Bring in the bell peppers!
Environmental Nutrition Bell peppers, which are often mistakenly referred to as vegetables, are nutritious fruits with great health benefits. The folklore Thousands of years before Peter Piper picked the peck of pickled peppers, they were cultivated in South and Central America. Peppers were long known by their Spanish name, pimiento, but when Columbus brought them […]
Reasons for developing allergies later in life not always clear
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I didn’t have allergies when I was younger. But now in my 40s, I seem to get allergy symptoms during the spring and summer. Is it possible to develop allergies as an adult? Should I get tested? If so, what do allergy tests involve? ANSWER: You can develop allergies […]
Pool safety can save your child
The Kid’s Doctor Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4, and the second leading cause of unintentional death for children under the age of 14. Tragically, more than 390 children die each year in their own backyard pools. Let’s make sure your children are safe this […]
Financial planning for special-needs children
Jessica and Nathan Pugh’s 5-year-old son, Lachlan, has a rare brain malformation that affects his motor skills, but that doesn’t seem to slow him down much. Lachlan enjoys zipping around in his motorized wheelchair, and he is content to spend hours in the toy aisle at Target. “He’s a very stable, happy and super fun […]
Pericardial constriction can have significant effect on kidneys
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes pericardial constriction, and why does it make me swollen? Is there anything I can do to limit the swelling? ANSWER: Pericardial constriction is a condition with a variety of possible causes, including underlying medical conditions and may even result from certain medical treatments. Swelling, or edema, is […]
Don’t fall for ‘teatoxing’
Environmental Nutrition Q: Are there any benefits to teatoxing? A: Of all nutrition misinformation, the idea that one can “detox” to lose weight and get healthy is among the most popular and potentially most harmful. Proponents claim that you can “flush your system” by drinking special concoctions. Teatoxing, a hybrid of “tea” and “detox,” adds […]
Dust mite busters for better asthma control
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: My son was recently diagnosed with asthma. I am trying to reduce his exposure to indoor triggers. What’s the best way to get rid of dust mites? A: In most homes, the largest population of dust mites is in the bedroom, especially in mattresses, pillows and carpeting. […]
Novel treatments for unexplained persistent coughing
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I cannot get rid of this cough. I don’t smoke. My lung tests and chest X-ray are normal. I tried inhalers, acid blockers and nasal decongestants without any improvement. What else can I do? A: Based on your question, your doctor has considered the most common causes […]
Late-term births may offer future cognitive benefits
When mothers deliver later, babies are more likely to have physical problems, but they also are likely to have cognitive benefits down the road, suggests provocative new Northwestern University research published in JAMA Pediatrics. It is well known that continuing a pregnancy beyond 40 weeks can increase the risk of physical disabilities for the child, […]
Six ways to lower your risk for colon cancer
Colon cancer is one of the more common cancers in the U.S. About 1 in 20 Americans will develop colon cancer at some point during their lifetime. But there are things you can do to help lower your risk. Here are six ways to help protect your colon health. 1. Get screened for colon cancer. […]
Doctors shouldn’t routinely recommend e-cigarettes to smokers
The health benefits of quitting smoking are widely accepted, but researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have taken issue with the suggestion that doctors should routinely recommend e-cigarettes as an alternative to cigarettes for their patients who smoke. The researchers point out in a commentary published in the Annals of Family […]
New options for seniors to get care at home
As Americans age and the need for long-term care grows, the options for providing it continue to evolve. An increasingly available choice: “continuing care at home” programs for seniors who want to stay in their own homes. These programs typically charge an up-front fee and monthly fees to cover in-home assistance you need with dressing, […]
Five things you need to know about multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can happen to just about anyone. The central nervous system disorder affects your brain and spinal cord. But it spares the nerves and muscles that lead away from the spinal cord. About 400,000 people in the United States have MS. MS is a long-term illness. Infection-fighting white blood cells enter the nervous […]
Treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea
When the doctor says you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you’ll likely hear about the gold standard in treatment: continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which uses forced air, pushed through a tube connected to a face mask, to keep your airway unblocked. Yet many people have trouble adjusting to a bulky CPAP mask. “We often […]
Osteoarthrosis can’t be reversed, but symptoms can be effectively managed
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My mother, 70, has osteoarthritis and was prescribed medication to help with the pain. What else can she do to keep it from worsening? Is physical therapy an option? ANSWER: Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that slowly gets worse over time. Although the process of osteoarthritis can’t be reversed, […]
Avoid this common hazard of being in the hospital
Harvard Health Blog My mother was lucid and alert when she was hospitalized for pneumonia. But by the middle of the first night, she was wondering how she had ended up at a “hotel” that allowed strangers to enter her room at all hours. The second night, she wandered into the corridor, slipped, and fractured […]
Treatment is crucial for women with postpartum depression
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes postpartum depression, and is it possible to have it immediately after giving birth? Are some women more likely to have postpartum depression than others, and at what point does it require treatment? My sister does not seem like herself after having her baby a month ago, but […]
Self-care steps usually relieve discomfort from painful hemorrhoids
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Every few months, I develop hemorrhoids that are quite painful, but, after a few days, they seem to go away on their own. Is there a way to avoid getting them altogether? Do I need to see my doctor the next time the hemorrhoids return? ANSWER: Hemorrhoids are quite […]
What causes a finger to turn white?
