Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from June 2006

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from June 2006

Higher vitamin D may help prevent breast cancer.
June 1, 2006... It's probably time to revise official advice about how much is enough. We've known for a long time that vitamin D is crucial to bone health. Research is now showing that it's active in many other tissues and may offer some protection...

After the diagnosis: Living with Parkinson's.
June 1, 2006... There's no cure for Parkinson's disease, but new treatments can ease the symptoms and prolong independence. "You'll be fine for years. Go out and do your job." That's how Janet Reno, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) at age 57,...

In Brief; Vulvar lichen planus is best treated with high-potency creams.
June 1, 2006... Lichen planus is a relatively uncommon inflammatory condition that affects the skin, nails, mouth, and vagina, usually around midlife. One of its most troubling manifestations is erosive lichen planus of the vulva (ELPV), an often painful...

In Brief; Procedure shrinks fibroids in postmenopausal women, too.
June 1, 2006... Uterine fibroids are common noncancerous growths that form within the walls or lining of the uterus or on its outer surface. They're not life-threatening, but they can cause considerable suffering. Large ones in particular can impinge on pelvic...

Weight-loss surgery is an option for many.
June 1, 2006... Surgery to reduce or bypass the stomach has risks, but so does extreme obesity. Obesity among American women is leveling off, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a periodic assessment of...

By the way, doctor; What can I do about osteoarthritis of the knee?
June 1, 2006... Q. For several months, I've been taking a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, but I still get painful flare-ups. Do these supplements really work? What else can I do to ease the pain? A. Until recently, glucosamine supplements (with or...