The common cold can be described as an infection of the higher reaches of the respiratory tract, or in other words the throat, the nasal passages and the nose. It is interesting to note that there are over two hundred different virus’ that can presently cause the common cold, but the main culprit in adults is the rhinoviruses, of which there are a hundred different strains and are classified as nose virus’.

When an individual becomes affected by a cold, the symptoms usually show up around two days later and these include a sore throat, a runny nose and sneezing. Later symptoms can consist of watery eyes, headache, muscle aches, stuffed nose, and a general feeling of being unwell. The symptoms of a cold can last anywhere from two to seven days but in some cases may even last up to two weeks.

Common Cold

People who have a common cold may find that is accompanied by bronchitis, laryngitis, an ear infection or with those who suffer from asthma, a worsening of the condition. Common cold infections are so prevalent that it is estimated that an adult will suffer between two and five colds each year. Because of this, the condition is the leading cause of people missing work days through illness.

Contrary to belief, colds are actually not very contagious when compared to other infections. Prolonged and close contact is required for the virus to spread and it must get into the nose for there to be infection.

Cholesterol is a lipid, or fat, of the body, and it is this along with another lipid called triglyceride that are vital building blocks of a cell. They are also used in the production of hormones as well as producing energy. Cholesterol is mainly produced in the liver, but it can also be ingested with certain foods.

There are two types of cholesterol and just to keep things simple, these can be classed as the good sort (high-density lipoprotein or HDL) and the bad sort (low-density lipoprotein or LDL). The HDL is effective in reducing cholesterol by transporting it back to the liver from where it is eliminated, whereas the LDL can contribute to certain diseases associated with the heart or blood circulation. HDL levels can be raised through exercise and LDL lowered by eating less saturated fat or sometimes with the aid of medication.

Cholesterol levels can be hereditary as well as being influenced by which part of the world the sufferer lives in. Northern Europeans have higher levels than their Southern counterparts, for example, and a much higher level than Asian people.

High Cholesterol

There are no symptoms of having high cholesterol and it is only one factor of many that can contribute to hardening of the arteries. Other factors include smoking, diet, alcohol intake, exercise and body weight. If going on a cholesterol lowering diet doesn’t help to reduce the levels, then medication will be required to assist the process.

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