The Sentinel: Health & Wellness

Got hives? Here is what we know you are itching to learn about Chronic Urticaria

Urticaria is a rash causing round, swollen areas on the skin. It can be tender, itchy and/or painful. People with light skin may see red, raised bumps or welts.

BPT - If you've had hives, you know how challenging they can be. But you may not know that there is more than one type of hives, or urticaria, and that treatments are available. A brief episode of hives is a nuisance, but when symptoms persist for weeks, months or years, it can take a physical and psychological toll.

What is urticaria?

Urticaria is a rash causing round, swollen areas on the skin. It can be tender, itchy and/or painful. People with light skin may see red, raised bumps or welts. In people of color, hives may match the color of surrounding skin or appear slightly lighter or darker. They may appear all over your body or in one area.

Urticaria occurs when chemical compounds involved in the body's inflammatory and immune responses are released. One of these chemicals is histamine, which is released by mast cells and basophils. When this release happens in the skin's outer layers, it results in hives.

Most hives resolve quickly, but they can become chronic. Acute urticaria refers to hives lasting one day to six weeks. Chronic urticaria means the hives have lasted for six weeks or longer. For many people, the cause is unknown.

Chronic urticaria eventually goes away by itself.

Chronic urticaria is a rare condition that occurs in only 23 out of 10,000 people, though the actual number may be higher, since many people do not report or recognize the symptoms. Chronic urticaria is most common in adults aged 40-59. More women than men are affected, and more Black Americans and other ethnic groups are affected. There are two types:

Chronic idiopathic urticaria (also called chronic spontaneous urticaria) is not triggered by external factors. In many cases, the cause could be an autoimmune condition, another systemic disease like cancer, or unknown.
Chronic inducible urticaria is caused by certain environmental and physical factors.

Identifying urticaria triggers

Common triggers include:

Allergens, including certain foods
Exposure to heat/cold
Tight clothing
Insect stings and bites
Infections and viruses
Medications such as antibiotics and NSAIDs
Diseases including asthma, celiac disease, diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, vasculitis and vitiligo
Stress

Diagnosis and treatment

The cause of your chronic urticaria may be hard to identify. It's best to see a specialist such as a board-certified allergist or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Your doctor may perform allergy tests, lab tests or a skin biopsy to rule out other conditions that involve or resemble hives. You can help by keeping a diary that tracks your symptoms.

Chronic urticaria eventually goes away by itself. Management focuses on the most appropriate treatment to control symptoms, usually starting with the first line of treatment: a long-lasting antihistamine.

Antihistamines block production of histamine to reduce or eliminate hives and ease itch and swelling. Ask your doctor for a non-sedating antihistamine.

Topical itch creams may provide mild relief for hives that do not cover the entire body.

Corticosteroids: Topical corticosteroids reduce inflammation, irritation and itching. By reducing inflammation, they also promote healing. For a severe hives flare-up, a short course of oral corticosteroids (prednisone) can help reduce inflammation and itching. These medications can cause serious side effects, especially if taken long-term. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions when taking oral corticosteroids.

Advanced treatments

It's important to work closely with your doctor if your hives don't respond to treatment. If antihistamines alone do not help, your doctor may recommend combining them with other medications, including leukotriene modifiers or H2 blockers. New advanced treatments are available, and more are in clinical trials or undergoing FDA review.

Biologics: Omalizumab is a biologic medication used to treat chronic urticaria when antihistamines haven't worked. Two more biologics are in development as chronic urticaria treatments: dupilumab is in FDA review and briquilimab is in clinical trials. Biologics work by targeting cells and interrupting the inflammatory process. This stops or reduces symptoms. Biologics are injectable medications typically given once per month.

Cyclosporine: This is an oral medication that calms the immune system to prevent hives from occurring. It can be taken along with antihistamines. Since cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive, it can decrease the body's ability to fight infections. Talk with your doctor about side effects and the benefits vs. risks of taking this medication.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor: Remibrutinib is an oral medication in clinical trials. It works by blocking the activation of mast cells and basophils. These cells release histamine and other inflammatory mediators that cause hives, swelling and itching. By blocking this process, remibrutinib can reduce or eliminate symptoms.

