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
Aug 10, 2021
Proper hydration is key to optimal performance.
Article
Jul 26, 2021
Dear Doc: Me and the guys in my shop drink A LOT of caffeine. I'm not much of a coffee guy, but I do drink two or three energy drinks a day. I drink a lot of water too, and I'm young and in good shape, but sometimes I feel like I'm a little too reliant on these drinks. I sometimes short myself on sleep only because I know I can have an energy drink or ...
Article
Jul 13, 2021
Yoga comes in many forms and fashions, and has proven health benefits.
Article
Jul 8, 2021
Dear Doc: I consider myself pretty lucky. I'm in my late 20s and I've never had any eye problems to speak of. I have 20/20 vision and I've never worn glasses. But...the Air Force tells me to protect my eyes and I'm not exactly sure what that means.
Do you know anyone who can give me some solid advice on the best options for eye protection? What ...
Article
Jul 8, 2021
Military health innovation and Total Force Fitness go hand-in-hand.
Article
Jun 30, 2021
Myths and facts about post-traumatic stress (PTS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG).
Article
Jun 29, 2021
Aphasia is an incurable disease usually caused by stroke that affects all forms of communication.
Article
Jun 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 ...
Article
May 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 ...
Article
May 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. ...
Article
May 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 ...
Article
Apr 27, 2021
Nutrition is a key element of Total Force Fitness, but it’s just as important to encourage kids to make smart nutritional choices.
Article
Apr 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 ...
Article
Apr 12, 2021
While there are many energy sports drinks are available, their overall value varies.
Article
Mar 26, 2021
Celiac disease is not a food allergy; it's an autoimmune disease diagnosed through a blood test.
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Last Updated: August 17, 2021