8 Ways to Avoid Common Self-Care Mistakes 8 Ways to Avoid Common Self-Care Mistakes Treating common illnesses at home isn't complicated. Even so, doing it safely requires knowledge and a willingness to follow the rules. You don’t want to call...
A Dentist Explains Root Canals A Dentist Explains Root Canals Root canal. Many people cringe at these words. Frequently, they fear the procedure but, trust me—I'm a dentist—it sounds much worse than it is. From the words, a lot of...
A Guide to Common Medicinal Herbs A Guide to Common Medicinal Herbs Here's a look at some of the more common medicinal herbs. Most herbs have not been thoroughly tested for effectiveness or interactions with other herbs, supplements,...
A Guide to Eyeglass Lenses A Guide to Eyeglass Lenses Eyeglasses can be prescribed for a number of conditions: myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (a defect in the eye that causes blurred vision),...
A Must-Know Guide to Drug-Drug Interactions A Must-Know Guide to Drug-Drug Interactions Drug-drug interactions can occur when you are taking more than one medication or drug. One medication can interfere with or alter the effects of one or mor...
Act Now to Cut Your Health Care Bills Act Now to Cut Your Health Care Bills It's important to reduce your medical expenses. This is true if you are in a consumer-directed health plan, such as a medical savings account, or have more tradi...
ADHD Drugs Safe, Experts Say ADHD Drugs Safe, Experts Say Parents of kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face a tough choice: whether to medicate their children or not. And this affects a lot of families. E...
AEDs: High-Tech Help for Heart Attacks AEDs: High-Tech Help for Heart Attacks You've seen it time and again on television shows: After someone suffers a sudden heart attack, emergency room doctors grab the paddles and deliver an electric ...
After Rehabilitation: Here Are Some Tools After Rehabilitation: Here Are Some Tools Seeking help for alcohol or drug dependency at a residential recovery unit is the first step toward beating addiction and regaining control of your life. And...
Air Filters, Dehumidifiers, and Humidifiers Air Filters, Dehumidifiers, and Humidifiers Here are some tips for understanding the air in your house and the air-quality appliances that can alter it. Air filters Purpose: Air-filtration systems pu...
All About Blood Pressure Medication All About Blood Pressure Medication Your doctor may prescribe antihypertension medication if your blood pressure is high. There are several kinds of medication commonly taken alone or in combination,...
All About Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs All About Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Making healthy lifestyle changes alone is enough to help some people reach the cholesterol goals prescribed by their doctor. Others, however, need to take a chole...
All About Generic Medications All About Generic Medications Generic drugs are a therapeutic "copy" of brand-name drugs. According to the Congressional Budget Office, every year, consumers save an estimated $8 to $10 billion dolla...
Allergy Medications and Vaccinations for Older Adults Allergy Medications and Immunizations for Older Adults Older adults face more risks than young adults when they take medication. Some of these risks are simply because many older adults have several ...
Andreas Vesalius, Father of Modern Anatomy Andreas Vesalius, Father of Modern Anatomy Today we take for granted our knowledge of human anatomy. We can thank early scientists such as the 16th-century anatomist Andreas Vesalius, who struggled t...
Anti-Aging Hormones: Do They Work? Anti-Aging Hormones: Do They Work? Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could look and feel years younger just by taking a supplement? The makers of "anti-aging" hormone supplements would like you to beli...
Antibiotics Not the Cure for the Common Cold Antibiotics Not the Cure for the Common Cold You can catch a cold at any time during the year. And often, you and your family may find yourselves seeking your health care provider's help in battling ...
Are You Frenetic About Genetics? Are You Frenetic About Genetics? The headlines that greet every genetic advance can split people into two camps: Those who use the news to support a fatalistic view that healthy living isn't worth it...
Aspirin and Your Heart: Should You or Shouldn’t You? Aspirin and Your Heart: Should You or Shouldn’t You? In addition to taking aspirin to relieve pain and fever, millions of Americans take a low-dose or “baby” aspirin daily to reduce their risk for he...
Asthma Medications and Emotional Side Effects Asthma Medications and Emotional Side Effects Do you often feel nervous or hyperactive? If the answer is yes, it's possible that your asthma medications may be causing this reaction. Although medicat...
Biofeedback: Another Way to Manage Pain Biofeedback: Another Way to Manage Pain You probably don't give much thought to whether your muscles are tense, how fast you're breathing or the number of times your heart beats in a minute. These th...
