Public Safety and Public Health: Sharing the Bike Lane
I have long said that I’m not a true Chicagoan because I haven’t been doored. If you’re not familiar with the term, you’re not a Chicago cyclist. For a cyclist, getting doored happens when a person in a car opens their door right in your path. This sends you like a rocket straight into the […]
Our Well-being: It’s More Than Personal
Shootings. Extreme weather. The Great Resignation. Depression. Anxiety. The messaging is clear: How we move with ourselves, our communities, and the earth is not sustainable. Sustainability is about living practices that honor environmental, economic, and human vitality for the thriving of all, not just for today but for generations to come. But are we ready to […]
Ask the Doc
Your embarrassing questions answered! By Dhara Bhakta, MD Q: How can I talk to my medical providers about my sexual concerns or issues? A: Talking to medical providers about sexual health concerns isn’t something most people relish. To be honest, most medical providers are just as uncomfortable talking about sex as their patients are. There are […]
High-five
The 5 supports that got me through cancer treatment Getting support during cancer treatment is essential. But finding the right support can feel like standing in one of those lottery wind tunnels — bills zooming everywhere as you’re frantically trying to grab what you can. When you’re diagnosed with cancer, life feels like a whirlwind — the […]
Repeat Performance
The medical consequences of gaming and esports The call of Call of Duty — a top-selling (400 million copies worldwide), first-person shooter video game — has kept Gabriel Dimperio seated for eight to 10 hours at a time, waging battle in virtual worlds. And he’s felt it in his back. “It’s something you power through,” […]
Owning Disability
By talking about their differences, children can self-advocate and build confidence Tommy O’Leary appreciates a good joke. Occasionally, when a curious kid asks about his prosthetic leg, he says a shark attacked him. To Tommy, the made-up version is more exciting than the real story. MaryKay O’Leary, Tommy’s mom, feels differently. She reminds him that […]
Time to Chill
The effects of stress on heart health At 28, I got into an argument with my boyfriend and ended up collapsed in my apartment stairwell, clutching my chest. I wasn’t being dramatic. My heart was racing at about 200 beats per minute — two to three times faster than a standard heart rate. It was […]
Restless Nights?
A sleep disorder may be a hidden precursor to Parkinson’s disease Otis Peeples always had vivid dreams. So vivid, in fact, that he regularly acted them out in his sleep. From dreaming he was driving a car to reenacting a Western movie, his movements and behaviors sometimes endangered himself and his wife, Linda. “One day, […]
Losing Control
Pelvic floor physical therapy can improve quality of life for men and women For years, Park Ridge resident Amanda Key, 24, planned her activities around bathroom access. She would avoid fun road trips to prevent accidents. On plane rides, she tried not to drink anything and always booked an aisle seat for a quick run to […]
Tough Teen Talks
Connection and communication help prevent adolescent suicides On a rainy day last winter, the principal of a suburban Chicago high school read the morning announcements over the intercom. As she reported that a student died by suicide that morning, her tone of voice didn’t fluctuate. She noted that the school’s psychologists were available to speak […]
Is Sitting Worse Than Smoking?
