Three questions your doctor will ask about your aching joints
Over the years, a lot of people have come to see me about an aching knee, back, shoulder or other joint. The first thing I do with every patient is try to determine whether their arthritis is degenerative (less serious) or inflammatory (more serious). I start by asking three questions. 1. Does your pain get […]
The Perils of Pain
Searching for new solutions to chronic suffering Pain — ongoing, chronic pain that plagues us day after day — can seem almost unbearable at times. Whether it’s a nagging pain in the neck or a constant stabbing in the back that limits mobility, no one wants to be afflicted by it. About 20 percent of […]
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Living with a terminal cancer that is seldom understood Chicagoan Shannon Collins was in for a shock. At age 26, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, a surprising diagnosis for one so young, even though breast cancer runs in her family. Taking an all-out approach, Collins tackled the cancer with aggressive chemo and a […]
Skip the Salt
Reduce your sodium intake to improve heart health Recently, researchers explained that if the food industry complied with the Food and Drug Administration’s 10-year plan to reduce sodium in commercially prepared food, some 450,000 cases of cardiovascular disease could be prevented, saving more than $40 billion over 20 years. Sodium consumption is a leading controllable risk factor […]
Training Cells to Attack
Groundbreaking CAR T-cell therapy engineers cells to target tumors In fall 2013, when psychiatrist J. Barry Rubin, DO, developed hip pain, he attributed it to his new golf swing technique. Rubin, an active 72-year-old and avid golfer with a thriving psychiatry practice, was surprised when, after an MRI and biopsy, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma […]
Fertile Ground
Opening up fertility conversations in the gender-diverse community Nestled in their Logan Square living room, Wil (pronouns: they/them/theirs), age 22, confides that they’ve always known they would raise children. It was the day before Wil would visit their physician at a Chicagoland clinic specializing in the LGBTQIA+ community to discuss fertility. It’s a topic Wil […]
DNA Dos and Don’ts
What you need to know about direct-to-consumer genetic health tests I stood in front of the bathroom sink, spitting into the tube for what seemed like half an hour, trying to get enough saliva for the at-home genetic test. The test had been sitting on my desk for several weeks, unopened. I wasn’t sure I wanted […]
Open Wide
HPV infection may lead to oral cancer, but screening and vaccines can help Park Ridge dentist John Hagopian, DDS, was accustomed to administering oral cancer screenings to his patients. But in 2012, after having been in practice for 30 years, he found himself playing the role of patient. “I was shaving in the mirror, and I lifted my head to […]
Lead’s Dangerous Legacy
With lead lurking in the paint, soil and water, many Chicagoans are at high risk Like a civic superhero team, three city workers — a plumber, electrician and engineer — rang my doorbell one morning for our scheduled appointment. They had come to test our water after preliminary analysis showed high lead levels — 17 parts […]
Strengthening Core Muscles
Movement exercises combat back pain We live in a sitting culture, says Ivan Huergo, DPT, founder and clinical director of Physical Sciences Institute (PSI), a physical therapy clinic in Chicago and Westmont. And because of that, “Everybody eventually complains of back pain.” More than half of our waking hours are spent sitting, whether it’s working at […]
Anti-Inflammatory Eating
Plant-based foods may keep inflammation at bay Inflammation is a natural part of life. It’s your body’s rescue response for fighting infections or healing injuries. Acute, short-term inflammation is normal and healthy; however, chronic or long-term inflammation can be detrimental to health. Chronic inflammation can cause diseases such as obesity, certain cancers, diabetes, heart disease, […]
Springy, Zingy Melon Soup
