We all get thirsty from time to time. But it’s not just that feeling that can mean you’re dehydrated – when your body doesn’t have enough fluids. There are lesser known signs you should know to avoid a possibly life-threatening situation, says Awad Alyami, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician.

“You get less perfusion to tissues and organs,” when you’re dehydrated, Dr. Alyami says. “That can cause organ damage.

“Perfusion refers to fluid, nutrients and energy your organs need to function,” he adds.

Unfamiliar signs

Take note of these things to keep an eye on for possible dehydration, especially if you are at high risk. For example, if you work an outdoor job in warm weather or if you look after someone who can’t fully care for themselves.

• You’ve suffered burns. This means there is less skin tissue doing its job of keeping you healthy.
   
• Peeing isn’t normal, such as expelling less urine.

“When you’re hydrated, your urine should look yellow, pale yellow or sometimes almost transparent like water,” Dr. Alyami explains. “When you become dehydrated, your urine will become less in volume, and the color will be darker. It goes into an orange color. It can have a smell, also.”

• Crying without tears
   
• Skin changes, such as eyes appearing sunken in
   
• Fast heart rate
   
• Deep, heavy breaths

“When you’re dehydrated, your blood can be more acidic. You’ll try to get rid of some of that acid in your breaths,” Dr. Alyami says.

• Bad breath
   
• Headaches
   
• Muscle cramps
   
• Food cravings
   
• Sudden weight loss. Dr. Alyami says one kilogram (or around 2.2 pounds) of weight loss means one liter of fluid loss. So if someone has lost two to four pounds quickly and unintentionally (for example, not because of a diet and exercise program), it’s cause for concern.

What to do

Dr. Alyami says while dehydration can be serious, recovering doesn’t have to be. Rest and drink fluids. Water or Pedialyte are go-tos.

“If the dehydration is because of decreased oral intake, the person might just need pain medicine so it’s less painful to swallow while eating and drinking. If they are losing fluids from vomiting, we can give them medicine to stop vomiting,” Dr. Alyami says.

If those steps don’t work, Dr. Alyami says the person would likely get intravenous (IV) fluids in a hospital emergency department.

“You’re probably going to be there for at least a couple hours. [Health care providers] want to make sure you can take fluids and keep them down before you go home,” Dr. Alyami says. “Sometimes the dehydration is severe enough that we need to replace those fluids over one to two days.”

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You’ve likely heard of bronchitis, an illness that impacts the larger lung airways and leaves you feeling short of breath and just generally yucky.

This fall and winter, here’s another respiratory illness with “bronch” in the name to be aware of, especially if you have young kids: bronchiolitis. It’s an ailment that Awad Alyami, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, sees often this time of year.

The basics

Dr. Alyami says bronchiolitis is an infection of the bronchioles, or the small airways that branch out in the lungs.

“When they become infected, there is a lot of mucus. It makes it harder to breathe,” Dr. Alyami explains.

Other symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and dehydration. Bronchiolitis is “easily spread,” Dr. Alyami says, through respiratory droplets, like when you cough. The illness is most common in children, especially kids under two. Other high-risk groups include babies born prematurely, with chronic lung disease, with heart disease present at birth and with immune system deficiencies.

“There are also environmental risk factors, like babies who are exposed to smoke and babies who attend day care,” Dr. Alyami adds. Attending day care, he explains, will expose a child to illnesses, no matter how clean the place is.

Cause, diagnosis and treatment

Dr. Alyami says other viruses like influenza and COVID-19 can cause bronchiolitis, but respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause.

“You need to see a doctor if your baby has trouble breathing at any time,” Dr. Alyami advises. “Or if your baby is younger than three months and they have a fever. Or if they are older than three months and they have a fever for more than three days. Or if the child has signs of dehydration, like if they are making fewer wet diapers than normal.”

Unlike the flu and COVID-19, there is no test for bronchiolitis. But, a health care provider may swab your nose anyway to see if you have another virus. Other tests like a chest x-ray may be done. And the provider will also examine you and ask about your health history to come up with a diagnosis.

Treatment involves making you feel comfortable until symptoms resolve.

“One of the most important things is nose suction as needed,” Dr. Alyami says. “When we suction the nose and keep it clean, it’s easier to breathe.”

A bulb suction is the most common device to do this. When you’re really stuffed up, you can use nasal spray or drops to make the secretion thinner. Then, use the suction. You can also use a humidifier if your home’s air is dry. Dr. Alyami says these devices and medicines are widely available in retail stores.

You can treat the fever with over-the-counter medication. Drink fluids to stay hydrated.

“Typically, day three to day five are the peak of symptoms,” Dr. Alyami says. “After five days, they start to improve. Symptoms can last seven to 14 days. And typically, the cough lingers for a little longer.”

In serious cases, your child may have low oxygen and need to be admitted to the hospital. There, doctors will use an oxygen tube inserted into the nostrils to help breathing. In rare cases, a doctor will put a breathing tube down the child’s throat.

Prevention

Want your child to avoid all this? Preach healthy habits, especially in fall and winter when respiratory illnesses peak. Wash your hands thoroughly. Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. If you’re sick, stay away from others.

