One of your principal medical rights is to informed consent. That is, you have a right to an explanation of any treatment or procedure before it is performed on you, an explanation of the risks of that treatment or procedure, and an explanation of the alternatives to that treatment or procedure. "Treatment or procedure" means any drugs, any tests or surgeries—anything that involves something foreign entering your body. "Risks" means material risks, that is, anything that can reasonably be expected to happen. Your doctor is not necessarily obligated to inform you of an improbable risk, a one-in-a-million chance.     Informed consent also means that you can refuse any treatment or procedure. Anyone who attempts the treatment or procedure without your consent—assuming you are mentally competent to give consent—can be sued on grounds of assault. You also have the right to refuse medication. Your right to refuse food and water is still a matter of legal argument. Your right to refuse treatments, procedures, or medication can be overruled only if you are incompetent. Incompetent means that you are unable to comprehend what you have been told and are unable to make decisions. In principle, the courts, guided by the advice of the physician, decide when someone is incompetent. In practice, the court system takes a long time, and competence is decided by two concurring physicians, one of whom is your physician-of-record.     You can request treatments, procedures, or medication, but you cannot demand them.     You have a right to see your medical records. Your medical records are, however, the property of the hospital. As such, the hospital can dictate under what circumstances and in whose presence you can see your medical records. You have a right to copy your medical records. You may not remove the records from the hospital without the hospital's consent.      Hospitals, as public accommodations, cannot refuse to treat you on the grounds that you have HIV infection. Some hospitals, however, limit the kinds of treatment they offer and can refuse to treat anyone who requires services they do not offer. Any Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) to which you belong has a legal contract with you that outlines the rights and obligations of both parties.     In a hospital, you can request to be assigned another physician. The hospital is obliged to grant your request.     Some states have laws that prohibit a physician from refusing patients on the basis of race, sex, creed, color, or disability. In most states, HIV infection is defined as a disability. However, many physicians do not consider themselves competent to care for people with HIV infection and will refuse care—rightly—on this basis. Others are simply too busy to accept new patients. The first time you see a private physician, he or she can refuse to treat you. If you have previously been accepted as a patient by that physician for other medical conditions and the two of you have an ongoing relationship, she or he can still refuse to treat you, but cannot abandon you. Not abandoning you means that your physician must help you find another physician who can provide the care needed.     Similar rules apply to dental care. Many dentists are uncomfortable caring for people with HIV infection. The ethics of dental practice dictate that the dentist is obliged to provide continuing care to established patients, or at least refer them to another dentist who can provide more specialized care.     A Note on Lawsuits-The right to file lawsuits is a right no one can take away from you. But lawsuits often take years to settle. Some people decide not to file a suit because they do not want to take the time. Others decide not to file because their HIV status would then become public record. Many people go ahead and fight and win suits.*201\191\2*

Most people think of being overweight as a cosmetic problem. But important as appearance may be to some people, it is not the main drawback of obesity. Obesity may be a risk to your cardiovascular health. However, obesity is a bit different from other risk factors. There is a little film evidence that obesity in itself predisposes you to the development of coronary artery disease, the way high cholesterol or smoking does. Rather, it promotes the presence of other risk factors—such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes—that do increase your chances of heart disease. Also, heart disease that is already present is aggravated further by being overweight.One of every 3 or 4 Americans is overweight, and 1 in 10 is severely overweight. Approximately 34 million adults in this country qualify as being obese.        *262\252\8*

You are packed into a crowded airplane, bracing yourself for the 7-hour ride to your vacation or business destination. If you remain motionless in your seat for the duration, you increase your risk for the development of potentially dangerous blood clots.Blood clots interfere with blood flow and can break loose and travel to an artery in one of your lungs. Clots can form while you sit for extended periods in cramped quarters. This problem can happen during any form of travel, but it is more common on long airline flights, especially if you are sitting in the coach section. Doctors therefore have coined the term "economy class syndrome."Despite its name, "economy class syndrome" can develop regardless of whether you sit in first class or in the coach section. On long-distance flights or rides, follow these tips.Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes. Airlines often provide customers in the first-class cabin with bootie socks. It is easy to bring your own. They help keep your feet warm and are not as tight or confining as shoes.Stretch your legs occasionally, even while remaining in your seat.From time to time, tighten and loosen the muscles of your abdomen and buttocks.Take a few slow, deep breaths periodically.Get out of your seat and walk the aisle at least once an hour.Ask your doctor whether it is appropriate for you to use aspirin when you travel. Small doses of aspirin may help prevent clots from occurring. Remember to check with your doctor first, because aspirin is not recommended for everyone.If you have had problems with thrombophlebitis in the past, wear elastic support stockings when prolonged sitting is unavoidable. Elastic support stockings are available for both men and women.*204\252\8*