In celebration of Black History Month, fourth-year medical student April McNeill takes us on “A Journey Through Medicine,” a display celebrating 40 years of diversity at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois. Watch here.

Written by Steve Sandstrom, SIU School of Medicine
Men of color face disadvantages when it comes to health care, whether it’s cancer, stroke, heart disease or other health problems.
Numerous studies show that racial disparities and socio-economic status affect when a patient gets diagnosed with cancer, what type of treatment he gets and how likely it is he will survive. Prostate, colon and breast cancers are all more severe in African Americans. “Those cancers either tend to affect minorities more often or be more prevalent when they affect minorities,” says Dr. Wesley Robinson-McNeese an emergency medicine physician. “Or they tend to lead to death, whereas in other populations they do not.” In addition, Dr. McNeese says most cancers in African Americans are generally discovered at more advanced stages.
“If you’re an African American, think of yourself differently when it comes to testing guidelines,” says Dr. Shaheen Alanee, a urologist specializing in surgical urology. He notes that when it comes to prostate cancer, most male research test subjects have been Caucasian, so the studies are not representative. The prostate cancer we see in this group is different, it’s more aggressive, and we don’t know as much about it.” The guidelines suggest men get their prostate checked between the ages of 54 to 72. But men who have a first-degree relative — a father or brother — who was diagnosed with prostate cancer should have it checked at a younger age, he says.
Genetics, too, play a critical role in personal health. Inherited types of urologic malignancies are well known among physicians, and men need to be aware of how their family history raises a predisposition to certain diseases, primarily prostate and kidney cancers.
Strokes and diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes are also more prevalent among blacks, Dr. McNeese says. He attributes this to health disparities and other difficulties African Americans face in getting health care. “The reasons are numerous – but education within minority populations and their access to health care figure into it,” he says.
If you are in need of a primary care physician, call 217-545-8000 and ask for the Center for Family Medicine. Our FQHC status gives us the opportunity to care for anyone regardless if you have health insurance or not. We are also a sign up location for people who are in need of health insurance.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Learn more about preventing hearth disease here.

Written by Laura Bottom, SIU Center for Family Medicine
“You don’t look like you’ve been feeling good,” said Lois to her husband of 46 years. “I think you should see the doctor.”
“I feel fine,” Harold replied. “I don’t want to go to the doctor.”
Lois made an appointment anyway.
A week later, Harold visited his primary care physician. He explained how he has been feeling and mentioned that he went for a walk, had to rest because he was tired and had a slight pain in his chest, but dismissed it as indigestion. “I want to do an EKG to make sure it was nothing,” said the physician.
It was something: The results showed that the man had a heart attack. They physician expressed the urgency for him to see a cardiologist. That following week the cardiologist told the husband that he had 100% blockage on the right side of his heart and 80% blockage on the left side. Two days later, the husband had a successful triple by-pass surgery.
“Thank you for saving my life,” Harold said at a follow-up with his primary care physician.
Your primary care physician (PCP) is the first line of defense in your health. They play an important role in health care as they evaluate risk factors, perform diagnostic testing and look for evidence of other diseases. PCPs diagnose and treat common illnesses and discover other health problems before they become serious. Like Harold’s PCP did, they also assess the urgency of medical problems and direct patients to the best place for specialty care when needed.
Know the signs of a heart attack:

• Chest discomfort- Tight ache, pressure, fullness, squeezing. This can come and go.
• Upper body pain- Shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw. This can happen without chest pain.
• Stomach pain- Pain can extend to your abdominal area and feel like heartburn/indigestion.
• Shortness of breath- You may pant or take deep breaths and may or may not experience chest discomfort.
• Anxiety- Feeling of a panic attack for no reason
• Lightheadedness- Feeling of dizziness or like you might pass out
• Sweating- Break into a sudden sweat and have cold, clammy skin
• Nausea and vomiting- Feel sick to your stomach

Heart attack symptoms vary widely, so it is important not to downplay your symptoms and excuse them as something else like indigestion or anxiety. If you suspect you could be having a heart attack call for emergency medical treatment immediately. It could save your life.
If you are in need of a primary care physician, call 217-545-8000 and ask for the Center for Family Medicine. Our FQHC status gives us the opportunity to care for anyone regardless if you have health insurance or not. We are also a sign up location for people who are in need of health insurance.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
*patients’ names have been changed.