Dr. Alyami adds that since RSV is the main cause of bronchiolitis, you should look into the RSV vaccine. This cold weather season, the vaccine is available for certain groups, like older adults, infants and pregnant women. Talk to your primary care provider if you have questions.

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Author's note: This is part two of a two part story on weight room safety. Click here for part one.


August means high school and college athletes will be back in the weight room full time, building strength so they can excel on the field.

But for Brittany Delaney, an OSF HealthCare athletic trainer who works with high school athletes, keeping people safe in gyms and weight rooms is on her mind year-round.

“I see a lot of back and neck pain” from weight room injuries, she says. “I see muscle strains – hamstrings, quads, lats, pectorals. These kids don’t necessarily know the proper weight to start at.”

Tips to know

• Keep your surroundings clean and clear. When you’re done with an exercise, clean the equipment and put the weights away. When you’re resting, move away from others. Otherwise, athletes could run into each other. When cleaning, use a wet wipe or spray. If using a spray, spray the solution onto a cloth first, not directly onto the equipment. Delaney says unclean equipment can lead to transfer of germs that cause skin rashes and more ailments.
   
• Dress for success, not to impress. Delaney chuckles when asked about people going to the gym in blue jeans, sweaters or Crocs. All bad ideas, she says.
  
  “You want to be in something breathable because you’re going to be sweating,” Delaney says. “You’ll see people at the gym working out in sweatshirts. It’s super hot in the gym, and they want to sweat more. That’s not advised because you can increase your chance of heat illness. And those types of clothes don’t allow for full range of motion. If you can’t fully go through the range of motion, are you truly strengthening that muscle? Not as much.”
  
  A good pair of tennis shoes are a must for everyone. For men, Delaney says shorts and a t-shirt work. For women, leggings are OK too. Not too tight and not too loose are the keys, Delaney says.
  
  What about listening to music to get in the zone? If you’re by yourself, that’s fine. But if you’re in a group, Delaney recommends keeping your ears free of headphones so you can be aware of your surroundings. Not to mention that weightlifting is a camaraderie building exercise, too. No headphones mean you can cheer on your teammates.
   
• Know when to stop. If you have pain, numbness, tingling or range of motion issues (such as not being able to move your neck), talk to the adult in the room.
   
• Know the signs of cardiac arrest and where the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) is. Delaney says every athletic facility these days should have an AED, and she says they’re easy to use by just following the device’s prompts. Someone else should be calling 9-1-1 while this is happening.
  
  Delaney says signs of cardiac arrest include shortness of breath, lightheadedness or dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations or a racing heartbeat chest tightness and loss of pulse. 

The bottom line: Communication is key

“Communicate with your teammates and coaches,” Delaney implores. “It’s always OK to not know how to do an exercise and ask for help. In no situation should you be made fun of or be nervous about asking for help. Not doing so is when you’re going to get hurt.”

Learn more

Read more about how to keep your body in top shape on the OSF HealthCare website.

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• Dysarthria (pronounced diss-ARR-three-ah): Brim says this common voice disorder could be brought on by a neurological issue, such as the effects of a stroke, Parkinson’s disease or a traumatic brain injury. Muscle issues and medication side effects can also play a role. It all leads to the most common symptom: slurred speech. Brim says to picture trying to talk with a mouth full of marbles. The person’s speech could also be a different volume (too quiet or too loud) and speed (too slow or too fast).
  
  “There’s a restorative approach where we do different types of [vocal] exercises. Try to get that voice to where it sounds better and clearer,” Brim explains. “Then there’s a compensatory approach. For a person with Parkinson’s or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS] where their voice probably isn’t going to improve in the long run, we might look at an alternative communication device. Or, do we need environmental assistance to help them communicate?”
  
  A communication device could include a voice box to amplify speech or, if someone has lost their voice entirely, a speech generating tablet.
  
  “The [speech generating device] has a bunch of communication presets on it,” such as common phrases conveying hunger or pain, Brim says. “They can have it pre-programmed with their actual voice before they lose it.”

• Dysphonia (pronounced diss-PHONE-ee-ah): This is a general term to describe a voice abnormality, Brim says. Neurological issues and brain injuries are common causes.
  
  “The most common dysphonia people know is spasmodic dysphonia. We really don’t know a specific cause. We assume it’s neurological,” Brim says. “This brings voice tremors. The vocal cords are not abducting or adducting correctly.

“When they’re adducting, the vocal cords are coming together. If you have an adductor-type spasmodic dysphonia, the vocal cords aren’t wanting to go away from each other. They’re wanting to stay together. So there’s a really strained voice. It sounds very harsh, almost like people are trying to force the voice out,” Brim outlines.

“Or you have abductor dysphonia, where the vocal cords are pulling away. The person has a breathy voice because the vocal cords are open all the time. Speech comes out very quiet and whispery. They’re losing all their air in one go,” Brim adds.

Treatment could include voice exercises or Botox injections. Or, if the person has a nodule or polyp on the vocal cords, those can be removed surgically.

“We go over healthy voice habits, such as increasing water intake,” Brim says, describing how she might work with someone after surgery. “Have a humidifier in the house to help increase moisture in the air. Use more of a quiet voice. Try not to yell or project too loudly because that can strain the vocal cords. Try to make your voice sound different but not in a way that causes harm.”

