It’s back to school time and that means parents are grappling with getting their children on a regular sleep routine. But for parents with children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, that’s no small task.

As many as 70% of children with ADHD experience problems with sleep. The issues include bedtime anxiety or resistance, insomnia and delayed sleep – meaning their sleep cycle has shifted and they aren’t tired at bedtime. 

Kristin Mock, MD, is a family practice physician at OSF HealthCare who specializes in ADHD and pediatric sleep issues. She sees patients whose behaviors are often linked to ADHD; but they could also be a result of a lack of sleep.

Unlike adults who have excessive sleepiness and fatigue, Dr. Mock says children with ADHD tend to have more behavioral issues such as acting out or temper tantrums. They have difficulties with behavior and focus and concentration, and they tend to get fidgety.

So that begs the question – is the issue ADHD or a sleep problem or a combination of both?

“If your child has ADHD, there is a high likelihood they have comorbid sleep dysfunction and mental health dysfunction,” says Dr. Mock. “We need to treat the whole of the child and make sure that we've looked at all of those reasons that people can have concentration deficits and treat all of that to give them the best potential.”

Dr. Mock adds that not getting enough sleep can cause or make ADHD symptoms worse. And that means improving a child’s sleep issues can help reduce symptoms.

“So, when the brain is tired, it tries to find ways to get it to stay awake. It will go from one task to the next. It will jump from here to there. It will stutter and sometimes forget things,” she says. “Children will get very fidgety to keep their brain awake. So, while your brain is trying to just get through to the next time it gets to sleep, it makes you not as effective.”

Dr. Mock says the most common referral to her clinic comes from teachers who inform parents that their child lacks focus in the classroom. “Then it's our job to figure out why,” she says.  “What’s really going on? Are they tired, do they have learning disabilities or do they learn differently?”

Mock says parents can help by discouraging any use of electronics once your child has gone to bed. That means there is no iPhone, iPad or TV in their bedroom and no texting, social media or video games, which will not go over well with many teens. Starting this behavioral change at younger ages makes this change easier. 

She also recommends encouraging children to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Most children require eight to 10 hours of sleep every night. Dr. Mock adds children need two weeks to gradually get back into a good sleep routine now that school has started.

It's also important to get a handle on your child’s medication. Some ADHD stimulants can make sleep worse so talk to your child’s care team about how they are affecting your child’s sleep. Dr. Mock adds that if your child snores, medical providers need to do more. Dr. Mock says their doctor should make a detailed sleep history or maybe make a referral to a sleep specialist.

“Parents need to pay attention to their children's sleep,” Dr. Mock says. “Physicians may not realize that the child is not sleeping well. And so, parents need to be able to tell their doctor, 'Hey, I'm concerned about the way my child is sleeping, or my child is snoring. Can we do more?'"

For more information on sleep disorders, visit OSF HealthCare. 

 

Interview Clips

"There's a need here. We're developing something special here in Peoria," says Robert McWilliams, MD, the deputy director with OSF Cancer Institute. "This helps us get recognition that we're a player in the region and serving the people of Central Illinois. It also means we're collaborating with other researchers in the region to put OSF and those we serve on the map."

HCRN is a consortium of community oncology programs and academic centers across the United States that collaborate on clinical trials, with a particular focus on investigator-initiated studies. Founded in 1984, HCRN now supports a nationwide network of more than 100 academic and community research sites. The organization has conducted more than 250 clinical trials, enrolled more than 10,000 patients and contributed to more than 350 scientific publications.

“We are delighted to welcome OSF Cancer Institute as a member of our network. We believe there is great value in bringing together academic centers and outstanding community providers like OSF Cancer Institute to advance cancer care in a real-world setting,” says Brian Stemme, CEO of HCRN. “Our team is honored to support these vital collaborations.”                

HCRN brings together leading academic cancer centers and community oncology programs, including numerous National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers across the U.S.

"They have an ongoing portfolio of clinical trials that we can decide whether it makes sense for us to open here in Peoria, or in some of our other OSF markets as well," Dr. McWilliams adds. "Then we can have our trials open through that network and accelerate the speed and rapidity of the research that is done."

The affiliation strengthens the growing role of OSF Cancer Institute in cancer research and positions the organization to contribute to clinical studies that could shape the future of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. For those served, this work creates more opportunities to participate in cancer research while receiving high-quality care.

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are more popular than ever, leading people to seek options that are quicker, cheaper and involve less prying questions than a traditional in-person doctor visit.

But here’s a statistic that should give you pause: Casey Zaring, RPh, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at OSF HealthCare, says a 2023 audit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] found 95% of online pharmacies were not legitimate. This leads to concerns about getting bilked out of money or taking a counterfeit drug that could bring serious side effects.

“It skips a lot of checks and balances,” Zaring says of the online outlets. For one, he says, these websites typically don’t have a pharmacist check your full medical history to make sure you’re getting the right drug.

Legit or not?

Some red flags to look for when deciding to buy prescription drugs online:

• Is the website based outside the United States?
  
• Do you start on one website and get pushed to another to complete the transaction?
  
• Does the site guarantee you cost savings? Zaring says it may look like a deal up front, but the final price tag might not be so good. Or, you might unintentionally sign up for auto-renewals. Zaring recommends first checking to see if your insurance will cover a medication.
  
• Have other people or agencies flagged the outlet for possible problems? Zaring recommends the websites safe.pharmacy and BeSafeRx to check if the pharmacy is registered with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacies and complying with the law.
  
  “How we know an online pharmacy is legal is they require a prescription by a licensed practitioner. You have a pharmacist review things, and the consumer has access to a pharmacist to ask questions,” Zaring explains. “Look for the outlet to be based in the United States and have a license in your state. Some online pharmacies will provide medications for patients even though they don’t have a license in the patient's state.”

Another law pharmacies have to follow is the Drug Supply Chain Security act. Zaring says this ensures all medications are logged and accounted for as they move from the manufacturer to the distributor. This makes sure all medications in the supply chain are legitimate and safe.

“In December 2025, the Food and Drug Administration warned about fake Ozempic,” Zaring recalls, noting what can go wrong if laws aren’t followed. “It looked almost identical to real Ozempic. It had lot numbers and expiration dates. But what they had done is created a syringe that looked similar and put on fake stickers.

“What pharmacists do then is go through and scan every medication that enters the pharmacy to ensure it’s directly from the manufacturer,” Zaring adds.

Consequences

Zaring says pharmacists’ biggest fear with these websites is someone putting something non-legitimate or harmful in their bodies. Is the syringe sterile? Has the drug expired? Is the dose correct? Is it properly diluted? Is it interacting with my other medications? Ingesting fake medications could lead to infections or other serious side effects.

Speaking on weight loss drugs: “If something is off by a decimal point, it’s a tenfold error. It can cause lack of movement in your gastrointestinal tract, obstructions and gallbladder attacks,” Zaring says. “If a person isn’t aware of the risks and talking to a pharmacist, they can upgrade their dose too quickly and cause more adverse effects like dehydration. Also with some of these online websites, there’s not continuous monitoring by a health care provider. No labs, check-ins or follow ups.

“The cost saving may be up front, but at the back end there may be an overall greater cost of having to see more health care providers because of adverse reactions or infections,” Zaring also warns.

If you’ve done business with an online pharmacy and have concerns, Zaring recommends talking to your primary care provider or a pharmacist at an in-person, well-recognized business. You can even bring the medication for them to inspect. You can also report pharmacies to the FDA at the BeSafeRx website.

Learn more

Read more about how OSF HealthCare pharmacists bring medication to you safely on the OSF HealthCare website. Some OSF HealthCare locations also have retail pharmacies that can be used regardless of whether you’re an OSF patient.

Interview clips

Frequently asked questions

It goes without saying: mental health issues can spawn physical health problems. But let’s dig into one: how can being stressed all the time increase your risk for a stroke?

“Chronic stress, anxiety and depression can all lead to unhealthy factors,” says Brittany Best, BSN, RN, a stroke navigator at OSF HealthCare. “They may not cause a stroke directly, but they will raise your blood pressure, inflammation and blood sugar levels. So they really can raise the risk of a stroke significantly.”

Eating a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and smoking, being active and mindfulness activities like meditation can help with this risk, Best says.

“Seeing your doctor regularly is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your stroke risk,” Best adds. “They’re going to keep an eye on things like blood pressure and lab work. They can get you on the right track to maintain overall health.”

What if I’m on medication for my mental health? How does that play a role in stroke risk? Best says it shouldn’t be a problem, but follow your health care provider’s directions, and talk to them if you have symptoms.

A recap of stroke basics

If Best has a takeaway message, it’s that 80% of strokes are preventable, and quick action when a stroke strikes can prevent serious brain damage or even death. When spotting stroke symptoms, remember the acronym BEFAST.

• B is for balance: Watch for sudden loss of balance.
  
   
• E is for eyes: Check for vision loss or eyes looking askew.
  
   
• F is for face: Look for droopiness or an uneven smile.
  
   
• A is for arm: Is one arm weak or numb?
  
   
• S is for speech: Watch for slurred, slow speech or no speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
  
   
• T is for time. It’s the conclusion to the checklist. Time to call 9-1-1 if someone has these symptoms, even if they go away.

“Our main goal is getting patients in quickly. Identify their stroke symptoms. Get them to imaging. Get their care started as quickly as possible,” Best says, outlining stroke care at the hospital she works at, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, Illinois. “With strokes, time is very important. Up to two million brain cells can die every minute during a stroke. So it’s very important for the treatment process to go smoothly.”

The care team will also connect people with stroke resources, such as support groups like the one Best manages. Contrary to stereotypes, those support groups are not all doom and gloom.

“It’s a nice place for stroke survivors and caregivers to connect with one another,” Best says. “They can ask questions and listen to guest speakers. It really just provides a nice community for them to not feel alone in their recovery.”

Learn more

Read more about treatment and prevention of stroke on the OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute website.

Interview clips

Frequently asked questions

For one brain aneurysm survivor, a routine Monday morning walk with her dogs turned into a fight for her life.

Fifty-five-year-old Kari Rixstine of Bloomington, Illinois, had said goodbye to her husband, Tim, as he left for work and decided to take the dogs for a walk. They had gone only about a half block when one of the dogs suddenly lunged after something.

Then came a pain she had never experienced before.

Rixstine had a shooting pain in her right temple and actually thought she had gotten shot. The pain was so severe it nearly brought her to her knees. Almost immediately, she lost vision in her right eye. She managed to get the dogs home but struggled to text her husband for help.

By the time an ambulance arrived, she was experiencing severe pain in her neck and profuse vomiting. She knew something was seriously wrong.

At the hospital, however, her symptoms were initially attributed to a migraine. Her husband pushed for further evaluation, telling the medical team about her symptoms and her family history. Both her mother and an aunt had died after ruptured brain aneurysms.

A CT scan ultimately revealed blood from the rupture, leading doctors to discover the aneurysm.

A surgeon placed an external ventricular drain to relieve pressure in Rixstine’ s brain before treating the aneurysm with endovascular coiling. The woman spent about two weeks in intensive care while physicians monitored her for complications, including vasospasm.

Recovery was emotionally challenging

Her physical recovery was relatively strong, but the experience left lasting emotional and cognitive effects.

“It was like I was terrified to even leave the house. When I was alone out there and it ruptured, I worked so hard to get home. And then once I was released from the hospital after begging to go home, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to live.”

Thomas Russell, MD, an OSF HealthCare neurosurgeon specializing in neuroendovascular surgery, says while many aneurysms never rupture, a rupture can cause a life-threatening brain bleed and requires immediate medical attention.

The challenge is that the symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm can sometimes overlap with more common conditions such as a migraine. He encourages people, especially those with a family history of aneurysms, to advocate for a CT scan to rule out aneurysm.

Also, Dr. Russell says it’s important to know the signs of a bulging aneurysm.

“Sometimes it can be something as simple as a droopy eyelid. Your pupil gets really dilated because sometimes these aneurysms can enlarge and press on the cranial nerve. When they press on those nerves, they can cause some symptoms. But it’s kind of silent because they didn’t actually rupture.”

During this Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, Dr. Russell also wants people to know stress doesn’t cause an aneurysm.

“People think that if you got really stressed or really angry that it can cause an aneurysm. Or lifting heavy weights. That doesn’t cause an aneurysm. But if you have one, that can cause a predilection for rupture and that’s usually the concern,” he shares.

Dr. Russell also wants people to know a brain aneurysm isn’t a death sentence.

“We actually have a bunch of different ways to treat aneurysm. So, if you have a strong family history and there’s some concern about aneurysms and brain bleeds in the family, then talk to your doctor about it because there are screening tests we can do. And there are treatments we can also perform.”

Dr. Russell emphasizes there are certain conditions which make someone at higher risk of a brain aneurysm rupture. Risk factors:

• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol and drug use
• High blood pressure
• Certain inherited conditions, such as brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), polycystic kidney disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

The worst headache of her life

After staying in the house for two months immediately after she was released from the hospital, Rixstine began resuming life as normally as possible to show her children she wasn’t giving up.

“And I wanted to be an example for them of overcoming. Going through it and overcoming and recovering from it. So knowing they were watching me gave me the strength to get through the bad days,” she says, choking back tears.

Rixstine continues to deal with fatigue, vision problems, occasional headaches and short-term memory difficulties. Crowds, bright lights and loud environments can also be overwhelming. Outings to see her husband play in his band are no longer possible. And she no longer works and drives only in optimal conditions. Post-it notes help her deal with memory issues.

In sharing her story, Rixstine wants people to recognize that a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a ruptured aneurysm can look different from the more familiar warning signs associated with an ischemic stroke.

“They call it a ‘thunderclap’ headache. [It’s] the worst headache of your life. That’s what you need to look for. There are vision issues and nausea. When mine ruptured – pain in my neck. I was totally confused, instantly,” Rixstine explains.

Other signs and symptoms include:

• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• One or both pupils being dilated
• Seizures or sudden loss of consciousness
• Confusion, disorientation or difficulty concentrating
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body

Rixstine suggests that anyone experiencing these symptoms seek emergency medical attention.

Stroke support group offers community

Support from her husband, children and other survivors has played an important role. She attends a stroke support group through OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

While not exactly what she endured, the experience and recovery can be similar. However, surprisingly to Rixstine, her condition isn’t as widely talked about or understood.

“And it has been incredible for me knowing people who have been through most that [which is] ischemic stroke not hemorrhagic stroke like what I had. I don’t understand how ischemic stroke is so well known and they push it and push it and push it. But the hemorrhagic stroke with a brain bleed, nobody has information on that.”

Ristine’s experience has taught her that signs and symptoms for brain aneurysm rupture should be, as she put it, “part of the conversation.” Her advocacy drove her to create 100 yard signs she’s distributing in the community. And she and husband Tim paid for two billboards that are on major roadways in Bloomington-Normal.

Additionally, Rixstine changed the way she thinks about her family's health.

She now has another aneurysm (this time unruptured) that doctors are monitoring. Her adult children have been screened because of the family's history. And so far, neither her daughters nor her grandchild have shown indications of an aneurysm. She is grateful every day for that.

For more information, visit the Brain Aneurysm Foundation website.

Video clips with Kari Rixstine

Video clips with Dr. Thomas Russell

B-roll-Brain Aneurysm Awareness

Kids are back in school, and between early bus rides, a packed day of classes and after-school activities, they can get hungry. So, what should parents pack to give their children the energy they need throughout the day?

Nicole O’Neill, RD, a dietitian with OSF HealthCare, says parents should remember that kids have different nutritional needs than adults. 

“They need fuel, so you have to give them good fuel,” she says. “Things like protein, fiber and fats are going to be the most important part. And remember, their little bellies are smaller than ours, so they can't eat three square meals and have just enough. They probably need a snack, especially if they get up earlier now than they did in the summer. If their lunch hour is earlier than noon, if they play sports, if they have a gym class, snacks are important for kids.”

What makes a healthy snack?

The best snack depends on the child, including their tastes and what they are actually willing to eat. But O’Neill says a good starting point is to pair foods that provide protein, healthy fats or fiber. For example, she recommends apples with peanut butter. Fruit cups packed in juice can also work, especially when paired with a protein or fat, such as a cheese stick.

“I personally recommend, for snacks, apple and peanut butter. That is an easy win right off the bat,” O’Neill says. “I do like the fruit cups in fruit juice, but you need to pair that with something that has a little protein or fat, like a cheese stick. Cheese and crackers is a great option.” 