Build more activity into your day How much time do you spend sitting? Probably more than you realize. The average American adult sits for more than nine hours a day. All that sitting means that more than 75% of us, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), aren’t getting the recommended amount of exercise. […]
Finding Refuge
Organizations and medical professionals step up to help the newest Chicagoans When the Taliban reclaimed Afghanistan in 2021, 2.6 million people fled the country, seeking refuge in other places across the world. Nearly 2,000 of those refugees made their way to Illinois, many of them landing in Chicago, where local organizations helped them resettle in […]
Managing Pain in Orthopedics
People tend to seek orthopedic care for one root reason: They’re experiencing pain. Whether from an acute sports injury or after enduring years of joint aches and stiffness, orthopedic specialists see people looking for relief. But when should you seek care? How do you figure out the cause of your pain? And what options do […]
Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago
Fertility Specialists When seeking exceptional reproductive specialist care in Chicago, Illinois, people trust the caring and distinguished providers at AFCC. Our team features some of Chicago’s best reproductive endocrinologists and infertility specialists — experts who leverage the most innovative technology for clinical care, while maintaining deep investment in your specific family-building goals. Patients exploring fertility […]
Keeping Track
Wearable tech lets people monitor their health in real-time Using a small, personalized device to access complex health information isn’t the stuff of futuristic science fiction. Here we are, with our trackers masquerading as bracelets and smart watches worthy of Dick Tracy. Technology advancements and people’s openness to them has created a burgeoning segment of personalized health […]
Plant-Based Doctor
Finding inspiration in his grandmother’s recipes, local physician creates his own cookbook Growing up in the Milwaukee suburbs, Sheil Shukla, DO, would watch his grandmother — the family cook — create her own recipes. Back in India, she had joined cooking competitions, and Shukla calls her “an inspiration for my own cooking.” Shukla’s grandmother returned to […]
Quality Supplements
What to look for in a label Choosing a supplement can be confusing. Not all brands are equal, and how do you know that you’re actually getting what the label says? “Quality matters if you hope to see a benefit and reduce the risk of harm,” says Melinda Ring, MD, executive director at the Osher […]
Expert Perspective: Fertility and You
If you want to start a family but experience obstacles in your reproductive health, a lot can feel beyond your control. Emotions run high — from sadness to fear, anger to frustration. Here, Michelle Catenacci, MD, obstetrician, gynecologist, and fertility specialist with Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, shares her view of what people can control […]
Under an Urban Canopy
Chicago’s tree ambassadors teach residents about the crucial role trees play in health and health equity. In North Lawndale, on Chicago’s southwest side, Annamaria Leon will be talking with her neighbors about one thing this fall: not crime, not politics…but trees. As a neighborhood tree ambassador with training from the city, she educates others about […]
Probiotics, Fermented Foods, and Your Gut
Fermented foods and beverages are trending. But many of their biggest fans aren’t aware that they’ve been around for thousands of years. Before refrigeration, people cultured dairy products and fermented meat, fruits, and vegetables to prevent spoilage. As a food ferments, naturally occurring antimicrobial compounds block the growth of organisms that can cause foodborne illness. […]
The New 988
A national mental health crisis line offers an alternative to 911, alleviating the need for law enforcement response to mental health issues. The United States launched in July a national mental health crisis line: 988. People now have the option to call or text this free, confidential number instead of calling 911 during mental health […]
A Midwestern Island for Abortion Access
How changing abortion laws are impacting Illinois The Supreme Court’s June decision against abortion rights triggered a cascade of laws to prevent abortions in 13 states, many in the Midwest. But people’s needs don’t always follow changes in law. People now seeking abortions are facing longer wait times, increased travel costs, and, overall, uncertainty. In […]
Get “Pinched”, in Private: New Company Serves Two Growing Needs
Ever looked in the mirror and thought you wouldn’t mind looking more well-rested, or refreshed? Maybe you’d like to eliminate those “elevens,” the lines between your eyebrows, or minimize the look of crow’s feet. Or maybe after endless hours on Zoom calls, you’re ready for a facial “tune-up.” If so, you’re not alone — the […]
Ticks, Lyme Disease, and Climate Change
