Dizzy? It might be low blood pressure
By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: Over the last couple months, I began getting dizzy. My blood pressure gets very low. If I don’t sit down right away, I pass out. My doctor thinks I have neurally mediated hypotension. What is this, and how is it treated? A: Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH) is a condition of […]
Looking For Autism
By Claire McCarthy, M.D. Autism isn’t exactly something parents want to find in their child, so it’s understandable that parents might feel uneasy about looking for it. But looking for autism is important — and something that has become part of routine pediatric care. Currently, one out of every 68 children has been diagnosed with […]
Diet pattern a strong defense against strokes
By Clare Tone, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter About 500,000 first-time strokes occur every year in the U.S. Since high blood pressure is the number one risk factor, it’s no surprise that managing high blood pressure through diet is a key focus. In October 2014 the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association released […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Trapped nerves can happen in many sites
By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: What is a trapped nerve? How does it happen? A: The term “trapped nerve” refers to a condition in which a nerve is compressed or pinched. This causes pain, numbness, weakness or other symptoms. There are many sites and causes of nerve compression. Here are some of the common ones: […]
Breast Cancer Statistics
Getting smart about dense breast tissue
Above image: four level breast density scale By Laura Drucker Chiqeeta Jameson woke up with a start one morning in 1998. “I have breast cancer,” the 41-year-old announced to her sleeping fiancé. “Are you talking about that lump on your right breast?” he asked, without opening his eyes. Jameson’s declaration “was just some instinctual thing,” […]
What Doctors Know: The leading cause of female infertility
By Bonnie Ward, UC San Diego Health As women, we’re used to hearing jokes about our fluctuating hormones causing problems. In fact, the expression “feeling hormonal” is commonly used (often in a tongue-in-cheek manner) to describe a woman in a particularly irritated mood. While most of us take such ribbing in stride, the truth is […]
It’s time for Medicare open enrollment
By Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger Retirement Report You may be feeling the post-summer blues, but don’t let the doldrums keep you from making money-saving Medicare moves. Although it’s easier just to keep your current Medicare Part D prescription-drug plan or your Medicare Advantage plan, it’s best to look at all the options for 2016 during open […]
Flu vaccination: Win some, lose some
If you got a flu shot last year and it didn’t work, don’t reject vaccination. During last year’s battle of The People vs. Influenza, the virus gained the upper hand. Early in the 2014-15 flu season, a new strain of the virus emerged against which the existing vaccine offered virtually no protection. Hospitalizations for flu […]
Additional tests advisable before deciding on treatment for hypothyroidism
By Marius N. Stan, M.D., Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic DEAR MAYO CLINIC: At my last checkup, the doctor told me I have borderline hypothyroidism and gave me a prescription for medication to treat it. She said she’d check my thyroid again in six months. Will I have to take this medicine for the rest of my […]
Snoring solutions help turn down the volume
Harvard Health Letters If your wife or sleep partner often seems bleary-eyed and resentful in the morning, you may be one of the millions of adults who snore habitually — a condition that affects twice as many men as women. Snoring occurs when your upper airways narrow too much, causing turbulent airflow. This, in turn, […]
Caffeine can boost exercise performance, but watch the dosage
By Howard LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School Q: A friend drinks a cup of coffee one hour before exercise. She claims it improves her performance. Is this true? A: Yes, assuming she drinks caffeinated coffee. A cup of decaf might make her think she’s exercising harder, but it’s the caffeine that boosts performance. Caffeine’s positive […]
Doctor-rating websites offer helpful but limited advice
By Julie Corliss, Harvard Health Letters If you’ve ever used the Internet to find a health care provider, chances are you’ve run across doctor-rating sites like Healthgrades.com or RateMDs.com. In addition, websites that offer reviews of everything from restaurants to repairmen (such as Yelp and Angie’s List) also feature critiques of doctors, dentists, and other […]
Gum disease more dangerous than you might think
Harvard Health Letters People with gum disease–which begins when the sticky, bacteria-laden film known as plaque builds up around your teeth–are almost twice as likely to have heart disease as those without it. The reasons behind this link aren’t completely clear. One possibility is that people without access to good dental care may also lack […]
Probiotic supplements boost gut-friendly microbes
By Marcia McCulloch, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Your gut is home to trillions of friendly microbes, which are primarily bacteria, but also include some yeasts, which support health. You acquire these probiotics naturally, at birth, but many factors can affect the composition and number of your gut microbes over time, such as diet, antibiotic […]
EatingWell: Everyday activities can help you keep fit and stay active
By EatingWell editors, EatingWell.com In a review that appeared recently in the International Journal of Obesity, a group of scientists suggested that Americans spend too much time talking about how our toxic food environment and couch potato ways are making us fat. Perhaps there are other reasons we’re plumping up, the experts proposed. Among their […]
Got Milk (Intolerance)?
