Five things parents should know about stomachaches
How can you tell if it’s a regular tummy ache or something serious? Here’s what you need to know. 1. “Stomach flu” isn’t really the flu. Gastroenteritis, which can bring on stomachaches in children, is typically caused by a virus. It usually includes diarrhea with or without vomiting and possibly a low grade fever. It […]
Quick tips for gluten-free eating
Going gluten-free can feel difficult — especially at first — but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of foods out there that are naturally free of gluten, but these tips will help you keep an eye out for foods with hidden sources of gluten, while providing a few ideas on snacks […]
Young adults need to take prehypertension seriously
Q: I checked my blood pressure at the local pharmacy. The reading was 129/84 and said I am at risk. I am only 24 and consider myself very healthy. Should I be worried? A: Young adults with even slightly above-normal blood pressure may be more likely to have heart problems later. So you do want […]
Help for varicose veins
Q: I have varicose veins that are becoming more prominent. What can I do to prevent them from getting worse? What are my options if I want to have them removed? A: Varicose veins — those dark blue or purple leg veins that bulge just beneath the skin’s surface — leave many sufferers feeling self-conscious. […]
Not So Sweet: Getting smart about sugar
Most of us are guilty of indulging in sugary foods and beverages over the holiday season. But with the new year, now is the time to get on track with your sugar intake. Knowing where to spot sugar is the first step. “The first thing that everybody needs to figure out is where the sugar […]
When to get a second opinion
Getting a second opinion for a medical condition isn’t quite the same as cheating on your hairstylist. In fact, when it comes to complex or serious, life-threatening conditions, most doctors encourage second opinions. “If you don’t have complete trust in your physician, or you have reason to believe that all options have not been presented, […]
Five can’t-miss signs that your child is lactose intolerant
In order to pinpoint if your child is lactose intolerant, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this digestive problem. Children who are lactose-intolerant don’t produce enough lactase: a natural enzyme that digests, or breaks down, lactose. Parents often confuse lactose intolerance with milk allergy, and although the two have similar […]
The health advantages of marriage
“My wife and I were happy for 20 years. Then we met.” That’s just one of many Rodney Dangerfield jokes that don’t exactly paint a rosy picture of marriage. But, according to a new study, being married might just save your life. OK, that might be an overstatement. But there is fascinating — and […]
New evidence supports breakfast skippers
Q: I grew up with the mantra “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But in recent years, I just have coffee as I rush out the door. Am I damaging my health by skipping breakfast? A: I must confess: I do the same thing. But both of us can share some comfort […]
Keeping the human connection in medicine
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a thoughtful essay by David Rosenthal and Abraham Verghese on the many changes in how doctors are trained and how they practice medicine. Efforts to improve efficiency and accuracy — including the introduction of electronic medical records — offer benefits, and pose some complicated problems. Doctors need […]
6 ways to find a fitness buddy
Like many other activities, exercising is generally more fun when done with a friend. And a study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine suggests that exercising with a partner improves weight-loss results, too. Whether you’re trying to shed a few pounds or simply want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, here are some […]
Dealing with a baby’s first cold
With the “sick season” upon us, I’m starting to see more babies with cold symptoms and their concerned parents are wondering what then can do to help their precious bundle of joy. In pediatrics, we often say “children are not little adults” but in the case of the common cold, they really are. They have […]
Pickle your produce for taste, your health
Pickling is more popular than ever, and for good reason. This traditional food preservation method is a fun way to extend the harvest and promote good health. Pickling has a long history in many cuisines, and with time and attention you can create a safe product that’s healthier and more delicious than anything you can […]
Relieve the knee pain due to ITB syndrome
Q: I developed pain along the outer surface of my knee. A friend says I probably have ITB syndrome. What does that mean? How is it treated? A: Short for iliotibial band syndrome, ITB syndrome refers to a common cause of knee pain. The iliotibial band is a tough fibrous (scar-like) tissue that extends […]
Heart risk similar for all NSAIDs other than aspirin
Q: I take ibuprofen almost every day for arthritis pain. I keep reading about warnings regarding a higher risk of heart problems in people that take these kinds of anti-inflammatory drugs. Should I be taking a different one? A: Despite new research, the answer is unclear. Like you, millions of people with aching joints and […]
Taming the pain of sciatica
For most people, time heals and less is more Despite being a less common cause of low back pain, sciatica is still something I regularly see as a general internist. Primary care doctors can and should manage sciatica, because for most individuals the body can fix the problem. My job is to help manage the […]
Many top selling sunscreens don’t offer adequate protection
About 40 percent of the top selling sunscreens on Amazon.com don’t meet the American Academy of Dermatology’s guidelines for sunscreens. This was largely due to a lack of water or sweat resistance, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study. The study also found consumers spend up to 3,000 percent more for products that provide […]
The difference between food intolerance and food allergy
Q: I react badly to milk products and thought I had a milk allergy. But my doctor said it was a type of food intolerance, not a true food allergy. What’s the difference? A: When you’re intolerant to a particular food, it’s often because your body lacks an enzyme needed to break down a […]
Study discusses a link between artificial sweeteners and brain risks
A: Sometimes it seems like people trying to choose a healthy diet and watch their weight can’t catch a break. Past studies have linked the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and obesity. So it’s easy to understand the appeal of diet soft drinks and other artificially sweetened beverages. If […]
Occasional skipped beats are common, rarely worrisome
Q: I have occasional skipped beats. It feels like my heart jumps when it happens. I exercise regularly and consider myself healthy. Does this mean I have a heart problem? A: Occasionally feeling your heart beat and having it skip is very common. It can be uncomfortable and cause worry that it may be […]
Chronic pain: The ‘invisible’ disability
Sometime back in 2010, a good friend of mine from college who had since become a pediatrician posted a complaint on Facebook about “made up” health conditions. “Fibromyalgia, I’m looking at you,” she wrote. At this time, pain was more of an occasional visitor in my body rather than the permanent tenant it has since […]
Foods to help relieve allergies
Achoo! Gesundheit! When you suffer from allergies, your body launches an immune response against an irritant — pollen, grass, mold — triggering itchy, watery eyes, congestion, a runny nose and general misery. Here are three foods to help keep the wheezing and sneezing under control, plus your allergy questions answered. Broccoli These little green trees […]
What is prediabetes and why does it matter?
