Family Health

Curious about your health? Battling the flu or another ailment? Family health topics deal with the everyday health matters that affect us all. Find information on routine medical care, disease management, and keeping your whole family healthy. Topics include first aid, cold and flu, injury prevention, and much more.

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Article - 4 Minute Read

Types of Health Insurance Plans

November 15, 2014

Learn about the difference between HMO, POS, EPO, and PPO health insurance coverage options, and find out which one would be best for you and your family. Read More

Medically Reviewed by UPMC HealthPlan
Categorized as: Family Health, Living and Wellness
Tagged with: ACA, Affordable Care Act, co-payment, EPO, Exclusive Provider Organization, health care reform, health insurance, Health Maintenance Organization, HMO, ObamaCare, PCP, Point of Service Plan, POS, PPO, Preferred Provider Organization, primary care physician
Article - 6 Minute Read

What Is Pre-Diabetes?

November 14, 2014

Learn more about diabetes and pre-diabetes, including information on the different tests used to diagnose the different types of diabetes. Read More

Medically Reviewed by Endocrinology
Categorized as: Family Health, Living and Wellness
Tagged with: A1C, American Diabetes Association, diabetes, diabetes education, Fasting Plasma Glucose, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, prediabetes
Article - 3 Minute Read

Sugar Content Comparisons: How Much Is In Your Food?

November 7, 2014

Read about sugar intake and how too much of it can affect your body. Test your knowledge on the average sugar content of various foods and beverages. Read More

Medically Reviewed by Endocrinology
Categorized as: Family Health, Nutrition
Tagged with: diabetes, diabetes diet, endocrinology, food, Healthy Dessert Recipes, sugar
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Videos

Infographic: The Dangers of E-cigarette

November 1, 2014

E-cigarettes may be becoming more popular, but their dangers are just beginning. Discover how the recent trend is leading to nicotine toxicity. Watch Now

Medically Reviewed by Pittsburgh Poison Center
Categorized as: Family Health, Safety
Tagged with: Pittsburgh, smoking, toxic
Article - 2 Minute Read

Boo! How Your Brain Reacts to Fear

October 27, 2014

Learn about how your brain and body reacts to fear, and discover why your pulse quickens, adreneline increases, and hormones make you feel like superman. Read More

Medically Reviewed by Neurosurgery
Categorized as: Family Health, Neurosurgery and Brain Health
Tagged with: adrenaline, afraid, amygdala, blood pressure, brain, brain chemical, fear, glutamate, hypothalamus, thalamus
Article - 1 Minute Read

Phobias: When Being Scared Isn’t Fun

October 27, 2014

We love to be scared on Halloween, but phobias take being afraid to the next level. These lasting and intense fears can disrupt your life. Read More

Medically Reviewed by UPMC Western Behavioral Health
Categorized as: Family Health, Neurosurgery and Brain Health
Tagged with: acrophobia, ailurophobia, American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders, aquaphobia, arachnophobia, astraphobia, aviophobia, behavioral therapy, claustrophobia, cognitive behavioral therapy, Halloween, hemophobia, msyophobia, National Institute of Mental Health, ochlophobia, phobias
Gallery

Feel Better This Autumn: Causes of Fall Allergies

October 25, 2014

Learn about the symptoms of fall allergies and what causes them, such as ragweed, molds, and dust mites. Learn More

Categorized as: Family Health, Living and Wellness
Tagged with: allergic, allergies, dust mites, fall allergies, mold, ragweed, runny nose, seasonal allergies, sneezing
Gallery

Sleep Zombie? 10 Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea

October 20, 2014

Over 12 million Americans feel the effects from sleep apnea, which can cause serious health problems and even deadly accidents if left untreated. Learn mor Learn More

Categorized as: Family Health, Living and Wellness
Tagged with: headaches, insomnia, sleep, sleep zombie, sleepiness, snoring, UPMC Sleep Medicine Center, zombie
Article - 2 Minute Read

What Causes Tinnitus, or Ringing in the Ears

October 17, 2014

If you hear low rumbles, ringing or high-pitched squeals in your head, you may have tinnitus. Discover some causes of this tinnitus or ringing of the ears. Read More

Medically Reviewed by Ear Nose and Throat
Categorized as: Family Health, Living and Wellness
Tagged with: ear ringing, tinnitus