Healthy Living with HMSA

Senior woman having a telehealth appointment

Do you know where to go when you need care?

Take our quiz to test your medical care know-how. Then learn the best place to go to take care of common medical issues.

4 numbers that give you good clues about your heart health

Knowing these key numbers helps you and your doctor better understand your risk for heart disease.

How to care for your feet when you have diabetes

Simple foot problems can become complicated fast with diabetes. Learn what to do every day to ward off infections and other issues.

Your biggest questions about colds, flu, COVID-19, and other seasonal viruses, answered

Viruses like the cold and flu are more common in the fall and winter months. Here’s everything you need to know to stay safe from seasonal viruses this year.

6 simple ways to add more grains to your diet

What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breasts?

Discover the health risks and how to get the right screening for your breast type.

5 sensitive issues to bring up at any doctor appointment

The more your doctor knows, the better they can support your overall well-being. From emotional changes to everyday habits, no topic is off-limits.

Diabetes and kidney disease: What you need to know

High blood sugar can cause many health problems, including permanent damage to the kidneys. Regular screening is key to long-term kidney health.

5 tips to turn your daily walk into a workout

Walking is an ideal way for older adults to meet the recommended exercise targets for healthy aging. Here’s a plan for beginners.

A doctor uses gloved hands to put a bandaid on a woman's arm.

Six key vaccines to ask about this year

Staying up to date on these shots is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.

How to manage your health when you have diabetes and congestive heart failure

Juggling multiple chronic conditions isn’t easy. These tips can help you get a handle on both, so that you can focus on living your life.

5 key questions your doctor might ask at your annual wellness visit 

Coming prepared helps ease feelings of stress or anxiety surrounding your annual wellness visit. Here’s a list of common questions your doctor might ask.

6 healthy eating tips to boost your immune system

Maintain wellness all year round with nutrient-rich foods that boost your immune defenses and keep you healthy.

How to train your bladder

Running to the bathroom too often? Prevent leaks with these tips

The link between diabetes and high cholesterol

Discover how diabetes affects cholesterol levels, plus what you can do to manage both conditions.

2 life-saving vaccines many older adults miss

Are you up to date on all the vaccines you need? Here’s what you need to know about two life-saving vaccines that might not be on your radar.

An adult dauther walking on a beach with her senior mom and holding onto her arm.

Get your confidence back — facts and fiction about falling

Falls can cause serious injury, but constantly worrying about falling creates anxiety. Take our true-or-false quiz to help put your mind at ease.

A man with his arm around his partner's shoulder while they smile and enjoy a cup of coffee

5 colon cancer myths debunked

As with many health matters, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions about colon cancer and colonoscopies. Here are the facts — knowing them could save your life.

Partner Workouts: Your Fitness Success Secret

Four reasons to grab a buddy and get moving.

Now’s the perfect time to reboot your wellness routine. Here’s how.

Follow this expert advice so you can feel your best and keep doing all the things you love to do.

Group of people working out with exercise bands

The older adult’s guide to getting more active

It’s never too late to reap the health benefits of exercise. These six expert tips will help you set up a safe (and fun!) fitness routine.

Grandparents playing with grandchildren on beach

Urinary Incontinence: What’s Your Type?

From leaks when you sneeze to sudden urges to use the bathroom, here’s what you need to know about urinary incontinence

The connection between chronic disease and mental health

You're more likely to have depression and anxiety if you have a chronic disease. Here's why, plus strategies to help you stay physically and mentally strong.

How to choose the best shoes to prevent falls

Wearing the right footwear can help you stay steady on your feet. Here's what you should look for when you're buying your next pair of shoes.

Why seeing a dietitian could be one of the best health moves you make 

Skip the fad diets and team up with a nutrition pro who’s focused on your health, lifestyle, and goals.

10 colonoscopy prep tips from a gastroenterologist

Learn what a colonoscopy is, who should get one, and how to make the preparation process more comfortable.

keep your bones strong with these essential nutrients

Beyond calcium: The best nutrients for healthier bones — and where to get them

Calcium is important for bone health, but so are other vitamins and minerals. Here’s what they do and where to get them.

