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Osteoporosis Archive

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What can cause a persistent dry cough?

It's common to have a cough for weeks after an upper respiratory infection. When a cough lasts six weeks or longer, doctors may order a chest x-ray to check for an underlying lung problem. Chronic coughing also can result from medications, postnasal drip, acid reflux, or asthma.

Save the trees, prevent the sneeze

In many places in the United States, spring is starting earlier— which means more pollen and a longer allergy season. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage the impact of seasonal allergies and reduce sneezing and itchy eyes.

Ask the doctor: How do you treat a Baker's cyst?

I have a Baker's cyst in my right knee. It has been drained twice and recurred. Are there any other treatments for it?

Harvard Health Ad Watch: A blood thinner winner?

Medicines known as blood thinners are prescribed as long-term treatment to avoid initial or recurring blood clots that could cause serious complications. What does an ad in heavy rotation about the brand name blood thinner Eliquis get right and what else do you need to consider?

Considering a gluten-free diet

People with celiac disease must avoid all foods that contain the protein gluten, found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. Those with nonceliac gluten sensitivity can also benefit from a gluten-free diet.

On call: Causes of cold feet

Common causes of cold feet include clogged arteries in the legs (peripheral artery disease), low body fat, Raynaud's syndrome, and nerve damage.

Tips to manage tinnitus

Tinnitus is an internal high-pitched ringing, whooshing, or hissing noise. The condition can make it hard to concentrate, reduce sleep quality, and cause irritability, nervousness, anxiety, depression, or feelings of hopelessness. Methods for easing tinnitus symptoms include treatment of underlying conditions, trigger avoidance, hearing aids, sound masking devices, exercise, stress reduction, and social connection. Certain programs can also help reduce tinnitus symptoms, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, group support, and tinnitus retraining therapy.

The big pain of small-fiber neuropathy

People sometimes experience a sudden tingling or numbness in the feet or hands that goes away. But if the problem keeps occurring, followed by painful or burning sensations, this could be a sign of small-fiber neuropathy. While not life-threatening, small-fiber neuropathy should always be checked out, as it could be a symptom of something more serious.

Do allergies make snoring worse?

Allergies that cause nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose (what doctors call allergic rhinitis) can cause more frequent and louder snoring. Treating allergic rhinitis can reduce snoring and other symptoms related to poor-quality sleep.

Is it a heart attack?

The first-ever guidelines to diagnose chest pain document the range of possible heart attack symptoms. They include a sense of pressure, tightness, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest but also in the shoulders, arms, neck, back, upper abdomen, or jaw. The report also provides a road map to help doctors assess chest pain with selective use of the latest available tests. Chest discomfort can also result from other conditions that affect the heart (such as pericarditis) and nearby organs. These include acid reflux, muscle or joint issues, and lung problems.

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