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Unprocessed raw honey, especially from a single floral source, may improve blood sugar control and cholesterol levels, according to a new study published in Nutrition Reviews. Key Takeaways Raw, unprocessed honey from a single floral source may improve blood sugar control and cholesterol levels, according to a new meta-analysis. However, the FDA doesn’t require honey manufacturers to include floral sources on labels and doesn’t regulate the phrase “raw honey.” Although honey is about 80% sugar, consuming around 2 tablespoons of raw honey per day may reduce blood sugar and LDL—the “bad” cholesterol....

Subjective cognitive impairment is a self-observed decline in thinking processes, such as memory. It’s subjective because others may not have observed any difficulty and you may score very well on cognitive tests designed to screen for dementia; however, you feel that there is a decline. For example, you may notice that your memory is not as good as it used to be, or that it’s more difficult to recall the right word you want to use to describe something....

Tachycardia is the name used to describe a rapid heart rate. Officially, any heart rate that is faster than 100 beats per minute is deemed to be tachycardia—whether or not the tachycardia is considered to be normal or not. Sinus Tachycardia Normally, the heart rhythm is controlled by the sinus node, a tiny structure in the upper-right chamber (atrium) that generates the heart’s electrical signal. The more rapidly the sinus node fires off electrical signals, the faster the heart rate....

A breastfeeding mother needs to be mindful of anything she uses that could pass through her milk to her baby, and it’s natural to wonder if that means thyroid medications, too. While the only way to be certain about the safety of taking any medication while nursing is to discuss it with your healthcare provider, it’s generally considered that drugs used to treat hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are OK to take when used as directed—which may involve some modification to your current regimen....

As easy as it might seem, swallowing is actually one of the most complicated actions carried out by our bodies. This seemingly simple and automatic action involves a series of actions that must occur in a precisely orchestrated three-part sequence, involving multiple areas of the nervous system. There are voluntary, or deliberate, actions involved in swallowing, as well as involuntary or reflexive actions involved in swallowing. The three phases of swallowing are described below:...

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), previously called myeloproliferative disorders, are a group of disorders characterized by the overproduction of one or more blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and/or platelets). Although you may associate the word neoplasm with cancer, it is not that clear cut. Neoplasm is defined as an abnormal growth of tissue caused by a mutation and can be classified as benign (noncancerous), pre-cancerous, or cancerous (malignant). At diagnosis, most myeloproliferative neoplasms are benign but over time may evolve into a malignant (cancerous) disease....

In human anatomy, a joint is the physical point of connection between two bones. For example, the knee joint is the point of connection between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). Joints contain a variety of fibrous connective tissue. Ligaments connect the bones to each other. Tendons connect muscle to bone. Cartilage covers the ends of bones and provides cushioning. Immovable and Slightly Movable Joints Fixed joints have no joint cavity, but the bones are connected by fibrous tissue (mostly collagen)....

Medicare beneficiaries spend a lot on prescription drugs. For instance, medications accounted for $100 billion (14%) of Medicare spending in 2017, which is more than double the $49 billion that was spent in 2007. With many senior citizens on fixed incomes, it is no wonder they are looking for ways to save. Unfortunately, the federal government doesn’t allow using drug coupons together with Medicare Part D. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use the coupons at all....

An annual flu shot offers you the best protection against the influenza virus and is recommended for most individuals 6 months and older. It is still possible for you to get sick after a flu shot, but this isn’t because of what’s in the shot. The flu vaccine is made from killed, or inactivated, viruses that can’t give you the flu. This article explores the reasons why you may get sick after the flu shot....

Waking up at the same time every day can help improve your sleep. Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep a night. If you struggle to get enough sleep—either due to insomnia or trying to fit too much into each day—a consistent sleep schedule can help. Chances are that your trouble sleeping didn’t fully develop overnight, so allow yourself the time you need to improve your sleep. The path to better sleep starts by learning how to wake up at the same time every day....

Calcium channel blockers (CCB) are a common class of medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Calcium is a mineral that is vital for heart muscle contraction and for regulating the tone of the muscles in the walls of the arteries. CCBs work by reducing the amount of calcium that flows into the heart muscle cells and the cell walls of the arteries. This relaxes the blood vessels to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure)....

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that causes an infection of the liver. It’s transmitted through contact with infected blood. Many people with HCV infections, whether they are acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), experience mild or no symptoms. It can take weeks to months between being exposed to the virus to experiencing any symptoms. This period is referred to as the incubation period. The incubation period for HCV is two to 12 weeks....

About 12% of American adults and 7% of American children have high cholesterol. Since high cholesterol has no symptoms, it can be hard to spot without blood work, but the risks are real: Having elevated levels of the wrong type of cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, and for stroke, the fifth most common cause of death. Despite the fact that most people have heard of cholesterol, there are still many cholesterol myths floating around....

True menstrual cramps are, of course, due to your period. While you may accurately determine that on your own, it can be helpful to see your healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis. Doing so is especially advised if your menstrual cramps remain unresolved after using self-help remedies for three months, your discomfort is interfering with daily life, or you other have significant symptoms. The questions your healthcare provider asks about your medical history and current symptoms, as well as the results of your physical examination and any additional testing, will help you get an accurate diagnosis....

Synovial sarcoma can grow for a long time before a person is aware that something is wrong. As a result, the approach to diagnosing this condition is made through a physical examination and various imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan or an X-ray. Doctors may also perform a biopsy, removing a sample of the tumor to be examined to determine if it contains cancerous cells. This article will detail the specific tests doctors use to effectively diagnose Synovial sarcoma....

Laryngitis is inflammation of the voice box, or larynx. It can cause you to become hoarse or lose your voice. Laryngitis can be contagious, depending on the cause. Continue reading to learn more about when laryngitis is contagious, along with information about symptoms and treatment. What Types of Laryngitis Are Contagious? If your laryngitis is caused by allergies, acid reflux, irritants like smoke, or overuse of your voice, it won’t be contagious....

In multiple sclerosis (MS), your immune system goes awry and attacks the protective coating (myelin sheath) that insulates nerve fibers within your brain, spinal cord, and eyes. This may cause a variety of symptoms, including numbness, weakness, and fatigue. Most people with MS experience a relapsing-remitting course in which they have relapses, or flare-ups, of new or worsening symptoms followed by periods of recovery, called remission. Even though MS cannot be cured, periods of remission can be lengthened by taking disease-modifying drugs....

Nipple thrush is a type of yeast infection of the breast. It most commonly occurs during breastfeeding, although in rare cases it can occur in other times of life. Like oral thrush and vaginal thrush, nipple thrush is usually treated with topical antifungal medication. Nipple Thrush Symptoms Symptoms of nipple thrush generally appear in the first six weeks after giving birth and include: This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing....

It’s normal to lose a little height in the second half of life. But significant height loss can signify a medical condition, often osteoporosis. In this article, you’ll learn how and why osteoporosis can cause height loss and what you can do about it. What Is Height Loss? People reach a maximum height during adulthood but eventually become a little shorter over time, resulting in height loss. For example, a man might be half an inch shorter at age 80 than at 35....

Phacoemulsification is a surgery used to restore vision in people with cataracts, or clouding of the eye’s lens. This type of cataract surgery uses ultrasonic waves to break the lens into tiny pieces, which are then suctioned out of the eye with a vacuum. The procedure is completed by replacing the damaged lens with an artificial one. This article discusses how phacoemulsification is performed, what to expect, and how long it takes to recover....