Virtual Reality is the Future of Surgical Training
Above photo: Dr. Ali Alaraj. Courtesy of University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System. Photo by Hossein Fatemi Imagine heading into the operating room for a complex neurological surgery knowing that the previous day your surgeon practiced the same procedure on your exact brain structure. How much more confident would you feel in the […]
Combining Best of Integrative and Traditional Care
When I first noticed the redness on the palms of our 5-year-old son’s hands, my husband Kyle and I assumed that he hadn’t been wearing his winter gloves. A week later, we noticed that he had the same, extreme redness on the soles of his feet. Not only was the skin red, but it also […]
How we can all help protect babies with immunizations
Harvard Health Blog When you are pregnant, what you hear from people around you makes a difference. You want to do the right thing for your child; if someone you trust gives you advice, you listen. That’s why we need to be sure that pregnant women get good advice. In a study published in the […]
Is ibuprofen before exercise risky?
Q: I often take a couple of over-the-counter ibuprofen before I go out for a jog to help the muscle aches afterward. I usually run for 45 minutes to one hour. Is there any danger? A: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, generics) is one of the many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) primarily to reduce pain. These drugs […]
Checklists Take the Guess Work Out of Hospital Stays
When an ambulance took a family member to the hospital some time ago, I grabbed all his medications so I could show them to the medical staff. I was glad I had the small notebook I always carry in my purse, because I could write down the names, specialties and contact information of the doctors […]
Take a hike for better health
You don’t need to summit Mount Everest to net the many benefits of hiking. Even a moderate one-hour hike can burn around 400 calories, all while sculpting your core and lower body. And as the elevation goes up, so do the benefits. Find a trail near you at www.hikingproject.com, which features GPS and elevation data […]
Good fat, bad fat, low fat
The fortunes of dietary fat have not followed a straight line. As a nutrient, it has been vilified, forgiven and, in some cases, even glorified. What we know about this essential nutrient is further complicated by the fact that not all fats are created equal. Under the very large umbrella of “fats” there are saturated, […]
You’ve Gotta Have Heart
Taking steps to protect your ticker Let’s get to the heart of the matter. The heart is one of the most important organs in your body. It’s about the size of your fist and is composed of muscle that expands and contracts to pump blood throughout your body, nourishing every cell. It is responsible for […]
The Heart’s Hidden Risks
Are you aware of these lesser-known factors for cardiovascular disease? Most of us know the drill when it comes to keeping our heart healthy: Exercise, don’t smoke, eat plenty of fruit and veggies, maintain a healthy weight and watch our blood pressure and cholesterol. Indeed those are smart habits to follow. High blood pressure, high […]
Hope for Hearts
Major innovations in cardiac treatment happening right here in Chicago There are some fields of medicine where advancement is happening at such an astounding pace that it’s unfathomable to think how different treatments were 10 years ago — and how different they’ll be 10 years from now. In the world of cardiology, progress in treatment […]
Outpatient Surgery
Ambulatory care centers can cost less, offering an alternative for low-risk patients When faced with an upcoming surgery, you might be presented with an unexpected option: Do you want to have your surgery in the hospital or in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), a fully licensed facility that performs surgeries on an outpatient basis? For […]
Healing Heart and Soul
Many patients with cardiac disease also suffer from depression When people used to ask Jang Jaswal, 61, what he did for a living, he would tell them he spent a lot of time in the hospital. “Are you a doctor?” they’d ask. “No,” he’d say, “I’m a patient.” From 1989 to 2014, Jaswal experienced a […]
Mind Your Meds
Not taking heart medications can lead to serious effects You go to your doctor, receive a prescription and never get it filled. For heart disease patients, particularly those with high blood pressure (hypertension), this is a frighteningly common occurrence — one with potentially serious consequences. As many as half of the 187 million patients with […]
Finding Hope in a Hopeless Place
Chicago groups provide healthcare to the homeless Photo by Jim Vondruska Colorful tents line the sidewalks under the Lake Shore Drive viaducts at Lawrence Avenue and Wilson Avenue. They’re home to a rotating cast of Chicago’s homeless who have sought refuge and also found community there. Some have been staying for months, some for days, but all face […]
Peanut Free Nation
The rise of food allergies and what researchers are doing to prevent them When I was in grade school, there was no “peanut-free” table. Peanut butter sandwiches were traded freely for chocolate milk and potato chips. Birthdays meant cupcakes in the classroom, with little thought as to whether they were made in a peanut-free facility. […]
Myth vs Fact
We asked leading Chicago doctors to weigh in on these common health conceptions Myth or Fact? Soy is harmful to the reproductive system. Myth/Inconclusive. Soy is not harmful for male reproductive systems, says Matthew Meadows, MD, a urologist with Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. “Consumption of soy protein does not adversely affect men’s testosterone, nor […]
Are Pap Tests Becoming Obsolete?
