Dangers of Vaping Include Addictive Nicotine, Toxic Chemicals
Had another day passed without medical intervention, 18-year-old Piper Johnson might have been unresponsive on a ventilator, her lungs under attack from a vaping-related illness. It was an event her parents, Ruby and Tim Johnson of New Lenox, won’t easily forget. Piper spent a week in a Greeley, Colorado, hospital this past August, including a […]
Male Menopause?
Andropause — a gradual decrease in testosterone — can affect men over 40 As a man reaches his 40s and beyond, he may realize that his sex life is no longer as good as it used to be and his waistline is expanding. He might have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, get irritable quickly or feel depressed. […]
Riding the Waves of MS
Advancements in multiple sclerosis treatments are catching up but can’t cure or prevent the disease In 2001, Nicolette Fendon was all set to see the world from the deck of a 50-foot wooden ketch sailboat, part of a documentary miniseries with a crew of seaworthy misfits from all corners of the globe. Reviewing the contract late one […]
Prepping to Stop HIV
With new medications and better support, the epidemic could be nearing its end Twenty-nine-year-old Terence Steward II oozes potential and possibility. By day, he is a receptionist at the Chicago branch of a posh social club. He dreams of international travel and a life untethered, one where he can meet as many interesting people as […]
Keeping the Beat
Understanding the irregular patterns of heart arrhythmia Charlie Hildestad didn’t feel well during a preseason run with other members of the Illinois Wesleyan University lacrosse team. But the 19-year-old kept running, completing seven of 10 laps. He then left the campus field, entered a nearby restroom and fainted. Hildestad, a graduate of Saint Viator High […]
Advances in Radiation
Targeted, pinpointed treatments may mean better control and fewer side effects Radiation therapy is a standard treatment for many types of cancer, as it can successfully destroy cancer cells. But it can also come with downsides: skin damage, fatigue, nausea, long-term side effects and long treatment schedules. Fortunately, advancements in targeted and pinpointed radiation therapy […]
Magic Medicine?
Patients are turning to ketamine and other psychoactive drugs for mental health treatment Sarah Jones, a 42-year-old stay-at-home mom in Woodstock, has struggled with depression since childhood. She’s tried multiple antidepressants and therapies over the years, and last fall, her medications once again quit working. Then Jones heard a radio ad about a new approach […]
Vax Facts
As vaccination rates decline, old diseases are making a sharp comeback In less than two decades, the rate of unvaccinated children age 19 to 35 months has quadrupled, growing from 0.3% of toddlers in 2001 to 1.3% of toddlers in 2015. The increase in the anti-vaccination movement is partially responsible for the steep decline in […]
Bioprinting Bones
3D printing could be the answer to better replacements In 2017, Deborah Stoneburner was driving back from the Illinois State Fair in Springfield when a horrific accident occurred. She and her boyfriend struck a tree near their home, and Stoneburner suffered numerous injuries, including a crushed talus. The talus is the primary link between the lower leg and […]
Advocating for Better Care
Leveraging your resources when a loved one is in the hospital I’ll never forget the night of January 20, 2019. A total lunar eclipse graced the sky, and my father was in the operating room undergoing a lung transplant. The surgery — though incredibly risky and with a high chance of fatality — was a success. […]
Regenerating Health
What can stem cell and platelet-rich plasma treatments do for you? What if you could put your own body to work healing itself? That’s the basic premise of regenerative medicine, which is being used in various ways to restore damaged tissues and speed the body’s healing process. Regenerative medicine — which uses cells to create […]
Healthcare Outside of the Hospital
3 remote monitoring devices are transforming how we track health Sometimes the most innovative medical breakthroughs come in the smallest packages. Remote monitoring technology allows medical professionals to monitor a patient’s chronic health conditions around the clock without the need to visit a hospital for tests. These small devices use tiny technology and data analytics to […]
Data Meets Drugs
New discoveries are changing the ways medicines are developed and tested At the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Savas Tay, PhD, is working on something that could change the game in terms of how drugs are developed and prescribed. They’re called organoids, and they may be the key to safely evaluating the […]
The Battle Within
After decades of war, an increasing number of veterans are facing PTSD Heather Yang didn’t enroll in the Army reserves for combat and action. The Chicago resident enlisted while still in high school in New York, during a relatively peaceful time in the mid-’90s. The September 11 attacks hadn’t yet happened, and the U.S. had years […]
What Are You Weighting For?
