http://howardlewine.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:13:25 GMT 2010-01-06T00:13:25Z 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=281474977673336 Some people find it hard to live with even the slightest imperfection. Their need to appear to be perfect, or actually be perfect, is so intense that it's exhausting, if not painful. Though the word . . . Mon, 04 May 2009 14:21:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977673336 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-05-04T14:21:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977607888 There’s been some discussion lately in the medical community about finding a way to reward people for getting and staying healthy. I think financial incentives for adopting healthy habits is a good idea, . . . Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:10:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977607888 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-02-26T20:10:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977572693 This medical problem has a fancy name -- perleche. It is also called angular stomatitis or angular cheilitis. Dr. Howard LeWine explains why this happens, how to treat it, and what you can do to prevent . . . Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:55:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977572693 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-01-23T19:55:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977557130 "Personalized medicine" sounds great. It reminds me of how we embraced the term "holistic medicine" in the past. In fact, personalized medicine and holistic medicine both embrace . . . Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:29:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977557130 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2009-01-08T16:29:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977542617 Have you ever wondered about the ringing, buzzing, or humming noise in your ear? Most people have had this happen at some time. For many people, tinnitus is a persistent problem. Sometimes it can be medication . . . Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:22:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977542617 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-12-22T17:22:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977516556 I suspect many people have circumstances similar to mine. They feel well, consider themselves healthy, and want to stay that way. But their LDL cholesterol is a little high. Here is why I decided to take . . . Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:47:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977516556 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-11-24T20:47:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977487777 Is it something to worry about? What causes it? Check out Dr. LeWine's video to find out. Check this video from Harvard Medical School doctor - Howard Lewine! . . . Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:03:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977487777 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-10-24T20:03:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977484659 With so much emphasis placed on increasing physical activity, we hear very little about overtraining. The definition of overtraining is personal. It is the point at which a person is exercising so hard . . . Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:32:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977484659 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-10-21T18:32:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977471967 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the irreversible damage to the lungs that results in diminished airflow in the lungs. While inhalers ad some oral medications can help you feel better, there is . . . Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:27:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977471967 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-10-08T21:27:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977450363 Recent studies have questioned the importance of strictly keeping blood sugars in the normal range for people with type 2 diabetes. This week we learn that going for tight control when you first get diagnosed . . . Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:37:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977450363 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-09-16T13:37:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977430988 Many states and employers are using financial incentives to entice people to join "Get Healthy" programs. The state of Alabama has gone to the next step. Alabama will charge obese state employees . . . Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:21:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977430988 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-08-26T20:21:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977425806 Doctors frequently prescribe long-acting narcotics to help keep cancer pain and other causes of chronic pain in check. Of the long-acting preparations, methadone is clearly the most affordable. But methadone . . . Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:30:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977425806 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-08-20T15:30:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977425239 Bacteria and other infectious organisms are remarkably resilient. They often develop ways to survive drugs meant to kill them. The phenomenon is called antibiotic resistance . Overuse of antibiotics . . . Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:31:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977425239 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-08-19T21:31:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977424203 The FDA just issued a new warning about a potentially serious drug interaction. If you take amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) and simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin), talk with your doctor about switching to a . . . Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:46:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977424203 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-08-18T15:46:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977416025 Dr. Ronald Evans and his colleagues reported the results of research on mice that showed promise for such a pill. While it mimics some of the benefits of exercise, a pill for humans is many years, if not . . . Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:43:58 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977416025 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-08-07T17:43:58Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977410490 Cell phones emit electromagnetic radiation. There are some theoretical reasons why they might increase cancer risk. But multiple studies haven't proven this in humans. Without the hard evidence proving . . . Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:39:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977410490 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-07-31T15:39:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977393768 The American Academy of Pediatrics just released new recommendations for children at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. For some children, as young as two years of age may be appropriate. . . . Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:10:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977393768 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-07-09T18:10:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977392629 A CT heart scan can tell you whether you have plaque buildup in your coronary arteries. It's quick and easy. But the information may not change what you need to do to keep your heart healthy. And . . . Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:18:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977392629 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-07-08T14:18:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977375834 Performance-enhancing dietary supplements are regularly used by competitive athletes and daily exercisers. Surveys indicate that 75% of college athletes and almost 100% of body builders use at least one . . . Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:16:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977375834 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-06-17T21:16:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977374816 Sudden cardiac death results in 325,000 deaths per year, more deaths than lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer combined. Here's what likely happened to Mr. Russert. To learn . . . Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:27:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977374816 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-06-16T19:27:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977360569 We need a better way to tell women and their doctors about the risks of specific drugs during pregnancy. So, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to scrap the current system. The new labels . . . Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:11:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977360569 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-06-03T20:11:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977350416 The CDC now formally recommends the shingles vaccine, called Zostavax, for people age 60 and older. The vaccine is expensive, and until now insurance coverage for the vaccine has been inconsistent. With . . . Wed, 21 May 2008 15:40:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977350416 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-05-21T15:40:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977345506 Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health report new information about how long it takes for your body to recover once you quit smoking. The study was published in the May 7th issue of the . . . Wed, 14 May 2008 18:20:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977345506 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-05-14T18:20:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977324000 Five years ago, scientists announced that they had worked out the order of the three billion letters in the human genetic code. Now scientists are busy finding the mutations that correlate with risk of . . . Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:21:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977324000 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-04-15T20:21:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977256861 Why do female black widow spiders kill their male partners after mating? To stop the snoring before it starts.   Snoring is no joke if you're the one waking up tired or feeling . . . Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:29:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977256861 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2008-02-12T21:29:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977201621 Wearing a pedometer may be just the motivator you need to increase your daily physical activity. New research on the subject confirms what prior small studies suggested. In the November 21, 2007, issue . . . Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:29:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977201621 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-12-12T16:29:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977162229 It’s getting tougher for drug companies to get new medications approved. While officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) state there has not been a systematic change in the approval . . . Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:23:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977162229 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-10-30T14:23:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977078564 By Howard LeWine, M.D. Obesity is contagious. It spreads from person to person, but not in the same way as germs or viruses. You don’t need to be standing near someone who is overweight to catch . . . Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:24:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977078564 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-08-07T15:24:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977020778 Not all fat is the same. So it’s not just how much fat you have that’s important for your health. It’s where that fat is located. Most of our body fat sits under the skin. This fat, . . . Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:45:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977020778 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-06-05T15:45:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976953795 The debate about who, when, and what in regards to breast cancer screening had seem to settle down, until the last couple weeks. The pot has been stirred again. Last week, the medical journal Annals of . . . Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:44:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976953795 Howard E. LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School 2007-04-09T20:44:48Z