O’Neill also likes homemade snacks, such as energy bites made with peanut butter, banana, oatmeal and a few chocolate chips.

Get kids involved

Parents can also get their children involved in picking out their snacks with some guidance. “Because every kid is going to want candy or chips, but you do have to offer them something that they like,” O’Neill says.

She recommends taking children to the grocery store, letting them help pick out a few options and trying those foods at home before packing them for school. “Still get their input, see what they like, see what appeals to their eyes, and try it at home before you send it to school,” she says. “Make sure they genuinely, truly like it.”

Timing matters

How often a child needs a snack can depend on their age, schedule and activity level. A child who leaves home early, has gym class or participates in sports may need additional fuel throughout the day.

For young athletes, O’Neill recommends having a snack before practice or a game. A snack after the activity or on the way home can also help keep hunger in check before dinner.

When choosing packaged snacks, O’Neill recommends reading nutrition labels and paying attention to sodium and the percent daily value.

Above all, she says, parents should focus on providing foods with nutritional value while remembering that treats can still be part of a healthy overall diet.

“When you go to the grocery store, it's important to pick good things, not just candy, not just chips, which those do have a role in a normal diet. You can't eliminate all of that all the time,” O’Neill says. “But if we're going to have a snack every single day after school, it needs to be a beneficial snack that gives nutritional value.”

For healthy recipe options, visit OSF HealthCare.

Interview Clips

B-Roll

• Illnesses in the classroom: You’ve heard the saying that daycares and elementary school classrooms are a petri dish of yucky stuff. Kids are coughing, sneezing and touching things without knowing they’re spreading germs. Dr. Nauman says upper respiratory infections (colds) are common.
  
  “Use a humidifier. Honey is a great natural cough suppressant. You can do steamy baths,” Dr. Nauman says, outlining what parents can try. “Teach your kids the proper way to cough and blow their nose. Teach them how and when to wash their hands. They should be washing as much as possible throughout the day.

“I also think eating healthy and maintaining good nutrition is key,” she adds. “Make sure the kids get vitamins with their daily intake of food and drink.”

Pink eye is also common in schools. It’s inflammation of the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the eye.

“Most pink eye is caused by a virus. But sometimes if we think there’s a bacterial cause, we’ll treat with an antibiotic eyedrop,” Dr. Nauman says. “Pink eye is very contagious. If one person in the house gets it, it can be a domino effect because kids are all over each other. Prevention involves really good handwashing. And if you have a young infant or a child that has complex medical issues, keep them distant from others.”

And, teach kids to cough and sneeze into their sleeve, and they should not touch grimy surfaces then touch their face.

• Sleep disruptions and anxiety about school: Kids tend to stay up late during the summer. Maybe they’re snacking on sugar-filled foods with their heads buried in devices. Start the back-to-school sleep routine if you haven’t already, Dr. Nauman says. As part of this routine, have the kids go to bed and wake up at the same time. Dr. Nauman says elementary school-aged kids need 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Older kids should get 9 to 11 hours. Teenagers can sleep for 8 to 9 hours.
  
  “Everyone lacks sleep to some degree. But with kids, we don’t realize how much good sleep can affect their ability to learn, emotionally regulate themselves and carry themselves,” Dr. Nauman points out. “Sleep also makes sure that immune system gets some rest and is able to help the kid’s body stay healthy.
  
  “If you have, for example, a nervous Kindergartener, drive by the school the week before classes start,” Dr. Nauman adds. “Say ‘OK, this is the time we’ll be dropping you off here. It’s going to be part of your routine.’ Give them a fun treat that day. Make it a memory that’s positive for them so that when the time comes to go to school, they’re ready.”
  
  Some schools hold “meet the teacher” nights prior to the school year to introduce everyone to each other. Take advantage of those, Dr. Nauman stresses. Be excited for and proud of your kids.
  
• Allergies: Ragweed is a big one seen in the fall, Dr. Nauman says. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, cough and itchy eyes.
  
  “If you know your kids get allergies in August or September, start the allergy medication two weeks before. Before the symptoms are super bad, help your body get ready for them,” Dr. Nauman suggests. Also, know the child’s allergy triggers, and avoid them.
  
• Asthma: School means kids are back in sports and activities. They’re running around and exerting themselves, leading to shortness of breath or even an asthma attack. Dr. Nauman says parents should work with their kid’s pediatrician to craft a written asthma action plan. Teachers and coaches should get a copy of the plan.
  
  “Fifteen minutes before recess, gym class or practice, they need to use their inhaler,” Dr. Nauman says, giving an example of what could be in the action plan. “That’s one of the main ways we can try to prevent these asthma attacks from happening and interfering with kids’ lives.”

Learn more

Read more about keeping kids healthy on the OSF HealthCare website. Pediatric care at OSF includes local clinics like the one Dr. Nauman works at and OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria.

Interview clips

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OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute is expanding its ability to treat complex heart valve conditions, becoming the first health care provider in Illinois outside of Chicago to offer EVOQUE transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) – a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a damaged tricuspid heart valve without open-heart surgery.

The first EVOQUE procedure at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria took place in late July. The patient was discharged after the procedure with excellent results.

TTVR gives physicians another minimally invasive option for people with severe tricuspid regurgitation, a condition in which the heart’s tricuspid valve does not close properly and allows blood to flow backward. This can lead to people experiencing fatigue, weakness and swelling, according to the American Heart Association.

“Beyond TAVR, MitraClip and TriClip, the addition of TTVR allows us to advance our program capabilities through a minimally invasive, catheter-based approach for the treatment of valvular disease,” says Sudhir Mungee, MD, director of the structural heart division at OSF Cardiovascular Institute.

Instead of making a large incision in the chest, a team of heart specialists guides a replacement valve to the heart through a vein in the groin using a thin tube called a catheter.

For some people with severe tricuspid regurgitation, traditional surgery may carry significant risks like heart failure, bleeding, infection and stroke. TTVR provides another option, particularly for people who are considered high risk for surgery.

The minimally invasive approach can also mean:

· A shorter hospital stay – often one to two days compared to five to seven or more days for open-heart surgery

· A faster recovery – often days instead of weeks

With the addition of EVOQUE TTVR, people with complex tricuspid valve disease now have access to another advanced treatment option at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

A former college athlete and mother of a youth sportster, Emily Isom knows all about long nights at the ballpark.

But by day, Isom is a certified medical assistant in pediatrics at OSF HealthCare. She’s combining her life experiences to give parents a roadmap during back-to-school season: What sport or activity is right for my child? How can they get the most out of it?

The benefits of kids getting active

• Physical: Isom says sports help kids strengthen muscles, speed, endurance and balance.
  
  “They’ll be able to run further and faster,” Isom says, noting that improves lung and heart health.
   
• Social and emotional: Sports can teach kids social skills like teamwork, communication and self-esteem.
  
  “It helps them become who they are as a person,” Isom says. “It helps them take ownership of their communication. They can build that communication within a team.
  
  “When you win, it feels great. But when you lose, some kids can take it really hard. They think they’re a failure and they’re not good at the sport. It becomes mental,” Isom adds, commenting on how sports can build skills to overcome stress, conflict and adversity. “But that feeling of being a failure is not true. You win and lose. That’s how it goes. But the key is to get better. They can work on kicking, running, hitting, catching or whatever it is.”
  
  Plus, you never know when a teammate will turn into a lifelong friend.

Navigating the season

Isom says a parent should never pressure a child into a certain sport or activity. They won’t enjoy it, she says. Instead, keep the conversation light and open ended. For example: is there a sport you’ve seen on TV that you’d like to try? Or, show them videos of different sports. And parents should not be upset if their child chooses an activity out of the norm. Maybe a boy from a family of football players wants to do dance or theater instead. That’s OK, Isom says.

“Kids look for support from their parents in anything they do. It doesn’t matter if it’s sports or the arts. If it’s something they want to do, you should encourage and support your kid,” Isom says. “My daughter is really into art. She might want to do art instead of sports one summer. I’m all for it. She’s still interacting with people. She’s happy doing something she wants to do.”

Isom says if a child gets burnt out on a sport, they’ll usually tell you. Again, Isom says not to pressure the youth to finish the season. But have a conversation about what’s going on and the paths forward. If you have to pull the kid out of the sport for their health, do it.

“If they’re showing depression, anger or hostility over the sport, I wouldn’t press it any further,” Isom says.

And of course, be a supportive cheerleader from the stands. Don’t heckle or shout criticism.

“It embarrasses the kid. And those kids can develop anger issues. They learn it from their parents,” Isom warns. “It makes the kid feel like a failure when the parents are yelling from the stands. I’ve seen it. It’s not fun. It’s not cool.”

Learn more

Read more about keeping kids healthy in sports and everyday life on the OSF HealthCare website. Pediatric care at OSF includes local offices like the one Isom works at that can provide sports physicals and treatment or minor sports injuries, plus OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria.

Interview clips

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A shin-termission

A blood clot can be dangerous. When a clot blocks blood flow to the lungs, it can become a life-threatening emergency.

For some people with large or complicated blood clots, there’s another treatment option: the Ekosonic Endovascular System (EKOS).

EKOS is a minimally invasive procedure using ultrasound waves and a clot-dissolving medication breaking down blood clots. The treatment can be used for certain people with pulmonary embolisms, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other serious blood clots.

“If we care for someone with a blood clot that is big enough in the lungs, or a bigger clot in the legs, we insert EKOS,” says Monther El Bzour, MD, a cardiologist with OSF HealthCare. “It has a technology that emits ultrasound waves to break the clot into smaller pieces. We also infuse a clot-buster medication called tPA [tissue plasminogen activator]. These two together can help to dissolve the clot in a very fast way, and that helps the patient to feel much better within minutes or hours.”

During the procedure, a physician guides a small catheter through a blood vessel and positions it near the clot. Ultrasound waves are then delivered through the catheter while a clot-dissolving medication is infused directly into the area. According to Dr. El Bzour, the drug is infused for six to 12 hours. Those treated usually go home within 24 hours if there are no complications.

Knowing the warning signs

Pulmonary embolisms and DVTs can cause different symptoms. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs. Symptoms can include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that may become worse with a deep breath, rapid heartbeat or coughing.

A DVT typically occurs in a deep vein, often in the leg. Symptoms can include swelling, pain or tenderness, warmth or discoloration in the affected leg.

Not every blood clot requires EKOS. The size, location and severity of the clot, along with the patient's overall condition, help determine the appropriate treatment, says Dr. El Bzour.

“If you have a blood clot in small veins below the knee, we don't use this technology. If you have smaller blood clots in the lungs and they are in very small arteries, we don't use this technology,” Dr. El Bzour says. “It's only meant to tackle the complicated, the massive blood clots, either in the lung or the leg.”

EKOS doesn’t prevent future clots

While EKOS can help treat an existing blood clot, it does not prevent future clots from forming. Many patients will still need blood-thinning medication after treatment, depending on the cause of the clot and their individual medical circumstances.

“If I can offer you something to feel better quickly, I think we're all for it,” Dr. El Bzour says. “And I can say [EKOS] is a game changer for the management of blood clots.”

Most importantly, Dr. El Bzour says people should not ignore symptoms that could indicate a dangerous blood clot. “It is a very serious problem, and the quicker you can make it to the emergency room and to a hospital that offer this technology the better outcome and the chance to be alive and feeling better,” he says.

For more information on cardiovascular services, visit the OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute website.

Interview Clips

B-Roll

Back to school season means youngsters spending time in locker rooms and college students doing the same in dormitory bathrooms. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the floors in those spaces have a reputation of not being the cleanest. Quickly doing your business while barefoot may seem like no problem. But lingering on the floor may be a virus that causes painful plantar warts.

“Plantar warts are one of the most common skin lesions we’ll see in our office,” says Marc Leonard, DPM, an OSF HealthCare podiatrist.

What are plantar warts?

Dr. Leonard says plantar warts (also called plantar verruca) are caused by a virus that gets into the bottom of your foot. The warts can spread easily.

“It looks like a callus. You see little growths. Sometimes they even satellite out, and we’ll get other little growths around that original lesion,” Dr. Leonard explains.

So, Dr. Leonard’s advice is to treat the issue early. If you see a wart, make an appointment with a podiatrist. Treatment is generally two steps. First, a provider will shave off the excess skin. Then, they will apply acid to the feet.

“It’s an acid that almost blows up that outer layer of tissue. Then we decompress it,” Dr. Leonard says. “Even with that, it still takes several treatments.”

Dr. Leonard says your feet will be sore for a couple weeks after treatment. So, you’ll want to stay off your feet if possible.

Left untreated, Dr. Leonard says plantar warts can cover the entire bottom of both feet and even your hands if you touch the warts. Walking will be painful, and so will treatment.

Prevention

If wart-covered feet and multiple acid treatments don’t sound like fun, there are easy prevention steps.

For dirty places like bathrooms and locker rooms, wear a slip on-type shoe like a shower shoe or flip flop. When you’re done, dry the shoes off or let them dry in front of a fan so they’re ready for the next use. Then, put on your sturdy, everyday shoes. In other words, don’t see this as an excuse to wear flip flops all day. Dr. Leonard and other podiatrists will tell you that your feet need more support.

Also, clean your feet, socks and shoes regularly. Don’t walk around in dirty or wet socks and shoes. If you sweat a lot, have extra pairs of socks to change into. And use a disinfectant wipe to clean your nail clippers.

Learn more

Learn more about keeping your feet healthy on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

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At OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute in Peoria, people from across the state have access to one of Illinois’ few Level 4 Epilepsy Centers, offering the highest level of specialized epilepsy care available.

Designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), the Level 4 accreditation recognizes the center's ability to provide advanced diagnostic testing, comprehensive medical management and complex surgical treatments for epilepsy. The designation also reflects a broader commitment to expanding access for expert epilepsy care for people throughout Illinois.

For Thandar Aung, MD, medical director of the epilepsy center at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute, improving access to specialized epilepsy care was one of the primary reasons she joined OSF.

"In my past job, I was getting patients from all over the country, and even outside of the United States," Dr. Aung says. "The access to epileptologists, or rather the lack of access, really showed why there are limitations."

Having spent her career in large metropolitan academic medical centers, Dr. Aung saw firsthand how difficult it can be for people to find an epilepsy specialist.

Peoria stood out because of its ability to serve people across a large geographic region. OSF Illinois Neurological Institute regularly cares for people throughout Central and Western Illinois, including communities near the Iowa and Missouri borders. For many Illinois residents living near those state lines, receiving care in Illinois can also make a significant difference when navigating insurance coverage.

Epilepsy is a lifelong condition, so getting the right care as early as possible helps people live their lives to the fullest.

What Level 4 means for patients

The NAEC designates epilepsy centers based on the level of care they can provide. A Level 4 epilepsy center offers the most comprehensive services available, including advanced diagnostic testing, multidisciplinary care and complex surgical procedures for people whose seizures cannot be controlled with medication alone.

"Level 4 is where you're able to do the invasive epilepsy surgeries, including invasive pre-surgical evaluation such as depth electrodes also known as stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG),” Dr. Aung says. “You place them in the brain based on a hypothesis, using all the available data to determine where the seizures are coming from. Of course, this is very dependent on experience. If you place the SEEG electrodes in the wrong locations, you could localize the seizures to the wrong part of the brain, potentially leading to an unsuccessful surgery or harm to the patient.”

The Level 4 designation also reflects the collaborative approach patients receive. Physicians, including epileptologists and functional neurosurgeons, work alongside specialized nurses, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, social workers and other experts to create individualized treatment plans tailored to each person's needs.

Advancing epilepsy care

While medications successfully control seizures for many people with epilepsy, others have drug-resistant epilepsy and may benefit from surgery or newer technologies.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is one innovation Dr. Aung is particularly excited about. The technology measures the brain’s magnetic fields (instead of the electrical field used in an electroencephalogram (EEG)), to help identify where seizures originate.

"With an EEG, we try to read the brain and its electrical activity," Dr. Aung says. "There's another way you can read brain activity by using the magnetic field. Sometimes you cannot see the electrical activity, but you can see it with the magnetic activity."

Dr. Aung also hopes to expand access to epilepsy clinical trials, giving patients opportunities to receive promising therapies before they become widely available and helping researchers better understand which treatments work best for each person.

Recognizing the signs

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures, but not every seizure looks the same. While some involve full-body convulsions, others may appear as brief staring spells, confusion or other subtle changes.

