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, […]
ADHD & Adults
As diagnoses skyrocket, adults with attention disorders learn to cope Kristiana Jorge calls her North Side home “ADHD friendly.” She places sticky notes in strategic spots as reminders to clean the refrigerator or buy cereal. And she relies on timers to keep her on track, limiting video game play to an hour before she moves […]
Silent Scarring
Controlling fatty liver disease starts with losing weight Danielle Dawson, 44, was shocked to learn in July 2020 that she had fatty liver disease. The hairstylist and married mother of three in Sandwich, Illinois, had expected her doctor to tell her the right-side pain she’d been having was due to gallbladder or digestive system problems. […]
Tough Transplants
Covid-19 has caused a dramatic shift in organ transplants, with rising demand and more complex surgeries — all to prolong lives Al Brown lay in a hospital bed at the Center for Care & Discovery at the University of Chicago Medicine, in disbelief. He had contracted Covid-19 in May 2020, during the early days of […]
Stretch Yourself
Regular stretching improves flexibility and minimizes injuries If stretching is one of the good-for-you habits that you know you’re “supposed” to do but usually don’t — like flossing or applying sunscreen — it’s time to rethink your position. Stretching has numerous benefits and few drawbacks. “Regular stretching that is done properly and effectively can potentially prevent injuries,” […]
Go for Yogurt
Packed with probiotics and protein, yogurt is a stealth star in recipes Packed with protein, naturally low in sugar, and full of probiotic goodness, yogurt is one of those delicious yet super nutritious foods that has a multitude of benefits. Yogurt is tasty when served alongside fruit or granola, but it can also serve as a nutrition-packed stealth […]
Not Too Sweet
Eating excess sugar may be linked to cancer, arthritis, and other ills Not all is sweet about sugar. Sugar — the craveable substance that ignites our taste buds, brain, and cells with quick energy — causes inflammation in the body, which can lead to chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. […]
Advancements in Orthopedic Surgery
Whether stemming from a disease or an injury, many of us have orthopedic conditions that affect our joints, bones, and ligaments. Fortunately, recent advances in orthopedic care are making a difference for many Chicagoans. Orthopedic surgeons are innovators, constantly adopting new technologies — whether robotic-assisted surgery or 3D motion-analysis technology — to refine their approach, giving […]
Anthony A. Romeo, MD
At the Center for Reproductive Care, our mission is to provide you the best opportunity to create the family you dreamed of. Each patient is different and we do our best – using advanced science – to understand the unique circumstances of each patient and develop an individualized treatment plan suited to a patient’s needs.
Ready for Another Pandemic Malady? It’s Called ‘Decision Fatigue’
Most all of us have felt the exhaustion of pandemic-era decision-making. Should I travel to see an elderly relative? Can I see my friends and, if so, is inside OK? Mask or no mask? Test or no test? What day? Which brand? Is it safe to send my child to day care? Questions that once […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: What is the Best Diet for Hypothyroidism?
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have been getting conflicting information what I should eat and drink. I love yogurt and ice cream, for instance, but one source said a calcium-rich diet was fine, whereas another said I should limit dairy. I’ve also read that I should avoid soy and iodine. […]
6 Reasons Spring Is the Best Time of Year to Lose Weight
You’ve heard the expression timing is everything, right? That’s never truer than when it comes to losing weight. And with spring underway and summer on the horizon, you’re smack in the middle of the best time of the year to drop pounds. Longer days and sunnier skies prompt changes to your brain and body that […]
Helping Sick Kids Get Their Magic Back
There’s magic in the air in Chicago. Open Heart Magic, a local nonprofit organization, brings interactive bedside magic to children at 11 local hospitals. “Wherever there are kids who are struggling to turn the corner, our goal is to give them hope and some laughter and make them feel better,” says Mike Walton, founder and […]
Immersive Therapy
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The process of creating — whether through art or cooking — helps people process grief and other pain Everyone copes with grief and pain differently. For some, therapy comes in the form of using the arts. And for others, it comes through the kitchen. Don’t expect to sit on a couch during a therapy […]
The Need for Screening
While men may be reluctant to see the doctor, they should consider these important preventive tests How do you think most men would rather spend their day: doing household chores, like cleaning the bathroom, or visiting the doctor? Survey says: Most men (72%) would rather do a chore like scrubbing the floor than see their […]
Sunscreens at a Glance
When it comes to preventing skin cancer, sunscreen is essential. There are two main types of sunscreen — chemical and physical (or mineral). Both are effective, says Tahl Humes, DO, medical director of VITAHL Medical Aesthetics in Chicago. But what’s the difference between the two? “Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that absorb the UV rays […]
Creating Friendship and Combating Isolation
Friendship is essential for all of us. But during the pandemic, children with intellectual disabilities have needed friends more than ever. The Friendship Circle of Illinois, based in Northbrook, pairs children with special needs with teen volunteers to create lasting bonds. The volunteers enjoy being mentors and the children, mainly ages 4 to 12, are […]
Over-the-Counter Birth Control
People in Illinois can now access birth control via a consultation with a trained pharmacist, rather than a prescription from a doctor, thanks to a new state law that went into effect in January. The law applies to all forms of hormonal birth control, including the oral contraceptive pill, skin patch, and vaginal ring. Trained pharmacists […]
Menstrual Health Equity
Being unable to access menstrual products takes a mental and physical toll on students, says Em Rabelais, PhD, RN, a health ethicist and assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Some students experience period poverty — when they can’t afford products such as pads and tampons. Other Chicago teens face anxiety about managing their periods […]
Drifting Away
If your child dislikes reading, vision convergence insufficiency could be to blame When a child dislikes reading, parents may brush it off, or they may think their child has attention issues or a learning disorder. But a vision problem called convergence insufficiency may be to blame. The condition, which can cause reading problems, eye strain, or headaches, […]
‘Oh, My Aging Feet’
Addressing foot problems in older adults Our feet take a pounding every day. But for many older adults, aging feet can quickly become aching feet. “Our feet change as we get older. For example, the tissues stretch out, losing strength and support,” says Lowell Weil Jr., DPM, chief executive officer of the Weil Foot & […]