Mature woman talking to doctor in office

8 questions to ask your diabetes care manager

If you’ve just gotten a diabetes diagnosis, you probably have tons of questions. We’ve got the expert answers you need about diet, medication, and more.

5 surprisingly simple ways to prevent the flu

Every winter, millions of people get sick from the influenza virus — the flu. These simple strategies can help keep you from catching it.

Woman outdoors drinking water from clear bottle

Proven ways to manage urinary incontinence

A leaky, overactive bladder can strike at any time: on the pickleball court, when you’re laughing with friends, or when you’re stressed.

smiling mature woman in an outdoor group yoga class

It’s not too late to reduce your risk of breast cancer

Breast cancer risk increases with age. Here’s how women age 65 and older can stay healthy.

5 things you didn’t know about cholesterol (but really should)

Here are the facts about cholesterol numbers that you need to know. Learn what cholesterol does, the difference between LDL and HDL, and more.

Do you think you’d know if you had high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can go unnoticed for months, even years. Find out what habits put you at risk and how to change them.

6 top questions about breast cancer, answered

Thinking about breast cancer can cause anxiety. Here, we tackle your most pressing concerns to help calm your fear.

Senior couple doing dishes in kitchen together

Your top questions about cholesterol medication, answered

If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe a statin or other medication to lower it. Here’s what you should know about the different options.

The easy way to check for colon cancer at home

Looking for a quick, simple way to screen for colon cancer that doesn’t involve a doctor’s visit? A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) might be a great option.

senior man checking his blood pressure at home

DIY blood pressure monitoring: Is it for you?

Checking your blood pressure at home can be a smart health move. Read up on what to look for in a monitor, how to get an accurate reading, and more.

Why you shouldn’t skip the flu vaccine

It’s important to get a flu shot every year. Here are four reasons why.

What’s your risk of falling?

Falling is a major risk for adults age 65 years and older. Learn how to prevent slips, trips, and falls. These simple steps will help you stay safe and injury-free.

Doctor explaining breast cancer screening to a patient

Get the most out of your breast cancer screening

Answers to four essential questions about this super-important test.

Have you had a bone density test? 6 reasons not to wait

A bone density test can help you understand your risk of bone loss. It’s quick, easy, and covered by Medicare. Read on to learn more.

Why you might be waking up at night to use the bathroom

Getting up to use the bathroom several times a night is no fun. And it could be a sign of serious health concerns. Here’s what to know.

Sneaky signs of colon cancer everyone needs to know

The symptoms of colon cancer can be hard to recognize. Here’s what to watch for and what to do about it.

Stronger bones at any age: What to eat, take, and do

Diet, exercise, and some lifestyle changes can go a long way toward maintaining healthy bones.

Closeup of man's hands taking medication

12 medications that can increase your chances of falling

Understanding the possible side effects of the medicines you take can help you stay steady on your feet. Here’s what you need to know.

How to fall-proof your body

Preventing falls has a lot to do with good balance and stability. Try these seven easy exercises to stay on your feet.

The best and worst foods for blood pressure

Following a heart-healthy eating plan is easy and helps more than just your heart.

7 flu vaccine myths, busted

Confused about who really needs to get an annual flu shot? Learn the facts behind some common flu vaccine myths.

Senior woman talking to doctor and looking at chart on digital device

Yes, you need that test again. Here’s why.

Your annual wellness visit is the perfect time to ask your doctor which health screenings you need this year and beyond. Here’s why.

The most important doctor visit you’ll have all year

An annual wellness visit is a key part to staying healthy. Here’s why it’s important — and what to expect during your appointment.

Senior female patient and doctor looking at chart

8 questions to ask at your annual wellness visit

Annual wellness visits cover a lot of information. Here’s what to ask about blood pressure, healthy habits, and other concerns you may have.

how to know if you have high cholesterol

Your cholesterol numbers, demystified (and how to improve them)

The numbers from your cholesterol test can be confusing. Learn which numbers are signs of high cholesterol and how you can bring them down.

Leaks happen. Here’s how your doctor can help.

Bladder leaks are common in older adults. Here’s how your doctor can help you control it.

8 myths about food and diabetes

Here are the myths and facts about using food to help manage your diabetes.

HMSA can help you stay strong

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