Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease and is considered to be the most common of all these STD’s. Found in vaginal fluids and semen, it is a bacterial infection that infects approximately one in ten sexually active young people.

This disease is spread from one person to another via all types of sexual activity and can survive inside the cells of the urethra, cervix, rectum and on some occasions in the eyes and throat. Chlamydia can also be transferred from a pregnant mother to her baby. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot catch the disease from activities such as hugging, kissing, toilet seats, sharing of towels, plates, or cups.

The effects of Chlamydia in Women

There are no obvious symptoms and it is often described as the “silent infection” because of this. Women who catch Chlamydia may notice bleeding between periods, unusual vaginal discharge or lower abdominal pain. Men could notice a discharge from the tip of their penis, painful testicles or pain when urinating.

If Chlamydia is suspected in an individual, its important get tested quickly to diagnose the infection. Once diagnosed, the condition is easily treatable with antibiotics. There has been an influx of Chlamydia testing kits onto the market, but as yet these are still not accurate enough, so a medical diagnosis is vital.

Nearly everybody alive goes through a state of feeling sad, or what we normally call depressed, but this usually goes away after a time. Individuals that happen to have a depressive disorder, or what we know as clinical depression, tend to find that this interferes with their daily lives and routines.

Depression in Men

To give depression an official description, the MediLexicon’s Medical Dictionary states that: depression is “a mental state or chronic mental disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, low self-esteem, and self-reproach; accompanying signs include psychomotor retardation (or less frequently agitation), withdrawal from social contact, and vegetative states such as loss of appetite and insomnia.”

Depression in Women

There are many types of depressive disorders and these include dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression (which is normally referred to as postnatal depression), SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and bipolar disorder.

The symptoms and signs of depression are not clear-cut at all. Some symptoms that may be experienced by some individuals may not be had by others. Also, the severity of the illness all depends on the individual concerned and the type of depression they may have. Nevertheless, common symptoms experienced by sufferers of depression include the feeling of pessimism, sadness or anxiety; feelings of hopelessness, restlessness and irritability; loss of interest in pursuits, activities and sex, among other things; fatigue, loss of concentration and disturbed sleep; aches and pains, change of eating habits and sometimes even suicidal thoughts.

Depression and Heart Diseases

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, describes the discomfort or pain felt in the chest or upper abdomen area normally soon after eating a meal. It sometimes describes the burning sensation felt in the chest, otherwise known as heartburn.

Indigestion normally occurs when the acid found in the stomach starts to flow back up the oesophagus (this is the pipe that attaches the mouth with the stomach). Although normally occurring after eating a meal, it can happen at any time. Symptoms of indigestion include discomfort, pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen or chest area; loss of appetite; heartburn; nausea; and burping or flatulence.

Occurrences of indigestion can be triggered by smoking; excessive alcohol use; anxiety or stress; some medicines; some foods; or not eating regularly which leads to a buildup of excess acid in the stomach.

Individuals can reduce the symptoms of indigestion by doing some of the following: stopping smoking; cutting down on coffee, tea, alcohol and fatty foods; eating three hours or more before going to bed; stop overeating or eating too fast; and reducing stress.

Antacid medication is an over-the-counter treatment that is effective at relieving symptoms of indigestion. These help neutralize excess acid in the stomach and usually contain aluminum or magnesium. Others contain an ingredient known as alginate which acts by forming a barrier of sorts that floats at the top of the stomach, therefore preventing reflux.