Ginger and turmeric have been prized for centuries, not only for their spicy flavor when they’re added to curries, stir-fries and desserts, but also for their anti-inflammatory properties. They’ve long been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Ginger’s rich phytochemistry includes many beneficial antioxidant compounds. “Ginger has [starring] potential for treating a number of […]
Memory Cafes Provide Activities for Alzheimer’s
At the Chicago Memory Café, a group of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, along with their caregivers, gather for social engagement and support. Here, they find conversations and connections. The nationwide cafés aim to eliminate the stigma surrounding memory loss and combat the depression and isolation that exacerbate symptoms. Programs have included […]
Long-Lasting Hiccups More Common than Thought
Everyone knows that uncomfortable, annoying gasp of air known as the hiccup. But can you imagine having hiccups indefinitely? Physicians say long-lasting hiccups are more common than we realize. Persistent hiccups last longer than two days, while intractable hiccups last longer than a month and are typically associated with underlying medical problems. Guinness World Records recorded […]
Fighting Cancer and Food Insecurity
All cancer patients should have access to the healthy food needed to nourish and heal their bodies. That’s why Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Lakeview Pantry teamed up to create a food pantry program for cancer patients struggling with food insecurity. For low-income oncology patients, food insecurity is a wide-reaching concern nationally and locally, […]
A Dire Diagnosis
But advancements give new hope for children with sickle cell disease Martha Strong’s son Marrion came out screaming. “He was actually having his very first pain crisis as he was being pushed out of me,” Strong says. What she didn’t know then, but would learn very soon, was that Marrion had sickle cell disease, a […]
Erectile Dysfunction
Honest conversations with physicians can help men find treatment Although you may see TV ads about erectile dysfunction (ED), the disorder is largely shrouded in silence. And yet, an estimated 30 million men in the United States live with the condition. Men who are unable to get an erection or can’t get an erection that is […]
I’ll Hold Your Hand
Providing peace and support through hospice care A little more than six years ago, Sandy Downs sat down with her husband of 47 years, Perry, and gave it to him straight: She wanted him to be honest with her about her disease. Perry was surprised. “She never wanted to talk about her disease,” he says, […]
A Better Life for All
GiGi’s Playhouse and Center for Enriched Living offer opportunities for achievement It’s a universal feeling: to want to belong and to feel loved. Two nonprofit organizations, both with roots in the Chicago area, are working hard every day to champion the rights of those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. As a society, we often focus […]
Suicide Watch
Know the Warning Signs in Older Adults A recent study in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging revealed a shocking truth: The risk of suicide increases with age, with rates as high as 48.7 per 100,000 for older white men over age 65 — more than four times the age-adjusted average. Depression is a common […]
Robot Improves Lung Cancer Detection
Lung cancer, generally asymptomatic in its early stages, is often not discovered until it’s more advanced. But a new robotic device is helping to get a better look at suspicious lung nodules sooner and with less discomfort. Traditionally, lung nodules are caught via CT scans and then biopsied with a surgical or radiological approach. Now […]
Relieving Pain with Watsu Water Therapy
Those looking to relieve stress and pain might test the water with Watsu, a form of water therapy. In a heated therapy pool, Watsu incorporates the systematic pressure and gentle stretches of Zen shiatsu to balance energy, reduce stress and pain and encourage relaxation. Massage therapist Diane Novak, certified in shiatsu and Watsu, practices Watsu […]
Myth vs Fact
