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.

Interview clips

Related stories

Mental health medication and pregnancy

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

Related stories

Beating blood clots
All ages should keep cholesterol in mind
How to stay active in chilly weather
Smart eats, healthy streets

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.

Interview clips

Related stories

Hepatitis B: Know the risks and symptoms
Hepatitis C treatment has come a long way
‘A gamechanger’ in fatty liver treatment
Diverticulosis: Long name, bad condition

• Changed demeanor, like mood swings
   
• Frequently stepping away, like asking to go to the restroom a lot at school

“They want to go smoke because they’re addicted already. They need that time. They have to go hide,” says Thompson, a breast health navigator. “Same thing at home. They constantly go to their room or bathroom.”

• New odors coming from your child or their belongings. Williams, a radiation therapist, notes that the smell could be good, like minty.
   
• Listen for kids using new phrases. Vapes are also called hookahs, pens, tank systems and mods.

Adults should also know the changing look of vapes. Boyd says they could be in plain sight in your child’s room, and you could miss them. Vapes can look like computer flash drives, ink pens, key fobs, candy canisters and even handheld video games.

Talking to kids

First and foremost, Boyd suggests taking a loving tone when talking to kids about the dangers of vaping. Don’t start by accusing them of wrongdoing.

“Gather information. Encourage them to open up. Make it a safe place,” Boyd says. “If they don’t feel comfortable talking to mom or dad, maybe try somebody at church, an older sibling, a school counselor or a teacher. Find those accountability people.”

If your child has a hard time opening up, talk to their pediatrician so they can broach the subject at the next appointment. During the appointment, offer to step out of the room so the child isn’t nervous to talk about their habits.

Thompson adds to keep kids active. If you’re playing backyard baseball with them, you know they’re not vaping.

“We want you to be healthy and live a long life,” she adds, suggesting words to use with your child. Not to mention the money you’ll save.

What about smoking?

How does smoking a traditional cigarette or cigar play into all this?

Boyd says some people see vaping as a way to quit smoking. She says that’s a bad idea. Talk to your health care provider instead about medication and other options.

At OSF Moeller Cancer Center, Boyd, Thompson and Williams offer a smoking cessation program. Providers can refer patients to the program, or they can self-refer by calling (618) 474-6791. OSF then connects the person with resources to quit and provides regular check-ins. Schools, businesses and community groups can also call to see how they can benefit from the program.

“Working on oncology, we see the back end. We see patients who have been 30-year smokers. They have a CT scan, and they find an abnormal mass,” Thompson recalls. “So we try to catch them early. We have younger patients who are seeing their primary care provider. Their provider says they’ve been smoking for five years, and they put the referral in. Well, we just saved them 25 years of smoking if we can get them to stop now.”

“Don’t see it as a failure,” if you can’t quit right away or if you relapse and smoke a few, Boyd adds. “Try again. We’re not all made the same. Quitting looks different for everyone”

Interview clips - Karen Boyd

Interview clips - Heather Thompson

B-roll

Consequences

Some people may see skin care as purely cosmetic. If I’m not a model or television news anchor, I’ll just do the bare minimum.

That’s not the right approach, Oberheim says. Poor skin care, especially in older adults, can lead to persistent bruises and skin tears leading to wounds.

“Sometimes it doesn’t take much. I’ll see patients who have small dogs that jump on them. Even just the clawing from the dog will put a tear in the skin because the skin is so thin and fragile,” Oberheim recalls. “When that happens, we have to make sure to keep the skin clean and dry. If we end up with an infection, that can lead to cellulitis. Cellulitis can lead to other things, including sepsis [a possibly deadly condition where your body responds improperly to an infection]. So we’d need to take precautions and fix the infection with maybe some antibiotics.”

The bottom line, Oberheim says, is if your skin problem isn’t responding to at-home treatment after a few days, see your primary care provider or a dermatologist.

Other conditions

Other skin conditions to be aware of:

• Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis): This causes dry, itchy scaly skin patches. Experts don’t know exactly what causes it. But Oberheim says allergies, asthma and even stress can play a role, and it’s often worse in the winter. She says eczema can affect all ages and appear anywhere on your body.
   
• Rosacea: This causes redness, pimples, broken blood vessels and, in severe cases, a misshapen nose. It most often affects the face and eyes.
   
• Age spots (also called liver spots): Oberheim says these look like “big freckles.” They’re often flat and dark-colored. They’re associated with sun exposure, and so they’re often seen on the head and face.
  
  “They’re usually not super problematic, but they’re not cosmetically appealing,” Oberheim says.
   
• Psoriasis: This causes inflamed, red raised areas of skin that can itch and be painful. This is often seen on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back.
   
• Poison ivy and oak: Oberheim says she sees these issues often in her clinic. When someone rubs up against the plant or an object that’s touched the plant, they can get a red, bumpy itchy rash with fluid-filled blisters.

Prevention

So, what should your daily skin care routine be? Should you be getting facials at the spa regularly? That’s probably not necessary, Oberheim says. But daily washing and moisturizing is. Look from certain things on skin care product labels: retinol (helps with skin firmness and reducing wrinkles), vitamin C (helps brighten age spots), hyaluronic acid (helps with moisturizing), niacinamide (helps reduce redness), collagen and peptides.

Other things to consider:

• Wear sunscreen of 30 SPF [sun protection factor] or higher when outside, and reapply it every few hours.
   
• Wear protective clothing like a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves and long pants when outside. Wash clothes right away when you get home. Also, know which plants are in your area to avoid the pesky ones.
   
• Don’t smoke.
   
• Drink plenty of water all the time, not just during outdoor activities.
   
• Don’t bathe or shower in very hot water. This can dry the skin.
   
• Try not to itch any skin lesion. You don’t want a wound to open and risk an infection.
   
• Know your body. Watch for suspicious moles or lesions that might be a sign of skin cancer. Experts say you can remember the ABCDEs: if the mole is asymmetric, has an irregular border, has an odd color, has a big diameter or is evolving, see a provider.

Learn more

Read more about how to keep your skin healthy on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

More than moles
‘Sepsis does not discriminate’

On a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer: “It can catch lung cancer early. Lung cancer doesn’t have defined symptoms like colon or breast cancer,” Huelskoetter says. “A lot of times, you catch those nodules early and monitor them yearly or every six months based on what the radiologist finds. Then we can get you scheduled for routine low-dose CTs.”

She adds that this exam is geared toward smokers, but you can always bring it up with your provider.

What about kids?