A basic strength routine can change your life Above photo Terrence Terrell, personal trainer. Photo by James Foster Strength training isn’t just about getting six-pack abs and big biceps. Along with stretching and elevating your heart rate with cardio, strength training is key to maintaining a healthy and active life. “Building muscle helps improve […]
Roasted Cauliflower is the Veggie You Need Now
Your mother was right: Eating your veggies — especially cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower — is good for your health. For one of the biggest boosts to healthy eating, increase the amount of fruit and veggies in your diet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends filling half of your plate with vegetables and fruit. Cruciferous […]
Ditching Dairy Milk?
Plant-based beverages are a hot trend that’s here to stay So, you want an alternative to dairy milk? You’re not alone. Dairy-free, plant-based beverages have exploded onto the food scene and will likely continue to do so as the demand increases. But move over soy milk and almond milk — the dairy-free universe has expanded […]
The Importance of Mentorship
Friends of the Children and Doors Open Dishes show the power of partnering up Kenyetta Curtis remembers when her 8-year-old son was too shy to interact with other kids or when he’d become angry and not know how to control himself. Ocassionally, though, he would open up to a trusted adult. “Sometimes he was more […]
During Cancer Treatment, Feel More Like You
Cancer treatment is tough enough. On top of it, some of the visible side effects — hair loss, dry skin, changes in nails — can take their toll. And those external changes can affect how cancer patients feel internally. A new pharmacy and beauty service at Walgreens is focused on helping patients through the medical […]
Need Medical Equipment? A Lending Closet Can Help
People often donate clothes or books they no longer need so others can use them, so why not donate durable medical equipment? That’s the concept behind medical lending closets, independent organizations that offer used walkers, wheelchairs and other mobility and home healthcare equipment for individuals to borrow or rent at a reasonable cost. Lending closets […]
“Where’s My Mammogram?”
Women over 40 are heeding the advice of their physicians and getting regular mammograms. In 2015, 65% said they’d had a mammogram in the previous two years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The next challenge: getting women to bring their prior mammogram records to follow-up specialist appointments. A woman’s medical history isn’t always […]
Geriatric Emergency Departments Offer Specialized Care
As baby boomers reach their golden years, an increasing number are arriving in emergency rooms in need of urgent care. In response, hospitals are opening geriatric emergency departments, which provide specialized emergency services for adults 65 and older. “Older adults often have multiple underlying medical complexities and may be taking many different medications that can […]
The Cool Dad
I like to think of myself as a man of action. Drop me in any situation that needs some doing or sorting out, and I’ll confidently dive head first into the challenge. I’ll sweat, I’ll stress, but I’ll take care of business. Anticipation is where I struggle. The ignorance of life’s changes is where the crippling […]
Can Achieving Well-being Be as Easy as Brushing Your Teeth?
If you knew that your daily thoughts and actions directly impacted brain circuitry and cells that influence your well-being, would you choose to act and think in ways that support and nurture your highest good? Neuroscientist Richard Davidson, founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, suggests in an […]
Beating the Odds
Thanks to new treatments, many women are living longer with ovarian cancer Aurora native Deanna Caudill, 46, was shocked to receive a diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer in January 2018. “It threw me for a loop,” she says. Caudill got two rounds of chemotherapy near her home in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, where she worked […]
The Future of Healthcare
Chicago innovators are ushering in a new era of care and connectivity “Healthcare” and “excitement” aren’t always two words you expect to see together, but in Chicago, there’s an undeniable buzz underfoot. “We’re at the most interesting time ever for technology and innovation in healthcare,” says Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER, a global healthcare incubator […]
Does Holistic Dentistry Have Teeth — or Is It Just Another Buzzword?