Something else Brim will preach to patients that you might not connect with voice issues: reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine can increase muscle tension in your vocal cords, she says.

• Vocal cord paralysis: Brim says this is commonly caused by trauma to the throat, such as a car accident or having a breathing tube.
  
  “It’s similar to a bruise or fracture or torn ligament. When there’s trauma to the vocal cord area, there’s damage. And that causes paralysis sometimes,” Brim says. “You can have, most commonly, unilateral vocal cord paralysis, where one doesn’t move. Or you can have bilateral [paralysis] where both aren’t moving.”
  
  Brim says this is often treated with Botox or surgery to get the vocal cords vibrating again. The person would follow up with speech therapy.

There is hope

Brim is up front with her patients: You might not get your voice back to where it was, but you can make improvements. So don’t give up.

“I’d love to wave a magic wand and make your voice great,” Brim suggests with a smile. “But there are other steps we can take so you don’t feel locked in. You don’t feel like no one can understand you and no one can communicate with you.”

Learn more

Read about all the ways medical professionals help restore voices on the OSF HealthCare website.

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Author's note: This is part two of a four part story on infant nutrition misconceptions. Read part one here, part three here and part four here.



Bringing a new baby home raises the focus on their and mom’s well-being. Toward the top of the list: what and how the child is being fed.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or use formula, misconceptions about infant nutrition are everywhere. Xandra Anderson, a certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, cuts through the noise.

• Do I need to change what I put in my body while breastfeeding?
  
  This covers a lot of ground, from a mom’s diet to whether she should abstain from alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and medication.

o    Diet: Healthy eating is always good. But Anderson says new moms generally don’t have to change their diet for breastfeeding. If your diet is heavy on certain things (like garlic or dairy) and you notice your baby is extra fussy, you can try changing your meals. A provider may also want to test your baby for allergies.

o    Alcohol and caffeine: Drink these in moderation and with precise timing, Anderson says.

“Babies are very sensitive to caffeine. If you have a cup of coffee and nurse right away, the baby is going to be awake for a lot longer than normal,” Anderson says.

“That doesn’t mean you have to not drink coffee. Just maybe not add three shots of espresso to your morning coffee,” she adds with a smirk.

For alcohol, Anderson says the drink will filter out of your breastmilk like it filters out of your blood. So after having a couple of alcoholic drinks, wait two to three hours before breastfeeding or pumping.

“The breastmilk isn’t ruined. You just need to give it time,” Anderson says.

But here’s a lifehack if mom feels full of breast milk and wants to pump right after having a drink: Go ahead and pump, and use the milk on your baby’s acne or in their bathwater. Just keep it away from their mouth.

“It’s antimicrobial. It’s antibacterial. It’s moisturizing,” Anderson says, singing the praises of breast milk. “Our babies are in the most perfect environment in the womb. Once they’re born, their world is cold, dark and dry. They can get dry skin, acne or cradle cap [greasy or flaky spots on the scalp]. Breast milk is a great way to prevent or heal those things.”

o    Medication and other health care issues: Anderson says most medication is safe to use while breastfeeding. In fact, it’s important to stay the course – for example, with mental health medication – so you can be the best mom possible. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions.

If you have a medical procedure, also get advice from a professional. For example, Anderson says if you get a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan for a gallbladder concern, you’ll be radioactive for around 24 hours. Don’t breastfeed during that time. Or if your breasts feel full and you have to pump, dump the milk down the drain.

o    Tobacco: Anderson admits it’s tough to kick the habit. But she reminds moms: infants are very sensitive to nicotine. It can disrupt the child’s sleep and feeding and even interfere with organ development. Secondhand smoke can increase the risk of a respiratory infection and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

If you’re smoking with a new baby at home, do so after breastfeeding, then wait two to three hours before nursing again. Wear one jacket while smoking so you don’t get an odor or residue on a lot of your clothes or the baby.

Learn more

Read more about how to have a successful pregnancy and following years on the OSF HealthCare website.

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“He wasn’t able to do this before,” Burk’s wife Gloria whispers as Michael walked unassisted into OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois, to talk about the most recent heart procedure that changed his life: a dual leadless pacemaker.

Old vs. new

Pacemakers work to pace a slow heartbeat, which left unchecked can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and fainting. A typical pacemaker includes the battery and circuitry in a device about the size of a Post-it note that’s implanted in the upper chest. Two wires – called leads – wind their way to the heart. One is typically in the right atrium, and the other ends in the right ventricle.

“That type of pacemaker works very well, but there are limitations,” says Michael Broman, PhD, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at OSF Heart of Mary who performed Burk’s procedure. “You have a bump here [on the chest]. There’s a scar involved with having the battery placed. Having leads in veins can also cause problems. You can get vein obstructions. Infections can occur.”

Luckily, Dr. Broman says pacemaker technology is evolving yearly. Dual leadless pacemakers, using technology from Abbott, can be an answer to some of the challenges of a traditional pacemaker. It means another option for patients, too. In downstate Illinois, OSF Heart of Mary is the only hospital implanting dual leadless pacemakers outside of a medical trial.

