Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from February 2008

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from February 2008

The status of statins.
February 1, 2008... They reduce harmful cholesterol, but should healthy women be taking them? Where would we be without cholesterol? It's a vital component of cell membranes and nerve sheaths. It forms the basis of sex hormones. It enables bile acids to...

Nighttime awakenings in menopause may be caused by sleep disorders, not hot flashes.
February 1, 2008... Hot flashes aren't anybody's friend, but they may be getting an unfair rap for disrupting women's sleep at midlife. Studies have often reported that sleep problems increase during the menopausal transition, reinforcing the idea that hot flashes...

What can I do about earwax buildup?
February 1, 2008... Q. My doctor recently noticed lots of wax in my ear, almost blocking the canal. How did this happen? What should I do about it? A. If the wax in your ear isn't causing any trouble, you needn't do anything about it. Earwax (cerumen) is made...

What is keratosis pilaris?(Disease/Disorder overview)
February 1, 2008... Q. Ever since my teens, I've had a rash that looks like goose bumps on my arms and legs. My doctor says it's keratosis pilaris. What do you know about this condition? A. Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition characterized by tiny...