Skip to main content

Medical devices Archive

Articles

Do I need to avoid grapefruit if I am on a statin?

A favorite citrus fruit can unexpectedly boost statin levels in your bloodstream. Learn why this happens and what it may mean for your prescription.

What are the effects of acetaminophen on the liver?

Widely trusted for pain and fever, acetaminophen can still harm the liver in high doses. Learn who’s most at risk and how to use it safely.

Can you safely taper off a proton pump inhibitor if reflux symptoms improve?

Proton pump inhibitors can calm severe reflux and heal the esophagus, but long-term use raises questions about when and how to cut back safely.

Will lithium supplements be used to fight Alzheimer's one day?

A 2025 study suggests that very low levels of lithium in the brain might be linked to Alzheimer's disease. In mice, certain lithium supplements seemed to protect memory and the brain. But scientists don't yet know if lithium pills are safe or helpful for people.

Urgent care vs. emergency room: What's the right choice?

People sometimes have difficulty knowing if they should seek care at an emergency room or an urgent care center. Urgent care centers can treat health problems that don't endanger lives, while emergency rooms can treat serious or life-threatening problems.

Can you retrain your brain to stop excessive drinking?

For people who are concerned they're drinking too much but don't want to give up alcohol entirely, the Sinclair Method may help. It involves taking naltrexone (a drug that dampens alcohol's euphoric effects) an hour or two before drinking.

For now, electric cars appear safe for people with implanted heart devices

A 2025 review of past research found that electromagnetic field exposure from electric cars poses no immediate health risks for people with implanted heart devices, such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Can nasal irrigation help with winter colds and congestion?

Daily nasal irrigation (nasal rinses) may reduce symptom severity and the duration of a cold. It can also relieve the congestion caused by sinus infections and allergies. By means of a squeeze bottle, neti pot, or battery-powered system, saline is inserted into one nostril and flows out the other.

What is EMDR therapy, and who can it help?

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is recognized as a proven method for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. It also shows promise for other mental health conditions, including personality disorders, anxiety, and depression.

What to know about heart palpitations

Heart palpitations are sensations of a pounding or racing heartbeat, often triggered by stress, stimulants, or hormonal changes. They're usually harmless but should be checked by a doctor. Palpitations may improve with lifestyle changes or treatment for underlying conditions.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE 38-page gift.

PLUS, don’t miss out on your 25% off promo code.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle—You’ll discover powerful, research- backed strategies for health longevity drawn from Harvard Medical School experts—ways to eat for a longer life, build strength and flexibility to stay independent, protect your bones, heart, and brain as you age, and even cultivate the habits linked with “super-agers” who stay sharp and active well into their 80s and 90s—all delivered to your email box FREE.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of HEALTHBEAT ESSENTIALS: 10 Keys to Living Well at Any Age!.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of HEALTHBEAT ESSENTIALS: 10 Keys to Living Well at Any Age.