Written by Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine
Wondering what to do with your old iPod? It may be more useful that you think.
The power of music on the mind has been well-studied, showing that it can provide connections and trigger long-term memories, even in those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These connections become even stronger when the music is linked to emotional recall and personal memories.
People living with Alzheimer’s may benefit from a program known as Music and Memory, which uses personalized playlists to trigger pleasant memories in dementia patients. According to researchers at Music and Memory, dementia patients at elder care facilities who listen to these playlists are happier, more social, more cooperative, more attentive, less agitated and less reliant on medications.
Maggie Schaver, who works at the SIU Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (CADRD), helped introduce Music and Memory to a local elder care facility nearly two years ago. “After starting the program at Mill Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, we’ve seen people who are withdrawn talk freely about memories associated with their music; we have seen sedentary people get up and dance down the hall; and we have seen people who are upset, even crying, become calm and smile.”
Schaver established a program for SIU Memory and Aging Clinic patients and is working to generate interest among other facilities. CADRD is seeking donations of new or used iPods and chargers to help enrich the lives of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Specific needs include:
– iPods, new or used (Shuffles, post-2009 are best, but any working iPod will do)
– Accompanying chargers
– Monetary gifts to assist with the purchase of headphones (ear-buds are not needed)
– iTunes gift cards
Please mail or deliver iPods to Maggie Schaver, SIU-SM Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, Room 3500, SIU Clinics, 751 N. Rutledge St., PO Box 19643, Springfield, 62794-9643. Contact Schaver at 217.545.7193 or mschaver@siumed.edu.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, but approximately 25% of them don’t know they have it. By 2050, researchers predict that 1 in 3 Americans will have diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which a person’s body does not produce or properly process sugar. Sara Lopinski, SIU registered dietitian, says two groups of individuals are at risk for diabetes: Americans and individuals who sit at a desk most of the day, don’t get much exercise and don’t eat a healthy diet.
The prevalence of diabetes in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. The typical high-calorie, low-exercise American lifestyle has become a driving factor in this unfortunate health crisis. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness and a number of other life-threatening medical complications.

Find out if you’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes by taking a quick Diabetes Risk Test here. After answering some simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors, you’ll receive your score. If you are at a high risk for diabetes, you can minimize your chances of developing the disease by exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and eating healthy.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

By Laura Bottom, SIU School of Medicine
Oh, the awkward stages… we’ve all been there – the struggle to find a sense of self, want for increased independence, peer pressure and moodiness… Yes, we are talking about the adolescent years. This can be some of the most rewarding yet worrisome time during in a parent’s life.
Adolescence encompasses different stages of growth physically, emotionally and mentally. During early adolescence, the child will struggle to find a sense of identity and independence. Parents will notice a change in their adolescent’s clothing style and concerns in physical appearance, peer groups, increased interest in sex, limit testing, rudeness and less affection towards parents.
During the later adolescent years, teens develop a better sense of self and ability to think through ideas, resulting in fewer conflicts. Peer relationships and other interests remain important, but teens develop a greater understanding of sexual identity and physical relationships. Adolescents will also gain a better ability for setting goals, defining work habits and showing concern for the future.
The best way to prepare you and your child for the adolescent years is to start laying the foundation down early. Parents should create a safe and loving home environment by developing a mutual trust and fostering an open, honest and respectful relationship. “Parents often struggle to provide clear limits for their teenagers, while also giving them room to grow and make mistakes,” says SIU Center for Family Medicine’s behavioral health consultant Meghan Golden. “It can be helpful for them to keep lines of communication open, providing a ‘why’ for limits and boundaries. Open communication also shows teenagers that their parents are available to them during difficult and confusing times.” Golden recommends parents focus on helping adolescents understand the importance of accepting limits and thinking before acting. During this phase, it is also vital for adolescents to know they can turn to their parent for guidance, love and support. Parents can help their teens in several ways, such as:

• Monitoring if stress is affecting their physical, behavioral or mental health
• Listening to their adolescent’s ideas and concerns
• Learning and modeling stress management skills-be a positive leader and role model
• Supporting their adolescent in his/her activities

