6 Tough-to-Diagnose Diseases
Despite all of the modern medical tools at our disposal, some diseases remain mysterious. They’re difficult to diagnose for a variety of reasons — whether they’re good at hiding within the body or cause ambiguous symptoms. No matter the disease, Reem Jan, MD, rheumatologist and assistant professor of medicine at University of Chicago Medicine, says, […]
Long-Lasting Hiccups More Common than Thought
Everyone knows that uncomfortable, annoying gasp of air known as the hiccup. But can you imagine having hiccups indefinitely? Physicians say long-lasting hiccups are more common than we realize. Persistent hiccups last longer than two days, while intractable hiccups last longer than a month and are typically associated with underlying medical problems. Guinness World Records recorded […]
Fighting Cancer and Food Insecurity
All cancer patients should have access to the healthy food needed to nourish and heal their bodies. That’s why Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Lakeview Pantry teamed up to create a food pantry program for cancer patients struggling with food insecurity. For low-income oncology patients, food insecurity is a wide-reaching concern nationally and locally, […]
Suicide Watch
Know the Warning Signs in Older Adults A recent study in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging revealed a shocking truth: The risk of suicide increases with age, with rates as high as 48.7 per 100,000 for older white men over age 65 — more than four times the age-adjusted average. Depression is a common […]
Robot Improves Lung Cancer Detection
Lung cancer, generally asymptomatic in its early stages, is often not discovered until it’s more advanced. But a new robotic device is helping to get a better look at suspicious lung nodules sooner and with less discomfort. Traditionally, lung nodules are caught via CT scans and then biopsied with a surgical or radiological approach. Now […]
Relieving Pain with Watsu Water Therapy
Those looking to relieve stress and pain might test the water with Watsu, a form of water therapy. In a heated therapy pool, Watsu incorporates the systematic pressure and gentle stretches of Zen shiatsu to balance energy, reduce stress and pain and encourage relaxation. Massage therapist Diane Novak, certified in shiatsu and Watsu, practices Watsu […]
Myth vs Fact
Mosquitoes and ticks are most active during spring and summer, bringing with them not just a propensity for bites, but also the possibility of serious illness. We checked in with two local concierge physicians for help separating fact from fiction when it comes to ticks, mosquitoes and the major diseases they carry. MYTH or FACT? […]
To CBD or Not to CBD
You don’t have to look hard to find lotions and potions, patches and tinctures, lip balm and gummies infused with cannabidiol, or CBD, which is a non-psychogenic cannabinoid molecule derived from cannabis plants. Since CBD does not have psychogenic compounds from the cannabis plant — i.e., it doesn’t make you feel high — it is […]
Pain Goes to Pot
Does medical marijuana deliver on its pain-relieving promises? Every day, Samantha is in pain. Her elbows and knees feel inflamed. Her ankle aches. She gets cramps in her abdomen. Her lower back hurts. She suffers from fibromyalgia, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome. To feel better, Samantha uses medical cannabis — also […]
Pain and Mental Health
When chronic pain strikes, depression and anxiety can follow Chronic pain is more than a physical problem. Those who suffer from long-term pain often experience emotional and psychological aspects as well, particularly depression and anxiety. Add to that potential anger, frustration, hopelessness, fear and jealousy, and the emotional symptoms of chronic pain can quickly become […]
Alternative Approaches to Pain Management
Holistic therapies and mind-body treatments can help with chronic pain Kari Wagner was walking home from the park with her dog and 10-year-old son when she was thrust onto the asphalt. After that, she has only a few memories: lying in the street, being transported in an ambulance and being in the hospital. A car […]
Controlling Chronic Pain
A shift in approach delivers a dose of hope Pain has always played a role in Kristen Willard’s life. She was born with a congenital defect in her back — a fusing of two vertebrae that made her more susceptible to back injuries. She first hurt her back at 16 and has had ongoing issues […]
Countering the Stigma of Mental Health in Chicago’s Immigrant Communities
Even under the best of circumstances, it’s challenging for immigrants to adjust to a new life in a new country. And when immigrants have fled countries roiled by violence and war, the upheaval and stress in their lives is even more profound. Among refugees, about 10 to 40 percent may experience post-traumatic stress disorder and […]
Does drinking diet soda raise the risk of a stroke?
For diet soda fans, recent news reports linking these popular drinks to higher risk of stroke may have been alarming. A closer look at the study behind the headlines suggests there’s no need to panic. But beverages naturally low in calories are probably a healthier option than artificially sweetened drinks. The study included 2,888 people […]
4 Things You Need to Know About Opioids for Pain Management
In the wake of the opioid addiction crisis, physicians have been cutting back on prescribing opioids for pain relief. But still, sometimes patients are prescribed these powerful painkillers, especially after a major surgery. Even when prescribed by a physician and taken as directed, using a prescription opioid painkiller can cause side effects including tolerance, physical […]
How to Outsmart Your Appetite
You work out regularly and watch what you eat. So why do you have to lie down to button your pants? Research suggests that the things around you, from the temperature of your house to the style of your candy dish, may be setting you up to overindulge. It seems a bit unfair to have […]
The Benefits (and Drawbacks) of Intermittent Fasting
About two years ago, Michael Saraceno decided he wanted to lose weight. He was nearing 275 pounds and was planning to have knee surgery. To trim down before surgery, Saraceno decided to focus less on what he ate and to change when he ate instead. Saraceno, 26, of Westchester, has since lost about 80 pounds, […]
Unexplained abdominal pain could be a pinched nerve
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I have been struggling with a persistent pain on the right side of my belly. Sometimes it feels like it moves from the back to the front and back again. My doctor first ordered blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound. Most recently I had a CT scan […]
Friends Can Help Your Health
Human beings have a built-in need for friendships. Friends help us through the pressures of everyday living and the havoc that stress can wreak on our health. Especially around the holiday season, we often draw closer to friends and family. “Humans are predisposed to bond emotionally with significant others [because] our brain cannot survive without […]
