• Have you noticed traces of blood in your stool? Wonder what it means, or how serious it might be?

• Do sore wrists hamper your weightlifting routine? Why is that, and is it normal?

• Does your stomach hurt within 30 minutes of taking your daily vitamin? Think that could be a drug interaction?

• Is a parent developing fuzzy vision? It might be cataracts, but it could also be the natural effects of aging or astigmatism. How can you know?

• Reduced-fat foods mean you can eat more, right? Well, no, because reduced-fat foods may still contain many calories. How do you know what’s the proper calorie intake for your body type and height?

• Is there a place where you can get all the answers to these questions and many more? Yes - through HMO Blue Texas’ Blue Access. Enter the Mayo Clinic health site, a virtual encyclopedia of health knowledge.

And there are no uncomfortable moments of working up the nerve to ask your doctor embarrassing questions about unseemly symptoms. It’s like a house call from a doctor, and like a doctor, it can help you answer important health questions and live a healthier life.

To use Blue Access, visit www.bcbstx.com, and enter your user name and password under “Blue Access for Members” on the left side. If you haven’t yet, you’ll need to register first, but registration is simple. You can even tailor your Mayo Clinic home page to keep you up to date on particular health issues.

So go get your medical questions answered. The doctor’s always on call.