Recently, Ohio reported its first case the measles in more than two years. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, this is telling of the recent measles outbreak and is something to keep an eye on. Here, the women’s health author answers your most pressing question about the measles.

Q: What is the measles?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Measles is a viral infection. For healthy adults, it poses very few long-term issues. However, children and the elderly can get very sick or even die if they contract the measles. This condition usually shows up in the form of a highly noticeable rash coupled with painful muscles, fatigue, headache, diarrhea, and cold-like symptoms.

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An upset stomach can be caused by many different things. Marla Ahlgrimm lists pregnancy, a stomach bug, and food poisoning as three of the most common. The retired pharmacist explains that some people may find relief through non-pharmaceutical remedies.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, one of the quickest ways to settle and unsettled abdomen is to sip a glass of cold water. Ginger ale is another liquid that many physicians recommend, and especially for pregnant women or those who have an aversion to Pepto-Bismol. Ginger ale works because of compounds known as gingerols. Gingerols can relieve inflammation and help quell pain caused by gas. Further, ginger is soothing to the lining of the stomach.

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Honey has been used as a medicinal supplement for thousands of years. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are more than 300 different types of honey. Here, the retired pharmacist shares information on this sweet treat that can treat everything from cough to gastrointestinal disturbances.

Q: What is honey?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Honey is a byproduct of pollination, usually associated with honeybees. It is mostly natural sugar but also contains antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals such as zinc and iron.

Q: How is honey used?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Many people use honey as a sweetener for teas and confections. However, ancient healers used honey to treat cardiovascular disease, cough, and burns. There is an astounding amount of evidence in modern medical text that suggests that honey is effective for these and other conditions. It is important to note that since honey is a natural product, and there are no manufacturing processes that can replicate it accurately, that honey from one location may prove more effective than honey from another.

Q: Does honey treat coughs?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Citrus honey and eucalyptus honey are fairly reliable cough suppressants. Warm tea with honey and lemon can ease the discomfort of upper respiratory issues.

Q: What are some other medicinal applications for honey?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Ancient healers believed that honey could treat diseases of the heart. Modern science seems to support this theory. Honey, which contains antioxidants, may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in people who are at high risk of heart attack. Further, many studies suggest that honey has an antidepressant effect, and may lower anxiety in people with neurological dysfunction. It may also be used to heal burns and other skin wounds. A spoonful of honey can also quell stomach upset in many cases.

Marla Ahlgrimm describes anxiety as a feeling of nervousness, fear, worry, or unease.  Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life and occurs when you are having issues at home, at work, or in your relationships. Feeling anxious is one way that your mind helps you cope with stress. However, sometimes, people feel anxious all the time or in situations that do not warrant a strong emotional response. These people are said to have an anxiety disorder.

For someone with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and, over time, can become debilitating.  In the United States, approximately 40 million adults over the age of 18 are affected, says Marla Ahlgrimm.

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According to Marla Ahlgrimm, approximately 23 percent — roughly one in four adults — are affected by varicose veins. The majority of these are women.

Varicose veins are enlarged and swollen veins that usually occur on the feet and legs. They may be twisting or bulging and are sometimes lumpy. Varicose veins are often blue or dark purple in appearance, and are caused by interior valves that are weakened or damaged, Marla Ahlgrimm explains. These damaged valves fail to prevent blood from flowing backwards. This results in blood pooling in the vein, which causes it to become enlarged and swollen.

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It’s easy to think that the eyes are separate from the rest of the body. After all, they move independently and require the care of a specially-trained doctor. However, as Marla Ahlgrimm explains, hormones can affect the eyes. Sudden vision changes may be a sign of a hormone imbalance.

Q: When do people typically experience vision-related changes associated with hormone fluctuation?

Marla Ahlgrimm: It is not uncommon for people entering puberty to become nearsighted. This is because the body is utilizing hormones to grow, and grow rapidly. This uptick in size is most evident in height and muscle mass, but the eyes are growing, too. After the teen years, when hormones begin to balance, vision typically stabilizes. Most pediatricians recommend a full evaluation by a qualified optometrist yearly during and after adolescence.

Q: Does birth control affect vision?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Any substance you put into the body that affects hormones can change your vision. This applies to birth control, but also anti-anxiety medicines, antidepressants, and antihistamines. Further, women who are pregnant may experience hormone changes that can trigger dry or watery eyes. This could make it difficult to wear contact lenses until after giving birth.

Q: Are hormones responsible for age-related vision loss?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Partly, yes. Many people mistakenly believe that the eyes “wear down” with age. This is not necessarily the case. Hormones, or a lack thereof, such as during menopause or when a man has low testosterone levels, can also trigger a decline in vision.

Q: Are vision changes normal?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Yes. When your hormones change, other parts of the body will follow suit. However, I would certainly suggest speaking with your doctor if you notice sudden changes, especially if they hinder your ability to see even with corrective lenses.