Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from December 2003

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from December 2003

Women and alcohol: Keeping control.
December 1, 2003... In deciding whether or how much to drink, you must weigh the risks and benefits - physical, mental, and social. Alcohol often has a place in our lives. A drink can ease self-consciousness in a social situation, promote conviviality, improve...

Caregiving - Strategies for caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease.
December 1, 2003... Learning how to manage Alzheimer's-related behaviors can ease the burden for both the person with dementia and the family. Most of the 4.5 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease live at home, where they're usually cared for by a wife,...

Go with the grain, the whole grain.
December 1, 2003... Many studies, including the Nurses' Health Study, have shown that eating whole grains can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and gastrointestinal ailments. The fiber in whole grains lowers cholesterol and...

Partners in resistance: Strength and power.
December 1, 2003... Most of us are familiar with the health benefits of getting 30 minutes per day of exercise, such as brisk walking. But scientists now recognize the many advantages of two other types of exercise: strength training - also known as weight or...

By the Way, Doctor - Postmenopausal estrogen surge?(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Q I'm five years into menopause. Recently my breasts became tender and I noticed vaginal secretions, but no bleeding - as if I were about to have a period. Should I be concerned? A Your symptoms are most likely the effects of estrogen or...

By the Way, Doctor - What can I do about vulvodynia?
December 1, 2003... Q I've had a burning sensation near the entrance to my vagina for about three years. After several tests, my doctor said I probably have vulvodynia. Can you tell me what causes it? Is there a cure? A Vulvodynia refers to a group of pain...