“While it’s important to keep our kids safe during the teen years, it is also important to allow them some room to explore their own interests and preferences. As long as it is not dangerous, let your teen explore new things,” explains  Michael Goldberg, a behavioral health consultant at SIU Center for Family Medicine. Throughout all of these changes, the adolescence years can be a very stressful time for both the child and the parent, says Goldberg. Poorly managed stress can lead to anxiety, aggression, withdrawal, physical illness or poor coping skills (i.e. drug/alcohol use).
Some common sources of stress for adolescents are:

• School demands and frustrations
• Poor self-esteem and body changes
• Problems with peers
• Unsafe/unstable living environment or family financial problems
• Lack of parental support
• Separated/divorced parents
• Chronic illness, severe health problems in the family or death of a loved one
• Taking on too many activities and having too high of expectations for self

Preteens and teenagers can benefit from learning stress management skills.

• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy meals
• Abstain from excess caffeine, tobacco, illegal drugs and alcohol
• Learn relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing
• Learn practical coping skills, such as taking a large task and breaking it down into smaller tasks
• Decrease negative self-talk
• Compliment oneself
• Take breaks from stressful situations
• Surround him/herself with fun, positive peers

With the proper support, any parent and teenager can make it through those awkward adolescent years of life.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Written by Steve Sandstrom, SIU School of Medicine

When you reach the age of 50, this milestone birthday can be a cause for celebration and reflection. It may trigger a sense of time slipping away and bring a newfound focus and urgency for what you hope to accomplish in the years ahead.
With half a century under your belt, doctors and health-care practitioner encourage you to do at least one thing in that year ahead: get a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is a test that allows a doctor to look at the inner lining of the large intestine (rectum and colon). Using a thin, flexible tube with a small video camera attached, the physician examines the walls of the intestine for polyps or other irregularities that could develop into cancer and removes any suspect tissue and abnormal growths.
The examination itself is painless and relatively short. It takes place while you’re under general anesthesia.

However, before the test, you will need to do a “colon prep” to clear the plumbing. For many people, the prep is worse than the test. It takes 1 to 2 days, depending on which type of prep your doctor recommends. It may involve drinking a special solution. If so, be sure to have clear fruit juices or sports drinks on hand after the prep because the solution may have a salty or unpleasant taste.
Plan to stay home during prep time. The bowel prep may cause discomfort and loose, frequent stools. That’s of necessity: your intestines need to be completely empty before the test. A family member or friend is required to drive you home afterwards. Once the test has been completed, you’re free to return to your regular dietary habits. The exam results should be available within the week.

The frequency of follow-up testing depends on the results of the colonoscopy. For patients with a clean prognosis, you get a decade to relax — and another reason to cringe about your 60th birthday.

Copyright SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Free home screening test kits for colorectal cancer will be available at Simmons Cancer Institute’s lobby 315 W. Carpenter Street in Springfield on March 20 from 2-4:30 pm. Those 50 and older are required to sign a consent from.  After completing the kit at home, individuals will mail it back in a provided pre-addressed envelope. Individuals will receive a letter notifying them of their results. Testing and processing is done in collaboration with the Regional Cancer Partnership of Illinois (RCPIL) and the Sangamon County Department of Public Health.
Though the kits are not specific tests for colon cancer, they can detect the presence of blood, which can be an indicator of several different medical conditions.
The screening kit does not substitute for a colonoscopy, the best method to detect colorectal cancer. Regularly scheduled screenings in the form of colonoscopies can prevent cancer from developing if precancerous polyps are detected and removed before they become cancer. Regular screenings can also find cancer in its earliest stages when it can be treated.
SIU School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery and Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) physicians will also provide information on the prevention, early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer from 5:30-6:30 pm on Tuesday, March 24, at SCI. Dr. Jan Rakinic and Dr. Prasad Poola will lead the discussion to raise awareness of colorectal cancer. A registered dietician will also be on hand to provide information regarding healthy eating, which is proven to reduce the risk of cancer.