“No battery in the chest. No scar on the chest,” Dr. Broman explains. “Instead, we deploy the system into the leg veins. We use a catheter to deliver very small batteries – about the size of pen caps. One of them sits inside the heart in the right ventricle. The other sits in the right atrium.”

“I was positive about it,” Burk says, recalling when Dr. Broman suggested he try this new option.

Dr. Broman says the devices last 15 to 20 years, longer than the traditional option (also called a transvenous pacemaker). Infection risk is lower, and the devices can communicate with each other within the person and an outside computer that programs the pacemakers.

“The top device says ‘I’m pacing now, and I want you to pace 30 or 40 milliseconds later’ or whatever the interval is,” Dr. Broman says. “They talk to each other and tell each other what to do.”

Dual leadless pacemaker patients typically have to spend the night in the hospital to allow things to heal. But afterward, they have less post-surgery restrictions. No running, jumping or heavy lifting for a couple days instead of weeks.

On the horizon

Dr. Broman says someone who simply has a slow heartbeat can be a candidate for a dual leadless pacemaker. If you have a slow heartbeat and your weak heart can’t pump blood properly, you’d likely need a traditional system.

Still, Dr. Broman recognizes that this is a major advancement in heart care. It’s technology he says electrophysiologists have been waiting for for decades.

“This is just the beginning,” he says. “We’re going to have more cardiac technologies that involve this type of wireless and small devices that fit inside the heart instead of big, bulky devices outside the heart. I’m very excited to see what the future brings.”

It's a problem worth solving, adds Dr. Broman, who notes he does at least two or three pacemaker procedures a week. Americans are living longer, exposing more of them to age-related heart disturbances. There’s not much to do about it aside from daily healthy habits. This leads to medical intervention.

Burk today

After taking part in cardiac rehabilitation at OSF Heart of Mary, Burk now continues his recovery at home.

“It cleared up my balance. I wouldn’t stand up and feel faint,” Burk says. “As it was explained to me, these pacemaker [devices] stimulated the bottom of my heart and increased oxygen flow. That makes me capable of walking a lot better. It’ll improve as time goes on.”

Burk worked for a quarter-century as a railroad car inspector before slowing down in retirement. What’s he looking forward to now with his new lease on life? Taking a train to Portland, Oregon, where he lived for a few years as a child.

“I’ll take what comes in life,” he says with a smile.

Learn more

Read more about keeping your heart healthy on the OSF HealthCare website.

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Whether it's that look on your significant other's face when they smell it, or that unpleasant odor coming from a stranger chatting you up at a party, bad breath can cause a little anxiety for everyone involved.

Bad breath is common. One in four adults have had it at some point in their lives. It can also be chronic. 

According to Breanne Gendron, a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare, some people don't even know they have bad breath due to a condition called olfactory fatigue, which is when people lose their sensitivity to odors.

“Bad breath can be a totally benign thing, and you just need to brush more, or it could be a sign that something more serious is going on. If you are someone who has bad breath despite regular like twice daily brushing and flossing, then it would be important for you to see your dentist to make sure everything's healthy on the inside of your mouth,” Gendron says.

Gendron adds in addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing is also extremely important. She says brushing at bedtime is the most important time of the day.

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Video Version Without Chyrons

When it comes to oral health in kids, Emily Isom has seen it all.

Cavities, gum disease and infections, improper tooth alignment and tooth loss come to mind quickly. Not to mention all the missed school time dealing with these issues.

But she’s also seen plenty of young people who are the picture of good oral health. And she’s on a mission to make more of the latter.

“The mouth is the gateway to the body,” says Isom, a certified medical assistant in pediatrics at OSF HealthCare and a former dental assistant.

“A lot of people don’t think about what our oral health can do to us if it’s not being taken care of,” she adds. “It can cause heart disease, diabetes and respiratory infections.”

Everyday prevention

Isom says kids and their parents should commit to daily habits that will improve their oral health.

For infants without teeth, Isom says parents should use a soft, cool washcloth to wipe the child’s gums twice a day. This helps clear bits of food and milk that can lead to bad breath, irritation and cavities.

“Touching their gums will help when they are older. They’ll be okay with brushing their teeth. They won’t fight the parents about it,” Isom says. “So, it’s good to start [oral health care] early."

Older kids should brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Floss once a day. When a child has two teeth that touch, it’s time to start flossing. That could happen from ages two to six.

Before you rinse out your mouth with water, don’t forget about the tongue, Isom says.

“If we do not brush our tongue, bacteria can sit on it. It can get what I call ‘tongue sick,’” Isom says. “Bad breath can also happen.”

Outside of the bathroom, Isom reminds us that sugary and starchy food and drinks are prime suspects in oral health issues like cavities. So, parents should offer those foods in moderation. Isom calls out sticky candy as an example. She says the sugar tends to sit on your teeth for a while. Isom also says starchy food like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and cereal can sit between your teeth unless you floss right away.

Another must-know for parents with babies: don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle. Aside from a choking hazard, Isom says the constant stream of milk or formula can lead to cavities and corrosion. She also says this can cause infants to be fussy and demand a bottle more often.

It takes some convincing

A mother of a six-year-old, Isom knows that some kids won’t brush and floss willingly. They see it as a chore.