Hives and mental health

It's important not to blame yourself for your hives. If you're feeling anxiety, depression or embarrassment about your skin condition, talk with your healthcare provider or a mental health specialist. Support groups for people with urticaria also let you share experiences and know you are not alone.

Don't let chronic urticaria impact your quality of life. Talk to your doctor. Check out the Chronic Urticaria Toolkit at ChronicHives.info.

Microplastics and our water: What families should know

StatePoint Media - Statistics show if that if you’re not filtering your water the right way, your family is likely consuming microplastics.

An overwhelming 94% of U.S. tap water is contaminated with fragments of plastic pollution called microplastics, and bottled water does not fare much better —microplastics are found in 93% of 11 popular water bottle brands around the world.

Microplastics found in drinking water are not just an environmental hazard — mounting evidence indicates that they are also a potential human health hazard.

When it comes to your family’s health and well-being, don’t take chances.

So what can you do to help make your drinking water safer? Investing in the right water filter is a great start. Be sure to choose one that meets internationally-recognized testing standards and is backed by independent testing. For example, all of LifeStraw’s water filters feature a membrane technology capable of filtering out microplastics and a host of other contaminants, such as bacteria and parasites.

To ensure your family has higher-quality water wherever you go, tackle the problem with this two-pronged approach:

At home: Supply your household with safer water using the LifeStraw Home High-Capacity Dispenser. In addition to microplastics, this sleek, 35-cup dispenser also removes bacteria and parasites, and reduces lead, mercury and chemicals, including PFAS, as well as chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, dirt, sand and cloudiness, while retaining essential minerals.

On the go: Access healthier water when you are at school, work or out and about using the LifeStraw Go Series Water Filter Tumbler. This insulated, travel-sized stainless steel water filter improves taste and protects against contaminants, including microplastics.

To learn more about safe drinking water, as well as efforts being made to improve drinking water around the world, visit lifestraw.com/blogs.

When it comes to your family’s health and well-being, don’t take chances. Simple steps can vastly improve your water supply and reduce your consumption of harmful pollutants.

How rough play shapes stronger, smarter kids

by Colleen Reynolds
OSF Healthcare

PEORIA - First-time moms can be a little leery of dad wrestling with a little one, but research shows rough housing, or better put, active play actually helps with physical development, social skills and emotional regulation.

Kyle Boerke, PsyD, a clinical child psychologist and the director of Outpatient Behavioral Health services at OSF HealthCare, says it might be surprising but aggressive physical play between parents and their children results in less aggressive kids.

Kyle Boerke

“During physical play, fathers especially who exert some levels of dominance actually have more well-adjusted kiddos; more socially adjusted and more confident kiddos whereas with more passive fathers, we actually get children who engage in more physical aggression. So, it’s kind of opposite of what some people who are hesitant might think.”

Active play also helps children learn to regulate their emotions Dr. Boerke says.

“I might be starting to get frustrated but I’m learning how to deal with that frustration. I’m learning how to be assertive and say, ‘I would like to stop or please stop.’ And if it’s high-quality interaction the parent is going to stop and now I’m learning that if I advocate for myself, then things are going to turn out the right way.”

What does active play look like? It can be playing tag, wrestling, flying a kid like an airplane on your raised legs and feet, even spinning a child around. During a walk, it could be mom and dad swinging them with each holding a hand.

Dr. Boerke says rough-and-tumble play has so many benefits. For example, he says it provides opportunities for children to learn about social cues and helps build confidence as they test their limits. It positively impacts the brain, improving cognition, attention and academic achievement.

For parents it has positive side effects because the interactions activate pleasure hormones.

There is no age limit for rough-and-tumble play.

“One of the most fascinating parts of research on this rough-and-tumble play is we actually get equal, if not higher, levels of this hormone oxytocin at the end of a rough- and-tumble play session than we do when we simply sit on the couch and cuddle with our kiddos. So it actually strengthens the bond with my child.”

