Each year, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States. Despite what you might assume, most of these incidents don’t happen when an unfamiliar dog attacks someone […]
Ready to give up the lead vest?
At a dental appointment last month, I spotted a lead vest hanging unassumingly on the wall of the exam room as soon as I walked in. “Still there, but now […]
Your amazing parathyroid glands
You probably know that you have a thyroid gland. Perhaps you or someone you know has had thyroid tests or a thyroid disorder such as hypothyroidism. But did you know […]
When — and how — should you be screened for colon cancer?
Colon cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer after lung cancer. If recent messages about colon cancer screening have left you a little confused, that's understandable. In August, the American […]
How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
Trees enhance life in a multitude of ways. They combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They muffle sound pollution and reduce air pollution, drawing in carbon […]
Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline
It’s not often that a new drug comes along that could help nearly a quarter of the adult population. But when it does, you can bet you’ll see ads for […]
What? Another medical form to fill out?
You’re in a doctor’s office with a clipboard and a pile of medical forms on your lap. For the umpteenth time, you must now jot down your medical history — […]
How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals
An F may mean failure in school, but the letter earns high marks in your diet. The two biggest dietary Fs — fiber and fermented foods — are top priorities […]
What color is your tongue? What’s healthy, what’s not?
If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then consider the tongue a sort of check-engine light for the body. The tongue’s appearance gives doctors an idea about certain […]
How to stay healthy during a drought
What is a drought? A drought is a prolonged dry period without rain. In the last few decades, droughts are occurring more frequently worldwide. With climate change, rising temperatures are […]