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: Over the past few months, one or two of my fingers will sometimes turn white and feel cool to the touch. The color comes back within a few minutes unless I am outside in colder weather. What might cause this? A: The most likely explanation is Raynaud’s […]
Starting a high-fiber diet
Do you get enough fiber in your diet? The Institute of Medicine recommends that women aged 19 to 50 get 25 grams of fiber a day and that men aged 19 to 50 get 38 grams. Those numbers are based on research linking that amount with a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes. “Because […]
The truth behind standing desks
Harvard Health Letter Are you reading this while standing at your desk? There’s a good chance that you are — standing desks are all the rage. These desks allow you to work at your “desk job” while standing rather than sitting in a chair. They can be custom built (for thousands of dollars) or you […]
Can aspirin protect against cancer?
Harvard Health Blog The other day, a fit 50-year-old man came to me for a visit to review his health. As we discussed his (generally good) efforts to take care of himself, he said, “I’ve been wondering if I should take an aspirin every day. I read somewhere that it can prevent cancer.” As a […]
Many ways to lower cholesterol will reduce heart disease risk
Harvard Health Blog Several contemporary clinical trials have shown that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs reduce the risk of heart attacks in patients with coronary artery disease. This compelling body of evidence has led to the question of whether other drugs that lower cholesterol also reduce heart attacks. Older studies had certainly shown this, though these studies […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Seeking relief for morning foot pain
The Medicine Cabinet Q: Every morning when I get up my right foot hurts so much that I can hardly walk. In addition, I feel a burning and tingling sensation in my right foot and leg during the day. What could be causing this? A: You definitely need to seek medical evaluation. Your symptoms could […]
Teen smoking on the rise as e-cigarettes become readily available
The Kid’s Doctor E-cigarettes, which were a relatively obscure curiosity only a few years ago, are now available at not only “vape shops” but are also easy found at gas stations and pharmacies. The e-cigarette market has exploded. Unfortunately, with the increased availability, there has been a steady rise in adolescent e-cigarette use (vaping). The […]
What you should know about Medigap pricing
Q: I turned 65 a few years ago while living in Florida. My wife and I are about to move to Delaware, and the insurer says I can keep my policy. (My wife turns 65 next year.) Do the pricing rules for Medigap policies vary by state? And will the premiums change for the policy […]
Can your coffee habit help you live longer?
Harvard Health Blog Whether they take it hot or cold, black or “regular,” many people say they can’t live without coffee. The dark, seductive beverage has become a staple in the American diet. But when did we become so obsessed with coffee, and is our obsession, in fact, bad for us? Researchers have some eye-opening […]
Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Related, But Not the Same
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My mother is in her 70s and was just diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Is this just another name for diabetes? What will she need for treatment? ANSWER: Metabolic syndrome and diabetes are not the same, but the two are related. When a person is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, it […]
Eating for Diverticulosis
Environmental Nutrition By Marsha McCulloch, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Your odds of diverticulosis increase with age — it affects more than 60 percent of people over age 70. In this condition, small pouches called diverticula form in weak spots in the wall of the large intestine (colon). Why this happens is unclear, but it’s […]
Should You Swaddle Your Baby?
