Health Blog

There are a growing number of websites and publications that rate hospitals, from the annual U.S. News and World Report list of best hospitals and Medicare’s Hospital Compare site to HealthGrades, Hospital Safety Score and Consumer Reports. But is it wise to base your decision on where to receive medical care or undergo surgery on... Read More

According to recent statistics from studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 300,000 people are infected with the bacterium that causes Lyme disease each year in the United States, though only about 30,000 cases are reported to the CDC. Lyme disease diagnosis is difficult to catch and diagnose because many... Read More

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, there are several decisions you need to make about what treatment plan to follow and what physician and hospital you’d prefer to provide your care. To help you understand what information you need to make these important decisions, we talked with Robert G.... Read More

One of the keys to getting the healthcare you need is open, honest communication. You need to share all pertinent information with you doctor to ensure you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. But communication is a two-way street. Your doctor also needs to be a good communicator. So how can you determine if your... Read More

Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancer diagnoses in the U.S., with nearly 63,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed this year. Recently, researchers have been exploring whether this rapid growth in the number of new cases is the result of increased screening and over diagnosis. If you’ve received a thyroid cancer diagnosis,... Read More

If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious, complex or rare health problem, you may consider taking part in a clinical trial of a new treatment, especially if standard treatments haven’t worked for you. What occurs during a clinical trial depends on what phase the trial is in. That’s why it’s important for you to understand... Read More

Recently, the FDA began requiring manufacturers to change the labelling on products that treat low testosterone to include a warning about the possibility of an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. But there’s been a good deal of controversy and conflicting study results surrounding prescription treatments to boost low testosterone levels, so do the... Read More

If you’ve been living with back pain and a physician has recommended surgery, how do you know if undergoing surgery is the most appropriate treatment? Start gathering the information you need to make an informed decision by asking your physician these key questions. Are there non-surgical treatments that I could try first? For some types... Read More

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a serious illness, you may have the option of taking part in a clinical trial of new medication, surgical approach, or medical device. Before you decide to be part of a clinical trial, however, it’s important for you to understand the possible benefits and risks.... Read More

Every year, more than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke. During the most common type of stroke, ischemic stroke, a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, which can cause disability or death. But several recent studies have found that a new device that removes these blood clots can significantly improve stroke... Read More