Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from August 2002

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from August 2002

Make resistance training part of your fitness plan.
August 1, 2002... Most of us know that regular aerobic activity helps us stay fit and live longer, but we may be less familiar with the benefits of strength, or weight, training - also known as resistance exercise. In strength training, muscles contract...

Bone Health - Nutrients beyond calcium.(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... Thanks to milk-mustache ads, public education campaigns, and myriad products touting calcium content, the message seems clear: getting enough calcium will help keep our bones strong throughout life. But there's more to the nutrient story than...

In Brief - Got directions? Women's and men's navigational differences.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... A man and woman reach an intersection. They're lost. He says the correct path is to the right. She says it's to the left. Who's more likely to be correct? It's tempting to say the man is, since men generally outperform women in navigational...

In Brief - Treating hot flashes with drugs: an update.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Whether due to natural menopause, surgical menopause, or cancer treatment, hot flashes are distressing for many women. They're particularly vexing for women taking tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer, because tamoxifen itself can cause hot...

By the Way, Doctor - What does an abnormal Pap mean?(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Q I recently had an abnormal Pap test and my doctor told me to come back in three months to be tested again. Isn't there some way for me to find out what's wrong now? A Wanting an immediate answer is completely understandable. It's a wish...

By the Way, Doctor - Should I test my cholesterol at home?(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Q I recently saw an ad for a cholesterol test kit for home use. It seems like a good way to keep track of my cholesterol. Is there any reason not to use something like this? A There's practically no good reason to use such...

By the way, Doctor - Is MSM as good as it sounds?(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Q Can you tell me anything about the dietary supplement MSM? I've heard it's supposed to relieve arthritis pain. A MSM stands for methyl sulfonyl methane. It is derived from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a by-product of wood processing that's...