Her response: make oral health fun.

“Make a dental chart. Add stickers to it, morning and night,” Isom suggests. “Give them rewards like a little toy. After each cleaning, they can get a reward. Turn on music or a timer for two minutes [of brushing.] Get toothbrushes with their favorite characters on them.”

Dentist visits

Isom says children usually have regular visits with a dentist twice a year. Others with known mouth issues may go every three to four months. But see a dentist right away if you notice red flags: pain in the mouth, persistent bad breath, discolored gums or teeth, bleeding gums or trouble swallowing.

A regular dental visit usually includes a thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums followed by fluoride treatment.

“[Fluoride] protects the enamel of the teeth,” Isom explains. “It protects your teeth from cavities. It just makes your enamel really strong so you can eat the things you want.”

A dental professional may also perform X-rays on your teeth regularly.

Something else for parents to make sure the dentist has in mind: oral cancer screening.

“Those are huge,” for oral health, Isom says.

A dentist may use their hands to examine your mouth and neck. They could use a light or have you rinse your mouth with a blue dye. Each method looks for abnormal, possibly cancerous tissue.

At the end of a dental visit, you may be sent home with a prescription or just instructions to keep your mouth happy. For example, you may get a prescription mouthwash to help with gum disease.

Learn more

Read more about how to keep kids’ mouths in good health on the OSF HealthCare and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites. If you don’t have a family dentist, talk to your primary care provider about finding one. OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria offers dental care for children with special needs.

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She was about to become a statistic in a polio epidemic and battle a disease that still impacts her in 2024.

Though polio is nearly eradicated today thanks to childhood vaccinations, both the disease and the shots have garnered headlines lately. This month, Paul Alexander, who spent much of his life in an iron lung, passed away at age 78. And the state of Illinois is combating a measles outbreak, reminding us of the importance of vaccines.

Kemnetz’s story

Kemnetz says the week she got her headache that led to a polio diagnosis was a painful blur.

“All my senses were on high alert,” she says. “The littlest sound was like somebody stomping next to my ear. We had a little night light. I couldn’t even stand to have it on.”

On Sunday, the family doctor made a house call and immediately called for an ambulance. Kemnetz wound up at Mercy Hospital in Urbana, Illinois (now OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center). That next month, she says, was also a blur. Among other things, doctors upon her arrival performed a spinal tap to examine Kemnetz’s spinal fluid. She also recalls waking up one day with doctors preparing to put her in an iron lung to help her breathe.

“I screamed at my parents not to put me in that. I was terrified,” Kemnetz says.

After leaving the hospital, Kemnetz got more treatment near her home before spending over a year at a hospital in New York. There, she reprogrammed her leg muscles to work through repetitious exercises. It’s what we know today as physical therapy. Eventually, she returned to a mostly normal life and a career in real estate.

Polio then vs. now

Albert England, MD, an infectious disease physician at OSF HealthCare, says polio has been around “for a long time.” There’s even evidence of ancient Egyptians having it, he says. The disease is caused by a virus that “invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Other symptoms are flu-like, including fever, difficulty breathing, fatigue, headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and pain in the arms or legs.

Dr. England says today, doctors use ventilators to help sick people who can’t breathe. But back in 1952, the iron lung – which Kemnetz got acquainted with – was the help available for people with polio.

“It produced negative pressure around the patient, allowing the lungs to expand and contract regularly,” Dr. England explains.

“It was like having CPR 24/7,” Kemnetz says of lying in the tube. “So uncomfortable.”

Kemnetz also gave blood to help develop a polio vaccine, the number one way we have come to fight that disease and many others. It’s a topic she’s passionate about today.

“We have to save the children,” she says.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says children should get four doses of the polio vaccine as a part of routine childhood vaccinations. The CDC says while it’s rare, adults who know or suspect they did not get the shots as kids should get them as adults. Adults who are at an increased risk of getting the disease, such as working in a laboratory where the virus may be present, can get a booster shot.

“The vaccine prevents illness by developing antibodies,” Dr. England explains.

Kemnetz today

In 1985, Kemnetz developed post-polio syndrome, a disorder that weakens the nerves and muscles. She says her hands “look nice,” but everyday tasks like writing, eating or shuffling cards are tough.

“There are just not as many neurons providing the strength the people need,” Dr. England says of post-polio syndrome.

But, after being told in 1952 that walking, having children and living a long life was unlikely, Kemnetz is counting her blessings. Among them are the chances to recount her life story with her children and grandchildren.

“I think I thumbed my nose at them pretty good,” she quips about her prognosis back then. “The word ‘can’t’ isn’t in my vocabulary.”

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The National Institute on Aging says people age 65 and older are at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease and heart failure. Now is the perfect time for people 65+ and their caregivers to arm themselves with the information and supplies needed to keep their heart healthy.

Karen Whitehorn, MD, is an internal medicine physician at OSF HealthCare. Of the many risk factors for heart issues in older people, she points to blood pressure as a big one to watch. Dr. Whitehorn says a healthy blood pressure reading is 130/80 and below.