Mosquitoes and ticks are most active during spring and summer, bringing with them not just a propensity for bites, but also the possibility of serious illness. We checked in with two local concierge physicians for help separating fact from fiction when it comes to ticks, mosquitoes and the major diseases they carry. MYTH or FACT? […]
To CBD or Not to CBD
You don’t have to look hard to find lotions and potions, patches and tinctures, lip balm and gummies infused with cannabidiol, or CBD, which is a non-psychogenic cannabinoid molecule derived from cannabis plants. Since CBD does not have psychogenic compounds from the cannabis plant — i.e., it doesn’t make you feel high — it is […]
Pain Goes to Pot
Does medical marijuana deliver on its pain-relieving promises? Every day, Samantha is in pain. Her elbows and knees feel inflamed. Her ankle aches. She gets cramps in her abdomen. Her lower back hurts. She suffers from fibromyalgia, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome. To feel better, Samantha uses medical cannabis — also […]
Pain and Mental Health
When chronic pain strikes, depression and anxiety can follow Chronic pain is more than a physical problem. Those who suffer from long-term pain often experience emotional and psychological aspects as well, particularly depression and anxiety. Add to that potential anger, frustration, hopelessness, fear and jealousy, and the emotional symptoms of chronic pain can quickly become […]
Alternative Approaches to Pain Management
Holistic therapies and mind-body treatments can help with chronic pain Kari Wagner was walking home from the park with her dog and 10-year-old son when she was thrust onto the asphalt. After that, she has only a few memories: lying in the street, being transported in an ambulance and being in the hospital. A car […]
Controlling Chronic Pain
A shift in approach delivers a dose of hope Pain has always played a role in Kristen Willard’s life. She was born with a congenital defect in her back — a fusing of two vertebrae that made her more susceptible to back injuries. She first hurt her back at 16 and has had ongoing issues […]
All Eyes on Lasik
While the vision correction surgery is effective, it may not be right for everyone A week after having Lasik vision correction surgery, Tom Hansen of Chicago is seeing more clearly than he has in years. “It’s unbelievable how quickly my eyesight changed,” says Hansen, 24, who is nearsighted. Hansen turned to Lasik after suffering several eye infections […]
Spinal Stenosis
Minimally invasive options relieve back and leg pain On a late autumn day, Joe Harsa is busy in his kitchen, dicing beef and chopping veggies that he’ll throw into a pot for a homemade stew. “It takes me about two hours to cut everything up, and I’ve stood the whole time,” Harsa says. “In the […]
Elation: A Recipe for Elevating Health?
Health is not about blood pressure, weight, sugar and cholesterol levels — those are indicators, wake-up alerts. Health is about you and about us — the community — and it’s about expression. Let me explain. Trauma In 2016, Rochelle Sykes’ 12-year-old nephew was burned alive in a dumpster on Chicago’s West Side. Rochelle and her […]
Mind & Body: What a Pain
Shortly after I turned 31, I was diagnosed with shingles. Born of the same virus as chickenpox, shingles is a wretched disease that affects your nerves and presents itself with shooting pain, tingling, and itchy, painful blisters or rashes. Once chickenpox recedes, the virus sits dormant until woken by a compromised immune system. Decades later, […]
Countering the Stigma of Mental Health in Chicago’s Immigrant Communities
Even under the best of circumstances, it’s challenging for immigrants to adjust to a new life in a new country. And when immigrants have fled countries roiled by violence and war, the upheaval and stress in their lives is even more profound. Among refugees, about 10 to 40 percent may experience post-traumatic stress disorder and […]
Well-being Over Weight Loss: A Paradigm Shift
There’s no doubt that we live in a weight loss-focused society where thinness is a highly sought-after goal. Forty-five percent of adults say they are preoccupied with their weight some or all of the time, which has risen 11 points since 1990. People both young and old go to great lengths to drop pounds, from […]
Does drinking diet soda raise the risk of a stroke?
