Why have I been hearing so much about the Zika virus lately?
You’ve been hearing a lot about the Zika virus because it has just recently, for the first time, begun to spread widely in the Western Hemisphere (initially in Brazil in 2015). Illness can occur when...
View ArticleHow Should I Prepare Myself to Communicate With My Physician?
Back in the day, when you had a medical question, you looked to your doctor for answers. These days, there is more medical information available than you can shake a mouse at, most of which can be...
View ArticleTick Bite! Oh No, What Now?
The facts might help you decide on what to do next. If a deer tick bites you, stays attached more than 24 hours and you live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent, like we do, there is still … The...
View ArticleWhy is vitamin D important?
Should I be concerned about taking daily vitamin D and, if so, how much should I take and what kind? Vitamin D regulates calcium metabolism. It also seems to support the body’s immune system and, when...
View ArticleI don’t have health insurance. What options do I have?
I don’t have health insurance. What options do I have? Fortunately, there are resources available for those with no insurance. Uninsured patients with incomes at or below 200 percent of the Federal...
View ArticleWhat Exactly is a Physician Assistant?
What exactly is a physician assistant, how much training is involved, and how is a PA typically involved in patient care? A physician assistant (PA) is one of the two most common “mid-level health care...
View ArticleWhat is Medication Reconciliation?
Medication reconciliation should happen each time you have a health care visit. It is the process of identifying the most accurate list of all your medications including their names, dosages, frequency...
View ArticleWhat is the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
In 2012, 29 million Americans had diabetes; 1.25 million had Type 1. The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 is huge! With Type 1, your pancreas produces no insulin, and so, it is impossible to live...
View ArticleShould I get a flu shot?
It’s interesting to hear the banter every year about flu shots. Seems like there are those who always get theirs and those who never do. So what’s the right answer? The influenza virus is always...
View ArticleWhat is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver. It may or may not be caused by a virus. Sometimes it can be autoimmune, which means that it is caused by the body’s own immune system overreacting. If...
View ArticleIf You Can’t Afford Health Insurance, You Have Options
I can’t afford my employer’s health insurance or an Affordable Care Act plan. What options do I have? Many people struggle to pay health-care premiums and co-pays or end up choosing a high-deductible...
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