Welcome to "Ask the Doc", the Military Health System's own health care advice column. Here, you'll find answers to questions on an array of subjects and concerns from military doctors, nurses, specialists and personnel who know them best.
Explore our past health topics below and bookmark this page so you can follow our column each month!
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If you have an idea for a future Ask the Doc column or have specific health care questions you want to ask our experts, send us an email message then check back to see when your topic is featured.
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Article
6/15/2021
Dear Doc: As I progress through my 40s, I'd like to think I've lived a pretty healthy life to this point. As a service member, I've kept myself in shape, ate well and always listened to my body throughout my career. Unfortunately, I can't say as much for some other members of my peer group. I know we are trained to be "warriors," and a lot of us feel that if we aren't self-sufficient, it may somehow make us less efficient as soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines. I can't help but feel like there's a stigma associated with monitoring yourself or furthermore, getting help, especially among men and issues related specifically to men's health.
My question is, how can I convince these guys that there is nothing wrong or "weak" about getting help with health issues, male-specific or otherwise?
- Senior NCO in the Know
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Article
5/26/2021
Dear Doc: It seems like every time I go to the commissary, my daughter, 6, and son, 7, tend to gravitate toward the sugary cereals and frozen pizzas, and always want candy bars and sodas at the checkout. As far as I know, and as has been proven by their regularly scheduled check-ups, they are both in great health. The mother in me wants to give them what they want, but the former college athlete and current fitness freak in me is afraid that this might become a problem. For me, eating healthy has become a normal part of my life, and I've come to enjoy things that are healthy and taste good. Aside from tricking them, what can I do to get my kids to eat (and enjoy) more healthy foods?
— Fitness Freaking Out
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Article
5/10/2021
Dear Doc: I was afraid about getting my COVID vaccine at first and even entertained the thought of not getting it at all, but now that most of my friends and coworkers have gotten their first dose and some have even gotten their second, I think I'm ready. It seems pretty safe. That being said, now I need to know what I'm supposed to do to get it done. My wife wants to get hers as well but isn't sure how to go about doing it as a dependent. Is there a difference? Are there different ways of getting an appointment? What do we have to do? Any help would be much appreciated.
— COVID Courageous
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Article
5/6/2021
Dear Doc: I've heard about something called the Nurse Advice Line, but don't know anything else about it. During the height of COVID-19, there were a few times I probably should have talked to someone about things like headaches, body pain, and allergies, but I didn't know if it required a trip to my military medical treatment facility during a pandemic (and honestly don't know if I would have gone during "normal" times). Usually, I just let whatever it is subside, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to and get advice on things that might not necessarily be worth coming in for...or maybe figuring out if I should, depending on the severity.
So, I guess I'm asking – what is the Nurse Advice Line, what can it be used for, and how can I find out more information about it? Thanks in advance.
- Seeking Advice on Advice
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Infographic
4/26/2021
Total Force Fitness Mental Health and Psychological Fitness Ability to integrate and improve cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capabilities to optimize performance and ensure mission readiness
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Article
4/15/2021
Dear Doc: I suffer from horrible allergies every year and I've just changed duty stations to an area that I've been told is especially bad for them in the spring. I've tried over-the-counter meds for years and nothing seems to work. With things starting to bloom, I'm almost afraid to go outside. How can I keep my allergies in check and make sure I can finally enjoy the warm weather in the next few months?
— My Nose Knows (and so do my eyes and throat)
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