Retirement is often portrayed as a carefree golden era – a time to relax, travel, and enjoy the fruits of decades of labour. But for many new retirees, the reality can be more complicated. Stepping away from a long-term career and routine can lead to unexpected feelings of sadness, loss, or lack of purpose. Retirement-related depression is a real phenomenon: studies have found that retirees are more likely to experience depression than those still working . In fact, about one in three retirees reports feeling depressed or frequently down after retiring . This emotional struggle can come as a surprise – after all, isn’t retirement supposed to be blissful? The truth is, while retirement can indeed be a joyous time, it’s also a major life transition that brings challenges. The good news is that by understanding why these feelings occur and taking proactive steps, it’s possible to overcome the “retirement blues” and find fulfilment in this new chapter of life. ...

  When a person suddenly develops weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, it’s natural to fear the worst – but two relatively common conditions, Bell’s palsy and Lyme disease, are often behind these alarming symptoms. Bell’s palsy and Lyme disease can both cause facial paralysis, making it difficult to smile, close one eye, or control facial muscles. However, they have very different causes and treatments, so telling them apart is crucial for proper care. Bell’s palsy is a temporary facial paralysis of unclear origin (often linked to a viral inflammation of the facial nerve), whereas Lyme disease is an infection from a tick bite that can affect the nervous system. In this article, we’ll explore the characteristics of each condition, how to recognize the differences, and why getting the diagnosis right leads to the best recovery. Understanding Bell’s Palsy Bell’s palsy is a form of sudden, temporary paralysis of the facial muscles, ...

  The gallbladder may be a small, pear-shaped organ tucked under your liver, but it can have a big impact on your digestive health. Many people don’t give their gallbladder much thought – until it starts causing trouble (hello, gallstones!). Whether you’re curious about what this organ does or want to avoid gallbladder problems, here are 10 surprising facts about the gallbladder you need to know. 1. The Gallbladder Is Your Fat-Digesting Sidekick Your gallbladder’s main job is to store and concentrate bile , a digestive fluid made by the liver. Think of bile as a soapy liquid that helps break down fats from the foods you eat. Whenever you enjoy a cheeseburger or a bowl of ice cream, your gallbladder jumps into action: it squeezes bile into your small intestine to emulsify (blend) fats so they can be absorbed. In a sense, the gallbladder is a little reservoir that makes fat digestion more efficient. Without it, you can still digest fats, but bile drips continuously from the live...