Preventing Alzheimer's: 7 Risks to Consider
Deborah Kotz

Ask most people to name their biggest fear about growing old and chances are they won't say gray hair and wrinkles, but the devastating loss of their mental capacity. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementias. Here's evidence concerning various factors thought to either raise or lower your Alzheimer's risk

Pancreas Transplant Doesn't Always Remove Need for Diabetes Treatment
Adrian Vella, MD, Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic

In certain people with diabetes, a pancreas transplant can restore the body's ability to secrete insulin -- thus reducing blood sugar levels and eliminating the need for insulin therapy. But transplant should not be taken lightly. Here's why

ALS Not Likely the Cause if No Other Symptoms Present
Edythe Strand, Ph.D., Speech Pathology, Mayo Clinic

About a year ago I started having problems with my voice. After many tests, my doctor diagnosed me with muscle tension dysphonia. But after nine months of speech therapy with no improvement, I'm not sure about the diagnosis. Could my voice problems be a symptom of ALS?

Stents Useful Alternative to Temporary Colostomy In Some Patients With Colon Cancer
Todd Baron, MD, Mayo Clinic

I've heard of stents being used to treat heart disease, but recently I saw a news story that talked about using stents as an alternative to colostomy in people who have colon cancer. How does this work? Is it safe?

'Bump' On Collarbone Not Uncommon After Fracture
Edward Laskowski, MD, Mayo Clinic

Three years ago I broke my collarbone. It healed quickly, but I still have a noticeable bump over the spot where the bone was broken. What's causing it, and will it go away eventually?

Best Remedies for Back Pain
Kim Schworm Acosta

A whopping eight out of 10 people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. And when it strikes, all you want to do is stop the hurting -- and fast. But that urge for quick answers and results could lead to a barrage of unhelpful tests and invasive treatments that don't provide long-term relief. Find out what you should do instead

Stop Insomnia - Inside the Mind of an Insomniac
Lauren Joffe

Can't sleep? Catch up on much-needed z's with these expert tips for remedying what may seem as an incurable case of insomnia

MLD a Rare and Serious Progressive Disease
Marc Patterson, MD, Mayo Clinic

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disorder that affects the protective covering around nerve cells (myelin sheath), as well as the nerve fibers that the sheath insulates and protects. A rare, serious and progressive disease, MLD currently has no cure. But treatment may help delay the disease's progress, and research is exploring new treatment possibilities for MLD.

Sleep Apnea: Keeping Up the Positive Pressure
Harvard Health

If you snore, it can be hard on those within earshot. But if you snore and have sleep apnea, it's hard on you, too. Without realizing it, people with sleep apnea briefly stop breathing -- apnea means cessation of breathing -- or breathe very shallowly many times during the night. The consequences include bad sleep and all that can come from that

Alternatives to Statins for Lowering Cholesterol
Thomas H. Lee, MD

I've tried all of the statin drugs to lower my cholesterol but each one has caused severe muscle pain. Are there any non-statin medications I could try using to lower my cholesterol?

Recurrence of Basal Cell Carcinoma Uncommon After Mohs Surgery
Randall K. Roenigk, MD, Mayo Clinic

I've had Mohs surgery three times in the past 18 months to remove a basal cell carcinoma on my nose. Is there some other treatment that I should be pursuing? Is it common to have so many recurrences in such a short amount of time?

Can Surgery Treat Type 2 Diabetes?
Howard LeWine, M.D.

I have type 2 diabetes and need to take three different medications to keep my blood sugar under control. I hate taking all these pills. I am very overweight and thinking about weight loss surgery. Are they all effective?

Self-Care Techniques to Relieve Discomfort From Buttock Pain
Randy Shelerud, M.D., Mayo Clinic

I have been experiencing mild pain in one of my buttocks for the past three months. It's uncomfortable to sit at times. What would cause this? What can I do for some relief?

Artificial Lenses Have Long Been Used to Correct Vision
Dharmendra Patel, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Intraocular lenses are artificial lenses placed within the eye to correct a person's vision. The lenses are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the risk of complications associated with the procedure to place the lenses is low.

Gene Mutation That Causes Huntington's Can Occur Spontaneously
J. Eric Ahlskog, M.D., Mayo Clinic

I was recently diagnosed with Huntington's disease, having had symptoms for six years. My parents don't have symptoms but they have also not had genetic testing. Could this be a unique incidence of Huntington's starting only with me? Are my siblings also at risk of having the disease?

Is It Better to Stop Smoking Abruptly or Gradually?
Michael Craig Miller, MD

I've tried to quit smoking three times. A friend suggested that instead of giving cigarettes up all at once that I try to kick the habit gradually. Which method is best?

Brain Scan Alone Cannot Predict Likelihood of Dementia
David Knopman MD, Neurology, Mayo Clinic

I am 64 and recently had a brain scan that detected signs of early dementia. My family doctor told me it is probably something I will begin to experience in the next five to 10 years. How accurate is this?

Is Sunscreen Dangerous? 4 Sun Protection Dos And Don'ts
Deborah Kotz

Be afraid, very afraid of that sunscreen you lather on. Most have dangerous chemicals that will accelerate the growth of skin tumors or disrupt the intricate workings of your hormonal systems. And these 'modern-day snake oil' products don't work anyway, the group says, giving people a false sense of security so they stay out in the sun longer and get deadly skin cancer

Low Platelet Count Not Necessarily Reason to Postpone Surgery
R. Jeffrey Karnes, MD, Urology, Mayo Clinic

Please let me know if it would be safe to undergo surgery with a low platelet count and if there's anything that can be done to avoid complications of the surgery.

Could Swimming in Cool Water Cause a Heart Attack?
Thomas Lee, MD

When I attempt to go into the outdoor pool at my beach club, I gasp for breath, get dizzy and light-headed, and have to get out. Several years ago, I read an article that some people who are very sensitive to cold water may sustain a heart attack from submersion into cold water. Is this a possibility?

Bringing Psoriasis Under Control
Harvard Health Letters

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by thick, raised red patches that are often covered with flaking, silvery scales. Although rarely life-threatening, it can dramatically affect a person's life. The goal of treatment is to reduce the frequency, length, and severity of outbreaks. In recent years, more effective therapies with fewer side effects have been developed

Best Summer Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
Nicole Gregory

Nothing says summer like picnics and barbecues. But if you suffer from heartburn or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a spread at a pool party or backyard barbecue can present a minefield of potential triggers for debilitating pain. Fortunately, you don't have to spend summer gatherings doubled over in pain. Here, some tips to help you enjoy your next picnic or barbecue

Fight the Common Mold Allergy
Ella Brooks

Mold is an unwelcome houseguest, and it's hard to send the fungi packing. It lurks in rooms where humidity levels are high (the basement, kitchen and bathrooms), and it can grow on anything from houseplants to old newspapers. Luckily, our targeted plan of attack will help you get rid of the fungi for good.

Treating Early-Stage Esophageal Cancer
Michael Wallace, MD, Mayo Clinic

I've heard there's a new way to treat esophageal cancer that doesn't require removing the esophagus. What does this treatment involve? Does it work as well as the old treatment?

TNF Inhibitors Offer Relief to Those With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Eric Matteson, MD, Mayo Clinic

I've heard of doctors using TNF inhibitors to treat rheumatoid arthritis. What exactly are TNF inhibitors and are they safe to use?

Secondhand Smoke A Serious Public and Personal Health Problem
Harvard Health Letters

Tobacco smoke from other folks' cigarettes, cigars, and pipes can be bad for your heart. In the catalog of cardiac villains, smoking is still a leading cause of heart disease, even though fewer people are smoking these days. That's a testament to the hazard of this habit. It's also because its effects don't stop with the smoker; they extend to anyone who breathes air polluted by smoke

What to do About Excessive Belching and Feeling Full?
Robert Shmerling, M.D.

I belch a lot and get a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen. Is this a common condition? What are the causes and cures? I would prefer natural remedies.

Chest Pain: A Heart Attack or Something Else?
Harvard Health Letters

That dull burning in your chest doesn't seem to be going away, and even feels like it's getting worse. Is it a heart attack, or something else? It's a vexing question, one that millions of people -- and their doctors -- face each year. What's the problem?

Screening Plays Key Role in Detecting Polyps Before They Become Cancerous
Lisa Boardman, M.D., Mayo Clinic

My 32-year-old son visited his doctor because he was having some rectal bleeding. His doctor performed a flexible sigmoidoscopy and discovered a polyp, which she was not able to remove, but recommended he have a colonoscopy soon. She asked about siblings and family history and said his 37-year-old sister should be checked. How common is it for someone to have polyps at this age?