Local Lyme disease experts warn: Check early and often as climate change ushers in more tick bites The Chicago area has had its share of wild weather extremes recently, from flooding and tornado warnings to deadly heat waves. Now, it’s time to add another threat of nature to your list of concerns: Lyme disease. Spread […]
Announcing Our 2022 Award-Winning Stories from Chicago Health and Caregiving
Chicago Health and Caregiving magazines have won a host of prestigious journalism awards in 2022. Read them here. AAOS Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) awards Presented annually to journalists in the U.S., The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ MORE Awards celebrate media’s role in educating patients about musculoskeletal issues, innovative treatments, preventive care, and recovery. […]
The Mass Grief of 1 Million Lives Lost
Taking time and taking stock of Covid-19’s mass grief and trauma Imagine counting every second of every day for the next 11 days. That’s about 1 million seconds — a number that seems almost impossible to understand. Human brains aren’t wired to count this high, according to a 2013 study published in Cognitive Science. Instead, […]
Healthcare Workers Sound Alarm on Staffing Shortage
Concerned healthcare workers in Illinois and Indiana are calling on The Joint Commission to add a safe staffing standard to its accreditation process. Yolanda Stewart, a patient care technician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, once injured her back so badly on the job that she couldn’t work for six months. But when she talks about that […]
Long Covid Alphabet Soup
Long Covid comes with a long list of potential side effects — often in acronym form. What do all of those letters mean? Covid-19 has been part of our lives for nearly three years, and many mysteries still surround it. One of the biggest mysteries: long Covid. While most people completely recover from Covid-19 within […]
Everyday Ways to Maintain Your Feel-Great Weight
Does this pattern sound familiar? You follow a strict diet and lose weight but then, on reaching your goal, you ditch the diet and gain the pounds back. If you want to shed weight once and for all (and stop torturing yourself with restrictive dieting and constant hunger!), you should focus on adopting healthy eating […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: 21st Century Stroke Prevention Strategies
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: A family member had a stroke a month ago. I’m 45 years old, and I maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a good diet. What steps can I take to make sure this doesn’t happen to me? ANSWER: A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Practical Steps to Boost Your Child’s Immune System
Q: What steps can I take to help my child’s immune system strong? A: There are no magic wands or magic supplements to maintain a strong immune system. It’s the same formula to help children stay healthy. Give them a healthy diet. By “healthy,” I mean a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables (five […]
Searching for Dr. Google
How to research your health symptoms online without freaking out Whether you’re looking for a new brunch spot or researching office organization, chances are you turn straight to the internet — the first line of research for so many aspects of our lives. It makes perfect sense that it’s also the place we would go […]
Op-Ed: Take Steps to Detect Colorectal Cancer Early
It’s no myth: Colorectal cancer is increasing in younger adults Colorectal cancer, a broad term ascribed to cancer of the colon or rectum, is the third most common form of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that 150,000 Americans — one in every 23 men and one in every 25 women — will […]
Moving the Needle on Mental Health
4 organizations offer unexpected, active approaches to mental health therapy in Chicago Sometimes a single experience can change everything, shifting your perspective and opening your mind to possibilities. And many in Chicago are seeking such experiences. From the pandemic to economic uncertainty, climate change to societal unrest, plenty of factors have fueled anxiety, depression, and […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Storm Anxiety is Common in Young Children
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have a 7-year-old son who becomes anxious and agitated whenever it storms. What can I do to help him overcome his fear of thunderstorms and tornadoes? He is always asking about the weather whenever we leave the house and if the sky darkens, he asks if need to take shelter to […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Wrist Injuries and Golf
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I golf about three to four times a week and have been doing so for the last two years. Lately, though, I’ve been experiencing pain in my wrists that makes golfing extremely uncomfortable. A friend of mine had similar symptoms and he ended up having surgery to treat tendinitis. Is there a […]
Getting the Best Treatment for Your Fibromyalgia
