Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can have devastating results. Read below to learn how to spot the signs and what to do. If in doubt, call 911 to get the affected person help immediately.

Written by Laura Bottom, SIU Center for Family Medicine

Warm weather, barbeques and celebrating our independence is all a part of summer. One of the best parts of the 4^th of July is watching the sky light up with a beautiful array of colors, sparkles and shapes. Even though the firework displays are stunning, they can be very dangerous if proper precautions are not taken.

The Pyrotechnic Use Act (PUA) in Illinois bans the sale, possession, and use of all “consumer fireworks,” such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles. Violating the PUA can result in prison time and a hefty fine. To learn more about the PUA, click here.

“We have these laws because fireworks are dangerous,” says Dr. Jason Kegg, emergency medicine physician at SIU School of Medicine. He warns that burns can be serious, and they’re not the only reason to fear fireworks. “We see blast injuries in children as well as adults, and sometimes it ends up with the loss of eyes, fingers, toes or even a hand. There’s no such thing as a safe firework.”

It’s best to leave fireworks to the professionals who are trained to use them. If you choose to put on your own fireworks show, make sure to follow these safety tips.

• Kids should never play with fireworks, even sparklers. “While sparklers are legal in Illinois and seemingly innocent, they can actually cause some high-temperature type of injuries,” Dr. Kegg warns. Sparklers can reach up to 1,800°F, which is hot enough to melt gold. “If you choose to let kids play with sparklers, make sure it is outdoors and that they understand to keep them away from the face, clothing and hair.”
• If you choose to buy fireworks to use in another state where they might be legal, only buy fireworks with a label that has the manufacturer’s name and directions. Illegal fireworks are often unlabeled.
• Always use fireworks outdoors and have a bucket of water or hose nearby.
• Point fireworks away from homes, other people, brush, leaves and flammable substances.
• Never attempt to make your own fireworks.
• Never hold fireworks or have body parts over them while lighting and wear eye protection.
• Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers). NEVER relight a dud.
• Never let kids pick up fireworks after an event. The fireworks may still be ignited and could explode.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing in the trash.
• Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed by fireworks. To reduce risk of pet injury, secure them indoors.

In the event of fire or injury, call 911. Do not rub or try to treat an eye injury, as it could make the injury worse. In the event of a burn, take the clothes off and run cool (not cold) water over the burn. Do not use ice and seek medical attention immediately.

Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Get your daily dose of activity in the summer:

Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine

“Thousands of years ago yoga was developed in India as an integrated mind-body-spirit system designed to reduce human suffering,” says yoga instructor Carol Dunaway. Today, many are experiencing the health benefits of yoga, which has gained popularity throughout the world. “Several different branches of yoga have developed, but they all encompassed the same main practices: postures to work with the body, breathing exercises to work with the nervous system, chanting to work with the memory, meditation and contemplation to work with the mind and spirit. Each of these practices  can be of benefit used alone, but the greatest benefits come when they are sequenced in a specific way to suit the individual student.”

What is yoga?
More than 100 types of yoga exist, but the main emphasis tends to focus on breathing exercises, and postures or poses that stretch, strengthen and flex various muscle groups.

What makes yoga so beneficial?
Yoga has a variety of health benefits, including improving the body’s response to stress, which can lessen chronic pain, lower blood pressure and reduce insomnia. “Over time, stress and anxiety can cause unrest on our minds and bodies, leaving us tense, nervous and vulnerable to chronic illness, like cancer,” says Kristi Lessen, outreach coordinator at Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine. “Yoga can help reduce stress and keep you healthier because it promotes relaxation and enhances your mood and overall sense of well-being.” 

Other benefits include

• Increased flexibility
• improved memory, focus and concentration
• improved digestion
• Increased muscle strength and tone
• Increased respiration and energy
• Balanced metabolism
• Weight loss
• Improved athletic performance
• Improved balance and coordination

I’m not very athletic/coordinated or in shape. Can I still benefit from yoga?
Yoga can benefit anyone of any ability level. Most yoga instructors offer beginner classes and each pose has modifications for all physical abilities. Instructors will work with participants to maximize the benefits.

Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine offers a Side by Side Wellness program for people living with cancer and their families. Classes, including yoga, and programs are free to cancer patients regardless of where they are receiving treatment. The Cancer Institute is located at 315 W. Carpenter St. in Springfield. Call 217.545.7493 for more information. The class schedule is here.

Copyright ©, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Written by Gayle Jennings, MS, RD, LDN, CDE

Diabetes affects more than 20.8 million Americans. About 6.2 million are undiagnosed and, therefore, unaware that they have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, which represents about 90 to 95 percent of cases, is more common in people aged 40 and older and in certain ethnic groups. Those who are obese or lead inactive lifestyles are also more at risk.