“If you’re on medication, take your medicine every day,” to keep your blood pressure normal, Dr. Whitehorn says. “Exercise and eat healthy. You want a diet that’s low in sodium and processed food. You want fruits, vegetables, fresh whole grains and lean proteins like turkey, chicken and lean pork.”

An annual physical exam is critical, too.

On exercise, Dr. Whitehorn admits mobility may be an issue for older people. She recommends checking with a health care provider like a physical therapist to see what exercises are right for you. Some workouts can be done sitting down. Low-impact cardio like walking is an option.

“But if any exercises hurt, don’t do them,” Dr. Whitehorn warns. “If you walk too far and you’re having pain, stop walking. You might not want to walk every single day.”

Dr. Whitehorn says if you have high blood pressure, check it at least once a day at home. Ask your health care provider what type of home blood pressure kit is best. If you don’t have high blood pressure, check it every six months. Your provider should also check your blood pressure when you have an appointment. But Dr. Whitehorn says don’t worry if that reading is a little high.

“People get nervous just seeing the doctor. They’re already a little upset because they have to come to the doctor,” Dr. Whitehorn says of the phenomenon known as white coat syndrome. “So when you take their blood pressure, it goes up. Normally, the nurse takes the blood pressure first. Then, after the person has been resting for a while, the doctor takes it again. It usually comes down.”

Other symptoms of heart issues include shortness of breath, chest pain and dizziness. Someone experiencing a heart attack might suffer nausea and neck, arm or shoulder pain. If you experience these symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away.

Your doctor may order a stress test to get a better idea if your symptoms are indeed due to a heart problem. Dr. Whitehorn says one type of stress test puts you on a treadmill while your heart rhythm is monitored.

“If the rhythm is abnormal, it might indicate there’s a problem with your heart,” Dr. Whitehorn says.

For people who can’t tolerate walking or jogging on a treadmill, there is medicine to safely increase their heart rate while a health care provider monitors.

If the results of the stress test warrant further examination, a doctor will perform a cardiac catheterization. They will insert a catheter, usually through the groin, and send it up to your heart to take images using contrast dye. This will show if any of your arteries are narrow and what steps the provider will take next, short term and long term.

Learn more about heart care on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

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A survivor of a 2019 heart attack, Randy Isham was already on notice.

But Randy and his wife Dawn, retirees in Mansfield, Illinois, couldn’t predict the chaotic events of May 24, 2023. An ambulance took Randy to OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in nearby Urbana, and the man was soon fighting for his life due to a second heart attack.

“I’m glad to be alive,” Randy puts it plainly.

The Ishams and their OSF care team have now joined the chorus of heart health advocates, urging others to know when everyday exhaustion or dehydration is something more serious, especially if you have a history of heart issues.

From garage to gurney

On May 24, Randy was assembling a table in the garage when he began to feel weak but had no pain.

“When I touched his arm, it was a cold sweat,” Dawn recalls. “That’s when I got concerned that this didn’t seem right. Let’s call 9-1-1.”

It was in the ambulance that first responders determined Randy was having a heart attack. That’s when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart is narrowed or blocked. Heart cells begin to suffer damage and die, and the heart no longer works how it should. Serious, life-long health issues or even death can result.

Randy coded at the hospital, adding to the urgency.

“It means there is no pulse. The heart stops. There is no blood reaching the brain and the whole body,” explains Tariq Enezate, MD, one of Randy’s OSF cardiologists. “When that happens, you need to know why and act fast.”

As the hospital pastoral care team and other Mission Partners (employees) kept Dawn informed, Randy was fighting for his life. He was without a pulse for 20 minutes, Dawn says, before Dr. Enezate’s team was able to revive him. Along the way, they removed a blood clot stemming from plaque buildup that they believe was the source of the heart attack. They then put in a stent. Randy is up to three stents, he points out, after his 2019 heart attack. It’s something he can speak about with relative ease now, but the nine-day hospital stay was no laughing matter.

“It could have gone either way,” Dawn says. “They wanted me to call the family in.”

Dr. Enezate describes the scene: “I had to go inside his heart while they were doing chest compressions. I was able to open [the blocked area in] his heart. At that moment, blood flow started back to the heart, and his pulse came back.

“Minutes mean muscle,” during heart attacks, Dr. Enezate adds. “The faster you restore flow in the artery and put a stent in, it’s better for the patient. It relieves their pain. It decreases the risk of complications.”

Lessons learned

Dr. Enezate calls Randy his miracle patient, and the Ishams agree.

“It was lucky he made it,” Dr. Enezate says. “I think the fact he came in early helped him.

“When we saw him coming back, that moment I can’t describe. It’s worth the world for all of us,” he adds.

Dr. Enezate’s affirmations “just gave me a nice warm feeling,” Randy says.

“Everybody there treated me like I was the only patient they had,” he adds, noting daily visits from Pastor Dave Jassman gave the couple strength.

Randy is back at home, doing well and receiving care typical for people who have suffered a major heart event, like therapy through OSF Home Care and cardiac rehabilitation. And he and Dawn are back at the healthy lifestyles that became the norm after Randy’s 2019 heart attack. Exercise is good, but no long work periods in the summer heat, for example. You’ll find Dawn cooking fish instead of steak. A tough, but necessary adjustment, Randy chuckles. Recipes from the American Heart Association also help.