Huelskoetter says children should see a provider at least once a year for a physical exam and to get caught up on vaccines, if needed.

“Make sure the provider records their height and weight. The provider will do an eye exam, an ear exam and things like that,” Huelskoetter outlines. “We want to make sure we’re not missing anything. A lot of times, eye problems in children can be caught in school. But maybe the child isn’t school age yet. We can get them in, do an exam and maybe catch something early.”

At home

Health care doesn’t end when you leave the clinic. Warm temperatures during spring can bring a renewed sense of optimism about changing daily habits.

“One thing I always tell my patients: move your body,” Huelskoetter implores. “I’m not saying you need to go to the gym and do pushups, sit ups and deadlifts every day. Just move your body. Start at a pace that’s good for you. If you have a sedentary job or lifestyle, get a step counter or smartwatch to track your steps and see where you’re at.”

For example, Huelskoetter says if you’re at 2,000 steps a day, set a goal of 10,000. But start small. For the first month, aim for 3,000 steps a day. Then increase it to 4,000, and so on. You can accomplish this, she says, through 30 minutes of exercise for five days a week.

“This can lead to drastic improvements in your cardiovascular health, your mental health and your overall physical well-being,” Huelskoetter says. “Your joints won’t be as stiff because they’re used to movement.”

Exercise should be paired with healthy food choices, such as cutting back on processed food.

Spring might also be the time you say, “I’m finally going to quit that unhealthy habit,” like smoking.

Huelskoetter’s response? “Now’s the time. Let’s do it,” she says.

“Again, let’s start small. Get an appointment with your provider, and talk about options,” Huelskoetter suggests. “If you don’t feel you can quit cold turkey, which is extremely hard, there are options like Wellbutrin, Chantix or nicotine patches and lozenges. Sometimes we’ll even do cognitive behavioral therapy.”

Photos

Interview clips

Related stories

Health care isn't just at the doctor's office
Lifespan vs. healthspan
Pharmacy or provider? For seniors, it matters
Busting hygiene myths
 

"Anyone that has lungs has a chance of lung cancer,” says Jun Zhang, MD, PhD, vice president of oncology research with OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute.

In fact, 10-20% of lung cancer patients are people who have never even smoked, Dr. Zhang adds. 

"Lung cancer is generally referred to as a 'smoker's disease.' But it turns out now that we're seeing more lung cancer patients without a history of smoking," Dr. Zhang observes. "If we put lung cancer in patients who have never smoked in a separate category, this can be listed as the number five cancer killer in the world." 

This translates to roughly 40,000 Americans every year being diagnosed with lung cancer, despite never smoking cigarettes. 

Women of Asian descent who don't smoke tend to be impacted more by this, Dr. Zhang says, compared to the rest of the population. Research shows that 57% of Asian American women diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked. Based on this, in a recent study called FANS (Female Asian Never Smoker), researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), UC Davis and Stanford University are investigating why Asian American women who have never smoked develop lung cancer at unusually high rates compared with other populations.

Sadly, Dr. Zhang says, people who present with lung cancer but have never smoked, are presenting at a later stage. 

"Those patients present to us, at least at my clinic, and they already missed the chance of an early diagnosis. Early symptoms can be cough and shortness of breath, but quite often people are not paying attention to this because they don't smoke and they don't have a chance to get screened," Dr. Zhang says. "That's the sad story, that even though they've never smoked, at the time when they're diagnosed with lung cancer, it's almost always at late stage." 

So, why is this happening? Dr. Zhang discusses five main reasons that non-smokers are getting diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. The top two culprits will be laid out in this article, with three more to come in part two.

#1: PM2.5 (Particulate Matter)

PM2.5 is the top contributor to non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes PM2.5 as fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.

"If you inhale the particles, you cannot get them out of your body. It can get into your lungs, be trapped there, and even get into your circulation and cause problems," Dr. Zhang says. "If we're thinking about cigarette smoking as the number one reason for lung cancer, globally PM2.5 is the second most common reason for lung cancer." 

In the United States, the EPA sets and reviews national air quality standards for PM2.5.

The Upper Midwest region has been below the national average for many years, and according to the EPA, has seen an improvement in air quality since at least 2000. The EPA's national standard is set at 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter. Dr. Zhang says for every 10 microgram per cubic meter increase, it increases lung cancer mortality by 20%.

Some areas in the world can be up to 100 micrograms per cubic meter; Dr. Zhang points out. Vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions along with outdoor fires contribute to these levels. 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports lifetime exposure to PM2.5 might increase the risk, and even speed up the onset of various cancers, including lung cancer.

#2: Radon levels in the home

While high PM2.5 levels are the #2 cause of lung cancer worldwide, here in the United States, the second-leading cause of lung cancer (next to smoking) is due to high radon levels. 

According to the ACS, radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas. Radioactive elements such as uranium found in soil and rock break down, then move the radon gas from the soil and rock into the air, ground water and surface water.

When radon breaks down in the air, it gives off radiation that can damage DNA in our cells.

“Radon is released by radioactive materials underground, but then they accumulate in the house, especially if it doesn't have good ventilation," Dr. Zhang says. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) says testing for radon in your home is the only way to know if levels are high. It’s recommended to get this testing done before or as soon as you move into the home.

Dr. Zhang says findings like this argue for expansion of lung cancer screening criteria. 

He adds that if you have any concerns like lingering cough that lasts for multiple weeks, especially with shortness of breath, talk to your primary care provider (PCP). You can get a chest X-Ray to make sure you don't have pneumonia.

GERD (acid reflux) and some heart issues could also be a possibility, and these are important to check out. If none of these things exist, this is where patients should advocate for themselves and ask for a CT scan to check for lung cancer that can show if a nodule or mass is present.

To learn more about the Lung Cancer Program at OSF Cancer Institute, or to schedule an appointment, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Video Interview Clips

Scientists are constantly learning more about cancer – what causes it, how it impacts our body and how to treat or cure it. One study has looked at a possible link between frequent drinking of hot beverages and an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

So should coffee drinkers worry? Not drastically, but you should always be mindful of what you put in your body, says Edie Krueger, MD, [pronounced EE-dee // KREE-ger] a radiation oncologist at OSF HealthCare.

“The science behind it is that there’s thermal injury to the lining of the esophagus, or the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. The thermal injury causes the cells to become aberrant [not normal, in other words] and grow on their own without any checkpoints. That’s basically what cancer is,” Dr. Krueger says.

