There are long-term benefits to taking regular vacations, including better sleep, improved mood and greater productivity.
Photo: Jill Wellington/PEXELS
Getting away can have lasting, positive effects, lasting as long as six weeks. Taking regular vacations helps lower stress, improves mood, and promotes overall mental well-being.
by Paul Arco OSF Healthcare
ROCKFORD - A beach vacation. A site-seeing excursion. A long weekend curled up on the backyard deck reading your favorite author. No matter how you slice it, taking time away from the hustle and bustle of life is good for your health.
Finding time to unwind, relax and recharge your batteries is important at any time of the year, but especially now, as people start heading to their summer break destinations. Victor Mendoza, a behavioral health provider with OSF HealthCare, says vacations keep us grounded as we grind through the hectic times in life.
“There’re times that we just need to break the routine, do something different,” he says. “Vacations, they do that. They help us break the routine. We need to do something we enjoy, travel to new places and explore areas that we’ve never been to before.”
According to some studies, the positive effects after returning from a successful vacation can last as long as six weeks. There are long-term benefits too, including better sleep, improved mood and greater productivity.
Mendoza says your vacation destination should have meaning, whether it’s a favorite locale or an area that is ripe with the activities you enjoy. That might mean a relaxing stay at a fancy resort or a physical vacation that includes hiking, biking or fishing at a popular lake.
“Some people like to stay active. They like to catch up on exercise,” he says. “Some other people are just tired of going, going, and they just want to sit down on a beach and do nothing. And that’s OK.”
Photo: Daniel Frank/PEXELS
It is beneficial to take trips in both the summer and winter seasons. Even taking the time to plan for a vacation, long or short, will improve your mood.
While some people skip taking vacation – due to time, finances or maybe health reasons – Mendoza says it’s still important to get out of the office from time to time to avoid burn out. “We have this sense of responsibility to always be there,” he says. “’You know you can still call me and text me if something happens.’ I think we need to really take into consideration that we do need to take this time away.”
If traveling across the country isn’t your thing, consider planning a staycation or two. Take some local day trips, visit some cool parks or museums in your area, or just stay home and get some household items checked off your to-do list.
Taking a vacation or even just planning for it can improve your mood. “It doesn't always have to be this extravagant, five-star luxury hotel or taking a plane and flying across the world,” Mendoza says. “It can be something small. Just staying home and doing things around where you live.”
Mendoza recommends taking at least two vacations a year – summer and winter – with smaller breaks in between. And don’t forget to unplug. Set expectations with your boss or co-workers before you hit the road. Leave your laptop at home and respond to work calls or emails only in an emergency. “Because it's like you're trying to be in two places at one time, and you're not going to get the full benefit from time away,” he says.
The best advice, Mendoza adds, is to give yourself plenty of time when planning that next trip. While you don’t have to schedule every detail at once, develop a solid plan so that you’re not scrambling at the last minute, causing added stress or anxiety. After all, vacation is supposed to be a time to enjoy and not feel like another day at work.
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Burnout doesn’t have a written-in-stone clinical diagnosis. In most cases, it is usually physical, mental or emotional exhaustion that makes it difficult to navigate life.
Photo: Paola Chaaya/Unsplash
Burnout is caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It can leave many feeling detached, cynical, and indifferent towards work or other activities.
by Tim Ditman OSF Healthcare
ALTON - Burnout.
It means different things to different people. But one thing’s for sure: you should know the skills to cope with burnout to avoid a mental health crisis.
“Things are really expensive right now. People are looking for jobs. There’s a political climate with a lot of changes. It’s all created a lot of upset,” says Sara Bennett, an OSF HealthCare psychotherapist, commenting on the prevalence of burnout today. “And social media has a big role in how we feel. We see everybody’s problems. Or the opposite: Everybody’s life is so great and rosy. It leaves us wondering what we’re doing wrong.”
Causes and symptoms
Bennett says burnout doesn’t have a written-in-stone clinical diagnosis like, for example, the flu does. But generally, she describes it as physical, mental or emotional exhaustion that makes it difficult to navigate life. Issues with your job, school, finances, health and relationships can all lead to burnout.
Photo provided
Sara Bennett
“You’re probably going to feel a lack of concern. We call that apathy. You might not care if something’s going on. You might have a lack of interest in things you usually enjoy,” Bennett explains. “You might not be sleeping well. You might get stomachaches or headaches. You may be irritable.”
A sense of hopelessness can also occur. You might feel like things will never get better, or you can never get ahead of your problems, Bennett says.
Treatment
From your home to the doctor’s office, there are ways to navigate burnout.
First, Bennett says you should take stock of the situation you’re in. Is it one that will resolve itself soon? Or do you need a bigger plan? For example, Bennett says accountants can be stressed during tax season. But after all the filings are done and the chaos dies down, their mental health will likely get a boost.
