Pharmacists are set to face more consultations for sleep disorders after evidence was found of a sleep problem epidemic, a British Lung Foundation (BLF) expert has warned.

BLF trustee Stephen Spiro told C+D there was good reason to believe that sleep problems were increasing across the UK.

"With obesity getting commoner, all the sleep clinics are getting busier," he said.

The comments followed BBC reports of a "tidal wave" of Scottish patients turning to sleep clinics.

"About 50 per cent of middle-aged men snore, and about 4 per cent will have sleep apnoea with some degree of severity," said Professor Spiro.

He added that pharmacists should be aware that people with the problem tended to be a little overweight, are more often men than women, and are likely to complain of morning headaches, bad sleep and feeling tired during the day.