Why You Might Get Billed for Messaging Your Provider in MyChart

Key TakeawaysMany healthcare systems are now charging patients for using MyChart to communicate with providers.Patient-generated questions that require medical advice and care can be billed as an eVisit.Check with your healthcare provider to see if they charge for MyChart messages. Key Takeaways Many healthcare systems are now charging patients for using MyChart to communicate with providers.Patient-generated questions that require medical advice and care can be billed as an eVisit.Check with your healthcare provider to see if they charge for MyChart messages....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1254 words · Andrew Butler

Why You Might Hear More Olympic Athletes Talking About Their Periods

Key Takeaways In recent years, athletes and wellness companies have drawn attention to the stigma young people face when they continue playing sports afterstarting their period. To address the stigma, period underwear brand Knix has launched a campaign calledSport Your Periodthat encourages Olympic athletes to speak about competing while on their period. The company is paying athletes 1,000 Canadian dollars (just over $720 U.S. dollars) to “mention competing on their period....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1414 words · Kristin Perez MD

Why You Might Not Realize You Have an STI Even After Testing

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsYou Weren’t Really TestedYou Were Tested Too SoonThe Test Gave an Inaccurate ResultYour STI Wasn’t Tested For Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents You Weren’t Really Tested You Were Tested Too Soon The Test Gave an Inaccurate Result Your STI Wasn’t Tested For Testingfor sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and your partner(s) from disease....

January 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1695 words · Daniel Vargas Jr.

Why You Remove Piercings and Jewelry Before Surgery

It may seem like a giant hassle to remove your jewelry and any piercings you may have prior to surgery, but there are multiple very good reasons for doing so. It isn’t that your surgeon doesn’t like piercings, or has a personal issue with wedding rings. Your surgical team just wants to avoid complications whenever possible. The simple fact is that jewelry can get in the way of a surgical procedure or interfere with an imaging study....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 917 words · Barry Thompson MD

Why You Should Add Quinoa to Your Diet

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNutrition FactsHealth BenefitsAdding Quinoa to Your Diet Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Adding Quinoa to Your Diet Quinoais a whole grain, edible seed that has gained popularity over the past few years. Although it has been used for centuries in South America, it has recently gained more popularity in the United States. From a nutritional standpoint, quinoa is considered a grain....

January 17, 2025 · 12 min · 2442 words · Wendy Pope

Why You Should Avoid Alcohol on a Long-Haul Flight

Key TakeawaysDrinking alcohol before sleep on a long-haul flight can significantly lower blood oxygen levels and increase heart rates.People with pre-existing heart or lung conditions are at a higher risk of hypoxia, a dangerous condition in which your body doesn’t get enough oxygen to maintain homeostasis.Low humidity in an airplane cabin may also contribute to increased fluid loss and dehydration. Key Takeaways Drinking alcohol before sleep on a long-haul flight can significantly lower blood oxygen levels and increase heart rates....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1424 words · Kevin Herrera

Why You Should Be Checking for Ticks This Winter

Key TakeawaysWhile ticks are usually dormant in the winter, it’s important to know that cold weather doesn’t kill them.Global warming means tick activity is starting to stretch into the winter months.Not all ticks carry diseases like Lyme. If you see a tick on your body, take a picture. That will help you identify both its species and determine the stage of its lifecycle, which matters if you’ve been bitten. Key Takeaways While ticks are usually dormant in the winter, it’s important to know that cold weather doesn’t kill them....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1382 words · Timothy Vincent

Why You Should Be Paying Attention to the Syphilis Surge

Key TakeawaysSyphilis infections are up 17% since last year.Syphilis can mimic other infections and requires a blood test for accurate detection.It is curable with antibiotics if caught early.Testing is available at your local health department. Key Takeaways Syphilis infections are up 17% since last year.Syphilis can mimic other infections and requires a blood test for accurate detection.It is curable with antibiotics if caught early.Testing is available at your local health department....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 921 words · Michael Pearson

Why You Should Consider Eating Avocados If You Have Diabetes

Key TakeawaysThe nutrition profile of avocados—like their high magnesium and potassium content—is particularly beneficial to people trying to manage or prevent type 2 diabetes.The lack of sugar and presence of healthy unsaturated fat are additional pros of the fruit.Because it’s so versatile, dietitians recommend opting for avocado for diabetes prevention and management, while cautioning that one food alone won’t make or break your risk. Key Takeaways The nutrition profile of avocados—like their high magnesium and potassium content—is particularly beneficial to people trying to manage or prevent type 2 diabetes....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1169 words · Robert Reilly

Why You Should Exercise Caution With Grapefruit Seed Extract

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat the Research SaysPrecautionsDosage ConsiderationsGrapefruit InteractionsFrequently Asked QuestionsSources & What to Look For Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What the Research Says Precautions Dosage Considerations Grapefruit Interactions Frequently Asked Questions Sources & What to Look For Grapefruit seed extract is made from the seed, pulp, and membranes of grapefruit and has been marketed as having antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties with several health benefits....

January 17, 2025 · 9 min · 1714 words · Brandon Hernandez

Why You Should Give Almond Milk Yogurt a Try

Key TakeawaysA new study compared the nutrient profiles of 600 plant-based and dairy yogurts.Almond and oat yogurts were the most similar to dairy milk yogurts.Plant-based yogurts in general have less protein, calcium, and potassium than dairy yogurts, but they’re also lower in sugar and sodium and provide more fiber. Key Takeaways A new study compared the nutrient profiles of 600 plant-based and dairy yogurts.Almond and oat yogurts were the most similar to dairy milk yogurts....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1183 words · Nathan Phelps

Why You Should Keep a Consistent Bedtime Every Night

Key TakeawaysNew research suggests that having a consistent sleep schedule may actually be more important than getting eight hours of sleep every night.Having a consistent sleep and wake time allows your internal circadian rhythm to operate more efficiently, helping you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep.To improve consistency, plan your sleep schedule around your earliest wake-up time in any given week and try waking up at that time every day....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 1054 words · Stephanie Chavez

Why You Should Tell Your Partner if You Have HSV-1

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs HSV-1 Nothing To Worry About?Why Partners Should KnowHow to Tell a PartnerIf You Get Genital Herpes Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Is HSV-1 Nothing To Worry About? Why Partners Should Know How to Tell a Partner If You Get Genital Herpes Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)—the virus mainly responsible for cold sores (oral herpes)—is easily passed through kissing and oral sex....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1077 words · Robert Smith