“I used to think I was invincible, but I realize I’m not anymore,” Randy says.

The Ishams are also urging others to research trusted sources and learn not just the signs of a heart attack, but how to tell the difference between those signs and everyday pain like Randy thought he had on May 24. And don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 when something is wrong.

“It could save your life,” Dawn says.

Dr. Enezate says the classic symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. Some people describe it as an elephant weighing on their chest. You may also be short of breath, sweat, feel anxious or feel like you’re going to pass out. Or you may have no warning signs, and suddenly you’ve collapsed.

“If you have symptoms and you’re not sure why, call [a health care provider] for advice,” Dr. Enezate advises.

What about prevention for people who’ve had a heart attack?

Practice healthy habits, Dr. Enezate says. Don’t smoke. Take medication as directed by your provider. Control risk factors like diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. Exercise and eat right.

Learn more

Read more about how to care for your heart on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips - Dawn and Randy Isham

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Warmer temperatures bring the return of pesky insects, especially at dusk.

Experts say while most bug bites are not serious, there are times when you need to see a health care provider immediately.

Most bites can be treated quickly

Andrew Zasada, MD, an internal medicine physician at OSF HealthCare, says treatment of most minor bug bites (think mosquito or bee) is down to a science.

First, move away from the area so the bugs don’t bite you again. If the insect left a stinger behind, gently remove it with tweezers.

“Put some ice on the bite site. Wash it gently. Put a little calamine or hydrocortisone on it. Keep it elevated,” Dr. Zasada says.

Don’t scratch the bite site. Leave it alone and let it heal. For children who may find it difficult not to itch, put a Band-Aid over the bite. You can take an antihistamine like Benadryl, Allegra or Zyrtec for itching and ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain.

If you notice a rapid worsening of symptoms in the 30 to 45 minutes following the bite, or if the wound is not healing over several days, it may be a sign of a more serious problem. See a health care provider.

Serious insect bites

Dr. Zasada says in the Midwest, two types of spiders come with dangerous fangs: black widow and brown recluse.

“These bites can cause tissue destruction at the bite site,” Dr. Zasada explains. “The venom is very potent. It can cause cell death. It’s very irritating.”

If the venom gets into your bloodstream, then chest pain, muscle cramps, sweating and nausea could follow. Dr. Zasada says black widow and brown recluse bites are “very rarely” fatal, but the illness they bring is quite unpleasant.

If you think you’ve been bitten by a black widow or a brown recluse, see a health care provider right away. Your local urgent care is equipped to treat insect bites, but if your symptoms have worsened, the Emergency Department at your local hospital may be the best destination.

Another serious condition to keep an eye on after a bug bite is an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include shortness of breath, wheezing and a drop in blood pressure. Dr. Zasada says some people with known allergies may have an EpiPen handy and can inject themselves to alleviate symptoms. Regardless, immediate attention from a medical professional is still needed.

 Leave the critters alone

It’s inevitable that a stroll through the neighborhood will bring an encounter with an insect like an ant or mosquito. But Dr. Zasada says spiders that pack a punch don’t want to mess with humans. They tend to come out at night and live in wooded areas or a dark space in the back of a garage.

In other words, don’t mess with them, and they won’t mess with you.

“When you take clothing out of storage, shake it to make sure there are no spiders,” Dr. Zasada suggests. “When you clean the garage, don’t sit on anything that’s been stored there for a while. Dust it off first.”

Interview clips

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Summer wound care

'Tis the (tick) season

Andrew Zasada, MD, can’t help but chuckle when asked about the “latest and greatest” body cleansing fads.

But the internal medicine physician at OSF HealthCare says these whims can turn into anything but a laughing matter.

“When you put stuff that’s not really regulated in your body, you don’t know what’s going in,” Dr. Zasada says. “And if you mix in your regular medicine, too, you’re not doing yourself a favor.”

Dr. Zasada is reminding you to talk to your primary care provider before starting any significant treatment. Don’t believe everything you read online or on a label.

Diatomaceous earth as a cleanse

Dr. Zasada says diatomaceous earth has several legitimate uses in industry. But it’s also seen in powder form as a dietary supplement.

The product comes from ground-up and processed skeletons of algae. It contains silica, one of the main components of sand. There are two types of diatomaceous earth: edible, which contains 2% to 4% silica, and industrial with 60% or more silica.

Dr. Zasada says ingesting silica in small amounts – for example, mixing it in water – is harmless because it does not absorb into your body. But you should never inhale it.

“It causes irritation of the lungs which can be permanent and cause scarring. It can cause you to be short of breath. It’s called silicosis,” Dr. Zasada explains. “It’s similar to what coal miners get when they inhale coal dust. People die from silicosis every year.”

Dr. Zasada says some people claim diatomaceous earth cleanses your digestive tract and improves cholesterol. But he says scientific evidence for and against these claims is “scant at best.”

“There have been a few studies that showed that it lowers cholesterol. But at the same time, we don’t know what else that patient may have eaten because it was a poorly designed study,” Dr. Zasada says. “Was the silica responsible? Was it dietary? We simply don’t know.”

