Ask the Doc
Cancer and Sex By Laura Farrington, DO and Ajaz Khan, MD Q: I’m being treated for cancer. How will that affect my ability to have sex? A: The impact on your sexual functions depends on what type of treatment you’re getting and what other health conditions might already be impacting your sexual function, among other things. If you are […]
Fear of Radiation
Advancements in radiation are changing the field, but many people remain worried about treatment Kevin Connor, a 51-year-old Chicago resident, faced a daunting decision this past year when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite a troubling family history and his own deep-seated fears, Connor was at first adamant about avoiding treatment. “I remember telling […]
Hands-on Hearts
3D printing provides physicians a crucial tool for cardiac care Maybe you already know that nearly half of all U.S. adults have cardiovascular disease. This includes people with coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and high blood pressure. But would you have guessed that one of the latest weapons to help fight this battle is […]
Artists on Gun Violence
“Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice.” — Paul Robeson, American artist, athlete, and activist As the cumulative toll of gun violence in the U.S. continues its grim climb year after year, writers, visual artists, and composers have explored the issue in plays, collaborations, and music. They’re addressing gun violence’s impacts […]
A Reimbursement Blow to Anesthesiologists
In a controversial policy change, BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) no longer reimburses anesthesiologists for physical status modifiers that classify the complexity of patients. The new policy went into effect in August 2024 for BCBS plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Complex patients typically have multiple or severe health conditions; they may require advanced […]
Table Tennis Offers Powerful Play for Parkinson’s
A novel program at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital and Edgewater Fitness Center is helping people with Parkinson’s disease improve mobility and social connections: ping-pong, formally known as table tennis. The program began in late 2023 as a collaboration between Mike DeBartolo, who has had Parkinson’s for more than a decade, and Linda Egan, the Parkinson’s […]
Latest Options for Colon Cancer Screening
The second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. is actually highly treatable — when caught early. Of the 52,967 people who died from colon cancer in the U.S. in 2022, as many as 20% were not up-to-date with their screening. The gold standard of screening is a colonoscopy, which the American Cancer Society recommends […]
New Health Laws
Medical Debt Relief Effective January 2025 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Medical Debt Relief Act in July, enabling the state to purchase medical debt from hospitals, healthcare providers, and collection agencies. This will then erase medical debt for an estimated 300,000 residents. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services will run the pilot program. […]
Long-Covid Apps Offer Connection and Hope
In the pandemic’s wake, many — perhaps more than 60 million worldwide — are still suffering from long Covid. The condition involves chronic symptoms such as brain fog and extreme fatigue that last for months or indefinitely. Long Covid’s newness means there isn’t yet a gold standard for treatment. This leaves people searching for appropriate […]
The Pursuit of Happiness
Our Founding Fathers’ gift of health and freedom Fact checked by Shannon Sparks The pursuit of happiness is an unalienable right — and not just because the Declaration of Independence says so. This health-inducing, prosperity-promoting tonic is available to all, limitless in supply, with the power to benefit us personally and globally. Happiness, according […]
Talking Guns with a First Grader
Fact checked by Derick Wilder When I was a kid, my parents had simple parenting fears. Dad was anxious for my brothers and me to find a career path that inspired us and afforded us the life we wanted. Mom, that we’d get cancer or die in a car crash. While those things concern me […]
Emergency Response
ER physicians battle on the frontlines of gun violence response Fact checked by Shannon Sparks When someone gets shot in Chicago, the effects echo far beyond the wounded person. They envelope the person’s family and friends, the first responders on the scene, and the physicians and medical teams who treat them in the hospital. […]
Hope in Sight
