Health & Medicine

The Missouri Valley Conference is canceling the Women's Basketball Tournament scheduled in Moline for the well-being and safety of student-athletes, administrators, coaches, media and fans. 

The atmosphere at this spring's NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments will have an unusual feel to them.

The SIU-Carbondale Strong Survivors Program hosted an open house Wednesday for its Cancer Rehabilitation Laboratory.

Due to travel restrictions involving the Coronavirus outbreak, the SIU Women's Golf Team is changing its schedule.

The Salukis have dropped out of the Hawkeye El Tigre Invitational in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

New data is providing fresh hope in the fight against cancer.

An annual report from the American Cancer Society reveals the cancer death rate fell 2.2% between 2016 and 2017 -- the largest ever single year decline.

While surveys show fewer people are doing it than previously, losing weight is still at the top of the list for New Year's resolutions in 2019. But, as most of us know, it's easier said than done.

The winter solstice is nearly upon us, and for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans, the shorter days and falling temperatures can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD.

In a move designed to increase access for substance use disorder services across southern Illinois, Centerstone and Fellowship House of Anna are aligning their services, starting on January 6.

The two organizations made the announcement Thursday. 

Federal funding is headed to Cairo to to help deal with the opioid crisis.

A 212-thousand dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine program will go to Community Health and Emergency Services, Incorporated in Cairo.

Thursday is the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, designed to provide an opportunity for people who smoke to commit to healthy, smoke-free lives.

Research published in The Lancet found smoking can be attributed to 1 in every 10 deaths globally, which is equivalent to 6.4 million people every year.

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.