Health Article description.Your doctor will give you goals for your blood sugar and recommend ways to treat high blood sugar. Here are some general guidelines for treating it. Treat mild to moderate high blood sugar. Follow these steps if your blood sugar is over the target range set by your doctor. For example, that might be over 200 mg/dL for...

Health Article description.Playgrounds are fun places, but they may have hazards that can cause injury. Following some basic safety measures can help your child have fun and play safely. Find playgrounds that have safe equipment. Make sure there's a soft surface under play...

Health Article description.Health insurance helps you pay for your health care costs. Having insurance can help protect you from high medical costs, and it may help cover expenses if you need unexpected care. It also can make it easier to have routine doctor visits and...

Health Article description.A spinal tap (also called a lumbar puncture) is a procedure to collect and look at the fluid ( cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. During a spinal tap, a needle is carefully inserted into the spinal canal low in the back (lumbar area). Samples of CSF are collected. The samples are...

Health Article description.Guides you through decision to get an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Gives information about ICDs and asks questions to help you learn if an ICD is right for you. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you decide.

Health Article description.Clinical trials are research studies in which people help doctors find ways to improve health care. Each study tries to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat health problems. The purpose of a clinical trial is to find out whether a medicine or treatment is safe and effective for treating a certain condition or...

Health Article description.Briefly discusses types of poisonings and related symptoms. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers first aid steps as well as calling Poison Control.

Health Article description.Discusses blood test to check level of potassium (K) in blood. Includes info on what affects potassium levels in the body such as kidney function, blood pH, and hormones. Explains how and why test is done. Covers what results mean.

Health Article description.Briefly discusses common problems from tattoos, including infection, skin reactions, and scarring. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.A total serum protein test measures the total amount of protein in the blood. It also measures the amounts of two major groups of proteins in the blood: albumin and globulin. Albumin. This is made mainly in the liver. It helps keep the blood from leaking out of blood vessels. Albumin also helps carry some medicines and...

Health Article description.Guides you through the decision to take an anticoagulant to prevent stroke. Explains atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke. Lists benefits and risks of anticoagulants. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.

Health Article description.Creatinine and creatinine clearance tests measure the level of the waste product creatinine (say "kree-AT-uh-neen") in your blood and urine. These tests tell how well your kidneys are working. Another substance, creatine (say "KREE-uh-teen"), is...

Health Article description.Guides you through decision to have bypass surgery. Covers other treatment options. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Health Article description.Guides you through the decision to have angioplasty when you have stable angina. Lists benefits and risks of angioplasty and medical therapy. Explains why lifestyle changes are still important. Includes interactive tool to help you with your decision.

Health Article description.This may sound obvious, but the best time to choose a hospital is when you don't need one. That way you have the time to compare all the hospitals in your area and think about what your preferences are. You will want to consider what type of hospital you prefer, the hospital's reputation, and how well the hospital fits...

Health Article description.You may or may not be able to drive after a stroke. It will depend on how the stroke affected you. Many people are able to drive within about a year after a stroke. Talk to your doctor about when you can drive. Don't drive unless your doctor says it'

Health Article description.Most of the time, people with epilepsy who become pregnant deliver healthy babies. But the risk of birth defects, stillbirth, and seizure-related problems is higher for babies born to someone with epilepsy. Most antiepileptic medicines increase the risk even more. If you have epilepsy and become pregnant, stopping...

Health Article description.Males who have low testosterone don't make enough of the hormone called testosterone. Low testosterone can lead to problems such as a lower sex drive, weak bones, less muscle mass, less body hair, enlarged breasts, and infertility. Low testosterone...

Health Article description.The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test is done to check for the hormone hCG in blood or urine. Some hCG tests measure the exact amount. Some just check to see if the hormone is present. HCG is made by the placenta during pregnancy. The test...

Health Article description.Explains what allergy-shot immunotherapy is, why it is done, and what allergies it can help. Covers how it is done, how well it works, and what to expect after treatment. Covers risk factors.

Health Article description.Guides through decision to have a vaginal birth (VBAC) after a past cesarean section (C-section). Includes things to think about when making your decision. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.