EatingWell: These cooking habits could be sabotaging your diet
By Hilary Meyer, EatingWell.com One sure way to keep your weight in check is to ditch the takeout menu and cook at home instead. In your own kitchen you can control the menu and hence the calories. But it’s not a flawless plan. When you cook at home–and especially if you’re comfortable doing so–you might […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Remember that fever is your child’s friend
By Sue Hubbard, M.D., www.kidsdr.com Every year, during the fall and winter “sick season,” I see 20-30 patients a day with a fever, and every parent anguishes over why this has happened. Fever is one of the most common symptoms among children. Younger children run fevers quite frequently when they’re sick. As I’ve discussed before, […]
Lactose-intolerant? Dairy milk alternatives abound
By Heidi McIndoo, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter A generation or so ago, people who were lactose intolerant, had milk allergies, or special dietary preferences had few options for a milk replacement. If you couldn’t find soymilk at the local supermarket, you had to rely on non-dairy creamer to moisten your breakfast cereal or add […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Allergy season has arrived!
By Sue Hubbard, M.D., www.kidsdr.com Wow! I just had a very busy week in the office, and while I was on call in the evening. The biggest problem right now seems to be allergies. While some parts of the country are still experiencing cold, many areas are warming up, and trees and grasses are starting […]
EatingWell: New discoveries about cholesterol hold surprises
By Shaun Dreisbach, EatingWell.com It turns out cholesterol is way more complex than experts originally thought. And diet is only part of the picture. A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that compared high- and low-fat diets found that eating the low-fat diet didn’t have a significant impact […]
10 Things Patients Want You to Know about Female Infertility
By Chicago Health With 7.4 million women experiencing infertility—approximately 286,860 in Illinois—infertility is a national issue that affects one in eight couples, regardless of age or race. For those who long for a child, an infertility diagnosis is devastating, and going through fertility treatment can prove a challenge physically, emotionally and financially. “We’ve come a […]
No Such Thing as TMI
Information is essential when discussing alcohol abuse with teens It’s no secret that today’s teens are bombarded with glamorized messages of alcohol. They see images of bikini-clad women and Abercrombie–ad-worthy men with drinks in hand. Images of friends and family members hoisting a drink fill their Instagram and Snapchat feeds, painting a picture of blissful […]
Safe exercise: Know the warning signs of pushing too hard
Harvard Health Letters You know the expression about no pain, no gain. But pain and other symptoms during exercise are not normal. You should always pay attention when your body is sending you warning signs. “Be sensible if you have symptoms. It’s better to get help so you can exercise for years to come rather […]
EatingWell: Changes in diet can help lower your blood pressure
By Karen Ansel, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., EatingWell.com What you eat can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. And it’s not just about shaving sodium from your plate. The following tricks can help bring your numbers down naturally. PILE ON THE PRODUCE Foods like potatoes, beans and bananas are full of potassium, a […]
Learn to decipher supermarket shelf nutrition labels
By Barbara Ruhs, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Supermarkets across the country now offer shelf nutrition labeling programs, which can help shoppers more easily identify the best food choices. Such programs vary by retailer: Some identify specific product nutrition attributes, such as “low sodium,” while others feature a rating depicted by stars or a score. […]
Battling breast cancer: UVA pioneers image-guided, high-dose approach
Source: University of Virginia Health System CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — An experimental approach to treating breast cancer being tested at the University of Virginia Health System allows doctors to administer significantly higher doses of cancer-killing radiation where it’s needed at the same time as tumor removal, while sparing healthy tissue, an initial research study suggests. The […]
EatingWell: Is canola oil toxic or bad for you?
