Harvard Health Content API

Dry winter air can suck moisture out of the skin and cause itching. To combat this, one can stop scratching; wear protective clothing when outdoors; use a humidifier; and limit bathing to five minutes in lukewarm water.

It appears that being overweight puts people at risk for heart attack and heart disease, regardless of whether they have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.

For most people there is not much evidence that B vitamin supplements protect against heart disease or various types of dementia.

To find motivation to exercise, doctors advise that people think of exercise as fun, not work; use it as a means to get off medication; work exercise into daily routines such as walking in parking lots; and try workouts of 10 minutes at a time.

More people are being diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus. It’s is a change in cells in the esophagus that results from frequent acid exposure caused by reflux. Barrett’s has a small cancer risk.

It appears that speaking a second language may delay the onset of several types of dementia for up to four-and-a-half years.

Dietary potassium can help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension, and it can help protect against getting hypertension.

Sometimes one can find better prices on prescription drugs by simply doing a little digging. Comparison shopping, Internet price finders, and manufacturer assistance programs can help.