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 […]
The Power of Prevention
When it comes to our health, we tend to treat disease instead of warding it off in the first place. We wait to take care of our body until it demands attention through pain or another avenue we can’t ignore. Because we can’t afford the cost of healthcare, we don’t go to the doctor or […]
How to Be Heart Smart
Give your heart a head start by knowing — and reducing — your risks Preventive medical advice sometimes feels like it’s changing as fast as the weather whirling outside your window. And that’s especially true when it comes to preventing heart attacks. Are eggs healthy to eat, or are they too cholesterol-laden to indulge in? […]
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
Making lifestyle changes now can help stop or reverse the disorder It was a few weeks before Christmas 2019, and I was nervous. I had just been to the doctor, who told me I was 50 pounds overweight for my height. I was not looking forward to getting my lab results. My fear: a diabetes […]
Weight-Loss Success
Initiatives — whether surgery, medication, or diet — help people conquer obesity and improve their health Weight loss is a personal journey. Whether the goal is to lose weight or look and feel better, everyone’s motivation differs. Amber Cornelius’ motivation: a fear of contracting Covid-19. “I was hearing that people who were significantly overweight were […]
Breathing Easy
Preventing asthma starts by understanding triggers and, perhaps, by changing the way we eat A few months ago, I discovered I could no longer walk up the stairs. I live on the second floor of a Chicago three-flat, so this discovery was particularly troublesome. I’d been getting tired on the stairs more easily, but I […]
Preventing Overdose Deaths
Now, more medications treat opioid use disorder Drug-related deaths hit an all-time high in the United States recently, with most of those fatalities due to opioid overdoses. New medical treatments can help respond to overdoses and opioid use disorder, preventing some deaths. In Illinois, 2,944 people died from opioid overdoses in 2020, which was a […]
Eliminating Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer in Chicago occurs 39% more often and has a 60% higher death rate than the national average, according to Equal Hope Initiative, a women’s health-equity nonprofit. Latina women have the highest cervical cancer rate in Chicago. Cervical cancer, which the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes, is up to 93% preventable, according to the Centers […]
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
Everyone knows that brushing your teeth prevents cavities and tooth decay. But many people don’t realize dental care is an essential part of overall healthcare. Dental care may help prevent conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. With poor oral health, bacteria can grow and spread through the body. Inflammation in the gums may […]
Why Covid-19 Affects Kids’ Mental Health — and How You Can Help
While adults have been the hardest hit by Covid-19 infections, children of all ages remain vulnerable to the pandemic’s many social consequences. In Illinois, the recent uptick in newly diagnosed cases has families buckling down for a long winter without outdoor activities and traditional holiday gatherings, leaving children particularly at risk to the adverse effects […]
A Caregiver’s Role: Running to a Crisis
In the middle of April, a few weeks into Illinois’ stay-at-home order, we finally got the call we were anxiously anticipating. A local assisted living facility asked if Right at Home could provide one-on-one care for a woman with dementia who tested positive for COVID-19. Previously, when others asked if we would take care of […]
How Chicagoans Can Protect Themselves and Others from the Coronavirus
Tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce your risk of infection and keep others safe, at home, at work and at school.
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 […]
Injury-Prevention Tips from Joffrey Dancers Help Recreational Athletes
Professional dancers, like professional athletes, are subject to injury because of the constant stress they put on their bodies. And while these dancers and athletes have dedicated medical teams to attend to their needs, recreational athletes can learn from their experience. “Dancers in a lot of ways are similar to everyday athletes who want to […]
No Proven Way to Prevent Celiac Disease
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Is there anything I can do now to prevent my 1-year-old from getting celiac disease? ANSWER: At this time, there is no proven way to prevent celiac disease. But if your child is considered to be at high risk for the disease due to family or medical history, there […]
4 Ways to Protect Against Skin Cancer (Other Than Sunscreen)
Harvard Health Blog While sunscreen is essential to lowering your risk for skin cancer, there are other simple, over-the-counter options you can incorporate into your summer skin protection routine. Nicotinamide may help prevent certain skin cancers Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has been shown to reduce the number of skin cancers. In […]
Car Safety for Road-Warrior Parents
By Morgan Lord Whether you’re off on a road trip or running errands on crowded city streets, keep your child safe by having the correct car seat in your vehicle, buying safe car seat accessories and keeping your attention focused on the road. Having a car seat is the law—all 50 states require child safety […]
Sun Sense
Dermatologists say chemicals in sunscreen not a risk By Laura Drucker I was walking along the lakefront with a friend this summer when I realized with horror that I had forgotten to apply sunscreen that day. Living in Miami for two years taught me that my skin changes to a hot-dog red rather than a […]
