The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published new dietary guidelines to help Americans get and stay healthier across all parts of the lifespan. Babies and toddlers are included for

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection known for its characteristic painful, bu ing, or itchy rash. This rash appears along a particular affected nerve, for example in a band on one side of

Throughout my medical career, I’ve heard statements like these: Early detection offers the best chance of cure. If you wait for symptoms, you’ve waited too long. Knowledge is power, and the sooner you

Platelet-rich plasma, derived from a person's own blood and then injected back into their scalp, has shown some promise as a treatment for certain types of hair loss. However, the treatments are expensive, and there is no guarantee that they will work. The post Platelet-rich plasma: Does the cure fo...

Can childhood tetanus vaccinations offer sufficient protection during adulthood without regular booster shots? Although a new study posits this, the CDC continues to recommend booster shots every 10 years. The post Do adults really need tetanus booster shots? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

The body's circadian rhythm controls our sleep-wake cycle, so an irregular rhythm can negatively affect sleep and proper functioning, which can lead to health problems including mood disorders. The tendency to rise early or stay up late is genetically determined, but you may be able to adjust your l...

The coronavirus pandemic causing COVID-19 understandably makes most people feel anxious. Coping with the challenges is even more difficult for the many people who have a pre-existing anxiety disorder. The post Coping with the coronavirus pandemic for people with anxiety disorders appeared first on H...

Hair loss affects at least a third of women, but unlike men, women are more likely to experience thi ing hair than going bald. There are many possible causes and some solutions. The post Thi ing hair in women: Why it happens and what helps appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

These are unprecedented times. Given the real and tangible threat of the coronavirus pandemic on personal, community, and societal levels, it is normal

Regular brushing and flossing are the co erstones of good oral health. But what if you lea ed that your toothpaste was good for your teeth, but bad fo

Last year, we reported on two studies showing that African American men respond at least as well as white men to prostate cancer treatments given in clinical trials. Nationally, African Americans with

You notice your loved one becoming more forgetful. She ca ot recall her visit with her granddaughters yesterday. She claims she took her medications th

As we near the holiday season, along with trying to keep track of holiday events, parties, and gifts, parents have to think about what to do with their

Smart devices are everywhere, including wrist-based monitors. These wearables promise to count our steps, remind us to move, and provide insight on our

Prostate cancer screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has been criticized for flagging too many slow-growing tumors that might never be life-threatening. But some men have inherited

Decisions about follow-up care after prostate cancer surgery sometimes involve a basic choice. If the cancer had features that predict it could retu , doctors will likely recommend radiation therapy.

Worldwide, hypertension (high blood pressure) and complications that stem from it are the second leading cause of mate al mortality. In fact, it causes

For nearly two decades, the American Heart Association (AHA) has recommended that people with coronary heart disease (CHD) consume omega-3-fatty acids (

Are you worried about Alzheimer’s disease? Does one of your parents or siblings have the disease? If so, your risks are between two and four times that

Do you get joy out of volunteering, helping out with your grandkids, or lea ing new skills in that class you’ve been taking? If you said yes, it could