Harvard Health Letter articles from May 2009

Harvard Health Letter archives from May 2009

Editor's note.
May 1, 2009... Editor's note Dear Readers, The back page of every issue of the Health Letter is devoted to answering questions from you, our readers. In May 2008, we tried something new and turned over the entire issue to the "By the way, doctor*"...

By the way, doctor: children and soy milk.(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... By the way, doctor Children and soy milk Q. Is it safe for children to drink soy milk? A. Soy and soy milk do contain molecules that interact with estrogen receptors and therefore have weak, estrogen-like effects. However, because...

By the way, doctor: PET-CT scans for finding breast cancer.
May 1, 2009... By the way, doctor PET-CT scans for finding breast cancer Q. I*ve been having PET-CT scans to look for any growth or spread of previously removed tumors. Are they as reliable in detecting breast cancer as a regular mammogram? A....

By the way, doctor: a very fishy diet.
May 1, 2009... By the way, doctor A very fishy diet Q. I read in an earlier issue that one of the nutrition experts eats five servings of fish a week. Why so much? And isn't there a risk from the contaminants? A. I believe research has shown...

By the way, doctor: Hammertoe woes.
May 1, 2009... By the way, doctor Hammertoe woes Q. I have been told by a podiatrist that because of hammertoes, the fat pads on the ball of my foot have dissipated, causing pain when I walk or stand for long periods. I like to walk for exercise so...

By the way, doctor: Plugged-up feeling in an ear.
May 1, 2009... By the way, doctor Plugged-up feeling in an ear Q. I have a plugged left ear problem. It usually starts about 4 p.m. and lasts about three to four hours. I cough, clear my throat, yawn, close my nostrils and blow * nothing seems to...

By the way, doctor: Tremors.
May 1, 2009... By the way, doctor Tremors Q. I am curious about tremors in adults. I know that people with Parkinson's disease get them, but I am not sure about other conditions. A. Our muscles are programmed for various kinds of rapid...

By the way, doctor: Ginkgo biloba and dementia.
May 1, 2009... By the way, doctor Ginkgo biloba and dementia Q. Some years ago, you published an article saying that ginkgo biloba might slow down dementia. I was 59, and I started taking it. I think it has helped me and know others who think...