Active play also promotes development of gross motor skills, balance, coordination and spatial awareness. But parents need to make sure it doesn’t cause harm or that the parent always has dominance. Dr. Boerke suggests letting the child win as much as you do and setting limits when it goes on too long.

He emphasizes that when it comes to tickling, don’t hold a child down and make sure to stop when a child says they’ve had enough or seem worn out by it.

There is no age limit for rough-and-tumble play. Dr. Boerke explains the type of active play just morphs a bit as a child ages.

“What was wrestling or chase and flee, what was tickling and throwing them in the air when they were little turned into, we're going to play a one-on-one game of basketball, you know, at a park. Or if I have a hoop at my house, there's rough-and-tumble play in that too, right?”

For more introverted parents, Dr. Boerke suggests easing into active play and it will eventually come naturally. Enthusiasm is important. He stresses that a child needs to feel a parent is really engaged and interested, not just going through the motions. He says if parents are too passive about play, their children tend to be more aggressive in the long run.

Op-Ed |
New study reveals obesity ages individuals by 27 years

Findings highlight wide-ranging health impacts and alarming cost implications

by Patty Starr
President and CEO, Health Action Council

Newly released claims data from more than 220,000 people reveal the latest evidence on the role obesity plays in health and health care costs, underpinning the need for supportive measures and interventions.

The new study, which analyzed Health Action Council (HAC) members with health plans administered by UnitedHealthcare, found that people with obesity cost their employers 2.3 times more than those without the condition and paid 66% more out-of-pocket ($662) per year than their peers without obesity. Notably, Millennials with obesity incurred over 8% higher per member per month (PMPM) costs than Baby Boomers without obesity who were 27 years older, due to the increased likelihood of chronic condition diagnoses.

Multifaceted health consequences

Comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and musculoskeletal issues were major cost drivers. The more comorbidities a person with obesity experienced, the higher their costs became. Obesity significantly increased the risk of various cancers, including breast, colon, rectum, and upper stomach cancers, and increased the risks for anxiety, substance use disorders, and depression.

Obesity among women of childbearing age

The report highlighted a 19-percentage-point rise in obesity rates between Gen Z women (9%) and Millennial women (28%), the largest generation in today’s workforce. This was particularly concerning due to the heightened maternal mortality risks and mental health issues associated with obesity.

The ripple effect on children

Children of parents with obesity are generally twice as likely to develop the condition themselves, but this risk tripled for children of HAC members if at least one parent had obesity. These children were also 44% more likely to experience depression, 39% more likely to have ADHD, and had higher rates of developmental disorders, asthma and diabetes.

Whole person weight management solutions

Effective strategies will require more than GLP-1s, which are unlikely to meaningfully impact obesity rates due to their high costs and low compliance rates. Consistent with the Food and Drug Administration’s label, these medications should be used in tandem with a life-style modification program for the treatment of obesity.

Strategies for employers

Following are a few steps employers can take to build a healthier workplace culture.

Understand your population. Analyze claims to determine the percentage of your workforce and dependents impacted by obesity. Identify prevalence, most impacted groups, as well as other health risks and social drivers of health.
Foster a healthy environment. Encourage a positive relationship with food, activity, and stress management by offering classes on exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness and providing non-processed foods at meetings, events, and in common areas. Encourage daily physical activity, less screen time, and quality sleep.
Offer comprehensive health solutions. Implement wellness solutions that integrate whole-person health by providing access to virtual providers such as network dietitians, digital health tools like mental health apps, and wearable technologies such as continuous glucose monitors.

About the author ~

Patty Starr, CEO of Health Action Council

Patty Starr is President and CEO of Health Action Council and is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the organization--build stronger, healthier communities where business can thrive.

April 26 |
On this day from the Sentinel

Here is a digest of some of the OurSentinel.com stories we published on this day in the past.

Knoll's 5th inning triple seals Rocket opening win

Unity's Damian Knoll is tagged out on a play at second base by a Hoopeston Area player during the Rockets' first game of the season. Later, the junior smacked a 3-RBI triple in the bottom of the 5th innning to make the score 11-1 and secured his team's first victory of the season.