Diabetes: Could You Have Diabetes and Not Know It
Nicole Gregory

When it comes to the dangers of diabetes, Americans are pretty clueless. There is no cure for diabetes, and its damage can be severe, leading to heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and kidney problems. Over 23 million people in the United States have some form of diabetes, and nearly a quarter of them don't know it. Here's what you can do

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Takes Your Breath Away
Harvard Health

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. And COPD is also a major cause of disability. COPD is not curable but it is treatable. Lifestyle changes and medication can help patients cope with chronic lung disease and live longer, fuller lives. And if you understand COPD, you'll know that most cases can be prevented

7 Ways to Prevent Heart Disease
Kate Meyers

The American Heart Association is hoping to boost America's heart health by 20 percent. How? Here's the AHA's 'Simple 7' checklist to prevent heart disease and stroke

Hypotension or Stiff Arteries May Cause Low Diastolic Blood Pressure
John Graves, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Two circumstances typically can result in extremely low diastolic blood pressure. The condition may be associated with severe hypotension, or it could be caused by profoundly stiff arteries that occur due to aging, diabetes or fatty buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis)

Is It OK to Travel to a High Altitude With High Blood Pressure?
N. Stuart Harris, M.D.s

Some friends invited me to accompany them to Rocky Mountain National Park. I'd love to go, but I have high blood pressure and worry that high altitudes are dangerous for people with this condition. Is that the case?

Existing Drugs to Treat Herpes Are Very Effective
Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D.

Herpes is a condition caused by an infection of nerves that lead to the mouth, lips and nose area, or nerves that lead to the genital organs. The infection is caused by a virus called Herpes simplex virus (also human herpesvirus-1).

Dry Mouth Can Be a Serious Problem
Harvey B. Simon, M.D.

Call it dry mouth, and it sounds like little more than a nuisance -- but call it by its medical name, xerostomia, and it sounds fearsome. In most cases, dry mouth causes more discomfort than damage, but severe cases can lead to important complications.

6 Simple Ways to Improve Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
January W. Payne

Fibromyalgia affects about 2 percent of the U.S. population -- more women than men -- and often, those who have the condition are afraid to exercise because they fear worsening their symptoms. But experts say that regular physical activity actually helps fibromyalgia sufferers. The problem? The condition's hallmarks -- widespread body pain and fatigue -- make it tough to work out

All About Gout: Old Disease Becoming More Common
Harvard Health

Gout is still very much with us, and the number of Americans affected seems to be increasing, partly because of the obesity epidemic. It remains a disease that mainly affects middle-aged and older men, although postmenopausal women are vulnerable too, perhaps because they lack the protective effect of estrogen.

Indoor Tanning Definitively Linked to Deadliest Skin Cancer
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer

Summer's T-shirts, shorts and swimsuits mean two things: people want to look fit and tanned. It might seem like a good idea to book a little time at the tanning salon to work on your 'base,' but a new study out of the University of Minnesota has definitively linked indoor tanning to an increased risk of melanoma -- the most serious and deadliest form of skin cancer.

Frequent Monitoring Critical to Effectively Manage Scleroderma
Nisha Manek, M.D., Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic

Scleroderma is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by hardening, thickening and tightening of the skin and other connective tissues. This progressive disorder affects women more often than men. Scleroderma is categorized into several types, and the disease's effect depends on the type of Scleroderma one has.

How to Identify Suicide Risk Before It's Too Late
January W. Payne

Every 17 minutes, someone dies by suicide in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is the 11th-leading cause of death for Americans, and while it often comes as a surprise to friends and loved ones, it is largely considered to be preventable if warning signs are heeded.

Tips for Natural Allergy Relief
Dr. Melissa Carr

Allergy season has been upon many sufferers since February this year, but an early start may or may not mean an early finish. If you're one of the sneezing, sniffling, eye-rubbing, worn out masses, here are some simple things you can do to easy your symptoms

Inflammation May Play Role in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Michael Picco, M.D.

I've read that persistent low-grade inflammation is present in some people with irritable bowel syndrome, and a few studies have reported on the potential benefits of medications that may target this aspect of IBS. Are these medications available to IBS patients?

Bouncing Back After Being Sick
Elizabeth Hurchalla

If you're getting over being under the weather, it can be tempting to put the pedal to the metal on the road to recovery. But if you really want to feel better, proceed with caution. Here's how to bounce back without risking a relapse.

Fight Inflammation With the Right Diet
Lisa Tsakos

Arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, periodontitis, prostatitis, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease -- most of us are afflicted by inflammation at one time or another, some of us on a daily basis. We may feel that we're out of options when medications aren't the answer, but nothing could be further from the truth. Julie Daniluk is convinced that diet can impact inflammation

When does Knee Replacement Surgery Make Sense
Sarah Baldauf

Getting a new knee because the original has worn out and may have become painfully arthritic is an increasingly common surgery in America. Recent findings are shedding helpful light on knee replacements, including how active one can be with an artificial knee, how young or how old one should be to undergo the surgery, and the varying benefits to be gained

Asthma and Allergies Can Run in Families
Henry Bernstein, MD, Harvard Health

I'm afraid my 18-month-old twins are going to develop asthma and/or allergies. My husband and his father have asthma, and my mother and I both have seasonal allergies. What are some signs of asthma or allergies in children this young?

HPV Vaccine For Boys?
Harvey B. Simon, MD, Harvard Health

My 14-year-old granddaughter has just completed her third injection of the Gardasil vaccine. I know it's designed to protect her from cervical cancer caused by a virus. But men can get the virus, too. Should my grandson also get the vaccine?

Is Hefty the New Healthy?
Harvard Health

Some studies suggest that extra weight helps older people live longer, but they may be misleading. Weight still matters, but so does the waist. Here's why

Nicotine Patch May Offer Some Benefit to Ulcerative Colitis
Jonathan Leighton, Mayo Clinic

When I quit smoking cigarettes four years ago, I discovered I have ulcerative colitis. After a few years of only moderate success treating it with medication, I started wearing a nicotine patch. My improvement was profound. Have there been any recent studies on this correlation? What information is available about long-term use of nicotine patches?

Common Myths and Misconceptions About Diabetes
January W. Payne

Every day, more than 4,000 adults are diagnosed with diabetes and about 200 people die from the disease. Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes. It's one of the major causes of heart disease, stroke, adult blindness, leg and foot amputations not caused by injury. Those are facts. Yet there are many mistaken beliefs about diabetes. Here are the six most common misconceptions about diabetes

Vitamin E Supplements Not Recommended for Those With Diabetes
Steven Smith, M.D., Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic

I've heard that vitamin E can be harmful to diabetics with heart problems. Can you tell me more about this?

Tick-Borne Disease Risk Peaks in Spring and Summer
Harvard Health

Lyme disease is by far the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. Between 20,000 and 30,000 cases have been reported in most of the past several years, and health officials suspect many more go unreported. The incidence is highest in New England, the Mid-Atlantic states, and Wisconsin.

Are Carbonated Drinks Bad for Bones?
Robert Shmerling, M.D.

Do carbonated drinks leach calcium from bones? Does this increase the risk for osteoporosis? Can drinking soda make a diagnosed case of osteoporosis worse?

Meibomitis Creates Receptive Environment for Bacteria
Dharmendra Patel, M.D., Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic

Meibomitis is a chronic inflammation of tiny glands that line the upper and lower eyelids, just behind the lash line. Called meibomian glands, they secrete oil that lubricates the eye surface. The oil keeps the surface of the eye smooth and moist, allowing for clear vision.

Top 4 Seasonal Allergy Mistakes
Ella Brooks

If you have seasonal allergies, watch out for common mistakes that could aggravate them, says Dr. James L. Sublett, section chief of the pediatric allergy department at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky. Steer clear of these four most common slipups, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Stress Less: Ten Strategies That Work
Michael Castleman

Stress-related symptoms are on the rise, with more people reporting sadness, depressed mood, fatigue, irritability, anger, insomnia, headaches, stomach distress (such as heartburn) and muscle tension now than they did in 2007. For healthier ways to cope, consider the following advice from stress experts

Paralyzed Limbs Revived by Hacking Into Nerves
MacGregor Campbell, New Scientist Magazine

Pulses of electricity are used to control the muscles of an unconscious patient, as if they were a marionette. It represents the beginnings of a new generation of devices that he hopes will allow people with paralyzed legs to regain control of their muscles and so be able to stand, or even walk again

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Brain Disorder
Neill Graff-Radford, MD - Mayo Clinic

Could you please explain Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Will I ever recover my memory and balance?

Can Acid Reflux Damage my Esophagus
Stacey Colino

While your stomach lining is designed to handle acid reflux, your esophagus is not. In fact, the reason acid reflux hurts so much is because your esophagus is literally being burned by stomach acid. If acid reflux does enough damage to your esophagus, it can become irritated and inflamed (esophagitis), develop ulcers or bleeding, or start to narrow (strictures).

