Health Now

Everyone wants to avoid the coronavirus. But are you worried about things that you might not need to be -- and are there creative ways to do the things you need and want to do? Infectious disease expert Erin Bromage, PhD, of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth helps sort it all out. If you're working from home, try our Tweak of the Week to make your space more comfortable.

Is it safe to emerge from COVID-19 isolation? WebMD Chief Medical Officer John Whyte, MD, talks to two experts -- former CDC Director Richard Besser, MD, and Vincent Racaniello, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology at Columbia University -- about antibody tests and other first steps. Plus, is a 4-second workout all you need?

COVID-19 has seriously shifted the way most pregnant women thought they’d deliver their babies, get prenatal care, and care for their newborns. WebMD medical editor (and expecting mom) Neha Pathak, MD, tells us what new parents should know about delivery in a hospital or other setting, what happens if you or your birth partner test positive for coronavirus, and how to keep your newborn safe.

Whether you're worried about your health or that of a loved one, grieving losses, or are finding it hard to stay at home all the time, it's a lot to handle. We talk with clinical psychologist Seth Gillihan, PhD, about how to take care of your mental and emotional health during this trying time.

Who really needs a test? What can you do to stay safe if you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical conditions? How can you be physically active when you’re stuck at home? WebMD’s Chief Medical Editor, Michael Smith, MD, takes a deep dive into the latest COVID-19 issues and what everyone should do to protect themselves. Plus, a way for healthy people to make a difference.

Infectious diseases expert William Schaffner, MD, tells us what to do, and NOT do, to guard against COVID-19. Plus, clinical psychologist Seth Gillihan, PhD, shares tip to help tame anxiety about the coronavirus pandemic. Related: Coronavirus: Latest Updates  Coronavirus Anxiety: What Helps 

We talk with Dr. Alin Gragossian, a young ER doctor who needed an emergency heart transplant. The author of A Change of Heart blog, Dr. Gragossian tells us what happened, from becoming a patient in her own ER to the peace she felt in the middle of the chaos. Plus, learn about the key step you may have overlooked if you want to be an organ donor.  Read Dr. Gragossian's blog: https://www.achangeofhe.art/blog/2020/1/14/one-year-heartiversary

Nan Wise, PhD, author of the new book, Why Good Sex Matters, shares why we all need "healthy hedonism" in our lives. Listen in on our conversation. And, why a good hug can make a bad day a bit better. Related: "The Unsexy Truth: Fewer in the U.S. Having Sex"

Most of us give little thought to preventing hearing loss -- until it's too late. David Owen, author of Volume Control: Hearing in a Deafening World, tells us about the social and emotional toll of hearing loss, the latest in hearing technologies, and how everyone can protect their ears. Also, how to clean those nasty earbuds. 

Or at least put it in check? Catherine Price, author of How to Break Up With Your Phone, tells us when we might need to outsmart our smartphone habits -- and how to override the urge to keep checking it "just in case."

Is weight loss one of your goals for the new year? Check out our conversation with nutritionist Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CDN, author of Anti-Diet. She tells us why diet culture is toxic for so many people, what intuitive eating is (and isn't), and what the "health at every size" movement is all about. Plus a tweak of the week to kick off 2020 with good health in mind.

The folks at the Cleveland Clinic’s Arts and Medicine Institute think it does. Executive Director Joanne Cohen and Medical Director Francois Bethoux tell us how their efforts to fill the facility with art and use it as a form of treatment are benefitting patients, families, and staff alike. Plus, a tweak of the week to help you avoid a post-holiday letdown.

Nataly Kogan, founder of The Happier Method, tells us the skills that put happiness within reach, no matter what’s going on in your life. Plus, WebMD Chief Medical Officer John Whyte, MD, talks to Men’s Health editor-in-chief, Richard Dorment.

Dr. Harris is the current president of the American Medical Association (AMA). She tells us about the group's role in confronting opioid abuse, encouraging diversity among doctors, and why it's important to focus on the effects of childhood trauma. Also, she tells us what it's meant to be the first African American woman to lead the AMA. Then, our Tweak of the Week can make time with your own doctor a little more efficient.

Ryan Levinson and his wife, Nicole, are on the journey of their lives, sailing the South Pacific. They decided to set sail after Ryan, an athlete, was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called FSH muscular dystrophy, which weakens his muscles over time. Five years into their adventure, they join us from Tahiti to talk about the disease -- and about living life to the fullest, even in the face of illness and fear.