Trim Pesticide Residues in Produce
It’s time to tune into the Dirty Dozen, based on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) analysis of USDA tests on pesticide residues on conventionally grown produce. Even if you wash and peel produce, pesticide residues in conventional fruits and vegetables persist; almost 70 percent of conventional produce samples showed pesticide residues, according to the USDA. […]
What to Do When You’re Diagnosed With a Rare Disease
“Rare disease.” The words themselves are uncomfortable to hear or say. And when it comes to a diagnosis of an uncommon disorder, information, research and support for patients may be scant. Fortunately, though a condition may be uncommon, individuals dealing with a rare disease are not alone. And finding connections — a specialist, support group […]
Shining the Light on Plant Proteins
Environmental Nutrition Newsletter More and more people are putting plant proteins — beans, lentils, peas, soyfoods, nuts, seeds and whole grains — at the center of the plate. According to research conducted by Midan Marketing and MeatingPlace, 70 percent of meat eaters in the U.S. are substituting a non-protein meal at least once a week, […]
Chondroitin and Melanoma: How Worried Should You Be?
Harvard Health Blog Chondroitin sulfate is among the most popular supplements in the world. It’s often taken in combination with glucosamine for joint disease — some take it for prevention, others to treat pain. And yet, evidence that it actually works at all is limited at best. One review of the evidence suggested that of […]
The Bacterial Horror of Hot-Air Hand Dryers
Harvard Health Blog If you’re the kind of person who avoids public bathrooms at all costs, you may feel validated, as well as disturbed, by a study from researchers at the University of Connecticut and Quinnipiac University. They suspected that hot-air hand dryers in public restrooms might be sucking up bacteria from the air, and […]
Family Separation at the Border Can Cause Long-Term Trauma
Ripped apart. That’s one way to describe what’s happened to families seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Traumatized. That’s one way to describe the impact. And as it turns out, it’s clinically accurate as well. When headlines broke earlier this year about the routine practice of separating migrant children from their parents or caregivers at […]
Dreaming of Meaning
It was the night before my brother’s wedding. I was getting ready for the rehearsal dinner. One last check in the mirror to make sure my discount haircut looked not so much so. I smiled. Hair was good. But my teeth. … There was a fissure running horizontally in my front left tooth. I gently […]
Check In Instead of Stressing Out
The other day I was speaking with a friend, the father of a sophomore at one of our prestigious Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high schools. His son is achieving a 96 percent to 98 percent in most of his academic subjects. In one class, he has only a 90 percent. The student is also involved […]
Using Stem Cells for Spine Surgery
Sifting through claims to find the benefits Jessica Roby was used to pain. As a former gymnast and diver, she had learned to live with it. “It’s not that I didn’t take it seriously, but being an athlete, you’re in pain a lot because you’re in training. Sometimes, it’s difficult to differentiate between that and […]
Headaches From Hell
New drugs may help prevent migraines Marcie Zeldin, 63, doesn’t remember when she experienced her first migraine. She recalls having severe headaches as early as childhood, but it wasn’t until her first pregnancy at age 26 that the dozen or so headaches she experienced each month were diagnosed as migraines, a chronic neurological disorder. “It […]
Sex After Cancer
Helping female survivors regain their sexual satisfaction and confidence After Naomi’s breast cancer treatment — the lumpectomy, the chemotherapy, the 33 radiation treatments — she lost her desire for sex. But she wanted to please her husband, so she had sex with him. And bled for three days. “The bleeding was unbelievable, and the pain was […]
The Cardiac-Sleep Connection
Why a good night’s rest is crucial for your heart We constantly hear about the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep. Well here’s a new one: It can reduce the risk of heart disease. Researchers in Hong Kong and Taiwan recently published the results of an 18-year study into the connection between sleep and […]
Robots in the O.R.
Better operations through the use of intelligent machines The future of surgery is here, and it’s in the hands of robots. Well, sort of. The first robotic surgery system, the da Vinci robot, produced by Intuitive Surgical, was approved by the FDA in 2000. The robot, now in its fourth generation, has become a mainstay […]
Out of the Shadows
Breaking the silence of domestic violence — and how healthcare providers can help Like a lot about domestic violence, the health effects are hidden and not really talked about. But when you do start to talk about it, you’re stunned at what’s there. Yes, there can be bruises, broken bones and lost teeth. But domestic violence, […]
Finding Balance
Therapeutic yoga provides relief for body and mind Therapeutic yoga is nothing new for Lisa Clarke. Clarke, 63, has spent the past 10 years stretching her body and clearing her mind during one-on-one sessions with Lela Beem, co-owner of Grateful Yoga in Evanston. And when Clarke was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, she used […]
Burning Fat
Keto diet changes how food is turned into energy While it may seem like the newest weight-loss trend, the ketogenic (keto) diet has been around for more than 100 years. Allowing few carbohydrates, the keto diet changes the way the body turns food into energy. It induces the fat-burning state of ketosis, a metabolic process […]
The Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Just the thought of biting into a square of chocolate might make you smile. And, chances are, it really will enhance your mood. There’s scientific evidence to back the idea that chocolate is good for your mind. Researchers in Australia discovered that, in healthy people, cocoa polyphenols have a positive impact on mood. Some participants […]
Scott Palmer, MD
Scott Palmer, MD, Personal Physician Scott Palmer, MD, is a board- certified physician in internal medicine and a graduate of the University of Michigan and Rush Medical College. Dr. Palmer did his internship, residency, and chief residency at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois (now Rush University Medical Center), receiving the resident of the year award all three years. […]
Changing the Conversation About Mental Health
Our minds are one of the most powerful things about us. Everything from our physical health to our sense of belonging in the world is connected to our mental wellness. And yet, the conversation around mental health is too often surrounded in a cloak of silence. Talking about mental health is the first step in […]
Facing Fears with Virtual Reality Therapy
You’re on an airplane in the middle of a storm, lightning flashing outside the window, your seat rocking. “I’m scared,” says the passenger next to you. Your own anxiety, already high, rockets — even though you know you aren’t really on an airplane at all, but sitting safely in a therapist’s office in suburban Chicago. […]
No More Pain. Period.