Dr. Aung encourages anyone experiencing unexplained episodes or symptoms that continue to occur to seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.

Although seizures are commonly related to abnormal brain activity, she notes that some heart conditions can mimic seizures and may be life-threatening if left untreated.

As one of the few Level 4 epilepsy centers in Illinois, OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute is continuing to grow its capabilities with one goal in mind: ensuring more patients throughout the state have access to the advanced, comprehensive epilepsy care they need.

Video Interview Clips

Author's note: this is part of a series on the parent-teen relationship. Search the OSF Newsroom for Sara Bennett for other stories.


Proms. Friday night football. Advanced placement classes. It’s all on the mind of a child starting high school. And it comes at a time when the kid is becoming more independent from their parents. So naturally, the transition can bring some mental health challenges like anxiety, self-doubt and longing.

“Kids become more centered on their looks because they’re developing differently,” says Sara Bennett, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare. “Guys might ask ‘how come that guy is six feet tall all of the sudden and I’m still five foot two?’. It changes our self-concept, self-image, how we feel about ourselves and our confidence level.

“We see girls start to take a step back a little bit,” Bennett adds. “They don’t want to be the smartest one in the class. They’re sitting back. What their friends think about them is way more important than what Mr. Smith in chemistry thinks about you.”

Bennett also notes the sheer size of high school can be intimidating. Maybe the child went from small classes in a small building to being a freshman in a big pond with many teachers and coaches to get to know.

“There’s a lot happening in kids’ brains as they mature and go through those teenage years. As parents, we have to shift our mindset a little bit to be a better supporter and not so much that manager,” Bennett says.

Having the conversation

Curious, consistent and connected.

Those are the ideals Bennett says to keep in mind when parents and teachers are talking to kids about heavy high school issues. Ask about what’s going on and how it made the child feel, but be curious, not nosy and judgmental. Stay connected with your teenager, but understand that everyone has a busy schedule. A family dinner every night may not be possible, but catch up on the drive to soccer practice.

“Let them know you’re there to celebrate their wins and move through difficulties. Make the little moments matter,” Bennett says. “How can I help?” or “What’s a good outcome for this?” are good phrases to use.

“Figure out who they are, what success means to them and how you can best support them,” Bennett adds, noting an eight-year-old’s priorities will differ greatly from a 14-year-old’s priorities. “Having those open conversations and allowing them to be themselves means they’re more likely to come to you when stuff gets tough. If they feel there’s a lot of judgement and condemnation and not a lot of support, they’re probably going to go to other people or hold it inside. Then the parent is going to be on the outside of the relationship instead of the inside.”

For a child whose success means good grades, the conversation might include setting expectations in that area. Does the expectation mean certain grades? Certain advanced courses? Or just trying your best? If expectations are or are not met, what are the rewards or consequences? Expectations about social situations like parties could mean a pledge to not drink or use drugs. The parents could also promise to pick up the child from a sticky situation, like an out-of-control party, without judgement.

“Evidence-based research shows the more we connect with our kids in that way and not shy away from these conversations, the more likely they are to stay away from the riskiest decisions,” Bennett says.

Learn more

Read more about helping kids with their mental health on the OSF HealthCare website. Mental health care at OSF includes clinicians and support groups at hospitals like the one Bennett works at, the under-construction Meadowview Behavioral Hospital in Peoria, Illinois, and free resources like behavioral health navigators and SilverCloud.

Interview clips

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BreAnne Gendron, NP, knows all about the effects of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. She eventually had to give up coffee because it caused a burning sensation in her throat.

As a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare, Gendron also treats patients who experience GERD in different ways.

“GERD probably feels a little bit different for everybody, but it definitely helps [to understand patients' experience] when you have personal experience with it,” she says. “Sometimes people with GERD have a flare-up and their stomach hurts, but they don't get that acid-up-the-throat feeling. It just causes stomach discomfort. Sometimes it changes bowel movements. Everybody has a slightly different version of it.”

Occasional heartburn or acid reflux is common. But when those symptoms happen frequently – two or more times a week – it could be a sign of GERD and worth mentioning to your health care provider.

Symptoms can include regurgitation, trouble swallowing, a feeling of a lump in your throat, a persistent cough, a sore throat or heartburn that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medication.

Gendron says people who are 50 and older and overweight are at highest risk for GERD. Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of GERD. But how do you know if that burning sensation in your chest is simply reflux or something more serious, such as a heart problem?

When chest pain shouldn't be ignored

Gendron says patients will sometimes go to the emergency department because they are experiencing chest pain. While some people may wonder if they are overreacting, Gendron says it’s always better to have potentially serious issues addressed.

“If it’s the first time you're having chest pain, we can't just guess, ‘Oh, that's probably acid reflux,’” she says. “You have to go in and be seen to rule out a cardiac reason, because that's what we do in health care. We rule out the scary stuff, so we can treat the treatable stuff.”

Even people with a history of GERD should pay attention when their symptoms change. For example, if chest discomfort occurs during physical activity, it could be a sign of a heart problem and should be evaluated.

“I would say any time you have activity where you're carrying in the groceries or you're going up a couple flights of stairs and that pain happens, that's not a GERD symptom,” Gendron says. “That's a cardiac symptom, and your doctor can help you figure that out. It's worth a conversation if you're having reflux feelings that are different than normal.”

If you experience new, severe or unexplained chest pain, especially with symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness or pain that spreads to the arm, back, neck or jaw, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Knowing your GERD triggers

Once anything serious has been ruled out, lifestyle changes can help manage GERD symptoms.

Common triggers can include spicy or fatty foods, citrus or tomato-based foods, caffeine and soda, alcohol, nicotine and heavy or late-night meals.

Gendron says there isn't one diet that works for everyone with GERD. Instead, people should pay attention to which foods trigger their symptoms and make adjustments as needed.

“Some foods will bother people,” she says. “I hear people complain to me a lot about things with tomato sauce, so pizza and spaghetti and things like that bother people with acid reflux. So, you can augment your diet. You can cut back on coffee. You can cut back on your nicotine.”

Medication can also be used to treat GERD when lifestyle changes aren't enough. But Gendron says she prefers to start with lifestyle changes if possible.

For her, that meant giving up her favorite morning beverage.

“I personally had to give up coffee because of this problem. I know if I don't drink coffee, that my whole digestive tract is happier,” she says. “So, people will figure out which foods bother them, and then you have to avoid those.”

Interview Clips

A growing social media trend is putting vibration plates in the spotlight as a potential tool to shake off lymphedema symptoms, though specialists caution that the devices should complement, not replace, established therapies.

Whole-body vibration plates, which create rapid muscle contractions while users stand, sit or exercise on the device, have attracted attention online for claims that they can improve circulation, reduce swelling and support lymphatic health.

Many people discover the devices through social media platforms such as TikTok, where wellness trends often spread quickly. Rachel Rohman, PT, DPT, CLT, an OSF HealthCare physical therapist specializing in lymphedema treatment, stresses that while vibration plates may provide an additional tool for symptom management, they should not replace compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage or other evidence-based treatments.

She also warns against believing claims circulating online that portray vibration plates as a standalone solution for lymphedema. While early research is encouraging, Rohman says evidence specific to lymphedema remains limited.

More research is needed

“There has been a lot of positive research regarding, especially improvements in circulation, improved venous vasodilation and getting the blood moving,” Rohman says. “While the circulatory system and the lymph system go hand in hand, there's not as much research looking directly at people with lymphedema and use of vibration plates.”

Lymphedema is a chronic condition caused by a disruption in the lymphatic system that leads to swelling, most commonly in the arms or legs. While the condition cannot be cured, it can often be effectively managed through treatments such as compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage therapy and compression pumps.

Rohman points out studies examining vibration plates in healthy individuals, and patients with other medical conditions, have demonstrated benefits related to circulation and mobility. A smaller number of studies have explored their use among people with lymphedema or related conditions, with some positive results.

In the past few years, there have been a handful of published studies including one that looked at women with a related condition called lipedema, which results in an abnormal fat buildup on both sides of the body.

Rohman explains, “Those women do get some swelling and that study did show some positive improvements in swelling over time with use of vibration plates in addition to manual lymphatic drainage massage. So, the new studies are showing some promise. I think there will be a lot more promising research that comes out, even potentially in the next few years.”

Because research remains limited, vibration plates are not considered part of the standard of care for lymphedema management. Instead, Rohman says she discusses the devices primarily with patients who are already following established treatment recommendations and are looking for additional ways to manage symptoms.

Vibration plates can be a good supplement to care

“They are already potentially doing their other treatment options that are more standard of care, but they're just looking to take their treatment to the next level and so I’m telling them that is an additional option they can try that does have some promising research,” Rohman shares.

Users of vibration plates often report feeling less swollen, more energized or generally better after use. For most healthy people, the devices are frequently incorporated into fitness routines, allowing people to perform body-weight exercises while standing on the vibrating platform.

Still, Rohman cautions that the devices are not appropriate for everyone.

“I am looking for a patient that does not have any medical contraindications,” Rohman says. “They don't have any uncontrolled medical conditions that would warrant being seen by a specialist. Someone with an implanted device like a pacemaker, that can cause some harm to the device, which could be life-threatening.”

Patients with poor balance, untreated blood clots or uncontrolled heart and respiratory conditions could face increased risks. Anyone trying a vibration plate should begin with a low setting and short sessions before gradually increasing intensity.

For people experiencing swelling and considering vibration therapy, Rohman recommends consulting a lymphedema specialist first to determine whether the treatment is appropriate and to rule out other underlying causes.

As interest in vibration plates continues to grow, Rohman emphasizes that potential users should approach the therapy with realistic expectations and view it as one potential component of a broader treatment plan rather than a miracle cure.

Rachel Rohman is a physical therapist specializing in lymphedema treatment at OSF HealthCare in Bloomington.

Video clips with Rachel Rhoman

B-roll-Vibration plates

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common complication after stroke that can increase the risk of pneumonia, prolong hospital stays and, in severe cases, require patients to rely on feeding tubes for nutrition.

The Phagenyx® System combines temporary nutritional support with gentle electrical stimulation that helps retrain swallowing muscles weakened by stroke. The therapy stimulates nerves in the throat to encourage the brain to restore normal swallowing function.

"We're committed to bringing the most advanced, evidence-based treatments to our patients," says Arun Talkad, MD, director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at the OSF Illinois Neurological Institute. "The Phagenyx® catheter not only provides temporary nutrition but also stimulates the muscles involved in swallowing, helping patients recover this critical function sooner. Studies have shown it can reduce the need for permanent feeding tubes, which can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. This technology adds another important tool to the comprehensive stroke care we provide."

Nearly 800,000 people experience a stroke each year in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. While paralysis, speech changes and vision loss are among the best-known effects of stroke, many patients also experience dysphagia, making it difficult or unsafe to swallow food, liquids and even saliva.

The Phagenyx® System is one of several advanced therapies available through the Comprehensive Stroke Center at OSF Saint Francis, supporting people throughout their recovery and rehabilitation.

You’re coming to the hospital to give birth.

You’ve had a hip replacement and now will have a hospital stay to complete rehabilitation.

There are a lot of things swirling through your mind, notably thoughts like “Am I going to be OK?”

Questions like “Where is my toothbrush?” are probably on the backburner. That’s why it’s a good idea to make a “hospital essential items” checklist now.

Kurt Bloomstrand, MD, sees these scenarios plenty while providing care in the emergency department at OSF HealthCare. He says a hospital will provide basic toiletries, blankets, food and clothing like a gown and socks. But some people prefer their own toiletries, clothes and snacks.

Other things to do and bring:

·       Write down your health information: health insurance, medications, medical history, name of your primary care provider, allergies and legal documents like power of attorney and a do not resuscitate order. Have an identification like a driver's license, too.

“Some people in the emergency department are not able to tell us their health information given what they’re presenting for. So, it’s so valuable to have basic health information written down,” Dr. Bloomstrand says. He adds that knowing your health information allows providers to care for you properly. You can also bring legal forms to your provider anytime to be added to your medical record.

·       Bring other items essential to your well-being: eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aids, dentures and a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) for sleeping. Bring cases and batteries for these items, too.

·       When choosing clothes, opt for loose-fitting and short-sleeved garments.

“If you have an IV, a short-sleeved shirt is much better to access it than a long-sleeved shirt,” Dr. Bloomstrand says. “You can bring a robe to cover up.”

 

·       For moms giving birth, bring your birth plan in written form. Pack a few pairs of clothes for you and your baby.

“Babies notoriously spit up on their clothes,” Dr. Bloomstrand says with a smirk.

The hospital can provide diapers, wipes and a breast pump. But, you can bring your own if you prefer a certain type.

“Not only can you use your breast pump, the people at the hospital can teach you how to use it,” Dr. Bloomstrand says.

What babies don’t need at the hospital: rattles, books and toys. Save those memories for home.

·       Don’t overdo it with personal items and food. This can cause your room to get cluttered and create a trip hazard. Have someone who can take unneeded items home.

·       Don’t bring valuable items. Dr. Bloomstrand says a phone is OK to keep in touch with loved ones. But other electronics and jewelry should stay home. Hospitals have security, but like any other place, there is a chance for theft.

Interview clips

A much-anticipated vacation should be about exploring new places and relaxing with family and friends – not scrambling to find a pharmacy because you forgot your allergy medication.

Whether you’re headed for a tropical getaway or hiking through a national forest, a little preparation can go a long way toward keeping allergies from putting a damper on your trip, according to Stephanie Amor-Arteaga, APRN, a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare.

“The best way to prepare for a vacation is to plan if you have allergies,” she says. “You want to make sure that you have enough medication, you've gotten your refills from your provider and you have enough to last you through the trip. Make sure everybody around you is aware of the allergies and what you have with you.”

Because allergy triggers vary by season and destination, preparation starts before you leave home. Research where you’re going to know your response to potential environmental allergies there and how to best cope.

Before leaving home, Amor-Arteaga recommends putting together an allergy kit. Depending on your needs, that may include antihistamines, inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors. Travelers should also bring a current medication list, emergency contacts and a medical alert bracelet or necklace, as well as hand sanitizer and wipes. Make sure all prescriptions are current and properly labeled in case your travel partners need additional information.

Amor-Arteaga says that if you're carrying prescription medications or over-the-counter medications, place them in your carry-on and not in your checked-in luggage for easy access.

Depending on your ultimate location, other considerations to think about are pollen levels, air quality, what outdoor activities you have planned and possible allergens when it comes to hotel accommodations.

Who’s ready to eat?

Once you’ve arrived at your destination it’s time to think about where you’re going to dine and what you’re going to eat – especially if you’re allergic to certain foods or ingredients.

“If you have a food allergy, the best way to navigate that at a restaurant is to let the staff know about your allergy before you even start to order the food,” says Amor-Arteaga. “I have a daughter with a food allergy, so I make sure to carry snacks that she's able to eat in case that restaurant does not have any options for her.”

Amor-Arteaga knows firsthand how stressful traveling with a food allergy can be. Her daughter has a peanut allergy, and Amor-Arteaga remembers being nervous before their first big vacation to Disney World.

“I just wanted to make sure there was no cross contamination, but they were very good about it,” she says. “Most places are good about managing food allergies because they are common, unfortunately.”

Amor-Arteaga suggests contacting your health care provider at least four weeks in advance of your trip so he or she can devise a personalized plan for you, including making sure all your prescriptions are filled.

The bottom line, Amor-Arteaga says, is that allergies shouldn’t keep people from enjoying their time away. A little preparation before leaving home can help travelers spend less time worrying about their allergies – and more time making memories.

“Allergies affect our lives, and it may be a bummer for some, but it should not affect a vacation if you plan and get everything in order so that you can enjoy time with everybody,” says Amor-Arteaga.

(sidebar)

Before you leave:

• Refill all prescriptions
• Pack medications in your carry-on
• Bring extra medication when appropriate
• Make sure prescriptions are properly labeled
• Carry a medication/allergy list
• Tell travel companions about your allergies
• Pack safe snacks if you have food allergies
• Bring emergency contacts
• Consider a medical alert bracelet or necklace
• Know where you can get medical care at your destination

Interview Clips

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


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

• Have good posture and body mechanics. Delaney says to have a wide base when lifting heavy weights, and lift with your legs and core, not your back. Bend your knees while keeping them straight, and bring your rear end down, she says.
  
