Diagnosis for Amyloid Heart Disease: Cardiac amyloidosis can do undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years as it can mimic other conditions. Cardiac amyloidosis is a progressive disease and early diagnosis is critical in altering the course of the disease. It is important to talk to specialists in the field if you have symptoms of amyloidosis like congestive heart failure, shortness of breath, irregular heart rhythm, neuropathy, unexplained stroke, swelling of legs or ankles, or kidney dysfunction. SIU Medicine specialists use the following tests to arrive at the correct diagnosis: 1. Detailed

Symptoms of Amyloidosis depend on the type of amyloid and the organs affected. AL amyloidosis commonly affects the kidney, and heart gastrointestinal tract, while ATTR amyloidosis affects the heart, nerves and joints. Symptoms due to the heart’s involvement: Difficulty in breathing with minimal walking/exertion Leg and ankle swelling Abdominal swelling Fatigue and weakness Unable to lie flat in bed or sleeping with more pillows due to difficulty in breathing Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm) Heart blocks Symptoms due to Kidney involvement: Foamy urine – due to increased loss of

There are over 30 proteins that can cause amyloidosis. However, two of them commonly impact the heart causing amyloid heart disease. 1. AL Amyloidosis or Light Chain Amyloidosis (AL): This is a bone marrow disease. Bone marrow has red blood cells and many types of white blood cells. White blood cells produce antibodies (proteins) to fight against infections. Light chains are pieces of antibodies produced by one type of white blood cell called plasma cells. In light chain amyloidosis, plasma cells start producing too much of abnormal light chains that do not function normally. These light

New physicians and research scientists at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine received their diplomas Saturday, May 21, at the school’s 48th annual commencement. The ceremony was held at the Performing Arts Center at the University of Illinois Springfield. Commencement speaker Regina Rabinovich, MD, MPH, encouraged the new doctors in the Class of 2022 to take advantage of their opportunities at a unique moment in history, and become advocates as well as healers. Rabinovich is the ExxonMobil Malaria Scholar in Residence at Harvard University, and director of the Malaria Elimination

Each year, the month of May is set aside to focus on increasing mental health awareness. Throughout the month, efforts to champion combating and eliminating stigma.

Amyloidosis is a term used for a group of diseases that are caused by deposition of abnormal proteins called amyloids. The human body has many proteins which perform various functions but, in some situations, these proteins become abnormal, loose their function, and stick to each other forming long bulky fibers. These amyloid proteins are toxic and can cause life-threatening organ dysfunction. Timely diagnosis and treatment are important to alter the course of this disease.

Children throughout Springfield and surrounding communities are receiving extended medical care, and their families often need extra help paying for lodging, food or transportation. SIU Medicine is inviting all golfers to form teams to help these children facing life-altering diseases through the On Par for Pediatrics charity golf outing. A shotgun start will begin the game at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 10, at The Rail Golf Course, 1400 S. Club House Dr., Springfield. An entry fee of $125 per player includes green fees, golf cart, on-course beverages, games and prizes, and a Twyford BBQ dinner

Healthy skin is something that everyone wants, but it requires regular maintenance to achieve. SIU Medicine staff would like to offer some simple but effective advice to keep the body's largest organ healthy and radiant.

Healthy skin is something that everyone wants, but it requires regular maintenance to achieve. SIU Medicine staff would like to offer some simple but effective advice to keep the body's largest organ healthy and radiant.