Take care of the basics. Get good sleep. Eat a healthy diet. Exercise regularly.
Ask someone for help. For example, if caring for an elderly family member causes stress, ask a neighbor to man the house for an hour so you can get some fresh air or take a nap.
Learn to say no. You can’t be all things to all people. So, recognize when you don’t have the bandwidth to take on a task.
“Learn to prioritize,” Bennett suggests. “Figure out the things you can’t say no to. The things that are really important. Or maybe there’s some suffering involved, and you’re the person that can help.”
See a health care provider.
“Doctors can prescribe something that might help you through a short-term experience,” Bennett says. “Therapists can engage you unlike others in your life. They can process stressors with you. They can give you good coping skills and relaxation techniques.”
For example, Bennett says she may work with someone to identify what they can and can’t control in their life and encourage them not to get hung up on the latter. Journaling can also help avoid bottled up emotions. And, Bennett implores people to be grateful for the good things in life.
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Some things to watch for that might prompt you to see a health care provider about sleep apnea.
Photo: Kampus Production/PEXELS
by Tim Ditman OSF Healthcare
URBANA - Here’s another reason to pay attention when your partner complains that you’re snoring or gasping for air at night: sleep apnea – repeated episodes of stopped or slowed breathing during sleep – and stroke go together in more ways than you think.
Leslie Ingold, RN, MSN, a regional stroke navigator at OSF HealthCare, says sleep apnea decreases blood flow to the brain, which can cause a stroke. Conversely, she says people who have suffered a stroke can experience sleep apnea, typically in the first day or two.
Ingold also says people with obstructive sleep apnea (collapse of the upper airway) are twice as likely to have a hole in their heart known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). PFOs can increase your stroke risk.
“One of the tests we do when [stroke] patients come to the hospital is an echocardiogram of the heart. A PFO is what we’re looking for. It’s that hole in your heart that doesn’t close properly when you’re a child,” Ingold says. “It’s actually what they look for in sports physicals when kids are in school. Listening for that extra ‘lub-dub’ in the heartbeat. Sometimes it’s not caught. We’re finding people in their 60s and 70s that have the hole. We can go in and get that closed.”
What to watch for
Some things to watch for that might prompt you to see a health care provider about sleep apnea:
Snoring. Ingold says watch for loud snoring or a pattern of snoring when you didn’t used to.
“When you can hear it through the wall,” she quips.
Waking up and gasping for air
Morning headaches
Excessive sleepiness, difficulty concentrating and irritability throughout the day. For kids, watch for hyperactivity.
Increased blood pressure
For stroke signs, experts want you to remember the acronym BEFAST. If there are irregularities in balance, eyes, face, arms or speech, it’s time to call 9-1-1.
Nighttime strokes
Ingold says one in four strokes happens in the early morning when you’re likely asleep. Those so-called “wake up strokes” can make things tricky.
Medicine like tenecteplase (TNK) must be given at the hospital within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. If you suffer a stroke while you’re sleeping, there’s not a good way to know when symptoms started. So, health care providers must go by the last time you were well, which would be when you went to sleep.
“There are some other things that can be done,” Ingold says, if TNK is not an option. “If there’s a clot, we can take care of those up to 24 hours [since symptom onset.] We can see if there are early signs of brain damage and get you on the road to those kinds of procedures if you qualify.”
But a big takeaway message: if you have stroke symptoms like a severe or unexpected headache, don’t sleep it off. See a health care provider.
Sleep
Healthy sleep
You may need treatment like a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) for sleep apnea. But healthy sleep habits will go a long way, too. Ingold says you can try a four-week plan.
Week one: Commit to physical activity, especially if you work at a desk all day. Get up and take a short walk.
“Do some things that will make you ready for bed,” Ingold says.
Week two: Phone tactics. Move it away from your bed to charge overnight. Use an old-fashioned alarm clock instead of your phone’s alarm. Turn your phone over. All of these make you less tempted to look at the device and take in blue light that inhibits sleep.
Week three: Create a morning routine.
“It doesn’t have to be anything fancy,” Ingold says. “Your alarm goes off. You walk over to check the phone you’ve placed on the other side of the room. Maybe grab a cup of coffee and give yourself five to 10 minutes. Read a devotion. Do some meditation.”
Week four: Not just the phone. Ditch all devices as bedtime approaches. Read a book or listen to a podcast instead of clearing the Netflix queue.
Other tips for healthy sleep:
Avoid long naps during the day. If you must nap, experts say to keep it under three hours.
Make your home’s lighting natural: bright during the day, darker as night approaches and dark at night.
Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol before bed.
If you are a light sleeper, things like earplugs and an artificial noise machine can help.
URBANA - OSF HealthCare announced a major transformation in its east central Illinois operations Tuesday, revealing plans to merge two regional hospitals into a single entity with dual campuses.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026—pending state approval—OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana and OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville will unite under a new model aimed at streamlining services and expanding behavioral health care. The Urbana campus will take the lead in delivering inpatient behavioral health services, while continuing to offer emergency care, inpatient beds, diagnostics, lab work, and additional clinic services.
Photo provided
The decision comes after months of analysis and community feedback, as OSF leadership worked to identify solutions to long-standing challenges such as provider shortages, declining inpatient use, and financial strain. Officials say aligning operations between the two hospitals will eliminate service duplication and make better use of existing resources.
“This change allows us to address critical gaps in care and build a stronger, more sustainable health care system for the region,” OSF said in a public statement.
The transition is expected to bring expanded mental health offerings to Urbana, including programs for young adults, patients with co-occurring medical and psychiatric needs, and seniors requiring geriatric psychiatric care—services the organization says have been in short supply locally.
OSF acquired both hospitals in 2018 and has since invested heavily in infrastructure and community-based services. However, hospital leaders acknowledged that staffing losses and reduced inpatient demand required a rethinking of their care delivery model.
Staff affected by the transition will receive individual support, with OSF pledging to help Mission Partners—its term for employees—explore more than 170 open positions locally, in addition to opportunities throughout its broader network.
OSF emphasized that continuity of patient care remains a top priority throughout the merger process. Patients and care teams will be guided through any transitions, ensuring communication and support at every stage.
The planned merger awaits approval by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board later this year.
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Dr. Ovadia says microplastics may have negative effects on testosterone in men and estrogen and progesterone in women. This could mean reduced muscle mass and libido for men.
Photo: Pete Linforth from Pixabay
A turtle makes his way over a mound of decaying plastic bottles on a beach. The byproduct from the decay are called microplastics or nanoplastics, which are incredibly small pieces of plastic that can get into our body. Scientists don’t fully understand microplastics’ impact on the human body. A lot of research is needed to determine the negative impact on our health.
by Tim Ditman OSF Healthcare
URBANA - From news reports to social media blurbs to medical studies, they’ve been in the public eye a lot lately. And experts say that likely won’t change.
We’re talking about microplastics or nanoplastics, incredibly small pieces of plastic that can get into our body.
Photo provided
Philip Ovadia, MD
So, how concerned should we be? Philip Ovadia, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at OSF HealthCare, says this issue will continue to be studied for years. But there are things you can do now to optimize your health and reduce your risk of problems.
“We’re increasing our understanding of the toxins in our environment. Our environment has become more toxic, and that’s a challenge to our health,” Dr. Ovadia says. “The best thing for people to do is to control what you can control. What are you eating? What are you using on your body? What is your lifestyle like? How active are you?”
Where do microplastics come from? What harm can they do?
Dr. Ovadia says microplastics can be purposefully manufactured as part of a product. Toothpaste and skin exfoliants are examples. Or, microplastics can occur when larger plastic products, like water bottles, break down. The microplastics can then get into our environment, such as ocean water or our foods and drinks.
“There’s even some evidence that these things can spread in the air, and we can breathe them in,” Dr. Ovadia adds.
Dr. Ovadia points to three areas where ingesting microplastics could be cause for concern.
Intestines: Dr. Ovadia says microplastics can irritate our intestines, leading to inflammation of tissue and a condition called leaky gut.
“That’s when we get a breakdown of the barrier that lines our intestines. That allows some things in our food that aren’t supposed to get across into our bloodstream to get into the bloodstream. Many of these things set off inflammation in the body,” Dr. Ovadia says.
Endocrine system: Dr. Ovadia says microplastics may have negative effects on testosterone in men and estrogen and progesterone in women. This could mean reduced muscle mass and libido for men. For women, it could mean changes in the menstrual cycle, an increased infertility risk and, for young women, earlier start of puberty.
Blood vessels: Dr. Ovadia points to a 2024 study where experts looked at plaque removed from the carotid artery (located in the neck) of study participants.
“For over half of the people, there was evidence of microplastics in those plaques. Furthermore for the people who had those microplastics, over the next three years they had a four-and-a-half times increased risk for a heart attack, a stroke or dying,” Dr. Ovadia says.
“It doesn’t prove that the plastics are causing the problems,” Dr. Ovadia adds. “But it’s certainly concerning data. And I, as a heart surgeon, start to worry. If we see these in plaques in arteries in the neck, are they also in the plaques in arteries of the heart patients I operate on?”
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Heating food in certain types of plastic containers can be harmful due to the leaching of chemicals into the food. Microwaving food in plastic, especially those not specifically labeled as microwave-safe, can cause chemicals from the plastic to transfer to the food
What should I do?
So, do we need to panic about microplastics? Should the health concerns be akin to smoking?
Not now, Dr. Ovadia says. He reiterates that studies on this topic are in the early stages, and experts don’t fully understand microplastics’ impact on our health.
“It’s an unknown risk at this point,” he says.
But, there are small, everyday steps you can take to reduce the risk of microplastics entering your body.
Drink from a glass or stainless steel bottle, not a plastic bottle.
Use a good water filtration system. That could be built into your home’s water supply, or you could purchase a filter to attach to your faucet or water bottle.
Make food choices that minimize your exposure to plastic wraps and containers. Think the to-go boxes you get at a restaurant. Instead, eat more fresh, non-packaged food. Find these in the outer aisles of the grocery store.
“Eat the things that grow in the ground, and eat the things that eat the things that grow in the ground,” Dr. Ovadia says with a smile. “That’s how I always explain it to people. Try eating more whole, real food. That will minimize your exposure to microplastics.”
Look into the cosmetics and toiletries you use. Dr. Ovadia admits the jargon on a label can be difficult to understand. Instead, research the brands themselves. If, for example, a toothpaste brand is pledging to reduce microplastics in their products, it’s a green flag.
There are many factors when it comes to bone loss including age, body weight, diet and physical activity. The key to minimizing bone density loss is the inclusion of weight bearing exercises such as lifting weights.
Photo: Robert Anasch/Unsplash
by Matt Sheehan OSF Healthcare
ROCKFORD - There’s always plenty of discussion when it comes to the benefits of diets.
In one recent study in the JAMA Network Open, researchers found the lower-calorie Mediterranean diet combined with exercise, helped older women lose weight with beneficial effects on bone mass density.
The study was completed in hospitals and medical centers across Spain and included more than 900 women who ranged in age from 55 to 75. Half the group was instructed to eat a Mediterranean diet with no calorie restrictions and were not required to exercise. The other half was encouraged to walk for at least 45 minutes a day for six days a week and do strength exercises three days a week. This group saw significant improvement in stronger bones.
A lack of calcium and vitamin D are also major factors in bone density loss.
There are many factors when it comes to bone loss including age, body weight, diet and physical activity. Nicole O’Neill, a dietitian with OSF HealthCare, says the Mediterranean diet and exercise can prevent bone loss, if weight bearing exercise, such as lifting weights, is part of the program.
“This was not studied specifically for the Mediterranean diet and bone loss,” she explains. “It was something they found incidentally and then studied it closer. It's not that it's wrong, it's just that it's inconclusive.”
Nicole O’Neill, Dietitian
A lack of calcium and vitamin D are also major factors in bone density loss. “The Mediterranean diet overall limits the amount of dairy, so most people get the majority of their calcium and vitamin D from dairy products,” says O’Neill. “So, say you were doing three glasses of milk a day. If you switched to a Mediterranean diet and dropped down to one glass of milk, you could cause bone loss because you're getting less calcium and vitamin D if you're not careful.”
The typical American standard diet includes plenty of processed foods and lacks in fruits and vegetables.
Key Takeaways:
A study found the Mediterranean diet combined with exercise may have some positive effect on bone mass density in older women.
The key is the inclusion of weight bearing exercises such as lifting weights.
The Mediterranean diet is popular because it promotes fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods.
Always consult with your provider before starting any diet.
The Mediterranean diet is popular because it features simple, plant-based cooking, with each meal featuring fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds and an emphasis on extra-virgin olive oil. The diet is rich in nutrients that help bone health. Vitamin C from fruits and vegetables can help support bone cells and vitamin K found in spinach can help with bone formation.
“I really do like the Mediterranean diet,” O’Neill says. “There are a lot of pros. The cons are it’s a little fussy. You have to push and pull things around, and you have to be careful to fill in the gaps with foods that are appropriate. If you're not used to having that bigger load of fruits and vegetables and whole grains, that's a lot of fiber that maybe your guts are not used to. So, a slow, incremental approach might be the best way to start.”
Regarding any study, O’Neill says it’s important to read and do your research before coming to any conclusions. Don’t rely on information from the Internet, she adds. You’re likely to get misleading information. Instead, talk to your provider or a dietitian who can interpret the numbers found in the study.
“There are really a lot of moving parts,” O’Neill says. “When you start a new diet, we don't want a crash course. We want it to be sustainable. We want it to be long term, and we want it to be something that fits for you and that makes sense.”
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."
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.
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.”
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.
This spring, protect yourself from those triggers that you know will make you uncomfortable.
Photo: Corina/Pixabay
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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PONTIAC - People everywhere are conquering their cabin fever and are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Read more . . .
by Paul Arco
