Advisor Archive
The New Year is well under way, and the yearly frenzy to lose weight or shed holiday pounds is in full swing. The choices of commercial weight loss products and programs seem almost endless, and many of them tempt dieters with promises of quick and easy weight loss. But before you try the latest miracle diet or weight loss supplement, tap into the skills, knowledge, and expertise offered by your own physician or nurse practitioner.
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The only thing worse than a catastrophic illness or injury, is rolling into the emergency room or the ICU without health insurance. With today’s skyrocketing health care costs, one major unexpected health event could cost an uninsured individual or family everything. According to a 2009 Gallup poll, about 16.6% of American adults are uninsured, and every day they gamble on the dicey odds that they will stay healthy and avoid financial ruin. There are however, some options to mitigate the risk, including a health savings account (HSA) coupled with a high deductible health insurance plan.
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The holidays are upon us, and ‘tis the season to be dazzled by a never-ending parade of scrumptious sweets, delectable delicacies, and hearty home-style cooking. But all these temptations don’t have to lead to ingestion overload. With the following eight secrets to healthy eating during the holidays, it is possible to indulge the taste buds and enjoy the season without packing on the pounds.
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The latest buzz in health care is all about biotechnology, or more specifically, bio-connectivity. Bio-connectivity has the potential to revolutionize the way in which health care is delivered through the integration of patient, health care provider, and technology. Bio-connectivity technologies connect patients at home to medical monitoring and measuring devices, which are connected to health care providers. This network happens in real time through the Internet, phone lines or cellular services.
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From herbal supplements to hypnotherapy, complementary and alternative health care has become big business. Demand is soaring for a wide variety of unlicensed and unregulated services; while concerns are also rising about the safety of complementary and alternative health care versus the right of consumers to choose their own brand of care. To help address both issues, some states have passed or are in the process of legislating health freedom laws.
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In today’s economic climate, no one can afford to be a spendthrift, even on something as important as health insurance. Unfortunately, health insurance premiums are expected to continue to rise. If this leaves you thinking that there has to be a better way, then you’re not alone. One option is a relatively new type of health insurance plan, called high deductible insurance. Although high deductible insurance has its drawbacks, for some people it may provide a more cost-effective solution to insuring themselves and their families.
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The first rule of healthcare is to do no harm, so it's disturbing to think that for decades hospitals routinely released vast quantities of dangerous toxins into the environment. Standard healthcare practices included burning medical waste which emits the carcinogen dioxin, and using equipment, such as thermometers and blood pressure devices, that contain mercury. Today, however, healthcare organizations across the country are investing in going green and reaping the benefits for their patients, employees, and communities.
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Worried about losing your health insurance? If you are, you’re not alone. The National Coalition on Health Care reports that nearly seven million Americans will lose their health insurance between 2008 and 2010. The downturn in the economy coupled with rising costs of health care may force your employer to drop health insurance benefits or raise the cost of premiums to an amount you can’t afford. And what would happen to your family’s health if you got laid off? If these concerns are hitting close to home, here’s some options for providing health care coverage for you and your family.
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If you have ever suffered through a bout of food poisoning, you’ll never forget it. It’s a steep price to pay to save a few pennies eating old leftovers. Food poisoning, more accurately known as foodborne illness, affects 76 million Americans each year, resulting in an estimated 325,000 hospitalizations and even 5,000 deaths. Despite popular belief, old leftovers are not the only culprits in food poisoning. Proper handling of all foods is vital to preventing the disease.
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"Wash your hands." "Cover your mouth when you sneeze." "Don't pick your nose."
If reading this sends you back to the days when Mom knew best, you may want to revisit that time and embrace her wisdom. The flu season is approaching quickly, and health officials are concerned about possible H1N1 flu (swine flu) outbreaks in the U.S. At this time, a vaccine is not yet available. Your best defense against H1N1 infection may be practicing some simple, but effective health habits.
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Harry Potter is an astonishing schoolboy. As the hero of this summer's blockbuster,
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry needs every tool he has to triumph over some very tough challenges at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With a magic wand, the loyalty of friends, and the support of teachers, Harry masters spells, tackles a mean bully, and even takes on the evil Lord Valdemort. For children living in the real world, the challenges of going back to school can seem just as daunting. Here's how to give them the magic they need for their best school year ever.
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Medical emergencies are unpredictable, and so is the time you may have to spend getting treatment in an ER. There are many reasons why you may have to wait for long periods in an ER, but there are steps you can take to minimize the waiting and ensure that you receive safe, appropriate emergency treatment.
