The House Call Doctor's Quick and Dirty Tips for Taking Charge of Your Health

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the most common joint disorder and is responsible for suffering, medical expenses, and even death.

Ever feel like your doctor wasn't listening? Guest author Dr. Leana Wen has 6 tips to make sure your health concerns are heard.

Guest author Dr. Leana Wen discusses 10 things you should always bring with you to a doctor's appointment.

Guest writer Dr. Leana Wen provides 5 tips that patients should know.

Learn what diabetes is and why it is important.

Guest writer Dr. Leana Wen discusses 6 different ways you can get rid of a headache.

Guest writer Dr. Leana Wen debunks 8 common health myths.

House Call Doctor host, Dr. Majd, has been podcasting here for a decade. Listen as she shares the next step in her journey, and learn how you can subscribe to her new video blog channel and how you can continue to follow her medical quests. Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/medical-conditions/house-call-doctor-bids-farewell Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Do you hate arriving 15 minutes early for your doctor's appointment only to find the doctor running an hour behind? House Call Doctor tackles this complex issue. Plus - check out a day in the life of a typical primary care doctor. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1JPRE3W

Did you know that discarding medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet can be harmful? Learn correct ways to safely and properly dispose of your medications. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1M8z4a5

Do doctors get paid for administering vaccines? Why are they late? What makes them so stoic? Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/self-care/5-common-myths-about-doctors-part-2 Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

When to worry and when to not worry about chest pain.

Ever wonder what goes on in your doctor's mind? Here are 5 things doctors wish their patients would know. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1Ia1ph3

Scrolling through the internet, misinformation about doctors run rampant. House Call Doctor sets the record straight on some of these most common myths. Are doctors really wealthy? Are they in cahoots with the pharmaceutical companies? Is there a financial gain from administering vaccines? Why do they always run late? Here is part I of this two-part series on these hot topics and more. Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/self-care/5-common-myths-about-doctors-part-1 Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Most rashes are not dangerous, but sometimes they are signs of serious problems Dr. Rob explains how to tell.

In Part 2 of medical tests you likely don't need, learn the controversy over testosterone levels, routine EKG screenings, allergy testing, and employer-requested vaccine titers. Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/self-care/8-medical-tests-you-dont-actually-need-part-2 Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Difficulty with sleep is one of the most common medical complaints. That's why today, House Call Doctor has 10 medication-free tips to help you catch your Z's. In Part 2 of this series, she'll provide prescription and over-the-counter alternatives. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1jb8Nvz

Are we tricked into believing that we need certain tests when we don't? In addition to the rising healthcare costs in the U.S., who wants a bill for something they don't need? Learn why some of these medical tests may be unnecessary. Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/self-care/8-medical-tests-you-dont-actually-need-part-1 Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Have you left a doctor's office feeling frustrated because you simply can't seem to find a connection? Does your doctor seem to lack emotions? Why do some doctors seem so cold? Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1PkPDP1

Ever wonder if you really need a physical? What does it entail, anyway? What can you expect during a physical exam? Listen to Housecall Doctor's explanation of what a physical exam really consists of. Read the transcript at Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Find out what causes athlete's foot and 7 ways to treat and prevent it. Read the transcript here: http://bit.ly/1EImveF

The flu is running rampant this season. How do you distinguish it from its less perilous cousin, a cold? Symptoms often overlap, so when should you be concerned? Read the transcript at https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/colds-flu-allergies/cold-vs-flu-how-to-tell-the-difference Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

What are the pros and cons of becoming a vegetarian? If you have considered becoming or are already a vegetarian, are you receiving the appropriate amounts of the recommended nutrients in your diet? What supplements should you take? Join House Call Doctor as she reviews crucial tips on how to be a healthy vegetarian and avoid any medical pitfalls. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2d6sC62

With winter season in full swing, when should you worry about frostbite? And what steps should you take to avoid it or treat it? Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/medical-conditions/when-should-you-worry-about-frostbite Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Acute Bronchitis is often erroneously treated with antibiotics when it is typically caused by a virus. Learn what it is and how you can best treat it. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1LpyZ4h

Spinal stenosis is a common cause of back pain. What is spinal stenosis? What causes it? And how do you diagnose and treat it? Housecall Doctor explains. Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/aches-and-pains/what-is-spinal-stenosis Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Last week, we discussed the top 10 tips used to treat insomnia without the use of medications. Today, let's learn about the 7 most commonly prescribed over-the-counter and prescription medications used to help you catch your Z's. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/29wPYz3

Bruising is a common physical symptom. But it can infrequently be a sign of something more worrisome. How do you know when a bruise is something you should worry about? And what causes them? Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/medical-conditions/when-to-worry-about-a-bruise Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Most of us have experienced dizziness at some point in our lives, and it can be one of the most vague and non-specific symptoms patients experience. So let's shed some light on this rather mysterious symptom and talk about the 10 most common causes of dizziness. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1XUKilJ

Head lice is one of those school-aged bugs that seemingly wreak great havoc in our lives, with missed school days, work days, and wages. But how serious is head lice really? And how can we easily and most rapidly treat and eradicate it? Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/medical-conditions/childrens-health/how-to-treat-head-lice Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Learn the 9 symptoms of depression and 5 tips to beat the holiday blues.

130/80 is the new high blood pressure threshold. What should your personal blood pressure goal be? How can we apply the new guidelines to our own health? Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/medical-conditions/when-to-worry-about-high-blood-pressure Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Learn how much alcohol is too much, how to know if you may have a drinking problem, and 10 tips to cut down on your drinking. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/19qpQpf

Skin spots and moles can be quite common and even numerous. When is it something that requires urgent attention and when is it less likely to be serious? Learn who is at higher risk for melanoma and what features are more concerning for this most aggressive type of skin cancer. Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/prevention/mole-and-melanoma Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

What is high cholesterol? And why is it a problem? House Call Doctor answers all your cholesterol questions, plus has 10 effective lipid-lowering strategies (no pills required). Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1Q861Ry

It's winter time, and infection is certainly a cause of a sore throat. But what else can cause throat discomfort? What signs and symptoms should you be worried about? And when should you see your doctor? Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/colds-flu-allergies/when-worry-about-sore-throat Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Find out what could possibly be causing your annoyingly persistent cough when you don't feel sick, and what you can do about it. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2h0HIeV

October is open enrollment, and for many of you that means selecting a new health plan and doctor. Here 5 things that you need to know before selecting the right doctor for you and your family. Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/medical-conditions/choosing-a-doctor Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLOW HOUSE-CALL DOCTOR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseCallDr Twitter: https://twitter.com/housecalldoc

Here are 10 things you may not known about your primary care physician or their office. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1WZrVOo

San Diego County has declared a public health emergency in an effort to halt a Hepatitis A outbreak. This is a virus that can infect anyone, anywhere. What is it? How can you prevent its spread?

Does your college first aid kit include these essentials? Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1OuajpK

It's back-to-school and back-to-work time. Many of us spend hours each day on our tablets, smart phones, and computers. But did you know it can affect your health? Learn how to watch out for these 5 common conditions that are affected by excess screen time, and how to prevent them.