Delicious veggies and more, FFA plant sale starts on Monday

Looking flowers or vegetables for your garden this spring?

Tomorrow at 9am the next round of the St. Joseph-Ogden FFA Chapter will be open for business. Orders for available plants must be done online after it goes live tomorrow at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/st-joseph-ogden-ffa-chapter-greenhouse. Buyers can set a pick-up time to collect their purchase.

When it comes to your health ask questions

You don’t have to stay in the nursing home if you don’t want to. If you can manage to get out and have a place to go then it’s your life. Even if you want to spend your remaining days crawling in the floor to the kitchen or the bathroom then it’s your God given right to live out your days in such a way.

6 reason to consider a career in home healthcare

Photo:RODNAE Productions/Pexels

Over the past 13 months unemployment rates nearly doubled their pre-pandemic levels reported in February 2020, the prospect of starting a new career after age 50 may seem unrealistic. However, industry experts say that it’s actually a great time for those in this age bracket to consider making the leap.

Are you ready for when your power goes out?

Photo: Artem Podrez/Pexels

More Americans suffered extended power outages in 2020 than any year since Superstorm Sandy struck the New York area in 2012, according to Generac, owners of Power Outage Central, a real-time outage tracking service that monitors outages throughout the United States.

Back in November of last year, power was out for about three hours in the south part of Champaign and another area covering Campustown.

Baker sets hurdles PR, SJO girls snag 9 first at home meet

The St. Joseph-Ogden girls track team took first place in nine events in a home dual meet against Eureka last Thursday.

Haleigh Maddock turned in a 31.10 in the 200m Dash. She was followed over the finish line by teammates Yamilka Casanova (32.32) and Jayci Hayes (32.48) to secure the top three spots on the podium.

Joining the tech workforce is easier than you might think

More than 12 million people are currently employed in tech-related occupations in the U.S., either as information technology (IT) professionals or employees of technology companies. Yet employer demand for tech workers is still strong in many markets and industries, including technology, financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, government and education.

Tech jobs in Champaign County are plentiful at the moment. Technology Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is currently accepting applications for three positions on their Managed IT Services teams. Four days ago, Revature was seeking software developers and Niemann Foods advertised an opening for a Network Administrator with a starting pay at $40K annually.

How to choose the best summer camp for your kids

Before you start looking for a summer camp, consider what activities your child enjoys, whether it's sports, arts and crafts, science or outdoor adventures.

Family Features - Selecting the perfect summer camp for your child can be a pivotal experience, shaping memories for years to come. Offering unique opportunities for kids to experience independence, build lasting friendships and develop new skills in a fun and safe environment, camps can encourage them to step out of their comfort zones, try new activities and overcome challenges away from the comforts of home.

Because campers are immersed in a variety of programs, such as outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, sports, team-building exercises and more, they often return home more resilient, confident and with a sense of achievement.

Consider these tips to choose the right summer excursion for your child.

Understand Your Child's Interests and Needs

Before you start looking for a summer camp, consider what activities your child enjoys, whether it's sports, arts and crafts, science or outdoor adventures. Knowing his or her preferences can help narrow down the options.

Additionally, think about your child's personality and social needs to ensure the camp experience is tailored to his or her unique disposition. If your child is more introverted, a smaller, more intimate camp setting may be beneficial. A larger camp environment may better suit outgoing children who are eager to make new friends.

Research Camp Options and Reputations

Look for camps that offer the activities your child enjoys and have a good reputation. Read reviews from other parents and, if possible, visit the camps to get a feel for the environment. Each camp provides unique strengths, ensuring there is one for every child to enjoy and benefit from.

Check if the camps have been in operation for a significant amount of time and whether they have experienced and qualified staff. A camp with a long-standing reputation and a history of positive feedback can provide added assurance of a quality experience for your child.

Evaluate Camp Safety and Accreditation

Safety should be a top priority when choosing a summer camp. Ensure the camp is accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Camp Association, which sets high standards for health, safety and program quality.