Helping women with endometriosis find relief Endometriosis is a women’s health issue that has long remained in the shadows. Even though the condition can cause intense pelvic pain, it’s often overlooked, with symptoms chalked up to menstrual discomfort. Many doctors are not well-trained in this chronic condition, which occurs when cells similar to those inside […]
Treating Depression
From telehealth to magnetic stimulation, innovative therapies provide alternatives At the end of the 19th century, it wasn’t uncommon for those suffering from depression to spend a stint in a sanitarium. Never mind that it would have been framed that they’d “gone to visit relatives.” A century later, more than 16 million people in the […]
Healing the Hurt
Chicago programs help young victims of trauma find their way forward “What happened to you?” Asking troubled children that question instead of, “What’s wrong with you?” is the basic premise of trauma-informed care. Childhood trauma occurs when a youth experiences an event that is emotionally painful or distressful, such as gun violence, sexual abuse, domestic […]
Managing the Highs and Lows
Families ride the roller-coaster of type 1 diabetes Managing type 1 diabetes is not easy — especially for kids. With the daily highs and lows of blood sugar and insulin dosing, kids and their parents can feel like they’re riding a roller-coaster. Throw teen diets, growing bodies, hormones, sports and school into the mix and […]
Breaking Down Barriers
Fighting against the stigma of mental illness and advocating for parity Moments after delivering her first child, a baby girl, Kate sensed that something wasn’t right. Not with the baby, but with herself. “I really wanted nothing to do with my daughter after she was born. I didn’t have that motherly touch.” Kate was a […]
Cooling Caps May Reduce Chemo Hair Loss
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy face the distressing prospect of losing their hair. But cold cap therapy can reduce hair loss from chemo and help patients feel more like themselves throughout their cancer treatment. During chemotherapy, the patient wears a special cap that fits tightly to the scalp, explains Kim Hart, NP, a nurse practitioner at […]
Making a Difference
Community groups take action to stop gun violence Guns are the worst thing that ever happened to black people,” says Englewood resident Tamar Manasseh. “You think slavery was bad? Guns, guns are worse.” In 2017, 3,567 people were shot in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune crime team. The city also saw 674 homicide deaths. […]
The Science of Addiction
Drugs, the brain and how to fix the cycle of substance abuse Taylor was a 14-year-old high school freshman when she unwittingly used OxyContin for the first time. The South Florida teen, who asked that her last name not be used for privacy, had been having menstrual cramps in math class when another student offered […]
Bike Prosthetic Gives a Ticket to Ride
For most kids, riding a bike around the neighborhood with your pals is a rite of passage. For 12-year-old Tim Bannon, who was born without arms, it has been an unfulfilled dream — until recently. “For as long as Tim has been able to verbalize his opinion, he has always said that he wanted to […]
Electrical Stimulation for Epilepsy
Some seizure sufferers who haven’t found relief from their anti-seizure medications or other therapies may benefit from innovative devices that electrically stimulate the brain. NeuroPace’s RNS System, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 for ages 18 and older, works for the brain like a pacemaker works for the heart. An implanted […]
Stretchable Electronics for Stroke Rehabilitation
An innovative device worn on the throat offers exciting possibilities in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. The device, developed in the lab of Northwestern University professor John A. Rogers in conjunction with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, allows patients to be monitored both while they are hospitalized and after they go home. The device’s position on […]
When Swimmers Sink
The decline in male sperm count and quality Take a closer look at a man’s sperm cells and you’ll learn about more than just his fertility. A new study, presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago in March 2018, shows that sperm count is also a good indicator of general health. The Italian […]
Teenage Breakdown
The rise in mental health issues and what parents can do Fifteen-year-old Evan Wilson likes to play video games, draw and listen to music, especially classic punk (think Sex Pistols and The Clash). He’s also dealing with mental health issues — in his case, depression with a mood component and ADHD. Many teens experience symptoms […]
Calming Effects of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD), cultivated from the cannabis plant, is being used to relieve anxiety and promote holistic well-being, offering therapeutic effects without the high of other cannabis-based substances. “People are using CBD as a natural alternative to anti-anxiety medication and some also use it in conjunction with medication,” says Kristen LePage, ND, a naturopathic doctor and […]
Is It Appropriate to Share Health Information on Social Media?
