Newsroom OSF HealthCare

This time of year there is no need to go door-to-door to get a Halloween candy fix. From overstuffed grocery store shelves to breakroom treats left by well-meaning coworkers, we are surrounded by sugar. Kaela Ketcham is a registered dietitian at O...

Halloween isn’t always a treat for the millions of kids across the country who have food allergies. According to the organization Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), in the U.S., one in 13 children has a food allergy – that’s roughly two i...

The temperatures are dropping, leaves are starting to turn and pumpkin spice everything is taking up most coffee house menus. Fall is officially here, which means cold and flu season is right behind it. However, before the first sniffles set in, t...

Women over 30 have another option to be screened for cervical cancer and it allows testing less often. According to Dr. Haley Ralph of OSF Medical Group in Kewanee, a new test screens for evidence of the cause of 90 percent of all cases cervical c...

The numbers are sobering: A 2017 survey by Kronos Incorporated of more than 250 nurses working in hospitals across the U.S. found 98% said their work was physically and mentally demanding; 63% said their work has caused nurse burnout; and 44% worried...

There’s a new trend that’s taking off, and food industry experts say you’ll be seeing more of it -- probiotic-enhanced foods. Producers are starting to put probiotics in items such as ice cream, coffee, tea, soups and even beer. Make-it-yourself Komb...

You're feeling a little rundown. You're sneezing and have a stuffy nose. Must be a cold. Or is it an allergy? Following a tough spring allergy season - along with a wetter-than-normal summer, fall allergies are already impacting the Midwest. No...

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition that develops when the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the arms and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque). PAD can increase the risk o...

The head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is now calling youth vaping an "epidemic." Dr. William Tillis, an OSF HealthCare Pulmonologist, agrees. “There actually has been a decrease in smoking among young t...

After two years off the market, the nasal FluMist is once again available as a vaccination against the influenza virus. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) both say there is no difference in protection b...

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), car crashes the leading cause of death for children four years and older in the United States. A properly installed, age appropriate car seat is the best protection you can give your child whe...

Kids are growing up in the age of electronics. From cell phones and tablets to smart watches and laptops, these devices are an integral part of our lives. Now that school is back in session, these devices also play a key role in the classroom. Man...

School has once again 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. Sarah Z...

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common virus that will infect most people at some point in their lives –about four out of five people. An estimated 80-million Americans are currently infected with 14-million new infections diagnosed each year....

It began nearly a year ago. Manufacturer slowdowns led to an injectible opioid shortage at hospitals across the nation. That meant pain relievers like hydromorphone (dilaudid), morphine and fentanyl - used primarily in surgery or the emergency dep...

From BBQs to beach time, families are spending the last days of summer break having outdoor fun. However, as the summer days wane, the need for sunscreen protection remains. Parents need to make sure their kids are covered, and there are plenty of SP...

For expectant parents, the list of to-do’s can seem long. From finding the perfect paint color for the nursery or researching the best bottles for baby, there is a lot to prepare for. However, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics found les...

An infant in the home usually means some sleepless nights for mom and dad. Now new research has found that babies introduced to solid foods early might sleep longer and wake less frequently at night than those exclusively breastfed for the first six ...

Perhaps you've already put your diet in danger. Don't worry, still plenty of time to not let the summer barbeque and picnic predicament get the best of your waistline. The solution is really no different than any other time of year. It comes down ...

A new study is providing more proof that women with dense breasts have a higher risk for breast cancer. The study, published in Radiology, included more than 100,000 women and more than 300,000 screening exams. “That actually is not really clea...

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 ave...

As the summer gets into full swing, kids will head outdoors for some fun in the sun. But during summertime, while the rays are at their strongest, parents must be even more vigilant about protecting their kids’ delicate skin. The risk for skin dam...

Time to lace up those sneakers, America. A new study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that only 23% of Americans get enough exercise. What does “enough” mean? The government’s recommended physical activity guidelines call for hea...

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...

Office cupcakes for someone’s birthday? Leftover chips and dip from a weekend party? That break room snack could be wreaking havoc on your waistline. According to a recent study released by the CDC, out of 5,000 participants, an average was receiving...

Colon and rectal cancers are on the rise in America, and at an alarming rate for younger adults. According to the American Cancer Society, since 1994, colon and rectal cancers have increased 51% among adults under the age of 50. These concerning n...

Seven years ago, Beth Smith’s life came to a screeching halt when her husband, Scott, committed suicide. Scott had been suffering with depression, but his death was unexpected and devastating for Smith and their four children. “My journey with ...

With opioid addiction claiming 115 lives each day in the U.S., providers are looking for new solutions to treat pain while minimizing the risk for addiction. Surprisingly, results indicate that lowering opioid doses has no impact on pain management; ...

The statistics are alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of children and teenagers in the United States classified obese has more than tripled since the 1970s. While there are signs that rates hav...

Experts believe the spring allergy season in the Midwest may be shorter but more intense because of the unusually late snow we saw this year. Pollen - a fine powder produced by plants, trees, ryegrass, and ragweed - is the most prevalent allegen a...