Harvard Health Letter articles from August 2004

Harvard Health Letter archives from August 2004

Sleeping pills without regrets.
August 1, 2004... They've long been the risky quick fixes of sleep medicine. Soon some sleeping pills may be sold as long-term solutions. Insomnia is an occasional problem for about a quarter of all Americans, but nearly 1 adult in 10 struggles with a...

Low carb vs. low fat.
August 1, 2004... Although people lose weight faster on low-carb diets, those taking the low-fat route catch up in a year. But that's only part of the story. If weight loss were a sprint, low-carb dieting would win, hands down. Four recent studies have...

Pills may prevent blindness, but at what cost?
August 1, 2004... Beta carotene, maybe zinc, could be risky for some. Macular degeneration affects the center (macula) of the retina, and the condition robs older Americans of their sight more than any other single cause or condition. The Age-Related Eye...

Statins: They prevent cancer, too?!
August 1, 2004... The statin drugs (Lipitor, Pravachol, other brands) are turning out to be much more than just cholesterol reducers. They've been shown to reduce heart attack and stroke risk in just about anyone at increased risk for atherosclerosis, the...

Fish, but not fish sticks, for asthma prevention.
August 1, 2004... Prenatal exposure to inflammatory molecules may pave the way for asthma, so researchers are investigating whether dietary and other changes during pregnancy might lower levels and spare children from getting asthma. One of the leading...

Jumping helps women hurdle bone density, other problems.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... More research, more evidence that exercise may be our best preventive medicine. A German study published in early 2004 in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that a two-year exercise program for postmenopausal women with signs of...

Doctor, just let me finish.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Researchers who have studied how doctors relate to patients say zeroing in on the first problem can be a mistake. People often hold back a little when they're talking to doctors, or they may not be sure what to tell a doctor. Doctors who jump...

Heart attack vs. sudden cardiac arrest: What's the difference?
August 1, 2004... If someone suddenly collapses and dies, it's often said the person died from a " massive heart attack." But that may not be quite right. The person may have suffered sudden cardiac arrest, not a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the...

By the Way, Doctor; How often can someone my age donate blood?(donating blood in old age)
August 1, 2004... Q I'm 77 and in good health. I believe I'm particularly welcome at the blood bank because I have O-negative blood. I give several times a year. At my age, how frequently is it wise to give? A It's wonderful that you're such a regular donor!...

By the Way, Doctor; Is a larger blood pressure cuff better?(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Q Is the large-cuff blood pressure device that I've heard about better than the ones with the conventional cuff? A To measure blood pressure accurately, a blood pressure cuff must fit snugly around the upper arm. Medical practices that care...