Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
No one wants to be known for having bad breath, but did you know that there are major health benefits to keeping your dental hygiene pristine?
Research has found links between gum disease and many health conditions including

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Respiratory disease
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

The mouth is also a portal for infection: bacteria can enter the bloodstream through inflamed or irritated gums. This can lead to inflammation in other areas of the body, including the heart. Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry found that those with gum disease were twice as likely as others to die from a heart attack and three times as likely to have a stroke.
Visit your dentist every 6 months for optimum oral hygiene and talk to your primary care provider if you feel your oral health is affecting  your overall health. Brush at least twice a day, floss and use mouthwash to keep your mouth and the rest of you healthy.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

The MIND diet is one of the most recent diets to make headlines for its benefits to the brain. (MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and Harvard School of Public Health have found that nutrition is linked to the onset of dementia. With Alzheimer’s disease ranked as the sixth leading cause of death, affecting more than five million people in the United States, Americans should take note and adjust their grocery list.
“What we eat directly affects all areas of our health,” says SIU dietitian Sara Lopinski. “Not only is the MIND diet good for our brains, but it has many other health benefits.”
Those who strictly followed the MIND diet reduced their risk of Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 53%, and even those who didn’t stick to a precise MIND diet regimen reduced their risk by approximately 35%.
The MIND diet combines recommendations of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets. The 10 brain-healthy food groups touted by the MIND diet include:

1. Green leafy vegetables – Go green! Kale, spinach, broccoli and collards are full of vitamins and other nutrients. At least two servings a week is good, but aim for six or more to obtain the best benefits.
2. Other vegetables – Eat at least one other vegetable every day with your green veggies.
3. Nuts – Nuts contain healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants and are a great snack. The MIND diet recommends eating nuts at least five times a week.
4. Berries – While fruits are a great source of nutrition, the MIND diet specifically recommends consuming berries at least twice a week.
5. Beans – High in fiber and protein, low in fat and calories, eat beans three times a week.
6. Whole grains – Three servings a day will supposedly keep dementia away.
7. Fish – Unlike the Mediterranean diet that recommends eating fish once a day, those on the MIND diet should eat fish at least once a week.
8. Poultry – The MIND diet recommends two or more servings of poultry per week.
9. Olive oil – When you absolutely must cook with oil, opt for olive oil.
10. Wine – Cheers to the MIND diet! One glass of wine a day is recommended, only one.

Wondering what not to eat? The MIND diet lists five foods to avoid in order to lessen your risk of developing dementia:

1. Red meat – The MIND diet isn’t putting an embargo on steak, but no more than four servings of red meat per week is best to protect brain health.
2. Cheese – Those delicious cubes of cheddar atop a cracker might not be as great as you think. Too much cheese isn’t doing your brain (or waistline) any favors, so limit to no more than once a week.
3. Sweets – Schedule your sweet tooth to five treats – pastries, donuts, cookies, candy, etc. – to once a week.
4. Butter and margarine – Use less than a tablespoon per day; opt for olive oil instead.
5. Fried food – Limit yourself to having fried food only once a week. Your brain, heart and cholesterol will thank you.

The longer you can stick with the diet, the greater your long-term benefits. But researchers and physicians say that even if you fall off the wagon here and there, you still are helping to protect your brain’s health.

Kidney cancer is one of the ten most common cancers among men and women. In 2015, the American Cancer Society predicts about 61,560 new cases of kidney cancer will occur and about 14,080 people will die from kidney cancer.
When faced with a kidney cancer diagnosis, patients and their cancer care team discuss treatment options that best fit the stage of the cancer, the patients’ overall health, the potential side effects of treatments and the probability of curing the disease, extending life or relieving symptoms.
One of the most effective treatments for most kidney cancers is surgery. Depending on the stage and the location of the cancer, cancer teams may choose to remove either the cancer along with some surrounding kidney tissue, known as a partial nephrectomy (pahr-shuh l  nuh–frek-tuh-mee) or they may choose to remove the entire kidney through a procedure known as a radical nephrectomy.
Patients in central and southern Illinois now have a new option to consider if faced with a kidney cancer diagnosis: the da Vinci robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy. Guided by magnified 3D, high-definition vision system and special wristed instruments that bend and rotate beyond the capacity of a human wrist, surgeons achieve greater control and precision. Using the robotic technology, surgeons can make just a few small incisions, rather than one large incision created in traditional surgery.
Dr. Shaheen Alanee, an SIU School of Medicine surgeon who specializes in urological oncology, tells us more in a Q&A.