More often than not, someone who has diabetes probably knows another family member who has diabetes.

So, does this mean that diabetes runs in a family?

Not necessarily. While type 2 diabetes may have a strong genetic basis in about 30% of patients, the biggest factors are environmental, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. In general, the risk of developing diabetes for a sibling of someone with type 2 diabetes is about the same as that in the general population. One reason diabetes may tend to run in families can be explained as “environmental” risk factors. While obesity and a sedentary lifestyle tend to run in families, it does not imply the sharing of a diabetes gene, but it does put the person at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately, there is an exception to this statement. If a person develops diabetes, despite being lean and active, then the sibling’s risk is about twice as high as the general population. Or, if the patient has a parent with type 2 diabetes, then the child’s risk is almost three times the general population risk.  Even worse, if both parents have type 2 diabetes, the child has a fourfold risk, or nearly a 50% chance, of developing diabetes.

Another explanation for multiple people in one family having diabetes is “clustering.” Clustering is simply the consequence of the fact that type 2 is so much more common than type 1 diabetes in the general population.

Take heart, prevention of type 2 diabetes is possible. Lifestyle changes, including weight loss and a well-balanced eating plan has been shown to reduce risk by 57%.

Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
Gayle Jennings is a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian with SIU Center for Family and Community Medicine.

Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine

June is the busiest month for travel. Whether you and your family are heading to Indiana or Indonesia, following a few simple tips will keep you safe and healthy so that you can make the most of your trip.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following recommendations for travelers:

Be Proactive

Learn about your destination – Are there health risks or safety concerns there? For example, some areas of the world are more prone to severe weather or natural disasters. If you’re traveling abroad, be aware of the cuisine of other cultures and certain foods that might make you sick.

See your physician before traveling – A doctor who is familiar with travel medicine can inform you of any vaccines that you or your family members may need. Additionally, if you plan to travel by car or boat, you may want to seek advice on medications that help with motion sickness.

Share information – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) suggests letting your neighbors and family members know your vacation dates and location. Give them a list of travel information such as flight times, hotel names and contact numbers. Designate a family member or friend at home to be the contact person in the event that your travel party gets separated. If disaster strikes your vacation location and you have internet access, register at the American Red Cross website www.safeandwell.org so family and friends will know that you are safe.

If traveling internationally, register with the US Department of State through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) enables the State Department to better assist US travelers in an emergency.

Be Prepared

It’s all in the suitcase – IEMA suggests packing an emergency supply kit with water, snacks, a first-aid kit, flashlight and a small battery-operated radio in case you find yourself in an unfortunate disaster. Pack extra supplies of critical items such as prescriptions and baby formula in case you are delayed. And don’t forget general medications in case you get sick.

Be protected

Be aware of your health – Follow the same guidelines about your health that you should at home: wear sunscreen, limit alcohol intake, don’t drink and drive, follow food safety, wear a seatbelt, wear protective gear if activities warrant, follow laws and customs of the place you are visiting. If you happen to feel ill while traveling, find a doctor who can help. If traveling internationally, you can call your embassy to obtain a list of qualified, English-speaking providers.

To learn more http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/survival-guide

Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Written by Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine

Sangamon County’s gonorrhea rate – 181 cases for every 100,000 people – is the ninth highest in Illinois. Approximately 35% of chlamydia and gonorrhea cases in the county involve the 15- through 19-year-old age group, according to state data.

Another common malady among teens? Depression. In 2014, the NIH found that 11.4% of American adolescents aged 12 to 17 had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.

For researchers at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, the exceptionally high rates of sexually transmitted infections and depression among teens were causes for concern. But could the two be linked?

Wiley Jenkins, PhD, a research professor at the med school, says yes. “Few studies have exclusively examined STD rates as they relate to depression, but we do know that depressive symptoms can lead to riskier sexual behavior,” Jenkins explained. Past research also suggests that an STD diagnosis can worsen existing depressive symptoms in teens and adults.

Dr. Jenkins’ study determined that depression was related to an increased risk of STDs among both females and males. In fact, Jenkins and his research partner, Albert Botchway, PhD, found that depression was linked to a near-doubling of STD risk.

“Mental and sexual health have historically been considered separate domains, frequently diagnosed and treated by different professionals in different locations,” explains Dr. Jenkins. “Our research, on the other hand, suggests mental and sexual health are interdependent.” Given the limited amount of time primary care physicians have with patients, doctors often look for clues, such as a teen pregnancy and illegal drug use with alcohol, that could suggest the need for an STD screening. “If we can identify and treat young adults who are suffering from depression, we can also lower their risk of contracting an STD.”

If you suspect you have an STD or if you suffer from depression, SIU HealthCare can help. Call 217-545-8000 to make an appointment with a health care professional.

Copyright ©, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois