Recent Articles
Autism: The challenges and opportunities of an adult diagnosis
Hospice care: Overview of a compassionate approach to end-of-life care
Foot pain: A look at why your feet might hurt
Matcha: A look at possible health benefits
Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health
Forearm workouts: Strengthening grip for everyday function
Depression symptoms: Recognizing common and lesser-known symptoms
Medication side effects: What are your options?
Independent living with home care assistance: Balancing autonomy and support
Dialysis: What to expect from this life-changing — and lifesaving — treatment
Harvard Health Blog
Read posts from experts at Harvard Health Publishing covering a variety of health topics and perspectives on medical news.
Articles
Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health
Wildfire smoke contributes greatly to poor air quality, and as wildfires become more frequent due to climate change and drier conditions, more of us and more of our communities are at risk for health harms.
Medication side effects: What are your options?
All medicines have potential side effects. Usually, side effects are more bothersome than serious –– though a few are dangerous. If you experience a side effect, what are your options?
The BEEP program: Keep your balance
As people get older, the complex system that helps them maintain balance does not work as effectively, increasing the risk of a fall. A study found that specific exercises can improve balance in older adults.
21 spices for healthy holiday foods
The holiday season is probably the hardest time of year to resist rich, indulgent foods, but too many salty, fatty, sugary choices can harm your health. Instead, try adding natural flavor to holiday foods with herbs and spices, many of which contain substances that have a beneficial effect on health.
Can probiotics help calm inflammatory bowel disease?
Approximately three million Americans have an inflammatory bowel disease. Current therapies for IBD suppress the immune system to reduce inflammation, but some preliminary studies have investigated whether probiotics are beneficial for people with IBD.
Could imaging scans replace biopsies during prostate cancer screening?
Abnormal results on a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening test for cancer are typically followed by a systematic biopsy. But systematic biopsies can be problematic, and researchers are seeking alternatives. A large European study provides encouraging evidence favoring a different approach that uses MRI instead of biopsy.
Celiac disease: Exploring four myths
While medical knowledge on celiac disease has evolved over the past few decades, there are still aspects that remain poorly understood. Perhaps not surprisingly, misconceptions are widespread among the general public.
Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight?
If you've ever tried to lose weight, you've probably heard the advice to drink water before a meal because it makes you feel fuller and you'll stop eating sooner. It seems like a reasonable idea — but does it work? And if it doesn't, why do people think it does?
Which migraine medications are most helpful?
Many medications claim to relieve migraine pain, but some are more helpful than others. In a large study looking at real-world data on 25 drugs, migraine sufferers rated the most and least helpful options.
Want a calmer brain? Try this
Meditation helps us calm the body and shift perspective, and certain types of it offer an array of health benefits. What's more, imaging research shows that meditation can change the structure and connectivity of brain areas to help us cope with fear and anxiety.
Do tattoos cause lymphoma?
The number of adults in the US with at least one tattoo has risen dramatically in recent decades, so headlines about a study that found an association between having a tattoo and higher risk of lymphoma may have caused worry. But there's much more to the story than just the headlines.
PTSD: How is treatment changing?
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a potentially debilitating mental health condition marked by recurrent, frightening episodes during which a person relives a traumatic event. Newly released guidelines can help guide treatment; they recommend which therapies are most effective, and which are not recommended.
Concussion in children: What to know and do
Concussion is one of the most common injuries to the brain, affecting about two million children and teens every year. Understanding signs, symptoms, questions to ask, and how concussion care has changed in recent years can make a difference in identifying concussion and recovery.
Ever hear of tonsil stones?
Tonsil stones are small white or yellow deposits on the tonsils. They develop when bacteria, saliva, food particles, and debris from cells lining the mouth get trapped in tiny indentations on the tonsils. While usually harmless, they can cause bad breath and sore throats.
Midlife ADHD? Coping strategies that can help
When ADHD persists through early adulthood into middle age, it presents many of the same challenges it does in childhood, but with added pressures from the busier pace of life and expectations from work and family. Fortunately there are strategies that can help you navigate this condition.
Ever worry about your gambling?
Recent changes in laws have made gambling widely accessible and popular. Uncontrolled gambling can have many kinds of consequences, some quite serious. A simple screening test for problem gambling and knowing the range of available resources can help people ward off the worst of these issues.
Color-changing eye drops: Are they safe?
Eye drops that claim to change a person's eye color are being promoted online, and the ability to do this may sound tempting. But are these products safe? The answer is a hard no according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Got side effects? There's a medicine for that
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a condition marked by involuntary movements of the face or limbs, caused by long-term use of certain drugs, many of which are for mental health conditions. An ad for a once-daily drug to treat TD leaves some important questions unanswered.
Packing your hurricane go bag? Make provisions for your health
When you're packing a hurricane go-bag, keep health priorities in mind. If you don't prepare in advance, you might leave behind medicines, medical supplies, important paperwork, and other essentials that can help you stay healthy. Here's how to plan ahead.
Does your child need to bathe every day?
Bathing daily is a habit for many people, but does it need to be for children, preteens, and teens? Not necessarily. Of course, it depends on what they have been doing and whether or not they are visibly dirty or stinky, but most don't need a top-to-toe daily scrub.
Evoking calm: Practicing mindfulness in daily life helps
It's easy to feel too busy to be mindful, but everyone can find a few minutes during the day to pause and reflect. Even a brief, regular mindfulness practice provides a respite from the pace and stress of life, and can help with memory, concentration, and focus.
How well do you worry about your health?
It's impossible to never worry about your health — but are you worrying about the right things? Popular fears and Google and TikTok searches suggest our top concerns may bypass common health issues. So what should concern us and what can we do about it?
Do parasocial relationships fill a loneliness gap?
Following celebrities on social media or being a fan of fictional characters can be enjoyable –– though one-sided, these relationships offer a sense of connection. But parasocial relationships also have downsides, especially when people rely on them too much.
Feel like you should be drinking less? Start here
As research turns up new evidence about the harmful effects of alcohol, many people are considering the benefits of drinking less, even if they're not ready to give it up completely. If you are considering drinking less, these tips can help guide you.
Recent Articles
Autism: The challenges and opportunities of an adult diagnosis
Hospice care: Overview of a compassionate approach to end-of-life care
Foot pain: A look at why your feet might hurt
Matcha: A look at possible health benefits
Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health
Forearm workouts: Strengthening grip for everyday function
Depression symptoms: Recognizing common and lesser-known symptoms
Medication side effects: What are your options?
Independent living with home care assistance: Balancing autonomy and support
Dialysis: What to expect from this life-changing — and lifesaving — treatment
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up