Since 2012, gynecologists have asked women to schedule a Pap smear every three years, instead of annually. But is it time for a further change? In recent years, some gynecologic oncologists have proposed replacing Pap smears with an “upstream” cervical cancer screening method. Instead of testing broadly for abnormal cells, women would be screened for […]
Music in the O.R.
While you’re lying sedated on the operating room table, your surgeon may be rocking out. Music is played in the operating theater 62 to 72 percent of the time, according to a study in medical journal The BMJ. “Around 80 percent of theater staff report that music benefits communication between team members, reducing anxiety levels […]
Supporting Medicare Patients After Chemo
The almost 1.7 million people diagnosed with cancer each year face a range of hurdles, but a new healthcare approach may alleviate some of the burden. The Oncology Care Model — launched in July 2016 by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation — is a five-year pilot program that supports Medicare patients undergoing cancer […]
Downsizing Dilemmas
Easing seniors’ transition to a smaller space Dorothy Beatty was an anomaly when it came to downsizing, says her son, Stanley Beatty. Dorothy, from Kansas City, Missouri, took her time making the decision to downsize from the home she lived in with her husband and children to an apartment in a senior community. But once […]
Sex & Menopause
What women should know about intimacy and midlife changes If there’s one message that Lauren Streicher, MD, wants to share with every woman who’s struggling with sex after menopause, it’s this: “There is a solution. If you haven’t been given the solution it doesn’t mean there isn’t one. It means someone hasn’t told you what […]
Breast Cancer in Men
Although rare, males are at risk, too Frank LaFasto remembers clearly the night in late June 1995 when he settled down with his wife to watch the news. She rested her head on his shoulder, placed her hand over his heart and said, “What’s this bump?” She had found a small lump on the nipple […]
This Old Body
I’ve always enjoyed birthdays. Mine falls around Memorial Day, near the birthdays of several family members and friends. With the long weekend, the warmer weather and numerous celebrations, getting older was always a lot of fun. But now I’m 38. I can see 40 breaking over the horizon, and things don’t look so good. Always […]
At a Loss for Words
What to say — and what not to — when talking about cancer In 2013, Charles Chamberlain, 53, a Chicago healthcare executive, was diagnosed with a rare type of lymphoma related to celiac disease and given three to six months to live. He has been in remission for two and half years, but he has had to endure grueling chemotherapy and […]
Back Pain Reversal
New recommendations emphasize non-opioid treatments Hurt your back, take a pain pill. That’s a common treatment, right? Sure is. In 2014, more than 240 million prescriptions were written for opioids. That’s more than enough to give every adult in the nation their own bottle of pain pills. Today, the opioid situation in the United States has escalated to […]
Hope for TBI
Researchers use stem cells to understand traumatic brain injury John D. Finan, PhD, didn’t intend to build a career out of manipulating stem cells. Far from it, in fact. As a PhD candidate at Duke University, he leaned on his mechanical engineering background to focus on creating a safer bicycle helmet to prevent head injuries. […]
Scoping Out Relief
Arthroscopic surgery provides minimally invasive option for joint injuries Hardly a week goes by without a report that a professional athlete’s season is in jeopardy because of a torn ACL or rotator cuff. But these joint injuries are not just for athletes; they can occur in laborers or weekend warriors who push themselves too hard. Since the […]
Have a Heart: A Rant in Two Parts
For years I’ve wanted to write a rant about the stagnating choice so many of us make not to feel, not to connect to our heart (our sensorial, innate wisdom). Well, here we are in the heart issue with an invitation to connect to your heart. Let the ranting begin! Part I: Seriously, people! Do […]
Paging Dr. Canine
From emotional support to cancer detection, dogs leave their medical mark The office where orthopedic surgeon Leon Benson, MD, sees patients resembles any welcoming physician’s office: soft carpeting, bright walls, friendly staff. Nothing appears out of the ordinary — at first. Then, the handle of Benson’s office door turns, the door swings open and a black, […]
Bipolar Disorder
Making sense of the ups and downs Lizzie,* a Chicago-resident, was overwhelmed with several stressful situations in her late 20s. She started experiencing extreme mood swings. She stopped sleeping, eating and drinking water; she was irritable and her mind started racing; at times, she was full of energy, impulsively cleaning her house from top to […]
Eye Opener
Floaters and flashing lights? It could be a retinal detachment Christmas 2006 is a day I’ll never forget. My husband and I braved frigid temperatures to walk to a friend’s home. During dinner, a fly entered my field of vision. I swatted it away several times before realizing that I was the only person who could see […]
Water Works
Hydrotherapy’s healing power stimulates and soothes Erin Myover-Piotrowski, 35, had been experiencing fatigue, sluggishness and some digestive troubles. “I didn’t feel well enough to be working out. I’d been taking Zantac and Pepcid,” says the Villa Park resident. “My husband and I used to joke that we had ‘his and her’ Tums on the bedside […]
3 reasons to leave earwax alone
Harvard Health Blog Can you think of something you do that’s nearly irresistible, widely popular, but a bad idea that’s based on a health myth? That’s right, I’m talking about inserting cotton-tipped swabs into your ears. According to guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, experts strongly discourage twirling cotton-tipped swabs […]
Diet not working? Maybe it’s not your type
Harvard Health Blog Have you heard of the blood type diet? I thought it had been debunked long ago but patients keep asking about it, so I figured I should learn more. What’s the blood type diet? In 1996 Peter D’Adamo, a naturopathic physician, published a book in which he described how people could be […]
Funny Bone
Originally Published in the Fall 2017/Winter 2018 issue
Veg Out!