  “Avoid twisting motions at the torso,” Delaney adds. “Try to overexaggerate movements. When you’re doing a rotational exercise, move your feet, not just the torso.”
   
• Keep the weight close to your body.
   
• There’s no glory in trying to impress the room with a heavy lift, then injuring yourself. Instead, Delaney says to start with a light weight (talk to your coach or trainer on the exact number) and more repetitions, rather than a heavy weight and less repetitions.
  
  “That way, we can work on mastering their form first. Make sure they’re doing it properly to avoid injuries,” Delaney says.
  
  Delaney tells her athletes to try three sets of 10 repetitions. If you don’t feel pain or fatigue, you can try increasing the weight. For the upper body, go up by two and a half to five pounds. For the lower body, increase by five to 10 pounds.
   
• Do you need a spotter for every lift? Delaney recommends having a buddy watch you if you’re lifting a heavy weight or you’re in a position to drop the weight on yourself, such as a bench press.
  
  “That would be a major injury if you’re bench pressing and drop a weight on your chest,” Delaney warns.
   
• Know how to use the equipment before strapping in.

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.

Interview clips

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In May 2026, Cal was riding his bicycle at his grandmother’s home in Rock Falls when he lost control on a steep hill and entered the roadway. He was struck by a vehicle traveling approximately 50 mph.

Cal suffered a severe traumatic brain injury with bleeding and swelling in his brain. Emergency responders quickly arrived, and an OSF Life Flight helicopter transported him to OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria.

“God is real,” Cory says. “Two EMTs hit him, so they knew what to do and we also found out the helicopter from Peoria was only two minutes from us, so they got him there. Once he got here, we had a great team to help him out.”

The quick transport allowed Cal to receive care at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, the region’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.

The right care at the right time

When Cal arrived at OSF Children’s Hospital, he was in critical condition and required immediate care from multiple pediatric specialists, including trauma, neurosurgery and critical care teams.

Dr. Chegondi says getting Cal to the right facility at the right time was a key factor in his outcome.

“Time is of the essence, especially with dealing with very sick patients,” Dr. Chegondi says. “One of the key factors in this child’s positive outcome was getting early to the right facility at the right time.”

A fight for recovery

Cal spent several weeks in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where his care team worked to control swelling and pressure inside his brain.

He underwent three craniectomies, surgeries that temporarily remove part of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain, along with additional procedures to monitor and manage his condition. He also required breathing support before he was able to breathe on his own again.

Dr. Chegondi says there were moments when Cal’s future was uncertain.

“When I look back, I was so concerned at one point,” Dr. Chegondi says. “We couldn’t control the pressure in his brain. We were using all kinds of neurosurgical procedures.”

After learning Cal had been struck by a vehicle, Cory rushed to the hospital. The drive felt endless.

“I was 10 or 15 minutes away,” Cory says. “All I could say was no. I think I said it 500 times on the way there.”

For Cory and Alyssa, the uncertainty was overwhelming. The family was told Cal might need to relearn basic skills, including walking, talking and eating.

A recovery called a miracle

But Cal continued to make progress beyond expectations.

His family watched as he began remembering them, his favorite toys and the things that made him who he is.

“The progress he has made is unreal in the time we have been here,” Cory says. “The severity of his injuries, he is doing better than we were told and what we expected. He is a miracle baby.”

Dr. Chegondi says Cal’s recovery is something he will remember.

“Looking back, I’d say this was a miracle,” Dr. Chegondi says. “It is a testament of our impact as a team.”

Continuing his journey

After several weeks at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, Cal was discharged to continue his recovery through rehabilitation services.

Throughout his hospitalization, the McCallister family found support from the OSF care team and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, which provided a place for the family to rest and connect with others going through similar experiences.

“They genuinely care about the kids here,” Cory says. “They want the best for him as much as we do.”

Cal’s recovery journey continues, but his family remains grateful for every milestone and for the team that helped give him the opportunity to heal. For the McCallister family, a devastating bicycle accident became a story of faith, expert pediatric care and a miracle recovery.

Dr. Chegondi Video Interview Clips

Cory McCallister Video Interview Clips

This is part one of a two part story on hygiene myths. Click here for part two.

From health care providers to websites to advice passed down through generations, there are a lot of ways to get health care information, especially tips for minor ailments you can treat at home.

Awad Alyami, MD, a pediatrician at OSF HealthCare, breaks down some common myths.

• Myth: There’s a one-size-fits-all pill for common illnesses.

Fact: It depends on whether it’s a viral infection (like influenza, the common cold or coronavirus) or a bacterial infection (like pneumonia, strep throat or food-borne illnesses like salmonella).

“For the most part, with bacterial infections you need to see a health care provider. You’re probably going to need an antibiotic,” Dr. Alyami says. “Most viral infections just run their course, and you focus on the symptoms. If you have a fever, you take fever medication. If you have pain, you take pain medication. If kids are six years or older and have a cough, they can use over-the-counter cough medication.”

Dr. Alyami points out that you can take those medications to help with bacterial infection symptoms, too. But you need an antibiotic, too, to get better.

• Myth: Feed a cold and starve a fever.

Fact: You should modify your diet when sick to avoid trigger foods, like spicy or greasy foods. But reducing the amount you eat and drink won’t make you better sooner. In fact, Dr. Alyami says hydration is critical.

“When kids have infections and a fever, one of the most common reasons they end up in the hospital is dehydration,” Dr. Alyami says. “When kids are sick, they lose fluids from their body and need hydration.”

So, drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods as your body can tolerate.

• Myth: I can go back to work or school as soon as I start to feel better.

Fact: Dr. Alyami says you should be fever-free (body temperature less than 100.4 degrees) for 24 hours with improving symptoms.

When you go back out, practice good habits like thorough handwashing and avoiding coughing or sneezing into the open air.

• Myth: If I don’t look or feel dirty, I don’t need to shower or bathe.

Fact: Dr. Alyami says there’s no “catch all” advice for how often to wash off. Some people will shower or bathe daily. Others will do so every other day or less frequently. Dr. Alyami advises you to shower or bathe when you feel you need to or after you’ve been in a dirty or sweaty environment, like after playing sports or a hike in the woods. People with skin conditions should also clean themselves with care.

“For people with eczema or atopic dermatitis, I recommend daily showers,” Dr. Alyami says. “But they need to be quick because the more exposure to water we have, the more we dehydrate the skin. So, showers should not exceed 15 minutes, and you should apply moisturizer right away afterward.”

Interview clips

The clock ticks past midnight. Your eyes are open, your body still – but your mind is anything but quiet. From bills to health scares to family stress, worry shows up, unpacks, and overstays its welcome.

When it comes to worry, there’s no shortage of things that keep us up at night – some of it probably has us tossing and turning at times.

According to experts like Ashley Pratt, a psychotherapist with OSF HealthCare, most of what we fret about never comes to fruition. But that doesn’t stop us from experiencing a few anxious moments.

But why do we worry?

“It’s actually part of our human nature,” says Pratt. “Our brain is designed to help us protect ourselves from danger or unpleasant experiences. So, worry is kind of our brain’s way of helping us navigate or prepare for those things.”

But some worrying can serve a purpose, Pratt says. For example, if you’re worried about skin cancer, you might be more diligent when it comes to protecting your skin. If you’re worried about money, you might become thriftier when it comes to spending.

Pratt says the best way to get a hold of worry is to concentrate on what you can control.

“Focus on what we have power over,” Pratt says. “That's one of my favorite ways to manage worry. That way we can start to incorporate other coping skills through our life, whether it's breathing exercises or talking to friends, listening to podcasts, doing enjoyable hobbies throughout our week.”

Still, life happens and that means some things we worry about do come true. Pratt recommends meeting those fears head on.

“I think we can learn that we can get through it, first and foremost,” she emphasizes. “Even if our worries do come true occasionally, we can cope with it. Worry gives us opportunities to learn about how we handle those situations.”

Instead of worrying, Pratt says to trust yourself IF something negative does happen. It’s better to remain calm than distressed when trying to solve a potential problem.

But if you are having a tough time navigating those worries, there are ways you can calm your nerves. For example, stay off your phone, where you can find news that may be upsetting. Check in with people in your inner circle that you trust and can talk to. Finally, Pratt suggests starting the practice of gratitude.

“It helps rewire those negative thoughts and give us more focus on the things that are going well in our lives,” Pratt says.  

Trying to worry less takes time and lots of work. If you can’t seem to find any relief on your own, Pratt recommends seeking professional help.

“If it feels unmanageable, reaching out to someone, whether your doctor for medication management, going to therapy, learning different techniques and just finding something that works.”

Ways to worry less 

Robert Leahy is a psychologist and author of the book “The Worry Cure.” He offers the following tips to cope with worry.

1. Identify productive and unproductive worry

Determine whether worry will help you find  solutions to a problem. If yes, write a to-do list with steps to help solve the problem.

2. Track your worries

Write down your unproductive worries throughout the day and dedicate time to thinking about them.

3. Accept uncertainty

Leahy says repeating a worry for 20 minutes (“I may never fall asleep” or “I could lose my job”) lessens its power.

4. Be mindful

Leahy says there are ways to be mindful throughout the day. Work on living in the now by practicing deep breathing. Let your body relax to release the tension.

5. Reframe your worry

Leahy says reframing how you handle disappointments can help worry. Ask yourself what you have learned from your bad experiences. Make a list of things that make you grateful.

6. Put worries in perspective

Learn from previous worries. If you can’t remember what they were, it might mean they never came true, or you were able to deal with them and move on.

Interview Clips 

For the thousands of people who have asthma (a chronic lung disease that impacts your airways), the thought of vigorous exercise may be daunting. They may think, “What if I’m working out alone and find myself short of breath or worse?”

Enter Brittany Delaney, an athletic trainer at OSF HealthCare who works with young athletes on a variety of conditions, including asthma. She says workout warriors and their parents need not be afraid. You can work up a sweat with asthma if you know your body and prepare for possible problems.

“Actually, we like that [people with asthma] exercise a lot because it will help maintain a healthy weight. It also strengthens the lung muscles,” Delaney says.

“It's very important for athletes to know how to manage their symptoms when they’re in sports. That way, we can reduce the likelihood of an asthma attack,” she adds.

Signs to watch for include shortness of breath, hyperventilation (where you breathe fast and deep), dizziness, a rapid pulse, skin changes (such as turning blue) and chest pain or tightness. If those happen, Delaney says to use an inhaler, rest and, if it’s a young person, call their parents. If things don’t get better quickly, call 9-1-1.

Have a plan

Delaney says short bursts of exercise are better for people with asthma. Think of sprinting to first base in a baseball practice rather than jogging a few miles on a cross country course.

Know and avoid your triggers. If it’s a pollen-heavy day, exercise inside. Chlorine can also make asthma worse, Delaney says. So if you’re a person with asthma who swims, be vigilant about symptoms and the amount of time you spend in the pool.

“Cold weather can be a trigger,” Delaney adds. “If you’re running outside and it’s cold, put a scarf over your face to avoid cold air getting deep [into your lungs and irritating them]. Experts also say breathing through the nose rather than the mouth can decrease symptoms.”

Also a must: keep up with medication as directed by your health care provider. For most people with asthma, the first line of defense is that inhaler.

“I see a lot of athletes who carry their inhaler, but are they following directions? Are they only taking their medication when they’re starting to feel symptoms? A lot of people with asthma actually have inflammation daily. They should be taking medication daily," Delaney says.

If you’re working out or competing with others, Delaney suggests giving your inhaler to a designated person, such as a coach or trainer. That way, if you show symptoms, you don’t lose valuable time digging through your bag to find the inhaler.

Lastly, a proper warm up and cool down are key for any athlete to have a successful workout.

“I prefer starting with some light cardio to warm up the muscles. Then, do a dynamic stretch as opposed to a static stretch where you hold the pose for 30 seconds,” Delaney explains. “Dynamic is more active. Your heart rate is getting up. Your lungs are expanding. You’re getting more air in.”

Jumping jacks and lunges are examples of dynamic stretches.

Then, cool down with a light jog and some static stretches.

“Those muscles can’t go from hot to cold in a minute. You need to slow the progression down,” Delaney says.

Learn more

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

Interview clips

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Vitamin D basics

Maddy Draper, APRN, a health care provider at OSF OnCall, says vitamin D is a nutrient our body needs to produce calcium. Calcium helps create strong teeth and bones. So logically, not having enough vitamin D leads to brittle bones (a risk for greater injury after a fall), plus muscle aches and pains. Others with a vitamin D deficiency may not show symptoms. Either way, a provider may order a blood test to confirm the issue and then may advise you to take a supplement. This is usually in pill form and can be prescribed or bought over the counter by itself or as part of a multivitamin.

“Or the provider may just talk about vitamin D-rich foods first before starting a supplement,” Draper says. “High fat fishes, egg yolks, some cheeses and mushrooms.”

Draper adds that pregnant women, babies (especially babies who are breastfed), the elderly and people with darker skin often lack vitamin D.

On the flip side, Draper says it’s rare, but a person can get too much vitamin D. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations (feeling like your heartbeat is fast, pounding or otherwise irregular). You may also suffer kidney damage.

Summer sun

Here’s advice to commit to memory: Draper says research shows 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure three times a day can get you a healthy amount of vitamin D.

“You want to protect your skin while doing that,” Draper adds. “Sunscreen and protective clothing like a hat and sunglasses. There’s not any research showing that sunscreen or clothes will prevent you from getting the vitamin D you need.”

Experts say your sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and you should reapply every two hours. Clothing should be lightweight and light colored (Dark colors absorb more sunlight, leading to quicker heat illness.) Stay hydrated, and watch for redness and blisters from sunburns and suspicious moles that may be skin cancer. See a provider right away if you have issues from getting too much sun.

Another thing to note: Experts say a specialized lamp can help with seasonal affective disorder, a mental health condition often seen in the winter due to decreased daylight. The same logic does not apply for vitamin D. You need natural, not artificial light to get the vitamin D you need.

The bottom line

Draper says most people don’t have to worry about getting too much or too little vitamin D.

“The average person will get it through the sun,” Draper says. “If you live in a cold and dark environment, you’re at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. People farther away from the equator are higher risk.”

If you have symptoms of too much or too little vitamin D or just have a concern, talk to your primary care provider.

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Did you have a childhood hero? If so, you likely aspired to emulate them and their achievements.  

Nowadays, your kids may see their favorite athlete or influencer using pre-workout supplements, whether on social media or in stores, to enhance their performance in the gym or on the field.

What are pre-workout supplements?

Pre-workout supplements come in various names, flavors, and sizes. Some popular options are creatine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). While creatine and the main ingredient in most pre-workout supplements is caffeine, most BCAAs don’t contain caffeine.

These supplements are taken before a workout or athletic match with the goals of increasing endurance, muscle mass, and reducing recovery time. But the question is should middle- or high school-aged kids use these supplements? The answer: Probably not.

What are the risks of pre-workout supplements?

“These can cause increased heart rate or heart burn. You’re also taking a lot of supplements that are going straight to your gut. You can see some nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. They’re also not well-monitored, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) isn’t regulating these very closely,” says Erica Dawkins, a dietetic intern with OSF HealthCare.

Taking it further, kids with heart defects need to steer clear of these supplements.  

“A lot of times we see defects or heart irregularities that somebody isn’t even aware of. They don’t know that until they take something like this and have an adverse event,” Dawkins says. “So, if you already know, avoid these because we don’t want to throw that heart into an abnormal rhythm it might not be able to come back from.”

What are the benefits of pre-workout supplements?

“A lot of them will already have beta-alanine or branched-chain amino acids which help improve recovery time and reduce fatigue,” Dawkins says. “We also see some nitrates used that help improve blood flow to the muscles.”

Most pre-workouts are intended for healthy adults in moderation. Pregnant and nursing women are generally advised to avoid them due to the high caffeine content.

Alternatives for improving athletic performance in kids

“Focus first on making sure you’re having quality workouts, then introduce healthy nutrition,” Dawkins says. “We want to make sure we’re getting that nutrition throughout the day. Especially if we’re working out multiple times throughout the day. If you’re working out within two to four hours, make sure you’re getting a snack. We see a lot of benefits for pre-workout snacks or snacks during half-time. We also want to make sure we’re staying adequately hydrated.”

Dawkins says leafy and root vegetables like spinach, lettuce and beets are a great, natural option.

“Those have the natural nitrate in it. So, we’re getting the same effects we would from a pre-workout supplement, just in our regular diet,” Dawkins adds.

