News and Views from Harvard Health Blog

Discovery could someday help people with diabetes make more insulin
May 24, 2013

A dog could be your heart’s best friend
May 22, 2013

New sunscreen labels offer clearer sunburn, skin cancer information
May 21, 2013

New from Harvard Health Publications

• Regular exercise releases brain chemicals key for memory, concentration, and mental sharpness

  Looking to stop "brain fog" or frequent bouts of forgetfulness? Exercise turns out to be an excellent way to protect and enhance brain health, according to the May 2013 issue of the Harvard Men's Health Watch. "There's a lot you can do to prevent... Read more »

• Busting myths about poison ivy

  Poison ivy poses real problems to gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts. But some of the "facts" that people know about this plant are really myths, reports the May 2013 Harvard Health Letter. Plants employ a variety of defenses to protect themselves.... Read more »

• New osteoarthritis treatments on the horizon

  For years, osteoarthritis treatments have focused on relieving symptoms: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen to control pain, steroid injections to bring down inflammation, and viscosupplements to replace a joint's... Read more »

• Logical sequence of tests helps identify heart disease

  Doctors can't easily "open the hood" and peer into the heart, making it difficult to determine the cause of chest pain or identify a person at high risk of having a heart attack. As explained in the May 2013 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter,... Read more »

• What exercise stress testing can tell you about the heart and what it can't

  Does it make sense to get an exercise stress test, "just in case," to make the your heart is still ticking like a fine Swiss watch? Probably not—unless you have symptoms of heart disease, according to the April 2013 issue of the Harvard Men's... Read more »

• Potential benefits of a gluten-free diet

  In the trendy world of popular diets, the latest catchphrase is gluten-free. This eating style is absolutely essential for people with celiac disease, who can't tolerate even small amounts of the protein gluten, which is found in grains such as... Read more »

• High blood pressure is a silent danger in older women

  Millions of American women harbor a secret even they don't know they carry. It's high blood pressure, an often silent, symptomless condition that can damage blood vessels and overwork the heart, leaving women prey to heart disease, stroke, and... Read more »

• Bypass surgery better than angioplasty in people with diabetes and heart disease

  Diabetes and heart disease often go hand in hand. A big unanswered question for people who have both conditions is what procedure is best for severely blocked coronary arteries. The answer is bypass surgery, explains the April 2013 issue of the... Read more »