Water Safety Tips for Kids Help Prevent Drownings
By Nancy Maes You might think you know the signs of drowning: a kid frantically waving his arms high in the air and screaming for help over and over again. But in reality, the signs of distress are much more subtle. “People who are drowning very rarely call out for help. If they do, it’s […]
Doctor’s Orders
What Patients Should Know By Dr. Gena Vennikandam When was the last time you visited the doctor? In more scenarios than one, sadly, this question often elicits only a long pause followed by a shameful shrug of the shoulders. Understandably, our lives get hectic, but checking in on your health with your primary care physician should […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Have your child’s blood pressure checked regularly
By Sue Hubbard, M.D., www.kidsdr.com When you take your child in for a check-up, does your pediatrician check the youngster’s blood pressure? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children, beginning at the age of 3, should routinely have their blood pressure checked. In certain circumstances, even younger children should have their blood pressure […]
Playing It Safe
Summertime playground fun is best when serious injuries are avoided By Nancy Maes Public playgrounds can be some of the best places to play, but they also have the potential for being the worst. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 youngsters are injured on playgrounds every year. The children […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Presbyopia a normal part of aging, but regular eye exams are recommended
By Michael Mahr, M.D., Tribune Content Agency DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m 43 and have started having trouble with my vision while reading. I know this is common for someone my age. I do have “readers” that I sometimes use, but am hoping to put off regular glasses as long as possible. Am I doing harm […]
The Medicine Cabinet-Ask the Harvard Experts: Preventive strategies can reduce risk of another dislocated shoulder
By Robert Shmerling, M.D., Tribune Content Agency Q: I’ve dislocated my shoulder twice. What can I do to prevent this from happening again? A: When a shoulder is dislocated, the ball-shaped portion of the upper arm (the humerus) has moved out of its normal position within the cup-shaped socket. The shoulder is somewhat prone to […]
Peanut Consumption in Infancy Could Prevent Peanut Allergies, Study Finds
By Heidi Kiec When it comes to preventing a peanut allergy, it might be best to fight fire with fire. Most young children at high risk of developing a peanut allergy may be able to ward off the allergy by consuming peanut protein starting in infancy, according to the results of a recent study. Peanut […]
Sauna time linked to longer life, fewer fatal heart problems
By Beverly Merz Harvard Health Blog After such a long, frigid winter, I wouldn’t mind sitting in a sauna for a while. A new report in JAMA Internal Medicine makes this pastime even more appealing: Regularly spending time in a sauna may help keep the heart healthy and extend life. Researchers from the University of […]
A Golfing Lesson from Illinois Bone and Joint Institute
By Nancy Maes Back in March, Tiger Woods announced that he was withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational because he was still experiencing pain from back spasms. Gary Shapiro, MD, spine specialist with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute who is not involved in Woods’ medical treatment, says that back spasms are common in golf professionals […]
Teen Dating Violence Victims Suffer Long-Term Health Effects
“They grab you, touch your butt and try to, like, touch you in the front, and run away, but it’s OK, I mean… I never think it’s a big thing because they do it to everyone.” This is how Patricia, 13, refers to boys in her school. During an interview for a study on sexual […]
Awareness Related to Colorectal Cancer Helps Reduce the Number of Deaths
By David Himmel March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and here’s what you need to know: Colorectal cancer is tricky. Complicated, really. For starters, it’s really two cancers. Colorectal cancer is the combined term used to reference colon cancer and rectal cancer, but there are many similarities in risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. The […]
Commit to Getting Fat: A Resolution Reboot
By Anthony Bonazzo We’re into the second month of the New Year, and if your 2014 resolution to committing to the gym isn’t in full swing, it’s certainly fading away. But, it’s not too late for a resolution reboot. And here’s what I want you to do: Commit to getting fat. I’m not talking about […]
Obesity
The Little Known Truth About Being BIG By Alex Lubischer America’s obesity epidemic boils down to this: We do not move our bodies enough, and we eat too much food. Genetics can play a key factor, but at the macro level, the exponential spike in obesity over the past 100 years is far too rapid […]
Heads Up
While concussions are prevalent in contact sports, millions of nonathletes incur dangerous concussions, too By Eve Becker The images are jarring: A football player thrown to the ground and lying motionless; an ice-hockey player slammed into a wall; two youth soccer players colliding midfield. While previously dismissed, now athletes and coaches realize that these blows […]
What Your Body Is Telling You In Your 30s and 40s
By Morgan Lord When we women leave our 20s and enter our 30s and 40s, we finally peak—comfortable in our skin, we exude confidence. But although our minds, like whiskey and leather boots, become better with age, our bodies are working in reverse—bone mass declines, our metabolism slows, and we’re more susceptible to a slew […]
