The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 188
7 tips for a healthy back-to-school season As the school year begins, your family is likely getting supplies ready and adjusting to a new routine after summer break. Whether your child attends elementary, middle, or high school, it’s natural for them to feel both excited and nervous at the same time. And keeping them happy, healthy, and safe is likely your top priority. GoodRx, a platform for medication savings, put together a few simple pharmacist tips to help your family achieve these goals. F...
Why do mosquito bites itch? The science and how to stop it That familiar, maddening itch after a mosquito bite is one of summer's most annoying experiences. The science behind why mosquito bites itch involves a complex interaction between mosquito saliva and the human immune system. Understanding this process helps explain why some people react more severely than others and what actually works to stop the itching. West Nile virus cases increased by 28% in 2025, and 2,396 cases of dengue fever...
Once-a-week insulin is a game-changer: Here’s how to use it effectively Regular insulin injections can be an essential part of managing Type 2 diabetes. But many people find daily injections to be bothersome or inconvenient. That’s where once-a-week insulin can help. While weekly insulin is still a relatively new technology, the development of these medications is an expanding area of diabetes research. In March 2026, Awiqli (insulin icodec-abae) became the first insulin to be FDA-approved for...
The hidden health risks lurking inside overcrowded homes For multigenerational families and roommates navigating escalating housing costs, consolidating into a single shared home is increasingly a financial necessity. But pushing a property's capacity past its intended structural limits introduces severe, often overlooked physical hazards. Rather than just a loss of privacy, occupying a home beyond its design capacity triggers a chain reaction of medical vulnerabilities—such as a spike in airbor...
Sunburn relief: Dermatologist-approved methods that actually work That painful red glow after a day outdoors is more than just discomfort. It signals real cellular damage happening beneath the skin's surface. The good news is that dermatologist-approved treatments can significantly reduce pain, speed healing, and prevent long-term damage when applied correctly. Many people reach for whatever lotion is nearby, but not all products help, and some can actually worsen the burn. Understanding the...
6 ways to get rid of poison ivy rash symptoms fast For many people, warm weather brings more time outside. But it can also bring itchy skin from bug bites, allergies, and poison ivy. Poison ivy rash can be very uncomfortable, especially if it covers a large area of your body. And it can take weeks to go away completely. Unfortunately, there’s no way to get rid of a poison ivy rash immediately — but there are things you can do to help relieve the itch. GoodRx, a platform for medication sav...
Soft tissue damage after an accident could be permanent and may be eligible for a personal injury claim Most people think of soft tissue injuries as minor inconveniences causing temporary aches, quickly healed by time and an ice pack. However, soft tissue damage after an accident can be permanent depending on the severity of the injury, its location, and the effectiveness of the medical care. Bayuk Pratt broke down the symptoms and long-term impacts of soft tissue damage and the legal options...
More than 74,000 older adults seek measles immunity tests amid US outbreaks Measles was surging in West Texas as Nancy Churnin eagerly awaited the birth of two grandchildren. She was sure she had been vaccinated decades ago, but she wanted to confirm she was still protected. She didn’t want to risk spreading the highly contagious disease to vulnerable newborns, so she got a simple blood test last year. “I wanted to double-check my immunity,” said Churnin, a children’s book author who lives i...
AI is now very good at diagnosing health problems, but doctors are still better at weighing treatment options A father is worried about his toddler, who has been running a fever for two days and pulling at one ear. A 65-year-old woman has been getting winded on her morning walks and feeling more fatigued than usual. Both reach for their phones and type their symptoms into an AI chatbot. “Your child likely has an ear infection,” the father learns. “Your symptoms could indicate a cardiac condi...
Postpartum nutrition: What your body needs for healing, hormones and milk production The early postpartum period—often called the fourth trimester—is a time of major transition. While you’re getting to know your baby and settling into a new rhythm, your body is also doing significant work behind-the-scenes. You’re healing from pregnancy and birth. Your hormones are shifting quickly. If you’re breastfeeding, your body is producing milk day and night. And if your energy, appetite and routine f...
What to do after getting a hypertension alert from your smartwatch For years, smartwatches have helped us monitor our health. From tracking how many steps we take each day to measuring our heart rate, our watches have helped us stay healthy. More recently, many smartwatches can measure our blood pressure, letting the user take a reading as and when they need to. But now, thanks to FDA approval, users can receive a notification if their smartwatch detects signs of hypertension. This guide from...
Pharmaceutical marketplaces: How online platforms are changing drug purchasing Pharmacies have spent the better part of a decade absorbing pressure that other industries felt only briefly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the people inside each pharmacy responsible for ordering medications and tracking inventory have felt it most. Their daily work of finding the right drug at the right cost has gotten harder as prices move week to week and reimbursement from pharmacy benefit managers keeps...
Are people with ADHD more likely to have car accidents? Driving is full of distractions, from cellphones to other drivers on the road. But for adults and teens dealing with symptoms of ADHD, like inattention and impulsivity, those disruptions can make driving especially risky. On average, adult drivers with ADHD in one study got into a crash every two years, and people with severe ADHD symptoms averaged one accident a year. A large study in JAMA Pediatrics found that teen and young adult...
How can you get help paying for your medications? Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications can be surprisingly high. GoodRx research found that more than half of Americans have trouble paying for prescription medications, and nearly a third aren’t filling their prescriptions due to high costs. So how can you get help paying for your medications? Talking to your prescriber about more affordable options is a good first step. But there are many other ways to keep y...
5 clinician-backed techniques for managing stress and panic attacks Sometimes anxiety, depression, sleep problems, panic, and stress overtake people and cause them to struggle. Learning to cope is critical before these negative feelings become disruptive. Uncontrolled and unmanaged stress and anxiety also can contribute to health problems and upend the ability to consistently work, live life, and sustain meaningful relationships. But making it a priority to learn to cope safely can help....
Mental health assessments: What employers should look for to secure the best outcomes An employee finally decides to ask for help. Maybe their work has slowed. Maybe they have been missing sleep. Maybe they have been holding it together for months and can feel that changing. For an HR or benefits leader, that moment matters. The first experience an employee has with a mental health benefit can determine whether they get routed to the right care, wait too long, disengage, or start over later....
6 summer supplements to heat-proof your health Ah, summertime: longer days, warmer nights, vacations and more time soaking up the sun. For many, it's an absolute dream, especially after months of gray days and freezing temps. But the reality is that the same things you love most about summer can have a not-so-great impact on your health if you don't plan for them. One of those things is the heat, which comes with increased sweat and the greater need for electrolytes to maintain balance. Also,...
How artificial intelligence is changing the mental health space What if your next therapy appointment involved opening an app instead of talking to another human? From chatbots that lend an ear at 2 a.m. to smart platforms that track emotional patterns over time, artificial intelligence is reshaping how people access and experience mental health care. AI technology aims to help create machines that can do tasks that require human intelligence and problem-solving. You’ve likely already seen h...
When the ability to smell goes away About 14 years ago, Chrissi Kelly lost her sense of smell. She had traveled to the Czech Republic to visit family and caught some virus. Months later, when she still couldn’t smell, she made the rounds to doctors, including her general practitioner and an ear, nose and throat specialist, trying to find answers. She was diagnosed with anosmia (complete smell loss), and, like many patients with her condition, was told she’d have to learn to live with it. But...
A guide to medication formularies: Understanding your prescription coverage When you’re comparing health plans, knowing which medications are covered, how they’re covered, and how much they’ll cost can save you a lot of frustration and money. That’s why a health plan’s formulary is important. It’s an essential component of an insurance plan. You should review it to confirm that the coverage fits both your prescription medication needs and your budget. Below, GoodRx, a platform for medication...
5 foods that can help you manage GLP-1 side effects Glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist medications can help treat several medical conditions and improve heart and kidney health. There are several FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists, including: - Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) - Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) - Dulaglutide (Trulicity) - Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) - Orforglipron (Foundayo) - Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon BCise) But, like any medication, GLP-1s may cause side effects. You...
Sunspots vs. freckles: How to tell them apart Those little brown marks on the skin confuse many people. Both involve excess pigment in the skin, but they arise from different causes and behave differently. Freckles often bring back memories of summer days as a kid, while sunspots can signal that the skin has been exposed to too much sun over the years. Knowing which is which helps people take better care of their skin and recognize when a spot warrants medical attention. Doctronic explains how t...
Summer is officially here, and with it comes longer days, outdoor gatherings, and the kind of warmth that draws people outside. But as temperatures climb, so do the risks to our health. Whether you're a seasoned adult managing chronic conditions or simply someone who loves a backyard barbecue, understanding how heat affects the body can be the difference between a great summer and a dangerous one. The human body is remarkably good at regulating its own temperature, but only up to a point. When...
Alpha-gal syndrome red meat allergy from ticks Alpha-gal syndrome represents one of the most unusual allergic conditions in modern medicine. A tick bite that fundamentally changes how your immune system responds to red meat, creating delayed allergic reactions that can range from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. This tick-borne condition has emerged as a growing health concern across the southeastern United States, where outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and hikers face increased risk of...
How to tell if a wellness trend is actually backed by science The wellness industry now generates more than $6.8 trillion globally, according to the Global Wellness Institute, and much of its influence moves through social feeds before it ever reaches a doctor's office. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in October 2025 found that half of U.S. adults under 50 get health and wellness information from influencers or podcasters, while fewer than 1 in 5 of those creators are conventional...
