{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1", "title": "Harvard Health Posts by Howard E. LeWine, MD Feed", "home_page_url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/howard-lewine-md", "feed_url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/howard-lewine-md/feed/json", "language": "en-US", "icon": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/img/logos/hhp-logo-mark-lg.jpg", "items": [{ "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/getting-closer-to-understanding-how-exercise-keeps-brains-young-201509048246", "title": "Getting closer to understanding how exercise keeps brains young", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/getting-closer-to-understanding-how-exercise-keeps-brains-young-201509048246", "content_html": "A new study published in PLOS One, looked at oxygen related changes and nerve processing in the brain, features that have shown to correlate with better memory and brain function as people age. It found that people with higher fitness levels were the same ones that were more physically active during the week. They were also the same people who showed more positive oxygen related changes and MRI findings consistent with faster nerve processing in the brain. Though there isn’t an exact exercise prescription to guide how long and hard we should exercise, the results of this study and many others, show even low intensity activity for an hour a day is much better for the brain than sitting on the couch.", "summary": "A new study published in PLOS One, looked at oxygen related changes and nerve processing in the brain, features that have shown to correlate with better memory and brain function as people age. It found that people with higher fitness levels were the same ones that were more physically active during the week. They were also the same people who showed more positive oxygen related changes and MRI findings consistent with faster nerve processing in the brain. Though there isn’t an exact exercise prescription to guide how long and hard we should exercise, the results of this study and many others, show even low intensity activity for an hour a day is much better for the brain than sitting on the couch.", "date_published": "2015-09-04T15:56:47-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-09-04T15:56:47-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8664/conversions/seniors-exercising-jogging-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Memory" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/quitting-smoking-doesnt-have-to-mean-big-weight-gain-201508248204", "title": "Quitting smoking doesn’t have to mean big weight gain", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/quitting-smoking-doesnt-have-to-mean-big-weight-gain-201508248204", "content_html": "Weight gain might be one of the most dreaded “side effects” of quitting smoking. Constant reminders of the health dangers of being overweight lead some smokers to think that smoking is “safer” than the weight they might gain if they quit. But that’s just not the case. It’s true that people tend to gain 5-10 pounds in the first six months after they stop smoking. But a recent study suggested that for those who quit, weight gain slows down over the following 10 years after quitting. Over that same time period, people who continued to smoke also gained some weight, though not as much. Over all, kicking the habit doesn’t have to mean a larger waistline, especially if you plan ahead.", "summary": "Weight gain might be one of the most dreaded “side effects” of quitting smoking. Constant reminders of the health dangers of being overweight lead some smokers to think that smoking is “safer” than the weight they might gain if they quit. But that’s just not the case. It’s true that people tend to gain 5-10 pounds in the first six months after they stop smoking. But a recent study suggested that for those who quit, weight gain slows down over the following 10 years after quitting. Over that same time period, people who continued to smoke also gained some weight, though not as much. Over all, kicking the habit doesn’t have to mean a larger waistline, especially if you plan ahead.", "date_published": "2015-08-24T12:07:15-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-08-24T12:07:15-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8654/conversions/cigarette-smoking-cessation-quitting-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Addiction","Diet & Weight Loss" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/bypass-surgery-an-uncommon-cause-of-memory-loss-cognitive-decline-201507228148", "title": "Bypass surgery an “uncommon” cause of memory loss, cognitive decline", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/bypass-surgery-an-uncommon-cause-of-memory-loss-cognitive-decline-201507228148", "content_html": "Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) offers a new lease on life for thousands of people each year. But it has also been blamed for “brain fog,” a loss of memory and thinking skills that follows the procedure in some people. Such brain problems are often called “cognitive impairment.” But the operation itself may not be to blame, according to a review in today’s Annals of Internal Medicine. A team of mostly Veteran’s Affairs researchers concluded that intermediate and long-term cognitive impairment after cardiovascular procedures “may be uncommon.” That said, they recommend that anyone thinking about open-heart surgery or other large cardiovascular procedure should discuss with the surgeon the possibility of cognitive impairment.", "summary": "Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) offers a new lease on life for thousands of people each year. But it has also been blamed for “brain fog,” a loss of memory and thinking skills that follows the procedure in some people. Such brain problems are often called “cognitive impairment.” But the operation itself may not be to blame, according to a review in today’s Annals of Internal Medicine. A team of mostly Veteran’s Affairs researchers concluded that intermediate and long-term cognitive impairment after cardiovascular procedures “may be uncommon.” That said, they recommend that anyone thinking about open-heart surgery or other large cardiovascular procedure should discuss with the surgeon the possibility of cognitive impairment.", "date_published": "2015-07-22T16:18:10-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-07-22T16:18:10-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8644/conversions/senior-man-computer-confused-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Heart Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hidden-cancer-rarely-causes-out-of-the-blue-clots-in-the-bloodstream-201506298112", "title": "Hidden cancer rarely causes out-of-the-blue clots in the bloodstream", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hidden-cancer-rarely-causes-out-of-the-blue-clots-in-the-bloodstream-201506298112", "content_html": "", "summary": "", "date_published": "2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8638/conversions/heart-cholesterol-blood-clot-75675601-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Cancer" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/sweet-dreams-eating-chocolate-prevents-heart-disease-201506168087", "title": "Sweet dreams: eating chocolate prevents heart disease", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/sweet-dreams-eating-chocolate-prevents-heart-disease-201506168087", "content_html": "If you’re a chocoholic, the news out of England is tantalizing: middle-aged and older adults who eat up to 3.5 ounces of chocolate a day (that’s more than two standard Hershey bars) seem to have lower rates of heart disease than those who spurn chocolate. At least that was the conclusion of a study that followed the health of nearly 21,000 resident of Norfolk, England, for 11 years. Most of the previous studies on the chocolate-heart connection found that only dark chocolate offered any cardiovascular protection. In the Norfolk study, any type of chocolate, including milk chocolate, seemed to have the same beneficial effect. I routinely write my patients a prescription for exercise, and sometimes for eating more vegetables and fruits. I won’t be writing any prescriptions for chocolate in the foreseeable future. But I won’t be telling them not to eat chocolate—in moderation of course.", "summary": "If you’re a chocoholic, the news out of England is tantalizing: middle-aged and older adults who eat up to 3.5 ounces of chocolate a day (that’s more than two standard Hershey bars) seem to have lower rates of heart disease than those who spurn chocolate. At least that was the conclusion of a study that followed the health of nearly 21,000 resident of Norfolk, England, for 11 years. Most of the previous studies on the chocolate-heart connection found that only dark chocolate offered any cardiovascular protection. In the Norfolk study, any type of chocolate, including milk chocolate, seemed to have the same beneficial effect. I routinely write my patients a prescription for exercise, and sometimes for eating more vegetables and fruits. I won’t be writing any prescriptions for chocolate in the foreseeable future. But I won’t be telling them not to eat chocolate—in moderation of course.", "date_published": "2015-06-16T21:23:02-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-06-16T21:23:02-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8633/conversions/dark-chocolate-chunks-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Heart Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ticks-can-transmit-a-new-lyme-like-disease-201506118078", "title": "Ticks can transmit a new Lyme-like disease", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ticks-can-transmit-a-new-lyme-like-disease-201506118078", "content_html": "There are several good reasons to keep ticks off your body. One is that they are creepy and suck your blood. Others are the 14 diseases they are known to transmit. A report published online this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine describes the newest tick-borne disease in North America, which is caused by a bacterium known as Borrelia miyamotoi. This spiral-shaped bacterium is related to the one that causes Lyme disease. Like Lyme disease, Borrelia miyamotoi disease is spread by small, hard-bodied deer ticks. Infection with Borrelia miyamotoi often causes a recurring fever, as well as headache, muscle aches, and chills. It does not usually cause the “bull’s eye” rash seen in some people with Lyme disease. According to the Annals report, nearly one-quarter of people diagnosed with Borrelia miyamotoi disease are so sick they need to be hospitalized. The best therapy so far is the oral antibiotic doxycycline. Experts aren’t sure how common Borrelia miyamotoi disease is because it isn’t on doctors’ radar screens, and because some people who develop it never see a doctor.", "summary": "There are several good reasons to keep ticks off your body. One is that they are creepy and suck your blood. Others are the 14 diseases they are known to transmit. A report published online this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine describes the newest tick-borne disease in North America, which is caused by a bacterium known as Borrelia miyamotoi. This spiral-shaped bacterium is related to the one that causes Lyme disease. Like Lyme disease, Borrelia miyamotoi disease is spread by small, hard-bodied deer ticks. Infection with Borrelia miyamotoi often causes a recurring fever, as well as headache, muscle aches, and chills. It does not usually cause the “bull’s eye” rash seen in some people with Lyme disease. According to the Annals report, nearly one-quarter of people diagnosed with Borrelia miyamotoi disease are so sick they need to be hospitalized. The best therapy so far is the oral antibiotic doxycycline. Experts aren’t sure how common Borrelia miyamotoi disease is because it isn’t on doctors’ radar screens, and because some people who develop it never see a doctor.", "date_published": "2015-06-11T15:53:33-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-06-11T15:53:33-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8632/conversions/tick-on-a-plant-lyme-disease-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-hospice-care-reduce-depression-in-the-bereaved-201505268042", "title": "Can hospice care reduce depression in the bereaved?", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-hospice-care-reduce-depression-in-the-bereaved-201505268042", "content_html": "Hospice care improves quality of life in the dire circumstances of a person’s last days. It can enable the dying to spend this time in peace, surrounded by family and friends, and in little pain. Studies confirm what many know intuitively. Family members are likely to experience major depression following the loss of a loved one. A recent study published in today’s online JAMA Internal Medicine looked at whether hospice care reduces the severity