Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from April 2004

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from April 2004

Understanding and treating an irritable bowel.
April 1, 2004... Irritable bowel syndrome significantly disrupts life for the women who have it. The good news is that we're finding better ways to control it. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects an estimated 24 million people in the United States....

In Brief; More good news about vitamin D.
April 1, 2004... In February 2004, we commented on vitamin D's vital role in bone maintenance and its possible link to colorectal cancer prevention. Because it's difficult to get enough of this vitamin from food, and sun exposure (needed for making it in the...

How to release a frozen shoulder.
April 1, 2004... Most of us don't think twice about taking a book off an overhead shelf, reaching an arm back to put on a coat, or rolling a bowling ball. But if you have a frozen shoulder (also called adhesive capsulitis), these simple movements can be painful...

Miles to go: Long-distance caregiving.
April 1, 2004... As the embodiment of love and commitment to others, caregiving is one of the most worthwhile jobs you may ever undertake. But it can cause undeniable strain. On average, caregivers are in their 40s. Most are women. And many feel unbearably...

By the Way, Doctor; Should I stop eating farm-raised salmon?
April 1, 2004... Q I eat salmon once or twice a week, but the publicity about toxins in farm-raised salmon worries me. Is farm-raised salmon safe? A You're referring to a study that found that farm-raised salmon has higher levels of some cancer-causing...

By the Way, Doctor; What's the latest on tibolone, the estrogen alternative?
April 1, 2004... Q What happened to tibolone -- the estrogen alternative we heard about a while ago? Did it turn out not to be effective? A When we first wrote about tibolone in December 2001, many experts anticipated FDA approval within a year or two. That...