Health Care

A living will, or "advance directive," is a document that states clearly that if there is no reasonable hope for recovery, you want to die without having your life prolonged by artificial means....

A doctor of osteopathy, or D.O., is fully trained in the field of conventional medicine as well as in osteopathic medicine. The D.O. is licensed to perform surgery, write prescriptions, and is...

It is something that many people must do in there lifetime, but no matter how many times you have gotten surgery before, it can leave you a little worried for the what ifs question. Whether you...

According to the New York Times (see reference 1) about 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraines. At one time, it was believed that migraines happened because of abnormalities in the blood...

Finding the perfect doctor is very important. Not only will your doctor take care of you when you are sick, but he or she also will help you prevent illness and stay in good health for the long...

We have all heard the horrible stories from friends, family members, and even celebrities about being misdiagnosed with a serious medical condition. The latest public figure to join this group of...

Part of the stress that can accompany an illness or medical symptom may come from not knowing what the illness is or how to treat it. But these days, finding the answers to your medical questions...

As a Register Nurse with over 30 year’s experience, I still witness numerous patients arriving at their physician’s office totally unprepared for their medical visit. With limited time available...

If you are positive you would like to make your first office visit to a new doctor as difficult as possible and frustrate his staff in the process, just follow these five steps.

Contrast dye is often used during an MRI . By using contrast dye, it provides a clearer picture to be analyzed.

A bone scan is a medical test performed when there is a suspicion of a tumor, infection or fracture. The radioactive dye injected into the patient detects a higher-than-normal rate of bone...

Health care costs are soaring out of control. Ever since President Johnson enacted anti-poverty initiatives - Medicaid and Medicare - the health care system has struggled to find a solution....

Tricare is the military health care plan that is available to all service men and women, active duty, retired or reserves. Tricare defines a provider as "any doctor or team of doctors,...

Consumers buy health care products to prevent, treat or alleviate the symptoms of illness or injury. Choosing the right product is not always easy--the number of options available can be...

Evidence-based medicine is a way of making informed decisions based on the best available evidence in the medical literature rather than relying on theories, expert opinions, individual experience...

Medical emergencies occur when we least expect them and you may enter an emergency room and not be able to communicate. Until your personal medical information becomes electronically available to...

HCTZ, an abbreviation for hydrochlorothiazide, is a prescription medication. It is a water pill that is beneficial for the treatment of hypertension and fluid retention that sometimes occurs as a...

Getting the best medical care is often more an art than a science. It's important to know everything about your medical condition; who are the best doctors; which is the best hospital; and how to...

The costs of medical care can be astronomical. There are ways to reduce these costs. Here are suggestions for reducing the cost of your health care while improving your health.

Medrol Dosepak (methylpredinisolone) is a prescription medication that is classified as a steroid. The medication functions by stopping the emission of various bodily substances that lead to...

A patient health care interview is usually done in the privacy of a small room and before seeing a physician or health care practitioner. The interview is also referred to as a health history,...

Whether you're a health care professional looking to purchase new equipment for your clinic or a patient who requires medical equipment for home use, there are many stores and online marketplaces...

Many of us leave a doctor's office and realize we have so many questions we forgot to ask or can't remember everything the doctor said. Here are some solutions to help you make the most out of a...

Hydrocephalus is a medical condition where there is extra fluid around the brain. It can happen at any age. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause brain damage. If caught early, that person...

Requesting your medical records is important. Learn how to get what information you want and need in a few simple steps.

As we learn more and more about medicine and disease, many of us have become proactive in our own medical care. By learning about symptoms, illnesses, and treatments, we can empower ourselves and...

Evidence-based medicine (sometimes shortened to EBM) is a term applied to medical practices that have been thoroughly evaluated by peer-reviewed journals, and have been deemed safe and effective...

Laughing gas is also known as happy gas. By its chemical name, it's known as nitrous oxide. It is a colorless gas at room temperature, with a sweet smell and taste. It is used as an anesthetic and...

Everyone knows about the common things we can do to protect our health in the long run like quitting smoking, exercising, and eating well. But there are other things you can do to protect your...

Health care is expensive, but it is also a part of the budget that must not be compromised; health should always be priority. Fortunately, there are some ways to save money on medical costs.

The term "general practitioner" is a common one and may refer to individuals working in a variety of fields, such as attorneys, hypnotists, therapists and even psychics. The more common use,...

In this day and age, verifying your doctor's certification is as easy as finding the right website to check. You can verify his license to practice in your state through your state's medical...

It is estimated that over 45 million Americans take care of someone over the age of 18 as either an unpaid or paid caregiver. Being a caregiver requires taking on many responsibilities including...

Who among us relishes the thought of lying incapacitated in a hospital room due to health issues, unable to communicate with those we love or even to our doctors? That is a grim prospect that some...

Having to take care of sick elders can be a stressful task; however, not having any health coverage to pay for their medical expenses can be an even bigger problem, especially if the elders are...

Do you have a good primary care doctor? If so you're very fortunate. There's currently a nationwide shortage of good primary care doctors. The best ones usually are closed to new patients due to...

Starting with a new doctor or facing surgery can be really scary, especially if you don't know much about the doctor's background. Where did she train? How much experience does she have? Has she...

A total body scan is also known as a full-body CT scan. It is used to diagnose a multitude of medical problems, from heart issues to lung problems and appendicitis. A medical ultrasound is used...

When you entrust your care to a doctor, you want to be sure that she is a competent medical professional who has the necessary training. Depending on which type of doctor you are seeing, you may...

Medical benefits provide you, and typically your dependents, with medical insurance should you have an illness or injury. There's a wide variety of choices, both in companies and medical benefit...

In Georgia the Georgia State Board of Medical Examiners provides a search to lookup Physicians and other health care providers licensed to practice in the state of Georgia. The database will show...

For the last three years, I have been caring for elderly relatives. As I look into the future, I imagine that my children may have to do the same for me someday, and I plan to share my experiences...

Health insurance is a necessary item for all individuals regardless of overall health. At any given time we as humans are susceptible to injury or illness and should the time come when we are in...

Medical scales are scales that are often found in doctor's offices and hospitals that measure a person's weight in pounds, kilograms or both. Today, many medical offices are switching to digital...

Making medical decisions can be a scary thing. There are a few things you should do before making that final decision or choosing a doctor.

How many times have you gone to a doctor's clinic and after the visit felt still in the dark about your medical problem? How much money have you paid to get medical advice only to feel it was...

Detection of frost bite and frost nip is important to know when surviving harsh winter weather. Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and tissue beneath the skin surface. Frost bite is caused by...

An emergency medical consent is a form you may need to sign for yourself or a loved one you are legally responsible for caring for. It is commonly used in many different types of situations. It is...

Radiology employs the use of medical imaging to diagnose and treat nearly every type of disease and injury that exists. It is a vital part of the field of health care in that it improves the speed...

A physician's responsibilities go beyond accurate billing and patient confidentiality. A physician must provide compassionate, informed and respectful treatment to each and every patient. They...