Newsroom OSF HealthCare

Summer is a time when people are typically thinking about fun in the sun and less about guarding themselves against diseases that typically come in the winter time. However, there is at least one common illness that people can contract any time of ye...

It's been a discussion that, unfortunately, Americans have had many, many times before. In a desperate search for solutions, all of us - particularly political leaders - call for ways to curb or eliminate gun violence following a mass shooting. Re...

Sharon Russell of Normal, Illinois is an amateur actor who had just finished up a performance at Heartland Theater when she took a dramatic fall and rolled her foot as it caught the edge between the pavement and grass after a Saturday night performan...

School is back in session, and health care professionals want parents to remember that getting ready to start the school year should also include up-to-date immunizations. August marks National Immunization Awareness Month, and by keeping up with ...

The kids are back in school, if not, they will be soon. In addition to the nightly rituals of homework and making sure things are ready for the next day comes the daily “what will they eat for lunch” discussion. For some, that can be a struggle. B...

When kids head back to school, it can often be a weight off the shoulders of parents and caregivers. For the students, however, the literal weight of textbooks, folders and supplies can do some serious damage. The risks of lugging around heavy bac...

Parents breathing a sigh of relief that their child survived another hectic summer of adventure and fun, should now take a deep breath and understand that the school year is not a time to relax when it comes to keeping your student safe. First, th...

School is once again getting started for kids across the region, and one of the major back-to-school battles that plagues parents is the daily wake up call. Getting your kids out of bed early after a summer of sleeping in can be a tough task. Dr. ...

Nearly 700,000 people in the U.S. are living with advanced kidney disease. According to a recent study, that number is expected to grow to more than one million by 2030 because of the increase in obesity and aging baby boomers. Hundreds of thousands ...

Drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death nationwide for people under the age of 50. Not illness, accidents or violence. Drug overdose. In Illinois, opioid overdoses have killed nearly 11,000 people since 2008. In 2016 alone, nearly 1,...

Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) is one of the bipartisan sponsors of the Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2019. The bill would create a federal grant program to empower states and local governments to tackle persistent economic and ...

Sarah Dominique has been an advanced practice nurse and a diabetic educator for a dozen years but she’s also been a diabetic for many more years and for the first time, she’s optimistic federal legislators will do something about the high cost of ins...

From fairs and festivals to ballgames and backyard barbecues, we love spending time in the summer sun. However, outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware that the typical Midwestern heat and humidity can create a challenge to staying hydrated. Since wa...

For plenty of teenagers, a chunk of time is spent daily catching up with friends on social media. Now new research is sounding the alarm, linking increased social media use with the development of depression symptoms in teens and pre-teens. A stud...

There's lots of good, useful information on the internet. But should it be the go-to when dealing with a perceived medical issue? A lot of Americans think so. A study by eligibility.com - a benefits promotion website - shows 89 percent of US patie...

20 million women and 10 million men suffer from an eating disorder at some time in their life in the United States. This can include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or a binge eating disorder. It’s a startling statistic, but the actual number coul...

With high temperatures trending in recent weeks, those spending time outside should know the signs that they are getting overheated and need to get out of the elements. “There is about two and a half patients out of 100,000 that seek care for heat...

Unfortunately, it's been a busy start to summer for the burn unit at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center. In the last two weeks five people have been treated for burn injuries due to improper use of fire and flammable liquids.  Burn unit m...

It took a while getting here but summer is in high gear and with many people enjoying the outdoors over the 4th of July week, there are hazards that create problems that might go beyond what you should treat at home. How do you know when to seek medi...

The Fourth of July holiday usually brings plenty of opportunities for the 3 F’s: Fun, Food, and Fireworks. That’s why it’s even more important to remember your ABCs: Always Be Careful. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, on averag...

Dr. Andy Peterson, a family physician at OSF Medical Group in Kewanee says he often sees men make an appointment with him after a heart attack or a cancer scare. Men are notoriously bad about getting regular check-ups but that could be changing. The ...

Every year a new fad diet seems to emerge. First carbs are the enemy. Then it’s fat we should avoid. Atkin’s, Ketogenic, South Beach, lemon detox, the list goes on. But now, new research is supporting the claim that there is no one-size-fits-all plan...

As we age, aches and pains may seem greater and you may find you have to force yourself to exercise or simply keep moving.But as we get older doing just that becomes increasing important because it may help you prevent falls. A study recently publ...

Our recent warm weather has us shelving the boots and busting out the summer footwear. But not all summer shoes are created equal. “As summer months come about, certainly weather changes make people want to throw inexpensive flip flops on and thin...

Becket Neeley is like many 3-year-old boys, he’s full of energy and never seems to stop moving. He loves everything dinosaur and can cite multiple characteristics about the various species. Hard to imagine, but if not for the swift action of his moth...

According to the American Heart Association, each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. Because the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies is so low, first responders are making a push t...

Some people who have relied on Ambien could be tossing and turning again after the federal Food and Drug Administration is requiring a warning that OSF HealthCare Director of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Doctor Kaninika Verma, says is appropriate and nec...

As we head into the summer months, kids will head outdoors for some fun in the sun. But during summertime the sun's rays are at their strongest, and parents must be even more vigilant about protecting their kids’ delicate skin. The risk for skin d...

You’re in a hurry. What could be easier than grabbing a quick, pre-made deli sandwich from your favorite grocer for lunch or dinner? The convenience is great – but have you thought about the nutritional value of that sandwich laden with processed foo...

Vacation season is upon us, but without the right precautions, an overseas journey could come with health risks, depending on where your travels take you. OSF HealthCare Medical Group in Bloomington now has an option for travelers who want peace of m...