Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will …

Heterochromia is the term used to describe a difference in a person’s eye color. Someone with central heterochromia has different colors within the same eye. Complete heterochromia is when they have two different colored eyes. Heterochromia of the eye is caused by variations in the concentration and distribution of melanin, …

Arcus senilis appears as a white, gray, or blue ring or arc around the cornea of the eye. The condition is usually seen in older adults but can affect people of all ages, even appearing at birth. Arcus senilis is generally harmless, although it can sometimes be a sign of …

Many people think of cholesterol as something that should be as low as possible. After all, high cholesterol is a well-documented risk factor for heart disease. Tens of millions of Americans take cholesterol-lowering drugs or should be taking them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, …

The heart rate is one of our vital signs – it is the number of times a minute that our heart contracts or beats.1 Heart rate varies – we have a resting heart rate, which does exactly what it says on the tin: it is the rate at which our …

“Pulse” is one of the most well-known medical terms. It is symbolic of medicine and widely familiar as a measure of our heartbeat. But what is the pulse, why is it important, and what is the best way to find and measure the pulse? This article gives straightforward guidance. Contents …

A study led by researchers in Spain has suggested that skipping breakfast doubles the risk of “subclinical atherosclerosis.” Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits, along with cholesterol and other forms of cellular waste, build up inside the arteries. This reduces arterial elasticity, and, over time, it can lead to coronary heart disease, …

Using the right soap for psoriasis can prevent further irritation, help the patches heal more quickly, and possibly even treat psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes painful and unsightly patches. Psoriasis is also an autoimmune disease, which means that when the immune system becomes overactive, skin cells …

Packed full of antioxidants, chocolate is increasingly gaining a place among the circle of healthful foods. Some studies show that chocolate may protect the skin from damaging sunlight. However, not all researchers agree. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that a moderate amount of chocolate – especially dark chocolate …

A new study suggests that the use of statins may prevent the risk of a bloodstream infection with Staphylococcus aureus by almost a third. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is simultaneously part of our normal flora but that can also cause disease. In fact, S. aureus, which is also known as …