Harvard Health Blog

Probiotics are being promoted as a way for women to improve vaginal health, but unlike with the gut and digestion, there is almost no evidence for any benefit.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an allergic inflammation of the esophagus that most typically develops as an allergic response to certain foods. The exact cause is unclear, but if left untreated it can lead to permanent scarring or narrowing of the esophagus.

Prostate cancer screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has been criticized for flagging too many slow-growing tumors that might never be life-threatening. But some men have inherited gene defects that boost their risk of developing prostate cancers that can be quite aggressive. Is PSA screening particularly well-suited for these genetically defined groups? New research […]

Many people now wear smartwatches and other wrist-based devices, and use them to collect and track information about their sleep. But the algorithms that govern how the devices work are opaque, and there is no data comparing them to devices that sleep researchers use.

Wondering how to occupy your children during school break? Skip the screens and try these low-tech physical and creative pursuits.

Does the mere thought of going to the dentist make you anxious? You aren’t alone, but avoiding dental care appointments can lead to other health problems besides dental pain. But there are steps you can take to relieve that anxiety.

Parents of adult children who are struggling with infertility experience complicated feelings, both for what their child is going through and for themselves. Knowing how to deal with these feelings can make the situation easier for everyone involved.

For decades, people with atrial fibrillation were prescribed warfarin to prevent blood clots. But a new type of anticoagulant medication (known as DOACs) that came on the market in 2010 has proven to be at least as effective as warfarin, with fewer side effects and without the need for blood test monitoring.

Semantic memory is your store of factual knowledge and the meanings of words. It also helps you recall nonverbal concepts and relationships between words and concepts. And while some aspects of memory may decline with age, semantic memory does not.

A recent study found that for most people with stable coronary artery disease, a conservative treatment strategy was just as effective as a more invasive approach involving cardiac catheterization and stent placement.

Having trouble getting younger kids ready to leave home on time in the morning? Try these strategies to motivate them to accomplish morning-routine tasks.

An analysis of studies found an association between people with psoriasis and an increased risk of developing several types of cancer. While this does not establish a definitive link, psoriasis is a relatively common condition and those who have it should be aware of its implications.

Preeclampsia is a dangerous condition marked by hypertension that affects some women during late pregnancy or early weeks after birth. Rising rates of high blood pressure and maternal age increase risk for it. A recent study finds monitoring blood pressure at home may help.

Decisions about follow-up care after prostate cancer surgery sometimes involve a basic choice. If the cancer had features that predict it could return, doctors will likely recommend radiation therapy. But when should a man get that treatment? Should he get the radiation right away, even if there’s no evidence of cancer in the body (this […]

People who have elevated blood pressure readings in a doctor’s office but normal readings elsewhere are said to have white-coat hypertension. A new study suggests that people with this condition face a greater risk of heart disease than those whose blood pressure is always normal.

Half of people who live to 85 will develop Alzheimer’s disease — a disturbing statistic. But research into a family in South America has revealed a gene mutation that appears to afford protection, and may lead to a way to treat or possibly even prevent the disease.