Health Blog

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

There are many reasons why you may be in the market for a new doctor. Perhaps you’ve moved to new area or have a new insurance plan. Maybe your primary care physician is retiring or you feel like your relationship with your current doctor isn’t a good fit. But where should you start? Use this... Read More

Just because you’re living with a chronic health problem doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy travelling for vacation or join your co-workers on a business trip. To make sure you’re prepared to manage your condition while you’re away and safely handle any issues that arise, follow these recommendations. See your doctor first. Before you start planning... Read More

There have been a number of articles recently that explore the value of getting a physical each year to screen for potential health problems. We talked with a member of our Medical Advisory Board, George H. Sack, MD, PhD, to discuss the topic. Dr. Sack, who is board certified in Medical Genetics, is currently the... Read More

Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancer diagnoses in the U.S., with nearly 63,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed this year. Recently, researchers have been exploring whether this rapid growth in the number of new cases is the result of increased screening and over diagnosis. If you’ve received a thyroid cancer diagnosis,... Read More

If you’ve been living with back pain and a physician has recommended surgery, how do you know if undergoing surgery is the most appropriate treatment? Start gathering the information you need to make an informed decision by asking your physician these key questions. Are there non-surgical treatments that I could try first? For some types... Read More

According to a survey conducted by Gallup, only about 30 percent of Americans feel the need to seek a medical second opinion or gather additional information about their health problem or proposed treatment. But second opinions are crucial, especially for people who are diagnosed with complex or serious health conditions, because medicine is an art... Read More

You’ve heard about the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. that has now spread to 14 states, but what you may not know is that more than 62 percent of the cases that have been confirmed in California, where the outbreak started, have been adults. How do you know if you’re protected against this highly... Read More