By Shaun Dreisbach, EatingWell.com There are all sorts of rumors about canola oil—so let’s sort fact from fiction. First, you may have heard that canola oil contains high levels of the toxic compound erucic acid. Not true. “The rapeseed plant that canola oil was originally derived from does contain high levels of erucic acid, but […]
Research unlocking secrets of the inner ear and hearing loss
Source: University of Virginia School of Medicine whatdoctorsknow.com The ability to discern pitch — to hear the difference between “cat,” “bat” and “hat,” for example — hinges on remarkable gradations in specialized cells within the inner ear. New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the National Institute on Deafness and Communication […]
Artificial sweeteners: Moderation is key to avoid any problems
By Judy Thalheimer, R.D., L.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter The label says, “no sugar added,” “sugar-free,” or “diet.” So what makes the food or drink inside the package so sweet? Chances are it’s an artificial sweetener, a chemically processed sugar substitute. Also known as non-nutritive, non-caloric or high-intensity sweeteners, these synthetic sweeties are hundreds or even […]
EatingWell: Limit processed foods with simple swaps
By Lisa D’Agrosa, M.S., R.D., EatingWell.com You’ve probably heard that you should limit processed foods in your diet, but might be wondering exactly what those foods are–and how to cut back on them. Many packaged foods are full of ingredients you can’t pronounce and are loaded with sodium, sugar and unhealthy saturated fat, so it’s […]
Avoid nutritional shortfall with simple changes in your diet
By Karen Collins, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., F.A.N.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter When scientists observe that lots of people don’t meet their needs for particular nutrients, they are dubbed “shortfall nutrients.” Here are four essential nutrients most likely to be insufficient in your diet, based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and simple strategies […]
Crazy for carrots: Colorful veggies pack a big nutritional punch
By Lori Zanteson, Environmental Nutrition Newsletter You can’t go wrong by adding more carrots to your menu. Raw or cooked, these colorful veggies pack a lot of nutrition in a small package. THE FOLKLORE The carrot was first cultivated about 1,100 years ago in the Afghanistan region, but seeds from its predecessor, the wild carrot, have […]
Pay cash for your health care: Concierge care is catching on
By Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger Personal Finance In an era of higher deductibles, rising out-of-pocket costs, shrinking provider networks and fewer choices in health care, more people are taking matters into their own hands. Instead of using their health insurance for all of their care, they’re going off the grid and paying cash so they can […]
Longevity gene may boost brain power
whatdoctorsknow.com A new study has demonstrated that people with a variant of a longevity gene, called KLOTHO, have improved brain skills such as thinking, learning and memory regardless of their age, sex, or whether they have a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Increasing KLOTHO gene levels in mice made them smarter, possibly by increasing […]
Laugh-In: Laughter Yoga Creates Joy, Well-Being
By Megy Karydes Yoga is nothing to laugh about—or is it? While the health benefits of yoga and meditation are well documented, laughter yoga goes one step further by incorporating the power of laughter with various yoga poses. The practice is based on the idea that voluntary laughter has the same physiological and psychological benefits […]
Do you really need all the drugs you’re taking?
Harvard Health Letters You probably go through your closet periodically, weeding out clothes that no longer fit. But how often do you take stock of your medicine chest? If you can’t remember the last time you did an inventory of your pill bottles, you may want to add that to your to-do list. You could […]
Pescetarian diet swimming in health benefits
By Judith C. Thalheimer, R.D. L.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Think something’s fishy about a pescetarian diet? Think again! More people are interested in this style of eating, which may be one of the best things you can do for your health. Pescetarians avoid red meat and poultry, yet eat all manner of seafood, including fish, […]
Strive for a nutrient-dense diet
By Matthew Kadey, M.Sc., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter When you turn over a packaged product in the grocery store to read the nutritional breakdown, it’s tempting to look at the calories first. We’ve been bombarded for years with messages that calories count most when it comes to the battle of the bulge. Yet, nutrition experts […]
Bone up before you buy: The ABCS of picking a Medigap policy