Imagine being in pain and none of your doctors can find a clear reason for it. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon experience for many of the 4 million Americans living with fibromyalgia, a chronic, painful condition. People with fibromyalgia experience widespread pain, aches, and stiffness in muscles and joints throughout the body, as well […]
Searching for Answers and Finding POTS
I had been tired for as long as I could remember, run ragged from years of pushing myself as a type-A student in high school and college while juggling part-time jobs. After graduation, I settled into a low-stress 9-to-5 position that rarely required my attention in evenings or on weekends. I could relax for the […]
Healthy-Up Your Coffee Drink
If you love your coffee, you’re far from alone. Most Americans enjoy their daily cuppa joe at an average of three cups a day. Sure, sometimes we brew our java at home, but we clearly give in to the pull of a grab-and-go coffee drink from the corner coffeehouse. And why not? Coffee is a […]
Op-Ed: The Dangers of Vaping
Understanding the harmful consequences of e-cigarettes Chicago Health is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. The opinions expressed in this op-ed article are the author’s own. Many people believe the best way to kick a smoking habit and to decrease the risk of tobacco-related diseases is to transition to e-cigarettes. Although this idea has grown […]
Covid-19 Long-Haul Clinics Address Neurologic Symptoms
Covid-19 clinics provide hope for forgotten patients Westmont resident Sandy Werner, now 54, was living an active life in early 2020. She worked as an activity aide at a local nursing home, while enrolled in a social work program at Aurora University. She was a lively, enthusiastic, and optimistic person. “It was always go, go, […]
The Cheerful Lexicon of the Spanish Language May Help Solve a Health Mystery Called the Hispanic Paradox
In early December 2021, I was seeing a physical therapist for a shoulder injury. During one of my visits, the therapist was alternating between me and another patient on an adjacent bed, who had a knee replacement. While the therapist worked on the other patient’s leg, stretching it and bending the knee, I eavesdropped on […]
The Most Advanced Orthopedic Care Unit in Chicago Opens at Weiss Memorial Hospital
It’s a historic milestone for Uptown and the surrounding communities. A new wing at Weiss Memorial Hospital is now home to the latest advances in medical technologies and Chicagoland’s renowned experts in orthopedics. The Chicago Center for Orthopedics at Weiss Memorial Hospital has opened its doors for patients seeking joint replacements, spine care, and sports […]
Assessing Pandemic Risks: How to Make Health Decisions Now
The coronavirus arrived like an unwelcome guest two years ago, and since then, people have grown weary of the infectious disease encroaching on their lives. So when Illinois lifted the mask mandate in most indoor public settings at the end of February, some people were relieved to discard their masks and rediscover life as it […]
It’s Never Too Late to Make Yourself Superhuman or, at Least, Healthy
It’s a fight against time — our age versus our health. Getting old ain’t for the weak. It is for the persistent, those of us who can adapt to our bodies’ natural depreciation. And like the cars we drive off the lot, the machine will run much better for far longer if we keep up […]
Bringing the Wild In
I recently was contemplating the title of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Powers’ new book Bewilderment. Do you see it? Be wild. Be wilder. Yes! Be your true wild — immersed in your senses, grounded, present, and vibrantly alive, thriving, and connected. Can you feel, taste, hear, see, and smell nature’s abundance — fresh air scented […]
Ask the Doc
Your embarrassing questions answered! By Nicole E. Williams, MD Q: Why is my vagina so itchy? A: Vaginal itching is more common than a cold, and it usually means nothing. While most of the time an itchy vagina is transient and not necessarily anything to worry about, some conditions warrant extra attention. I tell my patients that […]
Understanding Seizures
New treatments give hope to people with epilepsy When Chicagoan Bobbi Packer, an interior designer and architect, started having episodes of unusual behavior — nausea, a blank look in her eyes, babbling mid-sentence — she dismissed them. She had no idea the episodes were short seizures and a form of epilepsy. “They only lasted 15 […]
Multiple Myeloma
Advancements improve outlook for people with blood cancer affecting the bone marrow Human resources manager Valarie Traynham was standing in front of a group of new hires when her nose started bleeding. She stepped away briefly, but when the nosebleed lasted for more than an hour, she grew concerned and went home sick. “I had […]
Millennial Movement
Despite a tendency to put off healthcare, younger generations can benefit from addressing joint pain now As a former high school volleyball player and competitive dancer, Evanston resident Stephanie Smith-Schellhorn has always been an active individual. Even now, the 37-year-old spends much of her time on the go, whether taking care of her teenage son, […]
