Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It’s expected to take about 126,000 lives this year, making it the only one of the 10 leading killers that’s increasing each year. And COPD is also a major cause of disability since some 24 million Americans suffer from the condition; although it has traditionally been a predominantly male disease, COPD is on the rise in American women.

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 ...

In a perfect world, medications would never produce side effects, operations would always be successful, and the best movie would win the Oscar. In that world, Harvard Men’s Health Watch would be in every mailbox, and exercise would continue to prevent disease and prolong life without causing any aches and pains. For better or worse, perfection can never be achieved in the real world. It’s a wonderful world, and exercise is wonderful for health, but people who exercise do run a risk of injury.

Although exercise rarely triggers serious heart problems, they must be the first concern for everyone who ...

In the old days, when you were sick or needed a check-up, you went to the doctor’s office and you saw a doctor. Today, though, when you go to the doctor’s, you may see a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant. They are specially trained health care providers who are tested and licensed. Often they work under the supervision of an M.D., but sometimes they are independent. And, although they are not physicians, in many states they can order tests, perform some procedures, and write prescriptions.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants have surely helped to ease the shortage of doctors, ...

Q. After reading your article on multivitamins, I’ve decided to switch from my old multivitamin to plain vitamin D. But I’m confused by the various types of vitamin D. Which kind should I take?

A. You are wise to take vitamin D, but even wise men are likely to be confused by the complexities of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is essential for health. Its most well-established role is to increase the intestinal absorption of calcium, keeping bones strong. But important research also raises the hope that vitamin D may help protect against prostate cancer and other malignancies, muscular weakness and ...