Nothing says summer fun like an outdoor party by the pool or fire pit. But if you decide to drink alcohol during these steamy days, take precaution. Nearly one-third of motor-vehicle deaths are related to alcohol impairment, according to the CDC. When it’s hot outside, our bodies become dehydrated more quickly. Drinking alcohol while dehydrated leads to a higher blood alcohol concentration. Studies also show that a higher blood alcohol concentration leads to a greater risk of injury from a traffic accident, and the injuries will be more significant too. While each person’s tolerance for

Nothing says summer fun like an outdoor party by the pool or fire pit. But if you decide to drink alcohol during these steamy days, take precaution. Nearly one-third of motor-vehicle deaths are related to alcohol impairment, according to the CDC. When it’s hot outside, our bodies become dehydrated more quickly. Drinking alcohol while dehydrated leads to a higher blood alcohol concentration. Studies also show that a higher blood alcohol concentration leads to a greater risk of injury from a traffic accident, and the injuries will be more significant too. While each person’s tolerance for

Have a child entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth or ninth grade this year? Be sure you have an appointment set up for a back-to-school physical before school starts. Physicals are required for students entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade and students who are new to Springfield Public Schools. Staying up-to-date on vaccines and having a routine physical helps families protect their children from the most serious illnesses. “When children enter kindergarten, they have to show proof of receiving the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or the Tdap, their final polio, their

Have a child entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth or ninth grade this year? Be sure you have an appointment set up for a back-to-school physical before school starts. Physicals are required for students entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade and students who are new to Springfield Public Schools. Staying up-to-date on vaccines and having a routine physical helps families protect their children from the most serious illnesses. “When children enter kindergarten, they have to show proof of receiving the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or the Tdap, their final polio, their

Written by Laura Bottom, SIU Center for Family Medicine Warm weather, barbeques and celebrating our independence is all a part of summer. One of the best parts of the 4th of July is watching the sky light up with a beautiful array of colors, sparkles and shapes. Even though the firework displays are stunning, they can be very dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. The Pyrotechnic Use Act (PUA) in Illinois bans the sale, possession, and use of all “consumer fireworks,” such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles. Violating the PUA can result in prison time and a hefty fine.

Written by Laura Bottom, SIU Center for Family Medicine Warm weather, barbeques and celebrating our independence is all a part of summer. One of the best parts of the 4th of July is watching the sky light up with a beautiful array of colors, sparkles and shapes. Even though the firework displays are stunning, they can be very dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. The Pyrotechnic Use Act (PUA) in Illinois bans the sale, possession, and use of all “consumer fireworks,” such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles. Violating the PUA can result in prison time and a hefty fine.

Could your happy hour beverages be increasing your cancer risk? According to a recent study from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, as little as 10 grams of alcohol per day—that’s a small glass of wine, 8 ounces of beer or a shot of a harder liquor—can increase your risk of breast cancer. The study determined that this seemingly minimal amount increases cancer in premenopausal women by 5% and postmenopausal women by 9%. Dr. Anne McTiernan, the lead author of the report, told CNN , “I was most surprised by the alcohol result, that risk increases at

Could your happy hour beverages be increasing your cancer risk? According to a recent study from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, as little as 10 grams of alcohol per day—that’s a small glass of wine, 8 ounces of beer or a shot of a harder liquor—can increase your risk of breast cancer. The study determined that this seemingly minimal amount increases cancer in premenopausal women by 5% and postmenopausal women by 9%. Dr. Anne McTiernan, the lead author of the report, told CNN , “I was most surprised by the alcohol result, that risk increases at

The inner ear is lined with two types of hair cells that help us to hear and balance. The cells respond to sound waves for hearing and head and body movement for balance. As we age, the cells are injured or die off, and our hearing and balance suffer as a result. Studies have shown that the hair cells in fish, frogs and birds can regenerate naturally. New research by scientists at the University of Washington and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine indicates that the hair cells involved with balance—called vestibular cells—may also be replenished in mammals. This could have

The inner ear is lined with two types of hair cells that help us to hear and balance. The cells respond to sound waves for hearing and head and body movement for balance. As we age, the cells are injured or die off, and our hearing and balance suffer as a result. Studies have shown that the hair cells in fish, frogs and birds can regenerate naturally. New research by scientists at the University of Washington and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine indicates that the hair cells involved with balance—called vestibular cells—may also be replenished in mammals. This could have