So what should people do? Dr. Krueger says if you’re a morning coffee or tea person, that’s fine. But if you drink scalding hot beverages multiple times a day, consider changing habits. Let the drink cool off before taking a swig. The study mentions 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) as a danger zone. That’s about the temperature when you get coffee right out of the pot, Dr. Krueger says. Also, swap the afternoon hot coffee or tea with another drink.

“Things in moderation are fine,” Dr. Krueger says.

Why it’s important

Esophageal cancer is not the most common in America (around 20,000 cases per year, Dr. Krueger says). But she says it’s a “tough cancer to treat,” underscoring the need to know about it and get treatment sooner rather than later.

She says there are two types of esophageal cancer. The most prevalent in America is adenocarcinoma. The other type, squamous cell carcinoma, is the one with a possible link to hot drinks.

“The symptoms, in general, are things like reflux or trouble swallowing - especially trouble swallowing things like bread or tough foods like steak or chicken. Just really hard to get food down,” Dr. Krueger explains.

“Usually, esophageal cancer is treated with what we call trimodality therapy. That’s surgery, chemotherapy and radiation,” she adds.

Avoiding alcohol, smoking and obesity are ways to help prevent esophageal cancer.

Learn more

Read more about cancer care on the OSF HealthCare website. Cancer care at OSF includes the OSF Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois.

Interview clips

Related stories

Esophageal cancer: Drop the bottle and cigarettes
Esophageal cancer: Signs and symptoms
Leading-edge robotics transform cancer surgery

When new parents put their child to bed, it’s time for them to exhale and catch up on some rest of their own. That’s why it’s important to have peace of mind that your baby is sleeping safely. Tiffany Waters, a birthing center charge nurse at OSF HealthCare, has a checklist – whether it’s nighttime sleep in a crib or some bonding time in a recliner.

“Everybody should be educated on this,” Waters says. “Parents, grandparents, friends and your daycare.”

The guidelines

• Back vs. stomach: Waters says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines say the child should sleep on their back.
  
  “When your infant is on their stomach and unable to roll over, it can create a pocket of carbon dioxide. We all know we want oxygen in and carbon dioxide out,” Waters explains. “That little pocket can mean your baby is re-breathing the carbon dioxide.”
  
  Waters adds that at around four months, babies may learn to roll onto their stomach during sleep. It’s fine to leave them that way, but Waters says sleep time should always start with the baby on their back.
   
• Flat vs. inclined: A flat surface is the standard. But, Waters acknowledges that babies fall asleep in other places. For example, if a child drifts off on a car ride, that’s fine. Just make sure they are properly strapped into a car seat.
   
  Parents may also sit in the recliner with the baby on their chest as a bonding moment. Do this carefully, Waters says.
  
  “It’s easy for a baby to slip down toward the arm of the chair. Or they could get in a position where instead of an open airway, they’re hunched over and not allowing for breathing function as it should,” Waters warns.
  
  So for recliner time, make sure the adult is fully awake. And in either case (car seat or recliner), the sleep time shouldn’t be long. For example, when you get home from the car ride, take the baby back to their crib for the remainder of the night’s rest.
   
• Firm vs. soft: A firm, fitted sheet to lay on is best.

• The crib: Loose objects such as pillows, blankets and stuffed animals are OK in the crib for those precious photoshoots. But when it’s sleep time, remove them.
  
  “Those are additional suffocation and entrapment risks,” Waters says. “They can press up against the baby’s face. The baby doesn’t have great neck control. They can’t move away like older babies can.”
  
  The crib itself should be scrutinized, too. Be wary of hand-me-down cribs that don’t meet the latest safety regulations. For example, Waters says cribs with bumpers – fabric that attaches to the inside walls – are no longer in favor. She says the baby can plant their face in the bumper and suffocate. Instead, look for cribs with space between the slats about the size of one of those oversized pink erasers.
  
  “It doesn’t have to be a super fancy crib or cost a lot of money. It needs to be newer so you know it abides by current recommendations for those slat spacings,” Waters says.
   
• Clothes and overheating: There’s no magic temperature to keep your child’s room at to foster good sleep. Waters suggests whatever room temperature is appropriate for that season should work.
  
  What’s more important: making sure the child isn’t wearing so much clothing that they overheat.
  
  “If you dress a baby for warmth, it’s one additional layer from what you have on,” Waters explains. “So if you have a T-shirt on and you’re comfortable, maybe a long sleeved sleeper onesie would be appropriate for the baby.”
  
  Waters adds that once the baby comes home from the hospital, they typically don’t need to wear a hat to keep warm while sleeping. Pop the hat on when they are outside in cold weather, she says.
   
• Smoking: Whether in the bedroom or any room, infant sleep and their overall health can be disrupted from smoke. This includes smoke from cigarettes, cannabis or just smoke from your environment (like pollution). So, don’t smoke around your child, and keep your home well ventilated.
   
• Same bed vs. same room: Some parents sleep in the same bed as their infant as a bonding experience. Bad idea, says the AAP. And Waters agrees. She says you could roll over onto your child or toss your pillow onto them and smother the kid. Instead, try bringing the child’s crib into your room. You can meet the youngster’s needs, like being close by when they cry, but keep them safe.

Learn more

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

Interview clips

B-roll

Related stories

Infant nutrition misconceptions
Lesser known ways to feed your baby
Peeling back the layers
Navigating the baby blues and more
Mental health medication and pregnancy
Tongue-tied

• Lordosis: This refers to the normal, c-shaped curvature of the lower back.
   
• Kyphosis: This is the normal curvature of the upper back.
  
  In each case, the term itself doesn’t indicate a deformity. But the curvature can become abnormal, prompting a spine physician to take a look and possibly recommend lifestyle changes.

Bonafide spine disorders include:

• Scoliosis: This curvature of the spine brings back pain “from muscles having to compensate to hold the spine and body in the right position,” Dr. Syed says. Sometimes, nerves get pinched, leading to chest, abdomen or leg pain. Severe cases could bring paralysis. Or, a lung could get pinched, leading to impaired breathing. This is called thoracic insufficiency syndrome.
  
  Genetics, nutrition, muscle imbalance and lifestyle can all contribute to getting scoliosis. Your spine can also naturally worsen with age.
  
  “The discs start to thin. The spine starts to tilt. That puts more strain on the joints. They tend to overgrow, twist and change in size. That creates a domino effect. You get this spine that’s really twisted,” Dr. Syed explains.
  
