Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from May 2007

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from May 2007

Why regular check-ups are still a good idea.(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... An annual "well woman" visit has important health benefits -- especially the doctor-patient relationship it fosters. For most of the 20th century, the yearly "head-to-toe" physical for adults with no medical complaints was the standard of...

In Brief; Pelvic organ prolapse can run in the family.(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... Pelvic organ prolapse, a common disorder in women, is most often attributed to multiple vaginal births, which can damage the muscles and tissues that support the pelvic organs. Research conducted in pairs of sisters suggests that some women...

Exercise after age 70.(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... There are no official fitness guidelines for older women, but the basics are the same at every age. The average 65-year-old can expect to reach her 85th birthday, and the average 75-year-old will live to age 87. How we'll celebrate those...

Joint problems; Caution in treating temporomandibular disorders.(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... You may be ready to try anything for relief. But unproven fixes can cause greater injury and disability. For most of us, jaw pain is a fleeting experience -- caused, perhaps, by a too-wide yawn, a big bite on a bagel, or an afternoon of...

By the way, doctor; What can I do about vitiligo?(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... Q. I have white skin patches on both hands. My doctor says it's vitiligo. What causes this, and how can I treat it? A. Vitiligo is a common condition in which the skin loses melanin, the substance that determines the color of the skin,...