General Practice

Cortisol is a vital hormone: it wakes us up in the morning and helps us perform well in stressful situations. However, problems arise when levels no longer drop. Chronically elevated cortisol levels can, in the long term, affect your metabolism, immune system and mental health. In this article, you’ll find out why your body goes into alarm mode, how this manifests itself and how you can restore your hormonal balance.

Your CRP level is elevated and you’re wondering what that means? C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important marker of inflammation in the blood. It indicates whether there is currently inflammation taking place in your body, for example due to an infection, injury or illness. However, a single reading is not sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis. What matters is how significantly the CRP level has risen and how it changes over time. Often, there is a harmless cause behind it. In some cases, however, an elevated CRP level may also indicate a serious illness. In this article, you’ll learn how CRP levels are determined, what levels are considered normal, and how to interpret your result correctly.

It is hard to imagine everyday life without smartphones. At the same time, the constant availability of messages, stimuli and new content can lead the brain to seek out quick distractions time and again. This constant digital barrage reduces our ability to concentrate deeply. Smartphone addiction is therefore no longer a marginal phenomenon.


However, it is possible to change the way you use your smartphone. In this article, you will learn how problematic smartphone use can develop, what role the reward system plays in this, and which strategies can help you regain more calm, focus and control in your everyday life.

A cough, phlegm in the throat and a feeling of tightness in the chest: these symptoms may indicate bronchitis. This condition involves inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses and is particularly common in winter, during the colder months. Chronic bronchitis is often caused by long-term smoking or recurrent bouts of inflammation that have not fully healed. In this article, you will learn about the causes of acute and chronic bronchitis, the symptoms that occur and the treatments that can help.

A flu-like infection, often referred to as a cold, is an infection of the nasal mucosa and the upper respiratory tract. A cold usually begins with a sore throat or a tickle in the throat, followed shortly afterwards by a runny nose. Depending on the pathogen and the severity of the cold, a cough, fever, aching limbs and a headache may also occur. In this article, you will learn all about the causes, symptoms and correct treatment of flu-like infections.

If you have a fever, the best remedies are rest, plenty of fluids and, depending on your symptoms, medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Home remedies such as calf compresses or ‘vinegar poultices’ can also provide relief. It is important to note that a fever is not an illness, but a natural defence mechanism of the body. You can read more about this here.

A cough, a scratchy feeling in the chest and the sensation that ‘something is stuck’: acute bronchitis often starts as part of a common cold. In many cases, simple measures can go a long way towards managing the condition. Read this article to find out which home remedies really do help and when you should seek medical advice for bronchitis.

You’ve caught a cold and are wondering whether exercising will help or do more harm than good. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as not every cold is the same: a mild sniffle is quite different from an infection that leaves you feeling really unwell. The key factors are therefore your symptoms, the intensity of the exercise and how you’re feeling overall. In this article, you’ll find out when light exercise may still be acceptable, when you absolutely must take a break, and how to safely get back into training afterwards.

The term ‘skin rash’ covers a range of visible changes to the skin. These include, for example, redness or patches, which are often accompanied by itching, pain or other associated symptoms. The causes of skin rashes are varied: as well as physical illnesses, allergies or psychological stress can also play a role. In this article, you will learn more about the different types of skin rashes, their possible causes and common treatment options.

When a runny nose and a cough become constant companions, there’s often more to it than just bad luck. Your body is sending signals that your immune system needs a boost. In this article, you’ll find out what weakens your immune system and what targeted strategies you can use to finally break the cycle.