By David Himmel, with reporting from Brett Dworski My mother tells me she never liked mint chocolate chip ice cream until she became pregnant with me. Since I was born, she hasn’t touched the stuff. But this isn’t about my mom. This is about me and how much I love ice cream. I love milk, […]
Learn how to combat medical ID theft
By Lisa Gerstner, Kiplinger Personal Finance The problem: A crook uses health insurance information to get medical care and prescription drugs in your name. Scare factor Medical ID theft is hazardous not only to your finances — in the form of big bills and depleted insurance benefits — but also to your health. Mixed information […]
Not all processed foods are unhealthy
Harvard Health Letters Nutrition gurus often urge us to spurn processed foods in favor of whole ones. But not all processed foods are necessarily bad. “Most food needs to go through some sort of processing for it to even be edible and digestible,” says Stacey Nelson, a registered dietitian and manager of clinical nutrition at […]
‘Tech Neck’ yet another hazard of the electronic age
Source: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health whatdoctorsknow.com When Mom nagged you to “sit up straight,” she likely had no idea how important that advice would become, thanks to our reliance on smartphones and tablets. One study suggests that the average person spends 2-4 hours every day on electronic devices. That’s thousands […]
Some diet changes seem to reduce risk of ovarian, other cancers
By Karen Collins, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., F.A.N.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter More than 21,000 U.S. women may expect a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2015, making it the fifth most common cause of cancer death among women. Ovarian cancer often has no symptoms at early stages, so the disease is generally advanced when diagnosed, with only […]
If more people learned CPR, more lives could be saved
By Daniel Pendick Harvard Health Blog Cardiac arrest is the ultimate 911 emergency. The heart stops sending blood to the body and brain, either because it’s beating too fast and too erratically, or because it’s stopped beating altogether. Oxygen-starved brain cells start to die. Death occurs in minutes — unless a bystander takes matters into […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Magic words offer picky eaters food for thought
By Sue Hubbard, M.D., www.kidsdr.com I’m trying to clean up my desk, and I’ve been looking through stacks of pediatric articles I felt were really interesting. One by Dr. Barbara Howard entitled “Three Magic Words Offer Food for Thought” made a wonderful point regarding family meals and eating habits. She states that one of the […]
Don’t let their small size fool you: Seeds are nutritional giants
By Matthew Kadey, M.Sc., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Seeds are proof that Mother Nature works in remarkable ways. The bearers of life from the ground up, seeds contain all the makings for an entire plant. And in turn, these little powerhouses are packed with nutritional treasures. “As a group, seeds offer healthy doses of fiber, […]
EatingWell: Is your workout making you gain weight?
By Lisa D’Agrosa, M.S., R.D., EatingWell.com I love the pumped-up energy I have after a good workout. Plus, I feel stronger — I am this close to being able to do a real pull-up. But if we’re being honest, I also love the way exercising helps my body look. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes […]
Videos can help you make end-of-life care choices
By Christopher J. Gearon, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report Physicians are often uncomfortable discussing end-of-life care options with terminally ill patients. Even when doctors raise the issue, they may gloss over the details. With little knowledge of their choices, patients often agree to aggressive treatment even when there’s no hope of survival. A series of new videos […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Teens and headaches seem to go together
By Sue Hubbard, M.D., www.kidsdr.com A recent study revealed that about 1 percent to 2 percent of adolescents have chronic daily headaches, defined as more than 15 headache days per month for greater than three months. When school begins, teens’ stress levels increase with each week of classes, and with that come more complaints of […]
EatingWell: Should you worry about arsenic in rice?
By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D., EatingWell.com The concern started in 2012 when Consumer Reports published its first report on arsenic in rice. Since then, it’s been making us think twice about too much risotto and sushi rolls. Arsenic is a natural element in water and soil. (It also comes from environmental contaminants.) And while many […]
EatingWell: Check out 5 foods for stress relief
By Holly Pevzner EatingWell.com While we may feel better in the short-term after that hot-fudge brownie sundae, healthy foods are better choices when you’re feeling stressed out. Stress can take a toll on your body’s natural defenses, but eating these foods can offer relief: 1. Nuts. Stress depletes our B vitamin stores, and snacking on […]
Driving Distractions by the Numbers
Car Safety for Road-Warrior Parents
By Morgan Lord Whether you’re off on a road trip or running errands on crowded city streets, keep your child safe by having the correct car seat in your vehicle, buying safe car seat accessories and keeping your attention focused on the road. Having a car seat is the law—all 50 states require child safety […]
Sleuthing Out Cancer
Above photo: Carey August, MD Out of the spotlight, pathologists help detect disease By Nancy Maes When former President Jimmy Carter announced in August that a mass on his liver was a stage IV melanoma, along with four spots on his brain, the diagnosis seemed surprising since melanoma is usually associated with the skin. Knowing the […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Rashes from poison ivy, oak and sumac reaching their summer peak
