While this might be a poorly-timed subject to read about during your lunch break, learning about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) could help you or someone you care about who suffers from IBS symptoms. As my colleague describes in this blog, IBS is characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements. It affects 10-15% of Americans – and double the number of women than men – and accounts for 2.4 to 3.5 million annual physician visits in the United States.

Atrius Health has pharmacies conveniently located in 15 of our Harvard Vanguard sites. Any Atrius Health patient may use our pharmacies to pick up prescriptions or purchase over-the-counter (OTC) products. When you have your prescription sent to one of our Harvard Vanguard pharmacies during your visit, please stop by to pick it up on your way out. Our goal is always to make your visit to our pharmacy friendly, helpful,

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected.

Measles typically begins with

• high fever,
• cough,
• runny nose (coryza), and
• red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

Two or three days after symptoms begin,

Although the thermometer may not be fully cooperating quite yet, according to the calendar, at least, it’s spring! While we may still experience some days when there’s a chill in air, warmer weather is just around the corner. The conversations around Atrius Health seem to reflect common springtime themes: relief that the winter is gone, baseball (a given), and more and more plans to “get outside and do something.”

If we feel that way,

For many people, the experience of having a baby is a wonderfully happy time. To prepare, soon-to-be moms read books and mommy blogs about what to expect and how to manage their new arrival. Many women are excited about their role as a new mom and want to try to be the “perfect” parent.

One thing that a lot of women are not prepared for is the mood fluctuations that can be experienced after giving birth.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, and as a gastroenterologist, I urge all of my patients to get educated about this cancer. The sobering facts are that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. However, the optimistic news is that colorectal cancer can be prevented or caught and treated early in many people through the screening tools we have,

There is considerable evidence that eating a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. A healthy diet can also benefit your heart, your kidneys, and even your brain. What you eat can also affect your mental health.

Depression is one of the most common brain conditions affecting millions of people worldwide. Depression is typically treated with talk therapy and,