Harvard Health Blog By Monique Tello, M.D., M.P.H. When I’m seeing a new patient, I am especially alert to certain pieces of their history. Do they have a strong family history of diabetes? Are they of Latino, Asian, Native-American or African-American ethnicity? Did they have diabetes in pregnancy? Are they overweight or obese? Do they […]
How sleep improves memory, performance
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I don’t think I get enough quality sleep. I keep reading about how you need sleep to improve learning and memory. Why does that make a difference? A: Scientists have long known that getting a good night’s sleep helps us learn and remember. […]
Abdominal hernias common, but not necessarily dangerous
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Six months ago I was diagnosed with a groin hernia. At the time, my doctor said that eventually I’ll need surgery, but it doesn’t bother me, so I have not been back. Is surgery always necessary, or do some hernias go away on their own? Is it dangerous to […]
Your guide to heart-healthy cooking oils
If you always reach for the same bottle of oil in the kitchen, it may be time to switch things up. Try any of these healthy oils, which are packed with good-for-you nutrients and offer a range of subtle flavors that can liven up salads, sides and stir-fries. Sesame Sesame oil has a rich sesame […]
High cholesterol can show up at an early age
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My grandson is 11 and already has high cholesterol. He does not eat a lot of junk food and plays many sports, but we do have high cholesterol in our family. Could this be hereditary, and, if so, is it common to show up in such a young person? […]
Plant defense against diabetes
Environmental Nutrition By Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.E. As if you need another reason to fill your plate with more plants! But new research suggests that diets rich in polyphenols, a large class of compounds found in foods of plant origin, may fend off type 2 diabetes, and help those who already have diabetes better […]
Hybrid insurance policies gaining steam
Consumers who are skeptical of traditional long-term-care insurance are snapping up “hybrid” policies combining life insurance with long-term-care benefits. But are these products really a better way to manage the risk of catastrophic long-term-care costs? Although they come in many flavors, the most popular hybrids attach a long-term-care rider to a whole or universal life […]
Commonly prescribed osteoporosis drugs aren’t for everyone
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: The bisphosphonate drugs I take for osteoporosis aren’t working in my case. My doctor has suggested a few alternatives. Any thoughts on what might be best? ANSWER: Oral bisphosphonate drugs — including alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel and Atelvia) and ibandronate (Boniva) — are the most commonly prescribed osteoporosis drugs. […]
How to eat all day to lose weight
A successful diet doesn’t mean starving yourself until you can’t stand it any longer, as that’s a surefire way to end up with a case of “the hangries” — when you’re so hungry that you get, well, angry. But what time you eat your meals may have just as much of an impact on your […]
Get cracking: Why you should eat more nuts
If you’re trying to eat a heart-friendly diet and avoid putting on weight, which snack makes more sense: a cup of pretzels or quarter-cup of mixed nuts? For about the same number of calories (between 160 and 170), the pretzels provide just over 1 gram of fat, while the peanuts have 14 grams of fat. […]
Misophonia: When sounds really do make you ‘crazy’
You hear your spouse breathing nearby and you instantly get angry. Your 6-year-old yawns and it triggers a fight-or-flight reaction in you. You avoid restaurants because you can’t stand the sound of chewing. Sounds other people don’t even seem to notice drive you up a wall. You might have misophonia. What is misophonia? People with […]
Feldenkrais Method Addresses Restricted Movement, Pain
The development of the Feldenkrais Method, an educational process created to make movement easier and more efficient, was inspired by an accident. When Russian-born Moshe Feldenkrais, a physicist and mechanical engineer with a black belt in judo, had a debilitating knee injury in the 1940s, he developed sequences of movements that allowed him to regain […]
Claims shaky for some ingredients in energy drinks
EatingWell By Karen Ansel, M.S., R.D. Buyer beware. Almost every energy drink has its own “energy blend” of proprietary ingredients. Furthermore, manufacturers aren’t required to tell you how much of each ingredient their product contains. Not knowing could hurt you. Watch out for: 1. Caffeine: In small quantities, caffeine may boost energy, alertness and athletic […]
Whole foods generally a better source of vitamins than supplements
Mayo Clinic Q&A By Brent Bauer, M.D. DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve read that the antioxidant vitamin E provides a lot of health benefits. Is taking a daily vitamin E supplement a good idea? Can it be harmful? ANSWER: The proposed benefits of vitamin E rest on its powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances believed to […]
Statin use doesn’t always mean a coenzyme Q10 supplement is needed
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have heard that taking coenzyme Q10 is good for people who take statins. There are so many commercials and ads about it. But is it really necessary to take this supplement? How do I know if I need it? And is liquid better than pill form? How much […]
Why is childhood diabetes on the rise?
