Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from July 2006

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from July 2006

Alcohol over time: Still under control?
July 1, 2006... For women, there's not much leeway between healthful and harmful drinking, especially as we get older. Currently, the word is that moderate drinking can be good for you. Various studies suggest that it promotes longevity, helps prevent...

Celiac disease: When the body goes against the grain.
July 1, 2006... "Celiac" comes from the Latin word for abdomen, but this digestive disease can cause symptoms throughout the body. Wheat-based foods -- from a bagel for breakfast to pasta for dinner -- are a dietary staple for many people. But for a person...

Food Safety; Microwaving food in plastic: Dangerous or not?
July 1, 2006... If you use e-mail, chances are you've received an urgent "PLEASE READ THIS!" message about the dangers of microwaving food in plastic containers or plastic wrap. The message warns that chemicals can leach out of the plastic and into the food,...

Heart News; Pacemakers and mammograms.(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Currently, some three million American women have pacemakers. If you have one -- or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) -- here's a word of caution for your next mammogram: Make sure the technician doing the scan knows you have a...

By the way, doctor; Does pomegranate juice interfere with medications?
July 1, 2006... Q. Pomegranate juice is supposed to be a health food, but I've heard that it can interfere with some medications, the way grapefruit juice can. I take Lipitor and wonder if I should be concerned. A. Pomegranate juice has stepped into the...

By the way, doctor; Does long-term use of Prilosec cause stomach cancer?(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Q. I've been taking Prilosec for over a year for GERD. Recently, I read that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors increases the risk of certain gastric cancers. Your opinion? A. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have revolutionized the...