Skip to main content
Optum Perks

Cathy Lovering

  • Woman enjoying relaxing time at home, which increases dopamine levels

    What is dopamine?

    Dopamine is a neurotransmitter essential to the brain’s memory, reward, and motivation processes. You can increase your dopamine levels by exercising and eating certain foods.
    Published November 30, 2023
  • Two people going on a run next to a river to depict decreasing cortisol levels.

    What you need to know about cortisol

    Cortisol is a steroid hormone that produces the body’s stress response. If your levels are too high, it can cause conditions such as Cushing syndrome and chronic stress to develop.
    Published November 23, 2023
  • Person injecting Wegovy into their stomach.

    How to inject Wegovy

    Wegovy is a drug that helps with weight loss. It is available as a single-use injection pen. After preparing, inject it into an appropriate site and release the medication over 10 seconds.
    Published November 17, 2023
  • An older adult taking medication with a drink of water, considering how often you can take Zofran.

    How often can you take Zofran?

    You can usually take Zofran every 6 or 12 hours. The frequency depends on other medications you may have. Your health and treatment also affect how much you can take.
    Published November 14, 2023
  • Person massaging the back of their knee to depict itching joints.

    What can cause itching joints?

    There are several conditions that can cause itching joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. You may also experience swelling and stiffness around the joint.
    Published October 26, 2023
  • Adult taking prescription medication they got with a discount card because they have insurance deductible

    Do prescription costs count toward health deductibles?

    If your health plan covers medications, it is possible your prescription expenses go toward a general deductible. If your plan has a separate deductible for prescriptions, these expenses will count toward this instead and will not affect your medical costs deductible. 
    Published October 18, 2023
  • Adult living with smiling depression getting ready i their bedroom

    What is smiling depression?

    Smiling depression is not a formal medical term. It is commonly used to describe having depression symptoms while making a great effort to disguise them or outwardly appearing as if you did not have the condition. You may appear cheerful on the outside and still have depression.
    Published October 18, 2023
  • An image of 3 toilet paper rolls stacked on top of each other.

    Can diabetes cause diarrhea?

    People with diabetes are more likely to experience diarrhea due to nerve damage and other health conditions. Treatment options such as medication and dietary changes can help.
    Published October 4, 2023