  Dr. Syed adds that most scoliosis cases can be addressed without surgery. The person can change their lifestyle, notably getting on an exercise plan that strengthens the muscles that support the spine. In severe cases, a surgeon would put screws, rods or plates into your spine or make cuts in the bones.
  
  “It pulls the spine into the correct space, frees up the nerves from the pressure on them and gets the spine to heal in that position,” Dr. Syed says.

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS): Dr. Syed says this is an inflammatory condition in various joints due to the body’s immune system not working properly.
  
  “Normally, your spine is made up of a bunch of repeating segments. They move relative to each other. That’s how you bend and twist,” Dr. Syed says. “In AS, the joints start to become solid bone because of inflammation. That leads to very stiff, brittle painful bones. People are predisposed to fractures with minor falls. Those people we typically see, unfortunately, in trauma settings. They have brittle, stiff spine that doesn’t have any bend or give. They have a fall, and the spine breaks.”
  
  Dr. Syed says a rheumatologist could put an AS patient on an immune-modifying medicine to prevent inflammation.

Prevention

Keeping a healthy spine comes down to “fundamental good behavior,” Dr. Syed says.

• Avoid activities that could injure the spine. That could be everyday things like heavy lifting or career choices like a contact sport.
   
• Maintain a healthy weight through a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
  
  “You don’t want to be too skinny or too big,” Dr. Syed suggests. “That puts either too much strain [when you’re overweight] or not enough muscle to support the spine [when you’re underweight].
  
  “It’s like Goldilocks,” Dr. Syed adds, referring to the “not too hot, not too cold” fairytale. “You want to work out but not too intensely that you’re crossing over into injury.”
  
  Walks or light jogs could be the things for you, he says.
   
• Avoid smoking.

Learn more

The OSF HealthCare website has information on orthopedic health. The OSF Illinois Neurological Institute also provides comprehensive care.

Interview clips

Related stories

A pain in the neck
Keeping backs healthy in school
Don't throw your weight around
Not all fun and games
A shin-termission: Navigating lower leg pain

When watching a basketball game on television, you may hear coaches and announcers say the star player is missing time with a hernia.

A sports hernia is different than a hernia suffered in everyday life, says Raman Kumar, MD, a colorectal surgeon and general surgeon at OSF HealthCare. But each should be taken seriously.

Hernia

Dr. Kumar says a hernia is when an internal organ or piece of fat goes through a hole in the abdominal wall. The most common type – around 80%  – is an inguinal hernia, when a part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall in the lower belly (also called the groin). Anyone can get a hernia, even newborns. But Dr. Kumar says they are seen more in older men. Symptoms include a bulge or swelling in the abdominal area and pain when moving.

“A lot of chronic heavy lifting,” can cause hernias, Dr. Kumar says. “Other things weaken the abdominal wall such as diabetes and smoking. Being obese causes a lot of weight hanging down on the abdominal wall. If you’ve had surgery in the past, that’s also a risk factor.”

So be mindful when lifting objects, Dr. Kumar advises. Lift with your knees, not your back, and don’t try to lift heavy items. Get a cart or a partner to help. Eat healthy and exercise to avoid obesity and diabetes. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

Dr. Kumar says an exterior wrap known as a hernia belt or abdominal binder can be a short-term solution. But surgery is often the endgame.

“If you have a hole or defect, it needs to be closed,” Dr. Kumar says. “The reason we fix hernias is because we don’t want a loop of intestine or bowel to get into the hernia, twist off and die.”

That would make a person very sick and possibly threaten their life, Dr. Kumar says.

Sports hernia

Dr. Kumar says a sports hernia is a muscle tear in the groin area. They’re seen in athletes due to all the twisting, turning and bending that comes with competition.

“Stretch before you do any type of activity. Work and develop your core muscles, including your abdominal and hip muscles.” Dr. Kumar says. “If the muscles are strong, they are less likely to tear.”

Athletes who complain of groin pain should immediately leave the competition and get checked out by a trainer or doctor. Resting and icing the groin will help, but a combination of medication, physical therapy or surgery will likely be needed to fully heal.

Be proactive

If you have symptoms of a hernia or sports hernia, see a health care provider right away.

“Nine times out of 10, we can determine you have a hernia just based on a physical exam,” Dr. Kumar says.

But for more complicated cases, your doctor may order an ultrasound or CT scan. Then, the provider will develop a treatment plan.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

Hernias: More common than you think

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, says Heather Thompson. And she would know. Thompson is a breast health navigator at OSF HealthCare, helping patients navigate appointments, insurance and more. And Thompson is, herself, a breast cancer survivor.

But what many in the cancer space might not realize, Thompson says, is that breast cancer can affect men. It’s rare, with 1% of men statistically getting it, Thompson says. But it’s worth knowing how to spot, prevent and treat it.

“There can be severe cases. A lot of times, men don’t notice things or worry about things like women might,” Thompson says. “The cancer is there longer and has a chance to metastasize [spread] and get into their lymph nodes. A lot of times, men will get gynecomastia. That can cause swelling in the breast tissue and a mass.” Those gynecomastia masses can limit a man’s ability to feel a cancerous lump, delaying care.

Breast cancer basics

Genetics (i.e. a family history of cancer), alcohol use and smoking all put you at a higher risk for breast cancer.

So do men need to do monthly self-checks and get mammograms like women are told to? Not always, Thompson says. You should talk with your primary care provider about a plan, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer. That plan could involve genetic testing or blood work to check estrogen levels (since estrogen feeds cancer cells). But day to day, Thompson says to just keep an eye on your breasts. Look for inverted nipples, lumps, redness or achiness.

“Men really do not require regular screening or imaging for breast tissue. That is not in the American Cancer Society guidelines or any other guidelines,” Thompson says. “However, men should monitor their bodies for anything irregular. Then, get it addressed right away. Don’t wait. You might be in that 1%.” Thompson adds that if any type of cancer spreads, it can be fatal.

Treatment for male breast cancer typically involves a mastectomy, or the removal of breast tissue, Thompson says. This could be after cancer is found. Or it could be preventive if you’re at high risk, like the case of actress Angelina Jolie.

“There’s not much tissue that a man has,” Thompson points out, allaying fears that your chest will look significantly different. She says you won’t have a nipple, and your chest will be flat. But that’s about it. “We will still test those lymph nodes during surgery to make sure the cancer hasn’t spread.

“After that, there’s special testing called oncotype,” she adds. This looks at the likelihood of cancer returning. “If it’s a high score, those people sometimes have to have chemotherapy or radiation.”

