February is a time to focus on the heart—and not just for Valentine's Day. SIU Medicine joins with the American Heart Association to recognize February as American Heart Month and specifically, to raise awareness of a common health condition: congenital heart defects. 5 things to know about congenital heart defects 1. Congenital heart defects are the world's most common birth defect. Every year, 1.35 million infants are born with a congenital heart defect. A congenital heart defect is any abnormality in an infant's heart that developed while the child was still in the womb. Many types of

Throughout March, SIU Medicine is promoting multiple sclerosis (MS) education and awareness. Here are some facts about this common health condition. 1. MS is a chronic disorder affecting the nervous and immune system. When someone has MS, their immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues within their central nervous system. Specifically, MS causes inflammation and damage to tissues called the myelin sheaths, which surround nerve fibers and acts as insulation to help signals and information move about the brain and spinal cord. 2. MS is one of the most common neurological diseases in young

Throughout March, SIU Medicine is promoting multiple sclerosis (MS) education and awareness. Here are some facts about this common health condition. 1. MS is a chronic disorder affecting the nervous and immune system. When someone has MS, their immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues within their central nervous system. Specifically, MS causes inflammation and damage to tissues called the myelin sheaths, which surround nerve fibers and acts as insulation to help signals and information move about the brain and spinal cord. 2. MS is one of the most common neurological diseases in young

Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU’s release of butterflies is a beautiful way to honor the living and celebrate the memory of loved ones by sponsoring a butterfly in their names. The ceremony will include the public reading of the names of those being honored and/or remembered, music, inspirational readings, and a magnificent release of butterflies. Seating is limited and masks are required. The emergence of a butterfly is a sign of renewal of life and its flight symbolizes freedom and happiness. Your gift of $25 per butterfly/name benefits Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU. To sponsor, go online

Course name: What to expect when you're not expecting to be a caregiver

COVID-19 vaccinations are underway, a crucial step in the evolving effort to curb the spread and lethality of the global pandemic. SIU Medicine wants our patients and the public to have confidence in the process. We encourage questions about your concerns and how to best protect against the virus. Sharing information will help the community stay safer and better informed. One question frequently heard is: Can I get an antibody test if I have had the vaccine? Understanding antibodies Antibodies are proteins produced by immune cells that circulate in your body. They help fight off infectious

Here's a great trivia fact: The total length of the average adult's digestive tract, from mouth to rear-end, is up to 30 feet long. All that tissue—tongue, esophagus, stomach, small intestines and colon, creates an important passageway through which food travels and gets broken down, absorbed, metabolized and excreted. Without an optimally functioning digestive system, you could be at risk for things like malnutrition with muscle, vitamin and mineral loss. You could also increase the risk of obesity with all its complications, including heart and lung disease. Of course we can’t ignore the

"Stressful" might be a perfect adjective to describe our current lives. We’ve been through a lot in the past year. In fact, research from the American Psychological Association indicates that overall levels of stress in this country increased throughout the last year. While everyone handles it differently, stress has common roots. It's the physical and emotional sensation you have in response to challenging situations (say, a global pandemic). Of course, the experience of stress is normal; up to a certain point, stress can actually be helpful for motivating you or ensuring you respond

"Stressful" might be a perfect adjective to describe our current lives. We’ve been through a lot in the past year. In fact, research from the American Psychological Association indicates that overall levels of stress in this country increased throughout the last year. While everyone handles it differently, stress has common roots. It's the physical and emotional sensation you have in response to challenging situations (say, a global pandemic). Of course, the experience of stress is normal; up to a certain point, stress can actually be helpful for motivating you or ensuring you respond

"Stressful" might be a perfect adjective to describe our current lives. We’ve been through a lot in the past year. In fact, research from the American Psychological Association indicates that overall levels of stress in this country increased throughout the last year. While everyone handles it differently, stress has common roots. It's the physical and emotional sensation you have in response to challenging situations (say, a global pandemic). Of course, the experience of stress is normal; up to a certain point, stress can actually be helpful for motivating you or ensuring you respond