Category: Disease Management

mental health
Mar 31 2020

How to manage mental health issues if you’re self-isolating

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

All around the world, people are living with the ongoing anxiety and stress that are resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to fears about getting seriously ill or family members contracting the virus, people are faced with financial stresses from job losses and furloughs and a falling stock market. Another factor that’s affecting many... Read More

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mental health providers
Mar 24 2020

Virtual resources help connect you with mental health providers

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If you’re living with depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, or other mental health issues, receiving the care and support you need from experienced mental health providers is an essential part of managing your mental wellbeing. With the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and the social distancing requirements in place to... Read More

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antidepressant
Nov 12 2019

What to consider when your doctor prescribes an antidepressant

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If your primary care physician or psychiatrist has recommended that you take an antidepressant, asking some key questions can help you better understand what to expect and help your doctor choose the medication that’s most appropriate for you. It’s also important to remember that not all antidepressant medications work well for all patients, so it... Read More

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complex health problem
Oct 29 2019

What to do when you’re diagnosed with a complex health problem

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a complex health problem such as advanced cancer or organ failure that means you’ll need a transplant or a rare condition such as sickle-cell disease or hemophilia the right support can not only have a positive effect on the outcome of your treatment it can... Read More

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Oct 22 2019

Figuring out where to turn after an unexpected diagnosis

Disease Management

For a year, Michelle hadn’t been feeling well. She saw several doctors, but no one could provide a diagnosis. When she and her young daughter were both finally diagnosed with celiac disease, she was overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn. She shared how PinnacleCare helped her gain access to the care and advice both... Read More

incontinence
Aug 27 2019

Managing incontinence after prostate cancer treatment

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

One of the possible side effects of surgery or radiation to remove the prostate as part of treatment for prostate cancer is incontinence. For men who undergo radical prostatectomy, surgery that removes the entire prostate, there is a 2% to 15% risk that they may develop incontinence. In some cases, the issue is a short-term... Read More

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prediabetes
Aug 6 2019

Diagnosed with prediabetes? How to prevent it from becoming diabetes

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 84 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes and the majority of them aren’t aware that their blood sugar levels are higher than they should be. Prediabetes means that your blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes, but... Read More

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exercise routine
Jun 4 2019

Strategies for wellness during and after cancer treatment

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

The number of people in the U.S. who are cancer survivors continues to grow as new treatments and early detection increase. The American Cancer Society projects that by 2026, there will be 20 million cancer survivors in this country. And while treatment has advanced in both the number of options available and effectiveness, there still... Read More

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prescription
Apr 23 2019

Tips to help you manage the side effects of antidepressants

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If you’re one of the one in eight Americans who take antidepressants, you may be living with the common side effects that these medications can cause, such as: weight gain nausea sleep problems sexual problems fatigue dry mouth constipation or diarrhea headaches anxiety The type of side effects you may experience depends on what medications... Read More

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testicular cancer
Apr 2 2019

What you should know about testicular cancer

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Although the number of men projected to be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2019 is only 9,310 compared to a projected 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer, testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for boys and men between the ages of 15 and 44. This type of cancer is highly treatable, even when... Read More

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