January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. As the month draws to a close, consider these facts about cervical cancer and HPV: 
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
Tag Archives: SIU School of Medicine
The sexual virus you probably already have: HPV
Written by Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine
Researchers estimate that three out of every four Americans will, at some point during their lives, play host to a sexually transmitted illness that can cause everything from genital warts and cervical cancer 
to neck and oral cancer. The good news is that in 80-90% of cases, the virus will clear up on its own within two years.
Human papilloma virus (HPV), the cause of almost all cervical cancers, affects more than 79 million Americans. And while condoms are somewhat effective at preventing the illness, they aren’t a guarantee since the virus can infect areas not covered by a condom. Luckily, two vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, offer more protection against most of the most harmful HPV strains. Both vaccines can be given to females age 9-26, while Gardasil can be given to males age 9-26.
“The goal is to reach these kids long before they become sexually active and exposed to HPV,” says OB-GYN Dr. Assaad Semaan. “Additionally, the vaccines produce a higher immune response in preteens than it does it older teens and young women.”
The vaccines involve series of three shots given in a six month period. A physician should administer the second shot within one to two months of the first, and the third dose should be given six months after the first dose.
In addition to receiving an HPV vaccine, physicians urge women to schedule the appropriate screenings. The National Cancer Institute recommends that women undergo a Pap test every three years beginning at age 21. At age 30, women should schedule both a Pap test and an HPV test every five years. Women with certain risk factors may need to have more frequent screenings or continue screening beyond age 65.
As many as 93% of cervical cancer cases could be prevented by cervical screenings and
Pap smear from Dr. Lance Liotta’s Laboratory
the HPV vaccine, according to a 2014 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Do yourself a favor and schedule an appointment today. Or, if you’re an uninsured female, age 21 or older, register for a free cervical cancer screening during the month of January. For more details, click here.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine
Relief for Raynaud’s Syndrome
Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
After some amazingly mild days in December, the winter weather has really set in – it’s COLD outside! For some, the cold means the welcome possibility of a dusting of snow on the lawn; for others, the cold can exacerbate an already painful incurable condition.
Raynaud’s Syndrome is a disorder that can affect the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears and nose. This disorder is characterized by episodic attacks that cause ischemia (constricted blood vessels) and pain in the areas affected. “For those with Raynaud’s Syndrome, in the hands, the limited blood flow can cause the fingers to turn cold, white and/or blue and be very painful, possibly even cause sores or ulcers to form,” according to plastic surgeon Dr. Michael W. Neumeister.
In January 2004, Dr. Neumeister injected his first patient suffering from Raynauds with BOTOX® in an attempt to help his pain. “His fingers were white with no blood supply and he had some ulcers and exposed bone,” Dr. Neumeister says. “The first time he came to me, he said, ‘Doc, cut my fingers off!’ This man had been admitted to the hospital, had intravenous morphine and even surgeries to attempt to cure the pain in his hands.” The BOTOX® worked.
Since that first injection, BOTOX® has started to become a more widely known option. The FDA has 
not given on-label approval for using BOTOX® for Raynaud’s, but Dr. Neumeister is conducting a stage 2 clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of BOTOX® for Raynaud’s.
The side effects are minimal, and the reduction of the patient’s pain is swift. Patients may experience temporary (a couple of months) weakness in the muscles that control the spreading of the fingers. Seventy percent of patients have pain relief, according to Dr. Neumeister.
In addition to patients with Raynaud’s, Dr. Neumeister has used BOTOX® to treat neuromas, painful scars, chronic back pain, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, diabetic foot pain and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.
Read more about The Hidden Talents of BOTOX®.
Read more about Raynaud’s Syndrome.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
Resolution #1: quit smoking!
written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
If one of your top New Year’s resolutions is to quit smoking, Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine might be able to help you. “Freedom From Smoking” a smoking cessation program that focuses on HOW to quit to help you hold to that resolution.
If you didn’t make the resolution, maybe you should reconsider; it’s never too late to quit. No matter what your age, quitting will add years to your life, not to mention money in your pocket. Also consider that you are helping those around you since second-hand smoke is also known to have negative health effects, especially on children. Don’t let cigarettes take control of the health of you and your loved ones.
Freedom From Smoking class:
Dates: January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 5, 10, 17 & 24.
Time: Noon-1:00
All sessions must be attended
Quit day is February 3, with an additional session that week on the February 5.
Location: Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 West Carpenter Street, Springfield, Room 2004
Registration fee: $50/person, covers program materials
Register online or call 545-7493
Class is limited to 10 participants, so register NOW!!
Infographic from CDC.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois.
Don’t be flaky
Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Baby it’s cold outside, and that dry, crisp air is not forgiving to the skin. If your skin is dry, flaky, tight or chapped, SIU dermatologist Dr. Stephen Stone shares how you can give your skin a little break
Humidify – Invest in a humidifier for your bedroom to increase the moisture while you sleep. Don’t let the moisture from your steamy shower go to waste. Shut the bathroom door to keep the humidity in the room. If you have a whole-house humidifier installed on your furnace, turn it up a bit in the winter time.
