Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from January 2005

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from January 2005

Five for 2005: Five reasons to forgive.
January 1, 2005... In recent years, the most common New Year's resolutions have veered away from self-improvement pledges. Instead, people are committing themselves to spending more time with family and friends, enjoying life more, and reducing stress. But what...

A doctor talks about; Gynecologist or internist?
January 1, 2005... Many of my patients who have passed their childbearing years ask whether they need to see both a gynecologist and an internist for routine health care. There's no single correct answer, but here's what I tell my patients. Many women begin...

Anesthesia and how to prepare for it.
January 1, 2005... Understanding your options and knowing what to expect will increase your chances of having a smooth surgical experience and recovery. When facing surgery or an invasive procedure, anesthesia is one of the things we worry about. Will we feel...

Osteoporosis; Ultra-low dose estrogen patch improves bone, appears safe for the uterus.
January 1, 2005... Estrogen was approved for osteoporosis prevention in the 1980s, but in the past couple of years, postmenopausal women who are worried about bone loss have been urged to try other drugs instead. That's because results from the Women's Health...

Breast cancer; Ductal lavage not a good screening test for breast cancer.
January 1, 2005... Through early detection of breast cancer, mammography has saved the lives of thousands of women, but it has its limitations. For example, abnormalities may not show up in dense breast tissue, so it isn't as good at finding breast cancer in...

By the way, doctor; What can I do about cold sores?(herpes simplex virus)
January 1, 2005... Q I get cold sores every few months. I'm worried I'll have them when I'm away on vacation next month. What can I do to prevent them? A Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV: HSV-1 and HSV-2....

By the way, doctor; Does glucosamine cause diabetes?
January 1, 2005... Q I read that glucosamine can affect insulin levels and may be ill-advised for diabetics. Does it cause diabetes in people who don't already have the disease? A Glucosamine, derived from the shells of shrimp, crabs, and lobsters, is a...