December 30, 2019
Dissecting the Complex World of GI Issues

For a lot of Americans, GI issues feel like something that you have to suffer alone. Whether you feel uncomfortable talking about them with other people, or you have difficulty pinpointing what’s really going on with your digestive system and why, GI issues are plaguing America, becoming a “growing burden” and causing an increasing number… more »

October 30, 2019
What Anxiety Does to Your Body: 7 Common Physical Symptoms

While conversations on anxiety tend to revolve around how a person feels mentally and emotionally, it’s important to consider the physical symptoms, too. For a lot of women struggling with anxiety, it’s not always clear how to make the connection between how they are feeling physically and their emotional state. To begin to understand the… more »

April 1, 2019
4 Skin Changes That Could Mean Cancer

Skin changes are part of normal aging, but sometimes changes to the skin provide us with early warning of impending medical problems. Sun exposure is the main risk of skin cancer, especially frequent sunburns in childhood. In addition to wrinkles, there are other common skin changes due to sun exposure. There are four main sun-related… more »

October 10, 2018
Embrace Breast Health Year-Round

Even though one out of every eight women is at risk in their lifetime of developing breast cancer, there are millions of breast cancer survivors in the U.S. This means over the past several decades, the rate of dying of breast cancer has declined significantly. This is fantastic news! It is due to a combination… more »

August 28, 2018
Don’t Ignore Common Ovarian Cancer Signs

It is estimated that over 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year; it is the fifth-leading cause of cancer for women in the United States. Many researchers have suggested the mortality rate of ovarian cancer patients is high because the warning signs aren’t always noticeable. More and more articles are emerging that encourage… more »

August 7, 2018
Are Women More Vulnerable for Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a big mystery, but the case base is made up of more than two-thirds of women. Women, then, it seems, are at the epicenter of the crisis. According to the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. By the time you’ve finished reading this blog post,… more »

May 1, 2018
Things You Need to Know About Depression and Women

Depression is a medical condition that can creep into any aspect of life. Serious depression can affect how you feel about life, how you think about your relationships with others, and how you navigate through even the smallest of daily activities, like eating or sleeping or heading into the office day after day after day…. more »

March 23, 2018
Are You Missing Out (On Critical Vitamins?)

Getting the vitamins you need means that you are eating a well-balanced diet, right? Well, actually, even with the most perfectly balanced diet, it is still quite possible your body is lacking in the nutrients that it requires. Vitamin deficiencies can show up in your body symptoms like feeling sluggish or tired or even feeling… more »

February 22, 2018
The Most Common Sleep Disorder for Women? Hands Down … Insomnia

For some, falling asleep at night can be no trouble at all. For others,they can’t seem to fall asleep to save their lives. Both men and women need about 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Getting this long and restful kind of sleep can help contribute to a vibrant life. Sleep, certainly, is… more »

February 19, 2018
Top 9 Power Foods For Women

For women who are looking for foods that can multi-task just as well as they can, these nine power foods can get the job done. Make sure these are all included in your family’s weekly grocery list all throughout the year. You’ll be happy to know that dark chocolate is on this list! European researchers… more »

January 30, 2018
Protect Your Bone (Density)

“Work out”, they say. “It will be good for you”, they say. Working out surely does the body good. Blood flow is stimulated. Your heart stays in shape. Your muscles can grow stronger and leaner. But who out there harks about the benefits of working out…for your bones? Well, everyone should! Bones literally support your… more »

January 24, 2018
Keeping Your Heart Health in Check

Heart attacks and heart disease may be topics on everyone’s lips this year. Start by taking care of your ticker. When you take care of your heart, you’re taking care of yourself. Follow these easy tips and not only transform your life but slash your risk for a heart attack or heart disease in the… more »

December 19, 2017
I Can’t Eat That, Either?!

Everyone has his or her own advice for a woman who’s pregnant. “Do this!” “Don’t do that!” It can quickly become overwhelming and confusing about what is true or not. Remember, every pregnancy is different, so consulting with your doctor before making decisions is the best thing to do before anything else. Let’s bust a… more »

December 15, 2017
All About Postpartum Depression

An estimated 1 out of every 6 women will experience depression or anxiety after the birth or adoption of a child. This is referred to postpartum depression and anxiety (PPD/A) and can put it a significant amount of strain on a family. It can start anytime during the baby’s first year, but most common for the… more »

November 27, 2017
What Kind of Exercise is Safe While Pregnant?