Childhood Immunizations: Get the Facts Childhood Immunizations: Get the Facts If you are the parent of a young child, you may be confused about the safety of immunizations. You may have heard that vaccines cause life-threatening side effe...
Choosing a Hospital Choosing a Hospital You don't have time to choose a hospital if you have a health emergency. But if you’re facing surgery or treatment for a particular health condition, taking time to find a hospita...
Clinical Trials: Should You Participate? Clinical Trials: Should You Participate? Being involved in a clinical trial has risks and benefits. Being informed and asking lots of questions can help you make a decision. A clinical trial is a res...
Common Questions About Corticosteroids in Asthma Common Questions About Corticosteroids in Asthma Q: What is a corticosteroid? A: A corticosteroid is a type of drug that reduces inflammation of the airways. These medications can be inhaled to preve...
Contraception: Many Options Contraception: Many Options About half of all pregnancies in this country are unplanned, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. For a woman who wants to plan when she b...
Controlling Mental Health Costs Controlling Mental Health Costs Each year, about 26 percent of adults in the United States suffer from a mental health disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The most common ...
COPD: Understanding Pulmonary Rehabilitation COPD: Understanding Pulmonary Rehabilitation Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) touches every part of your life. But pulmonary rehabilitation, or rehab, can help you manage the condition so...
Coping with Hair Loss During Cancer Treatment Coping with Hair Loss During Cancer Treatment Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, the drugs used to attack the cancer cells in your body. I...
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG) Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG) (CABG, Open Heart Surgery, Bypass Surgery) Procedure overview What is coronary artery bypass surgery? Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is a proc...
Could Medication Be Causing Weight Gain? Could Medication Be Causing Your Weight Gain? Eating too much and not exercising enough are the main reasons people put on extra pounds. However, some prescription and over-the-counter medications al...
Curb Antibiotic Abuse in Children Curb Antibiotic Abuse in Children Your child has a runny nose, a cough, a sore throat, and a fever, so you go to the pediatrician. The doctor knows a virus caused this infection, which will just run ...
Dental Implants Can Last a Lifetime Dental Implants Can Last a Lifetime Dental implants have been around a very long time. Anthropologists working at the pyramids have discovered crude implants in Egyptian mummies thousands of years ol...
Dental Sealants Shield Against Tooth Decay Dental Sealants Shield Against Tooth Decay A dentist can protect your child's teeth with an invisible plastic coating called a dental sealant. The American Dental Association (ADA) and American Acade...
Dentistry: It's Not the Same Old Drill Dentistry: It's Not the Same Old Drill Imagine your dentist's office without the whirring sound of a high-speed drill--the sound that seems to go right through you. Well, you won't have to worry abou...
Depressed Kids Need Help Despite Antidepressant Fear, Depressed Kids Need Help A new label on some antidepressants, a so-called black box warning, cautions that they may make kids feel more suicidal. But that warning shouldn...
Digital X-Rays Give Dentists the Big Picture Digital X-Rays Give Dentists the Big Picture For years, an X-ray at the dentist's office went pretty much the same way. The dentist or an assistant would put a wooden or cotton block in your mouth, t...
End-of-Life Concerns for Cancer Patients End-of-Life Concerns for Cancer Patients In the course of cancer treatment, some cancer patients and their families will face difficult, end-of-life decisions. Many thoughts may race though your mind...
Evaluating Complementary Cancer Cures Evaluating Complementary Cancer Cures No one wants a cure for cancer more than someone with the disease. Because of this, many people are willing to try treatments outside the mainstream of tradition...
Exercise and Target Heart Rate Exercise and Target Heart Rate The fitness world is full of exercise gadgets, some good, but many more trouble than they are worth. Regardless of what shape you are in, one device you might find usef...
For a Smile That Dazzles Think Veneers For a Smile That Dazzles Think Veneers Professional models do it. Actors and actresses do it. Even politicians do it. They're changing their smiles—and they have influenced a growing number of people...
For Adults: Take Care with Antidepressants For Adults: Take Care with Antidepressants Antidepressants are an important part of the treatment for depression. With the help of antidepressants, prescribed alone or along with psychotherapy or cou...
For More Babies, Birth Comes Too Soon For More Babies, Birth Comes Too Soon Full-term babies are born between 37 and 42 completed weeks of pregnancy. Babies born prior to 37 weeks gestation are considered premature. More than half a mill...
For Obese Teens, Surgery Is the Last Resort For Obese Teens, Surgery Is the Last Resort Extreme obesity plagues more than 5 million teens and young adults, experts estimate. These youths tend to be at least 100 pounds or 100 percent above thei...
For Parents: Treat at Home or Call the Doctor? For Parents: Treat at Home or Call the Doctor? When a child complains of a sore throat, stomachache, or a headache, a parent naturally worries. You want to do whatever you can to help your child feel...
For Seniors: Choosing a New Doctor For Seniors: Choosing a New Doctor You may have had the same doctor for years. Even so, a time may come when he or she retires or your health plan changes and the doctor is not with the new program. ...
Genetics and Illness: What's Your Fate? Genetics and Illness: What's Your Fate? If you have a parent or sibling with heart disease, cancer, or some other serious and possibly inherited ailment, does that mean you're doomed to the same fate...
Get the Facts About Elective Surgery Get the Facts About Elective Surgery If a surgery is not an emergency, it is considered elective. There are many types of elective surgery. Elective surgeries may be required in order to diagnose dis...
Get the Most From Your Doctor Visits Get the Most From Your Doctor Visits A typical doctor's office visit lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. That gives your health care provider little time to talk to you about your health problem, examin...
Glossary of Dental Terms Glossary of Dental Terms Dentists use a lot of terms to describe problems and procedures. They would be glad to explain any term you don't know, of course, but here are a few: Abrasion— tooth wear ca...
Guarding Against Medical Scams Guarding Against Medical Scams From television infomercials touting the latest medical "cures," to mail-order schemes and newspaper and television ads that promise better health and a longer life wit...
Health Newcomer: The Patient Advocate Health Newcomer: The Patient Advocate The average doctor visit lasts less than 15 minutes, so if you've got lots of questions—about your illness or medical bills or insurance claims, what do you do? ...
Heart Disease: Managing Multiple Medications Heart Disease: Managing Multiple Medications Like many people with heart disease, you probably take more than one medication. Heart medicines may help you be more active, and live longer and more com...
Heart Failure: Getting the Care You Need Heart Failure: Getting the Care You Need If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with heart failure, you probably have a lot of questions. What can I expect from treatment? What can I do to manage t...
Hope on the Horizon for Breast Cancer Hope on the Horizon for Breast Cancer Except for nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. But cancer experts say that women should feel encouraged...
How Much of a Threat Is Bird Influenza? How Much of a Threat Is Bird Influenza? Influenza, with its fever, aches, fatigue and threat of complications, seems a uniquely human illness. But the flu, caused by a virus, can infect animals and b...
How to Be a Savvy Medical Consumer How to Be a Savvy Medical Consumer Taking the time to become an informed and proactive medical consumer is a simple matter of self-protection. The need to be a savvy medical consumer is especially im...
How to Be a Wise Health Care Consumer How to Be a Wise Health Care Consumer Every doctor visit or medication treatment presents you with choices and responsibilities. Sometimes the right choice isn’t so clear. Here are common problems yo...
How to Be an Active Patient How to Be an Active Patient People who are actively involved in their medical care stay healthier, recover quicker when they're ill and live longer, healthier lives, says the Agency for Healthcare Re...
How to Control Surgical Costs How to Control Surgical Costs Hospital stays make up more than half of all health care costs. One way to cut your medical costs is to avoid surgery. You can't always do this, though. Here are ideas f...
How to Cut Your Hospital Bills How to Cut Your Hospital Bills Even if you have health insurance, being hospitalized can cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Although you may not be able to avoid a hospital stay, there ...
How to Evaluate Your Health Care Providers How to Evaluate Your Health Care Providers What does good-quality health care mean to you? It may mean being able to get an appointment with your health care provider quickly, having a health care pr...
How to Find Dr. Right How to Find Dr. Right Your relationship with your doctor is one of the most important in your life. You should be able to trust your doctor with your most private health issues or problems and should...
How to Get Medications for Less How to Get Medications for Less The best way to reduce your prescription drug costs is to follow a healthier lifestyle. Improving your diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and qu...
How to Get Optimal Medical Care How to Get Optimal Medical Care To get the best medical care you can, you should be an informed patient who works closely with your health care provider. To get the most from a doctor visit, follow t...
How to Plan for Long-Term Care How to Plan for Long-Term Care Most older people are independent. But later in life, you or someone you love may need help with everyday activities, such as shopping, cooking, and bathing. A variety ...
How to Plan for Major Surgery How to Plan for Major Surgery Major surgery can be intimidating, but you’ll feel more confident if you get all the information you need about your surgery beforehand. This will help you prepare for t...
How to Prepare for Scheduled or Elective Surgery How to Prepare for Scheduled or Elective Surgery If you are facing surgery, you are not alone. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), more than 15 million Americans have ...
How to Properly Manage Medical Devices How to Properly Manage Medical Devices Whether it's placing a thermometer under your tongue or standing on a scale to weigh yourself, chances are good you've used a personal medical device at one tim...
How to Safely Choose OTC Medications How to Safely Choose OTC Medications Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and pain relievers, laxatives, and headache remedies may treat different conditions, but they all have one thing in common: They’re s...
How to Take Part in Every Medical Decision How to Take Part in Every Medical Decision In some medical situations, there’s a clear right answer regarding which treatment is best. In other cases, such as breast or prostate cancer, for instance,...
How to Tell if Your Child Needs Braces How to Tell if Your Child Needs Braces Q: So many children have braces. How can I tell if my child is heading toward needing braces? A: Children should have a checkup with an orthodontist no later th...
Hypnosis: Helps Treat Pain, Other Conditions Hypnosis: Helps Treat Pain, Other Conditions Some health care providers, clinical psychologists, and dentists use hypnosis in their work. Done properly, hypnosis can be part of a comprehensive plan t...
Indispensable Health Insurance Glossary Indispensable Health Insurance Glossary Understanding your health insurance policy and the benefits to which you're entitled can improve your health care and reduce your costs. The following glossary...
Influenza Shots Urged for Young Children Influenza Shots Urged for Young Children Each fall, you hear that influenza threatens older adults and folks with chronic ailments. Most years, it's true that the death rate from the flu peaks in tho...
Insulin Pump Use Insulin Pump Use Can anyone with diabetes use an insulin pump? Insulin pumps are used most often by people with type 1 diabetes, but some people with type 2 diabetes also use them. Insulin pumps can ...
Is My Asthma Medicine Working? Is My Asthma Medicine Working? To make sure that you are getting the most benefit from your asthma medicines, ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to any of them, you and your heal...
Is Your Medication Working for You? Is Your Medication Working for You? Prescription drugs can enhance your life, but when not used correctly, they may have the opposite effect. Medications are serious business and should never be take...
Laser Surgery Can Improve Vision Problems Laser Surgery Can Improve Vision Problems Laser vision surgery is a popular treatment of vision problems that reduces or eliminates the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Laser procedures can hel...
Learn to Be a Smart Pharmaceutical Consumer Learn to Be a Smart Pharmaceutical Consumer Prescription medications have joined the ranks of new cars and breakfast cereals. Many of them are being marketed directly to the public through ads on tel...
Living Wills Offer Peace of Mind Living Wills Offer Peace of Mind A living will tells others how you want to be treated when it comes to life-sustaining measures. It is used when a person becomes terminally ill or unable to communic...
Maintaining Your Personal Health Record Maintaining Your Personal Health Record Every time you visit a doctor, hospital, or other health care provider, a record of your visit is made. This information is then compiled into your health reco...
Make Sure You Understand Your Treatment Make Sure You Understand Your Treatment For optimum health, you need to understand your health problem and your treatment plan, including how to take prescription medications. These days, however, me...
Make Your Dentist Your Partner Make Your Dentist Your Partner Have you ever walked out of a dentist's office wishing you had asked the dentist or the staff something? Or, maybe you didn't understand something the dentist said, or ...
Make Your Doctor Your Partner in Health Make Your Doctor Your Partner in Health Whether you're sick with the flu or there for a physical, chances are you'd rather be shopping or watching football than visiting your doctor. It's no picnic b...
Making Sense of Medical Advice Making Sense of Medical Advice If seemingly contradictory health news has you confused, it's time to learn how to read between the lines. You can do so by keeping the following recommendations in min...
Making Sense of Medical Notes Making Sense of Medical Notes If you’ve ever tried to read a medical chart but couldn’t understand the doctor’s shorthand, the following definitions may help. a.c.—Before meals, as in taking a medici...
Managing Your Medicine Cabinet Managing Your Medicine Cabinet Chances are you don't think about your medicine cabinet until you have a cold or a nasty cut. Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet isn't difficult and doesn't take m...
Medication Terms You Need to Know Medication Terms You Need to Know Americans treat many of their everyday health problems themselves by taking over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. To use medicines safely, make sure you read, understand...
Medications that Can Treat Alzheimer's Disease Medications that Can Treat Alzheimer's Disease Many people believe that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can't be treated. The truth is that medications are available that may help slow the progression of sy...
Medications to Treat ADHD in Children Medications to Treat ADHD in Children Children who have ADHD are often given medication as part of their treatment plan. The type of medication most often chosen is a psychostimulant, such as methylp...
Medicine 2.0: How Technology Can Help Your Health Medicine 2.0: How Technology Can Help Your Health You may already use Facebook to find old friends and your smartphone to check email. But did you know high-tech gadgets and networks can also connect...
Men Over 50 Need Annual Prostate Exam Men Over 50 Need Annual Prostate Exam Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It affects about 230,000 men each year. It is the number two killer, with 29,200 deaths annually. It makes up m...
Mental Health: Finding the Help You Need Mental Health: Finding the Help You Need When your life spins out of control, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The American Psychological Association recommends you seek the help o...
Migraines: Should You Take Preventive Medication? Migraines: Should You Take Preventive Medication? What if you could stop a migraine before it even started? For some people, taking medication every day can help prevent migraines and make them less ...
Monitoring Medications Monitoring Medications Medicines can be critical for treating and preventing diseases. Yet sometimes medicines cause side effects and actually make a person feel worse. Side effects are more common a...
MRSA Infections on the Rise MRSA Infections on the Rise Bacteria are everywhere, even on our skin--and most exist without causing any health problems. Staphylococcus aureus --or staph--is one of those common skin bacteria. Stap...
New Rules for OTC Cold Relief Rules for Some OTC Cold Relief Medications Some over-the-counter (OTC) remedies you may have used to ease your cold and allergy symptoms in the past are no longer available in the pharmacy aisles at ...
New Ways to Heal Broken Bones New Ways to Heal Broken Bones In decades past, treatment for broken and fractured bones usually consisted of setting the bone back in its proper place and holding it in place with a cast. Although th...
Offsite Health Care Options Offsite Health Care Options If you have a nasty cut on your finger, need surgery, or have the flu and want immediate treatment, where do you go for care? Traditionally, you'd head for the hospital or...
Older Adults and the Common Cold Older Adults and the Common Cold Cold and flu season is hard on everyone, but for older adults who may have chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic obstructive pulmo...
Optimal Timing for Screenings, Appointments and Medications Optimal Timing for Screenings, Appointments, Medications If you've ever bought a coveted pair of shoes at a sale price or cashed in a stock just before the price took a dive, you know the difference ...
Options in Nicotine Therapy Options in Nicotine Therapy About two-thirds of smokers who try to quit on their own aren't successful, and withdrawal symptoms typically cause their relapses. By using nicotine replacement therapy (...
Oral Health and Asthma Oral Health and Asthma If you have asthma, does your dentist know? This is important for good oral health, especially if you use a corticosteroid inhaler. Corticosteroid inhalers are medications used...
Over-the-Counter Medication Quiz What Do You Really Know About Over-the-Counter Medications? Just because a drug is available without a prescription doesn't mean it's safe to take, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says. Take t...
Over-The-Counter Medicines for Infants and Children Over-The-Counter Medicines for Infants and Children Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medications you can buy for your children without a doctor's prescription. They usually come as pills, capsules or...
Over-the-Counter Remedies for Seniors Over-the-Counter Remedies for Seniors Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies are wonderful. You don't need a prescription, and relief is as close as the nearest drugstore. You may already use several OTC re...
Palliative Care: Bringing Comfort Palliative Care: Bringing Comfort When people hear the term palliative care , many assume that it's a treatment only for someone who is dying. But palliative care can also be used to bring physical a...
Pills: Make Them Go Down Easy Pills: Make Them Go Down Easy Cricopharyngeus—that's a tough word to pronounce. It's even tougher when you have a pill stuck in your throat. Nonetheless, that's the name of the spot where the pill te...
Planning for End of Life Planning for End-of-Life No one likes to think about the end-of-life, let alone consider questions about how one's final days will be spent. It's important to remember that we have medical choices th...
Planning for Same-Day Surgery Planning for Same-Day Surgery If you are scheduled to have surgery, there's a good chance you will be going home on the same day as the procedure. Same-day surgery, also called outpatient or ambulato...
Planning the Care of Your Aging Parents Planning the Care of Your Aging Parents If your parents are in their golden years, keep in mind that even gold can lose some of its glow with the inevitable effects of old age. Sooner or later, older...
Plastic Surgery Is Up Among Youths Plastic Surgery Is Up Among Youths In 2010, doctors performed nearly 219,000 cosmetic surgeries on those between the ages of 13-19, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Those...
Q and A on Generic Drugs Q and A on Generic Drugs Question: Are generic drugs really the same as brand-name drugs, or are they cheap imitations? Answer: The FDA estimates that almost eight out of every 10 prescriptions fille...
Recognizing Medication Tampering Recognizing Medication Tampering Over-the-counter and nonprescription medicines are packaged so you can easily notice signs of tampering. Improved packaging includes the use of special wrappers, seal...
Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Range of Treatment Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Range of Treatments Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be a frustrating condition to deal with. It causes painful, tender, swollen joints. These flare-ups of pain can occur at diff...
Robots: Now Appearing in an Operating Room Near You Robots: Now Appearing in an Operating Room Near You Robot helps remove man's tumor. It sounds like the headline on a supermarket tabloid, but robot-assisted surgery has been a medical reality since t...
Safe Use of Alternative Remedies Safe Use of Alternative Remedies Some of them have household names: garlic, soy, vitamin E. Others are less familiar: feverfew, echinacea, pycnogenol. You can find them lining the shelves of natural ...
Scoping Out Sunglasses Scoping Out Sunglasses You may think we wear sunglasses for comfort and fashion. But here's another important reason to wear sunglasses: to protect the health of your eyes. If you spend long hours in...
Screening for Prostate Cancer Screening for Prostate Cancer More men die each year of prostate cancer (an estimated 28,000 annually) than of any other cancer except lung cancer. But not every man who has this disease (about 240,0...
Second Opinions for Cancer Second Opinions for Cancer Your doctor says you need treatment for cancer. Should you get a second opinion on your treatment options? In many cases, the answer is yes . Whether you’re facing major su...
Self-Treat? Or See a Doctor? Self-Treat? Or See a Doctor? When you’re sick, knowing whether you should treat yourself at home or see your doctor can save you time and hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars a year. For example,...
Side Effects of Medicine May Increase With Aging Side Effects of Medicine May Increase With Aging Sometimes medicines can cause side effects. Side effects can be minor or life-threatening. They are more common as people age, so it's important to un...
Stay Safe When You’re In the Hospital Stay Safe When You’re In the Hospital Every year hundreds of thousands of medical errors occur, and as many as 98,000 Americans admitted to hospitals die because of treatment mistakes, according to a...
Steroids, Sterols, Anabolic Steroids, and Corticosteroids: What's the Difference? Steroids, Sterols, Anabolic Steroids, and Corticosteroids: What's the Difference? Steroids are important compounds used in medicine, but people often misunderstand what they are. The term steroid and...
Striking a Match: Ideal Doctor/Ideal Patient Striking a Match: Ideal Doctor/Ideal Patient Are you and your doctor a good fit? If you feel that way, it’s a good sign. Your health is so central to who you are, so important to how well you functio...
Take Care With Nasal Sprays Take Care With Nasal Sprays Many people turn to a medicated nasal decongestant spray to offer fast relief for a congested and running nose. It can reduce swelling and clear mucus from nasal passages ...
Taking OTC Pain Relievers Taking Over-the-counter (OTC) Pain Relievers At first glance, visiting the pain-reliever section of your drugstore might just give you a headache--if you don't already have one. You'll find the shelv...
Talking with Your Doctor About Alternative Medicine Talking with Your Doctor About Alternative Medicine Many people with arthritis, cancer, and other illnesses use alternative or complementary therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, or vitamins and mine...
Tame Your Fear of the Dentist Tame Your Fear of the Dentist Does the mere idea of visiting a dentist send chills down your spine? If so, you've got company. Up to half of us have at least some fear of visiting the dentist. Accord...
Teaming Up with Your Pharmacist Teaming Up with Your Pharmacist Who can you turn to with questions about your medicines? Besides your healthcare provider, your pharmacist can help answer questions about your medications. You may no...
The Doctor Who Discovered Vaccines The Doctor Who Discovered Vaccines With all the media attention on new viruses and possible flu pandemics, it's easy to forget that some of the most devastating bugs ever to plague humankind have bee...
The Quest for Whiter Teeth The Quest for Whiter Teeth You'd like whiter teeth. It seems a lot of people -- from movie stars to the folks next door -- are whitening their teeth. So, you say, "Why not me too?" The experts say mo...
The Risks of Mix 'n Match Medicine The Risks of Mix 'n Match Medicine How healthy is your medicine cabinet? Are you taking a chance by combining too many prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and supplements? As self-d...
The Side Effects of Cancer Treatment The Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects. Ask your doctors about what side effects...
The Value of a Second Opinion The Value of a Second Opinion When your health care provider recommends surgery or a major procedure or treatment, it's smart to get a second opinion from another expert. But, how do you know a secon...
This Doctor Solved the Riddle of Blood Circulation This Doctor Solved the Riddle of Blood Circulation In 1616, during a lecture that stunned a small audience of London scientists, William Harvey announced that the heart propels blood and that blood c...
Tips for Using Home Medical Tests Tips for Using Home Medical Tests Visit a drugstore and you'll find lots of home health tests--everything from blood pressure monitors to drug abuse detectors. As technology advances and consumers be...
Treat Children's OTC Drugs With Care Treat Children's OTC Drugs with Care Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can help ease a child's aches and pains, but you should know a few things before you pop open a bottle. Many of the medicines we buy ...
Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that commonly occurs in men between the ages of 20 and 35. About half of testicular cancers occur in men in this age rang...
Trouble Flossing? Help Is at Hand Trouble Flossing? Help Is at Hand Are you one of those people who don't floss because you find it awkward to maneuver the floss between your teeth? If so, a number of products can help you get the jo...
Understanding Diuretics Understanding Diuretics Lifestyle changes aren't always enough to lower high blood pressure. If so, prescription medicine may be the next step, according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National C...
Understanding Long-Term Care Understanding Long-Term Care When people of any age need others to help them with medical, physical, or emotional needs over an extended period of time, they need long-term care. If a person needs on...
Understanding Outpatient Surgery Understanding Outpatient Surgery If you need surgery, there's a better-than-average chance that you'll have it and go home the same day. Thanks to advances in technology and anesthesia, nearly 6 of e...
Understanding Your Osteoarthritis Medication Understanding Your Osteoarthritis Medications Osteoarthritis treatments aim to relieve pain and reduce stiffness. Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, most often affects weigh...
Use Caution with Pain Relievers Use Caution with Pain Relievers Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are safe and effective when used as directed. It's when a person doesn't follow the label's advice that problems may occur. They ...
Use Your Medications Wisely Use Your Medications Wisely You don't have to look past your medicine chest to find prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies that can make you feel better, improve your health, and even save ...
Using a Surgeon's Tools to Erase the Years Using a Surgeon's Tools to Erase the Years It's called plastic surgery, but there's no plastic involved. In this case, "plastic" refers to the ability of the surgeon to reshape the skin, the face, or...
Using Allergy Medications Wisely Using Allergy Medications Wisely Keep these guidelines in mind when looking for allergy relief: Don't nod off Nonprescription antihistamines and decongestants in pill form can help dry and open up yo...
Using Antibiotics Safely and Wisely Using Antibiotics Safely and Wisely Got antibiotics? Many people save leftover medicines to treat the next sore throat or earache in the family. Keeping leftover antibiotics to treat a future illness...
Vaccine Offers Hope for Children’s Earaches Vaccine Offers Hope for Children's Earaches Earaches are common during childhood, but a vaccine can ease the pain for thousands of kids. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, marketed under the brand na...
Ways to Take a Bite Out of Your Dental Bills Ways to Take a Bite Out of Your Dental Bills The most effective way to lower your dental bills is to take care of your teeth, and to make sure your children do the same. Every dollar you spend on pre...
What Every Parent Should Know About Vaccinations What Every Parent Should Know About Immunizations Watching your child get a shot isn't easy. It's even harder if the fearful one is you. Millions of parents immunize their kids each year without conc...
What Is Angioplasty? What Is Angioplasty? The heart is an amazing muscle. It beats an average 100,000 times daily to pump almost 2,000 gallons of blood. As we age, our coronary arteries become lined with fatty material t...
What Is Spinal Stenosis? What Is Spinal Stenosis? Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and pinches the nerves, resulting in back and leg pain. In adults 50 years of age and older, the risk of deve...
What the Inside of Your Nose Reveals What the Inside of Your Nose Reveals Have you ever wondered why your health care provider looks inside your nose during an examination? When a patient has a runny nose or congestion, the health care ...
What Those Blood Pressure Numbers Mean What Those Blood Pressure Numbers Mean A quick, painless test measures blood pressure: A rubber cuff is wrapped around your arm and inflated; that compresses an artery in your arm and momentarily sto...
What to Do if Your Child Needs Surgery What to Do if Your Child Needs Surgery If having surgery makes you nervous, imagine how it can seem for a child. Long hospital corridors, intimidating equipment, and people wearing surgical masks and...
