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
Medication-Assisted Recovery (MAR) combines medications and behavioral therapy in the treatment of substance use disorders. The SIU Medicine MAR clinic’s trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach appeals to many.
You're probably aware that agriculture is one of America's most hazardous industries. Compared to other occupations, farmers—as well as their family members—have an elevated risk of fatal and nonfatal injuries. What you may not realize is that agriculture exposes workers to more than just physical health hazards. Farming and the unique challenges it poses can lead to issues like chronic stress, anxiety and depression. These mental health issues can have a long-term impact on the overall wellbeing of farmers and their families. The good news is that they're manageable. Read on to learn more
Repeated exposure to loud noises can damage the structures inside your ears that help you hear. Over time, this damage can cause irreversible hearing loss, which can negatively impact your quality of life, your personal relationships, profession, ability to communicate with others, mental health and even personal safety. Recent research even suggests that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia and social isolation. As a farmer or agricultural worker, you probably already know how often you are exposed to hazardous noise levels during daily farm operations. Fortunately
Slips, trips and falls are a leading cause of accidental injury, death and morbidity in older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of 4 American seniors (age 65+) fall every year, and every 20 minutes an older adult dies from a fall or from fall-related complications. These events come at a hefty price for individuals, families and the community at large—in 2015 alone, total medical costs associated with falls among older adults topped $50 billion. Now for the good news: falls are preventable! If you're an older adult or know someone who is, here are
Testicular cancer—cancer that develops in the male reproductive organs called testes—is relatively uncommon, affecting 1 in 250 males at some point in their lifetimes. That said, the incidence of testicular cancer has increased over the past few decades. This April, SIU Medicine honors Testicular Cancer Awareness Month by sharing some important facts you and your loved ones should know about this health condition. Testicular cancer has symptoms—so don't wait to get checked out Testicular cancer usually affects only one testicle. It can present with signs and symptoms including: A lump, growth
Adhering to a healthy diet can do more than help you lose some weight. Whether it’s lowering risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, helping the digestive system or simply keeping your eyes, skin and teeth in better shape, eating healthier can make a significant difference for your body. It’s also good for the brain. The MIND diet As we age, Alzheimer’s is something many of us worry about developing. Studies are clear – a healthy diet goes a long way in protecting brain health. It’s something clinicians and researchers at the Smith Alzheimer’s Center at SIU Medicine take seriously. A study at
Wheezing, or other whistling or raspy sounds that occur while breathing, may be a symptom of hay fever, COPD, asthma, acute bronchitis, bronchospasm, swelling in the airways, mucus in the airways, something stuck in the throat or a growth in the airway. If symptoms persist, make an appointment with SIU HealthCare.
Getting your child interested in vegetables might feel like an uphill climb sometimes, especially if you have picky eaters at home. To avoid having all your mealtimes feel like Battle of the Broccoli, use these six ideas to get more veggies into your kids' diet: 1. Lead by example. When it comes to food, your job as a parent is to decide what, where and when your children eat. It's your child's job to decide whether and how much they eat. Respecting these roles can be difficult when you're worried your children aren't eating enough—or when they refuse to eat what you prepare. One thing you can
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
