For most people, going to the doctor is usually a bit nerve-racking. But for some, the stress of a medical appointment triggers a temporary rise in bloo

We are in the midst of a measles epidemic. As of July 25th, more than 1,100 cases have been reported in 30 states since the begi ing of the year. That’

Over the past several months, you may have heard that the FDA has recalled certain lots of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) medications due to the

When it comes to keeping clean, there could such a thing as too clean. I’ve posted before about how often people shower and whether showering daily

As physicians, many of our daily practices involve administration of substances that are shrouded in mystery. Certain medications, specifically opioids,

Eating right can help keep your body and mind healthy and extend your quality of life. But some older Americans may face barriers to getting enough nutr

Not long ago, an abnormal PSA reading would be followed right away by a standard biopsy to search for potential cancer in the prostate. During such a procedure, doctors take 10 to 12 samples of the pr

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. As an infertility counselor, I always greet the holiday with mixed emotions. I look forward to the lilacs in full bloo

There has been a flurry of news recently about a procedure called trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for the treatment of the common heart c

Need a little motivation and structure to ramp up your walking routine this spring? Want to wake up your workouts? Consider trying a couch-to-5K program

As the cold and flu season continues this year, it is important to be aware that many of the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for cong

The Mediterranean diet has received much attention as a healthy way to eat, and with good reason. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce risk o

Clinical trials are research studies that test a new drug or therapy in patients who have a disease. These studies are classified as phase I, II, or III

We are in the thick of influenza season now, and so it’s natural that if you hear your child start coughing, you wonder: could this be the flu? The flu is different from the common cold, but it’s not

Many people begin the new year with a resolve to improve their health. This improvement often starts with changing what they eat. A food diary can be a useful tool in this process. It can help you und

You may have seen the ads in the Sunday paper or on TV: “Try this all-natural remedy! Thousands already have!” Some of these ads grab your attention with the headline, “Here’s something your doctors d

Here we are at the end of December, and some of us are contemplating another chance for a fresh reboot. The infamous New Year’s resolutions are a common topic. Last year I wrote a blog post about an o

As an athlete, I think regularly about the potential health benefits of exercise for my patients. Every week, I treat patients hospitalized at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with significant medical pro

When knee arthroscopy became widely available in the 1980s, it represented a major advance. Today orthopedists evaluating and treating common knee problems often recommend arthroscopy, during which th

I understand why people embrace New Year’s resolutions: it’s a chance to wipe the slate clean and set a ual goals with new focus and enthusiasm. But are they focusing on the right areas of their live