Secrets to Breathing Better With Allergies
Wendy Manwarren

Warmer weather triggers trees, flowers and grasses to bloom, beckons kids back outside and sets off seasonal allergy suffering. Pollens, which have been dormant all winter, are abundant from spring to fall. These irritants gang up with existing indoor allergens and bully your child's immune system, causing itchy, watery eyes, runny noses, sniffling, sneezing and coughing. Try these tips for keeping allergens to a minimum

Treadmill Test Can Reveal Hidden Problems in Heart
Harvard Health

One way to judge the health of the heart and the arteries that supply it with oxygen and nutrients is to make them work harder. That's the principle behind one of the most commonly used tests in cardiology, the exercise stress test also known as the exercise tolerance test, treadmill test, or just the stress test

Suffering From Allergies? Tailor Treatment to Your Symptoms
January W. Payne

Spring is here -- and along with it the sneezing and stuffy noses of allergy season. Some allergists say this allergy season may be worse than in recent years because of the heavy late-winter snowstorms in parts of the U.S. You can calm your allergy symptoms if you choose the right products

Researchers Break Through to Unconscious Patients
Celeste Biever, New Scientist Magazine

The inner voice of people who appear unconscious can now be heard. For the first time, researchers have struck up a conversation with a man diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. All they had to do was monitor how his brain responded to specific questions. This means it may now be possible to give some individuals in the same state a degree of autonomy.

Key Factors Related to Heart Attack Risk
Mary Pickett, MD

How much of a role do obesity, physical fitness and nutrition play in causing a heart attack?

Type 2 Diabetes Increases Risk for Cardiovascular Problems
Yogish Kudva, Mayo Clinic

What is the relationship between type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure? Does type 2 diabetes usually lead to high blood pressure? Can high blood pressure cause diabetes?

Surgeries Can be Combined But May Not be Necessary
William Cliby, MD and David Farley, MD - Mayo Clinic

I have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and an inflamed gallbladder. Both are to the point where I'm considering surgery. I'd like to have both surgeries done at the same time. Can these be done together?

Get the Lead Out: The Less Exposure to This Toxic Metal the Better
Harvard Health

While lead is useful, it's also a poison that at sufficient levels can damage any organ in the body, including the brain. Several studies have raised concern that lead exposure may pose mental health risks, even at levels not previously considered dangerous.

Hypochondria: The Impossible Illness
Jeff Pearlman, Psychology Today Magazine

A full-throttle hypochondriac like me convinces himself -- beyond reassurance, beyond comfort, beyond anything -- that a cut is never merely a cut, that a cough is never merely a cough. Hypochondriacs don't merely think they feel the pain. Hypochondriacs literally feel the pain. Hypochondria begins innocently enough

Guide to Cold and Allergy Symptoms
Elizabeth Hurchalla

If you've got a runny nose that just won't quit, you're no doubt longing for relief. But before you can get better, you first have to know what's wrong. And since colds and allergies share some of the same symptoms, it can be hard to figure out which one is ailing you. Once you know what you're dealing with, you can concentrate on treating yourself right with these remedies

Is Heartburn Surgery the Answer?
Stacey Colino

If you have persistent heartburn, you may be wondering, Can heartburn surgery fix this? The answer is: maybe. After all, not every heartburn sufferer is a candidate for heartburn surgery; plus, complications can occur with any medical procedure.

Best Cooking Methods for Heartburn Sufferers
Jessica Goldbogen Harlan

Even if high-fat treats aren't one of your personal heartburn triggers, they can still lead to extra pounds, which in turn can make heartburn episodes more frequent and severe. By opting for low-fat cooking methods, you can fuel your culinary passion and create tasty meals while keeping heartburn symptoms in check. Here, the best cooking methods for heartburn sufferers

Numerous Factors Determine Recipient of Donated Organ
David Mulligan, MD, Hepatology/Transplant Surgery

Patients at the top of the list are given consideration when a potential organ becomes available. But time on the list is only one factor when the transplant team decides who will receive the transplanted organ.

Several Factors Affect Likelihood of Renal Cell Carcinoma Recurrence
Bradley Leibovich, MD, Urology

I had a radical nephrectomy of my left kidney six months ago, which showed stage 1 renal cell carcinoma. My doctor recommends I follow up with a CT scan of the chest and abdomen, along with blood work every six months. Is this aggressive enough? How serious is this disease, and what are the chances it will return or show up elsewhere?

Is the Inside of Your Car Making You Sick?
Ruth Manuel-Logan

Far too many of us treat our cars like second homes. When was the last time you really gave your car a thorough cleaning on the inside? Germs run rampant all around us, including in our automobiles. Fortunately, there's much you can do to keep those pesky lil' microbes in check. Here are some tips from the country's leading germ experts on how to sanitize your ride's interior.

Heartburn Medications 101
Stacey Colino

Antacids, acid reducers, proton pump inhibitors -- there's a dizzying array of heartburn medications in the market. Consumers have a very difficult time making sense of heartburn medications. To help you sort things out, here's a quick look at various heartburn medications

Phthalates Plastics Health Risks
Environmental Nutrition

Plastics have been at the forefront of urban legends, but in the case of phthalates there is legitimate concern. Phthalates are a group of chemicals called plasticizers that are added to vinyl plastics to make them flexible.

Understanding Migraine Headaches: Six Key Factors
Harvard Health

Although migraine headaches are notorious for causing pain, they've created a lot of confusion, too. We hope the answers to the six questions below will clear up a few misunderstandings and provide some useful information along the way.

Lowering Elevated Diastolic Blood Pressure
John Graves, MD, Nephrology and Hypertension

I have normal systolic blood pressure, but my diastolic goes between 82 and 96 during the work day and goes down to normal at night or when there is no stress. Should I be concerned or is this normal?

Treatment Options Can Help Reduce Symptom of Tinnitus
Brian Neff, MD, Otorhinolaryngology

Five months ago, I woke up with severe ringing in my left ear. The ringing stopped after a couple of days but returned three months later and is now in both ears. It's a mix of a constant high-pitched buzzing, ringing and a whistling sound. I've had four hearing tests, all normal for my age. What caused this? Is treatment available?

Safe Treatments Available for Advanced Carotid Artery Disease
Kevin Barrett, MD, Neurology

One of my friends has a grandmother who has 100 percent blockage in one of the arteries in her neck and 75 percent in the other. Her doctors have told her that there is nothing to be done for the 100 percent blocked artery. Is this true? What are her treatment options?

Early Treatment Often Best Response to Recurrent Shingles
Priya Sampathkumar, MD, Infectious Diseases

Recurrent bouts of shingles are often associated with immune system problems that occur with aging or as a result of a medical condition or treatment. One of the best ways to prevent future attacks is to get the shingles vaccine. Unfortunately, many of the medical conditions and treatments that predispose you to shingles also prevent you from getting the vaccine.

Cranberry juice and Urinary Tract Infections
Nicole Gregory

A study conducted by researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts found that cranberry juice compounds create an energy barrier that keeps bacteria from binding with cells in your urinary tract so that an infection can't even begin

6 Ways to Fight the Flu for Real
Michael Castleman

You don't have to let the cold and flu season have its way with you. Boost your immune system now

Saving Sight From Macular Degeneration: New Therapies Show Promise
Claire Ainsworth, New Scientist Magazine

It starts with a barely perceptible blurring of vision from time to time -- the sort of thing you might chalk up to getting older. But when you get it checked out, there's disturbing news: You have a disease called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD.

High Blood Pressure?
5 Key Ways to Bring it Down
January W. Payne

High blood pressure doesn't have to be an inevitable part of aging. Making some changes to your lifestyle can help lower blood pressure -- and offer other health benefits, too. Here are some of the most important steps you can take

Raynaud's Syndrome: The Big Chill for Fingers and Toes
Harvard Health Letters

Cold and stress normally narrow small blood vessels in the skin. It's a way to conserve heat and prevent excessive blood loss in case of injury. With Raynaud's, the narrowing happens suddenly, completely blocking blood flow to the skin. Preventing episodes is a key step for Raynaud's sufferers. Here are some measures that can help

Hypothyroidism Common But Treatable Disorder
John Morris, MD, Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic

Hypothyroidism -- an underactive thyroid -- is a common and treatable disorder. It's especially common in women over age 50. However, it can occur in both men and women at any age, even in babies.

Asthma and COPD May Require Multiple Treatments
Paul D. Scanlon, MD, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic

I was diagnosed with asthma and COPD a few years ago. My pulmonologist prescribed two medications -- Advair and Spiriva -- that seem to do the same thing. Why would I need both medications and are there other options?

How Noise Pollution Threatens Your Health
Stacey Colino

It's no secret that our world is getting louder. Whether it's from construction sites, planes, traffic, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, loud video games or noisy neighbors, the racket is far more than just an annoyance: It's a potentially serious health threat.