In 2016, Leigh Skinner Anderson felt like her health was sliding down a hill. She had spent a decade on low-dose antibiotics followed by hormonal fertility treatments and later was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease. She suffered from low energy and hair loss. “I was having trouble regaining my footing,” says Anderson, a 50-year-old […]
Hacking the Human Body
Your neural networks have a lot to say — and bioelectronic medicine might help you listen Imagine putting on an adhesive bandage. Now imagine that bandage could continuously monitor your vital neural functions to catch signs of illness before they become problematic. Even further, imagine that bandage could actually prevent illness from occurring and help […]
Big Data Goes Bedside
Analytics technology predicts health crises before they occur The deaths were unexpected. That was the thought that kept coming back to Dana Edelson, MD, MS, who was a fellow at UChicago Medicine in 2007 when she saw her colleagues caught off guard by multiple patients who died from cardiac arrest while in the hospital. So, […]
Decoding Genetics
How genetic testing and editing will influence the future of healthcare Tailored, personalized medicine is changing so much of how we manage our health. To determine patients’ individual healthcare risks and offer specialized treatments, many physicians and healthcare experts are turning to genetic testing — along with delving into gene (or genome) editing — to […]
Hidden Hearing Loss in Young Adults
Hearing loss is typical as people age, but 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults globally are at risk of hearing loss due to audio devices and noisy clubs and concerts, according to the World Health Organization. Audiologist Ronna Fisher, AuD, has noticed an increase in hearing difficulties among her patients in their 30s and 40s. […]
Brew Up Better Health with Coffee
Java. Joe. Rocket fuel. Coffee. Whatever you call it, it is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide and is grown in more than 50 countries around the world, according to the National Coffee Association. And while coffee may seem like a simple product, this roasted aromatic brew is actually a complex mixture of […]
Prenatal Vitamins: A small introduction to a big pill
Let’s play a game of word association. I say, “prenatal vitamins,” and some of you may say … let me guess, “horse pills”? Yes, prenatal vitamins may be large, but they’re packed with an abundance of nutrients that are essential for prenatal health. And it’s important to start taking them even before you get pregnant. […]
Gyrotonic: The Most Intelligent Workout You’ve Never Heard Of
The activities we do every day — hunching over a phone screen, unloading groceries from the car, reaching for an item on a high shelf — put a surprising amount of strain on our bodies. Move inefficiently and you could end up with overused muscles, tight fascia and injuries. Gyrotonic exercises can help. The Gyrotonic […]
Forest Therapy Focuses the Senses and Increases Well-being
Nature used to be an integral part of the lives of human beings. But today, our connection to Mother Nature is minimal. “Most people in our society spend most of their time indoors, so we’re disconnected from our senses,” says Jodi Trendler, a certified forest therapist. “We don’t listen to what our bodies are telling […]
Dance Therapy Uses Movement to Address Mental Health
We may dance through life, but how many of us dance through therapy? Much of our communication is nonverbal, yet traditional therapy relies heavily on talking as a way to process people’s most vulnerable experiences. As an alternative, more people are looking for ways to get past purely verbal communication to access their emotions. And […]
Simple Stretches Can Relieve Office Discomfort
The typical American office worker spends eight to 10 hours a day seated behind a desk. This sedentary lifestyle can contribute to multiple injuries and disorders ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome to back pain and tendinitis. Each year about 1.8 million U.S. workers report work-related musculoskeletal disorders, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. […]
Are Weighted Blankets the Secret to Better Sleep?
