Running on empty. That’s what the doctors said—my brother had no reserve left. His body couldn’t keep up. And I understood what that meant. For months, I’ve been running too. Fast. Hard. Without pause ...

There seems to be good reason for that common but little publicized condition known as "nosocomephobia" -- the fear of hospitals. And it goes beyond those oh-too-revealing patient-issued gowns.

From understanding the technology to knowing what questions to ask, here are tips to help you navigate a hospital stay.

Editor’s Note: A trip to the hospital can be devastating on a family’s finances. With 46 percent of Americans unable to cover a $400 emergency expense and the average hospital stay costing $4,300 a ...