Plant-based diets are at the root of heart-healthy eating For a healthy heart, there’s no denying that plant foods are essential. Plants contain an arsenal of phytochemicals as well as dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, all of which benefit overall health. When it comes to eating for heart health, plants are at the center of the […]
The Beat Goes On
Exercising your way to a healthier heart When it comes to taking care of your heart, you can’t underestimate the importance of staying active. Regular exercise — even if it’s moderate — can have a marked impact on your heart’s health. “Exercise helps the heart because it signals the heart to grow stronger,” says R. […]
Putting Veggies First
Practically every study about vegetables touts their power in preventing chronic illnesses, fighting cancer and helping with weight loss. Vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are important sources of nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folic acid and vitamins A and C. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate food guide (which replaced the well-known food […]
Create a contract for family care
Kiplinger Retirement Report When the caregiver whom Amy Goyer, of Phoenix, hired for her 93-year-old father seemed particularly tired recently, Goyer realized she had been so busy she wasn’t aware her employee needed a vacation. As it happens, that caregiver is also her sister. “A loved one who provides care can get burned out, too, […]
Cancer and Bone Health: Important Questions for Women
DXA Scanner. Photo courtesy of Northwestern Medicine’s Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center For women facing a cancer diagnosis, there are countless questions that come to mind. From treatments and medications to the emotional journey of living with cancer, it’s easy for the mind to get full — and fast. The last question a woman is […]
Secrets to preparing healthy pasta
Love pasta but want to make it more nutritious? Make healthy pasta by lightening up linguine, spaghetti, penne and more with these smart strategies. 1. Go the whole (wheat) way. Unless you’re avoiding gluten, whole-wheat pasta is your best bet. “Whole-wheat pasta provides more healthy carbs, fiber, vitamins and minerals than standard pasta,” says Laura […]
Music can be good medicine
Jan Stouffer, who works as a board certified music therapist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, uses music to help control patients’ pain and anxiety, to ease their adjustment to the hospital setting, and to promote physical rehabilitation. “Health is a dance back and forth between physical and emotional needs, so the […]
Exercise helps aging brain stay young
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: Over the last year, I sometimes forget things. I am 66 but I always have had a great memory. What can I do to avoid becoming more forgetful? A: Most of us have had firsthand experience with memory lapses. We find ourselves flustered trying to recall a […]
Healthy Snacks Popping Up
When the Sweets & Snacks Expo rolls into McCormick Place every spring, it feels like Halloween in May. Imagine four acres of showrooms brimming with different types of chips, cookies, candy, popcorn, meat snacks and more — all available for sampling for those lucky enough to attend. This year, we explored the expo with a […]
Toxic chemicals from cigarettes remain toxic in secondhand smoke
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Is secondhand cigarette smoke dangerous to my health? ANSWER: The short answer to your question is yes, secondhand smoke is dangerous. Secondhand smoke — also known as environmental tobacco smoke — is a combination of the smoke coming from a burning cigarette and the smoke exhaled by the smoker, […]
The beet goes on
People have been eating beetroot for its health properties since the Middle Ages. In modern times, however, it’s the liquid version that’s making waves. Scientific studies on beetroot juice claim the elixir can lower blood pressure, increase blood flow, and improve exercise performance. As a result, the ruby red beverage has become a favorite among […]
10 Things You Need to Know About Hiring an In-Home Caregiver
When caring for a loved one at home, most family caregivers reach a point where they realize they need some assistance. Hiring an in-home caregiver can ease the workload, providing help with tasks like bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, companionship and supervision. The caregiving industry is growing alongside the aging baby boomer population. With so many […]
Insomnia: The best and worst ways to fall asleep
Have trouble falling asleep? Wake up at 3 a.m. for no reason? Insomnia can rob you of energy the next day, fog your thinking and put you in harm’s way on the road. If you’re relying on common crutches for sleeplessness, they won’t help your cause. Here, our sleep experts share their favorite and least […]
3 healthy tips for dining out
Facing a gargantuan restaurant menu full of culinary delights can make any healthful eater buckle. But there’s hope. To help you make smart choices, we asked some leading chefs to share their professional secrets. Their suggestions prove that dining out doesn’t have to be a dilemma when your health is at stake. “If you eat […]
Losing weight doesn’t change actual stomach size
Q: Does my stomach actually shrink when I lose weight? A: Not exactly. But here’s why you might feel full. Our stomachs have a reflex called receptive relaxation: As food enters your stomach, the muscles relax and expand out to accommodate more volume. In fact, your stomach can expand up to five times its volume […]