Health & Medicine

The seven southernmost counties in Illinois are considered a hot spot for Colon Cancer.

The Southern Seven Health Department serves that area and is holding screenings in all seven counties over the next three weeks for anyone over 50 who hasn't had a colonoscopy in the past ten years.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal's office is reminding to "change your clock, check your batteries" this weekend.

When you set your clock back an hour, it's also advised to make sure your smoke alarm is working. Fire marshal spokesperson J.C. Fultz says for older models, go ahead and change the batteries, or get a new, 10 year alarm.

The Illinois Department on Aging reminds there's help for seniors navigating Medicare's open enrollment period.

Schnucks, one of the Midwest's largest grocery store chains, will stop selling cigarettes, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products as of January 1st.

Centerstone's Early Head Start program is receiving a federal grant.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services grant of nearly $754,000 for Centerstone of Illinois, Incorporated in West Frankfort will cover Williamson and Franklin Counties.

Being hungry has an enormous impact on a student's ability to learn.

Shelby Miller is a pediatric dietitian with the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She encourages families to look at school menus and decide if what's offered is something their child will eat or not. If they don't eat lunch they can come home hungry and either eat a huge snack and won't eat dinner, or they just eat all night.

The Illinois Department of Public Health says a Chicago resident in his 70s is the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in the state this year.

It said Tuesday the man became ill in late July.   

The Shawnee School District in Union County is in need of a nurse as the new school year starts.

District 84 officials say they're looking for a short-term substitute nurse to fill in while they continue to look for a full-time nurse. The substitute can be either an LPN or an RN.

Legislation that has changed the lives of millions of Americans, including nearly one in five Illinoisans, marks its 29th anniversary Friday.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is considered the most significant piece of civil-rights legislation since the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is sometimes called "the silent killer," but a new clinical trial will investigate if sound waves can affect it.

SIU Medicine researchers are enrolling patients in a study to see if ultrasound energy can be used to improve blood pressure and reduce the reliance on medication.

The Southern Seven Health Department will be providing free tetanus shots to Alexander county flood victims and volunteers.

Unprecedented flooding continues in the northern part of Alexander County.

Lesley Stoffel grew up in McClure and is volunteering to help residents there and in East Cape Girardeau battle the high water. She says flood victims and others are stressed after weeks of lifting 40 to 60 pound sandbags to protect their homes and businesses from disaster.

Summer is in high gear and with many people enjoying the outdoors, there are hazards that create problems that might go beyond what you should treat at home. 

How do you know when to seek medical treatment? 

Alexander County officials are begging for sandbaggers to help residents fend off spreading seep water.

Lots of water and other hydrating drinks are needed to help volunteers battle the heat.

The Family Counseling Center is celebrating its 45th anniversary in southern Illinois with plans to change its name.

Executive director Sherrie Crabb says her agency has been investigating what it means to be a human services provider in the area after doubling in size over the last four years in terms of income, number of employees and clients it serves.

With national HIV Testing Day set for next week, Southern Seven Health Department is now offering HIV PrEP medication services at its Cairo clinic for those at risk of contracting the disease.

The Dayempur Farm in Union County is hosting an Herbal Medicine Workshop next week.

Dayempur Herbals General Manager Terry Hickey says much of today's medicine was derived from plants. She says the workshop is a great opportunity to learn how many common plants can help with such things as allergies, digestion, inflammation and more.

The American Red Cross wants to raise awareness about the need for more blood donations.

The Missing Types Campaign will erase the letters A, B and O - letters representing the main blood groups - from brands, social media pages, signs and websites. It's designed to highlight the role blood donors play in helping patients.

It's National Nurses Week, and advocates for the profession are continuing their fight for safer working conditions.

Centerstone is opening a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) facility in Marion.

Mona Miller, the M-A-T Grant Coordinator says the facility is designed for those with an opioid abuse disorder.

Area residents who have suffered from heart failure gathered Friday in Carterville to learn more about their cardiac issues.

Southern Illinois Healthcare's Heart Failure University featured guest speaker Terry Burns of Marion, who underwent heart transplant surgery in St. Louis on May 20th, 2018.

This week is National Public Health Week and Sarah Patrick, director of the Jackson County Public Health Department, says they have a big goal in mind.|

Illinois residents are now able to review the number of lead service lines in their community's water system.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim announced Tuesday the agency has launched an online tool that allows residents to download reports on their local water system.

The featured speaker at Friday's Southern Illinois Healthcare Coaches Clinic encouraged area high school coaches to focus less on wins and losses and more on the mental health of their student-athletes.

Tami Eggleston is a sports psychologist at McKendree University. She says anxiety disorders affect 25-percent of children between 13 and 18 years old.

Southern Illinois' first hybrid medical clinic is set to open.

Heartland Regional Medical Group held an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Tuesday at the brand new clinic located in the Marion Crossing complex on The Hill in Marion.

Patients in need of a heart valve replacement procedure now have an alternative to open heart surgery.

Medical professionals at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Tuesday unveiled a less invasive procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, or TAVR.

There will be some changes coming to Washington County Hospital in Nashville.

The hospital board of directors has signed a management agreement with SSM Health to carry out the day-to-day operations.