How can I ease irritable bowel syndrome?
John Hanc

A recent study found that cheap, safe and readily available treatments, like peppermint oil and fiber, were just as effective as drugs in relieving the pain, cramping, bloating, constipation and diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Hip Replacement Candidates Now Have Several Surgical Options
Harvard Health Letters

Total hip replacement has become one of the most common and most successful operations performed in the United States, and perhaps the world. With this popularity has come choice in everything from the type of incisions to the material used in the new hip to how the parts of the new hip are attached to the leftover bone. Here's a guide to hip replacement surgery options

6 Ways to Protect Yourself From Alzheimer's Disease
Sarah Baldauf

We all want to dodge the Alzheimer's bullet. And lucky us, Mother Nature has counterbalanced the power of our hard-wired genes by allowing multiple lifestyle choices to greatly influence our aging. Here are some factors you can take action on to help your brain stay healthy over the long term

Supplements to Avoid When Dealing With High Blood Pressure
Brent Bauer, MD, Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

What are the dangers of taking over-the-counter supplements? I am on blood pressure medication and have heard that there are some supplements that may interfere.

Beat Insomnia Now
Lambeth Hochwald

Sleep can be an elusive thing. Experience a couple nights of tossing and turning, and it's all too tempting to reach for sleep aids. But before you do, consider that several recent studies show that, despite their ordinary nature, simple behavioral strategies really do work. For the occasional sleepless night -- acute, short-term insomnia consider the following tips

Best Stress Busters
Stacey Colino

What's the very best way to beat stress? The answer isn't the same for everyone. But if anyone knows how to reduce stress effectively, it's the country's leading health authorities. We've asked some of them to share their best practices for decompressing.

Beating Eating Disorders
Girl World Daily

It's completely normal and OK to gain several pounds when you're going through puberty and becoming a woman. But as they become overly obsessed with their weight, many girls in their teens all over the world are at greatest risk of developing eating disorders.

Am I Still Contagious?
Ella Brooks - Sniffle Solutions

You've been stuck at home with the flu for what seems like an eternity. The worst is over, but you still have some lingering sniffles, coughs and aches. How do you know if you're still contagious? Check out this guide to knowing when you're most likely to be contagious for the most common illnesses that strike during cold and flu season.

Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory Tract Infections: Guided Tour of Principal Misery Makers
Harvard Health Letters

This is the time of year when respiratory tract infections act up. Here's a brief guided tour of the common cold and four of its fellow misery makers.

No More Headaches
Live Right Live Well

Did you know that snoring can cause tension headaches? So can working at a computer and drinking coffee. In fact, these are just a few of the things that can cause the muscles around your head and neck to tighten up and trigger a tension headache. No wonder then that tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Tension headaches can be prevented, consider the following

Is Difference Between Two Blood Pressure Numbers Important
Thomas Lee, M.D.

My systolic blood pressure has been between 115 and 125 and pretty steady. The diastolic number is low (55-65) and seems to be falling. Is the difference between these two numbers important, and is the falling diastolic number something to worry about?

Reducing Discomfort from Burning Mouth Syndrome
Alison Bruce, Mayo Clinic

I haven't been able to find out much information on burning mouth syndrome, which I've had for the past four years. I take alpha lipoic acid but haven't had any relief. Are there any ongoing studies on this or recent findings?

Surviving Cold Season: How Not to Get Sick
Live Right Live Well

How do you really catch a cold? Colds are caused by any one of 200 viruses. When someone has a cold, they spew virus particles into the air whenever they cough, sneeze or simply exhale. The most common way to catch a cold is by inhaling the virus or picking it up on your fingers. Here's how to avoid a cold

Botox for Migraines
Mary Pickett, M.D.

I get migraine headaches about three times per month. Once the headache gets started, it can last all day. I don't like taking medications. I recently heard that Botox injections can help migraines. Is this something I should try?

Does Heart Rate Affect Blood Pressure
Richard Lee, M.D.

When doctors interpret a blood pressure reading, should they also consider the heart rate? Can the body's demands that cause higher blood pressure be partially satisfied by a faster heart rate?

Oh, My Aching Knees!
Live Right Live Well

Will taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements help my aching knees?

Is It a Heart Attack?
Live Right Live Well

When it comes to heart attacks, many people think of the classic 'chest-clutch and fall' scenario that you see in the movies, notes Dr. Preeti Jois-Bilowich, a cardiovascular emergency associate at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. But the truth is that most heart attacks aren't so obvious.

Understanding Heartburn
Live Right Live Well

The first thing you need to know if you want to understand heartburn is that it has nothing to do with the heart. It's called 'heartburn' because it's a burning pain in your chest. But what causes it is actually a malfunction of the muscle at the bottom of your esophagus, the long, narrow 'food tube' that runs between your mouth and your stomach.

Stroke: 5 Warning Signs You Must Know
Live Right Live Well

Only old people have strokes, right? Wrong. Stroke is no longer an old-age affliction. A big reason is that a record number of Americans are overweight. Obesity raises blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a key risk factor for stroke. Here are the warning signs of stroke

Is It an Eating Disorder?
Abragail Kappel for The Real College Guide

Especially for college students, there's a not-so-fine line between being image-conscious and size-obsessed. If you think you or a friend might be straddling it, read on. There's no better time than now to clarify four common eating disorder myths

Immune-boosting Foods You'll Love
Barbara Ruhs - Sniffle Solutions

The better you eat, the stronger your immune power. On the other hand, the more nutrient deficiencies you have, the more vulnerable you are to getting sick. To keep your immune system working at its best, increase your intake of these foods during cold and flu season. You'll be glad you did.

Diabetes: Could You Have It and Not Know It?
Nicole Gregory - Live Right Live Well

The American Diabetes Association estimates that over 23 million people in the United States have some form of diabetes, and nearly a quarter of them don't know it. What's more, a recent CDC analysis shows that the rate of new diabetes cases rose by a whopping 90 percent in the last 10 years.

Chest Pain 101
Michael Castleman - Live Right Live Well

You have a pain in your chest. It's different from anything you've ever experienced before. Like most people, the first thought that crosses your mind is: Is it a heart attack? Play it safe. Call 911. You might need emergency attention. But once you've been checked out, chances are it wasn't 'the big one.' In fact, it could be one of 40+ ailments. Here's how to tell them apart

Heartburn or Heart Attack?
Stacey Colino - Live Right Live Well

Is it heartburn or a heart attack? Because they both involve chest pain, it can be difficult to tell the difference. But heartburn and heart disease occupy such dramatically different positions on the severity spectrum that figuring out what's really happening in your body could mean the difference between life and death. To help you distinguish one from the other, consider these key factors

Avoiding Heartburn
Jennifer Viegas - Live Right Live Well

For people who suffer from heartburn, it's like receiving the bill after an expensive meal: Somehow, you're not surprised, but it takes you aback nonetheless. The good news is that heartburn is avoidable. Pat Baird, a registered dietition and board member of the National Heartburn Alliance recommends these measures for avoiding heartburn

No Single Path to Managing Irritable Bowel Sydrome
Yuri Saito, M.D., Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic

I've had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for many years. My problem is not that I have diarrhea or constipation, but that I have bowel movements often -- sometimes four to eight times a day. Usually, I have cramps from the foods I eat, bland or otherwise. At the moment, I am on Librax, a medication to reduce stomach spasms, which I take when needed. Is there anything else I can do?

Treatment Options for COPD Are Limited But Can Be Effective
Howard LeWine, M.D.

I have COPD. My doctor tells me that my main problem is chronic bronchitis, but I also have some mild emphysema. I quit smoking 4 years ago. I'm on three different inhalers. I don't seem to be getting any better. What do you think?

Risk of Shingles Increases With Age, But Vaccine is Available
Priya Sampathkumar, M.D.

I had chickenpox as a child, and about seven years ago I had shingles. I will be 80 years old soon and am wondering whether or not I should still get the vaccine to prevent shingles. What are the risks of getting the vaccine? Can I get shingles again?

Treatment Options for Poor Bladder Function
Deborah Lightner, M.D.

This past year, my healthy 54-year-old husband was diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder, which requires him to self-catheterize four to five times per day. This has made the things he used to love doing much more difficult, and it is taking its toll on him emotionally. Are there other options for his condition other than self-cathing?

Sleep Disorders

The Nightmare Files: Sleep Disorders Remarkably Common and Varied
John Cline, Ph.D.

As a clinical psychologist specializing in sleep disorders, I've seen everyone from those who chase sleep each night to no avail to those who become unrecognizable characters once they enter never-never land. Here's a guided tour through some of my most memorable case files.

You Can Beat the Heartburn Blues
Caroline Farquhar

Have you ever had one of those days? A great day with friends, a terrific meal, a few drinks ... then heartburn. How did it happen? You may be aware of some obvious reasons, but there are some surprising things you may not know about heartburn.

