Although people of any age can be injured by a fall, older adults are at increased risk of falling and are more likely to suffer serious, potentially fatal consequences. Every year, more than 1 in 4 Americans ages 65 and older falls, and 3 million are treated in emergency rooms due to fall-related injuries. Not […]
For being so tiny, the thyroid sure has a big job. The butterfly-shaped gland at the bottom of the neck makes the thyroid hormone, which affects nearly every tissue and organ in the body. It controls your heart rate and how fast you burn calories, among many other things. When there’s too much or too […]
Maybe your 10-year-old is the class bully. Or your teenage daughter ignores her curfew. These actions might be normal signs of growing up. But they also may signal depression. Depression is a serious problem in both children and teens. But treatment can help. What is depression? Depression is a mood disorder that affects the way […]
Do you have a weakness for your sister’s cherry cheesecake, Aunt Jenny’s casserole, or cousin Tom’s cookies? The holiday season is filled with tasty obstacles that can trip up your weight-loss goals. These five tips can help you get through the holiday season without gaining weight: Be realistic. It’s no fun to be stressed out […]
People with serious cardiac diseases are faring worse than patients without heart disease when they contract COVID-19. SBL Cardiologist B. Lakshmi, MD, explains that COVID-19 causes inflammation throughout the vasculature system, specifically in the blood vessels. A mild case of COVID-19 will only involve the lungs. Patients commonly have respiratory symptoms, loss of smell, or […]
Chicago-based Gastroenterologist Stephen T. Steiner, MD, is now seeing patients and performing procedures one week each month at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Gastroenterology focuses on the management of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon), plus the liver. Dr. Steiner does not to rush to diagnoses, instead […]
Inflammation can be a visible part of how your body fights illness or injury. If you’ve ever sprained your ankle, you already know about it. But it also can be much less obvious, and researchers are still unraveling its mysteries. Some of what they’ve learned has intriguing potential for treating heart disease and other illnesses. […]
Dick McDaniel is on the road to recovery after getting seriously ill with COVID-19 and pneumonia, but the experience left him with a greater sense of gratitude. He was hospitalized for nine days in November at Sarah Bush Lincoln and then monitored for another 16 days in the Health Center’s COVID-19 at Home program. While […]
Alzheimer’s disease is a mind-robbing disorder that strikes with greater frequency as people age. An estimated 5.6 million Americans ages 65 and older have the disease—and younger adults are affected, too But there is good news: Some research suggests that by engaging in certain physical and mental activities, you may be able to lower your […]
A “little case of the flu” can be a big deal as you get older. The body’s ability to fight infection weakens with age. Plus, older adults often have long-term health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. These conditions also increase the risk of developing serious flu complications. Need proof? Just look at these […]
