Consumer Health
The journalists of the Tribune Co. are here for you, the consumer. After all, we're consumers too and, like you, we have questions ... many questions. So here are some answers. These consumer-focused news articles, feature stories and columns explain how to get the most of your healthcare dollars, how to make wise medical decisions, how not to make medical mistakes and how, overall, to be a savvy consumer of healthcare.
3:09 PM PST, March 1, 2011
Online coalition of doctors, nurses and pharmacists answers questions about health-care law
At a time when many Americans are confused about the healthcare overhaul law, a coalition of groups representing doctors, nurses, pharmacists and consumers has launched a website to answer questions about the Affordable Care Act.
1:34 PM PST, February 23, 2011
You are at home, silently fuming
You stay indoors during high-pollution days, and you shy away from dirty, congested street corners. But inside your home, you may be breathing in fumes that aren't as pure as you may like them to be.
1:45 PM PST, February 23, 2011
Deep cleaning
The road to good health is littered with controversial body-detox strategies promising to melt pounds, boost energy and suck out toxins wrought by poor diet and modern living.
1:29 PM PST, February 23, 2011
How to get the most out of your toothbrush
Brushing (and flossing) is the best way to protect your teeth and gums — but not if your toothbrush is in bad shape. "Toothbrush bristles that are worn or frayed from use cannot effectively remove plaque, which is critical to maintaining healthy teeth and gums," says Sebastiana Springmann, a dentist in Williamsburg, Va. Some advice:
12:21 PM PST, February 28, 2011
BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world
Pediatrician group seeks ban on tanning devices for children, teens
Teens and tanning beds aren't a healthy mix, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. The group urges banning children and teens from using indoor tanning devices because of an increased risk of skin cancer.
8:02 PM PST, February 26, 2011
Bilingualism good for the brain, researchers say
Does being bilingual give young children a mental edge, or does it delay their learning?
8:01 PM PST, February 26, 2011
What to consider about weight-loss surgery
With record U.S. obesity rates and newly expanded Food and Drug Administration eligibility criteria for Lap-Band surgery, more and more Americans may be mulling the possibility of going beyond diet and exercise to tackle their weight and the medical problems that come with it.
February 28, 2011
Your Money / Your Health
Other routes to HIV drug assistance
When Steven Dimmick, 31, was diagnosed with HIV seven years ago, his doctors felt confident they could find a regimen of drugs to help him live a healthy life for many years.
February 28, 2011
Keeping sleep apnea sufferers' airways open
As Americans' waistlines continue to grow, so does the number of people who aren't getting a good night's sleep.
February 22, 2011
Gastric bypass more effective than other procedures, studies find
Less than a week after the Food and Drug Administration approved the marketing of Lap-Band weight-loss surgery to 11 million new patients, a pair of studies has found that a different, older procedure is more effective and no riskier than either the Lap-Band or another less-drastic surgery, sleeve gastrectomy.
4:47 PM PST, February 21, 2011
Teen suicide: Bringing the issue out of the shadows
Talking it out can be a preventive step, educators say.
5:21 AM PST, February 16, 2011
Q&A;
Ask the pediatrician! Dr. Diana Blythe answers your questions about kids' health
Ask the pediatrician! 
February 21, 2011
In the Works
Off-the-shelf blood vessels
Heart bypass patients may soon be able to get new arteries without having to sacrifice vessels from other parts of their body, thanks to ready-made, off-the-shelf artificial blood vessels.
5:39 PM PST, February 18, 2011
A Closer Look
In breast cancer treatment, less underarm lymph-node removal may be better
Sometimes less is more in breast cancer treatment; so says a study that made headlines earlier this month: The finding, published in the Journal of the American Medical Assn., reported that surgically removing multiple cancer-containing lymph nodes under the arm in women with small tumors — instead of just one or two — may cause more harm than good.
9:10 PM PST, February 19, 2011
Nutrition Lab
Ancient grains: The best thing since sliced bread?
Ancient grains may sound like something you'd find in a museum or at an archaeological site.
February 18, 2011
A guide to GOP proposals to slash family planning
Controversy over the GOP's reproductive health agenda is mounting as House members consider a budget plan that slashes funds for family planning clinics and eliminates federal support for Planned Parenthood, a major provider of reproductive health care in the U.S. Republican leaders say that desperate times call for painful cuts in federal spending -- and abortion providers are a prime target.