of bereavement-related depression in people who had recently lost a spouse. While the researchers saw no difference between spouses whose partners were enrolled in hospice and those how weren’t, major depression was less common in spouses who received support from a hospice program.", "summary": "Hospice care improves quality of life in the dire circumstances of a person’s last days. It can enable the dying to spend this time in peace, surrounded by family and friends, and in little pain. Studies confirm what many know intuitively. Family members are likely to experience major depression following the loss of a loved one. A recent study published in today’s online JAMA Internal Medicine looked at whether hospice care reduces the severity of bereavement-related depression in people who had recently lost a spouse. While the researchers saw no difference between spouses whose partners were enrolled in hospice and those how weren’t, major depression was less common in spouses who received support from a hospice program.", "date_published": "2015-05-26T00:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-05-26T00:00:00-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8626/conversions/bigstock-Senior-And-Young-Holding-Hands-caregiving-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Mental Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/grip-strength-may-provide-clues-to-heart-health-201505198022", "title": "Grip strength may provide clues to heart health", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/grip-strength-may-provide-clues-to-heart-health-201505198022", "content_html": "A strong or weak hand grip carries more than just social cues. It may also help measure an individual’s risk for having a heart attack or stroke, or dying from cardiovascular disease. As part of the international Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, researchers measured grip strength in nearly 140,000 adults in 17 countries and followed their health for an average of four years. Each 11-pound decrease in grip strength over the course of the study was linked to a 16% higher risk of dying from any cause, a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease, a 9% higher risk of stroke, and a 7% higher risk of heart attack. Interestingly, grip strength was a better predictor of death or cardiovascular disease than blood pressure. What’s the connection? It’s possible that grip strength measures biological age.", "summary": "A strong or weak hand grip carries more than just social cues. It may also help measure an individual’s risk for having a heart attack or stroke, or dying from cardiovascular disease. As part of the international Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, researchers measured grip strength in nearly 140,000 adults in 17 countries and followed their health for an average of four years. Each 11-pound decrease in grip strength over the course of the study was linked to a 16% higher risk of dying from any cause, a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease, a 9% higher risk of stroke, and a 7% higher risk of heart attack. Interestingly, grip strength was a better predictor of death or cardiovascular disease than blood pressure. What’s the connection? It’s possible that grip strength measures biological age.", "date_published": "2015-05-19T16:11:52-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-05-19T16:11:52-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8624/conversions/arthrtitic-hand-and-jar_iStock-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Heart Health","Bones and joints" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/switching-to-a-fiber-rich-diet-may-lower-colon-cancer-risk-in-blacks-201504307966", "title": "Switching to a fiber-rich diet may lower colon cancer risk in blacks", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/switching-to-a-fiber-rich-diet-may-lower-colon-cancer-risk-in-blacks-201504307966", "content_html": "Switching from a “Western” diet with lots of fat and meat to a fiber-rich diet for just two weeks makes conditions in the large intestine less favorable to the development of colon cancer. The opposite switch may promote the formation of cancer. That’s the conclusion from a small but elegant study done in urban Pittsburgh and rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In the study, 20 volunteers from each area switched diets. For two weeks, the Americans ate a traditional high-fiber African diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans, while the Africans ate a Western diet with more fat, protein, and meat. In just two weeks, significant changes occurred in the lining of the colon and in its chemical and bacterial make-up in both groups, but in different directions. Those following the African diet showed improvements in colon health likely to protect against colon cancer, while those following the Western diet showed changes that could lead to colon cancer.", "summary": "Switching from a “Western” diet with lots of fat and meat to a fiber-rich diet for just two weeks makes conditions in the large intestine less favorable to the development of colon cancer. The opposite switch may promote the formation of cancer. That’s the conclusion from a small but elegant study done in urban Pittsburgh and rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In the study, 20 volunteers from each area switched diets. For two weeks, the Americans ate a traditional high-fiber African diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans, while the Africans ate a Western diet with more fat, protein, and meat. In just two weeks, significant changes occurred in the lining of the colon and in its chemical and bacterial make-up in both groups, but in different directions. Those following the African diet showed improvements in colon health likely to protect against colon cancer, while those following the Western diet showed changes that could lead to colon cancer.", "date_published": "2015-04-30T13:27:20-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-04-30T13:27:20-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8613/conversions/healthy-superfoods-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Cancer","Colorectal Cancer" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/special-mri-scan-could-identify-stroke-risk-in-people-with-atrial-fibrillation-201504287961", "title": "Special MRI scan could identify stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/special-mri-scan-could-identify-stroke-risk-in-people-with-atrial-fibrillation-201504287961", "content_html": "Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that affects millions of people. It can lead to potentially disabling or deadly strokes. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine adding motion-tracking software to standard MRI heart scans of 149 men and women with atrial fibrillation. The scans revealed specific changes in the muscles of the left atrium that increased stroke risk in some of the volunteers. These changes were not associated with age or other risk factors for stroke. This could help many people with this condition to avoid taking warfarin or other clot-preventing medications for life. But it is much too early to include MRI as part of the standard evaluation of people with atrial fibrillation — not to mention that such scans would significantly increase the cost of these evaluations. For now, doctors will continue to use standard tools to help determine stroke risk.", "summary": "Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that affects millions of people. It can lead to potentially disabling or deadly strokes. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine adding motion-tracking software to standard MRI heart scans of 149 men and women with atrial fibrillation. The scans revealed specific changes in the muscles of the left atrium that increased stroke risk in some of the volunteers. These changes were not associated with age or other risk factors for stroke. This could help many people with this condition to avoid taking warfarin or other clot-preventing medications for life. But it is much too early to include MRI as part of the standard evaluation of people with atrial fibrillation — not to mention that such scans would significantly increase the cost of these evaluations. For now, doctors will continue to use standard tools to help determine stroke risk.", "date_published": "2015-04-28T19:30:39-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-04-28T19:30:39-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8612/conversions/Woman-getting-a-MRI-CT-Scan-75011533-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Heart Health","Stroke" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/physical-therapy-as-good-as-surgery-and-less-risky-for-one-type-of-lower-back-pain-201504097863", "title": "Physical therapy as good as surgery and less risky for one type of lower back pain", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/physical-therapy-as-good-as-surgery-and-less-risky-for-one-type-of-lower-back-pain-201504097863", "content_html": "", "summary": "", "date_published": "2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8604/conversions/bigstock-physical-therapist-stretching-lower-back-man-85571219-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Pain","Back Pain" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/early-scans-for-back-pain-add-cost-but-offer-little-benefit-for-seniors-201503207821", "title": "Early scans for back pain add cost but offer little benefit for seniors", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/early-scans-for-back-pain-add-cost-but-offer-little-benefit-for-seniors-201503207821", "content_html": "Older adults with new back pain usually end up getting a CT scan or MRI. That’s often a waste of time and money and has little or no effect on the outcome, according to a new study from the University of Washington. The results of the study contradict current guidelines from the American College of Radiology. The guidelines say that it’s “appropriate” for doctors to order early MRIs for people ages 70 and older with new-onset back pain, and many doctors do just that. The study, which followed more than 5,200 men and women over the age of 65 who saw a primary care physician for a new bout of back pain, found that people who got early back scans did no better than those who didn’t have scans. The scans added about $1,400 per person to the overall cost of back pain care — with no measurable benefit.", "summary": "Older adults with new back pain usually end up getting a CT scan or MRI. That’s often a waste of time and money and has little or no effect on the outcome, according to a new study from the University of Washington. The results of the study contradict current guidelines from the American College of Radiology. The guidelines say that it’s “appropriate” for doctors to order early MRIs for people ages 70 and older with new-onset back pain, and many doctors do just that. The study, which followed more than 5,200 men and women over the age of 65 who saw a primary care physician for a new bout of back pain, found that people who got early back scans did no better than those who didn’t have scans. The scans added about $1,400 per person to the overall cost of back pain care — with no measurable benefit.", "date_published": "2015-03-20T12:46:23-04:00", "date_modified": "2015-03-20T12:46:23-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8598/conversions/bigstock-Male-doctor-discussing-reports-84765227-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Back Pain" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/years-flu-vaccine-disappointing-main-flu-virus-201502277763", "title": "This year’s flu vaccine “disappointing” against main flu virus", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/years-flu-vaccine-disappointing-main-flu-virus-201502277763", "content_html": "Some years the flu vaccine works quite well. Other years it doesn’t. It has done a particularly poor job this year against the main flu virus. The CDC reported yesterday that this year’s flu vaccine has been just 18% effective. The estimate for children is even lower. And it looks like the nasal spray vaccine may not have worked at all among children. One reason for this year’s mismatch between virus and vaccine is that experts must decide months in advance which of the hundreds of flu viruses to include in the vaccine. What became the dominant flu virus this year, a new strain of H3N2 influenza A, wasn’t around last year when experts were determining this year’s vaccine.", "summary": "Some years the flu vaccine works quite well. Other years it doesn’t. It has done a particularly poor job this year against the main flu virus. The CDC reported yesterday that this year’s flu vaccine has been just 18% effective. The estimate for children is even lower. And it looks like the nasal spray vaccine may not have worked at all among children. One reason for this year’s mismatch between virus and vaccine is that experts must decide months in advance which of the hundreds of flu viruses to include in the vaccine. What became the dominant flu virus this year, a new strain of H3N2 influenza A, wasn’t around last year when experts were determining this year’s vaccine.", "date_published": "2015-02-27T19:33:32-05:00", "date_modified": "2015-02-27T19:33:32-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8590/conversions/bigstock-Flu-Alert-Concept-35983738-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Colds and flu" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/millions-skip-medications-due-to-their-high-cost-201501307673", "title": "Millions of adults skip medications due to their high cost", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/millions-skip-medications-due-to-their-high-cost-201501307673", "content_html": "Medications can do wonderful things, from fighting infection to preventing stroke and warding off depression. But medications don’t work if they aren’t taken. Some people don’t take their medications as prescribed because they forget, or are bothered by side effects. A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics shines the light on another reason: nearly 1 in 10 people skip medications because they can’t pay for them. Other strategies for saving money on drug costs included asking doctors for lower-cost medications, buying prescription drugs from other countries, and using alternative therapies. Not taking medications as prescribed can cause serious problems. It can lead to unnecessary complications related to a medical condition. It can lead to a bad outcome, like a heart attack or stroke. It can also increase medical costs if hospitalization or other medical interventions are needed. Safe money-saving options include using generic drugs when possible, pill splitting, shopping around, and making lifestyle changes such as exercising more and following a healthier diet, which can sometimes decrease the number and dose of drugs needed.", "summary": "Medications can do wonderful things, from fighting infection to preventing stroke and warding off depression. But medications don’t work if they aren’t taken. Some people don’t take their medications as prescribed because they forget, or are bothered by side effects. A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics shines the light on another reason: nearly 1 in 10 people skip medications because they can’t pay for them. Other strategies for saving money on drug costs included asking doctors for lower-cost medications, buying prescription drugs from other countries, and using alternative therapies. Not taking medications as prescribed can cause serious problems. It can lead to unnecessary complications related to a medical condition. It can lead to a bad outcome, like a heart attack or stroke. It can also increase medical costs if hospitalization or other medical interventions are needed. Safe money-saving options include using generic drugs when possible, pill splitting, shopping around, and making lifestyle changes such as exercising more and following a healthier diet, which can sometimes decrease the number and dose of drugs needed.", "date_published": "2015-01-30T20:59:26-05:00", "date_modified": "2015-01-30T20:59:26-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8576/conversions/High-cost-medications_border-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/exercise-beats-none-better-201501237653", "title": "Some exercise beats none; more is better", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/exercise-beats-none-better-201501237653", "content_html": "The standard recommendation for exercise is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. But that may not be the best recommendation for everyone, especially those who are older and have trouble exercising, or those who don’t exercise at all. If we think of exercise as a spectrum, with no activity on one end and 150 minutes or more a week on the other end, there’s a continuum in between. Getting individuals to move along that continuum, from no exercise to a little, a little to more, and so on, is an important goal. New research on the hazards of sitting for prolonged periods should get all of us to sit less and stand or move more.", "summary": "The standard recommendation for exercise is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. But that may not be the best recommendation for everyone, especially those who are older and have trouble exercising, or those who don’t exercise at all. If we think of exercise as a spectrum, with no activity on one end and 150 minutes or more a week on the other end, there’s a continuum in between. Getting individuals to move along that continuum, from no exercise to a little, a little to more, and so on, is an important goal. New research on the hazards of sitting for prolonged periods should get all of us to sit less and stand or move more.", "date_published": "2015-01-23T19:58:11-05:00", "date_modified": "2015-01-23T19:58:11-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8572/conversions/Women-tying-running-shoes-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Exercise and Fitness" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/people-type-1-diabetes-living-longer-201501087611", "title": "People with type 1 diabetes are living longer", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/people-type-1-diabetes-living-longer-201501087611", "content_html": "Ninety years ago, type 1 diabetes was a death sentence: half of people who developed it died within two years; more than 90% were dead within five years. Thanks to the introduction of insulin therapy in 1922, and numerous advances since then, many people with type 1 diabetes now live into their 50s and beyond. But survival in this group still falls short of that among people without diabetes. A Scottish study published this week in JAMA shows that at the age of 20, individuals with type 1 diabetes on average lived 12 fewer years than 20-year-olds without it. A second study in the same issue of JAMA showed that people with type 1 diabetes with better blood sugar control lived longer than those with poorer blood sugar control.", "summary": "Ninety years ago, type 1 diabetes was a death sentence: half of people who developed it died within two years; more than 90% were dead within five years. Thanks to the introduction of insulin therapy in 1922, and numerous advances since then, many people with type 1 diabetes now live into their 50s and beyond. But survival in this group still falls short of that among people without diabetes. A Scottish study published this week in JAMA shows that at the age of 20, individuals with type 1 diabetes on average lived 12 fewer years than 20-year-olds without it. A second study in the same issue of JAMA showed that people with type 1 diabetes with better blood sugar control lived longer than those with poorer blood sugar control.", "date_published": "2015-01-08T16:23:02-05:00", "date_modified": "2015-01-08T16:23:02-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8569/conversions/Diabetes-warning-sign-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Diabetes and metabolic health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/full-bladder-wakes-2-3-women-night-201412127585", "title": "Full bladder wakes 2 in 3 women at night", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/full-bladder-wakes-2-3-women-night-201412127585", "content_html": "", "summary": "", "date_published": "2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8567/conversions/bigstock-Toilet-bowl-and-toilet-paper-i-45424822-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Women's Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medicare-says-will-cover-lung-cancer-scans-long-time-smokers-201411117511", "title": "Medicare says it will cover lung cancer scans for long-time smokers", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medicare-says-will-cover-lung-cancer-scans-long-time-smokers-201411117511", "content_html": "Last spring, an advisory panel for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommended that Medicare not cover low-dose CT scans for smokers or former smokers. These scans can double the proportion of lung cancers found at an early stage, while they are still treatable. Yesterday, CMS announced that it would cover the cost of these scans for people between the ages of 55 and 74 who smoke, or who quit within the last 15 years, and who have a smoking history of 30 pack-years. (That means a pack a day for 30 years, two packs a day for 15 years, etc.) The new Medicare plan would cover scans for an estimated 4 million older Americans, at a cost estimated to be more than $9 billion over five years. In a wise addition, Medicare will require smokers to get counseling on quitting or the importance of staying smoke-free before having the annual scan.", "summary": "Last spring, an advisory panel for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommended that Medicare not cover low-dose CT scans for smokers or former smokers. These scans can double the proportion of lung cancers found at an early stage, while they are still treatable. Yesterday, CMS announced that it would cover the cost of these scans for people between the ages of 55 and 74 who smoke, or who quit within the last 15 years, and who have a smoking history of 30 pack-years. (That means a pack a day for 30 years, two packs a day for 15 years, etc.) The new Medicare plan would cover scans for an estimated 4 million older Americans, at a cost estimated to be more than $9 billion over five years. In a wise addition, Medicare will require smokers to get counseling on quitting or the importance of staying smoke-free before having the annual scan.", "date_published": "2014-11-11T17:09:04-05:00", "date_modified": "2014-11-11T17:09:04-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8558/conversions/Woman-preparing-for-CT-scan-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Cancer" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/bad-weather-isnt-blame-aching-back-201407117262", "title": "Bad weather isn’t to blame for your aching back", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/bad-weather-isnt-blame-aching-back-201407117262", "content_html": "It’s not uncommon for people to blame the weather for making their arthritis or back pain flare up. A team of Australian researchers has one word for that: bunk. They followed nearly 1,000 people who were seen for acute low back pain in several Sydney primary care clinics noted the weather conditions when the back pain started, as well one week and one month earlier. And they found … nothing. No connection between back pain and temperature, rain, humidity, or air pressure. The results were published online in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. This isn’t the first word on the pain-weather connection, and won’t be the last. If animals can sense earthquakes, then it may be possible for people with back pain, arthritis, or other types of pain to sense changes in the weather that the rest of us don’t notice. But we need good proof.", "summary": "It’s not uncommon for people to blame the weather for making their arthritis or back pain flare up. A team of Australian researchers has one word for that: bunk. They followed nearly 1,000 people who were seen for acute low back pain in several Sydney primary care clinics noted the weather conditions when the back pain started, as well one week and one month earlier. And they found … nothing. No connection between back pain and temperature, rain, humidity, or air pressure. The results were published online in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. This isn’t the first word on the pain-weather connection, and won’t be the last. If animals can sense earthquakes, then it may be possible for people with back pain, arthritis, or other types of pain to sense changes in the weather that the rest of us don’t notice. But we need good proof.", "date_published": "2014-07-11T19:00:04-04:00", "date_modified": "2014-07-11T19:00:04-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8522/conversions/bigstock-Rain-drops-falling-from-a-blac-46512508-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Back Pain" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-strategies-help-smokers-quit-nicotine-replacement-alone-doesnt-work-201407097257", "title": "New strategies help smokers quit when nicotine replacement alone doesn’t work", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-strategies-help-smokers-quit-nicotine-replacement-alone-doesnt-work-201407097257", "content_html": "Breaking a smoking habit can be hard. Nicotine is so addictive that smoking, or using tobacco in other forms, may be the toughest unhealthy habit to break. But it’s possible to quit. Nicotine replacement, in the form of nicotine patches, gum, sprays, inhalers, and lozenges, can help overcome the physical addiction. Medications such as varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Zyban) can also help. They can help reduce the cravings for a cigarette, and may also make smoking less pleasurable. Two new studies show that adding one or both of these medications to nicotine replacement can help improve quit rates. This research doesn’t suggest that smokers take varenicline and bupropion as a first step in smoking cessation. But when nicotine replacement alone hasn’t helped, adding varenicline with or without bupropion may lead to success.", "summary": "Breaking a smoking habit can be hard. Nicotine is so addictive that smoking, or using tobacco in other forms, may be the toughest unhealthy habit to break. But it’s possible to quit. Nicotine replacement, in the form of nicotine patches, gum, sprays, inhalers, and lozenges, can help overcome the physical addiction. Medications such as varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Zyban) can also help. They can help reduce the cravings for a cigarette, and may also make smoking less pleasurable. Two new studies show that adding one or both of these medications to nicotine replacement can help improve quit rates. This research doesn’t suggest that smokers take varenicline and bupropion as a first step in smoking cessation. But when nicotine replacement alone hasn’t helped, adding varenicline with or without bupropion may lead to success.", "date_published": "2014-07-09T19:37:45-04:00", "date_modified": "2014-07-09T19:37:45-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8521/conversions/smoking-cigarettes-quit-temptation-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Addiction" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/expert-panel-says-healthy-women-dont-need-yearly-pelvic-exam-201407027250", "title": "Expert panel says healthy women don’t need yearly pelvic exam", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/expert-panel-says-healthy-women-dont-need-yearly-pelvic-exam-201407027250", "content_html": "The annual pelvic exam, an oft-dreaded part of preventive care for women, may become the as-needed pelvic exam, thanks to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians. For decades, doctors have believed this exam may detect problems like ovarian cancer or a bacterial infection even if a woman had no symptoms. But an expert panel appointed by the American College of Physicians now says that healthy, low-risk women do not need to have a pelvic exam every year. The exam isn’t very effective at finding problems like ovarian cancer or a vaginal infection, and it often causes discomfort and distress. Sometimes it also leads to surgery that is not needed. The new guidelines only apply to the pelvic exam, and only in healthy women.", "summary": "The annual pelvic exam, an oft-dreaded part of preventive care for women, may become the as-needed pelvic exam, thanks to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians. For decades, doctors have believed this exam may detect problems like ovarian cancer or a bacterial infection even if a woman had no symptoms. But an expert panel appointed by the American College of Physicians now says that healthy, low-risk women do not need to have a pelvic exam every year. The exam isn’t very effective at finding problems like ovarian cancer or a vaginal infection, and it often causes discomfort and distress. Sometimes it also leads to surgery that is not needed. The new guidelines only apply to the pelvic exam, and only in healthy women.", "date_published": "2014-07-02T14:23:26-04:00", "date_modified": "2014-07-02T14:23:26-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8519/conversions/female-and-doctor-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Women's Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/bionic-pancreas-help-people-type-1-diabetes-control-blood-sugar-201406177215", "title": "“Bionic pancreas” could help people with type 1 diabetes control blood sugar", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/bionic-pancreas-help-people-type-1-diabetes-control-blood-sugar-201406177215", "content_html": "Researchers at Boston University and Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a bionic pancreas. In an early test of the device, reported online this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, it helped control blood sugar levels in 20 adults and 32 teenagers with type 1 diabetes who went about their daily lives without the constant monitoring and injecting that’s required with type 1 diabetes. Right now, this artificial pancreas is essentially an app that runs on an iPhone wirelessly connected to a monitor worn on the abdomen that continually checks blood sugar and two pumps, one for insulin and one for glucagon. The team that developed the bionic pancreas have begun a second round of testing, and hope to have a more sophisticated version on the market in five years. While not a cure, the development of a bionic pancreas represents a bridge that would let people with type 1 diabetes control their blood sugar with less hassle, and more safely, than they do now.", "summary": "Researchers at Boston University and Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a bionic pancreas. In an early test of the device, reported online this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, it helped control blood sugar levels in 20 adults and 32 teenagers with type 1 diabetes who went about their daily lives without the constant monitoring and injecting that’s required with type 1 diabetes. Right now, this artificial pancreas is essentially an app that runs on an iPhone wirelessly connected to a monitor worn on the abdomen that continually checks blood sugar and two pumps, one for insulin and one for glucagon. The team that developed the bionic pancreas have begun a second round of testing, and hope to have a more sophisticated version on the market in five years. While not a cure, the development of a bionic pancreas represents a bridge that would let people with type 1 diabetes control their blood sugar with less hassle, and more safely, than they do now.", "date_published": "2014-06-17T20:09:19-04:00", "date_modified": "2014-06-17T20:09:19-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8513/conversions/bigstock_highlighted_pancreas_7770776-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Diabetes and metabolic health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/walking-exercise-helps-seniors-stay-mobile-independent-201405287173", "title": "Walking, other exercise helps seniors stay mobile, independent", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/walking-exercise-helps-seniors-stay-mobile-independent-201405287173", "content_html": "", "summary": "", "date_published": "2020-10-13T00:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2020-10-13T00:00:00-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8506/conversions/Old-Couple-exercising-together-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/little-sleep-much-affect-memory-201405027136", "title": "Too little sleep, and too much, affect memory", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/little-sleep-much-affect-memory-201405027136", "content_html": "", "summary": "", "date_published": "2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8500/conversions/Alarm-Clock-next-to-bed-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Sleep","Mental Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-guidelines-aim-to-help-women-prevent-stroke-201402077029", "title": "New guidelines aim to help women prevent stroke", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-guidelines-aim-to-help-women-prevent-stroke-201402077029", "content_html": "The first-ever guidelines for preventing stroke in women don’t fool around. They offer ways to prevent this disabling and potentially deadly event from adolescence to old age. More than half of the 800,000 Americans who have strokes each year are women. Nearly 4 million American women are living with the aftermath of a stroke. And because women live longer than men, their lifetime risk of having a stroke is higher. Those numbers are why stroke prevention is especially important for women. The guidelines cover the use of oral contraceptives, high blood pressure during pregnancy, the use of hormones after menopause, and migraine with aura. They also cover the fundamentals of stroke prevention, like controlling blood pressure, exercising more, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking.", "summary": "The first-ever guidelines for preventing stroke in women don’t fool around. They offer ways to prevent this disabling and potentially deadly event from adolescence to old age. More than half of the 800,000 Americans who have strokes each year are women. Nearly 4 million American women are living with the aftermath of a stroke. And because women live longer than men, their lifetime risk of having a stroke is higher. Those numbers are why stroke prevention is especially important for women. The guidelines cover the use of oral contraceptives, high blood pressure during pregnancy, the use of hormones after menopause, and migraine with aura. They also cover the fundamentals of stroke prevention, like controlling blood pressure, exercising more, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking.", "date_published": "2014-02-07T19:47:14-05:00", "date_modified": "2014-02-07T19:47:14-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8481/conversions/Brain-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Heart Health","Women's Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/heavy-drinking-in-middle-age-linked-to-memory-loss-in-men-2-201401176984", "title": "Heavy drinking in middle age linked to memory loss in men", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/heavy-drinking-in-middle-age-linked-to-memory-loss-in-men-2-201401176984", "content_html": "For some people, like those with an addiction, any amount of alcohol is too much. For others, drinking alcohol is something of a balancing act — a little may be healthful, while more than a little may be harmful. A new report in the journal Neurology highlights the dual effects of alcohol in men. As part of the Whitehall II study in Britain, researchers assessed the drinking habits of middle-aged men and women three times over a 10-year period. The study participants also took a mental skills test three times over the next 10 years. Compared with men who didn’t drink or who drank moderately, mental decline began to appear one to six years earlier in men who averaged more than 2.5 drinks a day. (There weren’t enough heavy drinkers among women to show any clear differences.) How does a person know if he or she is drinking too much? The CAGE and AUDIT tests can help.", "summary": "For some people, like those with an addiction, any amount of alcohol is too much. For others, drinking alcohol is something of a balancing act — a little may be healthful, while more than a little may be harmful. A new report in the journal Neurology highlights the dual effects of alcohol in men. As part of the Whitehall II study in Britain, researchers assessed the drinking habits of middle-aged men and women three times over a 10-year period. The study participants also took a mental skills test three times over the next 10 years. Compared with men who didn’t drink or who drank moderately, mental decline began to appear one to six years earlier in men who averaged more than 2.5 drinks a day. (There weren’t enough heavy drinkers among women to show any clear differences.) How does a person know if he or she is drinking too much? The CAGE and AUDIT tests can help.", "date_published": "2014-01-17T20:11:04-05:00", "date_modified": "2014-01-17T20:11:04-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8475/conversions/Smiley-face-on-a-hip-flask-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Mental Health","Addiction","Memory" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/94-year-old-master-track-star-an-inspiration-to-all-201401066961", "title": "94-year-old Master track star an inspiration to all", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/94-year-old-master-track-star-an-inspiration-to-all-201401066961", "content_html": "A recent article in Parade magazine caught my eye because it has lessons for us all. The article was about Olga Kotelko, a 94-year-old woman, who is a competitive runner and track star. Her age alone is impressive. The fact that she didn’t enter her first Master’s competition until she was 77—an age when many people are hanging up their sneakers—is amazing. The article offers six lessons that anyone can learn from Ms. Kotelko’s daily life. She can be an inspiration for anyone, at any age, who wants to start exercising or to exercise more. You are never too old or too frail to start exercising. Start out with a safe, easy program. Gradually add more and harder exercise. Who knows where you might end—possibly in an event challenging the likes of Olga Kotelko.", "summary": "A recent article in Parade magazine caught my eye because it has lessons for us all. The article was about Olga Kotelko, a 94-year-old woman, who is a competitive runner and track star. Her age alone is impressive. The fact that she didn’t enter her first Master’s competition until she was 77—an age when many people are hanging up their sneakers—is amazing. The article offers six lessons that anyone can learn from Ms. Kotelko’s daily life. She can be an inspiration for anyone, at any age, who wants to start exercising or to exercise more. You are never too old or too frail to start exercising. Start out with a safe, easy program. Gradually add more and harder exercise. Who knows where you might end—possibly in an event challenging the likes of Olga Kotelko.", "date_published": "2014-01-06T19:45:50-05:00", "date_modified": "2014-01-06T19:45:50-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8470/conversions/Two-older-women-jogging-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Exercise and Fitness" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/two-thirds-of-seniors-need-help-doing-one-or-more-daily-activities-201312136942", "title": "Two-thirds of seniors need help doing one or more daily activities", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/two-thirds-of-seniors-need-help-doing-one-or-more-daily-activities-201312136942", "content_html": "A longer lifespan can be a double-edged sword. You live for more years, but the later years may not necessarily be what you had in mind. We’ve known for some time that about 25% of older Americans can’t perform some activities of daily living without help. But we don’t know much about the other 75%. A new study suggests that two-thirds of Americans over age 65 need help doing everyday activities such as eating, bathing, and getting in and out of bed or a chair. Things you can do to help ward off becoming frail or disabled include staying active, managing weight and eating a healthy diet, preventing falls, making connections with others, and seeing your doctor(s) regularly.", "summary": "A longer lifespan can be a double-edged sword. You live for more years, but the later years may not necessarily be what you had in mind. We’ve known for some time that about 25% of older Americans can’t perform some activities of daily living without help. But we don’t know much about the other 75%. A new study suggests that two-thirds of Americans over age 65 need help doing everyday activities such as eating, bathing, and getting in and out of bed or a chair. Things you can do to help ward off becoming frail or disabled include staying active, managing weight and eating a healthy diet, preventing falls, making connections with others, and seeing your doctor(s) regularly.", "date_published": "2013-12-13T17:06:29-05:00", "date_modified": "2013-12-13T17:06:29-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8467/conversions/Family-caregiver-old-man-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Caregiving" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/balance-training-seems-to-prevent-falls-injuries-in-seniors-201310316825", "title": "Balance training seems to prevent falls, injuries in seniors", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/balance-training-seems-to-prevent-falls-injuries-in-seniors-201310316825", "content_html": "Most people take balance for granted. They navigate without thinking, effort, or fear. For millions of others, though, poor balance is a problem. Some struggle with long-term dizziness or imbalance. Others suffer balance-related falls and injuries. A new study concludes that exercise can reduce not only the odds of falling but the odds of sustaining fall-related injuries. In many urban areas, there’s no shortage of classes aimed at improving balance. You can find them at senior centers, Y’s and Jewish Community Centers, health clubs, and the like. There’s also a lot you can do at home. The American College of Sports Medicine Standing recommends standing with one foot in front of another, lifting a foot off the floor, and shifting weight in various directions as three examples of home exercises.", "summary": "Most people take balance for granted. They navigate without thinking, effort, or fear. For millions of others, though, poor balance is a problem. Some struggle with long-term dizziness or imbalance. Others suffer balance-related falls and injuries. A new study concludes that exercise can reduce not only the odds of falling but the odds of sustaining fall-related injuries. In many urban areas, there’s no shortage of classes aimed at improving balance. You can find them at senior centers, Y’s and Jewish Community Centers, health clubs, and the like. There’s also a lot you can do at home. The American College of Sports Medicine Standing recommends standing with one foot in front of another, lifting a foot off the floor, and shifting weight in various directions as three examples of home exercises.", "date_published": "2013-10-31T19:19:59-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-10-31T19:19:59-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8447/conversions/bigstock-Fallen-Senior-11703836-e1383247550140-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Exercise and Fitness","Balance" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/word-stroke-day-stroke-is-common-disabling-and-often-preventable-201310296811", "title": "World Stroke Day: stroke is common, disabling, and often preventable", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/word-stroke-day-stroke-is-common-disabling-and-often-preventable-201310296811", "content_html": "Today is World Stroke Day. It offers a good reminder of the profound impact that stroke has on individuals and communities. Nearly 800,000 Americans have strokes each year. Worldwide, one in six adults will have a stroke during their lifetime. Although most survive, stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States and many other countries. A report published last week in The Lancet documents a troubling trend: more and more young people are experiencing strokes. Between 1990 and 2010, the number of strokes among people aged 20 to 64 years increased 25%. This age group now accounts for one-third of strokes worldwide. Some stroke survivors recover fully and regain their previous levels of function. Others don’t. Keys to full recovery include rapid identification of stroke symptoms, immediate evaluation and treatment, early rehabilitation, and support", "summary": "Today is World Stroke Day. It offers a good reminder of the profound impact that stroke has on individuals and communities. Nearly 800,000 Americans have strokes each year. Worldwide, one in six adults will have a stroke during their lifetime. Although most survive, stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States and many other countries. A report published last week in The Lancet documents a troubling trend: more and more young people are experiencing strokes. Between 1990 and 2010, the number of strokes among people aged 20 to 64 years increased 25%. This age group now accounts for one-third of strokes worldwide. Some stroke survivors recover fully and regain their previous levels of function. Others don’t. Keys to full recovery include rapid identification of stroke symptoms, immediate evaluation and treatment, early rehabilitation, and support", "date_published": "2013-10-29T16:00:40-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-10-29T16:00:40-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8445/conversions/StrokeDay-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/doctors-often-dont-reveal-cancer-test-overtreatment-and-harms-201310226790", "title": "Doctors often don’t reveal cancer test overtreatment and harms", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/doctors-often-dont-reveal-cancer-test-overtreatment-and-harms-201310226790", "content_html": "There’s no question that tests to detect cancer before it causes any problems can save lives. But such tests can also cause harm through overdiagnosis and overtreatment. A study published yesterday in JAMA Internal Medicine indicates that the majority of people aren’t informed by their doctors that early warning cancer tests may detect slow-growing, or no-growing, cancers that will never cause symptoms or affect health. Undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation for such cancers provides no benefits and definite harms. The researchers found that only 9.5% of people were informed by their doctors of the risk of overdiagnosis and possible overtreatment. Compare that to 80% who said they wanted to be informed of the possible harms of screening before having a screening test. Informing patients about the risks of screening isn’t easy to do in a brief office visit. It’s complicated information. And the researchers suggest that many doctors don’t have a good grip on relative benefits and harms of screening.", "summary": "There’s no question that tests to detect cancer before it causes any problems can save lives. But such tests can also cause harm through overdiagnosis and overtreatment. A study published yesterday in JAMA Internal Medicine indicates that the majority of people aren’t informed by their doctors that early warning cancer tests may detect slow-growing, or no-growing, cancers that will never cause symptoms or affect health. Undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation for such cancers provides no benefits and definite harms. The researchers found that only 9.5% of people were informed by their doctors of the risk of overdiagnosis and possible overtreatment. Compare that to 80% who said they wanted to be informed of the possible harms of screening before having a screening test. Informing patients about the risks of screening isn’t easy to do in a brief office visit. It’s complicated information. And the researchers suggest that many doctors don’t have a good grip on relative benefits and harms of screening.", "date_published": "2013-10-22T20:25:03-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-10-22T20:25:03-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8441/conversions/bigstock-Doctor-Talking-To-His-Female-P-49095785-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Cancer","Medical Research" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/letters-from-an-obese-president-tell-a-familiar-story-of-struggling-with-weight-201310156758", "title": "Letters from an obese president tell a familiar story of struggling with weight", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/letters-from-an-obese-president-tell-a-familiar-story-of-struggling-with-weight-201310156758", "content_html": "William Howard Taft was America’s heaviest president. He would have preferred being seen and remembered for something else, and took steps to lose weight. Taft’s story of weight loss and regain, described in today’s Annals of Internal Medicine, sounds completely familiar today, more than 100 years later. Using correspondence and archival sources, Deborah Levine, an assistant professor at Providence College in Rhode Island, tells the story of Taft’s struggles with his weight. In 1905, with the help of a British physician, Taft went from 314 pounds to 255. He was pleased with his accomplishment. But three years later, when Taft was inaugurated as the nation’s 27th President, he tipped the scales at 354 pounds. His story and struggle with weight are no different than what many people experience today.", "summary": "William Howard Taft was America’s heaviest president. He would have preferred being seen and remembered for something else, and took steps to lose weight. Taft’s story of weight loss and regain, described in today’s Annals of Internal Medicine, sounds completely familiar today, more than 100 years later. Using correspondence and archival sources, Deborah Levine, an assistant professor at Providence College in Rhode Island, tells the story of Taft’s struggles with his weight. In 1905, with the help of a British physician, Taft went from 314 pounds to 255. He was pleased with his accomplishment. But three years later, when Taft was inaugurated as the nation’s 27th President, he tipped the scales at 354 pounds. His story and struggle with weight are no different than what many people experience today.", "date_published": "2013-10-15T19:32:21-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-10-15T19:32:21-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8438/conversions/Taft-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Diet and nutrition","Diet & Weight Loss" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/study-no-connection-between-drinking-alcohol-early-in-pregnancy-and-birth-problems-201309106667", "title": "Drinking a little alcohol early in pregnancy may be okay", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/study-no-connection-between-drinking-alcohol-early-in-pregnancy-and-birth-problems-201309106667", "content_html": "", "summary": "", "date_published": "2020-01-29T00:00:00-05:00", "date_modified": "2020-01-29T00:00:00-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8422/conversions/Glass-of-red-wine1-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Women's Health","Pediatric health","Pregnancy" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/want-to-live-to-age-120-most-americans-say-no-201308076589", "title": "Want to live to age 120? Most Americans say no", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/want-to-live-to-age-120-most-americans-say-no-201308076589", "content_html": "As medical research and healthy living continues to extend life, the Pew Research Center asked more than 2,000 Americans if they would take advantage of medical treatments to slow the aging process and let them live to age 120. More than half (56%) said they would not, but 65% thought that other people would want it. The Pew survey did not ask why most adults would not want life extending treatment. Previous work has identified what people fear about getting too old. These include loss of independence, running out of money, not being able to live at home, pain, and more. But there are ways to minimize the problems that come with age. The strategies, like exercising and not smoking aren’t sexy, nor do they rely on medical breakthroughs. But they can maximize one’s “healthspan” as well as lifespan.", "summary": "As medical research and healthy living continues to extend life, the Pew Research Center asked more than 2,000 Americans if they would take advantage of medical treatments to slow the aging process and let them live to age 120. More than half (56%) said they would not, but 65% thought that other people would want it. The Pew survey did not ask why most adults would not want life extending treatment. Previous work has identified what people fear about getting too old. These include loss of independence, running out of money, not being able to live at home, pain, and more. But there are ways to minimize the problems that come with age. The strategies, like exercising and not smoking aren’t sexy, nor do they rely on medical breakthroughs. But they can maximize one’s “healthspan” as well as lifespan.", "date_published": "2013-08-07T20:16:38-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-08-07T20:16:38-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8410/conversions/Ancient-Tree-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/taking-aspirin-linked-to-lower-risk-of-colorectal-cancer-201307166473", "title": "Taking aspirin linked to lower risk of colorectal cancer", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/taking-aspirin-linked-to-lower-risk-of-colorectal-cancer-201307166473", "content_html": "Aspirin has many uses, from easing a headache or cooling a fever to preventing heart attacks and the most common kind of stroke. It may be time to add “preventing colorectal cancer” to the list. New results from the Women’s Health Study, a clinical trial that evaluated the benefits and risks of low-dose aspirin and vitamin E among nearly 40,000 women, show that aspirin reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 20%. The effect isn’t immediate, but instead takes ten to 20 years to be seen. Aspirin isn’t without its drawbacks, including gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcer formation. Both occurred slightly more often among women taking aspirin. Although the Women’s Health Study results sound promising, don’t go reaching for the aspirin bottle just yet. Taking aspirin—and any other drug—is really a balancing act between benefits and risks.", "summary": "Aspirin has many uses, from easing a headache or cooling a fever to preventing heart attacks and the most common kind of stroke. It may be time to add “preventing colorectal cancer” to the list. New results from the Women’s Health Study, a clinical trial that evaluated the benefits and risks of low-dose aspirin and vitamin E among nearly 40,000 women, show that aspirin reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 20%. The effect isn’t immediate, but instead takes ten to 20 years to be seen. Aspirin isn’t without its drawbacks, including gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcer formation. Both occurred slightly more often among women taking aspirin. Although the Women’s Health Study results sound promising, don’t go reaching for the aspirin bottle just yet. Taking aspirin—and any other drug—is really a balancing act between benefits and risks.", "date_published": "2013-07-16T12:10:17-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-07-16T12:10:17-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8399/conversions/Aspirin-tablet-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Cancer","Colorectal Cancer" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fish-oil-friend-or-foe-20130712637", "title": "Fish oil: friend or foe?", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fish-oil-friend-or-foe-20130712637", "content_html": "", "summary": "", "date_published": "2024-07-24T00:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-24T00:00:00-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8398/conversions/Fish-capsules-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Diet and nutrition","Cancer","Men's Health","Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and supplements" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-trial-muddies-the-water-about-diet-exercise-and-diabetes-201306256421", "title": "New trial muddies the water about diet, exercise, and diabetes", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-trial-muddies-the-water-about-diet-exercise-and-diabetes-201306256421", "content_html": "Long-awaited results from a nearly 10-year trial exploring the effect of changes in diet and exercise among people with diabetes weren’t what most people expected. The Look AHEAD trial found that intensive efforts to lose weight by eating less and exercising more didn’t provide any more protection against heart disease—a common co-traveler with diabetes—than standard diabetes support and education. The spin from some media reports is that weight loss doesn’t reduce heart disease risk among people with type 2 diabetes, but I think that’s the wrong interpretation. The results of the Look AHEAD trial don’t contradict the value of lifestyle changes. People in the intensive change group improved their blood sugar with fewer drugs, saving an estimated $600 per year, they were also less likely to have developed chronic kidney disease and less self-reported vision problems. The Look AHEAD results reinforce for me that diabetes care needs to be tailored to the individual.", "summary": "Long-awaited results from a nearly 10-year trial exploring the effect of changes in diet and exercise among people with diabetes weren’t what most people expected. The Look AHEAD trial found that intensive efforts to lose weight by eating less and exercising more didn’t provide any more protection against heart disease—a common co-traveler with diabetes—than standard diabetes support and education. The spin from some media reports is that weight loss doesn’t reduce heart disease risk among people with type 2 diabetes, but I think that’s the wrong interpretation. The results of the Look AHEAD trial don’t contradict the value of lifestyle changes. People in the intensive change group improved their blood sugar with fewer drugs, saving an estimated $600 per year, they were also less likely to have developed chronic kidney disease and less self-reported vision problems. The Look AHEAD results reinforce for me that diabetes care needs to be tailored to the individual.", "date_published": "2013-06-25T17:50:03-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-06-25T17:50:03-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8392/conversions/Scale_too_much-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Exercise and Fitness","Diabetes and metabolic health","Diet & Weight Loss","Heart Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hpv-transmission-during-oral-sex-a-growing-cause-of-mouth-and-throat-cancer-201306046346", "title": "HPV transmission during oral sex a growing cause of mouth and throat cancer", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hpv-transmission-during-oral-sex-a-growing-cause-of-mouth-and-throat-cancer-201306046346", "content_html": "Actress Angelina Jolie recently went public with her double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer. Governor Chris Christie told us his reasons for gastric bypass surgery. And now actor Michael Douglas is shining the spotlight on the human papilloma virus (HPV)—the number one cause of mouth and throat cancer. In an interview published in The Guardian newspaper in London, Douglas mentioned that his own throat cancer could have been brought on by oral sex, a common way to become infected with HPV. HPV transmitted by sexual contact often doesn’t become active enough to cause symptoms. When it does become active, it tends to invade mucous membranes, such as those covering the lining of the vagina, cervix, anus, mouth, tongue, and throat. An HPV infection can cause warts in and around these tissues. Most people sexually exposed to HPV never develop symptoms or health problems, and most HPV infections go away by themselves within two years. But the infection can persist and cause long-term problems. These include cervical cancer in women, penis cancer in men, and in both sexes some cancers of the anus and oropharyngeal cancer (cancer in the back of throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils).", "summary": "Actress Angelina Jolie recently went public with her double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer. Governor Chris Christie told us his reasons for gastric bypass surgery. And now actor Michael Douglas is shining the spotlight on the human papilloma virus (HPV)—the number one cause of mouth and throat cancer. In an interview published in The Guardian newspaper in London, Douglas mentioned that his own throat cancer could have been brought on by oral sex, a common way to become infected with HPV. HPV transmitted by sexual contact often doesn’t become active enough to cause symptoms. When it does become active, it tends to invade mucous membranes, such as those covering the lining of the vagina, cervix, anus, mouth, tongue, and throat. An HPV infection can cause warts in and around these tissues. Most people sexually exposed to HPV never develop symptoms or health problems, and most HPV infections go away by themselves within two years. But the infection can persist and cause long-term problems. These include cervical cancer in women, penis cancer in men, and in both sexes some cancers of the anus and oropharyngeal cancer (cancer in the back of throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils).", "date_published": "2013-06-04T19:40:04-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-06-04T19:40:04-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8380/conversions/Michael-Douglas-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Cancer" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gov-christies-weight-loss-surgery-a-good-idea-for-health-201305086208", "title": "Gov. Christie’s weight-loss surgery: a good idea for health", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gov-christies-weight-loss-surgery-a-good-idea-for-health-201305086208", "content_html": "New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s revelation yesterday that he had secretly undergone weight-loss surgery back in February shouldn’t come as a big surprise. He has been publicly (and privately) struggling with his weight for years and fits the profile of a good candidate for this kind of operation. In general, weight-loss surgery is appropriate for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, as well as for those with a BMI of 35 to 39.9 and a severe, treatment-resistant medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea, who had tried to lose weight other ways. Christie had a BMI of at least 41. He also acknowledged trying to lose weight many times, using different weight loss programs. He underwent laparoscopic gastric banding, also known as lap banding. There are also two other types of weight-loss surgery, gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve procedure.", "summary": "New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s revelation yesterday that he had secretly undergone weight-loss surgery back in February shouldn’t come as a big surprise. He has been publicly (and privately) struggling with his weight for years and fits the profile of a good candidate for this kind of operation. In general, weight-loss surgery is appropriate for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, as well as for those with a BMI of 35 to 39.9 and a severe, treatment-resistant medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea, who had tried to lose weight other ways. Christie had a BMI of at least 41. He also acknowledged trying to lose weight many times, using different weight loss programs. He underwent