Harvard Health Blog
Read posts from experts at Harvard Health Publishing covering a variety of health topics and perspectives on medical news.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. That’s 40 million adults—18% of the population—who struggle with anxiety. Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand, with about half of those with depression also experiencing anxiety.
If a parent thinks a child might have autism, it helps to get a definitive diagnosis as early as possible, since the earlier treatment can begin, the better it is for the child. But at what age can a reliable diagnosis be made?
Talking about sexuality with a doctor can be uncomfortable. If you identify as LGBTQ+, it’s important to find a doctor who is attuned to the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community. This can make getting proper care easier.
Plenty of people avoid red meat or eat only small amounts of it. But relying on white meat for protein may not be such a good nutrition choice either. According to the results of a small study, those who ate red meat and white meat had similarly higher cholesterol levels.
I’m always amazed to see just how many problems a slowdown in the output of the thyroid gland can cause: extreme fatigue, intolerance to cold, weight gain, dry skin, and dry hair, to name a few. Millions of Americans have an underactive thyroid, a condition known as hypothyroidism. That means this butterfly-shaped gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone to regulate metabolism, causing many body functions to become sluggish. The resulting symptoms are no picnic, but they’re usually ones that can be controlled with a daily dose of a thyroid medication, a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine (generic, Synthroid, Tirosint, others).
Primary care physicians treat adult patients for common ailments and chronic conditions, and also manage their patients’ treatments, often working with teams of caregivers. Establishing a relationship with a PCP allows your doctor to get to know you and your needs and goals.
Do employee health programs lead to healthier, more productive employees? A large study shows little or no impact, although results might vary based on workplace, offerings, and other factors.
Offering teens privacy and confidentiality when meeting with a health care provider may allow them to discuss uncomfortable topics –– such as risky behavior, physical concerns, feeling anxious or depressed –– a step toward getting needed information and help.
The negative emotions that come from coping with chronic pain can lead to depression, and that very depression can lead to worse pain. Understanding the connection between pain and emotional health with the help of a psychologist can address these issues, and there are evidence-based therapies that can help as well.
A small European study compared standard treatment for the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (thyroid medication) with surgery to remove the thyroid. Those who had surgery saw significant improvement.
If a man has an enlarged prostate, there’s a good chance he’ll be treated with a type of drug called a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI). These drugs shrink the gland to improve urinary flow, and the approved forms used for treating enlarged prostates come in two varieties: Proscar (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride). However, a side […]
Between 2002 and 2016, over 4,000 children under 5 were treated each year in US emergency departments for cosmetics-related injuries. Take precautions with your cosmetic products to keep children safe.
Research shows that older people who are socially engaged and keep their minds active are more likely to remain mentally sharp. But what specific activities should people do? And does it matter if they start late in life or sooner?
The FDA has recalled certain kinds of blood pressure medications due to the presence of impurities that occur during the manufacturing process. The added risk from the presence of these substances is low, but it’s important to know which medications are affected, and what you should do if you are taking one of them.
The ongoing measles epidemic spotlights the importance of vaccinations –– and the concerns some parents have about vaccine safety. If you have such concerns, talk to your child’s doctor and learn more about vaccine safety.
Brain-based devices claim to offer all kinds of enhancements and improvements, but how can consumers interested in such a device separate legitimate science from mere hype?
Let’s face it, ladies: Sex is a topic you usually discuss behind closed doors with your partner or during lunch with your closest friends (glass of wine optional). But I’ve noticed as I’ve gotten older that sex isn’t the hot lunch topic it used to be. That’s no surprise, considering how the activity that once consumed us now has to fit into the patchwork of our lives that also includes work, kids, aging parents, and, oh yes, glorious sleep. But it does make me wonder about the future. Is there a time when sex will no longer be on the agenda? And can we—should we—change that?
When you think about fat circulating in the bloodstream, you might immediately think of cholesterol. But there’s another type of fat you shouldn’t ignore: triglycerides. As with cholesterol, high triglycerides can also increase the risk of having a heart attack. Existing drugs for lowering triglycerides aren’t that good at reducing heart attack risk. That’s why a report on a new way to lower triglycerides, published in today’s New England Journal of Medicine, is generating some excitement among cardiologists.
Not everyone who needs to lose weight is a good candidate for either surgery or medications, so more treatment options are valuable. The FDA has approved a new device to help people lose weight, a capsule containing particles that expand in the stomach.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes about 40,000 cases of cancer every year. A long-term study of the HPV vaccine finds it offers protection against many strains of the virus, yet many teens haven’t had this safe, effective vaccine.
