Representing Bloomington Medicine Opioid Legislation in Congress Part 1
By Alexander Germanis When the twin cities of Bloomington and Normal are mentioned in conversation, rarely does that conversation then lead to innovation, pioneering, or national representation in the field of medicine. Perhaps it’s time for that to change. Being surrounded by Illinois’ sea of prairies, Bloomington-Normal, while easily forgotten, is the home of physicians […]
Four Ways to Become an Empowered Patient Submitted by Drs. Bohn, Nielsen, Castillo, and Wright, The Vein Specialists, LLC
While the future of health care is still undetermined, one thing is certain: it’s important for consumers to take steps to educate themselves about their health and wellbeing and become active participants in their plan of care. However, it can feel overwhelming to a patient to make decisions that can impact their health (and finances) […]
Self-Care Is Not Selfish
By Lisa Lowery MSN RN OCN, Breast Health Navigator at the Community Cancer Center With Mother’s Day coming up, I want to remind all mothers that taking time to care for yourself is very important. I know we all have heard the saying, “a mother’s needs come last,” and to some extent they do. As […]
Mindful Eating: Get out of Autopilot
By Michelle May, MD Have you ever finished a candy bar and wished you had just one more bite? Are you surprised when your hand hits the bottom of the popcorn bucket at the movies? Do you ever feel completely stuffed and miserable after you eat? These are all symptoms of unconscious or mindless eating. […]
What is Integrative Medicine?
Submitted by Karla Akwa, MD, Center for Integrative Medicine Twenty years ago, there weren’t many different approaches for treating various health conditions. A doctor was a doctor and practicing medicine was practicing medicine. However, more recently, we are hearing the terms “mainstream medicine,” “western medicine,” “complementary medicine,” “alternative medicine,” and “integrative medicine.” Let’s take a […]
The 5 Most Important Ages for Retirement Planning
By Dennis Kagel, ChFC, Chartered Financial Consultant There’s a significance to certain age milestones as they pertain to planning for a sound retirement financially. The following five ages are especially important because of retirement plan contribution limits, withdrawal rights and requirements, and federal government benefits. Age 50 — Once you reach age 50 you can […]
Medical Testing After Concussions
By Wayne K. Manness, MD and Edward W. Pegg, III, MD Recently, concussion has become a major focus for medical professionals, athletic directors, parents, and athletes alike. This awareness is a result of a dramatic increase in our knowledge of concussion as well as increased media coverage. Several prominent professional athletes have been devastated by […]
Dental Mini-Implants: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
By Jeffrey Jones, DDS In the past, many patients have been told, “You don‘t have enough room for a dental implant,” or “You‘ll need a bone grafting procedure before an implant can work.” Dental science continues to advance, and narrow diameter implants, also known as mini-implants, are turning the impossibilities of the past into the […]
Tips for Sips: Hydration Basics
By Chef Richard Lozada, Culinary Director, Welbrook at Bloomington An estimated 60 percent of the human adult body weight is made up of water. Not only does water make up a large percentage of our body weight, it also plays a very important role in our bodies functioning properly. Being hydrated helps regulate internal body […]
Top Five Vet-Recommended Steps for Itchy Dogs & Cats
Submitted by Nilla’s Tub, DIY Dogwash & Health Food Store Here are some of the actions I advise my clients to take when dealing with an itchy pet. Add omega fatty acids The skin surface is made of a complex layer of phospholipids that create a membrane helping to keep out environmental allergens and irritants […]