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.
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.
Why don’t you ever tell your readers that everyone who takes a statin to lower cholesterol should be taking coenzyme Q10, too?
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.
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.
A vegetarian diet can meet all a person's nutritional needs if planned thoughtfully. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts, avoid saturated fats, watch calories and portions, and be physically active.
Brief reports on CPR and an improved cardiac arrest survival rate, chewable aspirin as a rapid heart attack aid, and the effect of lack of sleep on blood pressure.
In addition to treating damage to the skin caused by sun exposure, topical retinol has also been found to be effective in treating the normal signs of aging on the skin, but the treatments must be continued in order to remain effective.
Research has found that statin drugs may inhibit the growth of cancer cells in laborotory experiments, but much more research is necessary before any definite benefits can be determined.
The Framingham heart disease risk-assessment tool has been refined and improved with the addition of several new risk factors that contribute to the overall score and make it a more accurate predictor of heart disease risk.