Harvard Health Letter articles from May 2006

Harvard Health Letter archives from May 2006

Knees in need.(care and treatment of osteoarthritis)
May 1, 2006... Arthritis sufferers look for answers after a large study finds that glucosamine and chondroitin are ineffective for many. If your knees ache and creak, you've got lots of company. At least a quarter of everyone over age 55 has had a...

Varus (bowlegged).(care and treatment of knee osteoarthritis)
May 1, 2006... What can you do? Wearing a good pair of running shoes is a good place to start even if you aren't a runner. Doug Gross, a physical therapist and a researcher at Boston University with Dr. Felson, recommends buying them at a store that...

No coughing matter.
May 1, 2006... Cough experts say many over-the-counter medications probably aren't worth the money. A quick gulp of air, that onomatopoeic KA-offing out: the cough is one of our basic defense mechanisms. This reflex and that unceremonious expulsion of...

The skin cancer you haven't heard about.(case studies of squamous cell cancer)(Disease/Disorder overview)
May 1, 2006... It doesn't get as much attention as other skin cancers, but squamous cell cancer is common and serious. Summer's the season for fun in the sun -- but also for skin cancer. Of the three main types of skin cancer, melanoma is most deadly,...

In Brief; Homocysteine: Turns out not to B so simple.(B vitamin therapy for cardiovascular disease prevention is on indefinite hold)
May 1, 2006... Start with research showing that homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood, is biologically related to the atherosclerotic process that plugs up arteries. Add evidence that people with high homocysteine levels are more likely to have heart...

In Brief; Calling it quits.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Often it's not easy, but people do it. According to national health surveys, just over half of all Americans who were ever smokers are now ex-smokers. Some can tough it out and snuff the habit out on their own. Others need help. Studies...

In Brief; Hiccups redux and errata corrected.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... We've received quite a bit of mail in response to our article about hiccups in the February 2006 issue. Most of the letters and messages have been about favorite cures. Several people said that drinking a cup of water with some sugar dissolved...

By the way, doctor; Have you ever heard of sore hair?
May 1, 2006... Q. I'm 88. For some time, I've been plagued by "sore hair." My scalp isn't sore -- only the tip ends of my hair. My dermatologist says it's a medical problem. My family doctor hasn't a clue. Have you ever heard of this? A. I don't think...

By the way, doctor; Is psoriatic arthritis serious?(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Q. I was recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. It comes and goes, but I still run and lift weights. So far, it hasn't inhibited my activities, but I'd like to know whether it's a serious condition and if it can get worse. A. As you...