Health Blog

Technological improvements have made consumer-based genetic tests more affordable and accessible. Genetic tests typically use saliva or blood to identify changes in chromosomes, genes or proteins so that a suspected genetic condition can be confirmed or ruled out. Tests can also predetermine the chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. Outcomes may help... Read More

Facing a serious illness is a difficult experience not only for the person who’s diagnosed with the illness, but also for the patient’s loved ones. The stress of trying to find the right doctors, gather medical records, and set up appointments can make the situation even more difficult to manage and make it harder for... Read More

If you’re overweight, losing even a relatively small amount of weight has many health benefits, from lowering blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer to decreasing joint and back pain. Diets that promise fast weight loss may be tempting, but they’re often not safe or evidence-based and don’t... Read More

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

If you’ve ever received an unexpected high medical bill you’re not alone. Maybe your primary care doctor or a specialist referred you for diagnostic tests or imaging and you assumed that since your doctor was in your insurance network, he or she would refer you to an in-network facility, which is often not the case.... Read More

There are many reasons you may need to find a new doctor. Your doctor may be retiring. Your health insurance may have changed and you’ve got a new provider network. You moved. Or you may not feel you and your doctor are a good fit. So where should you start and what questions should you... Read More

Do you know which health screenings you should get and when and how often to get screened? Screenings are an essential part of a strong preventive care strategy and can help you detect a wide range of health problems as early as possible. The first step is to talk with your primary care physician. While... Read More

One of the top pieces of advice that nutrition and exercise experts share is that regular exercise is an essential part of any plan to lose weight and keep the weight off. But even if you’re already at a healthy weight, getting exercise regularly is important for your overall health and wellbeing. One study published... Read More

Summer is prime time for travel, whether it’s a trip to the beach, a week in the mountains, or a tour of Europe. You’ve taken the time to figure out where you want to go, where you’re staying, and where the best places to eat are, so you’re all ready for your trip, right? Not... Read More

Recent news coverage focused on antibiotic-resistant bacteria and treatment-resistant fungi has increased awareness of the threat that these so-called superbugs represent. Currently, two million people in the U.S. contract these infections each year and 23,000 die as a result. A U.N. report describes the increase in the number and type of health problems caused by... Read More