Category: Disease Management

Aduhelm
Feb 1 2022

Q & A: Key information about the new Alzheimer’s disease drug Aduhelm

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Last June, the FDA granted accelerated approval to aducanumab, which is marketed under the name Aduhelm. It’s the first new medication to treat Alzheimer’s disease that has been approved since 2003. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about this new treatment. Q: How does Aduhelm treat Alzheimer’s disease? A: The brains... Read More

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elective surgery
Jan 18 2022

What to do if your elective surgery is postponed

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospitals were overwhelmed with patients who were seriously ill with the virus, most of them indefinitely postponed all elective surgeries. As the initial surge decreased, these surgeries were rescheduled. Unfortunately, the omicron variant of the virus has put hospitals in a difficult position once again. Because of the... Read More

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prostate cancer
Sep 28 2021

Questions you should ask if you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer

Disease Management  •  By Michael Scott, ND, MSA

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the U.S. after skin cancer, with 248,530 new cases projected to be diagnosed in 2021. We talked with Geovanni Espinosa, N.D., L. AC., a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor who specializes in treating prostate cancer and other male urological conditions about what questions you... Read More

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substance use
Jul 20 2021

How to support someone living with substance use disorder

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Working to overcome alcohol or substance use disorder has always been challenging, but the pandemic has made it even tougher. More people have turned to substances as a way of dealing with anxiety, depression, and stress and getting access to treatment when many in-person treatment options weren’t available made getting or staying on track with... Read More

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metabolic syndrome
Mar 30 2021

Fighting metabolic syndrome: What you can do now to protect your heart

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

For more and more Americans, a cluster of serious risk factors for the development of heart disease and diabetes are converging to create a medical perfect storm. Known as metabolic syndrome, these risk factors include: Abdominal obesity: A waist of 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women Blood fat... Read More

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allergies
Mar 23 2021

Spring allergies: Strategies to manage your symptoms better

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

This year, after pandemic stay at home orders and winter storms, you’re probably more excited than usual for the arrival of spring and the chance to spend more time outdoors. But for people living with allergies and asthma, spring can be a difficult season. The higher pollen counts and wet weather that encourages the growth... Read More

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mask
Feb 23 2021

“Why do I have to wear a mask? I’m vaccinated.”

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

With vaccines to protect against COVID-19 now available and a small but growing number of Americans having received one or both doses of the vaccine, one question that keeps coming up is, “If I’m vaccinated, why do I still need to wear a mask?” There are several reasons why wearing a mask, continuing to practice... Read More

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recovery
Feb 9 2021

Recovery: Six steps to help you stay on track during the pandemic

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

For people in recovery for substance or alcohol use disorder, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a double-edged sword. The high levels of stress caused by fear of contracting the virus, loved ones who become ill, job loss and financial problems, and the isolation associated with social distancing may be triggers that lead to drinking or... Read More

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seasonal affective disorder
Jan 19 2021

Diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder? Learn about your treatment options

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

If you’ve been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the condition and what each type of treatment entails so you can make an informed decision. This Q&A provides answers to some common questions. Q: What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? A: Seasonal affective disorder is a form... Read More

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virtual seconc opinions
Dec 15 2020

The pros and cons of virtual visits

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have tried a virtual visit through an online app or a service provided by your health insurer. Many primary care physicians and specialists around the country didn’t even offer virtual visits as an option, but 2020 changed that. Because people were concerned about potential exposure to the virus at... Read More

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