Welcome Home Mono
Students returning home for winter break could be carrying the kissing disease By Maryann Pisano With the holidays right around the corner, both parents and college students are awaiting a long winter break. But, unfortunately for some, students return home with more than the battle scars of a first semester and a duffle bag full […]
When Things Get Steamy
Can Vagina Steams Aid in Vaginal and Uterine Health? By Megy Karydes Spread your legs wide, she instructed. I obliged, feeling ridiculous as I sat naked on a stool with a circular hole and a salon-style gown wrapped over me like a tent from my neck to the ground. A large, pot of boiling water […]
The Prevention Column
Fitness Tips for the Traveler By Anthony Bonazzo Just because you are traveling, doesn’t mean that your fitness routine needs to go out the window. The old adage that “failing to plan is planning to fail” will ring true but can easily be avoided with minimal effort. First, call ahead. If you’re staying at a […]
Chemical Deal
Chemicals in Our Products are Wreaking Havoc on Our Health By Megy Karydes Most of us blindly buy products sold in major stores, certain that they have been tested for safety. Why would we think the soap we use to bathe our kids or the products we clean our homes with might be slowly killing […]
Sexuality, Aging and the Rise of Sexually Transmitted Infections
By Rhonda Alexander During teenage and young-adult years, sexually transmitted infections (STI)—and how to prevent them—is a regular topic of discussion, but what happens to the discussion after the age of 40? “There are no kid gloves in my office,” says Dr. Monique Jones, obstetrics and gynecology specialist in Hazel Crest. “We talk about it […]
Options Against the Flu
This season’s flu shots will be more individualized, but immunization can begin in summer By Megy Karydes Patients who have avoided getting the flu shot because of their fear of needles or allergies to eggs (egg protein is among the ingredients of some influenza vaccines) will have other options this season: seven of them. According […]
Doctor’s Orders
Vaccinations don’t cause autism, they save lives By Dr. Gena Vennikandam For a lot of kids, a trip to the doctor is a dreaded experience that quickly turns mom or dad into a reviled villain. Only the meanest of parents would subject their child to the evil doctors wielding their torturous needles. At least, that’s […]
The Prevention Column
Back Pain is Crippling America By Anthony Bonazzo Back pain has become a trendy ailment in American culture. Many people diagnose themselves with having back pain, but the problem is that the majority of self-diagnoses are wrong because most of the time, people don’t understand what is going on with their bodies. In many cases […]
Biking Ahead for Safety
Tips for protecting your child’s head with the perfect-fitting bike helmetBy Nancy Maes Parents can’t just buy the bike helmet their children like best, plop it on their heads, buckle it up and assume the youngsters will be safe. The protective gear has to meet the standards of the Consumer Safety Commission and be fitted […]
Camping with Food Allergies
It’s no one’s favorite activity, but some kids have to face food allergies at summer camp By Nancy Maes Summertime is the season for carefree fun at camp, but parents of children with food allergies have to be extra vigilant to make sure that their youngsters will be safe during their time away from home. […]
Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative announces major changes in Chicago
By Riley Andersen First lady Michelle Obama is kicking off the third year of her Let’s Move! initiative this week with a two-day national tour that includes a stop at McCormick place in Chicago on Thursday. The tour will promote the progress of the last two years and announce new ways to battle childhood obesity. […]
Caring for Your Winter Skin
Helpful tips from top area dermatologists By Karen Schwartz It’s wintertime in Chicago, and most likely, your skin looks and feels much drier than it does during the warmer spring and summer months. Two Chicago-area dermatologists give helpful tips for keeping your skin in tip-top shape during the rest of the winter season. Clean and […]
The Un-sexiest Disease in the Room
Why is the idea of improving our heart health so unattractive to us? The problem with cardiovascular disease is that it’s not sexy. Upon first hearing this, it seems obvious, right? What could be sexy about bad cholesterol, hypertension or angina pectoris? But let’s take a moment to define sexy. We’ll use Merriam-Webster’s secondary definition: […]
Living Too Large
A Look at the Chicago Childhood Obesity Epidemic By Morgan Lord When it comes to childhood obesity in Chicago, there’s good news, and there’s an overwhelming amount of bad news. Here’s the bad news first. “Childhood obesity is definitely becoming a bigger issue in Chicago,” says Dr. Mary Westerholm, a physician at Central DuPage Hospital […]
Good Oral Health
More at stake than just fresh breath By Terri Yablonsky Stat Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria that not only pose a risk for tooth decay and gum disease but can seriously affect your overall health. If you don’t take care of your teeth, bad breath and less-than-pearly whites may be the least […]
Thursday’s Great American Smokeout
Tomorrow (November 15), marks the American Cancer Society’s 37th annual Great American Smokeout. This nationwide event occurs every year on the third Thursday of November. It challenges people to stop smoking by providing tools, education and support for smokers to help them quit. On the day of the Great American Smokeout, local volunteers throughout the […]
