
Aging
Harvard Health has a number of reports about the aging process to help older adults make the most out of the golden years. Aging research topics covered include everything from improving memory to living independently in your later years. Browse our publications on aging below.
Heal Your Aching Back
80% percent of the world’s population suffers from back pain at some point in their lives. In Heal Your Aching Back, Dr. Jeffrey Katz, M.D., M.Sc., a leading back specialist at Harvard Medical School, unravels the perplexities of back pain that have led to diagnostic discrepancies and mixed-message treatment for back pain sufferers. Learn more »
Hearing Loss: A guide to prevention and treatment
If you think you might need a hearing checkup, you probably do. This special health report describes the causes and cures for hearing loss. You’ll learn about the latest advances in hearing aid technology and find out which kind of hearing device may be best for you. This report also contains in-depth information on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss. You'll also learn how to prevent hearing loss and preserve the hearing you have now. Learn more »
Hot Flashes, Hormones, and Your Health
Hot Flashes, Hormones, and Your Health is a unique and indispensable guide to optimal health during menopause — the most comprehensive and up-to-date book on hormone therapy and alternative treatments, written by a highly respected expert in the field and a champion of women’s health. Learn more »
Improving Memory: Understanding age-related memory loss
Improving Memory describes age-related changes and other causes of memory impairment -- and how to distinguish between them. It also discusses the process of memory evaluation and research on how to prevent memory loss and improve memory. Finally, it addresses the all-important issue of maintaining good cardiovascular health as crucial to preventing cognitive decline. Learn more »
Living Better, Living Longer: The secrets of healthy aging
Age successfully! We designed Living Better, Living Longer to help you avoid or slow the onset and course of common health woes of aging, such as heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and sight and hearing disorders. Its pages pose and answer many questions about aging Learn more »
Living Independently in Your Later Years
Americans are living longer than ever before. For many, those extra years prove satisfying and productive. But for others they mean a greater span of time spent disabled by chronic health problems or dependent on others. Thankfully, there is a lot you can do to shape your future. This report offers advice on what you can do to preserve your independence and protect your health. Learn more »
Mind Over Menopause: The Complete Mind/Body Approach to Coping with Menopause
Based on groundbreaking programs developed by clinicians at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, including Dr. Herbert Benson, Mind Over Menopause is the only book to combine the expertise of the Mind/Body Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, and a leading member of the North American Menopause Society to create a complete plan for coping with menopause symptoms, so that all women can attain that confidence and enhance their midlife experience. Learn more »
Osteoporosis: A guide to prevention and treatment
Each year, osteoporosis contributes to more than 1.5 million bone fractures, with most of these breaks occurring in the hips, spine, and wrist. While many people consider broken bones mere nuisances, the burden of these breaks is often quite heavy. They can steal the ability to perform simple daily tasks, result in pain and deformity, and can even lead to life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia or blood clots. Learn more »
Prostate Disease
For a small gland, the prostate can cause big problems. More than half of men in their sixties have enlarged prostates. Prostate cancer is second only to lung cancer as a fatal malignancy. And prostatitis is a condition that affects even young men. This report describes the causes and treatment of prostate diseases and provides practical advice for coping with troubling side effects, including incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Learn more »
The Aging Eye: Preventing and treating eye disease
Four common eye diseases pose the greatest threats to vision after age 40: cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. This report will help you determine your risk of developing these disorders, describe their symptoms, and discuss diagnosis and treatment. You'll also learn to recognize and address other common eye problems, including presbyopia, dry eye, floaters and flashes, retinal detachment, and eyelid problems such as drooping upper or lower lids. Learn more »