Cool it off – Though the humidity in the bathroom is good for your skin, Dr. Stone warns that although the heat of the water feels good at the moment, it actually damages the skin by taking away the body’s natural oil. This is especially damaging to older people because their oil glands produce less than when they were younger. He also recommends keeping your bath routine short; staying in the water for too long can also dry out the skin.
Keep it mild – Use mild cleansers on your face and body. You may need to invest in a gentler product during the winter. Deodorant soaps and products with alcohol or fragrance can irritate skin.
Moisturize – Dr. Stone also recommends applying a moisturizer after bathing to seal in moisture.
Creams and ointments usually alleviate dry skin better than lotions. Ingredients such as lactic acid, urea, lanolin, glycerin and alpha hydroxyl acids have been known to help soothe dry skin. Consistent use should keep the dry skin at bay. Dr. Stone also recommends using a small amount of petroleum jelly on your hands before bed if your hands are especially dry or chapped.
Watch what you wear – When it’s cold, cover up! Exposure to cold wind can chafe and dry skin. As you layer, keep in mind that wool and itchy fabrics will irritate and further dry the skin. Use mild detergents on the clothing that is close to the skin.
Don’t forget the lips – Keep lips from drying and cracking by using a lip balm, preferably one with SPF 30, throughout the day. Before bed, put on a little petroleum jelly.
Be hands-on – Treat your hands as well as the rest of your body. Wear gloves when you’re outside and apply hand cream after each hand washing. Wear waterproof gloves if your hands will be submerged in water or you work with harsh cleaning products. Petroleum jelly before bed can help too.
Hear more from Dr. Stephen Stone about winter skin.
A registered dietician’s guide to a gluten-free Thanksgiving
Written by Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine
This Turkey Day, give thanks for gluten-free alternatives and a little creative thinking. Just because you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten intolerance doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice your favorite traditional Thanksgiving meals. SIU School of Medicine’s Sibyl Cox, a registered dietician specializing in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, offers her favorite tips for keeping your tummy content this holiday season:
Tip #1: Pass on the stuffed turkeys. 
Some turkey brines or marinades as well as injections can contain gluten, so making sure the bird is gluten-free is important. Butterball reports its fresh and frozen turkeys are gluten-free. No stuffed turkeys!
Tip #2: Use gluten-free flour to thicken gravy.
To thicken your gravy, use an alternative to wheat flour, such as the gluten-free flours you already use in baking or cornstarch.
Tip #3: Use gluten-free bread and broth to make stuffing.
Replace your gluten-containing bread with your favorite gluten-free bread. Be sure any broth used to make the stuffing is also gluten-free. Or, try a gluten-free cornbread mix like Bob’s Red Mill and make a cornbread stuffing.
Tip #4: Whip up casseroles & vegetable dishes with gluten-free, cream soups.
Your gluten-free cornbread mix can be used to make corn casserole. Del Monte advertises their creamed corn is gluten-free, but always read labels. Gluten-free, cream soups can be used to make green bean casserole. A helpful word of advice: Campbell’s soups are not gluten-free as of this writing. Also, casseroles can be topped with crushed up potato chips for crunch instead of bread crumbs. Opt for an easy veggie dish by roasting your vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper, and then you don’t have to worry about gluten at all!
Tip #5: Opt for frozen, gluten-free crusts for dessert.
Gluten-free flour blends can be used to make a pie, or you can purchase a frozen gluten-free pie crust. Another option is using gluten-free graham crackers for a graham cracker crust or simply go crustless. Pumpkin pie is delicious this way as well.
Tip #6: Avoid cross- contamination.
To avoid confusion, separate and label gluten-free options. Use separate utensils for these foods and explain that a utensil used in gluten-free food cannot be used in another food. That includes things like crackers! Caution your family against dipping gluten-containing crackers in appetizers you’ll be munching on as well.
Tip #7: Make family aware.
Consider hosting Thanksgiving, and let your guests bring flowers, drinks, table settings or other needed items. Or, offer to help whoever is cooking so that they’ll feel more comfortable with making foods gluten-free and you’ll feel more comfortable eating it. Let friends and family know that many foods they may not be aware, including cheeses, soups, soy sauce, gravies, seasoning packets and broths, can contain gluten. Also, take a moment to inform them about cross contamination and ask that if they are going to make a gluten-free food to be sure to do this before making other foods. You may also need to explain that simply removing the crust of a pumpkin pie will not suffice. Offer to bring your favorite gluten-free food so you know you will have something to eat. Lastly, ask the host to be sure the turkey is gluten-free.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
10 things you probably don’t know about Alzheimer’s disease
Written by Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine
In honor of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, here are ten important things you should know about Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
1. AD is the most common form of dementia; it accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases.
2. Alzheimer’s is #6 on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of the top 10 causes of death in the United States, claiming nearly 500,000 lives each year.
3. More than 5.2 million Americans live with AD. Of those, about 200,000 are under the age of 65.
4. Women are at the epicenter of the disease. In fact, nearly two-thirds of those living with AD are women. Women are also the primary caregivers of patients with AD 2.5 times more often than men.
