Harvard Health Blog

Read posts from experts at Harvard Health Publishing covering a variety of health topics and perspectives on medical news.

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Boosting your child's immune system

As children go through another school year under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are asking what they can do to keep their children healthy. While no magic solutions can ward off every illness, parents can take steps to help children — and everyone in their household — protect their health by keeping their immune systems robust.

Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives

Gratitude has the power to boost well-being, improve sleep, lessen depression, and help heart health. Now new data from the long-term Nurses' Health Study shows that it may extend lives. How can you jump start a gratitude practice in your life?

The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe?

The convenience, affordability, and flat-out fun of e-bikes and e-scooters are undeniable. But as their popularity grows, the rate of accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters is climbing. So how do we minimize risks for accidents?

Helping children make friends: What parents can do

The COVID-19 pandemic affected children's developing social skills. Many children either didn't learn the skills they need to make friends — or those skills got rusty. Here are some ways parents can help.

Want to stop harmful drinking? AA versus SMART Recovery

People reckoning with problem drinking choose different paths, including two well-known self-help organizations built around peer support: Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery. Researchers questioned people participating in these programs, or no program, about their approach.

Mpox is back: What to know and do

In 2022, the largest known outbreak spread to nearly 100,000 people in more than 100 countries. Now, a new outbreak of mpox has put it back in the news. What should you know — and do — about this latest international health emergency?

How well do you score on brain health?

Many efforts to improve health are also good for the brain. A study of nearly 400,000 people led researchers to develop a scorecard assessing 12 factors that contribute to the risk of dementia or stroke, making it easy to see where you're doing well and where you might do better.

When should your teen or tween start using skin products?

Social media and stores are full of products that promise perfect skin. Increasingly these products are being marketed to tweens and teens as well as adults. For the most part tweens and teens do not need specialized skin products — but sometimes they make sense.

How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals

A healthy diet is key to a healthy gut microbiome, which helps the immune system function well and reduces chronic inflammation among other important tasks. And increasing evidence suggests that fiber and fermented foods can play important roles in gut health.

Protect your skin during heat waves — here's how

As global temperatures continue to soar, extreme heat poses numerous health risks, some of which are visible on our skin. Understanding how heat affects your skin can help you take measures to prevent or ease many skin conditions that are sparked or worsened by high temperatures.

Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help

Flooding due to major storms or heavy rains can harm lung health, both from toxic contaminants that end up in the air and from the growth of mold caused by dampness. Taking steps to prevent flooding when possible and moving quickly to reduce health risks if flooding occurs can help protect your family's health.

Want to cool down? 14 ideas to try

Climate change has made summers hotter, and the struggle to stay cool has led to more cases of heat-related illness. Don't wait until you're overheated to figure out how to cool down; use these ideas to get you started.

A fresh look at risks for developing young-onset dementia

Young-onset dementia, which occurs in people younger than age 65, is uncommon. A new study has identified 15 factors linked to a higher risk of young-onset dementia.

Are you getting health care you don't need?

Just because you can get a particular test or treatment or take a supplement doesn't mean you should. One study suggests as much as 20% of all health care in the US is unneeded. Skipping unnecessary care might actually improve your health, while saving time and money.

Weighing in on weight gain from antidepressants

If you're struggling with depression, the most important question about taking an antidepressant is whether it will work. But another question on your mind may be whether it will fuel weight gain. A new study provides some context.

Dengue fever: What to know and do

The US is seeing an unusual spike in the mosquito-borne illness dengue fever. What is dengue, and where is it occurring in the US? How does it spread? And what steps can you take to protect against this and other mosquito-borne illnesses?

How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?

Trees enhance our lives by releasing oxygen, reducing pollution, and preventing flooding. Beyond all of these benefits, there is growing evidence that just being around trees and green spaces improves mood and overall health.

Testosterone-blocking drugs boost heart disease risk when given in combination

Androgen deprivation therapy can slow or control prostate cancer, and adding a second class of drugs improves survival when the disease is in advanced stages. But all drugs that block testosterone have challenging side effects, and a review of studies showed that cardiovascular risks worsen when these drugs are given together.

Parenting isn't easy: Two important skills can help

Parenting can be challenging, but childhood and adolescence can be difficult too. How can parents help their kids manage anger, sadness, anxiety, and handle emotionally trying times? Practicing two skills can help both your child and you.

Does sleeping with an eye mask improve learning and alertness?

Our internal clocks regulate the sleep-wake cycle, and light establishes when we should feel wakeful or sleepy. Light exposure at night affects these natural processes, so researchers studied whether wearing an eye mask while sleeping might help learning and alertness.

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.

Hot weather hikes: Staying safe when temperatures spike

Summer is a great time to take a hike, but it's essential to make sure you're prepared for the weather and conditions where you are. Hiking safely and planning ahead will make your trek more enjoyable.

Cannabis drinks: How do they compare to alcohol?

While alcohol remains the most-used drug in the US, daily cannabis use has outpaced daily drinking. In states where recreational cannabis is legal, a popular new item is cannabis-infused beverages. These products are different from edibles, and the timing and intensity of their effects on the body differ as well.

What is Lewy body dementia?

Although less known and less understood than other types of dementia, Lewy body dementia is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative disease following Alzheimer's. How do its symptoms differ, who is at risk, and how is it diagnosed and treated?

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