It’s a question we often hear at the Smith Alzheimer’s Center. No matter how you fill in the blank, it’s a fair question to ask. There are numerous types of dementia , symptoms vary depending on the type and everyone is affected differently. And dementia is already hard enough to recognize as aging changes how we react, remember, recover, and more. So how do we know what is normal aging and what isn’t? Here are some common signs for those living with dementia. 1. Short-term memory loss One of the most recognizable signs of dementia is memory loss, particularly short-term memory. There are

A mammogram is an X-ray image that is taken of each breast. Mammograms are important and potentially life-saving tools that can detect early signs of breast cancer and reduce the risk of dying from this disease. An estimated 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. A panel of primary care and prevention experts known as the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently updated recommendations regarding the age at which routine breast cancer screening should begin for women in the United States. Read more to learn about these new

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we should take some time to educate ourselves and others about breast cancer. Here are three ways you can get involved and become more well-informed about this common health condition. 1. Show your support In the United States, women are diagnosed with breast cancer more than any other type of cancer. A woman has a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime (though a person's individual risk may vary). This means that you or someone you know will probably be impacted by breast cancer at some point in time. Showing your

The Hypertension Clinic at SIU Medicine specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hypertension, or high blood pressure. Our multidisciplinary team has extensive training with patients who have difficult to treat blood pressure, or resistant hypertension. According to the CDC, in 2021 high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause in over 690,000 deaths in the United States. But only about 1 in 4 adults with hypertension have their blood pressure under control. The SIU hypertension team uses cutting-edge testing, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and

Family farm transitions are complex from a legal and financial standpoint. But the emotional complexity and interpersonal relationships inherent within these transitions are often what throw off even the most well-meaning intentions. To reduce stress for the outgoing and incoming farming generations, keep reading. This article discusses common pressures that tend to arise during a farming transition and the actions you can take to help the process go as smoothly as possible. Considerations for the older or "owner" generation Current estimates indicate that about 70 percent of American farmland

Family farm transitions are complex from a legal and financial standpoint. But the emotional complexity and interpersonal relationships inherent within these transitions are often what throw off even the most well-meaning intentions. To reduce stress for the outgoing and incoming farming generations, keep reading. This article discusses common pressures that tend to arise during a farming transition and the actions you can take to help the process go as smoothly as possible. Considerations for the older or "owner" generation Current estimates indicate that about 70 percent of American farmland

Divorce is never easy. But with up to 50 percent of all marriages ending in divorce according to the American Psychological Association, it's likely that you or someone you know within the farming community will go through this intensely stressful life experience at some point. For farmers and ranchers, divorce can introduce added constraints that married couples outside the agricultural community don't routinely face. Here are some things you should know about divorce on the farm, including some practical strategies for managing stress and working through marital conflict. The many impacts of

Divorce is never easy. But with up to 50 percent of all marriages ending in divorce according to the American Psychological Association, it's likely that you or someone you know within the farming community will go through this intensely stressful life experience at some point. For farmers and ranchers, divorce can introduce added constraints that married couples outside the agricultural community don't routinely face. Here are some things you should know about divorce on the farm, including some practical strategies for managing stress and working through marital conflict. The many impacts of

SIU Medicine's Farm Family Resource Initiative (FFRI) wants our rural and agricultural neighbors to prioritize health and safety all throughout the year. But taking conscious steps to keep yourself, your team and your family healthy is especially important right now during the busy harvest season! As you wrap up the 2023 fall harvest, here are four simple things you can do to reduce stress, avoid injury and costly accidents and promote overall wellness for yourself and your community. Update your farm first aid kit Farm first aid kits should include specific items that are relevant to your

SIU Medicine's Farm Family Resource Initiative (FFRI) wants our rural and agricultural neighbors to prioritize health and safety all throughout the year. But taking conscious steps to keep yourself, your team and your family healthy is especially important right now during the busy harvest season! As you wrap up the 2023 fall harvest, here are four simple things you can do to reduce stress, avoid injury and costly accidents and promote overall wellness for yourself and your community. Update your farm first aid kit Farm first aid kits should include specific items that are relevant to your