How to Succeed with Virtual Care Part 2: Tools and Tips to Make the Most of Your 98point6 Visit
Virtual care may sound mysterious and even a little ambiguous, but it’s actually more straightforward than you think. In this new series aimed at addressing patients’ top questions and concerns, our goal is to offer a better understanding of how 98point6 works and fits into your life—empowering you to take charge of your health and […]
Read MorePost-Lockdown Summer: How to Get Out and Stay Safe
As states reopen and restrictions continue to lift, there is still so much uncertainty around COVID-19. One thing we do know for sure: everyone has grown tired of staying home—and this season normally filled with family reunions, vacations and road trips is going to be different. Here, we take a closer look at the facts […]
Read MoreHow to Succeed with Virtual Care Part 2: Tools and Tips to Make the Most of Your 98point6 Visit
Virtual care has emerged as the primary access point for receiving diagnosis, treatment and reassurance from the safety and comfort of home. Not only does this empower people to take charge of their health, virtual care minimizes exposure risk for each individual and by extension, their broader communities—as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More6 Feet of Separation: How Can We Do It Better?
Just a few short weeks ago, many of us had never even heard of the public health term “social distancing.” Now it’s a part of our collective new reality. “Socialization is at the core of being human. Keeping physical distance right now is key to protect ourselves, our loved ones and those more vulnerable in […]
Read MoreShould You Be Concerned About Hypertension?
98point6 Physician Sarah Simmons, M.D. on What You Need to Know—and What Many Don’t Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a measure of the excess force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as they move blood through the body. Although it is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day, prolonged […]
Read MoreHow to Succeed with Virtual Care Part 1: How We Treat via Text
Virtual care may sound mysterious and even a little ambiguous, but it’s actually more straightforward than you think. In this new series aimed at addressing patients’ top questions and concerns, our goal is to offer a better understanding of how 98point6 works and fits into your life—empowering you to take charge of your health and […]
Read More98point6 Physician Erin Jones, MD on Why Antibiotics Aren’t Always the Best Medicine
You feel lousy. You’re certain it’s a sinus infection—just like last year. And like last year, you know that antibiotics will clear up the infection and make you feel better. But are antibiotics the answer? Were they even the correct answer back then? THE REALITY “According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), if […]
Read MoreWhen Is a Headache Cause for Concern? We Asked 98point6 Physician Jud Heugel, MD
While fairly common, headaches can still be a real pain—especially when they’re long-lasting or recurring. Dr. Heugel answers patients’ most frequently asked questions, including which “red flag” symptoms are worth a consultation with a physician. Q: Why am I getting so many headaches? Dr. Heugel says: Most headaches are caused by simple lifestyle factors like […]
Read MoreWildfire Season: We’re Here for You
If wildfires become a concern for you or someone you care about, 98point6 physicians are available 24/7, on-demand and nationwide with medical guidance and support. 98point6 is not intended for emergencies. WHY FIRES ARE A CONCERN Thanks to warmer, drier climate conditions across the globe, “wildfire season,” which traditionally peaks in August and September, is […]
Read More98point6 physician Leslie Hsiung, MD shares the top things that scare patients—and why you shouldn’t get spooked
MAMMOGRAM Defined: A breast cancer screening recommended for women after a certain age and/or depending on family history. Since guidelines differ, talk to your doctor about what’s best for you. Why it seems scary: For a “non-invasive” test, it’s pretty…personal. And the thought of compressing breast tissue between two plates sounds more than a little […]
Read MoreFall Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves, According to 98point6 Physician Helen Gray, MD
As we head into a new season of health conditions and concerns, use this checklist to ensure your medicine cabinet is ready to keep up—and see how 98point6 can help. BASICS Acetaminophen, pain and fever reducer Ibuprofen, anti-inflammatory; pain and fever reducer Diphenhydramine/antihistamine, allergy relief Fluticasone nasal, allergy sinus relief Hydrocortisone 1%, reduces swelling, itching […]
Read MoreWhat Doctors Want You to Know About Supplements
Your workout buddy’s taking turmeric for joint pain. Your co-worker says start taking folic acid ASAP if you’re thinking about having a baby. Your friend swears those collagen powders are working wonders for her complexion. It all sounds so proactively healthy! But before you start stocking up on supplements, how much do you really know […]
Read MoreOPERATION HYDRATION: What you need to know about drinking up this summer
We’re all aware that drinking plenty of water is essential, especially in the summer. But how much exactly? When is too much a problem? And how clean is that reusable water bottle…if you haven’t washed it with actual soap and water in days? We asked 98point6’s own Jennifer Rossi, MD, who regularly volunteers as medical […]
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How to: Spring Clean Your Medicine Cabinet
Use this spring cleaning checklist to get your medicine cabinet in working order.
Read MoreSeasonal Allergies Healthch@t
Avoiding seasonal triggers isn’t as easy as say, staying away from cashews if you have a nut allergy (you can’t exactly stop Mother Nature from “decorating” your car with pollen). But you can take steps to manage your symptoms in order to make the most of your time outdoors. We asked 98point6 physician Jennifer Rossi, […]
Read MoreThe Good, the Bad and the Tired: Why Sleep Quality Counts
You’re turning in early. You’re getting a solid eight hours. You’re even sleeping in to score some extra Zzzzzs on the weekends. So why are you waking up feeling sluggish, moody and less-than-refreshed? Because when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, sleep quality is as important as quantity. Start by asking yourself the following […]
Read MoreListen to Your Heart: How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
Which risk factors affect you directly? What steps should you take? How concerned should you be?
