Book Beat
We asked local physicians for their health-related book recommendations. Here’s what they said: The Mind-Gut Connection By Emeran Mayer, MD “This book reviews how important it is to respect your gut with better food choices and how that can translate to feeling better both physically and mentally. This has been particularly relevant during this […]
Myth vs Fact
We asked leading Chicago doctors to weigh in on these common health conceptions Myth or Fact? Soy is harmful to the reproductive system. Myth/Inconclusive. Soy is not harmful for male reproductive systems, says Matthew Meadows, MD, a urologist with Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. “Consumption of soy protein does not adversely affect men’s testosterone, nor […]
Keeping the human connection in medicine
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a thoughtful essay by David Rosenthal and Abraham Verghese on the many changes in how doctors are trained and how they practice medicine. Efforts to improve efficiency and accuracy — including the introduction of electronic medical records — offer benefits, and pose some complicated problems. Doctors need […]
Demystifying Doctor and Hospital Ratings
When looking at online doctor ratings sites, consider the source By Leigh Page With thousands of doctors and more than 100 hospitals in the Chicago area, it can get pretty tricky to choose the best physician for your needs. Healthcare consumers are increasingly turning to online rating sites, but those options are just as dizzying, […]
A Breast Cancer Q&A
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Terri Yablonsky Stat talked to Dr. Nora Hansen, surgical oncologist, Breast Surgery Division at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine about what every woman should know about preventing and treating breast cancer. TYS: What can women do to prevent breast cancer? Dr. Hansen: The biggest thing is being aware […]
Online Resources For Choosing a Hospital or Doctor
The Internet offers an array of websites designed to help patients evaluate doctors and hospitals. But which one is best? Here, Dr. Bruce Minsky, chief quality officer at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Cynthia Barnard, director of quality strategies at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and chair of the Quality Measurement Advisory Task Force of […]
Cancer’s Target
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer and most difficult to treat The announcement that Steve Jobs had died of pancreatic cancer last week brought surprise and shock to many. After being diagnosed in 2004, he underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as a Whipple procedure that removed the tumor. And although he […]
Fighting Young
When it comes to pediatric cancer, there are many uncertainties. But clinical trials are quickly saving more and more lives and letting kids, like Abigail Mendoza, live. Abigail Mendoza sat at the dinner table chewing alternating bites of homemade pizza and ranch- drenched carrot sticks. Her grin was constant. A toothy mash-up. A cross between […]
Sleep Apnea: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Questions compiled by Eve Becker as told to her by Dr. Babak Mokhlesi and Dr. James Wyatt • Are you board certified in sleep medicine? • Is your sleep disorders center accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine? • What type of specialists work at your sleep center? • Do I have a sleeping disorder? […]
Restoring the Human Form
Reconstructive plastic surgery heals…and beautifies Look beyond the full lips, smooth skin and straight nose. Plastic surgery is about more than just a pretty face. Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on improving the functionality of life, above the pure aesthetics of cosmetic surgery. Some top plastic surgeons in the Chicago area go beyond tummy tucks, liposuction […]
Critical Questions: Infertility
New techniques have been developed to increase the chances of having a healthy baby. Dr. Ilan Tur-Kaspa, founder and director of the Institute for Human Reproduction (IHR), points out that when couples undergo in vitro fertilization, a procedure called preimplantation genetic diagnosis PGD can test the embryo for genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, […]
Critical Choices: Which Hospital and Physician is Best for You?
When you want to buy a car, you can test-drive a variety of vehicles before you make your choice. When you need a new pair of jeans, you can try on styles by various designers in pursuit of that perfect fit. But when you have a health problem that cannot be ignored, you can’t give […]
At Your Service: Perspectives on Concierge Medicine
In the great healthcare debate, the loudest argument seems to be about the “haves” and the “have-nots”—about who can afford what kind of care, and about who is responsible for getting something to those who can’t afford anything. These days, a new trend is trying to take the headache out of personalized health care by, […]
