If you didn’t grow up with a food allergy, you’re not off the hook. They can spring up without warning at any time of life. Food allergy doesn’t rank high on the list of later-life maladies. Only 4% of adults are allergic to a food, and even those who begin life with the most common […]
Ask the doctor: What can be done about a lump in the back of the throat?
Q. I often feel like I have a lump of mucus in my throat. In the morning I spit some of it up, but the sensation doesn’t go away. What can I do about it? A. Doctors sometimes use the term “globus sensation” for the feeling of a lump in the throat. It’s one of […]
Folic acid, a B vitamin, lowers stroke risk in people with high blood pressure
ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified […]
Mindfulness meditation helps fight insomnia, improves sleep
If you’ve ever crawled under the covers worrying about a problem or a long to-do list, you know those racing thoughts may rob you of a good night’s sleep. Sleep disturbances, like having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, affect millions of Americans. The daytime sleepiness that follows can leave you feeling lousy […]
More than a stretch: Yoga’s benefits may extend to the heart
As a long-time yoga enthusiast, I’m always happy to hear about benefits newly attributed to this ancient practice. Doing yoga for a few hours each week helps me feel calmer and more balanced, both physically and mentally. Now, new research suggests that my habit also may be helping my heart. A review of yoga and […]
Too much sitting linked to heart disease, diabetes, premature death
ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified […]
Stretching studios: Do you need what they offer?
Boutique or specialty fitness studios offer all sorts of ways to exercise, such as strength training, indoor cycling, and kickboxing. Other popular options, like yoga and Pilates, are less likely to leave you sweaty and breathless, emphasizing flexibility and measured movement. Now a new trend has emerged: studios that focus solely on stretching. What are […]
Optimism, heart health, and longevity: Unraveling the link for Black Americans
A positive outlook has been linked to better heart health and a longer life. But is that true for Black Americans, whose average lifespan is about 72 years, compared with an average lifespan of 77 years for all Americans? Recent findings from the nation’s largest and longest-running study of cardiovascular risk factors in Black Americans, […]
5 numbers linked to ideal heart health
How well are you protecting yourself against heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death? A check of five important numbers can give you a good idea: blood pressure, blood sugar, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and waist circumference. Those values provide a picture of a person’s overall health and, more specifically, what factors they […]
Walnuts: A worthy addition to your daily diet?
What can you add to a wide variety of foods, from cereals to salads, that’s crunchy, filling, and flavorful — and good for your heart? The answer is nuts. While all varieties of nuts are chock full of important nutrients, walnuts may be especially good for protecting cardiovascular health, according to a recent study in […]