Many people who have dogs, cats or other animal companions will tell you how much joy their pet brings them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets…
Summertime gives us more daylight and longer days. Unfortunately, that can lead to sleep problems, says Stevi Surratt, RRT, supervisor of Cardiopulmonary, Cardiovascular and Sleep Lab programs at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. “A change in daylight can affect melatonin, a sleep-inducing…
In the summer, we spend a lot of time outdoors. Whether you are at a ball game, going swimming, taking a hike, camping or at a backyard barbecue, pests like mosquitos and ticks can not only be a nuisance, they…
Belonging to the LGBTQ+ community comes with a sense of empowerment and pride, but it can bring unique challenges. For those who identify as LGBTQ+, it’s important to recognize how sexual orientation and gender identity relates to mental health.…
The day you are diagnosed, you are a cancer survivor. Cancer survivors can experience an array of emotions before and during treatment, but many don’t expect the roller coaster they experience after treatment. “When you go through a battle like…
Emotional well-being on the court, playing field or pro level is an important skill for athletes to pursue. Too often, athletes fall into patterns of negative self-talk, doubt and anxiety. Build time into your schedule to practice stress management techniques,…
Occupational therapists (OTs) help patients return to the everyday tasks that make up a person’s normal routine after an injury, accident, illness or other health issue. Check out these four misconceptions about what an occupational therapist does: Myth #1: OTs…
One-third of Americans report they sleep less than the recommended amount for adults: seven or more hours. Inadequate sleep can negatively affect your sleep and can contribute to conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and depression as well…
For such small organs, our kidneys tackle big important jobs within the body. Our kidneys make urine, remove toxins and excess water from our blood, help control blood pressure, produce red blood cells, control blood stream levels of minerals like…
Colorectal cancer screening for precancerous polyps is important to prevent cancer and is recommended every 10 years after age 45. Each year, thousands of Illinoisans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and early detection through screening is key. Colorectal cancer is…