What to Expect at Your Mammogram What to Expect at Your Mammogram A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It can find changes in the breast when a lump is too small for you or your doctor to feel. Some women put off getting a mammogr...
What to Know About Herbs and Surgery What to Know About Herbs and Surgery If you’re like about 60 million other Americans, you use an herbal supplement for health benefits. It could be echinacea to avoid a cold or gingko to improve your...
What to Know About Joint Replacement Surgery What to Know About Joint Replacement Surgery Joint replacement surgery is major surgery to replace an entire joint in the body with an artificial one made of materials like plastic or metal. Hips and...
What to Look for on OTC Drug Labels What to Look for on OTC Drug Labels Medication errors—taking the wrong medication, or the right medication too frequently, or in the wrong amount—can be dangerous. According to the FDA, knowing how t...
What You Need to Know About Hearing Aids What You Need to Know About Hearing Aids Hearing loss is common, especially as people get older. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one-third of adults...
When and How to Stop Antidepressant Medication When and How to Stop Antidepressant Medication Each year millions of Americans are prescribed antidepressants. There are many types of antidepressants. Medications include selective serotonin reuptak...
When You’re Taking Heart Medications When You’re Taking Heart Medications Millions of Americans take some kind of heart medication. For some people, this means downing a single daily pill to help lower blood pressure. For others, it may...
Who's Who in Health Care Who's Who in Health Care When you have a health problem, a doctor, nurse, or other health care provider may care for you, depending on your condition. The following list of health care professionals ...
Why a Colonoscopy Is Important Why a Colonoscopy Is Important This important examination can find problems and head off deadly cancer. Many people worry about having their large bowel examined with a colonoscope. While anxiety is ...
Why Doctors Remove Cataracts Why Doctors Remove Cataracts Perhaps the first thing you'll notice is a glare from oncoming headlights at night. Usually, a haze surrounds the lights. Then, you're likely to find reading more challen...
Why Should You Choose a Teaching Hospital? Why Should You Choose a Teaching Hospital? From specialized treatments to community service, teaching hospitals offer it all. Also known as academic medical centers, these institutions provide traini...
Why the Doctor Asks for a Urine Sample Why the Doctor Asks for a Urine Sample It's probably safe to say that no one really likes giving a urine sample. But the fact is that few tests can match the routine urine analysis for telling your d...
Why the Doctor Gives You an EKG or ECG Why the Doctor Gives You an EKG or ECG An electrocardiogram--abbreviated as either ECG or EKG--is a test that records the heart's electrical activity and turns it into a graph that can be read and an...
Why the Doctor Presses Your Abdomen Why the Doctor Presses Your Abdomen For those trained in such touching, pressing on your abdomen can provide significant clues to potential problems. The external examination with the hands gives doc...
Why the Doctor Takes a Blood Sample Why the Doctor Takes a Blood Sample You probably don't enjoy giving a blood sample, but it's an important part of a physical exam. From a small sample of your blood, your health care provider can ord...
Why the Doctor Uses a Stethoscope Why the Doctor Uses a Stethoscope You'll see a stethoscope wrapped around the neck of practically every physician. But you may not be aware that this wonderfully useful instrument had its origins not...
Why the Eye Doctor Uses Those Dilating Drops Why the Eye Doctor Uses Those Drops Through the years, I've used dilating drops on the eyes of thousands of patients. And though patients ask many good questions, one in particular keeps coming up: P...
Working with Your Cancer Care Team Working with Your Cancer Care Team It's natural to feel out of control after being diagnosed with cancer. After all, this is a serious condition, and it can bring a lot of fear and uncertainty. Along...
Working with Your Diabetes Health Care Team Working with Your Diabetes Health Care Team If you have diabetes, you have plenty of company. The number of adults diagnosed with diabetes is increasing daily. You should also be keeping company with...
Your Arthritis Health Care Team Your Arthritis Health Care Team Arthritis is a complicated disease that affects many areas of your body. Understanding how to work with different health care specialists can improve your care and qua...
Your Asthma Health Care Team Your Asthma Health Care Team You don't have to go it alone with asthma. An entire team of health care experts is on hand to help people with asthma manage their symptoms and continue to live normal, ...
Your Child's Diabetes Care Team Your Child's Diabetes Care Team Having a child with diabetes can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a team of experts can guide you now and in the years to come. Diabetes care team Your child may see the ...
Your Guide to Health Savings Accounts Your Guide to Health Savings Accounts You know how health insurance works. You pay a premium each month, and even if all you ever get is a cold, that’s the last you’ll see of your money. The health p...