The sinuses consist of air spaces in your skull and facial bones, specifically within your forehead, inside your cheekbones and behind the nose. These air spaces make up the upper part of your respiratory tract from your nose into your throat. Many issues can occur within your sinuses and can cause long-term problems that impact quality of life. At SIU Medicine, we treat many different sinus issues. Common sinus symptoms include decreased sense of smell, post-nasal drip, discolored drainage, congestion and facial pressure. Medical treatment often includes nasal sprays and saline rinses. In

Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that over time leads to severe memory impairment and greatly impacts patients and their loved ones. There is no cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and recent evidence support early intervention as essential for improving disease outcome. Our lab is dedicated to finding effective preventions and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Research emphasis is on determining risk factors, and their associated mechanisms, that contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease that will allow for earlier diagnosis and

Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that over time leads to severe memory impairment and greatly impacts patients and their loved ones. There is no cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and recent evidence support early intervention as essential for improving disease outcome. Our lab is dedicated to finding effective preventions and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Research emphasis is on determining risk factors, and their associated mechanisms, that contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease that will allow for earlier diagnosis and

Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that over time leads to severe memory impairment and greatly impacts patients and their loved ones. There is no cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and recent evidence support early intervention as essential for improving disease outcome. Our lab is dedicated to finding effective preventions and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Research emphasis is on determining risk factors, and their associated mechanisms, that contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease that will allow for earlier diagnosis and

High-risk pregnancy is a term used to describe a pregnancy in which the mother and/or the baby may be at increased risk for health problems during the pregnancy and/or the delivery. A high-risk pregnancy means that specialized testing, monitoring and extra care may be needed in order to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Sometimes, obstetricians will refer individuals with a high-risk pregnancy to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for co-managed pregnancy care.

Degenerative disc disease occurs when spinal discs degenerate, or wear down. The discs of the spine cushion the interlocking vertebrae and act as shock absorbers for the back, allowing it to bend, flex and twist. Discs break down over time as a natural part of the aging process. Spinal discs are composed of two layers – a tough, firm outer layer and a soft, jelly-like core. Small tears in the outer layer may cause the soft material in the center to leak out, causing a disc to bulge or rupture. This is a leading cause of back pain, primarily in the lower back and the neck. However, not everyone

A cystocele (SIS-to-seel) occurs when the supportive tissue between a woman's bladder and vaginal wall weakens and stretches, allowing the bladder to bulge into the vagina. A cystocele is also called a prolapsed bladder. Straining the muscles that support your pelvic organs may lead to a cystocele. Such straining occurs during vaginal childbirth or with chronic constipation, violent coughing or heavy lifting. Cystoceles also tend to cause problems after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease. For a mild or moderate cystocele, nonsurgical treatment is often effective. In more severe cases

Deep brain stimulation delivers electrical stimulation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement, blocking the neuronal signals that cause abnormal movement. Deep brain stimulation gives significant benefit in most of the people who undergo the procedure for essential tremor.

The aorta and iliac arteries are the blood vessels in the abdomen through which nutrient-rich blood that flows to the legs must pass. Aortoiliac occlusive disease occurs when these arteries become narrowed or blocked by atherosclerotic plaque (hardening of the arteries), which is largely made of cholesterol. Aortoiliac disease is considered a type of peripheral arterial disease because it affects arteries, which are vessels that carry blood from your heart to your limbs. When your iliac arteries narrow or become blocked, your legs may not receive the blood and oxygen they need. This lack of