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If one of your relatives has Huntington’s disease or breast cancer, should you consider undergoing genetic testing to find out if you’re at risk for the same disease? There are now genetic tests for more than 2,000 diseases, some rare like the movement disorder early-onset dystonia and hereditary hemochromatosis, a condition that causes the body... Read More

Many of the symptoms of diabetes can be subtle. Maybe you’re thirstier or more hungry than usual. Perhaps you’ve noticed patches of darker skin in your armpits, elbows, knees, groin, or on your neck. Or you can’t figure out why you’re more tired than usual. All these symptoms can be caused by type 2 diabetes.... Read More

There are many different reasons people decide it’s time to switch to a new doctor, whether it’s your primary care doctor, a specialist, or your child’s pediatrician. And while you might feel hesitant to end your relationship, especially if you’ve been seeing the doctor for a long time, sometimes switching to a new doctor is... Read More

Being in the hospital can be stressful and confusing. It can be difficult to get the information you need from your doctors and healthcare team, ensure all members of the team are communicating to lower the risk of medical errors and inappropriate testing and care, and make medical decisions when you’re ill or injured and... Read More

If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious, complex, or rare condition or if your doctor has recommended elective (non-emergency) surgery, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion. There are several ways that a second opinion can help you make an informed medical decision: It can confirm that your original diagnosis and treatment plan... Read More

If your doctor has recommended that you undergo elective (non-emergency) surgery, for example surgical treatment for chronic back pain or joint replacement, there are a number of factors to consider before deciding whether to move forward with the surgery. First, consider getting a second opinion to learn what other treatment options may be available. Your... Read More

Researchers have discovered that a number of genetic mutations are associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease, which is one reason why knowing your family history is an important part of building a personalized health and prevention strategy. If you have a father or brother who had a heart attack before age 55... Read More

Most people think about planning for the future in financial terms, for example how much money they should save for retirement and how to invest that money to reach their goals. But there’s another type of planning that’s equally important—health risk management. Knowing what health risks you may face and what you can do to... Read More

For a number of years, experts have been warning that the current physician shortage is projected to become more severe. Not only will there be too few primary care physicians to meet the needs of the aging U.S. population, there will also be shortages in a range of medical specialties. What steps can you take... Read More

Why would a physician prescribe an antidepressant to treat migraines? That type of prescribing is known as off label use. Off label means prescribing a drug for uses that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The practice is legal and fairly common, but why do physicians do it and what... Read More