Written by Laura Bottom, SIU Center for Family Medicine
The cold Midwest winter may tempt you to escape to a tropical paradise, but health care providers have a warning for would-be travelers: Beware of mosquito bites. The Zika virus, spread through the Aedes mosquito, is the latest public health emergency, affecting Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Pacific Islands and Cape Verde, Africa.
SIU Center for Family Medicine physician Dr. Wendi El-Amin cautions, “This virus presents many challenges to the medical community since 80% of infected individuals have no symptoms and no treatment exist other than supportive therapy. Additionally, the Zika virus can be spread from human to human through sexual contact.” Though symptoms are rare, some people may experience fever, rash, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and joint and muscle pain, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These symptoms could last from several days to a week.
“Health care workers should be aware of the recent travel of their patients,” Dr. El-Amin recommends.  It is strongly recommended that women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should postpone travel to areas where the virus is active.
Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant are at an especially greater risk, warns the CDC. Pregnant women who have been infected with the virus have experienced poor pregnancy outcomes, including microcephaly, a birth defect in which the baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of similar age and gender. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly, which could lead to future health problems.
If you plan to travel to an affect area or are unable to postpone your trip, Dr. El-Amin recommends speaking to your health care provider about steps you can take to prevent mosquito bites while traveling. For more information and current updates on the Zika virus, visit the CDC webpage at www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html.
Check out what other SIU School of Medicine doctors have to say about the virus on the State Journal-Register and News Channel 20.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Written by Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine
Weight loss: It’s the number one New Year’s resolution people make. But according to SIU registered dietician Cindy Yergler, it’s the wrong one to make.
“Losing weight is the result of a change in behavior, so it’s not enough to say, ‘I want to lose weight in 2016,’” says Yergler. “It takes preparation, accountability, structure and focus to eat healthier, and acknowledging that fact is the first step to weight loss.”
Although she admits losing weight – and keeping it off – “takes a lot of hard work,” Yergler does have a few words of advice to make the weight loss journey a piece of cake – er, a protein-filled pancake, that is.

Prepare yourself mentally
Yergler recommends giving eating some thought: Plan meals in advance, make healthy options easily accessible and make snacks and meals travel-friendly. “Stock some basics, like carrots or celery, that you know you like,” Yergler advises. “Consider buying a veggie tray from the grocery store and purchasing individual servings of low calories dressing.” Not feeling fruits or veggies? Opt for lean protein, such as yogurt, skim milk, chicken breasts and fish fillets. “Prepare to be bored at times by what you eat,” Yergler warns. How you feel physically will make up for your less exciting meal options.
Bonus tip: Try placing a bowl of fruit on the counter or in the refrigerator where you’re most likely to see it.

Create accountability
To successfully lose weight and keep it off, the veteran dietician says you need accountability. “Whether you enroll in a program face-to-face or online, see a trainer, health professional or friend, or keep record of what you eat, you’re holding yourself accountable and making it less likely you’ll give in to temptation.”

Give structure to your eating
“Make sure you eat high quality, lean protein at all meals, including breakfast,” she recommends. Between meals, have a healthy snack to curb hunger. Aim to eat at least five cups of non-starchy fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, citrus fruit, carrots and green beans, each day.
Bonus tip: “Focus on what you can eat, not what you can’t.”

Be aware of hidden calories
“Stop drinking your calories and carbohydrates!” Yergler requests. “Coffee drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks alcoholic beverages and soda all contribute to huge amounts of sugar, and, in some cases, fat.” She also warns against eating too much fast food. “Studies of people who have successfully lost weight and maintained it have fast food less than once a week.”

