You’re in a doctor’s office with a clipboard and a pile of medical forms on your lap. For the umpteenth time, you must now jot down your medical history — conditions, ongoing symptoms, past procedures, current medications, and even the health of family members. But how much information should you include? Which details are most […]
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How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
Trees enhance life in a multitude of ways. They combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They muffle sound pollution and reduce air pollution, drawing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. When rain pours from the skies, trees decrease stormwater runoff, preventing flooding and soil erosion. They also provide valuable habitats to […]
A muscle-building obsession in boys: What to know and do
By the time boys are 8 or 10, they’re steeped in Marvel action heroes with bulging, oversized muscles and rock-hard abs. By adolescence, they’re deluged with social media streams of bulked-up male bodies. The underlying messages about power and worth prompt many boys to worry and wonder about how to measure up. Sometimes, negative thoughts […]
Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline
It’s not often that a new drug comes along that could help nearly a quarter of the adult population. But when it does, you can bet you’ll see ads for it on TV and the Internet. That’s the case with Veozah (fezolinetant), a medicine for hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause that was […]
Concussion in children: What to know and do
Concussion is one of the most common injuries to the brain, affecting about two million children and teens every year. It is a particular kind of injury that happens when a blow to the head or somewhere else on the body makes the brain move back and forth within the skull. It’s possible to get […]
What color is your tongue? What’s healthy, what’s not?
If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then consider the tongue a sort of check-engine light for the body. The tongue’s appearance gives doctors an idea about certain aspects of your health, and its color is an important clue. What should your tongue look like? The tongue should have a rounded, symmetrical shape. […]
Your amazing parathyroid glands
You probably know that you have a thyroid gland. Perhaps you or someone you know has had thyroid tests or a thyroid disorder such as hypothyroidism. But did you know you also have a parathyroid gland? It’s true — in fact, most people have four of them, even though one would suffice. Where are the […]
When — and how — should you be screened for colon cancer?
Colon cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer after lung cancer. If recent messages about colon cancer screening have left you a little confused, that's understandable. In August, the American College of Physicians (ACP) released updated guidance for colon cancer screening that differs from other major organizations, including recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) […]
Co-regulation: Helping children and teens navigate big emotions
When preschoolers are melting down or teens are slamming doors, parents face two difficult tasks: keeping themselves composed and supporting their kids’ ability to self-soothe while building skills to handle future challenges. These abilities are at the heart of co-regulation, a parenting tool that requires patience and practice. But what exactly is involved, and how […]
Dog bites: How to prevent or treat them
Each year, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States. Despite what you might assume, most of these incidents don’t happen when an unfamiliar dog attacks someone in a park or another outdoor location. Instead, most dog bites are inflicted by a pet dog in a home. Here’s advice for avoiding these […]