Dewormers and other cleanses

Dr. Zasada says dewormers do what the name suggests – remove intestinal parasites from your insides. He says they serve a purpose in livestock but not humans.

“Some people believe we all carry some type of parasite, and we need to deworm ourselves,” Dr. Zasada says with a sigh.

“If you really think you have an intestinal parasite, see your doctor. The test is simple. If you do, in fact, have a parasite, it can be eliminated.”

Dr. Zasada adds that there’s no evidence that our bodies are loaded with toxins that must be removed. He says that removal happens naturally through our liver, kidneys and bowel movements.

“We’ve been around as a species for hundreds of thousands of years without colon cleanses, and we’ve done pretty well,” he quips.

Interview clips

To say time was of the essence for Tammi Fanson on July 18, 2022, would be an understatement.

The Gibson City, Illinois, woman had been dealing with high blood pressure, stress, fatigue and shortness of breath, but she chalked it up to life just being difficult. But on that day, she found herself at her local Gibson Area Hospital in the midst of a heart attack.

Fanson was then taken by ambulance to OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois – around 40 minutes on a regular drive but half that with the blaring red lights. That, combined with the cooperation between the two hospitals, and Fanson was fast-tracked straight to the cardiac catheterization laboratory at OSF Heart of Mary, something Tammi and her husband Doug say saved her life.

“They knew me,” Tammi Fanson says. “They knew exactly what was going on. There must have been a lot of communication even before I got there. So it was very comforting.”

“The comfort that she had knowing this crew was waiting for her, it’s pretty remarkable,” Doug Fanson adds.

Fanson’s case is an example of the importance of what’s known as door to balloon time. That measures the time between when a patient has first contact with a medical professional to when a balloon is placed in their heart’s arteries to get rid of blockages and resume blood flow. For Fanson, she had a balloon within 27 minutes of arriving at OSF Heart of Mary.

“Time is muscle here in the cath lab,” says Jo Lehigh, a registered nurse at OSF Heart of Mary who was on Fanson’s care team. “Every minute that goes by could be tissue death.”

That means Lehigh and other OSF caregivers in the cath lab have to be agile. For starters, they have a limited response time to get to the hospital once they get the page that a patient is inbound.

On the balloon process itself, Lehigh says physicians start by accessing an artery through a patient’s wrist or groin.

“We send in a catheter. We go up into the heart and we shoot in contrast dye. The contrast dye helps us to visualize the artery to see where the blockage is located and how severe it is,” Lehigh says. “And from there, the doctor goes in with a small balloon on the catheter and inflates the balloon. Then we'll go in with a stent and another balloon to open it up. So we have blood flow after it's all said and done.”

The Fansons praise Lehigh for the care Tammi received.

“She was our angel,” Doug Fanson says, the emotion in his voice strong.

Tammi Fanson recalls Lehigh at her side in the heat of the battle to save her life.

“I said, ‘Am I going to be OK?’” Fanson says. “And she was right there assuring me that everything was going to be OK.”

Lehigh followed up with Fanson, too, during her stay at OSF Heart of Mary.

“I do go down and check on the patients. I make sure they're doing OK and just kind of show my face because a lot of times they can remember my name and remember my voice, but they don't really remember me or what I looked like.” Lehigh says. “So I have to go down there and just kind of keep up on them and make sure they're doing OK. I think that builds a good relationship.”

Four heart stents later, Fanson is now recovering at home and is doing well. She’s enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation, a typical but vital part of the path back to normal. But most importantly of all, Fanson has a new lease on life. She appreciates the importance of diet, exercise, healthy blood pressure and knowing your family history of heart troubles. And she’s found ways to reduce stress, at least temporarily, like watching the sunrise with no distracting devices in sight.

“I could have easily went back to sleep that night,” Tammi Fanson says, recalling the evening that changed her life. “Don’t do that. Go in [to the hospital]. Get your regular checkups. And listen to your body.”

“Listen to [your health care providers]. Rely on them. Lean on them. They’re experts,” Doug Fanson says. “It helps you get through the traumatic times.”

Lehigh concurs with all those sentiments. She adds that if you find yourself in Fanson’s shoes – having sudden, significant symptoms of a heart attack – don’t drive yourself to the hospital. Call 
9-1-1.

“The ambulance is going to have everything there that you need,” Lehigh says. “They’re going to have the electrocardiogram, the aspirin. They’re going to have all the equipment and supplies they’d need to help make this a smooth and quicker process.”

Learn more about heart care on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview Clips - Tammi and Doug Fanson

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Previous coverage

o   Heart Attack | OSF HealthCare

o   Don’t Ignore High Blood Pressure (osfhealthcare.org)

o   Young People and Heart Health (osfhealthcare.org)

o   American Heart Month: Top Takeaways (osfhealthcare.org)

o   Heart Attacks in Women: Recognizing Lesser-Known Symptoms (osfhealthcare.org)

o   Heartburn or Heart Attack (osfhealthcare.org)

o   Do You Know Your Heart Disease Risk? (osfhealthcare.org)

o   Cardiac Survivor: 'I Listened To My Body' (osfhealthcare.org)

o   Know the Signs of a Heart Attack (osfhealthcare.org)

o   The Danger of Peripheral Arterial Disease (osfhealthcare.org)