Interstate 55 may be open for traffic again after the deadly 70+ car pileup caused by a freak dust storm, but the lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may impact involved drivers, rescue personnel and bystanders well beyond that…
Back-to-back holiday parties on your schedule? Keep an eye on your alcohol intake in order to avoid “holiday heart syndrome,” which is the incidence of irregular heart rhythms (also known as atrial fibrillation) brought on by unusual and excessive alcohol…
Darlene Steinkamp, RN, is an accomplished young woman pursuing her doctorate in nursing practice with a goal to work in an ICU as a nurse practitioner. She is also competing to be named Miss Illinois this summer and using her…
The Black Friday craze may look different this year, but you can always prepare now for standing in line in frigid temps, avoiding the crush of shoppers sprinting for hot sales or even thumb fatigue – yes thumb fatigue –…
Hannah Bond, RN, has learned from 18 months experience to look for the positives as she continues to care for seriously ill COVID-19 patients. “I had experienced death and sickness before COVID-19, but nothing prepared me for the helplessness I…
A mental health crisis is frightening. Often it can be difficult to determine the right course of action—will an appointment with a behavioral health professional help or does the crisis require a trip to the Emergency Department (ED)? First, if…
John Steven Taylor, 53, of Decatur, has survived numerous ischemic strokes and is able to quickly recognize stroke symptoms. Passionate about the importance of stroke awareness, he shares his story with anyone who will listen. “I’m just blessed because I…
Medical emergencies happen, even in a pandemic. So it was for 9-year-old Jack Crews, who woke up on the morning of April 30 with a stomachache that became progressively worse as the day went on. After a telephone call with…
Tony Smarjesse wasn’t planning on having a heart attack when he got to work last November. The 56-year-old worked out a couple times a week, followed a fairly healthy diet and was on low dose statins to control his high…
Approximately 38 million Americans use marijuana, and you may be surprised to learn that thousands of marijuana-related emergency visits occur in the United States each year. Although a fatal overdose is unlikely, over-ingestion of marijuana is possible, especially if you’re…