Botox is one of the most well-known medications on the market. Most people know it as a treatment or prevention of wrinkles that makes skin look more youthful. But, Botox can be used for several other reasons too. What is botox? Botox is a medication that contains a toxin called botulinum. Certain organisms make this toxin, which causes a type of food poisoning called botulism. The botulinum toxin by itself can be deadly, but the medication Botox is considered safe because of the way it's processed and manufactured. As with all medications, Botox comes with some risk for side effects. Talk to

Heart health matters. Your heart is a critical muscle that pumps blood to each part of your body, giving your body the oxygen and nourishment it needs. Problems that disrupt your heart’s routine need to be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms like shortness of breath or a fluttering heartbeat might be caused by something called mitral valve regurgitation. What is mitral valve regurgitation? Mitral valve regurgitation is a disorder that prevents the heart’s mitral valve from closing tightly. When this occurs, blood moves backward in your heart. If the disorder is severe, blood

Among the many different health issues affecting men, erectile dysfunction is one of the most reported problems, and is something easy to discuss during June - Men's Health Month. Unfortunately, men may feel embarrassed to talk about sexual dysfunction concerns with doctors. At SIU Medicine, the team encourages men to break the stigma and help raise awareness about this common condition that is thought to affect 30 million men. What is erectile dysfunction? Many men experience occasional difficulty with achieving or sustaining an erection suitable for physical intimacy. But when it becomes a

Among the many different health issues affecting men, erectile dysfunction is one of the most reported problems, and is something easy to discuss during June - Men's Health Month. Unfortunately, men may feel embarrassed to talk about sexual dysfunction concerns with doctors. At SIU Medicine, the team encourages men to break the stigma and help raise awareness about this common condition that is thought to affect 30 million men. What is erectile dysfunction? Many men experience occasional difficulty with achieving or sustaining an erection suitable for physical intimacy. But when it becomes a

Bone health matters—no bones about it! At SIU Medicine, our team is educating the community to learn more about bone health, including what can affect your bone mineral density and how to protect it. The bare bones of bone health: 5 quick things to know Bone mineral density refers to how strong your bone tissue is. The lower your bone mineral density, the weaker your bones. Most people achieve peak bone mineral density by their late 20s. After this age, the focus is on maintaining bone strength and minimizing bone mineral loss. Drinking milk, just by itself, may not be good for your bones

Bone health matters—no bones about it! At SIU Medicine, our team is educating the community to learn more about bone health, including what can affect your bone mineral density and how to protect it. The bare bones of bone health: 5 quick things to know Bone mineral density refers to how strong your bone tissue is. The lower your bone mineral density, the weaker your bones. Most people achieve peak bone mineral density by their late 20s. After this age, the focus is on maintaining bone strength and minimizing bone mineral loss. Drinking milk, just by itself, may not be good for your bones

No one wants to hear the words, “you have cancer.” For women, receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer can be especially hard. The experienced doctors at SIU Medicine understand the deeply personal and complicated decisions breast cancer patients encounter. SIU Medicine’s physicians are experts in helping you through this process. If you choose breast reconstruction, you’ll receive the best collaborative care, based on scientific research. What are the benefits of breast reconstruction? If you choose to have breast reconstruction surgery, your chest should look balanced when you wear a bra or

No one wants to hear the words, “you have cancer.” For women, receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer can be especially hard. The experienced doctors at SIU Medicine understand the deeply personal and complicated decisions breast cancer patients encounter. SIU Medicine’s physicians are experts in helping you through this process. If you choose breast reconstruction, you’ll receive the best collaborative care, based on scientific research. What are the benefits of breast reconstruction? If you choose to have breast reconstruction surgery, your chest should look balanced when you wear a bra or

As the temperature warms up, the days are long and the sun shines bright, more time is spent outdoors. During this favorite season for many, going to the beach, hosting backyard barbecues and playing sports outdoors might be some of your favorite activities. But spending in the summer sun without taking appropriate precautions could increase your risk for skin cancer. According to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Fortunately, it’s also the most treatable form. Skin cancer prevention is still much easier than skin

As the temperature warms up, the days are long and the sun shines bright, more time is spent outdoors. During this favorite season for many, going to the beach, hosting backyard barbecues and playing sports outdoors might be some of your favorite activities. But spending in the summer sun without taking appropriate precautions could increase your risk for skin cancer. According to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Fortunately, it’s also the most treatable form. Skin cancer prevention is still much easier than skin