By Claire McCarthy, M.D. Harvard Health Blog When I was in medical school, the nurses in the newborn nursery taught me how to swaddle babies. They taught me how to lay the blanket down and how to tuck the edges around the baby so that he became a little “papoose.” Sometimes it worked like absolute […]
Plan ahead to cover retiree health care costs
By Susan B. Garland, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report When you draw up a retirement-spending budget, you’re likely to account for utilities, car insurance and lawn care. But have you given the cost of health care a hard look–or are the numbers too scary to contemplate? One of the most important moves pre-retirees can make is to […]
Get Started on Mindfulness Meditation Today
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I have been hearing a lot more about mindfulness recently. Given my hectic life, it sounds like I might benefit. But I am not sure how to start. Any suggestions? A: Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present […]
Four good foods to eat full-fat
By Lisa D’Agrosa, M.S., R.D. If you lived through the relatively long era when fat was considered the enemy, you may have been surprised by recent research suggesting that fat — and even saturated fat — plays an important role in our diets. With 9 calories per gram versus the 4 calories per gram found […]
Zika, Pregnancy and Microcephaly: What You Need to Know
By Alicia Rohan www.awellnessupdate.com As concerns about the Zika virus rise among women of childbearing age in the United States, Joseph Biggio, M.D., director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, wants those who are pregnant or trying to conceive to take precautions. Risks and recommendations The greatest risk for Zika […]
Untreated RLS can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Once or twice a week my legs feel “jumpy,” to the point that I can’t fall asleep. Is this normal, or could it be restless legs syndrome? Does having restless legs syndrome usually mean that something else is wrong? ANSWER: If the sensation in your legs is making it hard for you […]
Low blood sugar a concern for patients with diabetes
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have type 2 diabetes and take medication for it. How concerned should I be about my blood sugar getting too low? ANSWER: Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) results from too much insulin and too little sugar (glucose) in your blood. In adults, it usually occurs in people with diabetes […]
How being male or female can affect your health
Source: NIH News in Health Are you male or female? The answer to this seemingly simple question can have a major impact on your health. While both sexes are similar in many ways, researchers have found that sex and social factors can make a difference when it comes to your risk for disease, how well […]
Rate of progression of Parkinson’s disease hard to predict
Ryan Uitti, M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My father is 64 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s last year. So far his symptoms are very mild, but I’m wondering what the typical progression of the disease is like. I have read that deep brain stimulation is sometimes recommended. When is this type […]
Dietary guidelines sent the wrong message about flossing
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Robert Shmerling, M.D. Q: I recently read that flossing may not be necessary. I have never met a dentist that said I don’t need to do it. What’s your medical opinion? A: What you read was misleading! Here’s what was in the news about flossing over the […]
How stress affects seniors and how to manage it
Harvard Health Letters We all experience a little stress from time to time. It’s not so hard to handle when we’re young. But as we age, coping with stress isn’t as easy anymore. “We tend to have less resilience to stress, and older adults often find that stress affects them differently now,” says Michelle Dossett, […]
What you need to know about Zika virus
By John Ross, M.D. Last week, the government of El Salvador gave what might be the strangest public health advice of all time: don’t get pregnant for the next two years. Officials in Colombia, Ecuador and Jamaica have also warned women to avoid pregnancy, although only for the next several months. The reason for these […]
Turn away from neck pain
Harvard Health Letters Neck pain is a nagging ailment that affects everyone at some time. In fact, approximately 80 percent of people experience neck pain during their lifetime, and 20 percent to 50 percent deal with it annually, according to Frank Pedlow, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Besides the obvious […]
Find hospitals that score high before you check in
By Eleanor Laise, Kiplinger Retirement Report Choosing a good hospital shouldn’t seem all that difficult. If you’re facing surgery or another procedure, you can seek the advice of your doctor, family and friends. But consumers who want to dig deeper — delving into hospitals’ quality, safety and affordability — can quickly become confused and concerned. […]
Putting nitrates into perspective
By Densie Webb, Ph.D., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Nitrates in processed meats such as bacon, ham, deli meats, sausages and beef jerky have been scrutinized and vilified since the 1970s. Nitrates (in the form of sodium nitrate) are added to most processed meats to “cure” or preserve them, giving them their characteristic color and taste, […]
Coronary bypass surgery unlikely to cause cognitive decline
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: My cardiologist recommended coronary artery bypass surgery because I have three blocked heart arteries and a weak left ventricle. I’m worried about decreased blood flow to the brain during surgery and loss of brain power. What’s the risk of cognitive decline after this […]
Your blood work, on the edge of normal
Harvard Health Letters As a smart medical consumer, you know it’s important to look over the results of your routine blood work, even when the numbers are all within the normal range. But what if you notice that some results are at the high or low end of that range? Should you be concerned about […]
HIV still growing, even when undetectable in the blood
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine A team of international researchers led by Northwestern University found that HIV is still replicating in lymphoid tissue, even when it is undetectable in the blood of patients on antiretroviral drugs. The findings provide a critical new perspective on how HIV persists in the body despite potent antiretroviral therapy. […]
ADHD medication for kids: Is it safe? Does it help?
By Ellen Braaten, Ph.D. Harvard Health Blog Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with prevalence rates around 3 percent to 4 percent. Medication is frequently used to treat the symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that are associated with the disorder. It’s a developmental disorder, meaning that […]
Accidental acetaminophen overdose is common
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: A friend was recently hospitalized with liver damage. The doctors told her it was caused by the acetaminophen in the over-the-counter medicines she was taking for back pain. I always thought of Tylenol as a safe drug. Now I am scared to use […]
Childless seniors need to build a safety net
By Susan B. Garland, Kiplinger Retirement Report Childless and divorced, Linda Wiesman, 67, is apprehensive about her future. With two knee replacements, the retired accountant is having trouble negotiating the stairs in her three-story townhouse in Gaithersburg, Md. Wiesman says she and several friends who live in different cities have “seriously thought of communal living” […]