Changing minds

Thompson knows men can be apprehensive about seeing a doctor in general. But when breast cancer enters the conversation? She’s heard things like “I’m not a woman. I don’t need to worry about that.”

At OSF Moeller Cancer Center in Alton, Illinois, where Thompson works, she sees one to two men per month come in for imaging. Most, she says, are cases of gynecomastia that can be managed by the person’s primary care provider. But some do hear the words “It’s cancer.”

“I tell them they’re not alone,” Thompson says. “Other men have gone through this. We have a roadmap to treat it.”

Learn more

Read more about cancer care, specifically breast cancer care, on the OSF HealthCare website. Cancer care at OSF includes the OSF Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois.

Interview clips

Related stories

Read other breast cancer stories on the OSF Newsroom
Read breast cancer stories on the OSF blog

A federal panel recently advised women get a mammogram every other year starting at age 40, rather than 50.

And the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, nearly 300,000 women in the United States will learn they have breast cancer. About 43,700 women will lose their life due to the disease.

The headlines are reminders to know your breast cancer risks. While many risks are out of your control, there’s just as much you can control, says Heather Thompson, a breast health navigator at OSF HealthCare.

Major risks you can control

• Active lifestyle and healthy eating: Thompson puts it plainly. If you eat junk, you’ll feel like junk. And any exercise will give you more energy and burn fat. Fat produces estrogen, which feeds cancer cells.

“You want to make sure you’re well-maintained with your weight, even after menopause,” Thompson says.

• Taking hormones: This impacts your ovaries, reducing or adding estrogen. Whether you’re at a routine appointment or you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, talk to your provider about what hormones you’re taking.

“We don’t encourage people who are having menopause symptoms [like hot flashes] to take hormones,” Thompson lists as an example. “We encourage other things to help treat those. It eliminates those estrogen cells increasing.”

• Alcohol and smoking: They are a risk for any type of cancer. But Thompson says one drink per day can increase a woman’s breast cancer risk by 12%. Alcohol is sugary, and that’s a fuel for estrogen.
   
• Night shift work: Thompson says our body expects to sleep when the sun goes down. Night work throws that off.

                “You’re getting artificial light all night. That changes the melatonin that the body naturally makes,” Thompson explains. “When your melatonin is off, it increases estrogen.”

                If you don’t work the traditional day job, see if you can work different shifts so you are not up all night all the time.

Risks you can’t control

• Age: Thompson says women generally develop breast cancer at age 50 and above. 
   
• Family history and genetic mutations: A family history of breast cancer puts you at a higher risk. Thompson says the higher risk is often seen on the person’s mother’s side of the family. For example, your mother and her sister (your aunt) may have breast cancer, and so you’d need to talk to your provider about your risk.

              Some women diagnosed with breast cancer and who have a family history may undergo a genetic test.

“Those tests can tell us if this is something being passed down from generation to generation,” Thompson says.

• Reproductive history: Young women who develop menstruation before age 12 and women who go through menopause after age 55 have an increased risk.

“That gives them a longer time with their ovaries working. They’re producing estrogen,” Thompson says.

• Dense breast: More tissue and less fat mean a dense breast and an increased cancer risk, Thompson says. Usually, the younger you are, the denser your breast is. The density of your breast is something that will be noted on every mammogram result. Thompson says mammogram technology is getting better at finding cancer in dense tissue. An early diagnosis may mean a better outcome.

Takeaways

Make sure your health care provider knows about your circumstances so they can decide on the best preventive care, like a different schedule for mammograms. Some of the information to have handy: a family history of cancer and any physical change you noticed during your monthly breast self-check.

Learn more about breast health and breast cancer care on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

A breast cancer survivor's toolkit
Say yes ma'am to the mammogram
FDA dense breast rule promotes earlier cancer detection
A woman's battle with breast cancer
Prevention of breast cancer starts with awareness

In his year-long battle with cancer of the esophagus, Jim Corby encountered many nerve-wracking moments.

But when asked about it, one memory comes to mind for the retired construction worker from Alton, Illinois. One that happened far away from a doctor’s office.

On July 27, 2022, Corby was chosen to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Alton River Dragons baseball game. Members of care team at OSF HealthCare Moeller Cancer Center in Alton, James Piephoff, MD, and Manpreet Sandhu, MD, were at his side. Also watching was a group of young women Corby coaches on the softball diamond.

“He knew if he didn’t throw a strike, he would never hear the end of it from the girls on his team,” Dr. Piephoff says.

No pressure, Jim.

Esophageal cancer: The basics

Dr. Piephoff, a radiation oncologist, says around 20,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with esophageal cancer each year. The cancer claims around 16,000 lives in the U.S. each year.

There are two types. The most common (around 70% of U.S. cases) is adenocarcinoma in the lower esophagus. The other type is squamous cell carcinoma, typically above where the airway separates into the lungs.

Both types are associated with excess smoking and drinking, something Corby found out the hard way.

“I smoked two-and-a-half to three packs of cigarettes a day,” Corby says. “The day I went in for surgery, I threw them out the window. I haven’t smoked since.”

Obesity is also a risk factor for adenocarcinoma.

“Obesity leads to increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease,” Dr. Piephoff explains. “It’s the acid churning up in the lower esophagus that leads to the risk of developing what’s called Barrett’s esophagus. That’s a precancerous condition.”

Screening isn’t common for cancer of the esophagus, so Dr. Piephoff says it’s important to watch for symptoms, which can mimic those of heartburn. See a doctor if symptoms won’t go away.

“Know your body. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctors about it. Don’t try to minimize your symptoms,” Dr. Piephoff urges. “If there’s a change you notice, you need to convey that to your doctor.”

On treatment, Dr. Piephoff says he typically sees a person go through chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the cancer followed by surgery to remove the tumor. During surgery, instruments are sent down the throat and not through the chest, meaning an easier recovery for the person. Early detection could mean surgery only.

“There are some patients who are not able to have surgery because of medical conditions like a bad heart or bad lungs,” Dr. Piephoff says. “They get treated with radiation and chemotherapy without surgery.”

Immunotherapy is also a part of the treatment plan for some people. This involves changing how your immune system works so it can fight cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Jim’s journey

Corby says he started having pain in his midsection last year when he ate. Treatment for heartburn and acid reflux didn’t help. An ultrasound and CT scan didn’t get his doctors any closer to a solution. All the while, Corby says it hurt so much to eat, he started losing weight.