A new artificial intelligence tool helps identify diabetic retinopathy Fact checked by Shannon Sparks During an appointment with her primary care physician this past July, Amy Morrow, an executive assistant and patient at OSF HealthCare, learned she had prediabetes. Moments later, Morrow walked down the hall and placed her chin onto an artificial intelligence (AI) […]
The Diet-Disease Link
Diet-related diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the US – yet many doctors receive little to no nutrition education in med school By Nathaniel Johnson, University of North Dakota and Madeline Comeau, University of North Dakota Above photo: Nearly 60% of respondents to one medical school survey said they received no nutritional […]
Animal Therapy
From cow cuddling to goat yoga, discover how four-legged friends are transforming health and well-being for people of all ages. Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro Oakbrook resident Amy Kopp, 41, had been sick for several years when she decided to try something called cow cuddling. Kopp had stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas that […]
Female Force
Meet the woman behind Chicago’s Women in Medicine Summit Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro Leading up to the annual Women in Medicine Summit at the Drake Hotel in Chicago this month, writer Kimberly Soenen sits down with the force behind a movement that’s elevating women’s voices in medicine. Shikha Jain, MD, holds a host of titles. […]
Read Our 2023 Award-Winning Stories
Caregiving and Chicago Health magazines’ editorial and design teams once again received many honors for their outstanding work. This isn’t just a bragging point. To us, this type of recognition fortifies our efforts to tell engaging, impactful stories that reflect our communities. Congratulations to all, and please enjoy reading through our honored entries. Oh, […]
Back-to-School Sickness
Infectious diseases spike when kids return to school − here’s what you can do about it Above image: Sick kids can spread diseases in their households and classrooms. kali9/E+ via Getty Images Ready or not, back-to-school season is here, and kids will be bringing home more than homework. They’ll be carrying germs, too. These viruses and […]
Op-Ed: Gender Inequities in Healthcare Affect All of Us
Chicago Health is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. The opinions expressed in this op-ed article are the author’s own. Healthcare, by its very nature, is about caring for the wellbeing of our communities. Yet, a pervasive issue threatens the quality of care we all receive: gender inequities in the medical profession. This is […]
DNC Ready
How Chicago hospitals are preparing for the Democratic National Convention As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) approaches, Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, the city’s hospitals are intensifying their efforts to ensure they can handle any situation. The city is expecting tens of thousands of delegates, media, and visitors expected to converge on the United Center — […]
To Vaccinate or Not?
Researcher Caitlin Fields explores how people decide whether to get the Covid-19 vaccine. When the Covid-19 vaccine first became available, Caitlin Fields was puzzled. After a series of lockdowns, social distancing and masking, and hundreds of thousands of deaths from Covid, she struggled to understand why there was so much hesitancy and debate about getting […]
Heat Hazards
Extreme heat can be dangerous for runners, cyclists and anyone spending time outdoors: 6 tips for staying safe Above photo: Think carefully before running or cycling in the heat of the day. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images When summer starts with a stifling heat wave, as many places are seeing in 2024, it can pose risks […]
Lead vs. Plastic
Lead water pipes created a health disaster in Flint, but replacing them with cheaper plastic — as some cities are doing — carries hidden costs Above image: Plastic water pipes may be cheaper, but they also come with risks. Mark Bernard/iStock/Getty Images Plus By Rajpreet Grewal, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Laodong Guo, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, […]
Plant Power
Little Apothecary plants the seed of ‘people’s medicine’ in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood In the middle of a community garden in Englewood sits a red box, labelled “free medicine.” Inside the box is a treasure trove of herbs and salves: mugwort, beeswax, yaro, and other natural ointments for various conditions. This Free Little Apothecary is the […]
Cooking for the Climate