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For decades having a sun-kissed bronzed glow was a prized symbol of health, vigor and beauty. We now know that just the opposite is true. Tanned skin and sunburn indicate that the skin has sustained damage that actually destroys health and beauty with wrinkles, premature aging of the skin, cataracts, and a higher risk of malignant melanoma. Despite this, many people can't give up their summer tans. The good news is that today there are safe options to get the glow you want while still protecting your skin and long-term health. Check out our indispensible tips for a healthy sunless glow.
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Would you take your car to a mechanic to have a dent repaired and not ask for a cost estimate up front? Would you trust the shop owner if he told you there was no way to know the actual cost of your repairs until after he'd completed the job? Would you agree to the repair without checking on the reliability and cost of other auto body shops in your area? Most likely, if you're a cost-conscious adult who's learned the value of comparison shopping; your answer to all three questions is "No! Of course not!" As a smart shopper, you can use these five tips to lower your medical bills.
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Summer is synonymous with simple pleasures and long, care-free days. For many women, that care-free feeling can be enhanced by knowing that they are taking action against common women's health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, depression, breast cancer, perimenopause and menopause. This summer, indulge in some seasonal simple pleasures that can go a long way toward preventing or addressing these potentially serious health conditions.
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For many kids and adults, there is nothing more exciting than watching something explode, and there's no better time to enjoy the rocket's red glare and the bursting in the air than during the Independence Day season. Unfortunately, thousands of serious injuries and even fatalities occur every year due to the illegal or improper use of fireworks. This 4th of July, have a safe blast by leaving the fiery display to the pros, but if you plan to light fireworks, remember these important safety tips.
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When it's been a hectic week, wouldn't we all love to have just ten minutes of "me time" to kick back and relax? What if during those ten minutes you could rejuvenate yourself and save lives at the same time? Find out how you can experience this modern, multitasking miracle while getting a free dose of instant gratification.
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Your chances of experiencing a medical error vary greatly depending on the hospital you choose. In fact, patients at top-performing hospitals are 43% less likely to experience a medical error, according to the latest HealthGrades study. While all hospitals strive to prevent mistakes - things like complications from anesthesia, blood transfusion reactions, and severe infections after surgery - some do a far better job than others. Choosing the best-performing hospitals can mean the difference between life and death for you and your loved ones.
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There may come a time when it becomes clear that your doctor is not providing you with the best possible care. Leaving your doctor can be difficult, especially if you have built a relationship with him or her over a long period of time. But for your own health and well being, the break up is something you must do. Dr. Samantha Collier's five tips will help you know when it's time to move on.
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You've determined what kind of patient you are, identified the traits you're looking for in a doctor, and screened out those doctors with troubling track records. You have a handful of potentially high caliber candidates on your list and now it's time to seal the deal. It is time to interview the doctors in person. And there's one ultimate question you want to be sure to ask - one that will tell you right away if your doctor of choice makes the grade or not.
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Choosing the right doctor is a lot like dating. The better you know yourself going into the process, the better your chances are for finding the perfect match. The first step in finding the right doctor is discovering who YOU are as a patient. Use Dr. Samantha Collier's checklist to get started.
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Seeing a new doctor for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you've just been diagnosed with an illness or injury. To help you get off on the right foot, Dr. Samantha Collier, HealthGrades' Chief Medical Officer has prepared a list of must-do's for your first visit to a new doctor.
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Myths abound in the world of medicine, but while most of these old wives tales are harmless, some can endanger the health of you and your family. Can you answer the following questions with certainty? Are older doctors really better? Are more tests a sign of better care? Do antibiotics kill everything? This week, Dr. Samantha Collier, HealthGrades' chief medical officer and Dr. Richard May, HealthGrades senior physician consultant separate fact from fiction.
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Being board certified is a good indicator that a doctor has completed extensive training in their particular area of specialization, but it isn't a litmus test for quality in all cases. The significance of the certification really depends on the doctor's generation and area of specialty.
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HealthGrades empowers health care consumers like you by finding out which hospitals and doctors are excelling and which are not. Each year, HealthGrades analyzes tens of millions of hospitalization records to create quality ratings - from one to five stars - that you and your family can use to find the best care in your area. All star ratings are based on
real patient outcomes.
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According to HealthGrades' Chief Medical Officer Dr. Samantha Collier, one of the most important steps you can take to protect your heath is to choose a doctor you'll feel comfortable with for the long haul. She also understands that the search can be overwhelming, especially since you will literally be trusting this person with your life, or that of a loved one. Dr. Collier has created a list of five critical steps to help you and your family find the right match.
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