There are many benefits of exercising during pregnancy. Regular exercise can lift your spirits and prepare your body for labor. However, it is very important to be extra cautious while working out. Whether you’re a regular at the game or wanting to start a healthy workout routine during pregnancy, the first step for all pregnant… more »

November 27, 2017
Why Is Intercourse Painful For Me?

Painful intercourse (also called dyspareunia) can put a strain on couple’s sexual relationship. In a 2009 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, 30% of women reported having pain during their last sexual encounter. However, just because it is common does not mean it is necessarily okay. Fortunately, most causes of dyspareunia can easily be… more »

November 2, 2017
3 Simple Steps to Building a Natural Medicine Cabinet

With flu season upon us, building a natural medicine cabinet is a great option for those wanting to avoid prescriptions or prevent potential illnesses. A natural medicine cabinet can help your family during this season starting with just a few simple all natural remedies. Essential Oils: Essential oils are natural liquids and aromatic compounds found… more »

October 23, 2017
Top 5 Common Menstrual Disorders You Need to Know About

Although most women have menstruation in common, it’s not always a topic that is openly talked about. Because of this, many women don’t know what is normal and what is abnormal when it comes to their cycle. Below are five common menstrual disorders that every woman should be aware of. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Bleeding is… more »

October 10, 2017
What Are Uterine Fibroids And Where Do They Come From?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow within or along the walls of the uterus. They are primarily made up of smooth muscle cells and range dramatically in size. A fibroid can be the size of the sesame seed or, in extreme cases, can be the size of a grapefruit. Although most women with fibroids… more »

October 10, 2017
What Happens if I Fail My Glucose Test During Pregnancy?

Around 24-28 weeks gestation, most practitioners will order a blood glucose test to see if the pregnant patient has gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a high blood sugar condition that 2-5 percent of pregnant women develop during pregnancy. Because this condition rarely causes any visible symptoms, performing a glucose test is the only way to… more »

September 29, 2017
Diagnosing Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in the United States, the second most common cause of cancer death in women, and the main cause of death in women aged 40 to 59 years.1 Treatment is not straightforward or based on simple decision-making. A number of factors influence a provider’s treatment decision and which path… more »

September 25, 2017
Children’s Bodies, Adult Health Problems

A study published in late 2015 revealed one in five American children had at least one abnormal cholesterol measurement.  That statistic has been supported by many national entities, including the Centers for Disease Control  (1). Abnormal cholesterol could be total cholesterol, LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, HDL (or “good”) cholesterol, triglyceride levels, or any combination of them. What… more »

April 10, 2017
What is a Nurse (Patient) Navigator?

You may have heard the term “Nurse Navigator” or “Patient Navigator” more recently when discussing your health, imaging procedures, cancer care or other related services. Many hospitals and healthcare organizations are identifying someone to be a patient navigator – and Harrington is no exception. In short, a patient or nurse navigator is your advocate for… more »

March 31, 2017
What You Need to Know About the HPV Vaccine

Public health nurses and other public health officials throughout the state have been working on raising Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunization rates, per an initiative from the Mass Department of Public Health (DPH). According to the DPH, approximately 79 million people in the US are infected with HPV and approximately 14 million new infections are predicted… more »

March 5, 2017
Birth Control Options: Which one is for you?

Today there are so many options and trends to protect against pregnancy, it’s difficult to know which one is right for you at whatever your stage in life. We encourage you to evaluate your options and then come in and see one of our board-certified OB/GYNs to discuss next steps. The Pill “The pill,” the first… more »

March 1, 2017
Comparing 2D and 3D Mammography

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women with more than 200,000 cases detected every year. Early detection offers the best chance for remission. Screening for breast cancer means checking the breasts for cancer before there are any signs or symptoms. Screening with a mammogram (a special kind of x-ray of the breast) has… more »

February 7, 2017
Choosing the Right OB/GYN Office

Women’s health is a very specialized medical field. Often, a female will find a doctor in her teens or early 20’s and remain with that trusted doctor, continuing to receive care well into later life. Selecting the “right” OB/GYN office can be overwhelming—how do you know you’ve chosen the right one? We asked other females and… more »