Having a conversation with your child’s pediatrician or sports medicine physician is extremely important if you are wondering what supplements should or should not be added into their routine.

Video Interview Clips

For more than a decade working in infection prevention, Nicole Pirlot, RN, has seen her share of outbreaks. But nothing compares to the cyclosporiasis outbreak now sweeping across the Midwest.

In Michigan alone, thousands of people have become sick from the parasite this summer. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the state has reported 8,176 cyclosporiasis cases and 160 hospitalizations, as of July 24, with just over 600 cases reported in one day. About 2% of those cases have led to hospitalization.

“Normally, we see in Michigan about 50 cases a year of cyclosporiasis,” says Pirlot, an infection preventionist at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group in Escanaba, Michigan. “Most of those come from individuals who have traveled internationally in developing countries. We do see occasional cases locally in Michigan, but not at the extent we're seeing right now.”

Nine states now have related cases of diarrheal illness caused by iceberg lettuce contaminated with the microscopic cyclospora parasite, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On July 24, the CDC added Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania to the cyclosporiasis outbreak investigation. A total of 41 states has reported at least one case since May 1.

Pirlot says people become infected by ingesting the cyclospora parasite, usually through contaminated food or water. Fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, have been linked to outbreaks when it becomes contaminated. Scientists are still studying how long the parasite remains infectious under different temperatures, humidity, and agricultural conditions. This knowledge could improve prevention strategies.

Pirlot says symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, low-grade fever, cramping, bloating and increased gas, nausea and fatigue. “Studies show that you can start with symptoms two days to two weeks after eating,” Pirlot says.

Most healthy people will recover without long-term problems. However, it can last longer in people who are elderly, young children or people who are immuno-compromised. Seek medical attention if your symptoms become worse or you become dehydrated.

Cyclosporiasis is treatable with prescription antibiotics, so it's important to contact a health care provider if symptoms are severe or don't improve.

“(Especially) anyone who is feeling dehydrated, if they cannot keep their fluids up, starting to feel weak, multiple loose stools, or you're just not getting any better,” says Pirlot. “Come in, see your provider. They can help you out.” Consult with your medical provider to see if a virtual visit is an option.

Pirlot reminds people to always wash fruits and vegetables, which can reduce the risk of illness but won’t reduce the threat completely. Cooking food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit will help since heat destroys the parasite. For lettuce the recommendation is buying whole heads over chopped prepackaged kits and discarding those first outer layers before preparation.

“Good hand hygiene, washing those fruits and vegetables,” she adds. “Even if you're going to peel them, make sure you wash those skins and cook everything thoroughly. Use clean utensils. That way, you'll prevent all those other foodborne illnesses from undercooking and contaminated surfaces.”

Pirlot says the current outbreak serves as an important reminder that people can't control every source of contamination. The best defense is identifying symptoms early and seeking care when needed.

Interview Clips

Jeanna Brouwer, an outpatient oncology dietitian with the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, says understanding your vitamin D levels is one of the first steps in supporting your overall health during treatment. She emphasizes that vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, helps support bone health, immune function and recovery, making it a crucial part of cancer care.

"It's a pre-hormone, or a precursor to a hormone, that is like a 'master key in our body,'" Brouwer says, adding it helps regulate many important processes inside of you.

There are two forms of vitamin D: D2 and D3. Brouwer says the body utilizes vitamin D3 more efficiently than vitamin D2. Vitamin D3 is naturally found in animal-based foods, including fatty fish, and is generally more effective than vitamin D2 at raising and maintaining vitamin D levels.

Why vitamin D is important during cancer treatment

Brouwer says vitamin D is almost always a beneficial part of a person's cancer journey. If someone hasn't had a recent vitamin D blood test, she recommends having one ordered so a baseline can be established before determining whether a supplement is needed.

"When we're deficient, our body isn't functioning to the ideal level that we need it to," Brouwer says. "We don't have the ideal immune system that can help us during cancer treatment. So, if we're deficient, we want to start there and bring it up to a healthy level."

Brouwer also says studies show an association between adequate vitamin D status and better outcomes in certain cancers.

For some people, supplementation becomes even more important depending on their diagnosis and treatment plan.

"So, for example, prostate cancer patients; if you get put on something called ADT therapy, where it's blocking testosterone, that's going to alter our bone health. So, anybody put on that medication oftentimes (recommended by their oncology team) start supplementing with vitamin D and calcium," Brouwer says.

Supplementation can also help protect against osteopenia and osteoporosis.

People with pancreatic cancer can face a different challenge. Brouwer says pancreatic insufficiency can prevent the body from properly breaking down fat, leading to malabsorption. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, traditional vitamin D supplements may be less effective for some patients.

Choosing a supplement

Although sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, Brouwer says supplements are an excellent way to get the nutrient without spending long periods of time in the sun, which can increase the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.

She also understands that choosing the right supplement can be overwhelming.

In general, Brouwer recommends choosing vitamin D3 over D2. She says products containing vitamin K2 can also help direct calcium into the bones more effectively.

People should keep in mind that the amount of vitamin D found in many calcium supplements or multivitamins is often not enough to meet their daily needs.

Most people need between 1,000 and 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D each day, Brouwer says. Reaching that amount through food alone can be difficult. For example, it would take about 10 glasses of milk a day to provide that much vitamin D, which is not recommended.

For people taking multiple medications, pill burden is a real concern. Brouwer says liquid-filled or gel capsules are often easier to swallow. Vitamin D also comes in gummies which are more palatable for some people.

Some formulations may also improve absorption. Liposomal supplements contain fat, which helps the body absorb vitamin D more effectively. For people who have difficulty absorbing vitamin D through the digestive tract, such as some pancreatic cancer patients, liquid drops may be a better option.

"Doing a sublingual bypass anything in the gut area. You hold the liquid under your tongue for 30-60 seconds, and it's going to absorb into the tissue in the oral cavity," Brouwer says. "So, if you get drops that are liposomal, best of both worlds."

Look for third-party testing

Because dietary supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Brouwer encourages people to look for products that have undergone independent, third-party testing.

She recommends looking for certifications such as USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia) or NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) on the label to help verify a supplement's quality and contents.

Before starting any vitamin D supplement, talk with your oncology care team or health care provider. There are scenarios, such as high calcium levels caused by cancer, where taking supplemental vitamin D can be problematic. A simple blood test can determine whether you're deficient and help identify the supplement and dosage that's right for you.

Video Interview Clips

B-Roll

• Spoon feeding: We hear about toddlers in the high chair getting spoon fed solid food. Here comes the airplane! But can it work with infants? Sort of, Anderson says.
  
  “We can express that milk for mom. A lot of times we use hand expression, which is a very gentle way to do that. We do it right into a little plastic spoon. You hold the spoon up to baby’s mouth. They will stick their tongue out and kind of lap it up like a little puppy,” Anderson explains. “We’re not dumping it in their mouth and expecting them to swallow it. They need it in very small amounts to learn how to breathe while eating.”
   
• Cup feeding: It’s like spoon feeding but with a small medicine cup. Express the breastmilk into the cup, put the cup by the baby’s lower lip and let them lap up the nourishment.
   
• Dropper feeding: Express some breastmilk into a medicine dropper. Gently place the dropper in the corner of the baby’s mouth pointed toward their cheek, and squeeze out a tiny amount.
  
  “They’re getting breastmilk while not having to drink from a bottle. That can, in little bits, give baby the strength they need to latch onto mom’s breast [in the future],” Anderson says.
   
• Supplemental nursing system (SNS): Anderson says there are many reasons to use an SNS. For one, babies who might latch well at the breast lack the energy to actually get milk out by suckling. Birth is tiring, and they are sleepy. With an SNS, the baby still latches onto the breast, but there is a very small tube taped to the breast, aligned with the nipple. This allows the parent to provide milk from a syringe connected to the other end of the tube. 
  
  “We can still have mom holding baby and baby latching at the breast. We push milk through the tube very slowly. Baby is still suckling at the breast but getting milk from the tube,” Anderson outlines. “We can supplement without needing a bottle if that’s the parents’ preference.”

Learn more

Anderson says these alternatives are typically seen in the first few days, and mom and baby get the hang of feeding after that. But if problems persist, you can always talk to a lactation consultant. The OSF HealthCare website also has information about having a healthy pregnancy and birth. OSF also offers virtual breastfeeding support.

Photos

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Author's note: This is part one of a four part story on infant nutrition misconceptions. Read part two 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, an international board-certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, cuts through the noise.

• My baby needs water in addition to milk or formula.
  
  It’s a common thought, Anderson says. One, adults need water, so people assume infants do, too. And two, formula can involve mixing in water, so mothers think they need to do the same with breast milk.
  
  “Really, breast milk is about 80% water,” Anderson says. “It’s there. It’s complete nutrition. You’re not missing anything.”
  
  Anderson adds it’s actually dangerous to give water to babies under six months. They can overhydrate, leading to possible kidney damage. After six months, Anderson says to talk to a health care provider about introducing water. She says one to two ounces of water per day to help wash down solid food is common.
   
• Breastfeeding will make my breasts sag.
  
  Anderson says breast changes begin during pregnancy and are not solely a result of breastfeeding. Some women will notice their breasts are larger once they are full of milk, but there are more factors at play.
  
  “[During pregnancy], your hormones are changing a lot. Your ligaments are stretching. We’re getting ready for a baby,” Anderson explains. “Then you have your baby, and your milk starts to come in. Regardless of whether you breastfeed or formula feed, you’ll see some breast changes. It was those hormonal changes in pregnancy.

“[Breast changes] can also be related to your lifestyle,” she adds. “Smoking affects your skin health, and you can see that affect the breasts. It can be related to age or a family history [of health issues such as lupus and other autoimmune diseases].”

Anderson also says research has found breastfeeding can actually promote breast health. For example, it can reduce your breast cancer risk.

• I have small breasts, so I won’t have enough breast milk to keep my child nourished.
  
  Anderson retorts with an affirmation we’ve heard since childhood: It’s what’s on the inside that counts.
  
  “Size of the breast is not a factor in being able to breastfeed. What is a factor is the amount of milk glands in your body. We all have those milk glands. Size just relates to fatty tissue,” Anderson says.
  
  The only time size may come into play, Anderson says, is if a woman gets a breast reduction where milk glands are removed. In that case, talk to a health care provider about your options.

Learn more

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

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The death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham from an aortic dissection has brought renewed attention to a rare but life-threatening medical emergency that doctors say requires immediate diagnosis and treatment to improve the chance of survival.

An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the wall of the aorta, the body's largest artery, allowing blood to separate the layers of the vessel wall. Bill Novak, MD, a cardiologist at OSF HealthCare, says it’s like a crack in a pipe and it can get bigger and create a tear with increased pressure, including from high blood pressure. Although uncommon, with it occurring in about 3 to 3.5 per 100,0000 people, aortic dissection can quickly become fatal if it is not recognized and treated.

“The aorta is the main artery that leaves your heart, and if you have a tear in the aorta, it can be potentially life-threatening. It can cause a heart attack. It can cause stroke. It can cause heart failure, rupture of the aorta, and sudden death.”

Many aortic dissection symptoms overlap with other medical emergencies. Actor John Ritter died after his aortic dissection was misdiagnosed and it was treated as a heart attack.

Challenge to diagnose

"It's dangerous because it's relatively uncommon," says Dr. Novak. "It can sometimes be a challenge to diagnose since a lot of the symptoms overlap with heart attack and other conditions such as pulmonary embolism, and it's obviously a potentially life-threatening type of a problem."

Diagnosis requires immediate emergency imaging such as an MRI or an echocardiogram.

Anyone experiencing sudden, excruciating pain or other unexplained symptoms to seek emergency care immediately. Dr. Novak says while severe chest or back pain is often considered the hallmark symptom, people can also experience shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure or reduced blood flow to the arms or legs.

Treatment varies depending on the location and severity of the tear. Some patients require emergency surgery, either through an open surgical procedure or an endovascular approach, while others can be managed with medications (like beta-blockers) to strictly lower blood pressure and reduce the force of heart contractions. Surgery or stent placement may be needed if complications arise.

Dr. Novak says people at the greatest risk include older adults.

Know the risks

“How old you are is important. That increases your risk. If you smoke, that’s going to increase your risk and obviously treating your cholesterol is going to reduce the chance you’re going to develop certain types of plaque in your arteries which can also put you at a higher risk for having this problem.”

Senator Graham had a history of atherosclerosis (plaque build-up), also known as hardening of the arteries.

There are other people Dr. Novak points out who need to be monitored regularly, including those with conditions such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Loeys-Dietz syndrome which weaken blood vessel walls and are the primary cause of aortic dissection in younger individuals.

“If you do have some risk factors such as a bicuspid valve, connective tissue disease, or an aneurysm, those things do have to be monitored on a regular basis."

An aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in the wall of a blood vessel. While it can occur in any blood vessel, it most often develops in an artery rather than a vein. An aortic aneurysm is the most common type.

While aortic dissection remains relatively rare, physicians say the national attention surrounding Graham's death serves as a reminder that recognizing warning signs and seeking emergency medical care without delay can save lives. Also, family history is important. If you have a close relative who has suffered from an aortic aneurysm or sudden arterial dissection, early testing and genetic counseling can be lifesaving.

Dr. Bill Novak is a cardiologist at OSF Cardiovascular Institute in Bloomington.

Video clips with Dr. Bill Novak

High school athletes across the country are already feeling the heat as teams begin practices for several sports, including football, cross country and soccer.

While student athletes and coaches are anxious to get the season under way, experts say it’s important to stay safe, especially when it comes to practicing during the grueling August temperatures.

“The summer heat is very dangerous for so many different reasons, and it is important to know and identify those risk factors associated with heat related illnesses, particularly the athletes, their coaches and the staff who work with them,” says Faheem Ahmad, MD, a family practice physician with OSF HealthCare, who completed a fellowship in sports medicine.

According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, heat stroke is the third-most common cause of sudden death among high school athletes behind cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injuries. Already this year, a 16-year-old student athlete from Memphis, Tennessee, collapsed during football practice and died from organ failure caused by severe heat stroke. 

Dr. Ahmad says athletes can experience anything from feeling tired from heat exhaustion to symptoms of heat stroke, which can include fainting, loss of consciousness and a body temperature above 103.  

“Other signs include having headaches, feeling nausea, pains in the body, muscle cramps and then dry mouth is also one of the signs because dehydration and heat illness go hand in hand,” he says.

It’s also important to stay properly hydrated. Working out for more than an hour? Frequent water breaks are necessary and so are sports drinks. “I usually recommend sports drinks, because they do have the electrolytes required for you to replenish, because you lose sodium and other electrolytes when you sweat,” he says. He added that it’s important to hydrate four hours before a game or practice and continuing throughout the event.

But it’s not just the heat student athletes have to contend with over the next month. Injuries such as ankle sprains, pulled muscles and broken bones are another potential hazard as teams prepare for the upcoming season. In the U.S., more than 3.5 million injuries occur each year among the 30 million children and teens who participate in some form of organized sports.

“There is an increased incidence of ACL ruptures and ankle injuries, whether it be the ATFL (anterior talo-fibular ligament), which is one of the ligaments in the ankle. They tend to be injured more and require more intervention from medical personnel during the summer,” says Dr. Ahmad.

Regardless of the sport or activity, Dr. Ahmad says it’s important to have an emergency plan in place that everyone involved is familiar with. Emergency situations can happen at any time during practices and games. Knowing what to do and how to respond quickly, he says, are critical in giving athletes the best possible care in emergency situations.

“As an athlete, coach or trainer, you have to know the risk factors associated with all these conditions,” he says. “If you know that the UV index is going to be high, if you know the temperature in the dry air is going to be high, if you know that you are going to have a very humid day, try to avoid peak times for that day, because the peak of those temperature and risk factors will cause damage.”

Dr. Ahmad says the bottom line is this: don’t over train, know your limits and pay attention to any early symptoms of a potential health issue, whether it’s a headache, weakness, tingling or numbness. If you have any concerns, talk to your coaches and trainers as soon as possible.