6:07 PM PST, February 16, 2011
Suppression of human growth hormone may ward off cancer, diabetes
Anyone seeking the fountain of youth should think twice before turning to growth hormone, a fast-growing trend in anti-aging fringe medicine. If conclusions from a study of an obscure population living in Ecuador prove true, less growth hormone — not more — may help prevent cancer and diabetes in old age.
12:10 PM PST, February 16, 2011
Alternative medicines can help, harm kids
A growing number of parents are treating their kids' colds or chronic illnesses with herbs, vitamins, acupuncture and other complementary approaches that are touted as "natural" and therefore less likely to have side effects.
2:10 PM PST, February 16, 2011
It's a boy! (Are you having him circumcised?)
For decades, American parents were on circumcision autopilot. Conventional wisdom held that the foreskin-free penis was healthier and cleaner. Everyone was doing it, so everyone had it done.
2:16 PM PST, February 16, 2011
Complete blood counts: A look under the hood
Q: At my annual physical, my doctor recommended I have a complete blood count. What is it, and why is it necessary? I'm healthy, and as far as I know, I'm not at high-risk for any medical problems.
2:22 PM PST, February 16, 2011
How to carefully select home gym equipment
Shopping for workout gear can be, well, a workout. "Today's home fitness equipment is better constructed and more effective — and offers you more options — than ever before," says Bridgit Kin-Charlton, a personal trainer and owner of the b-defined studio in Williamsburg, Va. "With choice, however, can come confusion." Some tips:
2:29 PM PST, February 16, 2011
Don't be fooled by paraben hype
If you stroll down the cosmetic aisle, you'll quickly see the controversy.
February 15, 2011
FAQ: How the Medicare doughnut hole is disappearing
The widely unpopular "doughnut hole" -- the coverage gap in the Medicare drug benefit -- is headed for oblivion, under the new health law. Beginning this year, seniors who hit the doughnut hole will get substantial discounts on both brand-name and generic drugs. Those discounts will increase over time, effectively closing the gap by 2020. The change is "quite significant," says John Rother, AARP's executive vice president for policy and strategy. In the past, when people had to pay full price for the drugs in the coverage gap, they sometimes stopped filling prescriptions, he says.
February 16, 2011
Zinc found to be effective in treating colds
People who begin using zinc lozenges, tablets or syrup at the first signs of a cold are more likely to get well faster, researchers reported Tuesday. But the new findings probably won't be the last word on the issue, which has been the subject of debate since the idea was first proposed in 1984.
February 16, 2011
Lack of price controls to blame for higher drug costs in U.S.
While reading about how state budget constraints could make AIDS drugs costlier, I recalled an ad with U2's Bono that says 40 cents a day for a pill can save the life of an HIV victim in Africa. I am obviously missing something in trying to reconcile these two accounts of drug costs. Do you have an explanation?
5:13 AM PST, February 14, 2011
Energy drinks pose serious health risks for children
7:16 AM PST, March 2, 2011
Q&A;
Ask the pediatrician! Dr. Diana Blythe answers your questions about kids' health
Ask the pediatrician!
10:51 AM PST, February 9, 2011
Got a flexible spending account? There may be time to spend unused money from 2010
If you have a health flexible spending account at work, don't forget there's still a little time to spend any money leftover in your account from 2010.
1:46 PM PST, February 9, 2011
How to slowly wean your child off junk food
Kids used to a steady diet of sugar and fat can change — and parents can help make the switch less painful. "It's about balance," says registered nurse Babs Benson, director of the Healthy You weight management program at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, Va. "Frequency and quantity are key."
1:51 PM PST, February 9, 2011
Stemming falls
As we age, our risk of falling increases. Our feet may catch on a well-worn rug or we may miss a step going downstairs to the kitchen at night. We lose balance, strength and agility; medications may make us drowsy; or we may become dizzy after getting up from a chair as our blood pressure plummets.
1:49 PM PST, February 9, 2011
Some wish aspirin came covered in chocolate
Q I take aspirin for arthritis pain. It's the only painkiller that works for me, but sometimes if I have a headache, the aspirin doesn't seem to work.
1:26 PM PST, February 9, 2011
Clearing up confusion on wisdom teeth removal
It seems just about everyone has to have his wisdom teeth extracted. For most, it's an easy procedure and an easy recovery. But many people don't understand why we have those third molars to begin with — or if there are alternatives to removal. We asked Dr. Robert E. Williams, a clinical associate professor at the University of Maryland Dental School who also practices in Baltimore and Bel Air.
2:32 AM PST, February 9, 2011
Nicole Brochu: Hot saucing may be poor parenting, but it's not criminal
The video is, admittedly, hard to watch.