Inquire about safety protocols, including staff-to-camper ratios, emergency procedures and staff training in first aid and CPR. It's also important to ask about the camp's policies on bullying and how they handle behavioral issues that may arise.

Consider Camp Location and Duration

Decide whether you prefer a camp close to home or if you're comfortable with your child traveling to a different region. Proximity can be beneficial in case of emergencies or if your child experiences homesickness.

Additionally, think about the length of the camp session. Some camps offer one-week sessions while others might last for several weeks or just overnight. Consider your child's readiness for being away from home for extended periods and choose a duration that aligns with your family's schedule and his or her comfort level.

To find more parenting advice, visit eLivingtoday.com.

Understanding the Link Between Stress and Chronic Pain: Key Findings Revealed

Study says depression and anxiety caused by chronic pain may contribute to a poor quality of life and reduce life expectancy.

by Terri Dee
Indiana News Service

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress is the body's way of processing work, personal, and family pressures, or other triggers.

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found a link between stress and chronic pain, which is defined as pain that persists for three months or more and lasts beyond the normal healing time of an injury or illness.

Former chiropractor Dr. Sean Pastuch is CEO of Active Life, a personal coaching company focusing on chronic pain-management options.

He suggested that biological, psychological and social interventions could be effective forms of treatment.

What is viewed as pleasurable to some may feel painful to others.

"The connection between all of those three things -- the physical, the mental, and the emotional -- is that when we think about pain, no one's defining what the word means," said Pastuch. "So, if we evaluate what the word 'pain' means, then we come to find that in order for there to be pain, there needs to be a negative emotional component to it."

He said that if you feel something, you have to decide if you like the way it feels or not. And what is viewed as pleasurable to some may feel painful to others.

The study also says depression and anxiety caused by chronic pain may contribute to a poor quality of life and reduce life expectancy.

A 2022 Indiana Chronic Care Policy Alliance report shows almost 8% of adults have chronic pain, with arthritis as the leading disorder.

Patsuch said patients face obstacles in finding a physician who can identify their pain, which means fewer or no opportunities to receive treatment.

"The reason why doctors struggle to help people with chronic pain, and why the confidence level among doctors is low," said Pastuch, "is because of all the medical schools, fewer than 15 actually have dedicated curriculum to supporting a patient with chronic pain."

Of the medical schools that offer a pain-management curriculum, he said the majority focus on students in the anesthetics department.

Patsuch suggested that when a patient is with their doctor, to use words other than "it just hurts." They need to be able to describe what hurts and ask, "How do I want to resolve it?"

Other interesting articles:

Measles cases reach 600: Experts warn of contagion risk and vaccine importance

by Matt Sheehan
OSF Healthcare

PEORIA - As measles cases continue to climb across the United States, the long-term implications can’t be ignored.

The respiratory viral infection, although thought eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, has reemerged, especially among unvaccinated individuals. As of early April 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 600 confirmed cases of measles.

Measles is extremely contagious

"The key to measles is how highly infectious it is. Each person that has measles will infect between 12 and 18 people in an unvaccinated situation," says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. "The key for controlling measles is widespread vaccine use."

Doug Kasper, M.D.
OSF Infectious Disease Specialist

For reference, each influenza patient, on average, will infect one to two others.

The measles vaccine is normally offered once a child has reached one year of age. It's a two-shot series, which came on the market in 1963. Dr. Kasper says this gives medical experts decades of data that show a correlation between people receiving the vaccine, and close to zero circulation of the virus in the United States.

The states with measles outbreaks are in unvaccinated people, and no breakthrough cases (in those who have received the vaccine) have been reported, Dr. Kasper adds.

The long-term risks for unvaccinated measles patients

"There is emerging information that vaccination not only protects an individual from not becoming ill or having less severity of illness with a viral exposure, whether that's measles, chicken pox, influenza or COVID-19, but that there are long-term risks from viral infections that we do not appreciate in the moment," Dr. Kasper says. "Some of these have been associated with memory loss or dementia as somebody ages. Some of these are associated with organ disease like hepatitis or kidney disease."

