Search Results

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

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with diabetes? SIU Medicine wants to increase awareness during American Diabetes Month by sharing some important information about diabetes. Keep reading to learn more about this all-too-common condition. A diabetes diagnosis Diabetes mellitus affects approximately 1 in 10 people in the United States. The percentage of adults with diabetes increases with age, occurring in about 30% of individuals ages 65 years and older. Diabetes is serious. It is the seventh leading cause of death, the leading cause of blindness and kidney failure, and the second leading

February is American Heart Month. SIU Medicine physicians care for a wide range of heart issues, and know that basic knowledge of heart concerns can help prevent certain symptoms from beginning. Check out these five important things to know about heart health. 1. Heart disease is the leading killer Did you know that 1 in 4 annual deaths in America is caused by heart disease ? Heart disease includes conditions like coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, heart attack and stroke. Both men and women can be affected. Risk factors for heart disease that you can control include smoking

Think urinary tract infections (UTIs) only affect women and older adults? It may surprise you to learn that as many as 3 percent of girls and 1 percent of boys experience a UTI by age 11, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. At SIU Medicine, our pediatric medical providers are committed to supporting parents by helping them learn about pediatric UTIs and other possible health conditions that can affect their young sons and daughters. Causes of pediatric UTIs A child may develop a UTI if bacteria gets into the urethra (where urine comes out of the body) and travels up toward the

SIU Medicine supports and encourages all breastfeeding mothers and nursing parents in our communities. As we honor National Breastfeeding Awareness Month , we encourage you to learn more about this important topic and find out how you can support a loved one who is currently breastfeeding. Here are four useful facts about breastfeeding we’d like to share. 1. Experts recommend breast milk during the first six months of a baby's life. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that babies are fed exclusively breast milk for the first six

A hooding ceremony celebrated the inaugural class of graduates in SIU's Doctor of Medical Science Program, a 1-year extension of PA education and training for positions of leadership in medical education, administration and disaster preparedness.

World Heart Day is September 29. SIU Medicine encourages you to celebrate World Heart Day with some simple but effective acts to improve your health. Schedule a check-up with your doctor, do something heart-healthy (such as exercising or making a whole foods, nutrient-dense meal), or talk to your loved ones about the warning signs and risk factors of unhealthy heart conditions, collectively known as cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading killer of men and women in most parts of the world. Sadly, one American dies of heart disease every 37 seconds, according to the

Gallstones are small, hardened lumps that can build up in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ near your liver that stores a digestive fluid called bile. If you have signs and symptoms of gallstones, such as sudden intense pain in the right upper area of the abdomen, nausea, or vomiting, your doctor may recommend surgery. Gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy) can help alleviate your symptoms and prevent complications associated with gallstones, such as gallbladder inflammation and blockage of the pancreatic or common bile ducts, which are important structures involved in digestion. A

Are you and your partner thinking about seeing a fertility specialist? Plenty of couples are. According to 2018 Pew Research data, at least a third of Americans have used fertility treatments in order to try for a baby, or know someone who has. And according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just over 2% of all infants born in the United States each year are conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF). If you've already scheduled your first infertility appointment, it's normal to feel a bit apprehensive. To help you

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 25 pregnancies are affected by a pregnancy complication known as preeclampsia . If left undetected and untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious and even fatal problems for a mother and her unborn child. Keep reading to learn more. What is preeclampsia? Preeclampsia (pre-e-CLAMP-si-a) is defined as persistent high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, usually after the 20th week of gestation. In rare instances, it can also develop after pregnancy during the postpartum period. If left untreated