By Christopher J. Gearon, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report People enrolling in traditional Medicare should buy a supplemental insurance policy to cover the substantial gaps left by deductibles and co-payments, according to consumer advocates. But choosing a private Medigap plan can be daunting. That’s what Joyce Katen discovered when she turned 65 in May. “I got so […]
Try these simple steps to beat rising food costs
By Cameron Huddleston, Kiplinger Personal Finance The Kiplinger Agriculture Letter expects food prices across the board to increase 2.5 percent in 2015. However, there are ways to keep the cost of groceries under control. Follow these steps to keep your food bills under control: 1. Stock up during sales. It’s always a good money-saving strategy […]
Learn how to spot and treat sinusitis
Source: Cleveland Clinic whatdoctorsknow.com A head full of congestion, post-nasal drip and a dull sense of smell and taste — these symptoms are common enough to be confused with allergies and colds. But such symptoms also could mean you have sinusitis, says Michael S. Benninger, M.D., Chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute. […]
Millions of adults skip medications, primarily due to their high cost
By Howard LeWine, M.D. Harvard Health Blog Medications can do wonderful things, from fighting infection to preventing stroke and warding off depression — but they don’t work if you don’t take them. Some people don’t take their medications as prescribed because they forget, or are bothered by side effects. A new report from the National […]
Learn how to stay in the sodium safe zone
Harvard Health Letters How’s your sodium intake? Most health-conscious adults already know that sodium raises blood pressure–and that high blood pressure, in turn, boosts the risk of heart disease and stroke. As for how much sodium an individual ingests from all sources, it’s hard to say. There’s no simple test you can take–like having your […]
What Doctors Know: Choose, clean your toothbrush carefully to curb harmful bacteria
Source: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston whatdoctorsknow.com Solid-head power toothbrushes retain less bacteria compared to hollow-head toothbrushes, according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Dentistry. The results of the study were published in the August 2014 issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene. […]
Hold the cranberries: UTI myths explained
Source: Cleveland Clinic whatdoctorsknow.com The myths about preventing and treating a urinary tract infection (UTI) are many, but let’s get to the truth. About 60 percent of women will experience this common malady (and the painful, frequent and sometimes urgent urination that goes with it) over their lifetimes. At the top of the UTI “myth […]
EatingWell: You can stick to your weight management goals
By EatingWell editors, EatingWell.com You’ve made the decision to take control of your weight, so congratulations! Now, take a few minutes to think about what you’ll gain from losing weight. Better health? More energy? A boost in self-confidence? Reminding yourself what you stand to gain by losing weight can be a powerful motivator. But first […]
Anesthesiologists Form New Megapractice
By Tom Mullaney Anesthesiologists are expert at putting people to sleep. Now, a group of approximately 120 such specialists are generating some wake-up news. Chicago’s Midwest Anesthesia Partners (MAP) is the result of three independent suburban practices that consolidated in 2013. The group practice, in its short life, has achieved the nation’s best perioperative morbidity/mortality […]
Holy Cow!
Illinois dairy farms becoming more sustainable and improving the way we eat Sustainable food systems are a big environmental initiative nationwide. And Illinois dairy farms, with their rolling acres of farmland, hundreds of cows and large carbon footprint, are no exception in finding new ways to lower their environmental impact and meet consumers’ health demands. […]
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Benefits Parkinson’s Patients Through Movement
Parkinson’s Project participants at the Hubbard Street Dance Center. Photo by Todd Rosenberg. by Nancy Maes After Dale Schlafer developed Parkinson’s disease nine years ago, he could no longer play his regular tennis games or go on his usual bike rides and long walks. But that hasn’t prevented him from experiencing the pleasures and benefits […]
The Dangers of Home Exercise Equipment
By Nancy Maes Earlier this year, Sen. Harry Reid was doing his regular strengthening routine at his home in Las Vegas. The ultrastrong exercise band he was using, which was reportedly attached to a door, broke with such force that it catapulted him backward and sideways, sending him crashing into cabinets. It could have made […]
Above & Beyond: Support
Mile Square Health Center Supports Englewood Children The need for children’s mental health services keeps growing, especially in underserved areas of Chicago. Diagnosing a child with a mental health illness is a challenge since the city ofChicago shuttered half its mental health clinics in 2012 due to budget cuts. To reach these kids, Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, a statewide […]
