Harvard Health Blog
Read posts from experts at Harvard Health Publishing covering a variety of health topics and perspectives on medical news.
Using a moisturizer is good for your skin year-round, but a dermatologist explains that during the cold and dry months there’s more you can do to prevent or relieve dry skin.
Wondering how to occupy your children during school break? Skip the screens and try these low-tech physical and creative pursuits.
In the US, widespread vaccination halted the ongoing spread of measles more than 20 years ago, but recent outbreaks have flared in a dozen US states, leading to hospitalizations and at least two deaths. Measles is highly preventable — here’s what you need to know.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected children’s developing social skills. Many children either didn’t learn the skills they need to make friends — or those skills got rusty. Here are some ways parents can help.
Sleep is a key pillar of health, and countless influencers on social media are touting a concept called sleepmaxxing. But what exactly is it? And how likely is it to deliver on claims of amped-up energy, a boost to the immune system, reducing stress levels, and improving your mood?
Therapies using an electric current for brain stimulation are not new, but marketing devices for home use is a relatively recent phenomenon. While claims include better energy, focus, mood and more, current evidence doesn’t support this and the FDA hasn’t cleared these devices.
Looking after a loved one who has prostate cancer can be overwhelming. Caregivers play crucial roles in supporting a patient’s physical and psychological well-being. But what does that entail? Here’s what to know about effective communication, day-to-day support, and taking care of yourself.
February 14th is more than Valentine’s Day –– it’s also National Donor Day, when health organizations sponsor sign-ups for organ and tissue donation. For those in need, such a donation can be life-changing — or lifesaving. If you wonder what can be donated or how, read on.
Problems with attention and focus, impulsivity, and constant motion are possible symptoms of ADHD.
For millions of people, alcohol is a regular part of their lives. But there are many downsides to drinking — some familiar, others less well appreciated. And concerns about the risks of even moderate drinking are on the rise.
Most men over 50 will develop an enlarged prostate. Many different therapies are available, including medications and various types of surgery. Aquablation is gaining in popularity, and a recent study showed that improvements in urinary function from aquablation were still holding up after five years.
The stresses of daily life can keep us in a state of constant tension. Learning to belly breathe can help ease your body’s response to anxiety and stress.
Roughly one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, but these cancers usually aren’t life-threatening. The least risky form of the disease occurs frequently with age, will not metastasize to other parts of the body, and it doesn’t require any immediate treatment. So, should it even be called cancer?
A report published in JAMA Internal Medicine several years ago highlighted a link between long-term use of anticholinergic medications like Benadryl and dementia. While this study and other observational studies have also found this association, it doesn’t prove that these drugs cause dementia. But we do know that anticholinergic drugs can cause confusion and increase fall risk in older people.
Researchers are developing tools for predicting how fast prostate cancer might progress; among the most promising are those that count circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood samples. Research shows that high CTC counts predict poorer survival and faster disease progression. But they are also predictive for early-stage metastatic prostate cancer that still responds to hormonal therapy.
In the US, supplements are not tested in the way prescription medicines are, and their manufacturers can make claims about their abilities that may or may not be true. But there are some rules supplement makers must follow, and the FDA’s plan to revamp its regulation of dietary supplements is a step toward improving consumer protection.
Inflammation is the body’s response to an injury, allergy, or infection, a reaction that attempts to restore the health of the affected area. But that’s only part of the story, because there are two types of inflammation, and it’s important to know the difference—and what is and isn’t true about all types.
Our understanding of how chronic inflammation can impair health has expanded dramatically in recent years, causing some people to wonder if there is a test to identify it, and if they should have it. There are several tests that can detect inflammation, and they are useful in certain situations, but not universally.
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer used to involve weeks or months of treatment. Today, radiation delivery is moving toward higher doses given with fewer sessions over shorter durations. Results from a clinical trial show that the two types of therapy offer the same long-term benefits.
The experience of sexual violence may have later effects on both physical and emotional health. Being aware of these possibilities can help you identify and respond to them promptly.
Inflammation serves a vital role in the body’s defense and repair systems, but chronic inflammation can be harmful. Learn six of the most effective ways to ward off unhealthy inflammation.
All medicines have potential side effects. Usually, side effects are more bothersome than serious –– though a few are dangerous. If you experience a side effect, what are your options?
Approximately three million Americans have an inflammatory bowel disease. Current therapies for IBD suppress the immune system to reduce inflammation, but some preliminary studies have investigated whether probiotics are beneficial for people with IBD.