Food is a central issue in climate change mitigation. Our dietary choices and consumption patterns are critical to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which greatly impact the food supply chain. Every day our climate tells the tale of extremes — whether it’s the hottest summer on record or a polar vortex sweeping the nation. Humans in […]
Two Lungs, Two Diseases
Chicago police officer undergoes first-ever double-lung transplant due to Covid-19 and cancer The last time Arthur Gillespie spoke to his cousin was on his front porch in Beverly, but he didn’t realize they would never seen each other again. It was February 2020, and his cousin was experiencing Covid-19 symptoms. Within weeks, his cousin had […]
Animal Medicine
Animals self-medicate with plants − behavior people have observed and emulated for millennia By Adrienne Mayor, Stanford University Main image: A goat with an arrow wound nibbles the medicinal herb dittany. O. Dapper, CC BY When a wild orangutan in Sumatra recently suffered a facial wound, apparently after fighting with another male, he did something that […]
Pets and Health
Pets give companionship, cuddles and joy – and also unavoidable stresses By Emily Hemendinger, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Main image: Pets can bring joy and companionship, as well as financial worries, loss and logistical challenges. Dann Tardif/Stone via Getty Images Owning a pet can be a roller coaster. There are the highs, like […]
Future Vision
Are you one of the millions about to have cataract surgery? Here’s what ophthalmologists say you need to know Image: Cataract surgery removes the clouded lens of the eye and replaces it with a new, clear lens. Ivan-balvan/iStock via Getty Images Plus Allan Steigleman, University of Florida and Elizabeth M. Hofmeister, Uniformed Services University of […]
Hearing-Balance Link
Most people don’t connect their hearing ability with falling. But what you hear — and don’t hear — directly affects your balance. Research shows that even a small decrease in hearing triples your risk of falling, and the worse your hearing gets, the more likely you are to fall. So how are the two connected, […]
Health Equity Action
Chicago Health Editor-in-Chief moderates opening panel at the Executives’ Club of Chicago annual Health Equity Summit In its second annual Health Equity Summit held this past Wednesday, The Executives’ Club of Chicago welcomed thought leaders from throughout the city to shed light on the profound disparities in healthcare services across the Chicago metro area. […]
We Asked…
We asked readers on social media and in our weekly newsletter to share their thoughts about their most worrisome health concerns. What is one disease or medical issue for which you would most like to see a cure? Ovarian cancer. I have lost two friends to this horrible disease. The time between diagnosis and death for […]
Chicago and The Pill
One of the greatest advancements in women’s rights, equality, and healthcare was born in Chicago Fact checked by Shannon Sparks For 73-year-old Sue Straus, there is a distinct before and after in learning about the birth control pill. Before: As a high school student on Chicago’s North Side, Straus was just becoming sexually […]
The First Black-Owned Hospital in the United States
Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Daniel Hale Williams, born in 1850s Pennsylvania, faced challenges from an early age. His father died when he was young. His mother abandoned him. And, in post-Civil War America, he faced racism as an African American. But Williams’ ambition exceeded his challenges. And, today, despite so many odds, he’s known […]
Medical Mission: Pediatric Neurosurgery
How one Chicago neurosurgeon teaches — and learns — unique pediatric neurosurgery techniques around the world Fact checked by Derick Wilder Sandi K. Lam, MD, head of pediatric neurosurgery at Lurie Children’s Hospital, is among the few pediatric neurosurgeons in the world who perform a unique procedure to lessen children’s seizures. The minimally invasive […]
Eating around the Clock
How intermittent fasting and circadian rhythms impact health Fact checked by Shannon Sparks There’s a rhythm to life. The tides rise and fall, the Earth revolves around the sun, and you have a sleep-wake cycle. This cycle — known as circadian rhythm — has a big impact on metabolism. Research reveals that your sleep-wake […]
A Healthier Chicago Pizza
Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Deep-dish pizza, one of Chicago’s signature menu items, dates back to at least the 1940s. Depending on which pizzeria owner or corporate historian you talk to, the first deep-dish pizza was created by either Uno’s; Rudy Malnati, Sr. (Lou Malnati’s first pizza chef); or Rosati’s. But no matter how you […]
How to Avoid Gym Germs
