Health Blog

While there are some factors that affect breast cancer risk that you can’t change–genetic mutations, family history, age, having dense breast tissue, race, and ethnicity–there are proactive changes you can make that have been associated with lowering your risk. These lifestyle changes include: Reach and maintain a healthy weight. Studies have found an association between... Read More

You end up in the emergency department after breaking your ankle in a minor car accident. You tell the nurse that you take blood thinners because you’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The doctor treating your ankle says he’s reviewed your electronic medical record, so you assume he’s aware of the medications you take. But... Read More

You’re probably aware that obesity can have a negative effect on many aspects of your health, from increasing your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes to a higher risk of arthritis, gallbladder disease, and some types of cancer. But you may not know that obesity can affect the health of your brain. The exact... Read More

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, news outlets and social media were filled with people talking about all the positive ways they intended to use their time during stay at home orders—learning a new language, becoming a better cook, volunteering to call older people who were lonely and isolated, or reading more books. More... Read More

You have health insurance and a great primary care provider. Are there other resources that could help you build a personalized strategy to manage your health and wellbeing? Health advisory services are one option to explore. Health advisors do not provide medical care. Instead, they offer a range of services and resources that expand and... Read More

If a family member or friend asked you to serve as her or his medical power of attorney, what would your answer be? Many people say yes without a second thought, but you should take some time to understand what your responsibilities would be, why the person has chosen you, and what potential complications and... Read More

If the gym has been your go to place to work out once the weather turns cold, rainy, and snowy, you may be reconsidering that plan this winter. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, workouts at crowded indoor gyms may put you at risk of contracting the virus. Fortunately, there are several other ways you can... Read More

If your doctor has recommended surgery, there are two important steps you should take before agreeing to undergo any procedure. First, seek a second opinion from a physician who has extensive experience treating people with your diagnosis. A second opinion can change or confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan and may provide you with other,... Read More

According to statistics gathered by the CDC, nearly half of adults in the U.S. take one prescription medication, while nearly a quarter take three or more prescription medications. The numbers are even higher for people who are 65 and older. Eighty-nine percent of people included in a Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll take one... Read More

In a perfect world, your electronic medical record would bring together your medical information from all the healthcare providers you see into a single, comprehensive record that could be easily accessed by any provider anywhere in the world with your permission. This information could reduce your risk of medical errors, duplicate testing, and inappropriate treatment.... Read More