Harvard Health Blog

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

Articles

Suffering from "chemo brain"? There's hope and many things you can do

Over the past decade, research has revealed that the majority of patients treated for cancer experience difficulties with memory, attention, concentration, and thinking. There are several lifestyle actions that can help improve these symptoms, as well as certain medications.

Benefits of incorporating more aerobic activity into stroke rehabilitation

Stroke survivors are typically discharged with a program of exercises meant to help them regain independence. But researchers found that an aerobic training in a stroke rehabilitation program similar to that offered to some heart attack patients helped stroke patients improve their aerobic capacity.

Why are women using CBD products — and do they work?

Many products containing CBD claim to help women with various health issues, including sleep, mood, symptoms of PMS or menopause, and sexual pleasure. Currently, very little evidence supports these extravagant promises, and there are concerns about the quality and safety of CBD products.

Think your child has ADHD? What your pediatrician can do

Problems with attention and focus, impulsivity, and constant motion are possible symptoms of ADHD.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: Gradually figuring out what’s wrong

In the 1980s, there was no official definition of what is now known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). But since then, more than 9,000 studies have advanced the understanding of this condition and its effects on people.

Straight talk on planking

Your core muscles are your body’s foundation, and the plank pose is a great exercise to do to help build core strength—it’s challenging but not complicated. Here’s everything you need to know to plank correctly.

Curcumin for arthritis: Does it really work?

While there are many available treatments for osteoarthritis, none provide a cure or are predictably effective for all. A study suggests curcumin, a naturally occurring substance found in the spice turmeric, may help ease pain from osteoarthritis of the knee––but does it?

What is palliative care, and who can benefit from it?

Palliative care improves comfort and quality of life for people with serious illness and their families, yet many people who could benefit from these services are not taking advantage of them

Stopping the vicious cycle of rebound headaches

People who get frequent headaches and need to take medication at least 15 days a month may be at risk for medication overuse headaches, or “rebound headaches.” Treatment depends on the medication being taken.

In defense of the salt shaker

Most people know that too much salt is bad for them and they should try to cut back, but many don’t realize it’s also possible to consume too little salt. It’s not a common problem, but it does happen and it can be harmful.

How to foster independence in children

If you’re a parent, part of your role is to prepare your children for adult life by teaching and otherwise encouraging independence. But how does one start to do this?

Bad flu season predicted — did you get your shot?

This year’s flu season may be severe. Almost everyone should get vaccinated, but which vaccine might be best for you? And how else can you avoid the flu?

Which is better for reading to your toddler: Print or ebooks?

When reading to a young child, does it matter whether the book is a physical book or in some electronic form? One small study did detect a difference.

Bisexuality and health: The cost of invisibility

People who identify as bisexual represent a substantial part of the population, yet research focusing on their health lags. Which health problems are more likely to occur in people who are bisexual and what might help to counter them?

Think your child might have a disability or developmental delay? Take these steps

If you think your child may have a disability or problem with development, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor, and seek an evaluation, if needed.

Can exercise help treat anxiety?

Millions of Americans report having an anxiety disorder. Evidence shows engaging in any sort of physical activity is one of the best ways to ease symptoms of anxiety. Regular activity is best, but even a single bout can help.

Making young minds resilient to disasters

Trauma from experiencing a natural disaster can have long-term effects on the mental and physical health of children. Supportive parents, teachers, and other adults can help children build resilience.

Preventing falls in older adults: Multiple strategies are better

Falls among older adults are on the rise, but most are preventable. To do this, interventions must target the multiple factors that contribute to falls, taking steps to minimize them or prevent them entirely.

Is it time to stop skimming over full-fat dairy?

For years, the conventional wisdom about dairy is that we should be eating less of it, and when we do have any it should be low-fat or fat-free. But more recent research suggests that some full-fat dairy in our diets could in fact be beneficial, though the type of dairy still matters.

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