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

SSPE is a rare, deadly degenerative disease of the central nervous system that can happen seven to 10 years after a measles infection. Young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people are the most at-risk for SSPE. One to three out of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications, the CDC says.

SSPE symptoms happen over four stages.

Stage 1: Personality changes, mood swings or depression. There may also be fever and headaches, this stage can last up to six months
Stage 2: Muscle spasms and uncontrolled movement problems. Loss of vision, dementia and seizures can occur
Stage 3: Twisting movements and rigidity. Sometimes death
Stage 4: Serious brain damage, including areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, leading to coma and death

Immune amnesia

Another long-term impact of measles is known as immune amnesia. The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) calls immune amnesia “one of the most unique and most dangerous features of measles pathogenesis.” The extremely rare condition causes people’s immune systems to “forget” how to fight off infections and makes the person more susceptible. The ASM determined it normally takes two to three years after a measles infection for protective immunity to return.

A measles outbreak was declared in Northeast Illinois in early 2024 and declared “over” by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in June. The expectation of statewide health experts is that measles will return to Illinois in the coming months. This is mainly due to heavy travel through Chicago airports and summer festivals. County health departments have now been tasked with keeping an eye on their measles vaccine rates and identifying areas where vaccine rates are low.

Peoria County's measles vaccine rate is quite high, around 95%. But outlying communities in central Illinois have lower vaccine rates, normally more rural counties. Health experts at Michigan Medicine call the Great Lake State “ripe for a measles outbreak,” as only 66% of toddlers receive the recommended childhood immunizations.

Measles symptoms

"Measles typically presents with a high fever, typically much higher than what we'd see with seasonal colds or influenza. Fevers can be 104 or 105 degrees Fahrenheit," Dr. Kasper says. "That's followed by a runny nose and a characteristic rash. This typically develops on the head and then spreads down the rest of the body."

“We don’t want to go back”

"Measles at its peak, in the 1950s before the vaccine, led to a significant number of hospitalizations in young children. Around 50,000 hospitalizations were estimated per year and about 500 deaths," Dr. Kasper says. "We don't want to go back to that scenario in any capacity, where we have a large number of unvaccinated people. The outcomes could be too severe."

Immunocompromised people like those who have received an organ transplant, cancer patients or those on long-term therapies that could impact their immune system, are at high risk for measles.

Why vaccines are so important right now

Summer travel along with large crowds at places like airports and theme parks, will likely bring more measles cases to the United States.

"This time, as good as any time, is to make sure somebody is updated on their vaccinations. If somebody isn't sure if they were vaccinated as a child, they should talk to their primary care provider about testing or receiving the vaccine. If someone is immunocompromised and they might be at a higher risk for measles through travel in areas that have exposure, they should talk to their primary care provider about the vaccine," Dr. Kasper says. "If someone has young children or is at an age where vaccine is recommended, we wholly recommend for them to discuss with their provider to remain up to date on their vaccine series."

Vaccine hesitancy continues to be a topic of discussion, one that Dr. Kasper recommends patients openly discuss with their medical provider.

Natural immunity is not a viable option with measles. The highly infectious nature of the virus, along with the severity of symptoms and potential for long-term complications, make it an illness people need to try and avoid entirely.

More articles:

Facing inequities in maternal health care, Black mothers are more at risk to receive lower quality care

For Black women, one of the biggest issues is finding their voice when confronting health issues.

by Paul Arco
OSF Healthcare

As a practicing OB/GYN, Lisa Davis, MD, sees the maternal health challenges Black women deal with every day.

Lisa Davis, M.D.
OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical

“Some of the issues that face black women when it comes to maternal health are issues with blood pressure,” says Dr. Davis, chief medical officer for OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois. “So what we would call preeclampsia, a risk of preterm birth, which can result in low birth weight of the infant, postpartum hemorrhage, or hemorrhage that occurs right after delivery or during the latter stages of delivery.”

And it can lead to even more serious consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the pregnancy-related death rate for Black women is three times the rate for mothers of other racial and ethnic groups.