Read MoreTrigger me this, winter: Why asthma flares up when temps drop down
It’s wintertime…and for 24.6 million Americans suffering from asthma, the breathing isn’t easy. If you deal with this chronic condition, you already know that every season brings its own set of unique triggers—and they aren’t all created equal. In other words, what irritates one asthmatic may not affect others. What makes winter particularly challenging is […]
Read MoreThe Winter Health Forecast Says Colds and Flu…So What Can You Do?
It’s that wonderful time of year again when the leaves fall and the temperature drops. Whether you’re enjoying outdoor activities or staying warm by the fireplace, with weather changes there’s likely to be some impact on your health. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful cold and flu guide—so you can stay one step ahead of symptoms […]
Read MoreFighting flu season: Get (more) facts
Besides skiing, your favorite puffy jacket and hot cider, winter brings something much less welcome—flu season. To arm you for the remaining weeks of winter and the flu, we’ve pulled together this second series of myths vs. facts to help you ward off the flu. Understanding flu shots Some special cases around flu shots Final […]
Read MoreYour Thyroid: The Common Culprit
Mindy was thrilled when she started losing weight despite a hearty appetite. But now her hair is thinning and her hands feel jittery—something isn’t right. It was easy for Paul to blame his depression, low libido and constant chill on the winter season—until spring came and his symptoms continued. Jeanine hasn’t been the same since […]
Read MoreMyth vs. fact roundup one: Flu edition
In addition to the holidays, a chance of snow and lots of hot chocolate, winter brings something much less welcome—flu season. To arm you for flu season, we’ve pulled together a series of myths and facts with the best possible information to keep you healthy. Because nobody wants to use their PTO for being sick. […]
Read MoreSeasonal Affective Disorder: It’s not just the winter blues
It’s that time of year again—the time when temperatures drop and colder weather creeps in. Depending on where you live, you may even be feeling a freezing polar vortex or a snowy atmospheric river. Whatever the case, one thing is for sure: The longer, sunnier days of summer are suddenly shorter and darker. For some […]
Read MoreBrrring on the cold: What you need to know when the mercury drops
The temperature is dropping and the mountains are filling with snow. Love it or hate it, cold weather is here—and with it, can come some cause for concern. That doesn’t mean stay in and stay warm, it just means be aware of cold-weather risks (like hypothermia, frostbite and Raynaud’s disease), and be informed about prevention and […]
Read MoreWhat labs say about you (and how 98point6 can help)
Thirstier than usual lately? Feeling dizzy or tired? Worried you picked up a parasite on your last vacation? It seems like a consultation with the doctor is definitely in your future, but an accurate diagnosis may require a bit more (and it might even pinch, but just a little). “Laboratory tests offer a critical window […]
Read MoreWhich type of flu is bugging you?
One day your stomach turns queasy and before you know it, you feel awful. You’re nauseated, a little feverish and you can’t seem to escape the bathroom—and all these symptoms leave you feeling tired, thirsty and just plain terrible. You sleep for hours. “I’ve got the flu,” you moan to a friend, “the worst case […]
Read MoreA brief timeline of remote care: paving the way for convenient and affordable healthcare
The way we’re receiving medical care is changing. Did you know that over 7 million people choose to meet with physicians virtually instead of in-person? There is an increasing need from consumers to create more convenient and affordable medical services. We put together a timeline to take you on a brief journey from the first […]
Read MoreHave a sunny attitude toward sunscreen
Today’s rain brought an end to a 39-day dry streak in Seattle. This uncharacteristically sunny weather, and the fact that it is UV Awareness Month, provides a good time to remind us of what our parents, doctors and dermatologists nag us to do—cover up, put on sunglasses and wear sunscreen. Almost all of us (myself […]
Read MoreMaking the most of summer farmers markets
Summers in Seattle are jam packed with farmers markets. I love both cooking and fresh veggies, so strolling through these markets is always an enjoyable experience. Last week, I headed to the Columbia City market in South Seattle to pick up some produce for dinner and learn a bit about some of the vendors along […]
Read MoreBending Over Backwards to Find a Good Yoga App? Look No Further.
Searching “yoga” in the App Store or Google Play returns hundreds of results, turning what should be a relaxing workout into a stressful decision-making experience. That’s why we’ve removed some of the guesswork for you and tested three of the most popular apps. Read on to skip the stress and get right to Namaste! Gaiam […]
Read MoreGrill season is here. Are you prepared for a carefree cookout?
Everyone knows food tastes better outside, no question! But is it always safe? Not so much. Food poisoning spikes in the summer for a number of reasons, including ideal outdoor temperatures for bacterial growth. Burns are easy to come by if you’re not thinking about grill safety. By following a few simple practices, you can […]
Read MoreGetting back on track with healthy habits when it seems life is derailing you
Life happens. It’s inevitable. And one of the hardest things to do is maintain a healthy routine when life seems to derail you. Perhaps you were keeping up a steady exercise routine, eating well or cutting back on alcohol. Then you got an injury, hit a major work deadline or winter hit — you get […]
Read MoreA light lesson on color blindness
Have you ever stopped to think about how your brain processes color? There’s much more to it than meets the eye. The way our brains perceive colors and imagery is one of the wonders of our existence, and it begins in the tissue of the eyeball called the retina. The images we process are essentially […]
Read MoreWhat is a deductible anyway?
When it comes time to pay your health care bills do you sometimes feel confused or overwhelmed by all the different fees and plan types? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Do you understand the difference between a co-pay versus co-insurance for health care services provided? Are you familiar with deductibles and how they […]
Read MoreWant to stop and smell the roses without sneezing?
For many seasonal allergy sufferers, the pleasure of winter ending is definitely mixed — when the weather warms up, pollen and hay fever is sure to follow. Swapping out snow and rain for itchy eyes, runny noses, sinus pressure and poor sleep is certainly no walk in the park. It doesn’t take a genius to […]
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