5. Currently, AD has no cure, but researchers believe you can lower your risk of developing the disease. For starters, AD experts suggest what’s good for your heart is good for your brain. They also recommend staying physically active, following a healthy diet, challenging your brain and enjoying social activity.
6. The strongest evidence links dementia to a lack of education in early life, hypertension in midlife and smoking and diabetes across a lifetime. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and a family history of AD may also affect the chances of developing AD.
7. The global cost of dementia in 2010 (the latest year for which data are available) was estimated at $604 billion. That number is expected to rise to $1 trillion by 2030. These costs include medications, caregivers, lost time at work, hospital stays, nursing home stays and doctor visits.
8. Some of the most commonly seen symptoms at the onset of AD are difficulty learning new information, confusion and mood and behavior changes, such as becoming easily agitated and paranoid. As the disease progresses, some individuals can lose the ability to feed themselves, walk without assistance or carry out simple daily tasks.
9. The disease is not a normal part of aging. Occasional memory problems are normal as one ages, but AD is more than occasional memory loss. If you or a loved one needs help determining if his/her memory loss is normal or if it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s, click here.
10. On average, those with AD live eight years after their symptoms become noticeable. In some cases, however, individuals can survive from 4 to 20 years, depending on their age and other health conditions.
(Sources: Charlene Young, family nurse practitioner at SIU School of Medicine’s Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders and the Alzheimer’s Association)
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
Get Smart About Antibiotics
Written by Brian Bochicchio, SIU School of Medicine
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week is November 17 – 23. You might be wondering, “What’s there to get smart about?” Actually, more than you might realize.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics each year. More than 23,000 of them 
die as a direct result of these infections, while others die from conditions that are complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection. Fewer than 5,000 people have died from Ebola this year based on the most recent statistics. For perspective, the resistant bacteria kill more than four-times as many people than Ebola.
So, what is antibiotic resistance? A common misconception is that people develop a resistance to an antibiotic, making it less effective at destroying the bacteria. Actually, it’s the other way around. Bacteria and other microbes “learn” through normal biological processes to resist the effects of antibiotic drugs, chemicals or other agents. We humans then share these resistant microbes and create what are referred to as super bugs.
Can the effects of antibiotic resistance be reversed or stopped? No, antibiotic resistance is the result of a natural process. The process can be slowed, effectively extending the usefulness of current antibiotics. The CDC has published recommendations on how everyone can help combat antibiotic resistance.
How can patients prevent the spread of drug-resistant bacteria and infections? Patients can prevent infections and the spread of drug resistant bacteria by following a few simple instructions:
– Schedule the appropriate immunizations.
– Practice safe food preparation.
– Practice proper hand washing.
– Use antibiotics as directed and only when necessary. For example, antibiotics should be used to treat strep throat, but they should not be used to treat a cold or the flu.
– Don’t pressure your doctor into prescribing an unnecessary antibiotic.
What can medical professionals do to slow the spread of antibiotic resistant infections? Health care providers should prescribe antibiotics only when needed, choose the appropriate one and administer them properly in every case. In conjunction with provider efforts, all medical professionals should work together to track resistance patterns and develop new drugs and diagnostic tests to be prepared for when our current antibiotics are no longer effective.
What is being done in central and southern Illinois to increase awareness of this urgent health matter? Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is sponsoring the Downstate Illinois Partnership Against Antibiotic Resistance (DIPAAR). The partnership is comprised of health care providers across central and southern Illinois and covers the majority of Illinois’ 102 counties. The partnership recently launched a new website aimed at preventing further antibiotic resistance and educating patients and providers about the dangers of drug resistant bacteria.
DIPAAR’s primary activities include tracking and reporting resistance patterns in our region. Additionally, it will make recommendations to help safeguard antibiotics and educate the community on safe and appropriate use.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
Happy feet: tips for proper diabetic foot care
written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Approximately half of the 29 million Americans with diabetes have a condition called diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage caused by high blood sugar. Symptoms range from tingling and numbness in the extremities to digestive issues and shooting pain. If the condition isn’t treated, patients may develop more severe conditions such as bladder and kidney infections, sexual dysfunction and ulcers on the feet.
Although proper management of diabetes can lessen the complications, progress can be slow. For those with nerve problems in the feet, ulcers can lead to infections and possibly amputation. In 2010, about 73,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in adults aged 20 years or older with diagnosed diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Self-care of the feet is and important part of reducing the chances of long-term damage or amputation. Here are 10 tips for taking care of your feet.
1. Inspect your feet daily for cracks, calluses and wounds but do not trim corns or calluses.
2. Wash your feet gently.
3. Moisturize your feet with alcohol-free moisturizer, avoiding skin between the toes.
4. Cut nails carefully and straight.
5. Always wear clean, dry socks that fit properly.
6. Keep the insides of your shoes clean and dry.
7. Keep your feet warm and dry – avoid extreme temperatures.
8. Never walk barefoot.
9. Wear proper diabetic footwear and break in new shoes slowly.
10. Be sure to have a physician examine your feet regularly.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
Alzheimer’s disease by the numbers
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregivers Month. The statistics are shocking. Learn more below. 