Common Indoor Allergy Triggers and How to Avoid Them
January W. Payne

If cold, wintry weather is keeping you indoors, remember: Year-round, that's home to many of the peskiest allergy and asthma triggers. So if you have allergies or asthma, it's a good idea to ensure that your home is as free of triggers as possible. Your doctor can help you develop a plan, but here's some advice to get you started

Recommended Exercises for Knee Pain Depend on Cause of Pain
Matthew Butters, M.D., Mayo Clinic

What are the best exercises for sufferers of knee pain? While I can recommend some general exercises and activities the most beneficial regimen will depend on the cause of the knee pain. Knee pain has numerous causes. Two of the most common are osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Here's a look at exercises for osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome

Deep Brain Stimulation Used Only for Patients Whose Cluster Headaches Don't Respond to Medical Treatment
Ivan Garza, M.D., Mayo Clinic

I've had severe headaches for five years and have been going to a neurologist for three years. The neurologist has been treating me for cluster headaches. He's prescribed a number of medications for pain, but nothing helps. During these attacks, I can't do anything but walk the floor and cry. Would I be a good candidate for deep brain stimulation?

Steps Can Be Taken to Reduce Snoring
Sean Caples, D.O., Pulmonary and Critical Care, Mayo Clinic

Snoring has gotten a lot of attention in recent years due to its link to obstructive sleep apnea. Indeed, it's often recommended that loud, frequent snorers be tested to rule out this harmful problem. Unlike sleep apnea, in which you actually stop breathing, ordinary snoring doesn't appear to harm your health. Still, many people appropriately seek treatment for snoring

Wegener's Granulomatosis: Rare Blood Vessels Disease Often Undiagnosed in Early Stages
Kenneth Warrington, M.D., Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic

Wegener's granulomatosis is a rare disease of the blood vessels that often goes undiagnosed in its early stages. Wegener's commonly affects the kidneys, and, if not treated promptly, can result in kidney failure. The disease also can affect the lungs and upper respiratory tract.

What Causes Acid Reflux in the Throat
Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D. - Harvard Health Letters

I developed a hoarse voice and annoying phlegm in my throat and was surprised to learn that the cause was acid reflux. I've never had heartburn, so I don't know how this could have happened. Can you explain?

One Family's Saga of Alzheimer's Care
Kerry Hannon

We lost him a little at a time. In 2000, my dad, then 80, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and it began: He moved off ever so slowly, calling back at us as he went, trying to keep us in his sight

Bringing Hospital Care Home
Harvard Health

Hospitals are going out of their way these days to make patients feel like they're at home. Here's a logical extension of these efforts: offering hospital-level care at home. That's the premise behind a movement called Hospital at Home. It's already established in parts of Europe. Now, several groups are trying to give it a toehold in the United States.

Blood Clots in Surface Veins Often Treated With Self-Care Technique
Ian McPhail, M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic

Blood clots in surface veins are relatively common. This condition -- known as superficial thrombophlebitis -- shouldn't be confused with blood clots that develop in deeper veins (deep venous thrombosis). Clots in surface veins are more of a nuisance, whereas clots in deep veins can be serious and even life-threatening.

For Many, LASIK Surgery Safe, Reasonable Procedure to Consider
Dave Patel, M.D., Ophthamology, Mayo Clinic

LASIK (short for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) eye surgery is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The procedure has been widely used for many years to correct vision problems, and the surgery is often successful. But it's not for everyone. The effectiveness and safety of the procedure depends on ...

Treating Low Back Pain Remains a Challenge
Harvard Health

Back pain is remarkably common. It affects most people during a lifetime. While most back pain gets better quickly, chronic back pain is also common. Yet, the cause of chronic back pain is often uncertain. Even worse, treatment is often ineffective. That's why so many people turn to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

When Should You Seek Emergency Care for Chest Pain
Harvard Health

If you have chest pain or discomfort, how do you know if it's serious enough to warrant emergency medical attention? A few general pointers to help

Hypoglycemia: Breaking the Vicious Cycle
Katrina Bertol

Do you ever find yourself feeling faint and irritable when you've skipped a meal? Do you feel fatigued, depressed or worried when you don't have enough food or gone too long between meals? Do you crave sugars and carbohydrates and feel immediate relief after eating them? You may be suffering from hypoglycemia, a common result of poor dietary choices and in some cases, genetics.

Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss: Therapy Can Ease Grief, Guilt
Harvard Health

More than 30,000 Americans, and roughly one million people worldwide, die by suicide each year. The aftermath of grief and bereavement extends much further, with a conservative estimate of six survivors left behind for every suicide death.

Depression Sometimes Expressed at a Young Age
Stephen Whiteside

Certainly kids can suffer from depression. If you're concerned about your child, a good first step would be to visit the doctor to discuss and evaluate the situation. Sometimes, symptoms that appear to be depression may be caused by an underlying medical condition. If the problem is depression, effective treatments for children are available.

Narcolepsy Can Often Be Effectively Managed Once Diagnosed
Mayo Clinic

Can you explain narcolepsy to me -- how it develops, the treatment options, and what someone with the condition goes through? A friend of mine was recently diagnosed, and I don't know anything about it but would like to learn more.

Gastric Banding Not Stand-Alone Weight Loss Solution
Mayo Clinic

Bariatric surgery is a general term used to describe operations that help a person lose weight more consistently and effectively. The two most common types of bariatric surgery performed in the United States are adjustable gastric banding -- sometimes called lap band surgery -- and gastric bypass surgery.

Hearing Loss: A Silent Epidemic
Harvard Health Watch

Everyone experiences hearing loss from time to time including temporary hearing loss. And a mild degree of permanent hearing impairment is an inevitable part of the aging process. But for millions of people, the problem is more serious. Fortunately, modern medical care can help ...

Wide Gap Between Top and Bottom Blood Pressure Numbers
Thomas H. Lee, M.D. - Harvard Health

My systolic blood pressure has been between 115 and 125 and pretty steady. The diastolic number is low (55-65) and seems to be falling. Is the difference between these two numbers important, and is the falling diastolic number something to worry about?

Some Blood Vessels More Prone to Blockages Than Others
Richard Lee, M.D. - Harvard Health

Are the coronary arteries more prone to developing blockages than arteries elsewhere in the body? When arteries from other parts of the body are used in bypass surgery, does their tendency to become blocked change?

Another Reason to Get a Flu Shot: To Protect Your Heart
Harvard Health

If you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, what are you waiting for? The hour or so it would take is nothing compared with the time you might spend fighting the flu or something worse

Banish Hangovers Naturally
Lisa Tsakos

What we call a hangover -- headaches, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound following excessive alcohol consumption -- is the end result of dehydration and toxicity. If adequate measures are taken while alcohol is being consumed or before going to bed, hangover symptoms might be averted. Here's a set of worthwhile tips and preventative measures

BPPB the Most Common Cause of Vertigo
Scott Eggers MD, Neurology, Mayo Clinic

My husband has been having bouts of dizziness and vertigo on and off for a month. His doctor diagnosed him with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. What causes this? Is there a cure?

Helpful Tips for Boosting Your Immunity
Lisa Tsakos

Everyone is talking about cold and flu season this year, thanks to the H1N1 media frenzy. While those of us who aren't giving in to the panic may suggest that it isn't that different from any other flu, the fact is, H1N1 is affecting age groups and populations that aren't typically affected by other flu strains. To avoid germs and boost immunity here are recommendations ...

Getting a Good Diagnosis: Even most experienced doctors can be thrown off by faulty thinking
Deborah Kotz

Doctors are stumped by symptoms all the time, and by prescribing the wrong medication, they often worsen the problem or even create a new one. Worse, misdiagnoses lead to an astounding 40,000 to 80,000 hospital deaths every year. Here's what you need to know to be sure you end up with the right answer

Music Therapy Can Be Good for the Heart
Harvard Health Letters

Music can make you laugh or cry, rile you up or calm you down. Some say it's good for the soul. It just might be good for the heart, too. Make no mistake -- daily doses of Mozart won't clean out your arteries or fix a faulty heart valve. But music can help ease your recovery

Global Strategy to Deal With Alcohol Abuse
Andy Coghlan

The World Health Organization, between now and January, will be honing its draft of the first global strategy on reducing health damage from alcohol abuse, the fifth leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide.

After a Heart Attack: Following Rehab Instructions Can Save Your Life
Harvard Heart Letter

One month after their attacks, more than 90 percent of the participants said they were taking all of the medications on the discharge list. In contrast, less than 50 percent were exercising as instructed, had stopped smoking, or were losing weight. Just one-third had enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program, one of the best things you can do to prevent a second heart attack.