8:23 PM PST, February 5, 2011
Choosing early delivery for babies can be harmful to health
Thanks to overwhelming medical evidence of the important development that takes place in a baby's brain and lungs during the last few weeks of gestation, most area hospitals have changed their policies on early elective deliveries.
6:24 PM PST, February 7, 2011
The danger that lurks underwater
Equipment meant to prevent powerful drains from causing people to drown in pools and hot tubs is being used across the country even though the products underwent flawed safety evaluations, then failed subsequent, more stringent tests, a Tribune investigation has found.
February 7, 2011
Nicole Brochu: Could health care reform hurt the fight against breast cancer?
The woman who almost single-handedly transformed the color pink from a feminine pastel to a fundraising powerhouse has plenty to celebrate today, despite the worry that consumes her like never before in three decades of advocacy work.
5:01 PM PST, February 4, 2011
Report: Eating out too much can make you fat
After years of eating whatever she pleased almost every night at restaurants, Lanette Jarvis found herself needing to lose weight — a lot of it.
February 3, 2011
Medicare eases the way for patient complaints
Medicare took steps Wednesday to make it easier for patients to file complaints about unsatisfactory medical care.
February 2, 2011
Seniors use computer program to try to stay sharp
Imagine being able to improve your brain health and fight memory loss and dementia by playing a series of games on a computer.
12:49 PM PST, February 2, 2011
Where can a vegetarian find good protein?
For vegetarians, especially vegans, it can be challenging to get enough protein in your diet. But the choice to go veggie is a very good one.
9:11 AM PST, February 2, 2011
How do they do it?
Some athletes appear to have superhuman strength, superfast legs and superpower reflexes. But they also have some super secrets.
12:36 PM PST, February 2, 2011
Get that resolution back on track
Slipping up on a promise to change doesn't have to mean giving up. Here are tips from counselors on getting your mindset back into the right place:
12:42 PM PST, February 2, 2011
Hot water may help with stubborn warts
Q I saw a question about warts on the toes of a 7-year-old. My daughter had the same problem 20 years ago when she was that age.
12:46 PM PST, February 2, 2011
SAD: When seasons change how you feel
By 10 a.m. every day in winter, Rachelle Strauss felt like she could go back to bed. She used to be a morning person, but that all changed about 10 years ago when she started to feel exhausted as the darkest days dragged on.
February 2, 2011
Nicole Brochu: Feds' new dietary guidelines: Where's the beef?
The federal government has been diligently working on "key recommendations" designed to shape the nation's diet — a challenge it embraces but every five years. Two public health agencies have been busy poring over the most updated nutritional science. They've torn up the sacred food pyramid of old and, lo and behold, they've now come up with the latest, most informative dietary guidelines they could muster.
4:38 AM PST, February 2, 2011
How to eat for good health
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture have updated their nutritional guidelines and, honestly, there really aren't any surprises. Assuming you haven't been encased in an iceberg for the past 100 years, you probably already know what you should and should not eat for good health. The problem? Getting yourself to do it.
February 1, 2011
Suzy Cohen: Wash your hands, but don't use hand dryers!
Dear Readers: We're at the peak of the cold and flu season, and if you feel like you're surrounded by an army of hostile viruses, it's because you are. I've been inundated with e-mails asking what you should do or take to prevent illness.
February 1, 2011
Mediation offers an alternative to malpractice lawsuits
When a health-care provider harms instead of heals, patients who seek answers and redress generally face the prospect of a long and costly lawsuit. But there's another option, one that can significantly reduce the toll of a court battle while providing many of the same benefits to patients and their families: mediation.
January 31, 2011
Nicole Brochu: No-nit policies are a breeding ground for head lice
Movements to erase iron-clad stigmas often require personal sacrifice, some brave soul willing to bare it all for the greater good. Today, that someone is me. So I'm stepping out on a limb to expose a shameful family secret.
January 31, 2011
Buying health insurance for children
If in the past you tried to buy health insurance for a child with a preexisting health condition and were turned down, it's time to give it another shot.
January 31, 2011
Pros, cons of reality TV's approach to weight loss
These days, the only people who don't seem to mind a few extra pounds are the executive producers of reality TV shows that center on weight loss. Series such as "The Biggest Loser" and its various spinoffs and copycats, including "Losing It With Jillian," "I Used to Be Fat" and "Heavy," fill the small screen with the travails of America's flabby majority.
January 31, 2011
The Healthy Skeptic
Facial exercises to reduce wrinkles?