Include exercise
“Our bodies are made to move – they want to move!” she explains. “In discussing the long term prospects for maintenance of a weight loss, I would always add that exercise must be a part of it.”
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Burn injury treatment and prevention have come a long way in the past fifty years. To learn more about burn awareness, we spoke with Dr. Michael Neumeister, SIU plastic surgeon and medical director of Memorial Medical Center’s Regional Burn Center.

Q. Tell us about the Regional Burn Center at Memorial Medical Center and its partnership with SIU School of Medicine.
A. We’re one of only a handful of burn centers in all of Illinois, the others are all located in northern Illinois. Hospitals from all over the region send their most severe burn patients to us for treatment. With assistance from SIU School of Medicine, we serve a wide region across central and southern Illinois and treat more than 200 acutely injured patients each year. We use a multi-disciplinary team approach to treating burn patients, including physicians, plastic surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians and psychologists.

Q. Burn treatments and survival rates have improved dramatically. In the 1970s, about 9,000 people in the U.S. died from burns each year; today, it’s fewer than 4,000. What’s changed in the past fifty years to account for that difference?
A. In the 1970s, people whose burns covered more than 20% of their bodies almost always died. Today, we’re able to save people with burns covering 90% of their bodies.
Specialized burn centers, like ours, have the technology and people with highly specialized training necessary to treat acute burns. Through years of research, we’ve also established some best approaches for fluid resuscitation, wound cleaning, skin replacement, infection control and nutritional support.
Burn prevention messages, fire drills and escape plans have also had a great impact in preventing burns from occurring.

Q. What does a burn survivor’s healing process involve? How long do patients typically stay in the hospital?
A. Patients’ length of recovery depends on several factors – how much of their body was burned, how they were burned, where they were burned and how deep the burns reach. In some cases, patients can be in the hospital for a several months. In the case of electrical burns, for example, they may not look that bad, but they’re actually some of the worst burns because the muscle is affected.

Q. When we think of burn survivors, we often think of the physical scars left behind, but what’s recovery like for survivors from an emotional standpoint?
A. Burn survivors not only have months of recovery and rehabilitation, they also have to deal with numerous other sources of anxiety, including reliving the event itself, dealing with the appearance of their injury and the public’s reaction, losing their independence and feeling limited in their physical ability. Because patients are in the hospital for sometimes months, they can lose their jobs, get behind on payments and feel isolated from their family and friends.
One of the great resources our burn center has is a monthly burn survivor support group for both survivors and their family.

Q. What can you tell us about the types of patients and the types of burns you see at the Regional Burn Center?
A. Most of the burns we see are thermal, or caused by fire. Roughly 85% of all burns occur at home, so that’s where we want to focus our prevention efforts. Risky populations include children and the elderly. Common high risks for children are hot water, house fires, hot grease, hot liquids and matches. For older adults, hot water, flammable liquids, smoking in bed, house fires and efforts to stay warm most often lead to burns.

Q. With the cold temperatures hitting Illinois, people are turning to space heaters. What do families need to know to prevent house fires?
A. If they choose to use a space heater, don’t lay blankets, towels, clothes or anything on top of it. Keep at least a three-foot radius around the space heater clear of anything that can burn. Also, remember to turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.

Q. What are some other ways families can prevent burns?

• When cooking, keep pot handles turned away from the edges of the stove so children can’t easily grab pots
• Contain grease fires with baking soda or flour, not water
• Keep matches and lighters out of kids’ reach
• Keep tap water at or below 125 degrees and test bathwater before putting a child in the bathtub
• Never place anything on top of an electric heater or heater vent
• Test smoke detectors often and change batteries every six months (when clocks change). Replace smoke detectors every 8-10 years.
• Store gasoline and other flammable liquids out of children’s reach
• Teach children to stop, drop and roll
• Create and practice fire escape plans with at least two ways out of every room in case of a fire. Challenge kids to see how fast they can get out of the house using a stopwatch