Q: What is the goal of a retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy?
A: Partial removal of the kidney for cancer can be done safely and effectively through the traditional trans peritoneal approach (passing instruments through the abdominal cavity), but this requires moving the bowel off the surface of the kidney, thus possibly increasing the risks of bowel injury and lazy bowel after the surgery. Retroperitoneal approach avoids the abdominal cavity entirely and reaches the kidney directly through the back of the patient. It is ideal for tumors on the back surface of the kidney.
This approach also:

• Provides us with more direct access to the blood supply of the kidney, resulting in decreased blood loss during the surgery
• Allows the confinement of blood and urine within the abdominal cavity, minimizing the negative effects on the abdominal organs

Q: How is this type of surgery improved through robotics? What are the advantages to the patient?
A: The da Vinci platform allows us to keep a minimally invasive approach to treating the cancer through small incisions while having the range of motion without removing the entire kidney. It leads to more precise tumor removal, greater likelihood that kidney function will be preserved and shorter hospital stays for our patients.

Dr. Shaheen Alanee completed a two-year fellowship in urologic oncology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where he gained extensive experience using the da Vinci platform. He is the only surgeon at SIU School of Medicine who has been trained to perform the robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy. 

Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Halloween may be a child’s dream come true, but it can be a nightmare for parents who want to emphasize healthy eating.
In the U.S., nearly one in three young people between ages 2 and 19 is considered overweight or obese. In Illinois, that number is even higher, with approximately 35% of children ages 10 to 17 carrying extra pounds. And the numbers are rising according to the CDC.
Obese children and teens are more likely to have health problems, including pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of type 2 diabetes. “Down the road, type 2 diabetes can lead to cardiovascular problems, renal problems, kidney issues, vision problems, loss of limbs and possibly the need for dialysis,” says SIU pediatrician Dr. Marthe dela Cruz.

Follow these tips to help kids learn the importance of moderation and making healthy choices

1.  Several days before Halloween, start talking about:

• All the treats they will get
• Making the candy last longer by dividing it up so it can be enjoyed over several weeks
• Eating sweets in moderation

2.  Get your kids involved in the dividing process to give them some ownership in making positive choices.

3.  Help make the Halloween treats part of a healthy eating plan by establishing:

• How much can be eaten
• When treats can be eaten
• How healthier foods fit in with candy and other treats

Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine

Each year, more than 400,000 people in the U.S. die from tobacco use, making it the leading cause of preventable death in the country, according to the American Lung Association. Quitting smoking is especially crucial for those who have cancer, according to Dr. Michelle Gates, a psychologist at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at SIU School of Medicine.

Quitting smoking before starting cancer treatment can:

• minimize the severity of treatment side effects

• maximize the body’s ability to heal after treatment

• increase positive treatment outcomes

• lower the chance of the cancer returning

“Quitting is tough, but it can also be an opportunity for empowerment and a chance for people with cancer to regain some control over their health and life,” Dr. Gates said. “I encourage people to talk to their doctor about medications, make an appointment with a psychologist or counselor, and enlist support from family and friends. Several smartphone applications can be helpful.”

To help people in central Illinois kick the nicotine habit, SCI is sponsoring the Freedom from Smoking group class, developed by the American Lung Association. Class participants will attend eight scheduled classes from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, October 20 through December 3.

The eight-week program is designed to help participants learn how to beat tobaccoaddiction, adopt healthy lifestyle changes that make quitting easier, manage stress more effectively, avoid weight gain and stay smoke-free for good. The program has helped more than one million Americans overcome addiction to nicotine in the past 30 years.

“We don’t expect you to walk in the door and quit smoking immediately,” said Kristi Lessen, class facilitator and outreach coordinator at SCI.

“Quit Week” is Tuesday, November 10. An extra class is scheduled on Thursday, November 12, for additional support and assistance. 

Participants must attend every class, which is limited to 10 individuals. The classes provide a group setting to work through the process of quitting smoking. Research shows that the more time smokers spend in a supportive situation, the more likely they will achieve the goal to quit smoking.

Registration is $50 per person to cover program materials. To register, call 217-545-7493 or register online at www.siumed.edu/cancer and click on the “Freedom from Smoking” link.

The statistics on breast cancer are startling:

• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.
• Approximately 300,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
• One in eight women is expected to have breast cancer in her lifetime.

The American Society of Breast Surgeons recommends women begin screening for breast cancer at the age of 40 and continue getting mammograms each year. For women who have high risk for breast cancer or a family member who had breast cancer at an early age, screenings should begin 10 years earlier than the age the person in the family developed breast cancer.

Three tests
“The best way of detecting breast cancer is the triple test: self-screening, annual mammograms and a physician- or nurse practitioner-directed exam,” said Dr. Robert Mocharnuk, director of the Breast Center at Simons Cancer Institute in Springfield.

Early detection is key
The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the prognosis. “Those who have early stage breast cancer actually do very well,” said Dr. Mocharnuk.
The five-year survival rate for various stages:
Stage 1 breast cancer patient has a survival rate of nearly 100%.
Stage 2 breast cancer, which could possibly include lymph node involvement, has a survival rate of 93%.
State 3 breast cancer survival rate is 72%.
Stage 4 or metastatic breast cancer has a survival rate of only about 20%.
Most insurance companies and Medicare are required to cover mammography screening for breast cancer. The Regional Cancer Partnership of Illinois will provide free mammograms for uninsured and under-insured women age 40 and older on Mondays in October at the locations listed below.