In September 2021, doctors examined Corby’s esophagus with a camera.

“The doctor came in and sat down, which I knew was not a good sign,” Corby recalls.

“That day was when my life changed,” he says.

The exam found a cancerous mass in Corby’s lower esophagus. The next few months were a whirlwind.

“It happened real fast,” Corby says.

“They got me here [to Moeller Cancer Center] to see Dr. Piephoff and Dr. Sandhu. They came up with a program to try to get me going,” Corby says. “I went through chemotherapy and radiation first. Then they sent me over to St. Louis, and in January I had surgery.”

The surgery to remove the cancer preceded a nine day stay in the hospital where Corby says he couldn’t eat or drink aside from the occasional ice cubes or water sopped from a sponge.

Sometime later – Corby can’t remember exactly when – he was back at OSF Moeller Cancer Center meeting with Dr. Sandhu.

“She said ‘Your scan came back. You’re cancer free.’” Corby says.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Corby adds. “How many times do you hear about people who have cancer who die? You hear more of that than you do cancer free.

“The odds were against me 100%, but I guess I beat the odds.”

The first pitch

Corby’s first pitch at the River Dragons game went – where else? – right down the middle of the plate, eliciting a cheer from his support system and all the fans learning his story for the first time. For Corby, it was a sigh of relief. No need to worry about razzing from his softball players.

“I got lucky,” Corby says, fighting back happy tears.

Learn more

Visit the OSF HealthCare website to learn about cancer treatment. This includes the new OSF Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois, which will serve the entire OSF service area will the latest treatment, education and more.

Interview clips - Dr. James Piephoff

Interview clips - Jim Corby

Terminology

David Rzepczynski, MD, an OSF HealthCare gastroenterologist, says it’s important to first lay out some similar sounding terminology.

• Diverticulum (singular) or diverticula (plural): These are the bulges that form when an inner part of the colon sticks out through a weak spot in the colon wall.
   
• Diverticulosis: This is the name of the condition when the bulges occur.
   
• Diverticulitis: This describes when the bulges become inflamed.

Causes, symptoms and diagnosis

Dr. Rzepczynski says diverticulosis occurs when your colon is trying to push stool forward, and the organ is not as bulky as it should be. The diverticula bulges then form.

The condition has been more common in people over 60, but Dr. Rzepczynski says health care providers are seeing a rise in cases in people in their 40s and 50s.

Diverticulosis can run in families. It’s also tied to your lifestyle.

“A diet that has more red meat, less grain and less fiber might put you at a higher risk,” Dr. Rzepczynski says.

Smoking, excess alcohol and obesity are also risk factors.

Symptoms of diverticulosis include abdominal pain or constipation. But it often comes with no symptoms and is found during a colonoscopy.

Treatment

Dr. Rzepczynski says in mild cases, a provider may tell you to change your lifestyle, such as getting more fiber in your diet. This makes bowel movements smoother.

“Often, people will look to use fiber supplements,” Dr. Rzepczynski says. “The amount of fiber intake from supplements pales in comparison to what you can get from your diet.”

Also, eat a healthier diet overall. Dr. Rzepczynski says there used to be a myth that nuts, popcorn and seeds would get lodged in the colon bulges. He says studies have shown those foods are not a risk factor.

Other lifestyle tips: exercise and cut out tobacco and alcohol.

Dr. Rzepczynski says more serious cases of diverticulosis can come with two complications. One is bleeding.

“You could have a blood vessel on the outside of the diverticulum. If it ruptures into the diverticulum, it could cause sudden bleeding from the rectum,” Dr. Rzepczynski says.

Dr. Rzepczynski says bleeding from diverticulosis is not common. He ballparks it at around one in 2,000 cases. People on blood thinning medication who develop diverticulosis have a higher risk of bleeding.

While unpleasant, Dr. Rzepczynski says most bleeding cases resolve on their own.

The second, more serious complication is diverticulitis, or when the diverticula bulges become inflamed. This happens when there is a tear in the diverticulum, and bacteria from stool leaks. And it can lead to a host of other problems: pockets of pus known as abscesses, issues passing stool and a urinary tract infection.

Symptoms of diverticulitis include pain in the lower left abdominal area, abnormal bowel movements, nausea and vomiting. If you have these symptoms, it’s important to been seen by a health care provider quickly. A doctor may order a computed tomography scan (commonly called a CT scan) to diagnose diverticulitis.

Dr. Rzepczynski says it’s not common for diverticulosis to progress to diverticulitis, and most cases of diverticulitis can be treated at home with oral medication. But, he says 12 to 15% of diverticulitis patients spend time at the hospital. Treatments there include antibiotic medication through intravenous therapy (IV) and surgery. If surgery is necessary, a doctor will drain any abscesses then remove the inflamed area of the colon.

“They’ll try to reconnect the colon at that time,” Dr. Rzepczynski explains. “But if the surgery is done on an emergency basis, sometimes the person may have a colostomy where part of the colon is coming out through the skin. That’s a temporary measure.”

A colostomy comes with a bag on the outside of your body that collects the waste that would normally leave your body via a bowel movement.

Dr. Rzepczynski warns that surgery isn’t a permanent fix. He says around 15% of diverticulitis patients who have surgery end up with another bout. It reinforces the importance of lifestyle changes. You should also get on a colonoscopy schedule as advised by your health care provider.

Learn more

Read more about how to avoid diverticulosis on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Cancer can impact anyone, and the numbers show cases skewing younger.

Recently, the American Cancer Society reported that for the first time colon and rectal cancers have become leading causes of cancer deaths in younger adults. 

Overall, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among men and women of all ages. Prostate cancer is second for men, and breast cancer is second for women. Colorectal cancer is third for both men and women. 

Another study suggests that certain cancers are being diagnosed more often in younger adults in the U.S., and the spike is due, in part, to adults and especially women in their 30s.

The study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, looked at 17 National Cancer Institute registries with more than 500,000 cases of early-onset cancer, or cancers diagnosed in patients under age 50, between 2010 and 2019. The study showed early-onset cancers increased during that time by an average of just over a quarter of a percent (.28).  

In 2019, breast cancer had the highest number of incidences of early-onset cases. Gastrointestinal cancers and cancers of the urinary system and the female reproductive system are right up there as well.  

Peggy Rogers is a nurse practitioner in genetics and medical oncology for OSF HealthCare. She sees similar trends among her patients.

