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Wise Health Consumer

Learn about being a wise health consumer

Photo of man and woman talking with doctor

Everyone has to make health decisions at some time or another. Being a wise health consumer can help you ask the right questions at your doctor appointments or know when you need to go to the emergency room. It can help you form a health and wellness plan that fits your personal values by working with your doctor. People who partner with their doctors tend to be happier with their health care results. Our topics can provide you with the resources you need to become a wise health consumer.

Browse these topics to learn more:

More Information

Health Topics
Acetaminophen Advance Directive: What to Include Alan's Story: Coping With Change After a Heart Attack Andy's Story: Finding Your Own Routine When You Have Diabetes Arturo's Story: Getting Support for Making a Change Ask-the-Doctor Checklist Avoiding Infections in the Hospital Better Care at Lower Costs Bev's Story: Coping With Arthritis Bob's Story: Biking for Health Building a Relationship With Your Doctor Building Resilience Buying Online Drugs Safely Cancer Support: Being an Active Patient Cancer Support: Coping With Cancer Treatments Cancer Support: Dealing With Emotions and Fears Cancer Support: Family, Friends, and Relationships Cancer Support: Finding Out That You Have Cancer Cancer Support: Life After Treatment Cancer Support: When Your Cancer Comes Back or Gets Worse Caregiver Support: Talking About End-of-Life Decisions Caregiver Tips Carole's Story: Taking Medicine Right Away to Stop a Migraine Cathy's Story: Dealing With Stress Checking In to the Hospital Cheryl's Story: Dealing With Depression Choosing a Health Care Agent Choosing a Health Care Provider Choosing a Hospital Choosing a Nursing Home Clinical Trials Complementary Medicine Cort's Story: Coping With Insomnia Costs of Treatment CPR Basics Dawn's Story: From Dieting to Healthy Eating Habits Dealing With Medicine Side Effects and Interactions Dealing With Negative Thoughts Debbie's Story: People Can and Do Recover Decision Points About Surgery Decision Points About Treatments and Other Health Issues Decision Points for Medical Tests Decision Points for Medicines Eldercare Mediation Electronic Medical and Health Records Energy and Sports Drinks Exercise Helps Maggie Stay at a Healthy Weight Expert: Be Active to Help Your Back Heal Funeral Planning Getting a Second Opinion Getting Support When You Have Cancer Gloria's Story: Adding Activity to Help Control Blood Sugar Grapefruit Juice and Medicines Healing Through Humor Healthwise Self-Care Checklist Hospice Care Hospital Discharge Planning Hospital Isolation Rooms Hospital Patient Advocates Interactive Tool: Which Health Screenings Do You Need? Interactive Tools Izzy's Story: Living With the DASH Diet Jaci's Story: Changing her Life With Small Steps Jack's Story: Will I Need Surgery? Jeremy's Story: Focusing on Eating Habits Jerry's Story: Reducing Stress to Stop Tension Headaches Jerry's Story: Take Prediabetes Seriously Joan's Story: Coping With Depression and Anxiety From Heart Failure Joe's Story: Taking Charge With the TLC Plan John's Story: Crossing the Smoke-Free Finish Line John's Story: Finding a Way to Exercise Joyce's Story: Feeling Better With a Pacemaker Keeping Track of Medicines Kris's Story: Getting Active With No Excuses Lab Test Results: Units of Measurement Linda's Story: Getting Active When You Have Prediabetes Linda's Story: Quitting Smoking Improves Cholesterol Living Will Living With More Than One Health Problem Long-Term Care Choices Loralie's Story: It's Never Too Late Lorna's Story: There's No Fast Cure Maggie Morris: Plan Ahead When You Eat Out Maggie: Making Room for Worth-It Foods Maggie's Story: Making Changes for Her Health Maggie's Strategies for Eating Healthy Making the Most of Your Appointment Making Wise Health Decisions Managing Your Medical Bills Martha's Story: A Voice for Recovery Marvin's Story: Coping After Hurricane Katrina Medical Specialists Medicare Hospice Benefit Mind-Body Wellness Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Monitoring Your Medicines Monitoring Your Medicines in the Hospital Nancy's Story: Quitting Smoking Takes More Than Willpower Nate's Story: Sick of Smoking Navigating Your Hospital Stay Nearsightedness: Questions to Ask About Surgery Nonprescription Medicines and Products Organizing Your Medical Records Outpatient Services Palliative Care Patient Rights and HIPAA Patty’s Story: Using Positive Thinking to Help Back Pain Pediatric Preparation for Medical Tests Phases of a Clinical Trial Physician-Assisted Death Preparing for the Emergency Room Preparing for Your Hospital Stay Preparing Your Child for the Hospital Prescription Medicines Prevent Medical Errors Preventing Falls in the Hospital Questions About Joint Surgery Questions to Ask About Your Medicines Quick Tips: Cutting Back On Drinking Quick Tips: Reducing Holiday Stress Quick Tips: Reducing the Stress of Caregiving Quick Tips: Taking Charge of Your Angina Quick Tips: Taking Medicines Wisely Ravi’s Story: Coping With Back Pain and Depression Reducing Medication Costs Robert's Story: Getting and Staying Active Ron's Story: Therapy Helps Safe Use of Long-Acting Opiates Shellie's Story: Finding Time for Physical Activity Sherri's Story: Medicines Do Work Smart Decisions: Know Your Options Social Connections Stan's Story: Getting There Hasn't Been Easy Steve's Story: Coping With Arthritis Stop Negative Thoughts: Choosing a Healthier Way of Thinking Stroke Risk and Carotid Endarterectomy Surgery: What to Expect Susan's Story: A Friend Really Helps Taking Medicines as Prescribed Tapping the Power of Optimism Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Tim's Story: Dealing With Trauma And Grief Tips for Your Doctor Appointment Tony's Story: Taking Medicine for High Cholesterol Turning Off Your ICD Tyrell's Story: Taking Pills for High Blood Pressure Understanding Health Insurance Understanding Lab Test Results Vital Signs in Children Work Closely With Your Doctor Working With More Than One Doctor Writing an Advance Directive Your Health Care Agent: How to Choose Someone Your Home Health Center