Social media is widely used for exchanging news, photos and opinions. But today, it’s also being used by patients to share health information with their physicians. Some 65 percent of millennials and 43 percent of all adults think it’s okay to contact doctors about health concerns by posting on their social media pages or through […]
Tips to Combat Age-Related Forgetfulness
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: Why do people become more forgetful as they age? A: It’s common to have moments of forgetfulness about where we put the keys, why we walked into a room, or what an object is called. This reflects age-related changes in thinking skills. Over time we can expect […]
No Proven Way to Prevent Celiac Disease
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Is there anything I can do now to prevent my 1-year-old from getting celiac disease? ANSWER: At this time, there is no proven way to prevent celiac disease. But if your child is considered to be at high risk for the disease due to family or medical history, there […]
Do We Need to Take Tackling Out of Youth Football?
Harvard Health Blog As we learn more about the frequency and effects of concussions in football, we are increasingly being forced to face the question: do we need to take the tackling out of youth football? A study published in the Annals of Neurology definitely begs that question. Researchers from Boston University examined the brains […]
Out of Step
Treatments can help the stabbing pain of plantar fasciitis It had been a few weeks since Cathy Joyce had completed her first marathon. The 51-year-old North Center resident, who has been running since her college days, felt a sharp pain in the bottom of her foot as she was trying to get out of bed. […]
Yoga for People with Back Pain
Harvard Health Blog Whenever my lower back gets tight (which happens more often than not after being glued to my work chair for hours on end), I sit on the floor and slowly move into my favorite yoga pose: half lord of the fishes, also known as a seated spinal twist. Just a twist to […]
Irregular Periods and Infertility Not Necessarily Linked
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m 34, and my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year with no luck. My periods have always been irregular. Sometimes I go three or four months without one. That’s been nerve-wracking as we try to figure out if we’re pregnant, but […]
Millet: No ‘Run-of-the-Mill’ Grain
Environmental Nutrition Newsletter What is millet? It may not be in most kitchens, but the popularity of this grain is gaining traction. The folklore First cultivated about 10,000 years ago in Asia and Africa, millet became a food staple around the world. The Bible refers to it in bread making, the Romans ate it as […]
Can Intermittent Fasting Extend Life?
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I am considering intermittent fasting. While I definitely need to shed a few pounds, I am also intrigued by the possibility of it extending life. What are your thoughts? A: Intermittent fasting involves alternating intervals of extreme calorie reduction with periods of normal eating. Proponents suggest it […]
4 Ways to Protect Against Skin Cancer (Other Than Sunscreen)
Harvard Health Blog While sunscreen is essential to lowering your risk for skin cancer, there are other simple, over-the-counter options you can incorporate into your summer skin protection routine. Nicotinamide may help prevent certain skin cancers Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has been shown to reduce the number of skin cancers. In […]
Shining a Light on the Emotional Toll of Alopecia Hair Loss
Our hair is a big part of our identity. And hair loss, unfortunately, can create emotional and social issues for those who suffer from it. Alopecia, or hair loss, has a variety of causes and severity levels and often strong emotional connotations as well. In Chicago, local professionals are taking a deeper look not only […]
Doctors’ Healthy Snack Hacks
Packaged convenience foods give snacking a bad rap, but a nutritious snack can help you better manage your food intake during the day so you’re not overly hungry at dinner. “Beware of ‘healthy’ snacks such as baked chips, pretzels, trail mix and granola bars,” says Amish Doshi, MD, an internal medicine physician with Edward Medical […]
Finding Support When Perinatal Depression Strikes
I was a reluctant mom; the carrier of an unplanned pregnancy that, for the most part, I took head down. Even before I had the baby, I was familiar with the possibility of facing some form of postpartum symptoms from the sheet handed out to me at the doctor’s office: lack of interest in your […]
Why (and How) to Cut Saturated Fats From Your Diet
The 411 on limiting saturated fats. Chances are, nothing good comes to mind when you hear those words. That’s because research has proven again and again that diets high in saturated fats increase LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in blood, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association began recommending in 1961 that we […]
How Couples Can Share Long Term Care Benefits
Q: How does a shared-benefit rider for long term care insurance work? Does it cost more than regular coverage? A: One of the big unknowns with long-term-care insurance is predicting how long you’ll need benefits. Although the average need for care is about three years, you might die before needing any care or you could […]
Juice for Babies? Experts Say It’s Not a Good Idea
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I just heard that children younger than 12 months of age should not get juice. I always thought natural juice was healthy. Why the change? A: Like you, many people think of juice as a healthy drink, something that should be part of a child’s diet. But […]