Humans can out-smile, out-smirk and out-glower every other animal on the planet, all thanks to an array of facial muscles lying just below the skin. The muscles flex and twitch throughout out the day whether we think about them or not.
January 31, 2011
Cities try to cut the fat with weight-loss programs
Ten pounds can seem like a hundred when you're trying to lose weight.
January 30, 2011
Alternatives to recalled cold medicines for children
When kids begin sniffling, the first thing many parents reach for is Children's Tylenol. But that option has been off the table — or, out of the medicine cabinet — since a massive recall last year.
January 30, 2011
Health authorities viewed medications skeptically
Though the absence of familiar cough and cold medications has been upsetting for many families, parents may take some comfort in the fact that doctors didn't consider them all that effective in the first place.
5:42 PM PST, February 4, 2011
Breast implants still plagued by safety concerns
For years, Michell Anne Kimball of San Diego considered breast augmentation but worried about the health risks. Three years ago, the 47-year-old decided the time was right, consulted with a plastic surgeon and, after four more months of pondering, received silicone implants.
January 26, 2011
Website offers workouts for kids
GetSweaty.com encourages them to exercise in front of their computer screens.
1:23 PM PST, January 25, 2011
Staying indoors and turning up the heat could affect our weight, study says
British researchers find that rising indoor temperatures may make us fatter.
January 26, 2011
Self-control while young can predict later health, wealth
Children who have low levels of self-control at 3 are more likely to have health and money problems and a criminal record by the age of 32, regardless of background and IQ, scientists said.
8:52 PM PST, January 22, 2011
Take charge of your cholesterol: Quick facts
What should you be doing to keep your cholesterol under control? Here's what the experts advise:
January 24, 2011
Gear
Roy Wallack: Cooler ways to play in the snow
Snow is a beautiful thing, especially when you have the right toys for playing in it. Some of these items are simple and others are high-tech, but all are innovative and are sure to make any winter wonderland even better.
January 24, 2011
Practical Matters
Taking the copay out of staying healthy
Being healthy is starting to cost a lot less.
February 15, 2011
Experts seek to change confusing medication labels
"Take two tablets by mouth twice daily." This printed instruction, common on prescription pill bottles, might seem straightforward. Yet in a study, nearly half of patients misunderstood what it or other common label instructions meant.
February 11, 2011
Some seniors are in for sticker shock on drug premiums
The Obama administration often touts the health-law provision that over the next decade will close the unpopular "doughnut hole" -- a gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage.
February 2, 2011
Lobbyists challenging limits on health flexible spending accounts
When Arthur Massei learned that the new health law would cut his tax break for buying medicine, he enlisted in a broad, well-financed corporate lobbying campaign to repeal the provision.
January 24, 2011
Possible changes to five health law provisions could have big effects
The Republican effort to repeal the health care law is sure to founder in the Democratic-controlled Senate, but that doesn't mean that the GOP is ending its assault on the law. House Republicans are already beginning work in committees to lop off and possibly replace some of the law's individual provisions.
January 11, 2011
Some states have options to help consumers find health coverage
A reader asks: Are there other health insurance options besides high-risk pools for people who can't get coverage in the individual market because of a preexisting condition?
December 21, 2010
Health insurance restrictions still exist for some consumers
When examining your health benefits for the new year, you'll probably notice that your plan has eliminated lifetime and most annual dollar limits on coverage. That was mandated by the federal health-care overhaul. But for some consumers, coverage may still be restricted: Limits on the number of doctor visits or prescriptions or other services continue to be permitted and can stymie patients' efforts to get necessary care.
December 7, 2010
Health law's aim: Multiple vaccines for more people
It's flu season: Time to get your flu shot.
November 22, 2010
New law's health insurance regulations could mean rebates for consumers
Millions of Americans might be eligible for rebates starting in 2012 under regulations released Monday detailing the health care law?s requirement that insurers spend at least 80 percent of their revenue on direct medical care. Insurance plans covering more than 50 people must spend at least 85 cents of every dollar on care.
November 16, 2010
Many individual health policies do not cover pregnancy
When Amy Tiller became pregnant six years ago, she was a high school biology teacher in Waynesville, N.C., and the health insurance plan she had through her school system covered the tab for the birth of her twins.
Consumer Reports: Picking a health insurance plan
With open enrollment season now underway, consumers with employer-based health insurance can take advantage of the once-a-year opportunity to switch plans. To help consumers compare health insurance plans, Consumer Reports Health recently published rankings of 227 HMOs and Point-of-Service (POS) plans.
Copyright © 2011, HealthKey
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