The Kid’s Doctor By Sue Hubbard, M.D. Diabetes continues to be a growing problem among our nation’s children. Did you know that every year there are more than 25,000 children diagnosed with diabetes? To begin with there are two different types of childhood diabetes, type 1 and type 2; and while both cause an elevated […]
How much sodium do you need?
Your blood pressure shouldn’t be your only consideration when it comes to figuring out how much sodium you should be consuming. Here’s what to keep in mind: 1. Your age. Salt sensitivity, the likelihood that sodium will raise your blood pressure, increases with age. While slightly over a third of 45-year-olds have hypertension, that number […]
Finding the cause of peripheral neuropathy helps guide treatment
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I have persistent numbness and tingling in my feet. I think it might be peripheral neuropathy. It’s tolerable now, but I worry about it getting worse. What can I do? A: Peripheral neuropathy is nerve disease involving branches of nerves that are farthest away from their origins […]
Counseling before and after weight-loss surgery can be a big help
Mayo Clinic Q&A By Karen Grothe, Ph.D. DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I decided to have bariatric surgery, but was told that I first need to go through counseling. What will those sessions involve, and would counseling really improve my chances of the surgery being successful? ANSWER: Before you have weight-loss surgery, it’s important to understand what […]
Colorectal screening can save lives
Source: Parkland Hospital, Dallas Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death of the cancers that strike both men and women, but only 40 percent of the U.S. population is screened for the disease, even though early detection has proven to be an effective life-saver. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 93,000 new […]
Research hints at a nutritional strategy for reducing autism risk
Folic acid has long been touted as an important supplement for women of childbearing age for its ability to prevent defects in the baby’s developing brain and spinal cord. In fact, folic acid is considered so important that it is added as a supplement to breads, pastas, rice and cereals to help ensure that women […]
Strict, gluten-free diet important for anyone with celiac disease
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: If someone has been diagnosed with celiac disease but has never had any symptoms, would eating a gluten-free diet still be necessary? ANSWER: Following a strict gluten-free diet is important for anyone who has celiac disease, even if the disorder does not trigger any symptoms. Eating gluten when you […]
Travel abroad for low-cost care
By Miriam Cross, Kiplinger Personal Finance After an emergency-room visit in 2014 revealed a bleeding blood vessel in his brain, Terry Lane had a choice: He could take pills for the rest of his life in hopes that the seizures caused by the bleeding would cease, or he could have brain surgery to remove the […]
Five bad eating habits you should break
Feel like you’re doing everything right, yet still struggling to keep your weight in check? You might be falling prey to one or more of these diet-derailing habits that can sabotage your weight-loss efforts. Find out if any of these are trumping your best efforts and learn how to get back on track. 1. Bad […]
Vitamin D: What’s the ‘right’ level?
Harvard Health Blog By Monique Tello, M.D., M.P.H. Many of my patients who come into the office for their physical exams ask to have their vitamin D levels checked. They may have a family member with osteoporosis, or perhaps they have had bone thinning themselves. Mostly, they want to know that they’re doing everything they […]
4 easy tips to help you walk 10,000 steps every day
Walking is one of the easiest and best activities for losing weight and staying fit. To get the most benefit, some organizations recommend that you aim to take 10,000 steps per day. It’s certainly a great goal to strive for. This magic number of steps is the equivalent of moving almost five miles. When you […]
How to buy eggs: What do organic, cage-free and free-range labels mean?
Buying a simple carton of eggs, like a lot of things in life, has become more complicated. Do you want free-range? Cage-free? Brown? White? Speckled? Large, medium or small? Here’s how to understand what all those words on the carton mean so you can decide which matter. Organic Organic eggs are certified to have been […]
Brain MRI shows why meditation helps reduce pain
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: For years, I have needed narcotic medications to control my chronic pain. My doctor is trying to reduce my dose by asking me to practice meditation. Can this really help reduce my pain? A: Yes, meditation and other avenues to mindfulness can help decrease your use of […]