Low Blood Pressure Not Normally a Cause for Concern
John Graves, M.D., Nephrology/Hypertension, Mayo Clinic

Unless it causes troublesome symptoms, low blood pressure (hypotension) usually isn't a cause for concern and doesn't require treatment. If low blood pressure begins to cause symptoms that interfere with your daily activities, though, talk to your doctor about ways it can be managed

Dealing with Hemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids Symptoms
Mayo Clinic

By about age 50, more than half of adults have dealt with hemorrhoids -- blood-engorged veins in the lower rectum (anal canal) that form tiny sacs (anal cushions) when pressure builds up within the veins serving the pelvic and rectal areas

Supplemental Fiber Can Help With Chronic Constipation
Adil Bharucha, M.D., Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic

Constipation is a common problem. Doctors often recommend fiber supplements, also called bulk laxatives, for people with chronic constipation. In general, these powdered fiber supplements are gentle on your body and are safe to use long term.

Newer, More Effective Treatments Are Available for Those With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Tait Shanafelt, M.D., Hematology, Mayo Clinic

I was recently diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. I am 55 years old, exercise regularly and feel fine. I have no symptoms. My doctor's approach is to 'watch and wait.' I'm uncomfortable with watchful waiting. Is there more aggressive action that can be taken at this time while it is still early?

Loud Snoring May Be a Sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Kevin Reid, D.M.D., Dental Specialties, Mayo Clinic

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the airway narrows or closes during sleep, interrupting breathing. It affects men and women and can be caused by the relaxation of muscles in the back of the throat. When breathing is interrupted

Swollen Lymph Nodes in Abdomen Not Necessarily Cause for Concern
Gerardo Colon-Otero, M.D. & Kevin Moder, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Mildly enlarged lymph nodes may not be a serious concern. Infections or underlying inflammatory conditions, such as chronic fungal infections, Sjogren's or lupus among others, can result in enlarged lymph nodes that may not, by themselves, cause any problems. However, enlarged lymph nodes can be an early sign of some cancers including lymphoma, a malignancy of lymph node tissues

Suffer From Insomnia -- Try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Lindsay Lyon

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been applied to everything from depression and anxiety to chronic pain and addiction. But a brand specifically fashioned for insomniacs has been gaining ground. Seventy to 80 percent of people with chronic insomnia -- persistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep--seem to benefit significantly from a treatment course of CBT, experts say

Neurofeedback: An ADHD Treatment That Retrains the Brain
Megan Johnson

A controversial treatment for overcoming attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is getting new respect. Called neurofeedback therapy, it supposedly retrains the brain to produce electrical patterns associated with calm and focus. While the technique is costly, time consuming, and far from proven, its promise is tantalizing.

7 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Type 2 Diabetes Diet
January W. Payne

A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes means lifestyle changes that can be frustrating but are important for a long, healthy life. At the top of the list is adjusting to a type 2 diabetes diet, but a new study of overweight and obese diabetics suggests that diabetics often don't follow recommended nutrition guidelines

By the Way, Doctor: Should Diabetes Treatment Be Changed
Nancy Keating, M.D., M.P.H. - Harvard Health Letters

You have type 2 diabetes, which used to be called adult-onset diabetes. This type of diabetes is caused mainly by insulin resistance. Normally, insulin helps usher blood sugar (which is the same thing as glucose) out of the bloodstream and into cells where it is used for energy.

7 Common Digestive Problems and How to End Them
Sarah Baldauf and January W. Payne

There's something about digestive difficulties that makes them hard to discuss in polite company--which leaves many of us suffering one problem or another in silence. Yet fixes can be as simple as making informed lifestyle changes or taking over-the-counter remedies.

Immune System Response to Infection Varies
Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D.

Your immune system is like an army that is ready to spot and stop invaders like the viruses that cause chickenpox and the flu. Your immune system also goes to war when an old infection comes back to life. But after the battle is over, your immune system quiets down and waits for the next fight.

Insect Repellants: Some of Our Favorite Products Can Carry Dangers of Their Own
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer

Fear and warnings about West Nile virus and other insect-transmitted disease have driven sales of repellents up by 36 percent over the past two years. Recent studies, however, are suggesting that some of our favorite products carry dangers of their own.

Treat Mini-Strokes As An Emergency, Not a Gentle Warning
Harvard Health Letters

Transient ischemic attack needs a new name. At the outset, there's little difference between a TIA and the most common kind of stroke, an ischemic stroke. The big thing that separates a TIA from a stroke is how long it lasts.

Low Platelet Count Often Related to Underlying Disorder
David Steensma, M.D., Hematology, Mayo Clinic

Low platelet count -- the medical term is thrombocytopenia -- can affect your blood's ability to clot. If platelet levels fall low enough, severe bleeding is possible. Often, the problem is related to an underlying disorder. Once that disorder is treated, platelet counts usually improve.

Vitamin D Deficiency Common But Easily Treated With Supplements
Philip Hagen, M.D., Preventive Medicine, Mayo Clinic

It's well established that vitamin D helps with calcium absorption and helps keep bones strong. There's also evidence that vitamin D helps reduce the risk of common cancers, muscle and joint pain and perhaps even multiple sclerosis. For some people, it's difficult to get proper amounts of vitamin D from the usual sources, which are diet and sunshine. Dr. Philip Hagen of the Mayo Clinic provides suggestions in this article to compensate for Vitamin D defiency.

Ready for Ragweed Season - Tips to Help Fight Pollen Allergy
January W. Payne

It's ragweed season, and for people with this pollen allergy, that means miserable symptoms such as sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, trouble sleeping, asthma attacks, and itchy skin, eyes, nose, or throat.

8 Tips Can Help Fight Ragweed Pollen Allergy
January W. Payne

No matter how long ragweed season lasts this year, experts suggest getting a jump-start on symptoms before you start to feel lousy. This should come as no surprise to people accustomed to dealing with seasonal allergy symptoms, but we offer eight refreshers for making this ragweed season as painless as possible.

Drug-Free Approaches to Managing ADHD
Megan Johnson

For decades, Ritalin and similar stimulants have reigned over other treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD or ADD. The meds are seemingly tried and true, with numerous studies backing their effectiveness. However, the latest results from the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD found that stimulants' effects wane over time. Here's 9 Drug-Free Approaches to Managing ADHD ...

Hamstrung! How to Prevent and Help Heal Hamstring Injuries
Katherine Hobson

This season, hamstring injuries have benched at least four members of the New York Mets. Then it got personal: my boyfriend started hobbling after one of our outdoor workouts, having suffered his own mild hamstring pull. What is this injury, anyway? And what makes everyone from pro athletes to weekend warriors susceptible to it?

Choosing Between Urgent Care Center, In-Store Clinic and ER
Sarah Baldauf

Primary-care physicians are not the only game in town. In fact, depending on where you live, you may have several places to turn, including an urgent care clinic and an in-store "retail clinic" set up in a grocery store or pharmacy along with the local hospital emergency department. The inevitable question then becomes: Which level of care should you seek -- and for what ailments?

Why People Leave the Hospital Against Medical Advice
January W. Payne

A new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reveals that people who leave the hospital against doctor's orders are at higher risk of adverse health outcomes and have increased hospital readmission rates, compared with patients who follow doctors' advice.

9 Safe Ways to Help Cure Insomnia
January W. Payne

Insomnia -- difficulty falling or staying asleep -- can wreak havoc on people's lives. And with the coroner's finding that Michael Jackson died from a lethal dose of the anesthesia medication propofol (Diprivan), which the pop star reportedly received routinely because of his chronic inability to sleep, it's a good time to revisit safe ways to help cure insomnia.

7 Things That Make Sleep Apnea Worse
Lindsay Lyon

More than 12 million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing and many are unaware, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Untreated, sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, memory loss, obesity, parasomnias, and insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes

Can You Avoid Arthritis Knee Pain by Building Thigh Muscles
Deborah Kotz

Millions of older women suffer the pain and stiffness of arthritis, especially in their knee joints, which can severely curtail everyday activities like climbing stairs or getting out of a car. It turns out there may be a way to protect our knees and avoid the discomforts of aging: strong thigh muscles.

Radiation in Medicine: A Double-Edged Sword
Harvard Health Letters

Radiation offers extraordinary benefits for the diagnosis of a wide range of diseases and ailments, from broken bones to heart disease. It is a mainstay for treating some types of cancer. Yet exposure to radiation can also damage DNA, the operating manual of a cell. This damage can lead to uncontrolled cell division, the hallmark of cancer.

Ask the Harvard Experts: Is Weight Loss Surgery Safe?
Howard LeWine, M.D.

Weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery) done by experts is getting safer, according to a study reported in the July 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Sugar Ain't So Sweet - Adverse Effects of Sugar
Randy Boyer and Andrea Donsky

Much of the fatigue many of us regularly experience is thanks to sugar. It's a subtle poison that's part of our daily lives. So innocuous, it can be found in everything from baby food to toothpaste and its effects are as rampant as its sources. We're exposed to it from infancy, even encouraged to have it.

