March is National Kidney Month. SIU Medicine wants to help you learn more about these important organs, and how you can improve your kidney health. Kidneys 101 You have two kidneys—one on the left and one on the right side, below your rib cage. They are shaped like beans and roughly the size of your fist. They play a vital role in your health, filtering blood to remove toxins, waste products and excess fluids. Tiny structures in the kidneys called nephrons contain smaller filtering structures, the tubule and glomerulus. As blood flows through the kidneys, the glomerulus filters the blood and

March is National Kidney Month. SIU Medicine wants to help you learn more about these important organs, and how you can improve your kidney health. Kidneys 101 You have two kidneys—one on the left and one on the right side, below your rib cage. They are shaped like beans and roughly the size of your fist. They play a vital role in your health, filtering blood to remove toxins, waste products and excess fluids. Tiny structures in the kidneys called nephrons contain smaller filtering structures, the tubule and glomerulus. As blood flows through the kidneys, the glomerulus filters the blood and

Otitis media, more commonly called an ear infection, is an inflammation of the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum. It can be caused by either a virus or bacteria and results in fluid build-up in the middle ear. Ear pain and fever are the most common symptoms. Ear drainage, or fluid that leaks from the ear, can also occur if the eardrum ruptures. Children are affected more frequently than adults, and about 5 of every 6 children will have experienced at least one infection by their first birthday. Ear infections are usually treated with pain medication for the discomfort and with

Otitis media, more commonly called an ear infection, is an inflammation of the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum. It can be caused by either a virus or bacteria and results in fluid build-up in the middle ear. Ear pain and fever are the most common symptoms. Ear drainage, or fluid that leaks from the ear, can also occur if the eardrum ruptures. Children are affected more frequently than adults, and about 5 of every 6 children will have experienced at least one infection by their first birthday. Ear infections are usually treated with pain medication for the discomfort and with

Asthma is a common ailment—1 in 13 people in the United States have it according to the CDC. Over the past several years, the incidence of asthma has been increasing, too. Fortunately, asthma can be managed with proper prevention of triggers and medications. SIU Medicine encourages you to become more informed about asthma so you'll know how to recognize it in yourself or your child and to seek appropriate treatment. What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your airways. It's believed to be related to inflammation and the immune system. Asthma causes airways to narrow and can

Asthma is a common ailment—1 in 13 people in the United States have it according to the CDC. Over the past several years, the incidence of asthma has been increasing, too. Fortunately, asthma can be managed with proper prevention of triggers and medications. SIU Medicine encourages you to become more informed about asthma so you'll know how to recognize it in yourself or your child and to seek appropriate treatment. What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your airways. It's believed to be related to inflammation and the immune system. Asthma causes airways to narrow and can

Asthma is a common ailment—1 in 13 people in the United States have it according to the CDC. Over the past several years, the incidence of asthma has been increasing, too. Fortunately, asthma can be managed with proper prevention of triggers and medications. SIU Medicine encourages you to become more informed about asthma so you'll know how to recognize it in yourself or your child and to seek appropriate treatment. What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your airways. It's believed to be related to inflammation and the immune system. Asthma causes airways to narrow and can

Asthma is a common ailment—1 in 13 people in the United States have it according to the CDC. Over the past several years, the incidence of asthma has been increasing, too. Fortunately, asthma can be managed with proper prevention of triggers and medications. SIU Medicine encourages you to become more informed about asthma so you'll know how to recognize it in yourself or your child and to seek appropriate treatment. What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your airways. It's believed to be related to inflammation and the immune system. Asthma causes airways to narrow and can

Asthma is a common ailment—1 in 13 people in the United States have it according to the CDC. Over the past several years, the incidence of asthma has been increasing, too. Fortunately, asthma can be managed with proper prevention of triggers and medications. SIU Medicine encourages you to become more informed about asthma so you'll know how to recognize it in yourself or your child and to seek appropriate treatment. What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your airways. It's believed to be related to inflammation and the immune system. Asthma causes airways to narrow and can

Right now, an estimated 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. As the global population continues to age, more people will be affected by this neurodegenerative disorder. Sadly, Alzheimer’s could impact up to 14 million Americans by 2050 if no cure is found. As leaders and innovators in academic medicine, clinical care and scientific research, SIU Medicine is proud to join a global community of providers and researchers who are striving to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this condition. Thanks to a generous donation, the Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer