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

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