Angina: Don't Ignore This Major Risk Factor for Heart Attack
Harvard Health Letter

Heart attacks and angina have the same root cause: a pumping heart muscle that isn't getting the blood -- and therefore the oxygen -- it needs. If it's a heart attack, the oxygen shortage causes the death of heart tissue. The medical term is myocardial infarction: The myocardium is the heart's muscle, and an infarct is an area of dead tissue resulting from low blood supply. Angina, on the other hand, is just a symptom of the oxygen shortage -- or, to use some more medical terminology, myocardial ischemia

Ask the Harvard Experts: What To Do About a Plugged-Up Feeling in One Ear
Jo Shapiro, M.D.

The diagnosis of almost any ear problem starts with a few basic questions. One of the most obvious is also one of the most important: Have you lost any hearing?

Mayo Clinic: Treatment of Granulation Tissue Depends on Cause, Extent of Tissue Formation
Shelagh Cofer, M.D.

In people who have narrowing (stenosis) of the trachea, granulation tissue -- the type of tissue the body produces when healing a wound -- can cause serious, and sometimes even life-threatening breathing problems.

Mayo Clinic: Link Between Pancreatic Cancer and Diabetes Not Fully Understood
Suresh Chari, M.D.

Considerable research has been done to examine the complex relationship between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. While long-standing diabetes may slightly increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, new-onset diabetes is more likely to signal the presence of underlying cancer. However ...

Mayo Clinic: Hip Pain May be Relieved by Treatments Other Than Surgery
Edward Laskowski, M.D.

Hip pain can be a sign of many medical conditions. Some disorders, such as severe arthritis could, in time, require a hip replacement. But others, such as bursitis, can be managed with much less invasive treatment options. Exercise may help in some situations, but not all. Before you pursue treatment for hip pain

Mayo Clinic: Classic, Intense Symptoms Not Always Present in People With Bipolar Disorder
Mark Frye, M.D.

The classic symptoms of bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, are alternating emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). Increasingly, research suggests that people with bipolar disorder don't always have the classic and intense symptoms. Symptoms can vary from ...

OK to Incorporate Flexibility Into Your Diabetes Diet
January W. Payne

For those newly diagnosed with diabetes, the recommended lifestyle changes can be intimidating. Among the first guidelines are to eat a low-fat diet to help control cholesterol levels and to watch carbohydrate intake in order to keep glucose levels in check. But how do diabetics make these changes without sacrificing the foods they truly love? It turns out that they don't have to strictly adhere to a Spartan eating regimen, experts say.

Cholesterol - 10 Ways to Lower LDL and Raise HDL
January W. Payne

Your doctor tells you that your level of LDL -- the 'bad' type of cholesterol -- is too high, and, in a double whammy, he says that your level of HDL -- the 'good' cholesterol--is too low. Is there anything you can do to decrease the bad while increasing the good? There are steps you can take to accomplish this.

Could Cigarette Smoking Ever Get Safer
Linda Geddes, New Scientist Magazine

Tobacco companies have begun "clinical trials" to assess whether a range of prototype "safer cigarettes" really do slash levels of toxic chemicals entering the body

Finding Effective Treatment For Chronic Pain
January W. Payne

Chronic pain is a problem that -- when healthcare, lost income, and lost productivity are taken into account -- is estimated to cost about $100 billion in the United States each year. More than a quarter of Americans age 20 or older, or about 76.5 million people, say they've experienced pain that lasted longer than 24 hours

Although No Cure Exists, Effective Treatment Is Available for Migraine
Jerry Swanson, M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic

At this time, no cure exists for migraine headaches. But that doesn't mean you have to just suffer through them. Although there isn't one pill doctors can prescribe or a surgery we can recommend to cure migraine, effective treatment is available.

Atril Fibrillation Treatment Involves Reducing Risk of Stroke
Stephen Hammill, M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that involves the upper heart chambers (atria). During an episode of atrial fibrillation, the atria beat out of rhythm very quickly, up to 400 beats per minute. Fortunately, this rapid rate is slowed to about 70 to 150 beats per minute as the impulse travels to the lower chambers, the ventricles, which then pump blood to the body. The episode may last minutes to several days and individuals with atrial fibrillation should seek medical care promptly.

Treating Heart Failure: The Smartest Approach
Deborah Kotz

About 5 million people in the United States have heart failure, and 300,000 die from it every year. Indeed, heart failure -- the heart can't pump enough blood through the body -- is the most common reason older folks wind up in the hospital, and more than 1 in 4 heart-failure patients must be hospitalized again within a month of being discharged, according to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine. That's despite the fact, the American Heart Association contends, that most of these rehospitalizations are preventable.

5 Risks Linked to Diabetes Medications Like Lantus, Avandia, Actos
January W. Payne

For the 200 million diabetics worldwide, the past few years have brought some disturbing findings about risks that may be associated with certain diabetes drugs. The key thing to remember is not to panic when you hear news of safety concerns about a medication you're taking -- and definitely don't quit taking a prescribed diabetes drug without asking your doctor first.

Cancer and Supplements: What Vitamins, Herbs, and Botanicals Can (and Can't) Do
Health & Wellness - Katherine Hobson

As it turns out, the question of whether--and in what form--nutrients can be extracted from food or plants and used to fight cancer is quite complex. Researchers in this young field are probing the connections and contradictions but have not yet found answers to the question of what vitamins, herbs, or botanicals may help prevent, treat, or ameliorate symptoms of cancer. Here are a few reasons--plus guidance on what to do in the face of incomplete information.

Deep Brain Stimulation: A Pacemaker for Parkinson's Disease and More
Sarah Baldauf

"I thought, 'Oh, my God, that's brain surgery,' " recalls Bill Schmalfeldt. He was considering participating in a clinical trial--the only one testing so-called deep brain stimulation in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease--that might result in electrodes being permanently implanted deep inside his head.

Brain Stimulation: Can Magnetic or Electrical Pulses Help You
Sarah Baldauf

In recent years, attention has been focused heavily on the potential of brain stimulation therapies, which interrupt misbehaving brain signals. The therapies -- including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS) -- work to rejigger the brain's electrical circuitry and provide relief from debilitating symptoms that don't respond to medications

Brain Stimulation: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Sarah Baldauf

Patients who struggle to beat back the demons of depression have another option that is creating serious interest among clinicians and researchers -- transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, a form of brain stimulation.

Atril Fibrillation Treatment Involves Reducing Risk of Stroke
Stephen Hammill M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that involves the upper heart chambers (atria). factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. Treatment usually involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medication and, in some cases, surgery or catheter ablation.

By the Way, Doctor: Can Ginkgo Biloba Slow Dementia
Anthony Komaroff, M.D. - Harvard Health Letters

Ginkgo is prescribed in many parts of the world as a memory remedy and is readily available in the United States as an over-the-counter herbal supplement. It does have some antioxidant properties

Health, Nutrition & Diet: Getting Out the Gluten
Harvard Health Letters

Gluten seems to be the food ingredient non grata these days. Bakers are coming up with recipes for gluten-free cupcakes and baguettes. Anheuser-Busch sells Redbridge, a gluten-free beer made from sorghum. By some estimates, the sales of gluten-free foods have tripled since 2004. Gluten-free food has become more popular partly because doctors are diagnosing more cases of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder whose symptoms are triggered by gluten, the protein content in wheat, barley, rye ...

Fear of Crowds. When You Need Help for Anxiety
Deborah Kotz

Certain people find the feeling of a crowd pressing in on them to be extremely stressful. When such a feeling causes a panic attack, that's a sign of the anxiety condition claustrophobia. Feeling panicked by the mere presence of strangers is a condition known as agoraphobia

5 Lessons From the Nation's Obesity Report Card
Katherine Hobson

We're still getting fatter, albeit at a slightly slower rate. That's the chief takeaway from a yearly report on the U.S. obesity epidemic, which found that rates of obesity rose in 23 states (last year, rates rose in 37 states). Almost two thirds of states now have adult obesity rates above 25 percent, according to the report

10 Things You Should Know About Alzheimer's Disease
Sarah Baldauf

Alzheimer's disease and other dementias do a number on the mind and body of the individual with the disease and can also take a major toll on the health and finances of the individual's family

Alzheimer's Caregiving: Day-to-day Challenges
Harvard Health Watch

Bath time, mealtime, and bedtime are among the hardest parts of the day. The Alzheimer's disease has a profound emotional impact on the family members who must cope with a loved one's irrevocable decline.

Antacids Not Meant to be Used as Long-Term Treatment for Acid Reflux

Taking antacids for as long as you have can cause long-term side effects. Treatment for acid reflux has advanced considerably over the last 20 years. I recommend you talk with your doctor about ...

Repeated Exposure to Stomach Acid May Result in Barrett's Esophagus
Yvonne Romero, M.D., Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic

Barrett's esophagus does increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer. But esophageal cancer is rare. About 7,000 cases of adenocarcinoma, the type of cancer associated with Barrett's esophagus, are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Less than 10 percent of people who have Barrett's esophagus ever develop esophageal cancer. And, when caught early, this type of cancer can often be effectively treated. The key is ...

Acid Reflux GERD

If you have heartburn two or more times a week, it could be serious. The problem may be much more frequent than the occasional bout of indigestion. Frequent heartburn can also be a symptom of a more serious problem called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

Bone Marrow Donations Involves Less-Invasive Technique Than in the Past
Dennis Gastineau, M.D., Hematology, Mayo Clinic

A person can become a bone marrow donor in two ways. One is to donate to someone you know, usually a family member, who needs a bone marrow transplant. The second is to have your name listed on a national registry of willing bone marrow donors. This registry is used when people who need a bone marrow transplant cannot find a relative who is a compatible donor. Bone marrow donation previously involved a minor surgical procedure, but a less-invasive technique is now used most often.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome a Rare But Serious Disorder
P. James Dyck, M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an inflammatory disorder that can cause dramatic weakness and even complete paralysis. Most people recover but may require months, or even years, to regain their strength

Lifestyle Changes May Help Patients Cope With Peripheral Neuropathy
P. James Dyck, M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic

Peripheral neuropathy occurs as a result of nerve damage and often leads to pain, tingling, numbness and a lack of sensation in the limbs, particularly the hands and feet. Treatment may ease symptoms, and some lifestyle changes may also help

Avoid Tick-Borne Illness
Harvard Health Letters

The deer tick (also called the black-legged tick), which can carry and transmit the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. Considered somewhat rare in the mid-1980s, Lyme disease is now the most common vector-borne illness in the United States. About 20,000 cases are reported annually to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Are PET-CT scans good for detecting breast cancer
Harold J. Burstein, M.D.

The short answer is no, PET-CT scans are not suitable substitutes for mammograms. Mammograms take advantage of the fact that most of the female breast is fat tissue, so it's relatively transparent to the low doses of radiation used in mammography.

No Gallbladder, But the Pain Feels the Same
Stephen Goldfinger, M.D.

I've been experiencing pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen. My gallbladder was removed four years ago. My doctor thinks I have something wrong with my "sphincter of Oddi.

Stroke: 7 Signs You Could Be at Risk of a Brain Attack
Sarah Baldauf

Stroke can hit like a deadly lightning bolt. And if the victim survives, the aftermath can be debilitating -- affecting functioning from movement to speech. While stroke is the third-leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States, it trails behind other major diseases in awareness and recognition of symptoms.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy Not Meant for Long-Term Use
By Lowell C. Dale, M.D - Mayo Clinic Medical Edge

The purpose of nicotine gum is to deliver small doses of nicotine to your body, which allow you to better manage your withdrawal symptoms and cravings as you quit smoking. However, long-term use of nicotine replacement therapy could potentially cause other health problems.

Screening for Oral Cancer Should be Done with Regular Dental Visits
By Phillip Sheridan, D.D.S - Mayo Clinic Medical Edge

Oral cancer screening is important. A screening should be done every time you see a dentist or periodontist. The standard oral cancer screen is a visual inspection of all areas inside the mouth: the floor, back and roof of the mouth; inside of the cheeks; the gums; the tongue; and the tonsils.

Rare Form of Melanoma Difficult to Treat
By Svetomir Markovic, M.D., Ph.D. - Mayo Clinic Medical Edge

Internal melanoma is usually the result of melanoma that started somewhere on the skin and has spread (metastasized) to an internal organ. In many cases, the primary tumor can't be found on the skin. It may be either too small to be detected, or more commonly, it resolves on its own. The body's immune system is capable of eliminating small melanoma tumors on the skin. But all you need are several cancer cells from that tumor to invade farther into the skin and blood vessels, and melanoma can spread.

Pancreatic Cancer Difficult to Detect Early, Challenging to Treat
Suresh Chari, M.D. - Mayo Clinic Medical Edge

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease that's difficult to detect early and challenging to treat, making it a leading cause of cancer death. Currently, only about three out of 100 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years after diagnosis.

The Earlier Rectal Cancer is Diagnosed the Better the Cure Rate
Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic

The outlook for people with rectal cancer varies, depending on how advanced the cancer is and whether it has spread outside the rectum. Rectal cancer that's confined to the rectal wall and doesn't involve any lymph nodes has a cure rate of more than 90 percent. If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the cure rate is approximately 60 percent. Although specific treatment for each patient is based on the location and stage of the cancer, most patients with rectal cancer do not need a colostomy.

Ten Commandments of Cancer Prevention
Health Watch

Despite grim statistics, doctors have made great progress in understanding the biology of cancer cells, and they have already been able to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. But instead of just waiting for new breakthroughs, you can do a lot to protect yourself right now.

Statins & Prostate Cancer
Harvard Men's Health Watch

The most optimistic information about statins and prostate cancer comes from observational studies, which are less persuasive than randomized clinical trials. And the studies also differ in the doses and duration of statin therapy, the particular statin drugs used, and the characteristics of the population being studied. Still, though the results are far from conclusive, they raise hope that statins may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. And there are biologic mechanisms that could explain this effect.

Genetic Screening for Prostate Cancer
Harvard Men's Health Watch

Genes regulate the growth, multiplication, and death of all human cells. In some cases, abnormal genes are passed down from parent to child. If genes are responsible for cancer, then therapies that target genetic abnormalities should be beneficial.

Proscar & Osteoporosis
Harvey B. Simon, M.D. - Harvard Men's Health Watch

I am 76 years old, and I've had an enlarged prostate for at least 10 years. I've been taking Proscar for about a year, and it seems to be helping quite a bit. I have not noticed any side effects, but I'm worried that if the medicine reduces testosterone levels enough to shrink my prostate, it will also give me osteoporosis. Should I change medications?

Many Factors to Consider Before Removing Ovaries to Reduce Cancer Risk

Early Treatment with Bayer Drug Can Drastically Lower the Risk of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

First international study on the prevention of diabetes; Better and more cost-effective treatment possible. Patients with impaired glucose tolerance who receive treatment with acarbose at an early stage can not only prevent type II (adult-onset) diabetes from developing but can also drastically lower the risk of cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction. These findings of the large-scale international STOP-NIDDM Study were recently presented at the 21^st International Bayer Pharma Press Seminar in Munich. "The clock starts ticking long before diabetes is diagnosed," warned the Principal Investigator of the Study, Professor Jean-Louis Chiasson from Montreal, Canada. According to Professor Chiasson, the findings of the STOP-NIDDM Study confirm that impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a condition regarded as a precursor stage to diabetes, has to be treated at an early stage if cardiovascular complications which frequently take a fatal course are to be avoided.

West Nile Virus Underlines Threat From Mosquito-Borne Diseases

West Nile virus is spreading rapidly across the United States and poses a significant threat to human health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

New Tool for Mammography Can Help Detect Breast Cancer More Effectively

The government re-affirmed the importance of early breast cancer detection with its recent update to guidelines recommending that women age 40 and older have mammograms. A new computer-aided tool can make mammograms even better by highlighting potential areas of concern, and ultimately increasing early detection.

Insect Repellent Helps Prevent Insect-Borne Diseases - Naturally

Many people are changing their perceptions about mosquitoes - from an itchy annoyance to a potential health risk. Already this year, reports of mosquito-borne encephalitis (West Nile and St. Louis) have been recorded in central Florida and Louisiana. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20,000 confirmed cases of insect-related illnesses in humans are reported each year.

Drinking Purple Grape Juice Reduces Breast Cancer Cell Growth in Animal Study

A new study finds that drinking purple grape juice reduces breast cancer cell growth in animal study.

Stress & the Expectant Working Mom

For nearly one million working women who become pregnant each year, juggling stress in the workplace along with stress that comes with being pregnant can be a tall order. First among them is how to work and manage a healthy pregnancy at the same time.

People With Diabetes Fear Disability More Than Death

Singing Artist Gladys Knight Urges Americans with Diabetes to "Know More, Do More" to Reduce Their Risk of Deadly Heart Attacks and Strokes

AdvaMed Highlights How Medical Technologies Play a Key Role in Combating Bioterrorism

New medical technologies are under development to improve detection, prevention, and surveillance of bioterrorist attacks, health care experts reported at a recent meeting of the U.S. House of Representatives Medical Technology Caucus on Capitol Hill.

New Hope for Women with Advanced Breast Cancer

FemaraŽ (letrozole tablets) Data Demonstrate Survival Advantage in First-Line Hormonal Treatment of Post-Menopausal Women with Advanced Breast Cancer

Kids Are Not As Healthy And Fit As They Could Be

Health and Fitness Habits Get Worse As Kids Enter The Teen Years. Are children leading healthy lifestyles? Not always, according to a new survey.

Surgeon General Releases Preliminary Findings On Health Disparities and Mental Retardation

Comments from Surgeon General David Satcher at the conference on Health Disparities and Mental Retardation at a news conference in Washington, D.C.