laparoscopic gastric banding, also known as lap banding. There are also two other types of weight-loss surgery, gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve procedure.", "date_published": "2013-05-08T20:49:19-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-05-08T20:49:19-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8364/conversions/Gastric-banding2-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Diet & Weight Loss" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/distracted-eating-may-add-to-weight-gain-201303296037", "title": "Distracted eating may add to weight gain", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/distracted-eating-may-add-to-weight-gain-201303296037", "content_html": "If you are worried about your weight, paying more attention to what you eat, not less, could help keep you from overeating. Multitasking—like eating while watching television or working—and distracted or hurried eating can prompt you to eat more. Slowing down and savoring your food can help you control your intake. That’s the bottom line from a report published in the April issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It offers two key conclusions: 1) Being distracted or not paying attention to a meal tended to make people eat more at that meal. 2) Paying attention to a meal was linked to eating less later on. Mindful eating is a good solution. It can reduce daily calorie intake, help make healthier food choices, and add to the enjoyment of eating.", "summary": "If you are worried about your weight, paying more attention to what you eat, not less, could help keep you from overeating. Multitasking—like eating while watching television or working—and distracted or hurried eating can prompt you to eat more. Slowing down and savoring your food can help you control your intake. That’s the bottom line from a report published in the April issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It offers two key conclusions: 1) Being distracted or not paying attention to a meal tended to make people eat more at that meal. 2) Paying attention to a meal was linked to eating less later on. Mindful eating is a good solution. It can reduce daily calorie intake, help make healthier food choices, and add to the enjoyment of eating.", "date_published": "2013-03-29T17:42:18-04:00", "date_modified": "2013-03-29T17:42:18-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8349/conversions/Dinner-setting-with-remote-control-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Diet & Weight Loss" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/shared-genes-link-depression-schizophrenia-and-three-other-mental-illnesses-201303015944", "title": "Shared genes link depression, schizophrenia, and three other mental illnesses", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/shared-genes-link-depression-schizophrenia-and-three-other-mental-illnesses-201303015944", "content_html": "Five seemingly different mental health disorders—major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder—may be more alike than we think. A ground-breaking new study has identified four regions of the genetic code that carry same variations in people with these disorders. Two of the affected genes help control the movement of calcium in and out of brain cells. That might not sound like much, but this movement provides a key way that brain cells communicate. Subtle differences in calcium flow could cause problems that, depending on other genes or environmental factors, could eventually lead to a full-blown mental illness. But this work offers tantalizing hints that bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia—and possibly autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder—may not be so distinct after all, but could be different manifestations of the same underlying disorder. This could change the way we view mental illness and open the door to more effective therapies.", "summary": "Five seemingly different mental health disorders—major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder—may be more alike than we think. A ground-breaking new study has identified four regions of the genetic code that carry same variations in people with these disorders. Two of the affected genes help control the movement of calcium in and out of brain cells. That might not sound like much, but this movement provides a key way that brain cells communicate. Subtle differences in calcium flow could cause problems that, depending on other genes or environmental factors, could eventually lead to a full-blown mental illness. But this work offers tantalizing hints that bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia—and possibly autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder—may not be so distinct after all, but could be different manifestations of the same underlying disorder. This could change the way we view mental illness and open the door to more effective therapies.", "date_published": "2013-03-01T17:03:25-05:00", "date_modified": "2013-03-01T17:03:25-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8334/conversions/DNA-double-helix-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Genes","Mental Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/alcohol-a-heart-disease-cancer-balancing-act-201302155909", "title": "Alcohol: a heart disease-cancer balancing act", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/alcohol-a-heart-disease-cancer-balancing-act-201302155909", "content_html": "The message that drinking a little alcohol is good for the heart has gotten plenty of attention. A new study linking alcohol with increased risk of dying from various cancers may temper that message a bit. About 4% of cancer deaths worldwide are related to alcohol use. A new study shows the in the United States, alcohol causes 3.5% of cancer deaths, or about 20,000 cancer-related deaths each year. The most common alcohol-related cancers were mouth, throat, and esophageal cancer in men, and breast cancer in women. At the same time, drinking alcohol in moderation (no more than two alcoholic drinks a day for men and no more than one a day for women) has been linked to lower rates of heart disease and deaths related to it. Advances in genetics may one day let us predict more accurately who can use alcohol in moderation and who should avoid it completely. Until then, it’s best to personally weigh the benefits and risks, ideally with a trusted health care provider.", "summary": "The message that drinking a little alcohol is good for the heart has gotten plenty of attention. A new study linking alcohol with increased risk of dying from various cancers may temper that message a bit. About 4% of cancer deaths worldwide are related to alcohol use. A new study shows the in the United States, alcohol causes 3.5% of cancer deaths, or about 20,000 cancer-related deaths each year. The most common alcohol-related cancers were mouth, throat, and esophageal cancer in men, and breast cancer in women. At the same time, drinking alcohol in moderation (no more than two alcoholic drinks a day for men and no more than one a day for women) has been linked to lower rates of heart disease and deaths related to it. Advances in genetics may one day let us predict more accurately who can use alcohol in moderation and who should avoid it completely. Until then, it’s best to personally weigh the benefits and risks, ideally with a trusted health care provider.", "date_published": "2013-02-15T17:04:30-05:00", "date_modified": "2013-02-15T17:04:30-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8329/conversions/Bottles-of-alcohol-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Cancer","Breast Cancer","Heart Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/for-early-breast-cancer-lumpectomy-is-at-least-as-good-as-mastectomy-201301295838", "title": "For early breast cancer, lumpectomy is at least as good as mastectomy", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/for-early-breast-cancer-lumpectomy-is-at-least-as-good-as-mastectomy-201301295838", "content_html": "When it comes to fighting cancer, “get it out” is a common and understandable response. It’s what prompts some women with early-stage breast cancer to choose mastectomy, an operation to remove the entire affected breast. Results from the largest-ever observational study offers reassurance to women who choose a more conservative approach—removal of just the tumor and some tissue around it (lumpectomy) followed by radiation therapy. In fact, the study showed that, as a group, women who chose lumpectomy plus radiation had lower death rates from breast cancer and all causes than women who chose mastectomy. The women who appeared to reap the biggest survival benefit from lumpectomy plus radiation therapy were those over age 50 with estrogen-positive breast cancer, with 13% lower mortality from breast cancer and 19% lower for all causes. The results were reported online today in the journal Cancer. For early-stage breast cancer, mastectomy has been proven to cure or at least retard the disease. It’s a reasonable and understandable choice, especially given how well breast surgeons today can reconstruct a breast. For women who choose to have lumpectomy plus radiation therapy, the new study provides yet more scientific reassurance that this approach is at least as good as mastectomy.", "summary": "When it comes to fighting cancer, “get it out” is a common and understandable response. It’s what prompts some women with early-stage breast cancer to choose mastectomy, an operation to remove the entire affected breast. Results from the largest-ever observational study offers reassurance to women who choose a more conservative approach—removal of just the tumor and some tissue around it (lumpectomy) followed by radiation therapy. In fact, the study showed that, as a group, women who chose lumpectomy plus radiation had lower death rates from breast cancer and all causes than women who chose mastectomy. The women who appeared to reap the biggest survival benefit from lumpectomy plus radiation therapy were those over age 50 with estrogen-positive breast cancer, with 13% lower mortality from breast cancer and 19% lower for all causes. The results were reported online today in the journal Cancer. For early-stage breast cancer, mastectomy has been proven to cure or at least retard the disease. It’s a reasonable and understandable choice, especially given how well breast surgeons today can reconstruct a breast. For women who choose to have lumpectomy plus radiation therapy, the new study provides yet more scientific reassurance that this approach is at least as good as mastectomy.", "date_published": "2013-01-29T19:24:38-05:00", "date_modified": "2013-01-29T19:24:38-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8320/conversions/Breast-cancer-cell-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Breast Cancer","Women's Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hearing-loss-may-be-linked-to-mental-decline-201301225824", "title": "Hearing loss may be linked to mental decline", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hearing-loss-may-be-linked-to-mental-decline-201301225824", "content_html": "Loss of hearing represents more than just difficulty hearing sounds. It can lead to social isolation and depression. A new study suggests that hearing loss may also be linked to loss of memory and thinking skills. In a study published online yesterday in JAMA Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins researchers found that declines in thinking skills happened faster during a six-year period among people with hearing loss than among those without it. Among the nearly 2,000 volunteers, all over age 70, those with hearing loss we also likely to develop “cognitive impairment,” defined as a substantial reduction in the score on a key test called the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination. The researchers estimated that it would take a hearing-impaired older adult just under eight years, on average, to develop cognitive impairment compared with 11 years for those with normal hearing. This new study shows an association. It does not prove that hearing loss causes a decline in thinking skills. The work also raises a huge question: can treating hearing loss prevent or slow an age-related decline in brain function?", "summary": "Loss of hearing represents more than just difficulty hearing sounds. It can lead to social isolation and depression. A new study suggests that hearing loss may also be linked to loss of memory and thinking skills. In a study published online yesterday in JAMA Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins researchers found that declines in thinking skills happened faster during a six-year period among people with hearing loss than among those without it. Among the nearly 2,000 volunteers, all over age 70, those with hearing loss we also likely to develop “cognitive impairment,” defined as a substantial reduction in the score on a key test called