Your Health

Is this your year to lose a few pounds? Many people select losing weight as a goal for the new year. Whether you are ready to act or still deciding, these tips can help you get started and stay on…

Having a heart attack can obviously be extremely scary – and it can also act as a big wake-up call to change some daily habits to ensure you’re on a healthy path forward. About 80% of individuals who have a…

There’s no denying that heart disease is a killer for both men and women, but there are some risks that apply specifically to women. As with many health-related issues, awareness is incredibly important; if you’re aware of the risks, prevention…

While heart attacks are common and incredibly scary, many of them are preventable. If you focus on practicing healthy habits, you are much more likely to keep your heart happy and healthy, with the goal of avoiding the number one…

Make the New Year your “you” year With the beginning of each new year comes the opportunity to start fresh. That may mean you’re ready to make a big change in your life—perhaps quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more, start…

Vaping and electronic cigarettes have dominated much of the news lately—and you’ve probably noticed vape shops opening in or near your neighborhood. But how much do you really know about the nation’s latest nicotine-fueled trend? Electronic cigarettes (also known as…

No matter what your situation is, it’s important to know that help is available, and it’s okay to reach out. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, visit findyourwords.org, where you can take a depression self-assessment test…

Congratulations to our new parents and our newest members. We want you and your baby to be healthy, so we offer enhanced well-child visits, parent information resources, lactation consulting, and more. This gives you the support you both need to…

We are pleased to announce that fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a noninvasive imaging test that provides detailed information about the bodily structure of a fetus, is now available at our Tyson’s Corner Medical Center. Fetal MRI, which provides clear,…

Surely this is not your go to conversation starter nor a topic you enjoy discussing, we do not blame you. That said, it could be a conversation or information that could save yours or a loved one’s life. Prostate cancer…

HIV patients are living longer today than ever before, thanks to innovations in medicine. As a national leader in those innovations, Kaiser Permanente frequently participates in medical studies to learn how we can even better care for you and all…

Most of us know that calcium is critical for strong, healthy bones. As an essential building block of bone tissue, calcium is a natural go-to for giving our bones a little boost. This is especially true as we age, when…

Whether you’re going for a weekend getaway or a month-long stay, you’ll enjoy the journey more when you feel your best. Here are a few easy ways to keep wellness a priority as you plan a great trip. Check in…

Everyone knows to protect their skin with sunscreen, but did you know your eyes can get sunburned too? Sunlight contains UVA and UVB radiation, which can cause burns with overexposure—one of the fastest ways to ruin your vacation. Severe exposure…

Kaiser Permanente is committed to total health for all—in mind, body, and spirit—so we’re a natural supporter of Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed in the U.S. since May of 1949. Our integrated care model makes it easy…

Although it isn’t always easy, it’s important to have conversations about what you value most in life and how you want to handle certain matters during specific health or medical situations. In Life Care Planning, you will choose someone to…

Being at a healthy weight lowers your risk for health problems, but reaching a healthy weight is about more than just a number on a scale. If you want to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, practical lifestyle changes will…

Rapid advances in combatting cancer through precision medicine, such as an array of new FDA-approved targeted therapies like pembrolizumab (the first tissue-agnostic drug), are showing tremendous promise. These advances in treating various forms of cancer, however, aren’t available to most…

Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States was recently granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons, for its cancer program. To receive this noteworthy endorsement, cancer programs must…

If you're the parent of a teenager, you've probably come to expect some degree of moodiness from your adolescent. It's completely normal for teens to retreat a bit and guard their privacy as they try on different personas in their…

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it accounts for one in four deaths or about 610,000 people every year. While there are many kinds…

If you're concerned about your teen's emotional state, it's important to communicate daily. Ask open-ended questions: Are you worried about anything? How are things going with your friends? Your teen may seem irritated by these questions and only mumble a…

The statistics are staggering: More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes and one-quarter of them don't know they have it. Another 84 million are pre-diabetic, meaning their blood sugar levels are above normal, just not high…

If you are one of the 29 million Americans with diabetes, you probably know how important it is to control your blood sugar. One big risk that comes with prolonged high blood sugar is diabetic neuropathy, which can damage your…

When we consider our health, most of us think about the physical aspects of it. But it’s much more than that—health includes the wellness of not only your body, but also your mind. And because they’re connected, a sound mental…

A new cancer diagnosis can seem overwhelming, and the stress can make important treatment decisions even more difficult. Kaiser Permanente’s team of oncologists and caregivers support you every step of the way. Don’t just take it from us; watch Heidi’s…

Your child has gastrointestinal problems, experiences itchy mouth or lips, or seems to be scratching a lot after a meal. There's a good chance he or she has a food allergy, right? Not so fast. While food allergies are a…

If your child has seen a physician and tested positive for a food allergy, make time to talk with your child's doctor. A physician will be able to educate you on the specific foods your child reacts to and how…

If you’ve long been battling excessive weight and have tried many weight loss options without finding one that works, bariatric surgery may be a viable solution for you. With weight loss surgery people can expect to lose 50 percent or…

One in eight American women will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. Although medical researchers do not yet know what causes the disease, a number of factors can affect your chances of getting it. Risk factors include…

It’s natural to slow down as you age, but it’s crucial not to get sidelined. Whether you are 75 or 95, regular physical activity is the best thing you can do to slow the symptoms of aging and manage the…

Screenings While regular screenings for breast cancer will not reduce the risk for or prevent cancer, they do help find it at an earlier stage when it is most treatable. The recommendations for when to begin routine mammograms vary. Beginning…

Most of us know that stress can harm us physically and psychologically. It has been linked to heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, skin problems, obesity, and depression. So it’s easy to conclude that eliminating as much stress as…

If you and your partner are thinking about having a child, you’re likely considering how to give your little one the best start in life. In addition to which stroller, car seat, and crib to buy, you may also want…

If you’re pregnant, it’s important to take steps to avoid getting the flu. Not only is the flu a serious illness, but babies can’t get vaccinated against the flu in their first 6 months. That’s one of the main reasons…