“For women, they are the caregivers in the family, and they tend to worry about everyone else besides themselves, and maybe put off seeking care sooner," says Rogers. "But women also encourage their husbands to seek and visit with their provider. So that’s a positive. But in general, I would say we have to keep talking.”

 Among gastrointestinal cancers, the most common early-onset cancers were found in the colon, rectum, stomach and pancreas. The fastest-growing incidence rates were found in the appendix, bile duct and pancreas.

“I think the nuance that we found is it's more common to find gastric cancers, which I don't think people realize, and I don't think people are aware of, the signs for gastric cancer can be as simple as abdominal pain and nausea or feeling full quickly, and they may need medical attention sooner," says Rogers. 

Some of the reasons for increased cancer rates in adults under age 50 include:

·         Drinking alcohol in excess

·         Smoking tobacco

·         Eating a Western diet (prepackaged foods, fried foods, processed meats, high-sugar drinks)

·         Being obese or overweight

·         Being exposed to environmental toxins

“We are concerned that obesity is an epidemic, and it's not just overconsumption of food and inactivity," says Rogers. "It’s the types of foods that people are eating, which is processed, it's quick, it's easy, but it's not the most beneficial.”

To lower your overall cancer risk, Rogers recommends maintaining a healthy weight, increasing your exercise, trying to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, limiting processed foods, not smoking and drinking in moderation.

Colonoscopy screening is usually recommended starting at age 45. People with family history may have to start earlier.  And pay attention to potential symptoms such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss. 

Rogers also recommends having conversations with your physician about your health. And for younger people who don’t have a provider, it’s important to find one. 

“I think working towards having a visit at least once a year to establish with a provider – establish goals for their health care – is very important and sometimes family history is contributory and why people get cancers," she says. "So those are discussions that you can have with your primary care provider. Maybe they need a referral or their family member that's been affected with cancer should consider a genetic risk assessment to further look at what may be contributing to some of the cancers in the family, even at early onset.”

For more information about cancer, visit OSF HealthCare. 
 

Interview Clips 

B-roll

When Linda Norcross started experiencing back pain last August, she never imagined it could be a serious problem.

That is, until she paid a visit to an urgent care where she had an X-ray that revealed some startling news.

“I would say perhaps an hour later, I received a phone call, saying that I needed to go to the nearest emergency room because they detected or what they thought they saw was an aneurysm in my abdominal area," says Norcross, who lives in Loves Park, Illinois. "So I went to the emergency room and, yes, indeed I did.”

The 59-year-old Norcross was in shock.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a condition that happens when part of the aorta becomes enlarged. Typically, the abdominal aorta resembles a pipe, but when an aneurysm occurs it looks more like a balloon, and that’s when it can rupture, which can turn deadly if not treated immediately, according to Samantha Cox, DO, a vascular surgeon with OSF HealthCare. 

“When we see a patient that has what we call an abdominal aortic aneurysm, it would be an enlargement of that vessel to a certain size, where we would be concerned about the anatomy and how it may affect that person," says Dr. Cox. 

Common risk factors of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include being age 50 and older, being male and a family history of aneurysms. However, the greatest risk of all is smoking, which causes 75% of all cases.

While Norcross was experiencing back pain, that’s not always a telltale sign of a problem. But she had smoked for 47 years.

“Unfortunately, a lot of times there are no symptoms, which is one of the problems with abdominal aortic aneurysms," says Dr. Cox. "Most patients have no symptoms at all until they're in trouble. And when those patients get into trouble, it can be catastrophic. So, we really advocate for screening programs because there are truly no symptoms in large part.”

According to Dr. Cox, women haven't been historically screened or monitored as closely as men and that’s another problem. For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines only recommend screening for men over 65 who have ever smoked. But women do get aneurysms, as well. The Society of Vascular Surgery guidelines include women in its screening programs, because women often have worse outcomes. They often rupture at a smaller size, and they often have a higher risk of dying associated with their aneurysm, adds Dr. Cox.

Norcross went to OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois. She was referred to Dr. Cox, who, as a vascular surgeon, is well versed in treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. Norcross’s aneurysm measured six centimeters in size, or about two inches in diameter, which surpassed the threshold of five centimeters – the size when it is recommend to be repaired in women.

Dr. Cox performed a minimally invasive procedure using an endograft through Norcross’s groin without making an abdominal incision. The endovascular stent graft is placed inside of the abdominal aorta to help protect the aneurysm from rupturing. 

The surgery was a success and Norcross was able to leave the hospital the next day.

These days, Norcross is feeling good and grateful for the care she received. She’s feeling less fatigued, is treating her high blood pressure, and made some lifestyle changes including walking more and drinking less caffeine. The biggest change: she finally gave up smoking. She still has follow-up appointments with Dr. Cox.

Norcross says she’s feeling especially grateful this Christmas season that her aneurysm was caught in time.

“It can be fixed when you know about it, but once it gets past that point, which mine was well on its way," says Norcross. "So, if I had not hurt my back. Most times it's found accidentally, by looking for something else or at something else. So that's how mine was discovered, accidentally.”

Dr. Cox says the bottom line when it comes to treating abdominal aortic aneurysms is making a diagnosis before it’s too late. And that’s where screening comes in. She encourages men and women, 65 and older with a smoking history, to get screened. It can be done in an office setting and takes less than one hour to complete.

“We see here a great outcome that maybe if years had passed and the aneurysm had progressed, our outcome would have been a different story," she says. "I'm glad we're here to tell this one today. It was a very good story. And a patient who's become a champion for recognizing aneurysms, and I'm very proud of her for that.”

For more information, visit OSF HealthCare.

Linda Norcross Interview Clips

Dr. Samantha Cox Interview Clips 

B-Roll 

Christina Reifsteck knows the statistics all too well.

Law enforcement officers may not live as long as people in other professions. The job requires you to be in a constant state of hypervigilance for up to a 12-hour shift. The resulting stress may lead to serious heart issues.

But Reifsteck, a sergeant with the Rantoul, Illinois, police department, her colleagues and OSF HealthCare are trying to change that.

Rantoul police have partnered with OSF HealthCare Occupational Health and OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute to have OSF provide heart screenings and the necessary follow-up appointments for officers.

“We wanted to make sure our officers have a better knowledge of what is going on inside their body,” Reifsteck says. “Sometimes you can’t see the problems.”

For Reifsteck, that need for knowledge played out on a gray February morning at OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois. With monitors attached to her body, she walked, then ran on a treadmill while OSF Mission Partners (employees) observed her heart rate on a screen. It’s known as a stress test.

