Category: Disease Management

online mental health
Oct 6 2020

Online mental health care: Six questions to think about when choosing a provider

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is taking a significant toll on the mental health and wellbeing of people of all ages, from older people self-isolating to young children who can’t spend time playing with friends because of social distancing. A study on JAMA Network Open found that symptoms of depression were three times more prevalent among... Read More

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back pain
Sep 29 2020

Is surgery the right option for your back pain?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Back pain is one of the most common reasons that adults in the U.S. seek medical attention and also one of the leading reasons Americans miss time at work. But it’s important to know that surgery often isn’t the most appropriate treatment and, in most cases, should not be the first treatment undertaken. Before choosing... Read More

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heart health
Aug 25 2020

The proactive steps women should take for heart health

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Many women don’t think of heart health as a top concern, but recent data show why they should. Not only are heart attacks the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. annually, causing more deaths than all types of cancer combined, data from the American Heart Association show that the incidence of cardiovascular... Read More

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elective surgery
Jul 7 2020

Is elective surgery safe during the pandemic?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

As states begin to reopen, hospitals are starting to schedule elective surgeries that have been postponed because of the pandemic. But many people wonder if now is the time to undergo elective surgery. While 31% of people have chosen to delay care and 50% of people over 65 have decided to wait to receive care... Read More

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medical jargon
Jun 16 2020

How to translate your doctor’s medical jargon

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Would you understand if your doctor told you your EKG was unremarkable or your condition was idiopathic? Like all professions, medicine has its own vocabulary. Unfortunately, most patients aren’t fluent in the language of medical jargon and many doctors don’t provide plain English explanations when sharing information, test results, or recommendations with their patients. That... Read More

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telehealth
May 26 2020

Tips to help you prepare for your telehealth appointment

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and concern about being exposed to the virus, more people are using telehealth or virtual visits rather than in-person visits with their doctors. Physicians in a wide range of specialties, from primary care and pediatrics to cardiology, oncology, and mental health, are offering their patients the option of conducting some... Read More

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COVID-19
May 19 2020

How reliable is the COVID-19 information you’re getting online?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

There’s a seemingly endless amount of information about COVID-19 available online, but unfortunately not all of it is accurate. In fact, some of it is purposely misleading or dangerous. To ensure that the information you’re reading and the advice you’re getting is based on scientific evidence rather than speculation or misinformation, it’s wise to carefully... Read More

telemedicine
May 5 2020

How to vet telemedicine providers

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, more people are trying telemedicine services rather than going to the doctor’s office or hospital to receive care. In fact, many primary care physicians are encouraging their patients to use virtual visits to limit the risk of being exposed to someone with the virus. You can even use telemedicine to... Read More

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Apr 28 2020

What it’s like to be diagnosed with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has created one of the largest, most difficult health challenges the U.S. has encountered in decades, people are still facing the serious health problems they always have, from heart attacks and strokes and serious injuries from accidents to all kinds of cancer. One of our members shared her experience of being... Read More

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Apr 2 2020

Zantac to Be Removed From Market Due to Contamination

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If you take Zantac (ranitidine) or a generic version of this medication, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that you should stop taking any form of the drug and dispose of it properly. The reason for this recommendation is that all ranitidine products are currently being investigated by the FDA related to contamination... Read More