The Spa Pharmacy

The Spa Pharmacy An independent community pharmacy serving Montpellier and Cheltnham for over 150 years. A free collection and delivery service - all local surgeries.

Brain Tumours 2When to See a GPYou should see you GP if you have any of these symptoms, particularly if you have a heada...
10/03/2026

Brain Tumours 2

When to See a GP

You should see you GP if you have any of these symptoms, particularly if you have a headache that feels different from the type of headache you usually get or if the headaches are getting worse. You may not have a brain tumour, but these types of symptoms should be checked.

If your GP cannot identify a more likely cause of your symptoms, they may refer you to a doctor who specialises in the brain and nervous system (neurologist) for further assessment and tests, such as a brain scan.

Brain Tumours 1Brain TumoursBrain tumours are a growth of cells that multiply in an abnormal uncontrollable way. Brain t...
03/03/2026

Brain Tumours 1

Brain Tumours

Brain tumours are a growth of cells that multiply in an abnormal uncontrollable way. Brain tumours are graded according to how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment. Grade 1 and 2 are low grade and 3 and 4 are high grade.

There are 2 main types of brain tumours:
• Non-cancerous (benign) brain tumours- these are low grade (1 or 2) which means they grow slowly and are less likely to return after treatment
• Cancerous (malignant) brain tumours- these are high grade (3 and 4) and either start in the brain (primary tumours) or spread into the brain from elsewhere (secondary tumours) and are more likely to grow back after treatment.

The symptoms of a brain tumour vary depending on the exact part of the brain affected. Common symptoms include:
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Persistently feeling sick, being sick and drowsiness
• Mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
• Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Vision or speech problems

Image by myUpchar / Creative Commons License

Coeliac 6Quiz & AnswersQ1.   What is coeliac disease?A1.   It is a condition where your immune system attacks your own t...
24/02/2026

Coeliac 6

Quiz & Answers

Q1. What is coeliac disease?
A1. It is a condition where your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten.

Q2. What are the symptoms?
A2. There is a range including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating.

Q3. How many people have coeliac disease in the UK?
A3. About 1 in 100.

Q4. What causes the disease?
A4. In people with the disease their immune systems mistake substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks thick healthy tissue.

Q5. Why does their immune system act in this way?
A5. It is not entirely clear but is thought to be a combination of genetics and environment.

Q6. What happens then?
A6. The surface of the small bowel (intestines) becomes damaged disrupting the body’s ability to take in nutrients from food.

Q7. What is the treatment?
A7. There is no cure for coeliac disease but following a gluten free diet should help control the symptoms.

Q8. How do you diagnose coeliac disease?
A8. Testing is usually only recommended for people who have a family history of the condition.

Q9. What happens if I continue to eat gluten?
A9. Potential long term complications include weakening of the bones, iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

Q10. Where can I get help and support?
A10. Coeliac UK is a UK charity that has useful resources like information about gluten free diets, local groups and ongoing campaigns.

Coeliac 5QuizQ1.   What is coeliac disease?Q2.   What are the symptoms?Q3.   How many people have coeliac disease in the...
17/02/2026

Coeliac 5

Quiz

Q1. What is coeliac disease?
Q2. What are the symptoms?
Q3. How many people have coeliac disease in the UK?
Q4. What causes the disease?
Q5. Why does their immune system act in this way?
Q6. What happens then?
Q7. What is the treatment?
Q8. How do you diagnose coeliac disease?
Q9. What happens if I continue to eat gluten?
Q10. Where can I get help and support?

Coeliac 4Treating coeliac diseaseThere is no cure for coeliac disease but following a gluten free diet should help contr...
10/02/2026

Coeliac 4

Treating coeliac disease

There is no cure for coeliac disease but following a gluten free diet should help control symptoms and prevent the long-term complications of the condition. Even if you have mild symptoms, changing your diet is still recommended, because continuing to eat gluten can lead to serious complications.
This may also be the case if tests show that you have some degree of coeliac disease even if you do not have noticeable symptoms. It is important to ensure your gluten free diet is healthy and balanced.
You can get help and support from Coeliac UK which is a British charity for people with coeliac disease. Its website has useful resources including gluten free diets, local groups, volunteering and ongoing campaigns.

For more information about this or any other minor health problem you may have, contact one of our trained team

Coeliac 3Who’s affected by Coeliac disease?Coeliac disease affects at least 1 in 100 people in the UK, but some experts ...
03/02/2026

Coeliac 3

Who’s affected by Coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease affects at least 1 in 100 people in the UK, but some experts think this may be an underestimate because milder cases may go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as other digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Reported cases are much higher in women than in men. It can develop at any age. People with certain conditions, including type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, Down’s syndrome and Turner syndrome have an increased risk of getting coeliac disease.
First degree relatives of people (parents, siblings and children) with coeliac disease are also at an increased risk of developing the condition.
Routine testing for coeliac disease is not done in England. Testing is usually only recommended for people who have symptoms or have an increased risk of developing the disease. First degree relatives of people with coeliac disease should be tested.

Coeliac 2What causes coeliac disease?Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition. This is where the immune system (the bo...
27/01/2026

Coeliac 2

What causes coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition. This is where the immune system (the body’s defence against infection) mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In coeliac disease the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them.
This damages the surface of the small bowel disrupting the body’s ability to take nutrients from food. It is not entirely clear what causes the immune system to act in this way, but a combination of genetics and the environment appear to play a part.

