Chronic fatigue syndrome, recently renamed myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), is a complex disorder that affects about one million Americans. ME/CFS can strike anyone but most often occurs among middle-aged Caucasian women, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

It’s a safe bet you’ve heard both good things and bad things about drinking coffee. On the bad side: All that caffeine isn’t good for you, it can stunt your growth, and coffee may cause cancer. The good stuff: Coffee helps you focus and may lower your risk of certain diseases.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS) is a complex disorder that affects about 2.5 million Americans. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that ME/CFS can strike anyone, but it most often occurs among middle-aged Caucasian women.

Maybe it started as nothing more than a scratchy throat or a choking feeling as if food went down the “wrong pipe.” Before you know it, you’ve developed a cough. And despite weeks of cough syrup, lozenges and water, you can’t seem to shake it. You may have a chronic cough. 

A few months back, we asked you what was on your bucket list. And what you told us was amazing! Whether it’s seeing the aurora borealis or visiting Machu Picchu or  making memories with family, your bucket lists inspired us. Here are some of our favorites from MDVIP members.

Most people wish they were more physically fit. If you fall into this category and it’s been a while since you worked out, let MDVIP guide you.

We’ve collaborated with the developers and physical therapists of Perfect Fit Health to provide you with workouts that may help you lose weight, manage a chronic injury or just stay in shape. 

Food cravings – we all get them. But did you ever wonder why some people crave salty, crunchy snacks like potato chips, while others want high-carb side dishes such as mashed potatoes or sugary treats like chocolate? What you crave, when you crave it and how often you crave it says something about your health.

When Rebecca Champion met her MDVIP physician Dr. Jacqueline Pearson, she frankly didn't know what to expect. She had spent more than 20 years in the same primary care practice before her physician stopped taking insurance. Then Champion was passed onto another doctor. In all, she bounced around to four primary care physicians before she finally saw Dr. Pearson, who is based in Alpharetta, Ga., just north of Atlanta. 

If you’ve ever longed for the day that you could simply take a pill to reap the benefits of working out, here’s a story for you: Scientists in Australia and Denmark are in the early stages of research for a pill that could one day mimic the effects of exercise. A study recently published in Cell Metabolism details how the scientists from the University of Sydney and the University of Copenhagen are advancing on the project.

If you’re on Medicare and take prescription drugs, this won’t surprise you: The costs of medications are rising fast. Up an estimated 12.6 percent in 2014, prescription drug costs are projected to rise by an average of 7.3 percent annually, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

But that doesn’t mean you have to bear the brunt of these increases. With the right planning and strategy, you may be able to lower your Medicare drug costs—or at least prepare for rising costs. It starts with choosing the right prescription plan for you.