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About 2 in 3 adults have depression at some time in their life. Sometimes it is mild or lasts just a few weeks. However, an episode of depression serious enough to require treatment occurs in about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men at some point in their lives. Some people have two or more episodes of depression at various times in their life.

Many people know when they are depressed. However, some people do not realise when they are depressed. They may know that they are not right and are not functioning well, but don't know why. Some people think that they have a physical illness - for example, if they lose weight.

The exact cause is not known. Anyone can develop depression. Some people are more prone to it, and it can develop for no apparent reason. You may have no particular problem or worry, but symptoms can develop quite suddenly. So, there may be some genetic factor involved that makes some people more prone to depression than others.

An episode of depression may also be triggered by a life event such as a relationship problem, bereavement, redundancy, illness, etc. In many people it is a mixture of the two. For example, the combination of a mild low mood with some life problem, such as work stress, may lead to a spiral down into depression.

For the purpose of clinical trials.  A healthy volunteer is a person that has no underlying health conditions and who is not taking any prescription medications. 

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term (chronic) condition affecting the colon. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:

• bloody diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• a frequent need to go to the toilet
• weight loss

The colon, also known as the large intestine, absorbs nutrients from undigested food and passes out waste products through the rectum and anus in stools (faeces).  Ulcerative colitis causes the colon to become inflamed (swollen) and in severe cases, ulcers (painful sores) may form on the lining of the colon. These ulcers can bleed and produce mucus and pus.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can range from mild to severe, with the condition being very unpredictable. Symptoms can flare up and then disappear (go into remission) for months or even years.

The causes for the condition are unknown, though research suggests that both environmental and genetic factors are involved.

It is estimated that there are ten new cases a year out of every 100,000 people. There are currently 100,000 people in England with ulcerative colitis.

The condition normally appears between the ages of 15 and 30 and both sexes seem to be affected equally by ulcerative colitis.

The outlook for most people with ulcerative colitis is usually quite good. Symptoms are often mild to moderate and can usually be controlled using medication.

Endometriosis is said to be present when cells that normally line the womb are found elsewhere in the body, such as the outside of the fallopian tubes, the ovaries and the bladder.

These cells behave in the same way as those lining the womb so, in response to the female hormones, they grow during the menstrual cycle and bleed during a period.

It's not known exactly what causes endometriosis, but there are a number of theories. It may arise because of retrograde menstruation when, during a period, blood flows back towards the fallopian tubes rather than leaving the body in the usual way.

Immune dysfunction may allow endometriosis to develop in those women unable to fight off the endometriosis cells, or metaplasia (the process of one cell type changing into another) may enable endometriosis cells to appear in parts of the body where they wouldn’t normally be found. It can also run in families.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological condition affecting young adults. Approximately 100,000 in the UK suffer with this condition. MS arises as a result of damage to the myelin which is a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the CNS (central nervous system).  Damage to the myelin interferes with messages between the brain and parts of the body. There are many symptoms associated with MS the most common symptoms include: muscle weakness, spasms and tightness, problems with balance and mobility, blurred vision and numbness or tingling.

Memory Disorders can range from mild to severe.  They can be progressive for e.g.: Alzheimer’s disease or they can be immediate including disorders as a result of head injury.  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia affecting approximately 465,000 people in the UK.  AD is progressive and fatal brain disease in which cell-cell connections in the brain are lost, this results in the formation of plagues and tangles, which leads to the death of brain cells. Alzheimer’s and dementia is the most significant cause of disability among individuals aged 65 and above.  People with Alzheimer's have been shown to have a shortage of the chemical acetylcholine in their brains. These chemicals are vital for the transmission of messages within the brain.

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a nerve pain disorder which affects the trigeminal nerve and causes a stabbing or electrical shock like pain in the face. There is no specific cause for this condition. Pain is usually only on one side of the face, often around the eye, cheek, and lower part of the face. Trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by everyday activities like talking, eating, chewing and brushing teeth.  The pain may last from a few seconds to approximately 2 minutes each time.

Post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of herpes zoster (Shingles). The incidence of PHN following shingles increases with age. It is estimated approximately 20% of people will experience PHN after the initial rash has cleared.  The type of pain felt may be described as burning, stabbing, shooting or throbbing. The area affected may also be itchy. Allodynia may be present which means pain being produced from cold, heat or light touch which isn’t considered painful normally. Pain can be excruciating and interfere with daily life and sleep. Symptoms may be present for few months, years or even a lifetime. 

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease describes a range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat within liver cells. It is very common and in many cases is linked to being obese or overweight. Most people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease do not develop serious liver problems. In some people the build-up of fat in the liver can lead to serious liver problems. However, all people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke. If you are obese or overweight, a main treatment advised for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is usually gradual weight loss and regular exercise. This not only helps with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease but will help reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

Osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease) is a disease which affects the joints in the body. The joint surface is damaged and the surrounding bone grows thicker. 'Osteo' means bone and 'arthritis' means joint damage and swelling (inflammation). When joints are swollen and damaged they can be painful. They can also be stiff so difficult to move. Osteoarthritis is more common among women and people aged over 40. It's a major cause of disability and reduction in quality of life in the UK.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic long term condition that causes pain all over the body.  It is estimated approximately 1.76 million people in the UK are living with the condition. FM is known to affect more women than men.  People with FM account for a large proportion of rheumatology outpatient visits and Fibromyalgia is the 2^nd or 3^rd most common diagnosis made by British rheumatologists.

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes, in which nerves are damaged as a result of high blood sugar levels. There is evidence that neuropathy may be found in up to 50% of people with diabetes. Typically nerve damage is seen in feet, toes, legs, hands, and arms. People with diabetes commonly develop temporary or permanent damage to nerve tissue.  Nerve injuries are caused by decreased blood flow and high blood sugar levels, and are more likely to develop if blood sugar levels are not well controlled. Some people with diabetes will not develop nerve damage, while others may develop this condition early. On average, symptoms begin 10 to 20 years after the diabetes diagnosis. Symptoms may include: numbness, tingling, sharp, burning or pricking sensations. These symptoms are often worse at night.

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person may have high blood sugar levels due to the body not producing enough insulin or cells not responding to the insulin that is produced. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1: which arises from the body’s failure to produce insulin and requires the person to inject insulin. Type 2: results from insulin resistance, cells fail to use insulin appropriately and can be combined with insulin deficiency.

According to Diabetes UK (2010) the prevalence of diabetes in the UK is at 4.26%.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that currently cannot be cured. Diabetes without adequate treatments can lead to major long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, retinopathy and neuropathy. Prompt treatment of diabetes is therefore very crucial as well as blood pressure control and maintaining healthy weight.