the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination. The researchers estimated that it would take a hearing-impaired older adult just under eight years, on average, to develop cognitive impairment compared with 11 years for those with normal hearing. This new study shows an association. It does not prove that hearing loss causes a decline in thinking skills. The work also raises a huge question: can treating hearing loss prevent or slow an age-related decline in brain function?", "date_published": "2013-01-22T19:23:00-05:00", "date_modified": "2013-01-22T19:23:00-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8318/conversions/Trouble-hearing-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Memory" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/diabetes-can-strike-hard-even-when-weight-is-normal-201208085121", "title": "Diabetes can strike—hard—even when weight is normal", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/diabetes-can-strike-hard-even-when-weight-is-normal-201208085121", "content_html": "", "summary": "", "date_published": "2012-10-08T00:00:00-04:00", "date_modified": "2012-10-08T00:00:00-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8225/conversions/Man-measuring-his-belly-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Diseases & Conditions" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/doctors-warning-may-prompt-some-to-give-up-driving-201210015349", "title": "Doctor’s warning may prompt some to give up driving", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/doctors-warning-may-prompt-some-to-give-up-driving-201210015349", "content_html": "In a car culture like ours, giving up the car keys can be a wrenching decision. Some see it as a loss of independence. For others, especially those who live in areas with poor public transportation, not driving makes it difficult to shop for groceries or see friends. But the fact is that some older people need to make that decision. Pleas from family members can sometimes do the trick. A special article in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine suggests that advice from a doctor can also help people who shouldn’t be behind the wheel any longer stop driving. There are no guidelines regarding who is fit to drive. Sadly, many people finally stop driving after they’ve crashed, or hurt someone. This is definitely a situation where “better safe than sorry” should rule.", "summary": "In a car culture like ours, giving up the car keys can be a wrenching decision. Some see it as a loss of independence. For others, especially those who live in areas with poor public transportation, not driving makes it difficult to shop for groceries or see friends. But the fact is that some older people need to make that decision. Pleas from family members can sometimes do the trick. A special article in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine suggests that advice from a doctor can also help people who shouldn’t be behind the wheel any longer stop driving. There are no guidelines regarding who is fit to drive. Sadly, many people finally stop driving after they’ve crashed, or hurt someone. This is definitely a situation where “better safe than sorry” should rule.", "date_published": "2012-10-01T17:00:44-04:00", "date_modified": "2012-10-01T17:00:44-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8247/conversions/Collision-between-two-cars-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mammograms-backed-for-women-50-to-79-201209175315", "title": "Study backs mammograms for women 50 to 69", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mammograms-backed-for-women-50-to-79-201209175315", "content_html": "For years researchers have been trying to weigh the benefits of finding early breast cancers against the risks related to false positives (the spots that turn out to be harmless). This work has sparked some bitter public debates and confusion for women over flip-flopping recommendations. The latest salvo comes from a review of the results of mammograms among more than 12 million women in 18 European countries. The results support the idea that routine mammograms can prevent deaths from breast cancer without causing undue harm. The findings support the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s recommendation that women between the ages of 50 and 74 have a mammogram every other year. Women at higher risk of developing breast cancer may need mammograms earlier than age 50, or more often than every other year.", "summary": "For years researchers have been trying to weigh the benefits of finding early breast cancers against the risks related to false positives (the spots that turn out to be harmless). This work has sparked some bitter public debates and confusion for women over flip-flopping recommendations. The latest salvo comes from a review of the results of mammograms among more than 12 million women in 18 European countries. The results support the idea that routine mammograms can prevent deaths from breast cancer without causing undue harm. The findings support the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s recommendation that women between the ages of 50 and 74 have a mammogram every other year. Women at higher risk of developing breast cancer may need mammograms earlier than age 50, or more often than every other year.", "date_published": "2012-09-17T19:28:38-04:00", "date_modified": "2012-09-17T19:28:38-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8242/conversions/Woman-having-a-mammogram-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Cancer","Breast Cancer","Women's Health" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-painkillers-boost-risk-of-repeat-heart-attack-201209135305", "title": "Common painkillers boost risk of repeat heart attack", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-painkillers-boost-risk-of-repeat-heart-attack-201209135305", "content_html": "Most people don’t think twice about taking Motrin, Advil, Aleve, or similar over-the-counter painkillers. A new study suggests that heart attack survivors should use these drugs, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as little as possible. A team of Danish researchers found that among heart attack survivors, those who used an NSAID were about 60% more likely to have died during each year of the five-year study than those who didn’t use an NSAID. Of all the NSAIDs, diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren, generic) was linked to the largest increases in death or heart attack rates, while naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, generic) appeared to carry the lowest risk. The lower risk with naproxen confirms what has been seen in older studies. If you have heart disease and need pain relief, try acetaminophen first. If you need an NSAID, naproxen is probably the best choice for your heart. But whatever you and your doctor decide is best for you, use the lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time.", "summary": "Most people don’t think twice about taking Motrin, Advil, Aleve, or similar over-the-counter painkillers. A new study suggests that heart attack survivors should use these drugs, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as little as possible. A team of Danish researchers found that among heart attack survivors, those who used an NSAID were about 60% more likely to have died during each year of the five-year study than those who didn’t use an NSAID. Of all the NSAIDs, diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren, generic) was linked to the largest increases in death or heart attack rates, while naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, generic) appeared to carry the lowest risk. The lower risk with naproxen confirms what has been seen in older studies. If you have heart disease and need pain relief, try acetaminophen first. If you need an NSAID, naproxen is probably the best choice for your heart. But whatever you and your doctor decide is best for you, use the lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time.", "date_published": "2012-09-13T16:50:17-04:00", "date_modified": "2012-09-13T16:50:17-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8240/conversions/Taking-pills-for-pain-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Heart Health","Bones and joints" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/investing-in-fitness-now-pays-health-dividends-later-201208315230", "title": "Investing in fitness now pays health dividends later", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/investing-in-fitness-now-pays-health-dividends-later-201208315230", "content_html": "What would you pay to keep from getting sick as you get older? How about a daily walk or other exercise? A new study suggests that’s exactly the right investment. In the study, people who were the most fit at midlife lived longer and spent less time being sick than middle-aged folks who weren’t fit. There are many benefits to staying physically active and exercising daily. One important effect of exercise that doesn’t get enough attention is that it improves fitness. Fitness is a measure of how well your heart, blood vessels, blood, and lungs work together to supply muscles with oxygen during sustained exercise. How do you improve your fitness? Increase the amount and the intensity of exercise over time. Don’t rush it. Improving fitness starts within weeks but will continue for months.", "summary": "What would you pay to keep from getting sick as you get older? How about a daily walk or other exercise? A new study suggests that’s exactly the right investment. In the study, people who were the most fit at midlife lived longer and spent less time being sick than middle-aged folks who weren’t fit. There are many benefits to staying physically active and exercising daily. One important effect of exercise that doesn’t get enough attention is that it improves fitness. Fitness is a measure of how well your heart, blood vessels, blood, and lungs work together to supply muscles with oxygen during sustained exercise. How do you improve your fitness? Increase the amount and the intensity of exercise over time. Don’t rush it. Improving fitness starts within weeks but will continue for months.", "date_published": "2012-08-31T13:30:03-04:00", "date_modified": "2012-08-31T13:30:03-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8235/conversions/Woman-running-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Exercise and Fitness" ] }, { "id": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/rosie-odonnells-heart-attack-a-lesson-for-women-201208225191", "title": "Rosie O’Donnell’s heart attack a lesson for women", "url": "https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/rosie-odonnells-heart-attack-a-lesson-for-women-201208225191", "content_html": "You’ve probably heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” After reading about Rosie O’Donnell’s heart attack, I’d like to coin a new one: “It takes a celebrity to sound the alarm about important health issues.” The 50-year-old actress, comedienne, and talk show host suffered a surprise (aren’t they all) heart attack last week. Word got out when she wrote about it on her blog. O’Donnell brushed off some chest pain and arm pain as muscle aches related to some heavy lifting, ditto later feelings of nausea and clammy skin. When she went to the hospital the next day, a key artery in her heart was 99% blocked. At age 50, O’Donnell may have thought she was too young for those problems to signal a heart attack. She also wasn’t familiar with a heart attack’s sometimes sneaky signs and symptoms. O’Donnell urges “know the symptoms ladies/listen to the voice inside/the one we all so easily ignore/CALL 911/save urself.”", "summary": "You’ve probably heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” After reading about Rosie O’Donnell’s heart attack, I’d like to coin a new one: “It takes a celebrity to sound the alarm about important health issues.” The 50-year-old actress, comedienne, and talk show host suffered a surprise (aren’t they all) heart attack last week. Word got out when she wrote about it on her blog. O’Donnell brushed off some chest pain and arm pain as muscle aches related to some heavy lifting, ditto later feelings of nausea and clammy skin. When she went to the hospital the next day, a key artery in her heart was 99% blocked. At age 50, O’Donnell may have thought she was too young for those problems to signal a heart attack. She also wasn’t familiar with a heart attack’s sometimes sneaky signs and symptoms. O’Donnell urges “know the symptoms ladies/listen to the voice inside/the one we all so easily ignore/CALL 911/save urself.”", "date_published": "2012-08-22T16:17:45-04:00", "date_modified": "2012-08-22T16:17:45-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Howard E. LeWine, MD" } ], "image": "https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8230/conversions/Rosie-ODonnell-thumb.jpg", "tags": [ "Heart Health","Women's Health" ] } ] }