Mammogram Mondays
– Memorial Medical Center, 4 – 7 pm at the Baylis Building, 747 N. Rutledge, Springfield. Call 217-788-4042 (Memorial Mammography) for an appointment.

– St. John’s Women’s Center, 8 – 11 am at 1100 Lincolnshire (near the Aldi’s on South 6th St.), Springfield. Call 217-757-6400, ext. 3 (St. John’s Women’s Center).

–  Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, 3 – 4:30 p.m. at 200 Stahlhut Drive. Call 217-605-5108. ALMH is a first-time site for the Mammogram Mondays program.

Copyright ©SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Written by Hillary LaMontagne, LCPC, CADC, SIU School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry

1)      Depression.  Anxiety.  Bipolar.  Schizophrenia.  Alcoholism. 

2)      Cancer. Diabetes. Asthma.  Heart Disease.  Arthritis.

What do the above two lists have in common?  The answer should be obvious—they are all diseases requiring treatment if those afflicted hope to lead fulfilling lives. However, all too often, those in the first group face stigma which negatively affects their chances at recovery and prevents them from accessing treatment.  Most of us wouldn’t hesitate to tell a family member, friend or coworker if we were suffering from any of the ailments referenced in the second group. Additionally, we would more than likely receive understanding and support to aid in the recovery process.  In spite of the fact that approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S experiences mental illness in a given year, openly talking about mental illness remains taboo.  As a therapist, I find my patients often fear disclosing their mental illness to others. Many patients:

• Fear being fired or facing discrimination at work.
• Experience a lack of understanding from those closest to them, hearing comments such as, “Just stop feeling sad” or “You’re making yourself miserable.”
• Worry that they will be defined by their mental illness and treated with kid gloves.  For instance, several of my patients have commented that family members/partners are hesitant to share information with them for fear of triggering a relapse.  Additionally, when they voice a difference of opinion, this is often attributed to their mental illness instead of their right to disagree.
• Experience concern about being able to establish/maintain romantic relationships due to being viewed as somehow defective.
• Feel anxiety regarding their ability to access resources such as housing and insurance without discrimination.

We must all join the fight to end stigma surrounding mental illness by:

• Recognizing that it is a sign of strength and courage to seek help for mental illness.
• Providing a non-judgmental, listening ear to those dealing with mental illness.
• Avoiding the use of pejorative language such as “crazy” or “psycho” to describe individuals and experiences we perceive as different.
• Speaking up when you see examples of stigma in the media or hear others making jokes about mental illness.
• Being willing to educate ourselves about the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
• Using “person first” language instead of labeling those dealing with mental illness.
• Refusing to buy into stereotypes about mental illness.

If you or someone you care about is suffering in silence with mental illness, don’t be afraid to get help.  Talk to your primary care doctor or call 217-545-8000 to schedule an appointment with a mental health care professional at SIU School of Medicine. NAMI’s website, www.nami.org, also offers a wealth of information and treatment options regarding mental illness to help you on the road to recovery.

Written by Laura Bottom, SIU Center for Family Medicine

It’s flu season again. We know the flu can wreak havoc on our bodies, but did you know the flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women compared to woman who are not pregnant? Jennifer Bliesner, a nurse at SIU Center for Family Medicine, explains that pregnant women are more susceptible to severe illness caused by the flu due to changes in the immune system, heart and lungs during pregnancy.

“The flu could increase chances of premature labor and delivery,” explains Bliesner.  Also, a fever caused by the flu infection could lead to birth defects in an unborn child.

Pregnant women who do not get vaccinated have a higher risk of hospitalization and death. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu shot is safe for pregnant women and fetuses during any trimester. The flu shot is the best protection from serious illness or complications caused by the influenza virus.

It is important to get the flu shot early, as it takes about two weeks for the body to start making antibodies, which can be passed on to the unborn baby and continue to protect the baby for up to six months after he or she is born. This is very important because once born, babies younger than six months old are too young to receive a flu shot, leaving them vulnerable to the flu virus.  If you decide to breastfeed, antibodies could also be passed through breast milk.

In addition to the flu shot, the CDC recommends these preventative measures:

• Avoid close contact with sick people and limit contact if you are sick.

• If you get sick, you should stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, unless you are in need of medical care or other necessities.

• Use your arm or tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.

• Frequently wash hands with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use a 60% alcohol based hand rub.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

If you are pregnant and have symptoms of the flu, call your doctor immediately. Health care professionals can prescribe medicine to treat the flu and lessen the chance of serious illness. This medicine should be started as soon as possible.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are in need of a primary care physician, SIU Center for Family Medicine is here to provide care for your whole family. Our physicians are just a phone call away at 545-8000.