Nationally, April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week, a time to raise awareness and take action to improve the health of Black mothers.

Dr. Davis says for Black women, one of the biggest issues is finding their voice when confronting health issues, which include disparities such as getting quality healthcare, dealing with underlying chronic conditions and social drivers such as income, housing, transportation or child care.

Dr. Davis stresses to her patients the importance of making their own health a high priority.

“I think for black women in the maternal health space, it's being heard and too often, there is a misperception that sometimes is out there regarding their response to pain, their use of drugs and things that are all misconceptions,” she says. “That is a big challenge for us, and that includes me, to overcome. It doesn't matter what level of education or where you live. The research has shown that it is still an issue.”

Dr. Davis adds that the medical community can do better when it comes to listening and responding to their patients’ needs. “Every patient is special and different for us to slow down and really look at that person as the person, and understand and listen,” she says. “Sometimes patients, if they're not comfortable, won't disclose what's going on in the first few minutes, but as you get ready to leave, then you might start to get the real back story. And so, it's important for us to slow down and be in the moment.”

Another need is for more Black providers, according to Dr. Davis. She says studies have shown that Black patients tend to relate to someone their own color. “It's very important, I think, for that message to be out there and to encourage young people to look at health care as an option, especially young people of color, because in the future, that's what we're going to need.”

But there are things patients can do for themselves. Dr. Davis stresses to her patients the importance of making their own health a high priority. That includes maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough rest and exercise and attending prenatal appointments.

“If you're not at your best, how can you be good for anyone else?” she asks. “I think what moms suffer from is everyone's important, but sometimes they need to take that step back and focus on themselves, so they can be 100% for their kids, for their spouse, for their parents, for their siblings.”

More articles:

Lost for Words? Using the wrong words could be an indicator of Alzheimer’s onset

There are many lifestyle choices that hurt our cognitive reserve, or brain health. Most Alzheimer's dementia cases normally start showing up in people's 60s and 70s.

by Matt Sheehan
OSF Healthcare

PEORIA - The number of those with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to double in the next 35 years. New research is showing there may be a new key to catching the disease early: language.

Deepak Nair, M.D.

The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association published its findings in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, stating speech patterns could indicate who is more at-risk for Alzheimer’s disease down the line.

Deepak Nair, MD, the vice president of the Neuroscience Service Line for OSF HealthCare, says there are things we can be looking out for, both in ourselves and our loved ones.

"Most of the time that people recognize that early cognitive impairment, the technical term is 'mild cognitive impairment,' is happening because we notice, either in ourselves or our loved one’s memory seems to be a problem," Dr. Nair says. "Difficulties finding common words. Especially to describe things we would manage every day. If you notice in yourself or your loved ones the loss of common words, you're really struggling to think of something really common."

Signs to look out for

Most Alzheimer's dementia cases normally start showing up in people's 60s and 70s. But have risk factors and lifestyle choices been hurting your vascular and brain health for years before that? That's the worry, Dr. Nair says.

Most dementias progress very slowly, Dr. Nair says. So, this could make it difficult to catch something day to day in a loved one. Think back to a year ago and think through how they were functioning then.

When talking with families, does the person have to hand off responsibilities like financial accounts? Did they shrink how far they will drive? Who manages the household? These are all questions to consider if you have concerns about a loved one’s brain health.

Paraphasic errors

Dr. Nair says paraphasic errors, or when someone means to say one thing but says another, could be an early sign of a major cognitive disorder.

"You might mean to say the word 'clock.' But you substitute it with something that rhymes like 'tock' or 'lock.' Or something that means the same thing, like watch," Dr. Nair says. "You have an intention to refer to a specific word, but you can't find that right word, so you substitute something that's similar."

Less speech overall is also a possible early sign of Alzheimer’s.

Masking symptoms with schedules

"When people experience impairments, it's very common that they're already building in regular habits and routines to mask their impairments," Dr. Nair says. "It's things like that we pay attention to."

