Category: Disease Management

Depression and Parkinson's
Jul 7 2015

Is there a link between depression and developing Parkinson’s disease?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

Up to 60 percent of people who are living with Parkinson’s disease experience mild to moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety. But a new study has found data that may suggest another connection between the diseases that could link being diagnosed with depression with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Understanding the research The... Read More

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advanced care plan
Jun 11 2015

Why you shouldn’t wait to make an advanced care plan

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

When you’re healthy, it’s natural not to think about what might happen if you experienced a serious illness or injury. But this is actually the best time to consider the many complex issues that surround a life-threatening health issue. What steps should you take now to ensure you receive the care you want if you’re... Read More

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Are hospital ratings reliable
Jun 9 2015

Are hospital ratings reliable?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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Diagnosing Lyme disease
Jun 2 2015

Study Finds Reason Why Lyme Disease May Be Difficult to Diagnose

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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Cancer Treatment decisions
May 28 2015

How to make an informed cancer treatment decision

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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patient physician communication
May 21 2015

Is Your Doctor a Good Communicator?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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thyroid disease
May 19 2015

Thyroid cancer: Why Second Opinions are So Important

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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clinical trial
May 12 2015

What do the phases of a clinical trial mean?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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Risks of testosterone therapy
May 7 2015

Testosterone therapy: Weigh the benefits and risks

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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Back Surgery
Apr 16 2015

What questions should you ask before back surgery?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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