Topic: Preventive care

summer safety
Jun 9 2020

Four tips for a safer summer

Family Caregiving  •  By Miles Varn, MD

The combination of nice weather and cabin fever from stay -at-home rules to curb the spread of COVID-19 probably have you wanting to spend as much time outdoors and active as you can on sunny summer days. These tips can help you and your family have a safer, healthier summer. Protect yourself from the summer... Read More

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prediabetes
Aug 6 2019

Diagnosed with prediabetes? How to prevent it from becoming diabetes

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

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

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measles
May 7 2019

What should you do to protect your family from the measles?

Family Caregiving  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Almost 20 years ago, measles was declared to have been eliminated in the U.S., but the disease has returned with a vengeance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest report of confirmed measles cases noted 704 cases in 22 states, an increase of 78 cases since the previous week’s count. Children under 5... Read More

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Could you have undiagnosed diabetes?
Apr 17 2018

Could You Have Undiagnosed Diabetes?

Health Risk Management  •  By Susan Walker

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

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overcoming a family history of heart disease
Apr 10 2018

Can you Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease if it’s In Your Family History?

Disease Management  •  By Susan Walker

If your parents and grandparents had heart disease, you might assume that family history means you’re destined for the same diagnosis. Although your genes do play a role in your risk of developing heart disease, there are steps you can take to lower your risk. The first step is to talk with your primary care... Read More

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healthy lifestyle
Mar 7 2017

How to overcome the top five roadblocks to a healthy lifestyle

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn

Most people know what a healthy lifestyle looks like, but making that leap from understanding what you should do to lower your risk of health problems to actually making a healthy lifestyle a regular part of your life can be difficult. Identifying what roadblocks are preventing you from making healthy lifestyle choices is the first... Read More

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exercise routine
Feb 14 2017

In heart disease, genes are not necessarily destiny

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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health risk management
Jan 10 2017

Health Risk Management: Why You Need a Plan Now

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn

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

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Aug 2 2016

How will you deal with the ongoing physician shortage?

Personalized Healthcare  •  By Miles Varn

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

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Are there health risks from heartburn medications?
Mar 22 2016

Are there health risks linked to heartburn medications?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn

Over-the-counter and prescription proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a class of heartburn medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), are taken regularly by an estimated 15 million people in the U.S. These medications block the production of stomach acid to prevent acid reflux and heartburn. While the drugs are effective at reducing the symptoms of GERD,... Read More

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