By Sue Hubbard, M.D. www.kidsdr.com Here at the height of summer, with everyone spending more time outside, I’m seeing a rising wave of patients with contact dermatitis (rashes) after coming into contact with poisonous plants. While allergies are slowing down a bit with the hotter weather, hikers, campers and kids just playing in the yard […]
Lingonberries, anyone? New Nordic Diet pairs seasonal fresh foods, exercise
By Carol Berg Sloan R.D.N., F.A.N.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter You may soon be adding herring, rutabaga and lingonberries to your shopping list, thanks to recent findings and the emerging popularity of the New Nordic Diet. This dietary pattern is based on the traditional, regional foods–fish, game, berries, whole grains, and root vegetables–of Scandinavian countries, which […]
Use sunglasses for vision protection starting at a young age
By Heidi Godman Harvard Health Blog When kids pack for summer camp or other time outdoors, sunglasses aren’t always at the top of the supply list. I made them a priority for my 12-year-old son, Carson, as he prepared to start rowing camp in Florida, for two reasons: 1. Our eyes are most vulnerable to […]
Yoga offers a wide range of health benefits
Harvard Health Letters Yoga is an ancient practice that combines physical activity, breathing, and focused mental attention. A growing body of research shows that yoga offers a range of health benefits, including a low-impact cardiovascular workout. “It packs a powerful punch,” says Maren Nyer, an instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School and director of […]
Heroin Statistics
Statistics proving heroin deaths are on the rise
Sun Sense
Dermatologists say chemicals in sunscreen not a risk By Laura Drucker I was walking along the lakefront with a friend this summer when I realized with horror that I had forgotten to apply sunscreen that day. Living in Miami for two years taught me that my skin changes to a hot-dog red rather than a […]
Water Safety Tips for Kids Help Prevent Drownings
By Nancy Maes You might think you know the signs of drowning: a kid frantically waving his arms high in the air and screaming for help over and over again. But in reality, the signs of distress are much more subtle. “People who are drowning very rarely call out for help. If they do, it’s […]
Letter from the Publisher
“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?”—Henry David Thoreau This past winter I attended a weekend seminar entitled, “Dying to Know” at Fourth Presbyterian Church’s Replogle Center (reploglecenter.org)—a seminar that inspired me to begin deeply considering matters of end-of-life care (Heidi Lading Kiec writes […]
Critical Questions to Ask Your Pain Specialist
The following questions and answers were provided by John V. Prunskis, MD, FIPP, medical director at the Illinois Pain Institute and the Barrington Pain and Spine Institute. Q: What kind of training do you have? A: Successful pain management requires that your physician possess sophisticated medical decision-making abilities and expertise with numerous injections and other medical […]
Critical Questions: GERD
The following questions and answers were provided by Mitchell Bernsen, MD, managing partner at Illinois Gastroenterology Group, a member of Health Plus Physicians Organization. Q: My chest burns sometimes after I eat or go to sleep. Why does this happen? A: Acid reflux is caused by the reflux of digestive enzymes from the stomach […]
Critical Questions: Prostate Cancer
The following questions and answers were provided by Rajat Malhotra, MD, Medical Oncology/Hematology at Illinois Cancer Specialists in Arlington Heights. 1. What determines the stage of my disease? The stage is typically determined after a biopsy reveals prostate cancer. Certain characteristics about a prostate cancer will require some patients to have testing to learn […]
The Danger of a Routine
The Danger of a Routine By Anthony Bonazzo When it comes to fitness, you often hear, “Well, it’s better to be doing something than nothing!” As a personal trainer, that makes me cringe. It’s like trying to learn a new language but only learning enough to say, “hello” and “goodbye,” and then every day, you only practiced […]
Health Mastery
Pain: A Love Message from the Body of You Dear Self: I would like to address your so-misunderstood and overlooked sensation of pain. Before I do, though, I’d like to clarify who I am. I am not just (as in only) a body, such as those hollow, plastic ones of your Barbie and Ken dolls, adorned and controlled […]
Funny Bone
Originally published in the Fall 2015 print edition.
Doctor’s Orders
What Patients Should Know By Dr. Gena Vennikandam When was the last time you visited the doctor? In more scenarios than one, sadly, this question often elicits only a long pause followed by a shameful shrug of the shoulders. Understandably, our lives get hectic, but checking in on your health with your primary care physician should […]
Feeding Your Heart
Changing gears on cholesterol guidelines Cardiovascular disease still tops the charts among chronic diseases in the United States. Recent statistics show that 117 million American adults—about half of the U.S. adult population—have one or more chronic health conditions like heart disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Plus, two-thirds of adults and one-third of children in the […]
On-Screen Doctors
Telemedicine delivers remote healthcare on demand By Karen Grimaldos Pamela Ziegler doesn’t have time to get sick. That’s why when this busy working mom from Bartlett started sneezing, coughing and wheezing, she tolerated the bothersome symptoms for a week, hoping that they might go away on their own. When they didn’t, she went online to […]
Girding up to treat GERD
By Nancy Maes You have a big steak and a glass or two of wine for dinner, and the next day you suffer from heartburn. So you take an antacid and you’re good to go. After you have a beer and a brat, you do the same thing. The story repeats itself many times over […]