Physical exercise and social connection

"Physical exercise, both aerobic and anaerobic, have the highest correlation with better cognitive function in later life," Dr. Nair says. "So, we try to promote that as much as we can. Mental activity, specifically social connection and activity, seems to also play a major role."

On the flip side, there are many lifestyle choices that hurt our cognitive reserve, or brain health, Dr. Nair says. Excessive alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes are common cardiovascular risk factors. Not only that, but as we get older, socialization normally decreases.

Alzheimer’s is the most common of the dementias. “Dementia” is no longer the actual diagnostic term neurologists are using, Dr. Nair says. Dementia is defined as a clinical syndrome where patients experience impairments in at least two different cognitive domains, enough to hurt their ability to do everyday tasks (balancing your checkbook, driving a car, cooking, etc.).

Memory is one cognitive domain. Language is another. Dr. Nair says the brain has special centers and pathways that help our ability to communicate. They take time to develop, which is why it takes a while for babies to start talking.

The second most common form of dementia is vascular dementia. The better we do at maintaining overall vascular health, the less likely it is that you'll have vascular disease of the brain, which leads to later cognitive impairment.

For loved ones, Dr. Nair says you're not alone. Communicate with your care team, and they can get you connected with the right resources.

Here's a few ideas to make allergy season less annoying

This spring, protect yourself from those triggers that you know will make you uncomfortable.

by Paul Arco
OSF Healthcare

ESCANABA, MI - If you grew up without suffering from seasonal allergies, consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

But if you’ve reached your 40s or 50s and are now feeling miserable during the spring and fall months, welcome to the club. Adult-onset allergies are a real thing. And it happens to a lot of people.

Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have seasonal allergies, eczema, or food allergies, according to recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 75% of those are older than 45. Many of those people developed allergies in adulthood or were not diagnosed until they were adults.

Experts are unclear why or how allergies develop in adulthood. Some theories include moving from one geographic region to another, having a reduced immune system or owning a pet for the first time in your life. There is a belief, however, that having one severe allergic reaction or symptoms during childhood can increase your chances of developing allergies as an adult.

Breanne Gendron
OSF Nurse Practitioner

Many people who develop allergy symptoms early in life will outgrow their allergies by their 20s or 30s. But, really, it’s possible to develop an allergy to something – whether it’s an animal or pollen – at any point in life.

“People will have them as kids and sometimes grow out of it,” says Breanne Gendron, a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare. “Then the alternative happens, where something starts bothering you as you age. That’s when we teach you about all the different medications you can use to control your symptoms.”

Gendron says most people are bothered by things that bloom and that includes trees and grass in the spring. Ragweed pollen or other weed pollen are problematic in the fall. Spores from molds and fungi are typically around in warm-weather months. And don’t forget about house dust mite allergens, which tend to be present throughout the year.

Most allergy symptoms, while annoying, are mild. Examples are sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose. In her practice, Gendron notices more adults suffering from sinus infections with their allergy issues, more so than her younger patients.

“The dilemma about having untreated allergies is that you can get extra congestion in your sinuses, which could lead to a sinus infection,” Gendron says. “When you get pressure in your face, and you generally feel a little rundown, then we want to treat you for that.”

Gendron recommends treating allergies with a combination of oral antihistamines, eye drops and steroid nasal sprays. Allergy shots may be in order as well. But first, talk to your doctor to see if you are a candidate for a skin test to determine your specific allergies. “Once the medication gets your symptoms to calm down, you can generally keep it in check with less medication,” she says.

There are other things you can do to help minimize your symptoms. Gendron recommends things like eliminating carpet in your bedroom and washing your sheets regularly to eliminate dust. Consider taking a shower before bedtime, especially after being outside, and keep the windows closed at night to prevent pollen from entering the home.

This spring, protect yourself from those triggers that you know will make you uncomfortable.

“If you are bothered by something in the environment and you know that it bothers you, such as mowing the grass or raking leaves, do yourself a favor by wearing a mask to prevent yourself from breathing in more allergens,” she adds. “And take your allergy pills before you do those things, to make sure that you're going to have less of a reaction.”

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