“The treadmill started out slow, and every couple minutes it got faster, and the incline raised higher,” Reifsteck recalls. “You did feel like at the end you were getting a workout. But it felt fine.”

“With the stress test, we try to identify someone’s functional capacity and if they demonstrate any evidence of impairment of blood flow to the heart,” says Alaa Ujayli, MD, an interventional cardiologist at OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute in Urbana.

Down the hall, Reifsteck got pictures taken of her heart.

“We look at calcification of the coronary arteries, which is the beginning of plaque disease,” Dr. Ujayli says.

Reifsteck got reassuring news that her test results looked good. But a follow-up appointment with a cardiology provider was on her calendar for two days later.

“See where we are and if I need to make some lifestyle changes,” Reifsteck says. “First responders function better when they’re healthy.”

Dr. Ujayli agrees.

“Cardiovascular disease is a preventable illness,” he says. “If we establish preventive measures, we have a significant impact on the progression of the disease.”

Those measures include medication, talking with a dietitian to change eating habits, consistent exercise, better sleep habits and avoiding smoking and alcohol. Mental health care like meditation and visiting a counselor are also helpful for everyone, but especially first responders. More serious heart issues may require a procedure in the hospital.

Learn more about heart care on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips - Sgt. Christina Reifsteck

B-roll

A new CDC recommendation says all adults should be screened for hepatitis B at least once.

It's a reminder about a disease, that, thankfully, experts say we don't need to think about daily.

David Rzepczynski, MD, a gastroenterologist at OSF HealthCare in Urbana, Illinois, explains that while there are many types of hepatitis – A, B, C, D and E – they all describe inflammation of the liver.

How it’s spread

Dr. Rzepczynski says hepatitis B is most commonly spread through bodily fluids like blood, saliva and fluids from the genital area.

A common scenario, he says, is young adults spreading the disease by sharing needles to inject drugs. Sexual relations between people who are infected can also result in the spread.

And there are everyday scenarios. Someone may share a toothbrush or a shaving razor with a person close to them. Children may be roughhousing outside and get a cut, exposing their blood to others.

But Dr. Rzepczynski stresses hepatitis B doesn’t have to be a chief concern when, for example, your kids are at the playground. Just make sure they avoid contact with blood. And ideally, families, roommates and partners would know ahead of time if the people they are around have the virus or have been exposed.

Something else you don’t need to worry about in 2023: getting hepatitis B from donated blood.

“That’s almost nonexistent now,” Dr. Rzepczynski says, due to advances in testing.

“The blood bank works to evaluate a blood donation in terms of the risk of contracting and transmitting hepatitis B to another person,” Dr. Rzepczynski says. “Right now, the risk is maybe one out of a million.”

Symptoms

Not all people who get hepatitis B show symptoms. But those who get an acute, sudden infection may experience fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right abdomen and – for smokers – less desire to light up.

Dr. Rzepczynski says around 30% of people with acute hepatitis B develop jaundice, the hallmark symptom of liver disease.

“Yellow jaundice is a condition where the skin will have a yellowish tint to it. The whites of the eyes will have a yellowish tint to them,” Dr. Rzepczynski says. “Sometimes it can be very subtle. Depending on the light, you may not even notice it. The other extreme: a person might look like they’re ready for Halloween. They look like a pumpkin.”

The chief long-term effect of hepatitis B, in terms of decades, not months, Dr. Rzepczynski says, is cirrhosis of the liver, which can be life-threatening.

“When you develop scarring of the liver and there’s a buildup of scar tissue, you can develop a liver that’s shrunken in size. It’s not functioning as well because there’s a loss of liver cells from the scarring,” he says.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

Know your risk for hepatitis

Common gastrointestinal ailments are a pain, but treatable

A brawl is brewing between government regulators and the manufacturer of the best-selling e-cigarettes in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to pause its ban on products from vaping company Juul while the government reviews the company's electronic cigarettes. 

The FDA had banned the marketing and sales of all vaping products produced by the company, a decision that was appealed by Juul, yet applauded by health care professionals. 

“Why would we inhale anything in our lungs except good clean air?” remarks Dr. Patrick Whitten, an OSF HealthCare pulmonologist in Peoria, IL. “So it's just yet another step in the right direction to try to get people not to put anything in their lungs this damaging.”

The FDA claims Juul’s application for authorization lacks enough details about the chemical makeup of its vaping formulas, and doesn’t significantly prove that its e-cigarettes help adult smokers quit or reduce their smoking. 

Another concern of government regulators and health care providers alike is the increase in teen and adolescent vaping, and what Juul Labs, which is owned by Altria Group Inc., the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, is doing to prevent it. 

“The cigarette companies realize that it's important for them to get people hooked on these products because cigarettes kill people and if they kill their consumer, they have to replace that consumer or else they don't have a business model,” says Dr. Whitten. “So this despicable business model is to get younger smokers or younger people hooked on their products to continue to use. If they don't replace their consumers that they're killing off, they have no business.”

As the battle between the FDA and Juul continues in the courtroom, Dr. Whitten urges parents to be proactive at home. 

At high doses, nicotine can cause dizziness and vomiting. Users who refill their own cartridges are especially at risk for unsafe levels of the drug. Even more concerning, young children have been poisoned after coming in contact with the nicotine-containing liquid. Teens who use e-cigarettes may become addicted to nicotine, which can harm their developing brain. There’s also concern they may start smoking regular cigarettes. 

According the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, about one out of every 35 middle school students and one of every nine high school students reported that they had used electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days.

Dr. Whitten says a parent’s open and honest communication with their kids can help pave the way to a smoke and vape-free future. 

“Education is the key here,” he explains. “We can all learn things from each other, right? So even for our own kids, who we think are not going to be doing things like vaping, information is so important. So why they shouldn’t do things like that. So it's good to have that open dialogue between the parents and the kids.”

When it comes to both vaping and smoking, the top takeaway, according to Dr. Whitten, is to not start. And if you are a smoker to quit. He says it’s never too late – even for life long smokers. 

“It’s never, never too late to quit. When someone quits smoking, even within hours, some of the respiratory cells start to heal themselves a little bit. And you do reduce your risk for lung cancer over time. It's not back to zero, but you do decrease some of that risk if you quit smoking.”

For help quitting smoking, speak with your primary care physician. OSF HealthCare also offers structured programs to help individuals who want to quit. To learn more visit osfhealthcare.org and search “smoking cessation.”

Interview Clips - Dr. Patrick Whitten