Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. Treatments can help slow it down and keep you feeling your best.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs when kidneys suddenly stop filtering properly. AKI can be serious, but with the right care, it may be reversed.

Cerumen impaction, commonly known as earwax buildup, occurs when earwax becomes hardened and is unable to clear naturally. This common condition can affect patients of all ages and may cause discomfort, hearing loss, or a sensation of fullness in the ear. Causes Earwax can build up for several reasons, including: Overproduction of cerumen Use of cotton swabs or objects that push wax deeper Narrow or uniquely shaped ear canals Frequent use of hearing aids or earplugs Diagnosis A health care provider will examine your ears using an otoscope to check for blockage. In some cases, a hearing test

Dysphagia, difficulty swallowing, can affect people of all ages and may involve trouble moving food, liquid or saliva from the mouth to the stomach. While occasional swallowing problems (such as eating too quickly) are common, persistent or painful symptoms may signal an underlying health issue that requires evaluation. In children, swallowing issues can impact nutrition, growth and even breathing or lung health. In adults, dysphagia may cause discomfort, coughing or choking during meals and affect quality of life. Diagnosis Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and may

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which a child’s breathing is partially or completely blocked during sleep. This blockage is often caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids, but may also result from other airway issues. While occasional snoring is common, frequent or loud snoring in children may indicate OSA—a condition that can affect sleep quality, behavior, academic performance and long-term health. Causes Common contributors to OSA and snoring in children include: Enlarged tonsils and adenoids (most common) Large tongue Obesity or excess weight Nasal obstruction

An uncontrollable shaking of the head or extremities, frequently unresponsive to medication. Essential tremor (also called familial tremor) is the most common form of tremor. It typically involves a tremor of the arms, hands or fingers but sometimes involving the head, vocal cords or other body parts. It is most noticeable during voluntary movements such as eating and writing.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a change in brain function or brain pathology. TBI usually results from an external blow or jolt to the head, or from an object piercing the skull and entering the brain. Immediately see a provider if you, your child or a loved one has a hit to the head that concerns you or surfaces clear behavioral and cognitive changes, especially within the first 24 hours.

Emergency medicine and surgical providers at SIU Medicine treat all forms of trauma in the hospital.

Spinal cord disease may refer to any condition or disease attacking the spinal cord. Myelopathy, or compression, is the most common example.

Spinal cord disease may refer to any condition or disease attacking the spinal cord. Myelopathy, or compression, is the most common example.