Category: Health Risk Management

dementia
Apr 21 2022

Managing these risk factors may lower your risk of dementia

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Nearly 6 million adults in the U.S. are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia according to data gathered by the CDC. As the number of Americans 65 or older grows, the number of people with these types of dementias is projected to increase to around 14 million over the course... Read More

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medical jargon
Mar 31 2022

How self-advocacy can lower the risk of misdiagnosis for women

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

A man and a woman, who are both having a heart attack, go to the emergency room. But it’s 50% more likely that the woman will be misdiagnosed than the man. If they were both having a stroke, the woman is nearly 30% more likely to receive the wrong diagnosis. Why is the woman’s risk... Read More

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medical history
Mar 24 2022

What to do if you don’t know your family’s medical history

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Knowing your family’s medical history helps you and your doctors build a plan for screening and preventive care based on the health risks you may face. For example, if your father or mother had a heart attack at a younger age, you could be at a higher risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.... Read More

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hospital
Mar 10 2022

Four things to consider when choosing a hospital

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

When they need hospital care, many people simply go to the closest hospital or the one their doctor recommends. But if you need care at a hospital, whether it’s for labor and delivery, back surgery, joint replacement, cancer treatment, or treatment for heart disease, it’s important to do some research before you choose where to... Read More

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breast cancer risk
Oct 26 2021

Five changes you can make to lower your breast cancer risk

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

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

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fragmented care
Oct 19 2021

How to protect yourself from the risks of fragmented care

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

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

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obesity
Apr 27 2021

Is there a link between obesity and brain health?

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

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

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Bad habits
Apr 13 2021

Tips to help you break your pandemic bad habits

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

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

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health advisory
Feb 16 2021

Should health advisory be part of your health strategy?

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

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

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kidney disease
Jan 12 2021

Should you say yes to becoming a medical power of attorney?

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

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

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