We all need hugs, but some children, especially those with sensory disorders, are seeking better sleep with the gentle pressure of a weighted blanket. Though they have long been used for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), weighted blankets have recently exploded in popularity. Filled with small pellets, weighted blankets apply gentle, soothing pressure that […]
Don’t Rely on Stool Softeners for Constipation Relief
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I have been taking daily stool softeners to help my constipation. Is this safe? Is there some other over-the-counter product I can use safely? A: Stool softeners such as docusate (Colace, Surfak, generic versions) are safe. However, when put to scientific testing in controlled clinical trials, they […]
What is Keto Flu?
Harvard Health Blog Many people have decided to try the ketogenic diet for weight loss. The most recent evidence shows that reducing your carbohydrate intake to a minimum may help you shed a few pounds, at least in the first few weeks to months. However, we don’t really know whether, over the long term, achieving […]
Some Obesity-Related Cancers on the Rise in Americans Under 50
We’ve been told for decades that carrying around extra pounds can make us more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes later in life. But there’s a growing understanding that being overweight can also increase our risk of another chronic disease: cancer. And obesity-related cancers are not necessarily a “later in life” thing. Studies have […]
Cauliflower has taken center stage, offering health and culinary benefits
Cauliflower has become a food star, exploding onto the culinary scene as a nourishing stand-in for white rice, pasta, potatoes and flour. And there’s no shortage of cauliflower used as a low-carb alternative in pizza crusts, breads, bagged salads and veggie bowls. For waistline watchers, cauliflower is appealing for its low amount of carbohydrates and […]
4 Natural Ways to Maintain Brain Health
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I keep reading about disappointing drug trials to help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease. What else can I do to reduce my risk and improve my brain health? A: A few decades ago, the state of our brain was believed to be beyond our control. Conventional wisdom […]
The Real Link Between Breastfeeding and Preventing Obesity
Harvard Health Blog While we know that breastfeeding has many health benefits for mothers and babies, the studies have been a bit fuzzy when it comes to the link between breastfeeding and preventing obesity in children. Some studies show a clear link, but in others that link is less clear. A study published in the […]
Are Carbs the Enemy? 6 Myths About Carbs
Everyone and their mom seem to have an opinion about carbohydrates. How much you should eat, when you should eat them, why you should never eat fruit after lunch — there is no shortage of advice regarding carbs and people ready to wage war on them. Does all this conflicting information leave you frozen in […]
Stroke Rates Increasing in Those Under 55
Stroke is not a disease that’s exclusive to the elderly. Fans were shocked and saddened when Luke Perry, former teen heartthrob and star of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale, died of a massive stroke at 52. And sadly, Perry’s death is reflective of a trend that health professionals have been noting for years: an increase […]
Concussion Care for Children and Adolescents: New Recommendations
Harvard Health Blog There has been lots of attention on concussions in youth, especially from sports, over the past few years. It’s good that we are paying more attention to concussions. As the stories of prior National Football League players show us, a concussion can lead to lifelong problems. The problem for doctors, parents, and […]
More Water, Fewer UTIs?
Harvard Health Blog All too many women recognize the signals of urinary tract infections, or UTIs: pain and burning when urinating, coupled with a frequent urge to do so. A simple change in behavior could help prevent a common UTI known as recurrent cystitis in women, according to a randomized controlled study published in JAMA […]
How to Pick the Best Non-Dairy Milks
Hazelnut. Banana. Pea. Walnut. There are tons of non-dairy milks on the market, and they can taste radically different: creamy or chalky, delightful or dishwater-y. Here’s what to consider, nutrition-wise, as well as EatingWell editors’ picks for the tastiest varieties. Watch the added sugar Non-dairy milks vary widely in sugar content. Some deliver 28 grams […]
Does Your Child Really Need Supplements?
About a third of children and adolescents take dietary supplements. Parents should be cautious though, some physicians warn, because some supplements may cause adverse drug reactions or have cardiovascular effects, including heart arrhythmia. Although supplement usage has hovered around 30 percent in U.S. children ages 0 to 19, use of alternative medicines nearly doubled over […]