WSJ.com: Health Journal

When Hoarding Hurts Others

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:41:21 EST

Compulsive hoarding is coming out of the closet these days, thanks to books, movies and TV shows. But many family members say the pain that hoarding inflicts on them is still largely unacknowledged.

Home Flu Cures: Bad Medicine?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:29:55 EST

Amid the frenzy to fight swine flu, folk remedies such as keeping raw onion in the room or eating homemade chicken soup are gaining ground. Melinda Beck asks if any of them actually work.

Are Metals Good for You?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:42:43 EDT

The medicinal properties of metals have been touted for millennia. But such claims have always been one part medicine to one million parts marketing.

Super Savers: Helping 'Hoarders'

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:09:16 EDT

Compulsive hoarding has spilled out of the closet and into the spotlight. Experts say up to 2% of the population meets the criteria, a group that spans education and income levels.

When Patience Is the Best Medicine

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:49:50 EDT

Much of what Americans spend on health care is spent on unnecessary measures that merely buy time for the body to heal itself.

Keeping Bones Healthy at Any Age

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:39:48 EDT

Reports of scary side effects from osteoporosis medications leave women wondering whether to start a drug regimen.

When Winning Isn't Everything

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:19:28 EDT

Amid ever-rising calls for more exercise there isn't much guidance on cutting back, and as baby boomers enter their 50s and 60s, their competitiveness can become a threat to their health.

Detecting Ovarian Cancer Earlier

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:15:47 EDT

Two new studies offer a glimmer of light into the dark puzzle of ovarian cancer, which remains one of the most deadly cancers because it is so difficult to detect early.

A Silent STD That Can Cause Infertility

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:50:43 EDT

Though it has become easier to test for and treat, Chlamydia is still common, and efforts to screen for the STD have run into obstacles.

Seeking Past Lessons to Fight Flu

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:31:47 EDT

As the number of confirmed U.S. swine flu cases continues to rise, a host of questions have arisen about the lessons to be gleaned from two historical outbreaks, as well as how experts and the public should react.

Sparing the Cervix in Hysterectomies

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:52:20 EST

For decades, surgeons performing hysterectomies cut out the cervix because it could develop cancer. Now, more gynecologists argue for sparing the cervix.

Face It: You're Addicted to Success

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:12:15 EST

The recession is exacting punishment for a psychological vice: the unmitigated identification of self with occupation, accomplishment and professional status.

A Speedier Radiation Treatment

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:52:00 EDT

For patients getting daily radiation treatments, new technology provides faster, more comfortable and more accurate treatment.

Early Education Eases Breast Cancer Fears

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:13:00 EDT

Dr. Marisa Weiss has witnessed a growing fear of breast cancer among young girls. So she and her teen daughter co-wrote the new book "Taking Care of Your 'Girls.'" Written for teen girls, it spotlights breast health and development.

When a Co-Worker Is Stressed Out

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:35:00 EDT

Feeling particularly stressed at work? Look around you. As the economy falters and layoffs sweep certain industries, people are more worried than ever about job security. Here's what do you do when you think a co-worker can't handle the strain.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:20:00 EDT

Lately it has been in vogue to dismiss the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day as a "medical myth," but it's really more a dispute over whether the glass is half-empty or half-full.

Defibrillators Can Save Lives

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:07:00 EDT

If you go into sudden cardiac arrest in a Chicago airport, where automatic external defibrillators are plentiful, your chance of survival is greater than 50%. Statistics like that are helping fuel the drive to put more AEDs in public places.

Visceral Fear of Unexpected Heart Attacks

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:36:00 EDT

Scores of theories were offered on what might have been done to save NBC's Tim Russert from his sudden, fatal heart attack, but the heart still has many mysteries. The best lesson that can be learned from Russert's tragedy is to take responsibility for our health.

How Surgery May Affect Mental Acuity

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:46:00 EDT

Mild cognitive damage from bypass surgery has long been recognized by doctors, even if they seldom warn patients about it. Symptoms include short-term memory loss, slowed responses, trouble concentrating and emotional instability.

'Neurobics' and Other Brain Boosters

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:04:00 EDT

"Neuro-aerobics," a term for engaging different parts of the brain to do familiar tasks, may well lower your risk for Alzheimer's disease and shore up your defenses against all kinds of cognitive decline.

The Science Behind 'Senior Moments'

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:01:00 EDT

A "senior moment" is an unscientific term for various mental glitches. While experts believe that the majority of these memory lapses are part of normal aging, "senior moments" can also be a sign of early Alzheimer's disease.

Esophageal Therapy You Can Stomach

Mon, 19 May 2008 23:10:00 EDT

Doctors can sometimes see esophageal cancer coming in a condition called Barrett's esophagus. A new outpatient procedure that lets doctors zap Barrett's tissue with radiofrequency ablation is showing promise. Video

Putting an End to Mindless Munching

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:01:00 EDT

Eating mindfully means paying attention to what you eat and stopping just before you're full. Eating just a few mouthfuls, and savoring the experience, can be far more satisfying than eating an entire cake mindlessly.

Nightmares Still Haunt Sleep Aids

Mon, 05 May 2008 21:07:00 EDT

An analysis of adverse-event reports filed with WHO suggests that the current generation of sleep medications may be nearly as problematic as the older generation.

From Defeat, Rejection to Success

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:05:00 EDT

What makes some people rebound from defeats and go on to greatness while others throw in the towel? Psychologists call it "self-efficacy," the unshakable belief some people have that they have what it takes to succeed.