In the 1970s the occurrences of colon cancer were equal for blacks and whites. Then in the mid-1970s blacks began to show higher rates of colon cancer, with a large jump in black mortality rates in the 1980’s. The American Cancer Society stated that current instances of colon cancer are…
Recent studies have shown that decreasing body temperature through the use of the therapeutic hypothermia method increases the chance of surviving a heat attack. The practice of cooling patients was endorsed by the American Heart Association in An Advisory Statement by the Advanced Life Support Task Force of the International…
It has become more commonplace in Chicago medical circles to order an MRI scan early on in the assessment process. Most Chicago and Illinois doctors view MRI scans as a useful tool to get to the bottom of a patient’s symptoms and aid them in diagnosing problems from headaches to…
Even though a recent study showed infant death rate declining by 2% in the United States and Illinois declined recently, the percentage of decline is much less than in prior years. In fact, this is the smallest decrease since we first began recording the infant death rate in 1907. This…
Hospitals and doctors have begun to explore new ways of obtaining payment for their billed services. However, oftentimes these hospitals and doctors are only looking out for their best interests, not their patients’. Health care providers have teamed up with credit card companies to create a ‘medical credit card’, which…
Hospitals in Chicago and nationwide could be affected by new evidence that suggests that doctors and nurses could be spreading infectious diseases through contaminated scrubs and clothing. Given all the new antibiotic-resistant disease, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), now it is more important than ever to stem the spread of…
It’s becoming all too common of a tale in Chicago, Illinois and across the country- you go into your hospital for a simple procedure and end up being contaminated by an antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The prevalence of these resistant infections occurs more and more and is not going away any time…
For the past decade there has been a heated debate over the link between the Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine and instances of autism. A new study adds further weight to the argument that there is no link between the two, but like all prior studies, does nothing to definitely disprove the…
Every fall my now 93 year-old mom calls and reminds me that with the Chicago winter on its way, it is imperative that I get my annual flu shot. Being an obedient son, I comply by hustling over to the nearest clinic to get that shot. And of course, my…
The United States Supreme Court is expected to hear the case of Wyeth v. Levine this November which could have far reaching implications as to pharmaceutical litigation cases against drug companies, including those in Illinois and the Chicago area. The legal advice comes from top doctors and editors of the…