Knowing When to Decide
Aging in a New Home By Megy Karydes LaManda Joy comes across a tiny wooden box in the back of a drawer and realizes it contains flowers from her parents’ wedding in June 1945. Her mother’s home is like a time capsule, she says, and moving her from it to a long-term care situation has […]
Stressed Out
The importance of keeping cool can’t be stressed enough By Kate Silver Stress has been a lifelong problem for Claire.* For years, the 32-year-old has struggled with health problems—irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis, for starters—plus the memories of abuse from her youth that began coming back to haunt her when she reached adulthood. Despite extensive therapy, she’s struggled […]
Obamacare: One Year Later
By Megy Karydes The Affordable Care Act (ACA), the landmark law popularly known as Obamacare, took effect last January. One year later, despite positive changes to the healthcare system, the ACA is still marred in controversy. The idea of government-sponsored healthcare has always been a lightning rod in the political theater. It’s been one in […]
Up for Grabs
An adventure through the evolving science of organ transplantation By David Himmel It is late morning in early May 2014. Ozzie Rivero’s pager buzzes. The message reads: “heart offer.” Rivero takes action. Within the next 24 hours, he will be part of a harried effort to retrieve a still-beating heart from a deceased donor’s body […]
Stress In Chicago
Since 2007, the American Psychological Association has conducted a national survey on stress. In 2012, the survey charted stress levels in different cities and found that in Chicago, stress levels were at their lowest since 2008, putting residents on a par with the national average. The survey found that while Chicagoans have the same stressors […]
Know Your Panic
Understanding how to control the way you lose it By Nancy Maes When Richard Harper’s* oldest daughter flew off to college with her mother for her freshman year in the fall of 2013, he was left to make the nine-hour drive to campus to deliver her belongings. On the road, he could feel the stress […]
Supplements: Finding the Edge While Avoiding Snake Oil
There’s no shame in wanting to look better naked. But do shortcuts exist, as the $96 billion global supplement industry would have us to believe? Supplement shelves are flooded with products promising to deliver everything from washboard abs to more energy. But how do you know which of them are worth your time and dollars? […]
Restless Children
Many kids find sleep elusive, due in part to an ADHD misdiagnosis By Nancy Maes Youngsters of all ages need a good night’s sleep, but for some, that good night is elusive. In fact, it is estimated that more than two million children today have some type of sleep disorder. It takes some detective work […]
When Everything Hurts
Diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia are often elusive By Nancy Maes Diagnosing this disease isn’t easy. It usually takes years, following chronic widespread pain and fatigue and sometimes sleeplessness, depression, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome and brain fog. People who suffer from this disease often spend three to five years consulting one doctor after another seeking a […]
It’s Winter: Take Your Workout Outside
Frigid Chicago winters often make us cower inside, afraid of venturing outdoors, especially for exercising. But the truth is, the bitter cold doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Last year, I learned to embrace the cold. Granted, it took a trip to polar territory—Marquette, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula—to do so. But there, I […]
The Food Buzz
Getting the scoop on mindful eating Mindful eating may be called New Age, but the practice of being present with our food has been around for centuries. In today’s fast-paced, on-the-go world we often multitask, eating in the car, in front of the TV or at our desks. Eating with awareness and purpose can allow people […]
Diabesity: Giving a name to the abusive relationship between obesity and diabetes
By Dr. Gena Vennikandam Ever hear the biblical proverb, “If you find honey, eat just enough.”? These words to the wise warn of overindulgence and gluttony, which can lead to illness. Unfortunately, for many, this warning goes without heed, and obesity that leads to diabetes is becoming commonplace. Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death […]
Hospitals: Hazardous to Your Health?
One in 25 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC offers these recommendations to help minimize your risk: 1. Keep hands clean: Be sure everyone who comes in contact with you washes their hands with soap. 2. Know the signs of infection: […]
Want to Reduce Stress? Here’s How
Patricia Normand, MD, a psychiatrist at Rush University Medical Center and director of its Mindful Life Program, says that in order to reduce stress, she teaches students to focus on the sensation of their breath. When people know what it feels like to quickly shift focus away from what is causing them stress and onto […]