Smart food choices, smart portions
Healthy eating can often seem complicated. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of foods available in grocery stores, or to wonder exactly what a portion size looks like. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed; these simple suggestions can help ensure you’re eating a nutritious, good-for-you meal every time you fill up your plate. […]
Simple steps to reduce intestinal gas
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I need advice to reduce intestinal gas. Not only is it embarrassing, I also experience a lot of discomfort unless I let it out. Suggestions, please! A: A certain amount of flatulence is a normal part of the digestive process. But many people like you have gas […]
Are you really allergic to penicillin?
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts A: Allergies to penicillin are the most commonly reported medication allergy. This can be a real problem. If she is truly allergic to penicillin, she does need to avoid penicillin, amoxicillin and related compounds. Now, this would be just an unavoidable reality of life for penicillin-allergic people, if […]
Cause of canker sores unknown, but simple measures can provide relief
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I get canker sores about two to three times per year. Generally there is just one, but sometimes I have a couple at the same time. What causes them? Can they be prevented? A: A canker sore is a painful ulcers on the inside of the cheek […]
Health benefits of tea match those of coffee
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I keep hearing about the health benefits of drinking coffee. I am tea drinker and really enjoy it. But would it be better for my health if I switch? A: You’re correct. Over the last few years, there has been a flurry of studies showing the positive […]
Low-carb diet slows progressive brain tumor
A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that included a coconut oil derivative helped reduce the growth of glioblastoma tumor cells and extended lifespan in mouse models by 50 percent, researchers found. Glioblastoma, the most common brain tumor in adults, has no effective long-term treatment and on average, patients live for 12 to 15 months after diagnosis, according […]
8 tips to master portion control
From restaurants to packaged foods to home cooking, portion sizes have ballooned in past decades. Many health experts link the rise in obesity rates with our tendency towards portion distortion — a mismatch between our portion sizes and energy needs. Research by the University of Cambridge found that less availability of super-sized portions alone could […]
Could artificial sweeteners be bad for your brain?
Harvard Health Blog Sometimes it seems like people trying to choose a healthy diet and watch their weight can’t catch a break. Past studies have linked the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. So it’s easy to understand the appeal of diet soft drinks and other artificially sweetened beverages. […]
Fainting: Frightening, but seldom serious
One minute you’re feeling a bit woozy; the next thing you know, you’re flat on your back wondering what happened. No matter what you call it — swooning, passing out or fainting — the experience is surprisingly common. About a third of people say they’ve fainted at least once. Although often harmless, fainting can cause […]
Miss-Diagnosed: Heart disease is the number one killer of women, yet it’s often hidden
Who do you picture when you think of a typical heart disease patient? Most people think of an older, overweight male. While that is true, this group is far from being the only one affected. There’s another demographic whose risk is just as high: women. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in […]
Although rare, autonomic neuropathy can result from chemotherapy
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: After six months of chemotherapy, I developed autonomic neuropathy. I have been done with chemotherapy for a few months, but the neuropathy has not gone away. Is there a chance it could be permanent? ANSWER: Autonomic neuropathy can be a rare side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs. Because it is rare, and […]
A Bright Light in Cancer Treatment
Imagine a technology that allows physicians to target cancer cells with laser precision, sparing a patient’s healthy cells in the process. This is exactly what Kerstin Stenson, MD, director of Rush University Medical Center’s Head and Neck Cancer Program and leader of a new cancer treatment clinical trial, says photoimmunotherapy (PIT) can do for physicians […]
Healing Society’s Soul
Physicians sound the alarm for treating gun violence as a public health epidemic Especially on warmer nights, the gun victims arrive in waves. Typically, they get to the emergency rooms by ambulance. If they come by car, sometimes the driver or other passengers roll them out at the entrance like a heap of dirty laundry before […]
Beating the Biological Clock
Eggs without an expiration date offer women fertile hopes Starting at age 30, women may hear their biological clock ticking. It ticks louder with each passing year; each tick a gradual decrease in fertility. By your mid-30s, it’s so loud that it’s tough to ignore if you’re hoping to have children. When women hit 35, […]
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Less cutting of tendons and ligaments can lead to quicker recovery Michael Floodstrand had always led an active lifestyle. He played hockey and baseball as a kid, and he continued to work out regularly and play golf as an adult. By the time he reached his 50s, however, his hips were beginning to complain. After […]
Varicose Veins: Not So Vain
Varicose veins are a common ailment in the United States, says Michael Shao, MD, a vascular surgeon at Swedish Covenant Hospital. But despite their prevalence, misconceptions abound. Varicose veins are caused by blood backing up in veins, usually in a person’s legs or feet. Because the veins sometimes become visible through the skin, people often […]
Bringing the Arts to the Blind
Local organizations offer touch tours and audio description Brett Shishkoff goes to the theater, enjoys museum exhibits, attends the opera and swims with friends. He’s also blind. “All the world’s a stage,” Shakespeare wrote in As You Like It. Until recently, however, Chicago stages didn’t make it easy for those who were blind or visually […]
Integrative Cancer Treatment
From nutritional therapy to off-label drugs, holistic approaches help patients heal In this age of one-size-fits-all medicine, doctors who practice integrative therapies tailor their treatments to their patients. When it comes to cancer, integrative approaches can encompass everything from nutrition to vitamin infusions to different ways of delivering treatments. “Since the early ’80s, I have […]
Shoot for the Moon
Cancer initiative spurs research—and already advancements are happening In the 1960s, America channeled its scientific and engineering efforts into putting a man on the moon. It was a feat so large and an advancement so powerful that people were saying it couldn’t be done until the very moment that it was. With the same concentrated […]
A Family Affair
Battling pediatric cancer Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo started a tradition in his frequent visits to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. He brings his jersey and offers each child a trade: He’ll sign something for them, if they sign his jersey in return. “Now I have this jersey with […]
Cancer Survivorship
When treatment ends, the healing begins After Carolyn Nugent was diagnosed with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma, the 33-year-old physical therapist underwent a mastectomy, eight rounds of chemotherapy, 33 radiation treatments and breast reconstruction surgery. Following her radiation treatments, she celebrated with her extended family by taking a New Year’s cruise. That’s when she realized […]
Beating Cancer
Making progress in the long war Cancer has touched almost all of us in one way or another. Its fast-growing cells aggressively multiply and spread. Its pernicious effects take hold of our family, our friends and even ourselves. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the staggering statistics—15.5 million Americans are cancer survivors, according to the […]
Mind the Gap
Innovative programs provide bridge between pediatric and adult care The teen years can be strewn with anxiety as kids ride the rocky road into adulthood. But teen angst takes on a new meaning when a major health issue is thrown into the mix. As kids grow into adolescents and young adults, their health needs change—especially […]
Pondering: When Cancers are Unexpressed or Stage 0
Question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it fall, has it made a sound? Question: Does art need to be seen by someone other than its creator to be considered art? Question: If a person is diagnosed with a cancer that hasn’t expressed itself or isn’t invasive, do they, indeed, […]
Life After Cancer
By David Himmel Above photo: Abigail Mendoza. Photo by Angela Garbot It’s been almost three years since I was diagnosed with skin cancer. It was basal cell carcinoma, the best kind of skin cancer you can get. It grows slowly and isn’t designed to kill, only maim if left untreated for too long. I was […]
Funny Bone
Originally published in the Spring 2017 print edition
Myth or Fact?
We asked leading Chicago doctors to weigh in on these common health conceptions Myth or Fact? Don’t go outside without wearing sunglasses. Fact. For good eye health, it’s important to wear sunglasses. “They should be worn all year long, even on cloudy days,” says Lisa Rosenberg, MD, an ophthalmologist at University Eye Specialists. “Ultraviolet light […]
Customized Coaching
Personalized wellness plans target health and fitness By Megy Karydes Often, a doctor will dole out a recommendation to eat right and exercise. But it can be hard to know what actions to take. Should we be sweating it out with cardio or practicing restorative yoga? What if we’re recovering from cancer or have a chronic disease […]
Cancer-Fighting Mushrooms
Mushrooms. They add a burst of umami flavor, a gourmet touch and meaty weight to dishes, and they also pack an immune-boosting punch. While Eastern medicine has used mushrooms pharmaceutically for centuries, now Western research reveals that many mushrooms boast anti-cancer, anti-tumor and anti-microbial properties, according to the National Institutes of Health. Although many medicinal mushroom […]
Necessary Rest
Respite care eases the burdens on caregivers Caring for an aging parent can be physically and mentally demanding, an around-the-clock responsibility. Sometimes caregivers just need a break—a few days when they can take care of business, address a family emergency or go on a vacation and know that mom or dad is well taken care of. […]
Making Sense of Sleep
Restless nights can ruin your days. A sleep study may be able to help Rick Bonow feels like a new man. His mood is more upbeat; he arrives at his job early and full of energy; he has started working out for the first time in years. His new energy can be traced back to one thing: […]
Gut Relief
Low-FODMAP diet may help those with stomach ills Let’s face it, when your gut is not happy, neither are you. Many people struggle daily with abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea—all hallmarks of digestive sensitivities or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The causes of distress can be hard to determine, but recent research points to […]
Wearable Medicine
New devices tackle heart disease and diabetes Above photo: CardioMEMS pulmonary artery sensor. Courtesy of St. Jude Medical, Inc. A new era in medicine is emerging. Implanted body sensors can monitor critical indicators, dispense therapeutic doses of medication and alert patients and physicians to troubling changes—all in real time. This innovative technology is offering big promise in combating top causes of […]
Seniors in the Center
Changing the way older adults access healthcare Above: At Northwestern Medicine, Anne Seltzer, social worker with the division of geriatrics, and geriatrician Sara Bradley, MD, work with patient Kareemeh Simon and her daughter, Mary. Courtesy of Northwestern Medicine. Photo by Laura Brown You know them as parents. Neighbors. The cashier at your local supermarket. Maybe even the usher at […]
OCD?
