http://anthonykomaroff.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:41:43 GMT 2009-12-29T20:41:43Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977667115 An epidemic of swine flu has recently developed in Mexico and the United States, says the CDC. Swine flu has killed many people, and the outbreak has features that suggest it could become a global pandemic. . . . Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:03:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977667115 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-04-27T13:03:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977615255 A couple of months ago on this blog, I made the case that stress isn’t always bad for us (“ Is Stress Really Bad for You ?”). From birth, we are all hard-wired to respond to a sudden, acute stressor—like . . . Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:34:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977615255 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-03-05T18:34:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977600893 Tips on how to avoid salmonella food poisoning. Watch it now! This content is not intended to substitute for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, . . . Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:15:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977600893 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-02-20T15:15:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977565009 Studies indicate that getting 7-8 hours of solid sleep each night improves health. Watch now! This content is not intended to substitute for personalized . . . Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:46:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977565009 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-01-16T15:46:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977555233 Do you ever experience stress? Of course you do—who doesn’t? I’ll bet you define stress as the pressures that life places on you, and you think that stress is bad for you. Scientists who study stress . . . Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:08:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977555233 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-01-06T21:08:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977525923 A new study adds to the evidence that using cell phones while driving is dangerous. Watch now!   This content is not intended to substitute for personalized . . . Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:22:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977525923 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-12-04T17:22:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977496705 A randomized trial of over 35,000 men comes to disappointing results. For more information on prostate disease, subscribe to Focus on Prostate Health , a free 8-part email series from Harvard Medical . . . Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:55:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977496705 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-11-03T20:55:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977490119 Do you want to hear an amazing science fiction story? A heart attack destroyed a quarter of the cells in a 60 year-old man’s heart, causing heart failure. It was impossible for the man to walk across . . . Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:22:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977490119 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-10-27T19:22:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977480506 The VP is one of over 2 million Americans with atrial fibrillation, a potentially dangerous heart rhythm. For more health information and tips from Harvard Medical School, sign up for HEALTHbeat , . . . Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:48:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977480506 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-10-17T14:48:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977462442 A technique using x-rays rather than a tube in teh colon finds 9 out of 10 cancers. But you still need the clean out. Watch now! This content is not . . . Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:27:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977462442 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-09-29T14:27:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977440121 The New York Post and Wall Street Journal ran articles during the Olympics making the claim that Michael Phelps’ diet contains 12,000 calories each day. It could be true. Phelps is 6’4”, and weighs . . . Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:04:58 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977440121 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-09-05T02:04:58Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977440108 Swimmer Michael Phelps takes in 12,000 calories a day. He burns it off, so he doesn't gain weight, but too many of his calories come from saturated fats. Learn more about the food-health connection . . . Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:54:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977440108 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-09-05T01:54:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977438003 Remarkable new research results indicate that the use of human stem cells to treat diseases may be closer than once thought. Stay updated on the latest medical news and advice with the Harvard Health . . . Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:24:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977438003 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-09-03T13:24:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977424100 A 20-year study of runners over 50 compared to non-runners found that non-runners had higher death rates.                     . . . Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:49:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977424100 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-08-18T13:49:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977416043 An authoritative panel concludes that in older men, the PSA blood test causes more problems than benefits. Learn more about prostate health with these publications from Harvard Medical School: Special . . . Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:58:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977416043 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-08-07T17:58:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977411246 Japanese men in Japan have less heart disease than Japanese men in the U.S. and other men in the U.S., because they eat more fish. For more information on eating for health, see Healthy Eating: . . . Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:55:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977411246 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-08-01T14:55:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977406303 The frequent loss of sexual interest and pleasure that women often experience when taking SSRI drugs is improved by taking Viagra, a small study indicates.                               . . . Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:39:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977406303 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-07-25T15:39:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977400135 The low-carb (Atkins-like) diet and Mediterranean diets over two years caused greater weight loss and healthier levels of blood cholesterol and glucose.                          . . . Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:30:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977400135 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-07-17T15:30:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977388892 High levels of HDL ("good" cholesterol) protect against heart disease and stroke. A new study indicates it also may protect against memory loss. For more information about memory and aging, . . . Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:43:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977388892 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-07-03T17:43:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977381318 A few months ago in this space I said that until about 10 years ago, experts thought they knew all there was to know about vitamin D: its job was to help keep bones strong, and most people got all . . . Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:36:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977381318 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-06-24T15:36:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977377598 A new study finds that men with low blood levels for vitamin D have double the risk of getting a heart attack. To learn more about the benefits of vitamin D, order "Vitamins and Minerals" ( . . . Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:42:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977377598 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-06-19T19:42:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977363559 A new study finds that boxers develop growth hormone deficiency, which leads to muscle weakness and problems with memory and mood. The same could result from repeated head injuries in non-boxers. . . . Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:33:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977363559 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-06-06T18:33:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977351485 It is hard to quit smoking, and harder if you try to do it alone and without the aid of medicines such as nicotine patches and gum, or medications such as bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix). . . . Thu, 22 May 2008 21:18:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977351485 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-05-22T21:18:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977346384 In a study published in the May 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers looked at pollution of the air by large particles. The study found that this type of pollution . . . Thu, 15 May 2008 21:39:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977346384 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-05-15T21:39:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977335015 Our bones thin as we age, more often in women, but also in men. Thin bones (osteoporosis) make them vulnerable to fractures. There are many ways to build bone strength—the healthiest and most natural . . . Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:01:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977335015 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-04-29T21:01:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977262401 Are vitamin pills good for you or not? Forty years ago, I was taught in medical school that they were useless, because you got all the vitamins you needed in a typical diet. What my teachers meant was . . . Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:57:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977262401 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-02-19T18:57:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977182436 Mary Jackson (not her real name) is 93 years old, and has been my patient for 35 years.   She stopped school after the 8 th grade. Nevertheless, she is always up on the latest news and is a shrewd . . . Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:43:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977182436 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-11-20T16:43:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977113889 Nothing seems more inevitable than aging and death—not even taxes.  Yet as we better understand the biological processes of aging, we’re realizing that aging may be a process that can . . . Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:07:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977113889 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-09-11T18:07:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977058793 From 1993 to 2001, Bill Clinton held the most high pressure job in the world. He had access to the best medical care: How many of us have our own personal doctor at our side most of the day? His health . . . Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:54:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977058793 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-07-17T18:54:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977000783 As a doctor, I spend a lot of time explaining to my patients why doctors keep changing their minds. “Why did you doctors used to say A, and now you say B?” Whenever I’m asked that question, . . . Tue, 15 May 2007 14:27:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977000783 Anthony Komaroff, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-05-15T14:27:13Z