Fact checked by Derick Wilder Why do you work out? To stay in shape? Relieve stress? Keep your weight in check? Or simply because you enjoy exercise? While we have different reasons for hitting the gym, one of the overarching goals tends to be getting, and hopefully staying, healthy. However — and you may be […]
How to Keep Moving While You Work
Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Nearly all of us sit too much. Unless you work as a preschool teacher, fitness instructor, or construction worker, you probably fall into that category. But a few simple lifestyle changes can prod you to increase your movement, decreasing the risks associated with remaining stationary all day. “Whenever I have […]
Obesity Interventions
How new guidelines are helping kids and teens lose weight Fact checked by Shannon Sparks When Juan Diego Fuentes was 11 years old, his pediatrician recommended he see an obesity specialist. He was 180 pounds with a high body mass index (BMI) and high blood pressure. His doctor suggested lifestyle modifications, such as exercise […]
Prostate Problems and Solutions
Aquablation offers the newest response to BPH Fact checked by Shannon Sparks About a year ago, 68-year-old Chicago native and Las Vegas resident Ellis Harris was struggling with severe benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition where the prostate is enlarged but not cancerous. A normal-sized prostate is about 25 grams, but Harris’ was well beyond […]
Male Friendship
Men often avoid developing deep friendships, but the benefits are clear Fact checked by Derick Wilder When Milan Bagel lost his wife of 55 years, he didn’t have any male friends to confide in about how lonely he felt without her. That was five years ago. More recently when Bagel, who is now 87, […]
Scheduled for an MRI? No need to worry
They’re more comfortable, faster, and easier than ever Fact checked by Derick Wilder The first time I underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — one of roughly 30 million a year in the United States — I barely got through the experience. This was 10 years ago, and the tight, clangy tube, combined with an […]
Ask the Doc
Is my increasing forgetfulness a sign of Alzheimer’s? By James Mastrianni, MD, PhD Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Q: I woke up this morning and saw that I had put the ice cream in the fridge. Am I on the road to developing Alzheimer’s disease? A: It’s common for people to do things without paying attention. Your […]
Why Do Men Get Cancer More Than Women?
Researchers have found one possible reason and continue to investigate ways to manage risk Fact checked by Derick Wilder Andrew Lane, MD, PhD, was researching leukemia in 2017, sequencing the cancerous cells’ genomes, when he noticed a higher rate of leukemia in men. The occurrence was something doctors had recognized in other cancers since […]
Why Chicago Became Such a Great City for Medical Innovation
Fact checked by Derick Wilder I am a history buff. So when I heard about the theme for this issue of Chicago Health, I sought out fellow history buff Edward B.J. Winslow, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. To be clear, when I call Winslow “buff,” I’m talking 1980s […]
Awe May Be Just What the Doctor Ordered
Fact checked by Derick Wilder Awe is awesome and can be inspired by both good and bad. Good: the Cubs winning the World Series (super awesome!). Bad: 9/11. In both instances, men, women, the young, and the elderly felt an extraordinary connection that, for the Cubs winning, carried us in celebration, and for the latter, […]
Chicago Connection
Five books about medicine with a Windy City link Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Chicago has seven medical schools, multiple highly rated hospitals and academic medical centers, and numerous healthcare associations. This hub of medical excellence has also played a role in key events in medical and public health history. If you’re curious about […]
Diagnosing Breast Cancer with AI
Fact checked by Derick Wilder Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing breast cancer detection. Georgia Spear, MD, division chief of Breast Imaging at Endeavor Health, incorporates computer-aided detection — a form of AI — for breast cancer screening, with mammography and automated breast ultrasound for dense breasts. Spear has seen AI’s crucial role in identifying potential […]
Studying Human Behavior — at a Museum?
Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Most of us resolve to exercise more or eat healthier, but it’s hard to get our behavior to conform to our goals. Mindworks — a combination research lab and science museum in the heart of downtown Chicago — may be able to help. “Mindworks uses interactive exhibits to make vivid […]