Misconceptions abound of a debilitating disorder Diana, 18, is a North Carolina high school senior who loves animals. She has six cats and a dog and is considering a career in animal care. Yet in 2016, Diana found herself obsessed with thoughts that she would harm her pets. Even though she had never hurt them, she feared […]
Like a Balloon That Bursts
Aneurysms often show no symptoms, but a rupture can be deadly Above image: Sapan Desai, MD, PhD, MBA, a vascular surgeon at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, repairs an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Computer-assisted imaging and intraoperative visualization systems are increasingly used to train the next generation of surgeons on uncommon or especially complex procedures. Photo […]
Global Warming
As temperatures rise, climate change is jeopardizing our health Climate change. Those words might conjure up visions of sea levels rising, Arctic glaciers melting and polar bears heading toward extinction. But global warming is not an abstract thing happening far away. (And it’s certainly not a hoax!) Climate change is happening here and now, and it’s affecting our health […]
5 Things Doctors Would Never Do
Ever wonder where your physician draws the line when it comes to their health or the health of their family? We asked around to find out what things doctors in Chicago would never do. Here’s what they said. “I would never let my kids ride on my lap while driving a riding lawn mower. Over […]
Art in Living Color
Art museums are institutions that celebrate color, yet people who are colorblind walk through the doors at a disadvantage, unable to fully enjoy the creations around them. Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art has a solution. MCA patrons can borrow a pair of EnChroma glasses, which allow most colorblind people to see a broader array of […]
Sexual side effects from blood pressure medicine can affect both men and women
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I know that some blood pressure drugs cause erectile dysfunction in men. Are there other sexual side effects that might affect women as well? Are certain drugs less likely to affect one’s sex life? A: Yes, other sexual problems in addition to erectile […]
Eating to fight peptic ulcers
People used to say stomach ulcers were caused by too much stress or spicy food, and the best thing to do when the pain flared up was to drink a nice big glass of milk. It turns out everything about that statement was wrong. What they are A peptic ulcer is an open sore that […]
To lower triglycerides, lifestyle changes before drugs
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: My triglyceride level was high on my last blood test. My doctor said I might need medication if I can’t lower it with dietary changes. I thought my diet was already healthy. Would I really need medication? A: After you eat a snack or meal, your body […]
Gluten related symptoms: Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity?
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I seem to be very sensitive to gluten. My doctor tested me for celiac disease and it came back negative. Will you please provide some insight into this paradox? A: It’s not really a paradox. There are many people who experience a variety of symptoms from ingesting […]
Start treatment now to prevent spring allergy symptoms
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I have spring allergies. Every year I think they won’t be too bad. In reality, it’s awful and I have a hard time getting ahead of the symptoms. Suggestions? A: Don’t wait until you get the runny, stuffy nose and itchy eyes. Get started on treatment now, […]
Does your doctor’s gender matter?
Harvard Health Blog I’ve read medical research studies that surprised me. I’ve read medical news that inspired me to learn more. And, sure, there have been plenty of studies that went way over my head. But it’s rare that I’ve read a study that made me feel defensive. Until now. Researchers publishing JAMA Internal Medicine […]
10 Tips to Fight Osteoporosis
Environmental Nutrition Because 70 percent of our bone destiny is due to heredity, you’re at greater risk for osteoporosis if you have a family history of the disease — but that doesn’t mean you can’t help shape the health of your bones. We actively build bone until our mid-20s, then we start to slowly lose […]
Building a better sandwich
Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Sandwiches … harmless, right? A couple of slices of bread filled with a bit of lean meat and maybe some veggies. Sure, if you make them at home, sandwiches can make a great light lunch or dinner entree. But picking up a deli-style sandwich at a restaurant is another story. Those sandwiches […]
The Kid’s Doctor: How to prevent bug bites all summer long
By Sue Hubbard, M.D. It is the time of year for bugs and bites, and I see a lot of kids with bites coming into my office. Parents ask, “What kind of bite is it?” And in most of the kids I see are having a reaction to a mosquito bite. Parents are extremely concerned […]
Antibiotics can be an option rather than surgery for simple appendicitis
Q: A friend recently was diagnosed with appendicitis. She was treated with antibiotics only, no surgery. Doesn’t appendicitis always require an appendectomy? A: For more than 100 years, surgery has been the recommended treatment for appendicitis. However, recent studies suggest that antibiotics and no surgery might be safe and just as effective for many […]
How to improve your cholesterol levels
If one-third of Americans have unhealthy cholesterol levels, why did the U.S. recently change its advice to limit the cholesterol we eat daily? Well, for most of us, dietary cholesterol has almost no effect on the cholesterol that ends up in our arteries. But keeping your blood cholesterol numbers down is still key to preventing […]