On call: Cholesterol rings in the eyes
At my last visit to my eye doctor, he told me that I had a cholesterol ring. What can you tell me about this condition?
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Exercise and your joints
Some people believe that exercise is harmful to their joints or even causes arthritis, but research shows that this is not true, and in fact exercise can strengthen and protect joints.
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Special section: Cardiovascular connections: Testosterone, sex, and the heart
Low levels of testosterone have been linked to many health problems in men.
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Follow-up
Brief updates on tingling stents, Alzheimer’s disease and blood pressure, exercise as medicine, and vascular disease in women.
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Why regular check-ups are still a good idea
Although guidelines recommend an as-needed, prevention-based approach to check-ups, both doctors and patients prefer an annual physical exam because it fosters and strengthens their relationship, leading to better overall care.
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A doctor talks about: Screening mammography
The editor in chief of Harvard Women’s Health Watch discusses the recommended changes in breast cancer screening guidelines and suggests that women should discuss their risk level with their doctors and weigh the benefits against the potential harms.
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What’s the story with Fosamax?
Research suggests that the osteoporosis medication Fosamax, if taken for a long period of time, could cause a change in bones that makes them more susceptible to fracture. But the studies in question are inconclusive, so more research is necessary.
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Ask the doctor: What’s the connection between statins and coenzyme Q10?
Why don’t you ever tell your readers that everyone who takes a statin to lower cholesterol should be taking coenzyme Q10, too?
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Heart scans hold intermediate promise
CT scans can detect calcium in arteries, but the presence of calcium does not automatically indicate the presence of heart disease. The test may still be of some benefit to those with an intermediate risk but without symptoms.
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Update: Thighbone fractures in women taking bisphosphonate drugs
A few women taking a bisphosphonate medication for osteoporosis for several years experienced unusual thighbone fractures, but a large Danish study did not find sufficient evidence to support a connection.
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