Can self-employment promote better cardiovascular health for women?
A study suggests self-employed women might have heath advantages. Working for yourself can offer several key perks, including greater flexibility and autonomy that might be lacking in a more traditional work structure. But could self-employment also boost cardiovascular health? New long-term research suggests it could — among women, at least. Those who were self-employed were […]
Why is it so challenging to find a primary care physician?
Burnout is causing physicians to leave the profession. Reading the book The Doctor Stories by William Carlos Williams seared into my mind the ways in which a primary care physician (PCP) can transform the lives of patients with a nuanced blend of careful listening, emotional connection, and medical skill. This book inspired me to become […]
Harvard Health Ad Watch: A new injection treatment for eczema
An ad for a new eczema drug leaves some questions unanswered. Dry, itchy, reddened skin is the hallmark of eczema. If you have eczema and have seen this ad, you may be wondering about Dupixent (dupilumab). Does this new medicine work as well as it seems to in the ad? Where does the ad hit […]
3 simple swaps for better heart health
Busy people may find it hard to take heart-healthy steps. These simple swaps can help. Busy days make it hard to put heart health on the front burner. It just feels like you don’t have time for habits that keep the ticker in top shape — like exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and eating a […]
I’m too young to have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, right?
If you’re in your 80s or 70s and you’ve noticed that you’re having some memory loss, it might be reasonable to be concerned that you could be developing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. But what if you’re in your 60s, 50s, or 40s… surely those ages would be too young for Alzheimer’s disease […]
Asking about guns in houses where your child plays
All of us can lower the odds of unintentional shootings. Guns hurt and kill; it’s a simple fact. And while most gun injuries and deaths are the result of an assault or suicide, unintentional injuries happen all the time, including to children and between them. In the six-year span between January 1, 2015, and December […]
Behavioral weight loss interventions: Do they work in primary care?
Multiple supportive connections in community settings can help people lose weight. Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight is a major health issue, not only in the United States but in many countries throughout the world. Governments are looking to identify the most effective services to support people to lose weight and improve overall health. A […]
Who needs treatment for ocular hypertension?
A long-term study explores risk factors for glaucoma and treatment options for people with high eye pressure. Often described as the silent thief of sight, glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the world. High pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve, first stealing peripheral vision (what you see at the […]
The popularity of microdosing of psychedelics: What does the science say?
There is no definitive evidence yet that microdosing with psychedelics is either effective or safe. Psychedelic drugs have been capturing the attention of doctors and patients alike, for their increasingly proven potential to effect long-lasting improvements in the mental health of people who are suffering from conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Microdosing of psychedelic substances […]
AFM: A scary polio-like illness
An uncommon, serious condition in children causes muscle weakness. It is a scary illness, not just for parents but for doctors, too: acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) causes sudden weakness and loss of muscle tone in the arms and legs, and can go on to cause even more serious problems. It’s not just the symptoms that […]