Understanding Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Why You Need to Stay on Your Statin If you have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), you may be wondering whether you can stop taking your statin medication now that your cholesterol levels have improved. This is a common question, but the answer is clear: continuing your statin therapy is essential for your long-term health , even when your cholesterol numbers look good. What Makes Familial Hypercholesterolemia Different Familial...

Educational purposes only. Please contact your doctor if you have questions about your symptoms or care. What Is Constipation? Constipation means having fewer than three bowel movements per week. You may also notice hard stools, straining, a feeling that you can't fully empty your bowels, or needing to use your fingers to help pass stool. When these symptoms have been present for at least six months, it's considered chronic constipation. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone and there are...

BONE HEALTH EDUCATION A Plain-Language Guide to Bisphosphonate Drug Holidays If you have been taking alendronate (Fosamax) or another bisphosphonate medication for your bones, your doctor may eventually suggest something that sounds a little surprising: stopping the medication for a while. This planned pause is called a "drug holiday,"  and it is actually a well-established, science-backed approach recommended by major medical organizations. But like any medical decision, it comes with both...