Make a Wise Decision
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test? ACL Injury: Should I Have Knee Surgery? Acne: Should I See My Doctor? Acne: Should I Take Isotretinoin for Severe Acne? ADHD: Should My Child Take Medicine for ADHD? Allergies: Should I Take Allergy Shots? Allergies: Should I Take Shots for Insect Sting Allergies? Alzheimer's Disease: Should I Take Medicines? Alzheimer's or Other Dementia: Should I Move My Relative Into Long-Term Care? Aortic Valve Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery? Arthritis: Should I Have Hip Replacement Surgery? Arthritis: Should I Have Knee Replacement Surgery? Arthritis: Should I Have Shoulder Replacement Surgery? Aspirin: Should I Take Daily Aspirin to Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke? Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Take an Anticoagulant to Prevent Stroke? Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion? Atrial Fibrillation: Which Anticoagulant Should I Take To Prevent Stroke? Autopsy: Should I Have an Autopsy Done on My Loved One? Bed-Wetting: Should I Do Something About My Child's Bed-Wetting? Bed-Wetting: Should My Child See a Doctor? Blocked Tear Ducts: Should My Baby Have a Probing Procedure? Blood Transfusions: Should I Bank Blood Before Surgery? Breast Cancer Risk: Should I Have a BRCA Gene Test? Breast Cancer Screening: When Should I Start Having Mammograms? Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy? Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy for Early-Stage Cancer? Breast Cancer: Should I Have Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer? Breast Cancer: What Should I Do if I'm at High Risk? Bronchitis: Should I Take Antibiotics? Bunions: Should I Have Surgery? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Should I Have Surgery? Cataracts: Should I Have Surgery? Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural? Colon Cancer: Which Screening Test Should I Have? Complementary Medicine: Should I Use Complementary Medicine? Depression: Should I Stop Taking My Antidepressant? Depression: Should I Take an Antidepressant? Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant? Depression: Should My Child Take Medicine to Treat Depression? Diabetes: Should I Get an Insulin Pump? Diabetes: Should I Get Pregnant? Dupuytren's Disease: Should I Have Hand Surgery? Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: Should I Use Hormone Therapy? Ear Infection: Should I Give My Child Antibiotics? Ear Problems: Should My Child Be Treated for Fluid Buildup in the Middle Ear? End-of-Life Care: Should I Have Artificial Hydration and Nutrition? End-of-Life Care: Should I Receive CPR and Life Support? End-of-Life Care: Should I Stop Kidney Dialysis? End-of-Life Care: Should I Stop Treatment That Prolongs My Life? Endometriosis: Should I Have a Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy? Endometriosis: Should I Use Hormone Therapy? Enlarged Prostate: Should I Have Surgery? Enlarged Prostate: Should I Take Medicine? Erection Problems: Should I Take Medicine? Erection Problems: Should I Try Injection Treatments? Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested? Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization? Flu Vaccines: Should I Get a Flu Vaccine? Flu: Should I Take Antiviral Medicine? Gallstones: Should I Have Gallbladder Surgery? GERD: Which Treatment Should I Use? Hair Loss: Should I Take Medicine to Regrow Hair? Hammer, Claw, or Mallet Toe: Should I Have Surgery? Headaches: Should I Have Imaging Tests to Find Out What's Causing My Headaches? Headaches: Should I Take Medicine to Prevent Migraines? Headaches: Should I Take Prescription Medicine for Tension Headaches? Healthy Aging: Is It Time to Stop Driving? Hearing Loss: Should I Get Hearing Aids? Heart Disease Risk: Should I Have a Coronary Calcium Scan? Heart Disease: Should I Have an Angiogram? Heart Disease: Should I Have Angioplasty for Stable Angina? Heart Disease: Should I Have Bypass Surgery? Heart Failure: Should I Get a Pacemaker (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy)? Heart Failure: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)? Heart Problems: Should I Have Catheter Ablation? Heart Rate Problems: Should I Get a Pacemaker? Heart Rhythm Problems: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)? Heart Valve Problems: Should I Choose a Mechanical Valve or Tissue Valve to Replace My Heart Valve? Hemorrhoids: Which Treatment Should I Use? Hepatitis B and C: Should I Be Tested? Hepatitis B: Should I Take Antiviral Medicine for Chronic Hepatitis B? Hepatitis C: Should I Take Antiviral Medicine? High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine? High Cholesterol: Should I Take Statins? HIV Testing: Should I Get Tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus? HIV: When Should I Start Taking Antiretroviral Medicines for HIV Infection? HPV: Should My Child Get the Vaccine? Hyperthyroidism: Should I Use Antithyroid Medicine or Radioactive Iodine? Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy: Should I Use Estrogen Therapy (ET)? Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed? Infertility: Should I Have Treatment? Insomnia: Should I Take Sleeping Pills? Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Should I Have Tests for IBS Symptoms? Kidney Failure: What Type of Dialysis Should I Have? Kidney Failure: When Should I Start Dialysis? Kidney Stones: Should I Have Lithotripsy to Break Up the Stone? Low Back Pain: Should I Have an MRI? Low Back Pain: Should I Have Spinal Manipulation? Low Back Pain: Should I Try Epidural Steroid Shots? Lumbar Herniated Disc: Should I Have Surgery? Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery? Meniscus Tear: Should I Have a Diagnostic Test (MRI or Arthroscopy)? Meniscus Tear: Should I Have Surgery? Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)? Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage? Multiple Pregnancy: Should I Consider a Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction? Multiple Sclerosis: Should I Start Taking Medicines for MS? Nail Infection: Should I Take Antifungal Pills? Nearsightedness: Should I Have Laser Surgery? Obesity: Should I Have Weight-Loss Surgery? Obesity: Should I Take Weight-Loss Medicine? Obesity: Should I Use a Diet Plan to Lose Weight? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Should I Take Medicine for OCD? Osteoporosis: Should I Have a Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Test? Osteoporosis: Should I Take Bisphosphonate Medicines? Ovarian Cancer: Should I Have My Ovaries Removed to Prevent Ovarian Cancer? Panic Disorder: Should I Take Medicine? Pap Test: Should I Have Colposcopy if My Pap Test Shows Minor Cell Changes? Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Should I Have Surgery? Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery? Plantar Fasciitis: Should I Have Surgery for Heel Pain? PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms? Pregnancy: Should I Bank My Baby's Umbilical Cord Blood? Pregnancy: Should I Have Amniocentesis? Pregnancy: Should I Have an Early Fetal Ultrasound? Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth? Pregnancy: Should I Have CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling)? Pregnancy: Should I Have the Maternal Serum Triple or Quadruple Test? Pregnancy: Should I Try Vaginal Birth After a Past C-Section (VBAC)? Prostate Cancer Screening: Should I Have a PSA Test? Prostate Cancer: Should I Have Radiation or Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer? Quitting Smoking: Should I Use Medicine? Rotator Cuff Problems: Should I Have Surgery? Scoliosis: Should I (or My Child) Have Surgery? Shingles: Should I Get a Shot to Prevent Shingles? Sinusitis: Should I Have Surgery? Sinusitis: Should I Take Antibiotics? Sleep Apnea: Should I Have a Sleep Study? Sleep Apnea: Should I Have Surgery? Sore Throat: Should I Take Antibiotics? STI Testing: Should I Get Tested For a Sexually Transmitted Infection? Stress Incontinence in Women: Should I Have Surgery? Stroke: Should I Have Carotid Endarterectomy? Stroke: Should I Move My Loved One Into Long-Term Care? Temporomandibular Disorder: Should I Have Surgery for Jaw Pain? Tennis Elbow: Should I Have Surgery? Testicular Cancer: Which Treatment Should I Have for Stage I Nonseminoma Testicular Cancer After My Surgery? Testicular Cancer: Which Treatment Should I Have for Stage I Seminoma Testicular Cancer After My Surgery? Tonsillitis: Should My Child Have a Tonsillectomy? Ulcerative Colitis: Should I Have Surgery? Umbilical Hernia: Should I Have Surgery? Umbilical Hernia: Should My Child Have Surgery? Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Surgery? Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization? Uterine Fibroids: Should I Use GnRH-A Therapy? Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself? Varicose Veins: Should I Have a Surgical Procedure? Warts: Should I Treat Warts? Weight Management: Should I Use Over-the-Counter Diet Aids? Wisdom Teeth: Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Take Action
Aging Well: Choosing a Nursing Home Anxiety: Stop Negative Thoughts Depression: Stop Negative Thoughts Diabetes: Living With an Insulin Pump Healthy Eating: Recognizing Your Hunger Signals Low-Salt Diets: Eating Out Stop Negative Thoughts: Getting Started Weight Management: Stop Negative Thoughts

Credits

By:

Healthwise Staff

Last Revised: August 24, 2011

Medical Review:

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.