For diet soda fans, recent news reports linking these popular drinks to higher risk of stroke may have been alarming. A closer look at the study behind the headlines suggests there’s no need to panic. But beverages naturally low in calories are probably a healthier option than artificially sweetened drinks. The study included 2,888 people […]
4 Things You Need to Know About Opioids for Pain Management
In the wake of the opioid addiction crisis, physicians have been cutting back on prescribing opioids for pain relief. But still, sometimes patients are prescribed these powerful painkillers, especially after a major surgery. Even when prescribed by a physician and taken as directed, using a prescription opioid painkiller can cause side effects including tolerance, physical […]
How to Outsmart Your Appetite
You work out regularly and watch what you eat. So why do you have to lie down to button your pants? Research suggests that the things around you, from the temperature of your house to the style of your candy dish, may be setting you up to overindulge. It seems a bit unfair to have […]
The Benefits (and Drawbacks) of Intermittent Fasting
About two years ago, Michael Saraceno decided he wanted to lose weight. He was nearing 275 pounds and was planning to have knee surgery. To trim down before surgery, Saraceno decided to focus less on what he ate and to change when he ate instead. Saraceno, 26, of Westchester, has since lost about 80 pounds, […]
Unexplained abdominal pain could be a pinched nerve
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I have been struggling with a persistent pain on the right side of my belly. Sometimes it feels like it moves from the back to the front and back again. My doctor first ordered blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound. Most recently I had a CT scan […]
Friends Can Help Your Health
Human beings have a built-in need for friendships. Friends help us through the pressures of everyday living and the havoc that stress can wreak on our health. Especially around the holiday season, we often draw closer to friends and family. “Humans are predisposed to bond emotionally with significant others [because] our brain cannot survive without […]
How to Support Your Partner in the Age of #MeToo
The #MeToo movement has helped to empower countless victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence. But after hearing all of the painful stories, one question remains: How can people help support their partners who have bravely spoken up about past sexual trauma? “The #MeToo movement has served as a social catharsis for those who have […]
Five diet rules for a healthy heart
Heart disease may be the leading cause of death for Americans, but here’s a heartening statistic: About half of heart-disease deaths in the U.S. are preventable. According to an Emory University study, the leading five controllable risk factors are obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking. Eighty percent of Americans have at least […]
Youth Concussion Guidelines Nix Unnecessary CT Scans
During a scrimmage for high school soccer tryouts, right freshman defenseman Andrew Devendorf and a teammate jumped to head a ball in the air. It’s a standard action in the sport to redirect or gain possession of the ball, but it’s also among the most dangerous. Instead of making contact with the ball, Devendorf and […]
More Mental Health Services Needed for Homeless LGBTQ Youth
Cappy Lindsey catches the blue agate crystal as it falls from her necklace pendant. She bought the crystal with her then-girlfriend on a trip to Omaha because she liked the colors, the 19-year-old shares. We’re seated in a tiny conference room in a Teen Living Programs housing building in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Teen Living Programs […]
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Not Responding to Initial Treatments May Require Surgery
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have carpal tunnel syndrome that used to bother me only at night. Wearing a splint helped, but, now, my symptoms are noticeable throughout the day, as well. Does this mean surgery is inevitable, or are there other things I can do to help lessen the tingling and numbness it’s causing? ANSWER: […]
Disease That Causes Glaucoma in Children Tied to Genetic Mutation
Northwestern Medicine and University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) scientists have identified a gene that causes severe glaucoma in children. The finding validates a similar discovery made by the scientists in mice two years ago and suggests a target for future therapies to treat the devastating eye disease that currently has no cure. “This work shows us […]
Fertility and Diet: Is There a Connection?
Harvard Health Blog Here are some headlines on fertility and diet that caught our attention: The ultimate fertility diet: We reveal what to eat and what to avoid Here’s what to eat if you’re trying to get pregnant Trying to get pregnant? Foods to eat and avoid to boost fertility Wow! Who knew that your […]
Do You Have a Case of Cyberchondria?
In the old days, if you had a symptom that didn’t go away, you’d call your doctor. Today, many people are likely to consult “Dr. Google” to self-diagnose instead. And when this behavior is taken to extremes, it’s sometimes called cyberchondria. Encountering conflicting health information online can be anxiety-provoking, says psychiatrist Jonathan S. Adelstein, MD, […]
Injury-Prevention Tips from Joffrey Dancers Help Recreational Athletes
Professional dancers, like professional athletes, are subject to injury because of the constant stress they put on their bodies. And while these dancers and athletes have dedicated medical teams to attend to their needs, recreational athletes can learn from their experience. “Dancers in a lot of ways are similar to everyday athletes who want to […]
Migraine Linked to a Usually Harmless Heart Defect
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I recently had an echocardiogram that showed I have a hole between the two upper chambers in my heart. My doctor thought it might be connected to my headaches. What might that mean for me? A: Everyone starts off with an oval, flap-like opening (called a foramen […]