Complications of coeliac disease

These only affect people who continue to eat gluten, or those who have not yet been diagnosed, which can be a common problem in milder cases. Potential long complications can include:
• Weakening of bones
• Iron deficiency anaemia
• Vitamin B 12 or folate deficiency

Less common and more serious complications include some types of cancer, such as bowel and problems affecting pregnancy, such as your baby having low birth weight.

Coeliac 1What is coeliac disease? Coeliac disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your own tissues when ...
20/01/2026

Coeliac 1

What is coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten. This damages your gut (small intestine) so your body cannot properly take in nutrients.
Coeliac disease is caused by an adverse reaction to gluten, which is a dietary protein found in 3 types of cereals: wheat, barley and rye. So, gluten is found in any food that contains these cereals Including:
• Pasta
• Cakes
• Breakfast cereals
• Most types of bread
• Certain types of sauces
• Some ready meals
• Most beers as they contain barley
• Eating any of these foods can trigger a range of gut symptoms such as:
• Diarrhoea which may be particularly unpleasant
• Stomach aches
• Bloating and farting
• Indigestion
• Constipation

There can also be more general symptoms like:
• Tiredness because you are not getting enough nutrients from your food
• Unintentional weight loss
• An itchy rash
• Problems getting pregnant
• Nerve damage
• Disorders that affect co-ordination, balance and speech.

Children with coeliac disease may not grow at the expected rate and may have delayed puberty.

Walking 6Quiz & Answers Q1.   Why is it important to stay active as you get older?A1.   It can help you maintain your st...
13/01/2026

Walking 6

Quiz & Answers

Q1. Why is it important to stay active as you get older?
A1. It can help you maintain your strength and flexibility and improve your energy levels
Q2. How can I improve my strength and balance?
A2. Climbing the stairs frequently, rising slowly and repeatedly to a standing position from a chair, walking, playing badminton, dancing or practising yoga, doing strength and balance exercise classes.
Q3. What if I have a condition that causes joint pain?
A3. The exercises that improve muscle strength and balance are especially helpful for joint pain.
Q4. How do I stay motivated?
A4. Do something that you enjoy like walking the dog, dancing or joining a walking club.
Q5. How can taking care of what you wear help you feel steadier?
A5. Keep your toenails short, always wear shoes, sandals or slippers that fit well, avoid high heels, make sure your clothing doesn't trail on the ground.
Q6. What is the best way to walk to avoid falls?
A6. Keep your head up, swing your arms, slightly tighten your stomach muscles, roll your foot from heel to toe.
Q7. What should I do if I have a fall?
A7. Try to get up if you are not injured.
Q8. What is the best way to do this?
A8. Try rolling onto your hands and knees, then hold onto something stable such as a bed or armchair.
Q9. What do I do if I am injured?
A9. If you have a personal alarm or mobile phone call for help or bang on the door, windows or walls to try to attract attention.
Q10. What do I do while I am waiting for help to arrive?
A10. Try to keep warm by covering yourself with something in reach like a coat or blanket, if you can, try to keep moving to help you keep warm and maintain blood flow.

Walking 5Quiz Q1.   Why is it important to stay active as you get older?Q2.   How can I improve my strength and balance?...
06/01/2026

Walking 5

Quiz

Q1. Why is it important to stay active as you get older?
Q2. How can I improve my strength and balance?
Q3. What if I have a condition that causes joint pain?
Q4. How do I stay motivated?
Q5. How can taking care of what you wear help you feel steadier?
Q6. What is the best way to walk to avoid falls?
Q7. What should I do if I have a fall?
Q8. What is the best way to do this?
Q9. What do I do if I am injured?
Q10. What do I do while I am waiting for help to arrive?

Walking 4What to do if you fall If you are not hurt and you’re in a safe place, try to get up. The best way to do this i...
30/12/2025

Walking 4

What to do if you fall

If you are not hurt and you’re in a safe place, try to get up. The best way to do this is by rolling onto your hands and knees, then holding on to something that is stable like a bed or armchair. Try not to get up too quickly.
Even if you are not injured it’s a good idea to speak to your GP so you can discuss ways to reduce your risk of falling in the future. Having a personal alarm may be a good idea.
If you are unable to get up or you’re injured, you could bang on the wall or floor to try to attract the attention of neighbours or passers-by. Many areas have a falls response service which you can call if you don’t have serious injuries.
While waiting for help to arrive, try to keep warm by covering yourself with something in reach like a coat, blanket or rug. If you can and it’s not too painful, try to keep moving which will keep you warm and maintain blood flow.

Walking 3Tips on what shoes to wear and how to walk Problems with your feet and footwear can stop you getting out and ab...
23/12/2025

Walking 3

Tips on what shoes to wear and how to walk

Problems with your feet and footwear can stop you getting out and about. These tips can help you feel steadier:

• Report problems with your feet to your doctor or practice nurse
• Keep your toenails short
• Always wear shoes, sandals or slippers. Don’t walk indoors with bare feet, tights or socks
• Wear shoes that fit well with high sides and low heels
• Don’t wear high heels
• Make sure your clothing doesn’t trail on the floor.
• The best way to walk to prevent falls:
• Keep your head up, look forward and not at the ground
• Your neck, shoulders and back are relaxed, not stiffly upright
• Swing your arms freely with a slight bend in your elbows.
• Keep your stomach muscles slightly tightened, and your back straight
• Walk smoothly, rolling your foot from heel to toe.

Address

12 Rotunda Terrace Montpellier Street
Cheltenham
GL511SW

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 12pm
2pm - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 12pm
2pm - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 12pm
2pm - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 12pm
2pm - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 12pm
2pm - 5pm
Saturday 8:30am - 12pm

Telephone

+441242522130

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