Category: health-letter

The editor in chief of the Harvard Health Letter introduces a second 2011 edition of a special issue comprised entirely of “Ask the doctor” letters from readers.

Is the chemical BPA just another health scare, or is it really something we should be worried about?

My wife’s medication to treat atrial fibrillation recently was changed from warfarin to a new drug called Pradaxa. They say that the new medicine does not require regular INR tests and is just as effective. Is that so?

I saw Harvard’s Healthy Eating Plate and noticed that poultry was listed as a healthy protein. I am not surprised that you’re recommending fish, nuts, or beans. But why poultry?

More and more nutrition advice seems to be anti-sugar these days. So are artificial sweeteners a good alternative?

I am 70, have had sleep problems, and have started to take Ambien every night. It seems to be working very well. Is it okay if I keep on taking it?

A hospital in the area is advertising robotic surgery. Is it really any better than having a surgeon do the operation?

Because humans have evolved to crave fat, salt, and sugar, it is difficult to shift away from them and toward a healthier diet, but it is possible to learn to like vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain foods more.

Research indicates that older people who fall are more likely to have foot pain, bunions, or other foot problems.

My wife has morphea spots on many areas of her body. We are currently treating them with Dovonex, which seems to help a little but is expensive. Do you have a better way to treat this disease? We have been told very little is known about how to treat it.