The American Red Cross offers the following tips:

• Learn CPR, how to use an AED and how to treat heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Schedule practices early in the day or later in the evening and not during the hottest times of the day.
• Lower the intensity of practices until the athletes get used to the heat.
• Make sure players drink plenty of water to avoid muscle cramping or heat-related illness. Fluids should be consumed frequently during strenuous activity and within a half hour of training.
• Include warm-ups before strenuous exercise to help prevent injury.
• Plan frequent and longer breaks. Ideally, pause practice every 20 minutes for athletes to drink fluids and rest in the shade if possible.
• Reduce the amount of heavy equipment athletes wear in the extremely hot weather. Encourage lightweight, light-colored cotton T-shirts and shorts.
• Use the buddy system to encourage athletes to drink water and watch for signs of illness in their teammates.

Interview Clips 

If you break a leg or sprain an ankle during a basketball game, health care providers have a good idea what happened and how to treat it.

But if you have daily aches, pains and swelling in your legs, it will require some investigation.

Causes

Aman Khurana, MD, a vascular medicine physician who sees patients at OSF HealthCare, outlines common causes of leg pain. 

• Arterial disease
  
  “The arterial cause of leg pain is when people walk, and they get leg, calf, hip or thigh pain. That can be from less arterial flow down in the legs,” Dr. Khurana says. “When we walk, the muscles are demanding more blood. But because of blockages, blood doesn’t come.” 
   
• Venous disease
  
  “Venous pain brings heaviness, tiredness and fatigue. Varicose veins and leg discoloration are signs of venous disease,” Dr. Khurana explains. “That pain seems to get better when you lay flat or with your legs up.” 
   
• Arthritis, or inflammation of a joint
   
• Nerve issues
  
  “We have large nerves that go down from the back,” Dr. Khurana explains. When those nerves are irritated, it can cause a condition called sciatica. “Then there’s small vessel nerve pain that causes tingling and numbness in the feet.”

Wounds, such as those associated with diabetes, and lymphedema, a condition where fluid builds up causing swelling, can also contribute to these problems.

Diagnosis and treatment

Dr. Khurana recommends seeing a provider at the first sign of leg pain. He says it’s hard for people to pinpoint the problem, and waiting can make it worse.

A provider, he says, could check the blood pressure in your arms and legs to gauge blood flow and run a test to check for vein leakage.

“Veins have valves. When blood goes up, the valve should close. Some valves don’t close right. Blood goes up, and it keeps coming down. That’s how you have the heaviness, tiredness and swelling in the legs,” associated with venous disease, Dr. Khurana says. You could be given compression stockings for this problem.

Other treatments include medication, a device (such as a lymphedema pump that massages the legs and aids blood flow to the heart) or an ablation procedure to stop the blood flow in the problematic vein.

Prevention

How do I keep my legs moving? Dr. Khurana repeats advice many doctors have given. Daily healthy habits that prevent cardiovascular disease will help prevent leg issues.

• Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and chronic conditions like diabetes in check.
   
• Don’t smoke. 
   
• Exercise and eat a healthy diet to avoid obesity. When your weight impacts your ability to get around, Dr. Khurana says, it’s definitely time to see a provider.
   
• Know your family history of health issues, and bring these up to your provider at your regular checkups.

Interview clips

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Jetting off to college brings excitement. New friendships and professional opportunities await.

But it also brings the obligation of taking care of your health without a parent’s watchful eye. Dorm buffets, sugary drinks and sleeping in all the time can lead to your clothes feeling tighter and your self-esteem feeling lower.

So what’s the scoop on the so-called freshman 15? How big of a problem is weight gain in college? How can you prevent it?

First things first: Rachel Bult, a supervisor dietitian at OSF HealthCare, says it’s more like three to 10 pounds weight gain in the first year on average, not 15. But the issue is still worth paying attention to.

“You add more calories than you intend to,” with food options in college, Bult says. “Also, stress and lack of sleep can cause increased cravings for sweets and comfort foods.”

Some tips to consider:

• Exercise portion control. Remember the saying “Are your eyes bigger than your stomach?”
   
• If you’re on a meal plan that means buffet meals every day, go to a healthier station first. Start with a salad and a vinaigrette dressing, Bult suggests. Non-starchy vegetables as your side can provide fiber. Protein like chicken, fish, beans, chickpeas and tofu will help keep you full.
   
• For exercise, find movement you enjoy. Don’t approach it as a chore. If you like pickleball, find a local league.
   
• Keep healthy snacks, not junk food, at arm’s reach.
  
  “When I was in college, I would have a protein smoothie in the morning to help fill me up,” Bult recalls. “But you could also keep fruit, string cheese, unsalted nuts or bell peppers with hummus. Just things that are healthier and quicker to grab and go.”
   
• Smartphone apps can be a short-term tool to get you on the right track, Bult says. Apps can track what you’re eating, your daily steps and more.
  
  “Those can help you understand the nutritional value of what you’re consuming,” Bult says.
   
• Talk to your primary care provider or a dietitian if you need guidance. Research what your local school, health system or social service groups offer.

Learn more

The OSF HealthCare website has healthy recipes.

Interview clips

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound made from three amino acids. Your liver, kidneys and pancreas produce it, and it's also found in foods like red meat.

While your body makes creatine on its own, and you can get some through your diet, those amounts typically aren't enough to provide the performance benefits seen with supplementation.

Best known for helping muscles work harder during high-intensity exercise, creatine is one of the most researched sports nutrition supplements available. The most studied form is creatine monohydrate, which has been shown to improve exercise performance and increase lean muscle mass when paired with resistance training.

"There are three different forms that creatine can come in. It can come in a pill (capsule form), it can come in gummy form, or a powder form. There are different types of creatine; the most well-studied form is creatine monohydrate," says Gabrielle Raucci, outpatient clinical oncology dietitian with OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. "All the studies we've seen say the best form is going to be powder. It's better absorbed by your body, and you can just take a scoop of it, add it to water and shake it up really well."

Most adults who choose to supplement should aim for about three to five grams per day, Raucci says.

Emerging research also suggests creatine may have benefits beyond muscle health. Recent studies have found promising evidence that it may help support brain energy metabolism and cognitive function, although researchers say more studies are needed to understand its long-term effects in healthy adults.

For people with cancer, however, timing matters.

"The main thing we focus on is that if you're undergoing an active treatment, like chemotherapy or immunotherapy, the kidneys can sometimes take a hit with those treatments. When your body breaks down creatine, it breaks it into a byproduct called creatinine," Raucci says. "When your oncologists are closely looking at your blood levels, we wouldn't want to take a supplement that could potentially bump your creatinine. So, make sure to talk with your care team if you're on an active treatment and you want to use one of these supplements. Because it could potentially affect your kidneys."

For cancer survivors who have completed treatment, creatine may be an option to help rebuild muscle mass, particularly when combined with regular strength training.

"If you're in survivorship and are looking to build your lean body mass up, it could be a safe supplement," Raucci says. "Check with your care team, they'll double-check your medications and see if it's something to build yourself up after treatment."

As with any supplement, people undergoing cancer treatment or managing other medical conditions should talk with their health care team before starting creatine to ensure it's appropriate for their individual situation.

Video Interview Clips

B-Roll

Cyclosporiasis, caused by the parasite cyclospora, has made headlines this summer, as investigators work to identify its source. 

"It is a microscopic parasite. So, you can't see it with the naked eye," says Sharjeel Ahmad, MD, an infectious disease doctor with OSF HealthCare. "It causes an infection of the small intestine and produces a diarrheal illness."

As of July 14, nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states are under investigation, with 141 people hospitalized, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “This is substantially higher than the 249 cases reported nationally by this same time last year,” the CDC points out. Many of these cases are not connected to the Taylor Farms outbreak, which the CDC lists as having more than 1,644 cases as of Monday, July 20.

Michigan has reported the most cases so far, with health officials there recently identifying lettuce as a possible source.

How does cyclospora spread?

Unlike other gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus, cyclosporiasis does not spread from person to person. Instead, the parasite must mature in the environment before it becomes infectious, a process that can take up to a week, Dr. Ahmad says.

"It's beginning at the farm," Dr. Ahmad says, adding that it spreads through fecal matter contaminating the soil and water, which then passes on to the food being grown.

Common foods affected are leafy greens like lettuce, as well as herbs, melons and berries.

"When the running water for irrigation gets contaminated, then the soil gets contaminated while you're growing raw produce," Dr. Ahmad adds. "It's meant to be consumed raw, but things like berries and lettuce have a big surface area with crinkles, cracks and crevices."

Contamination can also occur during harvesting if workers do not properly wash their hands after using the restroom.

How to reduce your risk

Wash each piece of produce individually.

"Washing may not make the risk go down to zero, but that's your best bet. Wash your hands first before you wash the products and then wash them individually," Dr. Ahmad says. "That will give you the most effective protection. Take the berries individually and washing them will help more than anything."

Refrigerating or freezing the products does not kill the parasite. Only cooking produce to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter can kill it. Chemical washes and vinegar are not guaranteed to eliminate the parasite. Don’t use bleaches or other cleaners with your food, as they can cause health problems.

People who are pregnant or immunocompromised should be especially cautious, Dr. Ahmad says. During this time, Dr. Ahmad recommends that such people only eat leafy greens after they have been thoroughly cooked.

Cyclosporiasis symptoms to look out for

While explosive diarrhea has received the most attention, it is not the only symptom of cyclosporiasis. Other symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Cramping
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Headaches
• Weight loss

Symptoms may come and go, meaning you may feel better for a period before they return, and they can last anywhere from a few days to a month.

Treatment options currently available

Treatment includes staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and replacing lost electrolytes. An antibiotic called Bactrim, the brand name for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, can be prescribed to kill the parasite and relieve symptoms.

Healthy adults may eventually clear the infection on their own as the immune system fights off the parasite. However, if your symptoms are severe, Dr. Ahmad recommends contacting your primary care provider to discuss testing. Routine stool tests do not screen for cyclospora, so a specialized test must be ordered.

Dr. Ahmad expects cases to continue increasing over the next few weeks before gradually declining. Historically, most cyclospora infections are reported between May and August, but this year is a much bigger outbreak than usual.

Video Interview Clips

Few beverages spark as much debate as diet soda. One week it’s linked to a new health concern, the next it’s defended as a helpful substitute for sugary drinks. So, what’s the truth?

Despite many studies and plenty of opinions, the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. Health experts say for most people, an occasional diet soda isn’t going to hurt you – but it also shouldn’t be a substitute for healthier beverages like water.

One thing is certain: more research is needed, especially on diet soda's impact on dementia risk. A recent study published by the Journals of Alzheimer's Disease, shows an association. The results question a potential increased dementia risk associated with frequent consumption of diet soda.

Another recent unpublished study suggested a possible link between daily diet soda consumption and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, experts warn that unpublished research isn’t conclusive and doesn’t prove that diet soda causes liver disease.

“I thought it was rather interesting, because when I did research on it, and looking into more medical articles and reliable sources, it actually found that it was inconclusive whether or not diet soda increased the risk,” says Erin Wojewodzki, APRN, a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare.

While research continues, most experts agree that moderate diet soda consumption is generally fine for healthy adults. The bigger issue is what else is happening in a person’s diet and lifestyle.

People may choose diet soda over regular soda to help manage blood sugar levels, lower the risk of tooth decay or manage weight. But diet soda typically lacks ingredients that your body needs. That’s when it’s time to turn to other options such as water, sparkling water, seltzer, skim milk, and unsweetened tea or coffee.

Wojewodzki says it’s important to meet her patients where they are when it comes to trying to reduce diet soda consumption. “We have to look at the patient as a whole,” she says. “If you're essentially healthy but you like to drink 10 diet cokes a day, let's work together.”

Wojewodzki adds recommendations can change depending on a person’s overall health. Someone dealing with obesity or Type 2 diabetes, for example, may require a different plan than someone who is not.

Nicole O’Neill is a dietitian with OSF HealthCare. Like Wojewodzki, she agrees with the adage ‘everything in moderation.’

“I personally like the idea of a diet soda for a good majority of my patient population,” she says. “So, if you can take a high-calorie regular soda and replace it with a non-calorie diet soda, it gives you a calorie deficit that leads to weight loss. One or two, I'm OK with that.”

There are other factors to think about, according to Wojewodzki. “Diet does play a big role,” she says. “Are we eating healthy? Are we eating out a lot? Are we eating fast food? Are we eating a lot of sugar, a lot of unhealthy food? We need to be taking care of our body and eating healthy and exercising as well.”

Unhealthy cravings

O’Neill concurs – people who drink diet sodas tend to crave other unhealthy treats at the same time.

“Most people want a diet soda with something like peanut M&Ms, pizza, a cheeseburger,” says O’Neill. “If you're drinking a diet soda and it's just a drink, it's not a big deal. But if every time you have a diet soda, you want a bag of chips, I would say we need to talk about alternatives.”

For people who are trying to cut back on their diet soda, O’Neill offers a few tips. Try substituting diet soda with sparkling water, flavored seltzer or unsweetened tea. Gradually reduce caffeine instead of going cold turkey. And determine what your triggers are – like certain times of the day that make you reach for a can of diet soda.

“We have to find alternatives, though, and it really is person specific,” says O’Neill. “If you hate water, we were going to try some water flavoring. If you hate water flavorings, because it's also got some artificial sweetener in it, maybe we talk about fruit infusions or herbs or something, just to give your water flavor.”

Zero sugar soda also contains no sugar or calories but is often formulated to taste more like the original sugary version. It may use a blend of sweeteners, such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium or sucralose, depending on the brand. Health experts don’t consider one category healthier than the other. The same advice applies to both.

Wojewodzki says there’s no magic drink for better health. Whether you drink diet soda occasionally or every day, the bigger picture is what’s important. Eat a balanced diet, stay active and make water your primary drink of choice.

Nicole O'Neill interview clips

Erin Wojewodzki interview clips

B-roll

As summer temperatures climb, pharmacists say the heat can do more than make people uncomfortable – it can also reduce the effectiveness of medications and increase the risk of dehydration and other heat-related health problems.

Lisa Heiken, PharmD, a pharmacist, medications exposed to extreme temperatures can lose their effectiveness, particularly those that require refrigeration, such as insulin.

Any medication, if it's left in extreme temperatures, can degrade the effectiveness. Heiken says that includes over-the-counter meds such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, or supplements such as vitamin C or magnesium.

She adds that heat and cold can damage refrigerated medications, making them potentially less effective when patients need them most.

Many people also unknowingly store medications in one of the worst possible places – the bathroom. Although medicine cabinets are common, the humidity created by showers can break down tablets and capsules over time.

Don’t use a medicine cabinet

“A lot of bathrooms unfortunately do have medicine cabinets, and we don’t recommend you leave medication in the medicine cabinet as those rooms tend to have high humidity and the humidity is what breaks down medication.”

Instead, she recommends storing medications in a cool, dry location elsewhere in the home, such as a hallway closet.

Summer errands can also put medications at risk.

“Like leaving your child in the car, same with your medications. Your medications can be affected, even by short times in extreme temperatures so we do recommend that if you’re stopping by the pharmacy that you make your next stop at home, especially if you have refrigerated medications.”

Heiken advises anyone who accidentally leaves medication in a hot car not to throw it away immediately. Instead, patients should contact their pharmacist, who can assess factors such as how long the medication was exposed to heat and whether it may still be safe and effective to use.

Meds can make you vulnerable to heat/sun

Beyond proper storage, some medications can make people more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

“A lot of heart and blood pressure medication can cause people to become dehydrated faster or dizziness as a side effect in general and so when you add heat and dehydration on top of that, that obviously will compound that problem,” Heiken explains.

Heiken encourages anyone taking antibiotics and certain other medications, to make sure to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing or stay out of the sun because the drugs can make you more sensitive to sunlight.

Bottom line, Heiken says, don’t blow off a discussion with the pharmacist when you begin taking a new medication.

“Opting into the counseling will allow you to better understand your medication and prevent future issues like dehydration and dizziness.”

As temperatures remain high throughout the summer, Heiken said a few simple precautions — proper storage, staying hydrated and understanding medication side effects — can help keep medications effective and people safe.

Lisa Heiken is the manager of OSF Eastland Pharmacy in Bloomington, Illinois.

Video clips of Lisa Heiken

B-roll-Medication and weather

Mental health care starts with a first step, but that first step can be intimidating. Maybe you don’t want to let others know what you’re dealing with, or you’ve heard about friends having poor experiences while seeing a mental health provider.

Susan Hanson, DSW, LCPC, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare, is debunking misconceptions about therapy so you can feel comfortable and get the most out of your care.

• Myth: Seeing a therapist is scary.
  
  Fact: “People quickly learn it’s a safe place to talk about trials, tribulations and conflicts. It’s a very warm and inviting place,” Hanson says. She adds that even group therapy shouldn’t be intimidating. Group work can help build empathy and a sense of belonging. When you see others going through the same issues, you can often feel less alone.
   
• Myth: My private health information is at risk of becoming public.
  
  Fact: Hanson says this comes up often with her patients. They don’t want to talk about certain things with friends and family, but they’re also wary of talking with a provider. Hanson reassures that all health care providers abide by confidentiality and use software that keeps your information secure and private. She says the only reasons a provider must breach that confidentiality is if the person is a danger to harm themself or others or if there is evidence of child endangerment.
   
• Myth: I’ll be back to normal after just a few sessions.
  
  Fact: It’s usually not a quick fix, Hanson says. Therapy is something you need to buy into and stick with. Success is often seen after awareness, acceptance and internal structural changes in terms of emotional regulation and setting healthy boundaries.
  
  “Some people can come in and have a quick fix. Maybe they’re nervous about moving. Or they have test-taking anxiety, and we can work through skills for that,” Hanson says. “But many other people have more complex trauma that might take longer to work through.”
   
• Myth: Medication will fix me, and therapy is an easy way to get it.
  
  Fact: Hanson stresses that mental health care providers are not medication dispensaries, nor will medication alone likely heal you.
  
  “Sometimes medication is appropriate if there’s a biological basis [an issue innate within someone’s body, in other words], complex trauma or a diagnosis like ADHD or major depression. The medication can help enhance the talk therapy,” Hanson explains. She adds that a therapist can put a timeline on things. If, for example, anxiety symptoms aren’t improving after a few sessions, the provider could look into medications that could help.
   

• Myth: I’ll see my therapist then go back to normal life.

  Fact: Hanson says you have to put what you learn at therapy into practice. Common activities outside of a session include journaling, meditation, grounding exercises and finding a trusted person who you can go to if, for example, you’re having an anxiety attack. Some of Hanson’s patients have also benefitted from emotional support animals, she says.
  
  “Reframing thoughts around a certain situation can be a good goal. Learn positive word choices. Rewrite the story around a situation,” Hanson says. Reducing anxiety is another big goal she’s seen with patients.
  
  “Therapy is not a straight road. I like to see it like a dance. Two steps forward, one step back,” Hanson adds. “I also tell my clients that this bridge will take you halfway there. The rest, you walk alone. There’s only so much any one person can do for another person. We need to learn how to develop some of the skills outside of a therapy session.”

Learn more

Read more about mental and behavioral health care on the OSF HealthCare website. Mental health care at OSF includes providers like Hanson on the local level and the to-be-built Meadowview Behavioral Hospital in Peoria, Illinois, for people who need a higher level of care.

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Why this is important

Lindstrom says the liver plays a critical role in our metabolism.

“It helps process nutrients, break down fats and medications and detox alcohol. It’s also important in regulating blood sugar and cholesterol,” she explains.

Fatty liver, where healthy cells turn into fatty cells that can’t do their job as well, is a common problem with the organ. It impacts around one in three people and is the top reason for women having liver transplants in the United States, Lindstrom says. Excessive alcohol use, hepatitis C, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance can all contribute to fatty liver.

“The troubling thing with fatty liver is that most of the time, people don’t have symptoms,” Lindstrom warns. Unchecked fatty liver could lead to liver scarring, liver failure and even death.

Learn more

Read more about gastrointestinal health on the OSF HealthCare website.

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Let’s face it. Back pain is no fun. Millions of people suffer from some type of back discomfort and will try anything to find relief. But one the best paths to getting some relief may be an old standby – walking.

Walking might strengthen your muscles, improve your posture and stabilize your back – all of which can help lessen pain, reduce flare-ups and prevent future problems.

Back pain is very common, says Brittni Zick, a physical therapist for OSF HealthCare. It can impact anyone of any age for a variety of reasons.

“Maybe there was an injury in the past, or poor posture is usually a big reason for it,” she says. “Or it’s the type of work that people do if they're bending and lifting a lot. It's one of the most common things I see as a physical therapist.” 

Zick adds that walking increases blood flow, which is important because tissue in your back can get irritated. By walking, blood circulates to those areas, helping heal the tissue and help alleviate pain. 

Experts say walking prevents back pain by strengthening the spine and muscles, and by promoting relaxation and stress relief, though the exact reason isn’t known. There have been studies done that show people who walk regularly have fewer problems with back pain and go longer between occurrences.

“When you think about what's causing back pain, the cause of back pain is too much pressure on the spine, and the cure is to offload pressure,” says Zick. “And walking does that by swinging your arms big strides, the twist and the torso helps to unload the spine and give pressure relief.”

As good as walking is for your back, a lack of physical activity is just as bad. On the flip side, too little movement – like sitting all day – can weaken spinal muscles and can lead to misalignment, pain and fatigue. Whether at a desk or on the couch, staying in one position can take a toll. It’s important to change position and get your body moving to improve your circulation and blood flow.

“Sometimes we get busy and focused on what we're doing, and we find ourselves sitting in a flexed, poor posture position,” says Zick. “So, you want to take some stretch breaks. Arch your back a little. You might get up, move around to just take some of that pressure off. And if you can, try to get a walk in.”

For long-term back pain management, a regular walking routine of 20 to 30 minutes at a time doesn’t only help fight back pain but also increases endurance and improves your mood.

But Zick says don’t try to squeeze in all 30 minutes in at once, at least to start. She recommends breaking up the time into different parts of your day – for example, 10 minutes in the morning, 10 at lunch and another 10 minutes at night might just be the best route to take.

“A walking program should be started gradually. Start off with just a couple minutes, take a rest for about an hour, try to do another couple of minutes every hour,” Zick says. “Then you're going to shorten that time to where you're working up toward walking 30 minutes a day. Eventually you would want to start walking three times a day for 30 minutes.” 

Zick says it’s important to make walking a daily priority. Don’t think of it as a chore but as a fun activity that can help you feel better. It helps maintain a healthy weight and improves blood pressure. Regular walking is also good for better sleep, improved memory and lowering the risk of depression.

Before starting any type of walking program, however, make sure to consult with your medical provider first.

Interview Clips 

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Calves

It’s a “same song, different verse” situation for injuries to your calf muscles that sit in the back of your lower leg. Delaney says sports that involve sprinting or a sudden direction change are breeding grounds for calf injuries.

“We see it in baseball and softball outfielders. The ground might be uneven. You might hit the ground just right that you’re going to feel that calf tighten up,” leading to a sharp pain or cramp-type pain, Delaney says.

Health care providers also grade these injuries one, two or three, with three being a severe rupture. Like hamstrings, Delaney says the calf muscles can heal themselves with time and rehab.

“With calves, you can immobilize [the patient]. At times, I may treat an athlete with a controlled ankle motion boot [CAM boot] to immobilize and give that calf muscle more of a rest,” Delaney says. “With hamstrings, you can just put them on crutches and be non-weight bearing for a short time.”

Delaney says a grade one calf injury is typically two to four weeks of rehab. Grade two is four to six weeks. And a grade three complete rupture can take up to 12 weeks to heal.

Prevention

For prevention of these injuries, “dynamic” is the word of the day. As in, dynamic warmups before competition. Gone are the days of just touching your toes. Delaney has her athletes combine dynamic and static stretches before a practice or game. This might mean a light job around the baseball field to warm up the muscles.

“A lot of athletes can feel these injuries coming on,” Delaney points out. “So back off and modify your activity. Cross training also helps. My long distance runners may go to the pool and work out. Weight training can help.”

Coaches and parents should also keep an eye on young athletes for signs they need a break. Talk to a professional to know the right way to treat injuries at home. You don’t want to apply heat when you should be applying ice, for example. And, empower the youngsters to speak up when they’re hurt.

Learn more

Read more about keeping your body in top shape on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

Read more from OSF athletic trainer Brittany Delaney here.

“It’s terrifying,” says Jawad Javed, MD, professor of Clinical Pediatrics with University of Illinois College of Medicine-Peoria (UICOMP) and the Division Head/Medical Director of Neonatology with OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Nearly 800 babies are admitted into the NICU at OSF Children’s Hospital in Peoria every year. The hospital receives families from the surrounding area, as well as up to more than an hour away.

Many families in these areas live in what’s referred to as a health care “desert,” especially when it comes to labor and delivery services.

"We are the largest neonatal center between Chicago and St. Louis. It is a critically important piece, because babies that are in Central Illinois, get to stay in Central Illinois. We cover about 30 counties surrounding our hospital facility," Dr. Javed says.

And when it comes to NICU babies, it takes a village to nurture them to full health.

OSF Children’s Hospital has 140 specialists who work around the clock taking care of these smallest patients, some weighing barely more than a soda can. This includes staff physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, neonatal dietitians, neonatal pharmacists, respiratory therapists, lactation and feeding consultants, speech and physical therapy specialists, plus case managers who help every step of the way.  

Having these resources in place is what has led OSF Children’s Hospital to receive Level IV NICU status. Level four is the highest level possible as designated by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

"Essentially, a Level 4 NICU provides full, comprehensive medical and surgical care and services that an infant would need. We provide ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), we provide cardiac care, cardiac surgery care, general surgical care, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics…" Dr. Javed says. "In addition to that, we provide the broad spectrum of pediatric subspecialties."

Additional subspecialities available: 

· Home nasogastric (NG) feeding program

· Neonatal simulation and education programs

· Telemedicine support for regional hospitals

· Quality improvement initiatives

· Family-centered development follow-up programs

Dr. Javed says admission into the NICU is one of the most stressful times for families.

"That first hour is so critical for the health, maintenance and success that's going to set up the rest of that child's life," he emphasizes. "Going to a center that has qualified, specialized neonatologists or neonatal care, you know that if things don't go as planned, there is a team that is ready to address those issues head-on and help that child be successful. That's why the NICU is so important."

While Peoria is home to OSF Children's Hospital, OSF Mission Partners are trained, staffed and ready at hospitals across the OSF Ministry to provide the best care possible for parents and babies alike. 

"We have neonatologists and nurse practitioners that are positioned in Galesburg, Bloomington and Danville that help implement the oversight of that care," Dr. Javed says. Nurse practitioners across the Ministry also come to OSF Children's Hospital for specialized training, taking what they've learned back to their home hospitals. 

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois is an academic medical center as well. There's a lot of research and quality improvement work that's done, putting OSF on par with big centers around the country. Dr. Javed helped establish the Neonatal Fellowship Program and served as its founding Program Director. The fellowship recently celebrated its third graduating class.

Research is a major component of the academic work. Dr. Javed says OSF is prioritizing things like virtual reality and simulation, creating 4D delivery rooms to help train future physicians. There is also ongoing work in using artificial intelligence tools to help identify infants at risk for complications and support clinical decision-making. There's currently a project looking at predictive models for premature infants who might have early eye condition that can affect vision.

Not only is OSF Children’s Hospital the top-ranked NICU center in Central Illinois, it’s also one of the most well-recognized institutions across the country.

"This past year, we joined the Children's Hospital Neonatal Consortium. This is a group of nearly 50 centers in the country that have very comprehensive level IV NICUs," Dr. Javed says. Additionally, the NICU at OSF Children’s Hospital has been part of the Vermont Oxford Network (VON), a global community of more than 1,400 neonatal centers, since 1992.

Dr. Javed summarized, "Every family that walks through our doors is experiencing one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Our mission is to provide the highest level of care close to home, so families can focus on what matters most; helping their baby grow, heal and thrive."

To learn more about the NICU services available across the OSF Ministry, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Video Interview Clips

NICU B-Roll

The America 250 series highlights organizations whose stories reflect how innovation and purpose have shaped the nation. For USA Today, OSF HealthCare stood out as a health care system that mirrors America’s broader journey – steadfast in values, yet willing to rethink what’s possible.

“What makes this moment so meaningful is that it captures the full arc of who we are,” said Michelle Conger, chief executive officer of OSF HealthCare. “We are deeply rooted in a legacy of service, and at the same time we’re building new models of care that expand access, improve outcomes and meet people wherever they are.”

That balance is on display throughout the documentary, which features scenes from across the OSF Ministry, highlighting innovations that illustrate how OSF HealthCare is addressing one of the country’s most pressing challenges: ensuring high‑quality care reaches patients in both urban and rural communities.

For Sister Judith Ann Duvall, O.S.F., who formerly served as major superior of the Sisters and chairperson of the OSF HealthCare Boards, the recognition is deeply personal.

“For 150 years, the story of OSF has been about responding to the needs of the time with faith and trust in God’s providence,” Sister Judith Ann said. “To see that story recognized as part of America’s history is profoundly humbling and deeply affirming.”

She views the documentary as a bridge between generations – the founding Sisters who arrived in Illinois with little more than conviction, and today’s Mission Partners who carry that same spirit into laboratories, operating rooms, clinics and virtual care platforms.

“The Sisters never set out to build an institution or a legacy. They set out to serve people who were sick, poor and often forgotten,” Sister Judith Ann said. “My hope is that people who watch this don’t just see what OSF HealthCare has done over 150 years, but what’s possible when faith, service and innovation are held together for the good of all.”

Two pediatric trauma leaders at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria are sounding the alarm on the rapid rise of severe injuries tied to e-bikes and e-scooters, emphasizing that the high-speed, heavy devices should be treated more like motorcycles than bicycles, especially for kids.

Charles Aprahamian, MD, FAAP, FACS, surgeon-in-chief at OSF Children’s Hospital says with the rise of battery-powered devices, surgeons have seen an increase in injuries, especially among children ages 10 to 15.

“The speeds that can be achieved, especially at 28 miles per hour, 25 miles per hour, it becomes more like a motorcycle and not a bicycle. The injuries you see with e-bikes versus bicycles because of the increased speed are much more severe – higher chance of broken limbs, head injury and spine injury. So, it can be quite severe,” he points out. 

Locally, the hospital has not recorded deaths tied to these devices, but doctors have seen significant life-altering injuries, including permanent traumatic brain injuries and permanent walking impairments. Paul Jeziorczak, MD, MPH, trauma medical director for OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois, says e-bike and e-scooter incidents are starting to overtake other leading causes of serious injury in kids and young adults.

Added weight adds risk

Dr. Jeziorczak says e-bikes’ added mass are a major risk factor.

The battery on e-bikes adds 40 to 100 pounds. So, for a teenager under that bike, they’re not getting up from under it. Dr. Jeziorczak adds that the lower-mounted batteries and motors create a low, heavy center.

“Because of that added weight, the crash becomes more significant. So, you can get entangled and trapped, and that added weight can cause more injuries that a normal bike wouldn’t.” 

Orthopedic surgeons have begun using a stark term for one pattern they’re seeing. The orthopedic community coined the term ‘Lime bike leg’ Dr. Jeziorzak says, referring to severe fractures associated with shared and rental e-bikes, including from a company known as Lime.

“If you misstep or try to pedal, that weight can really put a lot of force on the two lower bones in your leg – the tibia and fibula. We’re seeing a lot more open injuries where the bone is actually coming out through the leg, causing a lot of soft tissue skin damage, needing a lot more reconstruction. 

Both physicians stress that a lack of experience and control – rather than car impacts – is driving many crashes.

“I think e-bike accidents and scooter accidents are most commonly seen when they’re going fast and lose control and cause injury versus somebody else hitting them,” Dr. Aprahamian observes. “They’re not experienced with either the speed, rules of the road, when to yield, the importance of wearing a helmet – versus what you would go through to have a license.” 

Factors like riding at night in dark clothing and wearing headphones amplify danger, he adds.

Wear protective gear

Protective gear, they say, changes the odds. For faster e-bikes, some of the recommendations are to wear full face shields. But at the very least, a helmet is important.

Age appropriateness matters. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants children to be 16 or over for devices capable of speeds over 20 miles per hour. Illinois is also tightening the rules. A state law that takes effect in January 2027 recognizes e-bike classes by speed and assist type: Class one and two top out at 20 miles per hour. The law says 15 years old is the youngest that you can use those devices. Class three is anything 28 miles per hour or above, and you need a driver’s license and must be 16 years old – similar to a motorcycle.

The physicians caution that risks extend beyond crashes to the batteries themselves.

Dr. Jeziorczak emphasizes there have been similar reports of fires that occurred with hoverboards.

“So, if there are any issues with that battery, the recommendations are not to plug it in and go to sleep in your house because they can start on fire. If you smell smoke or something weird when it’s charging, the breaker in your house is tripping, don’t try to proceed and ignore those sorts of things because they have caused significant burn injuries from setting your house on fire.” 

He also warns the batteries can degrade over time and stresses the importance of using the cord that came with the device. Using third-party cords and third-party devices can lead to batteries exploding and fires.

Neither doctor wants to ban fun. They want families to recalibrate risk. Education from parents and families about how these bikes are used is very important.

Key takeaways for families:

• Treat e-bikes and e-scooters like motor vehicles, not toys. Follow age and speed guidelines.
• Always wear a certified helmet. For higher-speed models, consider a full-face helmet and additional protective gear.
• Increase visibility and attention. Avoid dark clothing at night and skip headphones while riding.
• Understand weight and speed. Heavier, faster devices cause more severe injuries, including” Lime bike leg” open fractures.
• Charge safely. Use only manufacturer-approved chargers. Don’t charge while sleeping, and stop immediately if you notice heat, odor, smoke, or breaker trips.

Video clips with Dr. Charles Aprahamian

Video clips with Dr. Paul Jeziorczak

B-roll-E-scooters-bikes

Author's note: this is part of a multi-part series on the parent-teenager relationship. In the coming weeks, search the OSF Newsroom for Sara Bennett to find all the stories in this series.



Leaving for college or the workforce is one of the most momentous times in a young person’s life. But it’s stressful for parents too. Imagine dropping your only child off three states away, becoming an empty nester in the process. You’d probably shed a tear too.

Sara Bennett, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare, reminds you: these feelings are normal, and you’re not alone.

“Anytime we have an adjustment period, it’s hard. We have a lot of mixed emotions,” Bennett says. “Parents are really excited for their kids to go to college and have these opportunities. But at the same time, it’s kind of sad. You start reflecting on how much time you’ve spent with these kids and how fast it’s gone. So, there’s sadness, happiness, excitement and uncertainty. There are a lot of emotions.”

The transition can be even tougher if you come from a tight-knit family or a small-town high school where everyone knows everyone.

Luckily, there are ways to navigate the rough waters.

Tactics for a successful transition

• Parents should be open with their kids about how they’re feeling.
  
  “I’m excited for you, but this is hard for me. I’m going to miss you,” Bennett suggests as one phrase to use.
   
• Set expectations.
  
  It’s a very important conversation to have, Bennett says. Is the child expected to maintain certain grades? What happens if they don’t? How can they stay safe but have fun on the weekends? If that partying puts them in a tight spot, when should they call their parents for help? When should they work it out on their own? When and how often should each call or visit each other? An unexpected knock on the dorm room door from mom and dad would probably be a jolt to the system.
  
  “I expect you to attend your classes. If you oversleep a time or two, that’s fine,” Bennett says, relaying another phrase parents can use. “But a lot of times, mom and dad are footing the bill for this. So, they have some skin in the game. You just want your kid to do well. You want them to be successful. Building habits in college continues that success pattern. The student can carry that through their adult years.”
  
  Another scenario: colleges often have parent weekends once or twice a school year. Tell your child ahead of time that you’d like to visit. Brainstorm things to do.
  
  Parents should also have expectations. If the young adult gets good grades and stays out of trouble, maybe the parents give them space or even a reward.
   
• Create a cheat sheet of campus resources. That way the child knows where to go for things like mental health care, career coaching and social clubs. Bennett says finding like-minded friends in college can help the child feel connected to home.
   
• Be prepared to experience different cultures. The student might come from a small town where everyone speaks the same language, has the same religion and eats the same food. Then, they go to a big college and are exposed to much more diversity.
  
  “How are they going to be open and respectful to new experiences and still hold on to who they are?” Bennet ponders.

Seeing a mental health provider

If emotions surrounding a child leaving the nest are too much to bear and they’re impacting your daily life, Bennett says to consider seeing a mental health provider. Parents and teens can do that together or separately, or group sessions are sometimes offered. But again, the key is to make the move in advance of the child leaving.

“Counselors can help kids process emotions and teach them how they can reach out to parents and others [for help],” Bennett explains. “Sometimes kids go off to college, and suddenly they’re very overwhelmed. This seemed like it was going to be a really great thing. But they find themselves a small fish in a very big pond. Or they find the workload is very different. They think they can handle four or five classes, and they find out that’s a lot. They’re drowning. They’re not really sure where to go or what to do.”

Learn more

Read more about mental health resources available at OSF that can help build life skills. Some resources, like behavioral health navigators and support groups at hospitals like the one Bennett works at, are available even if you are not an OSF patient.

Interview clips

Related stories

Getting testy: Overcoming exam fears
Don't feel the burn
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Fall into self-care
Big emotions, bigger solutions
I'll do it another time

As the United States of America prepares to celebrate its 250^th birthday, and The Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis embark on their 150^th year of providing health care to the Peoria area and beyond, OSF HealthCare is bringing back a patriotic display from decades ago.

In the 1940’s, the Block and Kuhl building, known as the "Big White Store" at the corner of Adams and Fulton Streets in downtown Peoria, was renowned for hanging a massive American flag on its facade facing SW Adams during World War II and major holidays.

The flag, which was hung horizontally across the front of the building, measured 90 by 60 feet and weighed over 400 pounds. It was widely reported to be the largest true-proportioned American flag in the world.

OSF HealthCare rescued the historic building from the wrecking ball in 2018, turning it into the headquarters for the Ministry. Throughout the restoration and transformation of the building, the question would be asked by those who remembered the giant flag, what had become of the artifact. Best that could be determined, the original flag ended up in a barn somewhere in Tazewell County and, without proper protection, had long since succumbed to the elements and animals.

Thanks to the efforts of Ryan Spain, vice president of economic development for OSF HealthCare, a new flag will hang from the building, this time facing Washington Street and the Illinois river, allowing those attending the July 4^th festivities to fully enjoy it.

“In this 250^th year of our nation and 150^th year of OSF HealthCare, this flag stands as a symbol of hope, healing and our unwavering commitment to serve every life with the greatest care and love,” said Michelle Conger, CEO, OSF HealthCare. “It also reminds us to express gratitude to all of those who came before us and made the sacrifices necessary to ensure our freedom.”

The new flag, which hangs vertically, measures 86 by 50 feet, weighs 300 pounds and was made by America’s Best Flags.

“A great pastime in downtown Peoria was the patriotic display of the American flag on the former Block and Kuhl building. OSF HealthCare is proud to bring back this tradition as our nation celebrates its 250^th birthday,” said Spain.

The flag will remain in place until after the July 4 holiday weekend.

It won’t be long before it’s the Fourth of July and we hear the whistling and thunderous booms of fireworks streaking through the sky.

And while “consumer” fireworks such as bottle rockets, skyrockets and roman candles are illegal in Illinois, according to the state’s Pyrotechnic Use Act, others are considered non-consumer fireworks including sparklers, smoke bombs and party poppers.

But that doesn’t make them completely safe.

In 2023, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received approximately 9,700 reports of injuries and eight deaths because of fireworks. And it’s not just injuries that happen on July 4. According to CPSC, 66% of injuries happened before and after the holiday.

Stathis Poulakidas, MD, the burn center medical director at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, says the number of injuries reported is probably low, given the number of people who don’t immediately seek treatment.

“The simplest of fireworks, which anybody would think is a sparkler, can burn up to 1,800 degrees,” says Dr. Poulakidas. “The first thing everybody wants to do is hand the baby the sparkler and say, ‘go ahead. Run around and have a good time.’ But then it falls to their shoes, they burn horrifically. So not even the simplest of fireworks is safe.”

Another problem is the combination of adults drinking alcohol while handling fireworks. Dr. Poulakidas says this lethal mix puts you and those around you at your gathering in danger. “I see more adults than I see children with firework injuries,” he says. “The only children we see are the ones that are too close to the actual fireworks, as the adults are manipulating them while intoxicated. Then the fireworks injure the child.”

According to the CPSC, 41% of the injuries were to the head, eyes, face and ears. Another 35% are hands and fingers; 42% of injuries were burns.

That’s where Dr. Poulakidas comes in. In the burn center, he sees some of the worst injuries because of fireworks mishaps. He calls it the blast effect, which can severely injure intestines, eyes and rupture eardrums, given the proximity of the fireworks and the loud explosion. “We'll see minor burns to the hands, to the face. We'll see digits or fingers get blown off,” he says. “We've seen whole hands blown off and people lose arms.” (2:25-2:36)

And if clothing catches on fire, Dr. Poulakidas says there’s a greater likelihood of second degree burns to your chest, arms and legs, which could lead to treatment options that include skin grafting.  

Bottom line: Dr. Poulakidas encourages people of all ages to have fun this year. But sit back, watch the spectacle and let the experts handle the fireworks. “We want everybody to use good judgment and safe measures to prevent injury,” he says. “Because I think prevention is the key, instead of dealing with an injury after something has occurred.” 

Fireworks Safety Tips (courtesy of CPSC)

·         Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers.

·         Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

·         Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy in case of fire.

·         Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that haven’t fully ignited.

·         Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol. 

 

Interview Clips 

B-roll 

Summer is a time for being outdoors, grilling your favorite foods for various social gatherings. While your guests will be lining up for mouth-watering burgers and brats, medical experts say it’s important to play it safe before igniting that first flame.

The first thing is to make sure your gas grill is ready. If the grill is not primed correctly, it could lead up to a build up of gas that can explode. “Some people try to light them with matches or gasoline or try to do some crazy things,” says Stathis Poulakidas, MD, burn center medical director at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. “We want people to be safe and use common sense.” 

The bigger concern is when people use lighter fluid with charcoal. Some people like to pour too much lighter fluid for a good burn which can quickly create flash burns and cause significant burns.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly 20,000 people are treated every year in emergency departments due to injuries involving grills. More than 10,500 home fires are started by grills each year. July is the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May and August.

Dr. Poulakidas treats many different injuries throughout the summer – from burns to eyelashes and eyebrows – to significant burns that require skin grafting. The Burn Center sees injuries from grilling, fireworks and burning leaves.

One practical tip is to become familiar with your grill – especially if it’s new. Not knowing how to use the grill is one of the biggest hazards, according to Dr. Poulakidas. For example, improper installation of gas tanks can cause them to explode. 

Also, keep the grill outdoors and away from potential hazards.

“Garages are a very dangerous place,” says Dr. Poulakidas. “You think ‘I'm going to get out of the rain, or I'll be able to grill year-round’ and it's going to be warm and safe. But you have turpentine, gasoline, all different types of gas products in the garage that you might use for your lawn mowers or weed eaters.”

If you get lighter fluid on your skin, move away from the grill, and wash your hands and arms to ensure that when you do light the flame it doesn't catch fire to your arms as well.

And get a fire extinguisher if you don’t already have one. “I really believe everybody should probably have a fire extinguisher in their home without question,” says Dr. Poulakidas. “Having a fire extinguisher close to a grill site is probably the best piece of advice that I can offer.” 

Remember those burgers and brats? They are loaded with fats, oils and grease that tend to cause any flame to intensify. “You should have good control and setup and instead of having them directly on the fire, maybe put them a level up if you have a two-tiered grill to minimize that grease falling on the pit and actually flaming up significantly,” says Dr. Poulakidas.

Dr. Poulakidas is looking forward to grilling this summer, too. He says the best way for everyone to enjoy the summer with family and friends is to play it smart around the grill and avoid being one of the thousands of people who end up in the hospital.

Grilling Safety tips

·         Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors

·         The grills should be placed away from the home and never in the garage

·         Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area

·         Avoid using wire brushes to clean the grill. Use nylon scrapers or wool brushes instead

·         Keep the grill clean by removing grease or fat build-up from the grills and trays below

·         Never leave the grill unattended

·         Always make sure the gas grill lid is open before lighting it

·         Avoid drugs and alcohol while grilling

Interview Clips

B-roll

Jacque Schweighart, M.Ed., has accepted the position of chief development officer and president of OSF HealthCare Foundation.  

Schweighart will be accountable for defining and driving a unified philanthropic strategy that aligns donor priorities with the Mission of OSF HealthCare and strategic focus areas. She will lead an integrated fundraising enterprise across all giving channels, accelerate endowment growth through strategic partnerships and serve as the Foundation’s chief ambassador to internal and external stakeholders.

Schweighart most recently served as senior vice president of Central Development Services for the University of Illinois Foundation. She has led and worked in nearly all areas of development and fundraising, from major, principal and planned giving programs, to annual giving and volunteer engagement programs and has built donor recognition, stewardship and campaign infrastructure.

Schweighart earned her Bachelor of Science in advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she also earned a Master of Education in educational organization and leadership. Her new position is effective August 3.

"I was a new neonatologist at that time and had only been in practice for a couple of years," says Dr. Javed, who now is the division head and medical director of Neonatology with OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, Illinois.

"Nothing can quite prepare you for having a premature baby. It didn’t matter how much I knew. My wife's a pediatrician; it didn't matter how much she knew. It's terrifying, and those first moments when the baby is born and they're rushing you off to the NICU; it is a blur."

Despite his medical training, Dr. Javed says he struggled to process information during those early days in the NICU, when his now 13-year-old son was born at 32 weeks.

He estimates he truly absorbed only about 10-15% of what was being communicated to him and his wife. The experience gave him a new perspective on what families are experiencing during some of the most emotional moments of their lives.

"Sometimes as a provider, you feel like you want to give everything. But sometimes families just need time to digest what just happened," Dr. Javed points out, saying his experience has changed his entire care model.

Now his son is an energetic, on-the-go teenager that Dr. Javed jokes is the “life of the party.” He credits the NICU team that cared for him as a big part of that.

"It was a blessing in disguise early in my career. It changed how I communicate with families," Dr. Javed adds. "Those conversations that we have with families might be some of the most important moments each day for them. For the provider, you might be seeing 20 patients, but that family is waiting to hear about the next plan and the next decision."

Today, Dr. Javed leads a team at OSF Children’s Hospital that provides the highest level of neonatal care available. 140 pediatric physicians are involved in caring for NICU patients, Dr. Javed says, providing expertise across a wide range of specialties.

The hospital has been designated a Level IV NICU by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the highest designation for neonatal intensive care.

Level IV NICUs provide the most comprehensive care for premature and critically ill newborns. At OSF Children’s Hospital, specialists routinely care for babies born as early as 22 weeks' gestation.

What elevates a Level 4 NICU above other facilities is the breadth of specialized services available around the clock. OSF Children's Hospital offers comprehensive surgical support, including emergency and trauma, neurosurgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology and pediatric cardiac surgery, which includes congenital heart conditions.

Unlike facilities that may rely on visiting specialists, these experts are available as part of the hospital's care team every day.

While several hospitals in Central Illinois provide Level III neonatal care, OSF Children's Hospital is the only Level IV NICU between Chicago and St. Louis.

For babies born at 22 weeks, every organ system is still developing, creating significant medical challenges.

Their skin has not fully developed its protective outer layer, increasing the risk of infection. Their blood vessels are extremely small, requiring highly specialized intravenous (IV) access and monitoring.

Their lungs are also underdeveloped. At 22 weeks' gestation, the lungs are in a very early stage of development, making respiratory support essential.

The blood vessels in the brain remain fragile and can be prone to bleeding. The digestive system is also immature, making nutrition a major focus of care.

To support growth and development, many infants receive specialized IV nutrition and donor breast milk. Speech therapists also play an important role by helping babies develop oral motor skills needed for feeding.

Even the NICU environment is carefully designed to support development. Lights are often dimmed to create a neurologically appropriate setting that more closely resembles conditions in the womb.

While many NICU patients need only short-term support after birth, others require months of intensive care.

The average NICU stay for most infants is about two to two-and-a-half weeks. Most are considered transitional infants requiring short-term care who need additional monitoring or treatment after birth before going home.

The hospital also cares for approximately 60 to 70 of its smallest and most premature patients at any given time. Babies born before 30 weeks' gestation often remain hospitalized for four-and-a-half to five months, depending on the complexity of their medical needs. Advances in neonatal care now allow many of these infants born so early to both survive and thrive.

Supporting families is another critical part of NICU care.

Many families travel one to two hours for treatment and must balance hospital visits with work and other responsibilities. Care teams use tools such as telemedicine to help keep families connected and informed.

Dr. Javed says that OSF HealthCare partners with the Family Home and Ronald McDonald House in Peoria to provide low-cost or no-cost lodging options for families while their children are receiving care.

To learn more about NICU services at OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois, visit here.

Video Interview Clips

NICU B-Roll