Nearly every industry in our community has felt the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The farming and agriculture industry in Illinois is certainly no exception. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the lockdowns and closures in response to COVID-19 are pushing many farm owners to their financial limits as commodity prices, food demands and biofuel demands drop. In an industry that has already faced years of challenging production and market conditions, these financial difficulties are cutting even deeper into farmers' already-thin margins. And for many farm

Nearly every industry in our community has felt the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The farming and agriculture industry in Illinois is certainly no exception. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the lockdowns and closures in response to COVID-19 are pushing many farm owners to their financial limits as commodity prices, food demands and biofuel demands drop. In an industry that has already faced years of challenging production and market conditions, these financial difficulties are cutting even deeper into farmers' already-thin margins. And for many farm

Nearly every industry in our community has felt the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The farming and agriculture industry in Illinois is certainly no exception. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the lockdowns and closures in response to COVID-19 are pushing many farm owners to their financial limits as commodity prices, food demands and biofuel demands drop. In an industry that has already faced years of challenging production and market conditions, these financial difficulties are cutting even deeper into farmers' already-thin margins. And for many farm

A year ago few would have predicted we'd be spending the 2020 holiday season deep in the midst of a pandemic, yet here we are. Fortunately, this doesn't mean we can't find ways to enjoy the holidays with our loved ones. Whether your family is gearing up to celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or some other tradition, here are five things to keep in mind during this special holiday season. Preparing for happy & healthy holidays 1. Check on Your Loved Ones The holidays are a common time of year for people to feel lonely or miss pets or people who have passed on. And we may see even more

A year ago few would have predicted we'd be spending the 2020 holiday season deep in the midst of a pandemic, yet here we are. Fortunately, this doesn't mean we can't find ways to enjoy the holidays with our loved ones. Whether your family is gearing up to celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or some other tradition, here are five things to keep in mind during this special holiday season. Preparing for happy & healthy holidays 1. Check on Your Loved Ones The holidays are a common time of year for people to feel lonely or miss pets or people who have passed on. And we may see even more

When the seasons shift from summer to fall, many people feel excited, refreshed and eager for a change. But for some people, the changing season can bring on unexpected feelings of despair that go well beyond the occasional "winter blues." At SIU Medicine, we want people to be aware of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. If left untreated, this condition can make it extremely difficult for a person to function throughout the fall and winter months. Keep reading to learn more and discover how we can help you or a loved one who may be struggling. What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

When the seasons shift from summer to fall, many people feel excited, refreshed and eager for a change. But for some people, the changing season can bring on unexpected feelings of despair that go well beyond the occasional "winter blues." At SIU Medicine, we want people to be aware of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. If left untreated, this condition can make it extremely difficult for a person to function throughout the fall and winter months. Keep reading to learn more and discover how we can help you or a loved one who may be struggling. What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Hand washing and hand hygiene have become big news since the COVID-19 pandemic—and with good reason! It’s been known since the mid-1800s that hand washing is important for preventing the spread of germs and reducing the rates of infection from communicable diseases. But it may surprise you to know that medical professionals in the United States didn't have any formal hand hygiene guidelines until the 1980s! To celebrate National Hand Washing Awareness Week (held every year from December 6 to 12), keep reading for additional information about this simple, but life-saving, technique. 5 things to

Hand washing and hand hygiene have become big news since the COVID-19 pandemic—and with good reason! It’s been known since the mid-1800s that hand washing is important for preventing the spread of germs and reducing the rates of infection from communicable diseases. But it may surprise you to know that medical professionals in the United States didn't have any formal hand hygiene guidelines until the 1980s! To celebrate National Hand Washing Awareness Week (held every year from December 6 to 12), keep reading for additional information about this simple, but life-saving, technique. 5 things to

Gastroparesis isn't one of the most common health conditions around—about 10 men and 40 women out of 100,000 people have it. But it can be life-altering to anyone who has it. The gastroenterology team at SIU Medicine encourages you to spend a little time learning about gastroparesis, so you can talk to a doctor if you have concerns about this or any digestive health problems. A brief overview of gastroparesis The word gastroparesis comes from "gastro," meaning stomach, and "paresis," meaning weakness. Gastroparesis is also called delayed gastric emptying. It happens when a person's stomach