Recent Blog Articles

PTSD: How is treatment changing?

Concussion in children: What to know and do

Ever hear of tonsil stones?

Midlife ADHD? Coping strategies that can help

Ever worry about your gambling?

Color-changing eye drops: Are they safe?

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Got side effects? There's a medicine for that

Packing your hurricane go bag? Make provisions for your health

Does your child need to bathe every day?

Evoking calm: Practicing mindfulness in daily life helps

Diseases & Conditions Archive

Diseases & Conditions

4 reasons for tingling or numbness in the arms and legs

Published November 1, 2021

There are lots of reasons for numbness or tingling in the limbs. Constant or recurrent symptoms point to a potentially serious cause. One possibility is peripheral neuropathy, which damages nerves throughout the body. Another is peripheral artery disease—a narrowing of the arteries in the limbs that reduces blood flow. Another is nerve compression, which might be caused by sciatica (irritation of the sciatic nerve in the legs) or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). When numbness or tingling persists, one should report the symptoms to a doctor right away.

Diseases & Conditions

Casing the joints

Published November 1, 2021

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis among older adults. Often called the "wear and tear" disease, osteoarthritis doesn’t occur because of overusing or stressing one’s joints. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, people can lower their risk or better manage the condition by losing excess weight, strengthening the muscles surrounding joints, and using over-the-counter pain medication as needed.

Diseases & Conditions

Gastroparesis: A slow-emptying stomach can cause nausea and vomiting

Published October 27, 2021

Gastroparesis is a condition that causes delay in the emptying of food from the stomach. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and can affect nutrition and quality of life. Treatment may involve medication or a procedure, but a correct diagnosis is necessary first.

Diseases & Conditions

What to do when elective surgery is postponed

Published October 20, 2021

When hospitals fill with COVID-19 patients, elective surgeries need to be postponed. If your elective surgery is temporarily derailed, what steps can you take to help yourself cope and be prepared for when the surgery is rescheduled?

Diseases & Conditions

Frequent migraines? Eating fatty fish may offer comfort

Published October 1, 2021

People who suffer from chronic migraines could find relief by increasing their intake of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel, and trout.

Diseases & Conditions

Can COVID cause diabetes?

Published October 1, 2021

COVID-19 infections may raise the risk of developing diabetes, because the virus can damage insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Diseases & Conditions

Can you get shingles more than once?

Published October 1, 2021

It is possible to get shingles more than once. But getting vaccinated with the Shingrix vaccine may help prevent this from occurring.

Diseases & Conditions

Inflammatory bowel disease on the rise in older adults

Published October 1, 2021

The number of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cases among older adults has increased every year over the past decade. While all racial and ethnic groups were affected, the most significant annual percentage increase was among non-Hispanic Black individuals.