Your fifth-grader suddenly wants to quit his beloved baseball team. Your teenager has gotten three detentions in the past month. And, your dad just celebrated his 65th birthday but his energy level has dropped. It’s possible that your family members are just going through some stressful times. However, it’s also possible that they’re experiencing something […]
Category: Simplifying Health Care
Head-to-Toe Signs of a Heart Attack
Have you ever watched a TV show and seen an actor having a heart attack? They clutch their chest dramatically before falling over. The Hollywood version of a heart attack does not reflect everyone’s experience. Some heart attacks start much more slowly, with only mild pain or discomfort. Others don’t involve any chest pain at […]
Should You Let a Robot Do Your Surgery?
Think of the word “robot” and you probably think of Hollywood staples such as R2-D2, C-3PO, the Iron Giant, or Wall-E. In other words, you think of lifelike — but fictional — creatures with varying levels of free will. In the world of health care, however, robots are very real — but they aren’t operating […]
What Is Heart Disease, Really?
Every minute of every day, your heart is working hard for you. It’s the lifeline to your body. Your heart is essentially a pump that delivers blood to the rest of your body. By beating an impressive 60 to 100 times each minute, it sends oxygen-rich blood to all the cells in your body. The […]
Can Bariatric Surgery Help You Lose Weight?
Obesity isn’t just about your appearance. For some people, being obese makes them unhappy about the way they look. But it can also make seemingly simple tasks that others take for granted — such as traveling on an airplane or putting on a seatbelt — a little difficult. And, it can keep you from doing […]
Why Cancer Survival Rates Are Better Than Ever
Cancer is a 6-letter word that nobody wants to hear. It has affected millions of people in the US and across the globe. However, things are starting to change. There’s a reason to celebrate — cancer survivorship rates are better than ever. Over the past 2 decades, the death rate from cancer in the US […]
3 Ways to Get the Most out of Your Primary Care Visits
If you’re like most people, you may think your primary care provider (also known as your PCP) is good for annual physicals, everyday illnesses, and flu shots — and providing referrals to specialists for everything else. In fact, it might surprise you to learn the full scope of services your provider can offer to keep […]
The Most Uncomfortable Holiday Dinner Ever: Talking About Advance Directives
The whole family is in town. You’ve managed to get everyone seated comfortably, cooked enough food for a small army, and hand out presents. So, no better time to have a serious and possibly somber family talk, right? The holidays are all about good cheer, but they’re also when you have everyone together in one […]
Toys, Pillows, What Else is Threatening Your Baby’s Sleep Safety?
We’ve all heard the phrase “sleeping like a baby.” We usually use it when we’ve slept soundly and peacefully, without interruption. Well, sleeping like a baby isn’t quite that simple. Sleep is incredibly important for a baby’s physical and mental development. Newborns typically need between 14 and 17 hours of sleep per day, and infants […]
You’ve Met Your Deductible: Which Medical Services Should You Have Before Year’s End?
It’s almost Thanksgiving, which means Black Friday is around the corner. With sales and discounts unlike any other time of the year, Black Friday is paradise when you’re on a budget. (Yes, this has to do with health — stick with us!) The arrival of Thanksgiving also means it’s almost the end of the year. […]