial identified.
How much salt is too much – and where it hides
A 2020 review of 133 trials in the BMJ found that blood pressure was lower, on average, on reduced sodium than on people’s usual intake.
Most adults eat about 20g of fibre a day – the target is 30g
A Lancet review of 185 studies and 58 trials found risk reductions were greatest at 25g to 29g a day, though the certainty of the evidence was moderate.
Five things to try when sleep will not come
Five suggestions from NHS pages, plus NICE’s first-choice treatment for long-term insomnia: cognitive behavioural therapy.
Daily vitamin C: no shield against colds, a little time saved
A Cochrane review found no consistent effect on how long colds lasted from taking high doses of vitamin C only after symptoms began.
Melatonin: the sleep aid that needs a prescription in the UK
The MHRA found melatonin that was not on the label in a children’s gummy product sold online as a food supplement.
What honey does for a cough – and who should avoid it
A Cochrane review found honey probably had no advantage over a placebo beyond three days, and the NHS says it is not suitable for babies under 1 year old.
Zinc may shorten colds – with a catch
A 2024 Cochrane review found zinc supplements made little or no difference to the risk of catching a cold, and said taking zinc as a treatment probably increased the…
The odd ice craving that can be a sign of low iron
The NHS lists it alongside a sore tongue, hair loss and spoon-shaped nails among the less common symptoms that can accompany the condition’s more familiar tiredness and…
Fish oil pills linked to higher heart-rhythm risk in healthy adults
The same UK Biobank study found a different pattern in people who already had heart or circulatory disease when it began: for them, regular fish oil users had a lower…
What magnesium does – and the claims the evidence doesn’t back
What magnesium does for muscles, nerves and bones is well supported, but a Cochrane review found it unlikely to stop cramps, and sleep evidence is still limited.
How many steps a day the evidence actually supports
A review of ten systematic studies covering more than 128,000 adults found the lowest risk of death sat at 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day for people under 60, and 6,000 to…
The sleep positions people with back pain avoid most
A survey of 375 people with long-term low back pain found side-lying was the position most of them preferred, even though it was linked to higher disability scores than…
The breathing technique that takes just five minutes
A slow, belly-deep breathing pattern that can be done sitting, standing or lying down is one of the self-help steps the NHS lists for stress, anxiety and panic…
How much water a day the evidence actually supports
The familiar advice to drink eight glasses of water a day is not a scientific target but a rough guide, and the amount a person actually needs depends on their age, sex…
Coffee and tea linked to lower rate of dementia
Almost 57 million people were living with dementia worldwide in 2021, according to the World Health Organization.
What protein at breakfast does to appetite
Researchers who compared high-protein and low-protein breakfasts found the protein version left people less hungry within hours, though it did not change how much they…
NHS trust removes 10 staff over Noah Woods data breach
The trust has also reported the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
How long a nap should really last
Naps of more than an hour have been linked to faster cognitive decline and disrupted night-time sleep, although much of the evidence is observational.
The gut health advice that has evidence behind it
Most people in the UK eat around 20g of fibre a day or less, against the 30g adults are advised to eat, the British Nutrition Foundation says.
Aiming for 10,000 steps? The benefit starts below 4,000
The 10,000 figure goes back to a Japanese device made in 1965, Harvard researcher Dr I-Min Lee found.
What happens to the body after a month off alcohol
Stopping suddenly can be very dangerous for anyone who is dependent on alcohol, the NHS warns.
