If you follow sports, you likely heard the latest news about Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls leading scorer, sitting out the next 8-12 months following his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery.

The 23-year-old point guard went down with just 80 seconds left of the first game of the Bulls’ Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Video courtesty of jmike619 on Youtube. Video may not play if Youtube user has removed it.

He’s not alone. Several NBA stars have experienced the same injury during this compressed season. But it’s not just NBA stars who are susceptible.

If you suffer from hearing loss, you’re usually the last to know.

Hearing loss goes unnoticed because it often occurs so gradually and is painless. But it can hamper your quality of life.

“A lot of times family members will notice it first,” said Vicki Blount, certified clinical audiologist at Memorial Medical Center’s Hearing Center.

The American Heart Association recommends adults participate in 30 minutes of moderate activity every day to help protect and maintain heart health. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is through walking.

Because of its simplicity, walking has the lowest drop-out rate of those who adopt the activity. Research shows that walking for at least 30 minutes a day can provide the following health benefits:

• Reduced risk of coronary heart disease
• Improved blood pressure and blood sugar levels
• Lowered risk for stroke
• Reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes
• And much more!

It’s the time of year almost everyone enjoys. Temperatures warm up, flowers bloom and you can once again spend time outdoors. But before you plan your next family adventure, brush up on these warm weather safety tips to ensure your family gets the most out of spring and summer fun.

WATCH OUT FOR OUTDOOR ELEMENTS

Bugs

As temperatures rise, bugs come out. Your best protection is bug spray that’s at least 10- to 30-percent DEET. The higher the percentage, the longer the repellant lasts. This can be mixed with sunscreen and is safe on children as young as 2 months old.

Poison Ivy/Poison Oak

Rashes from poison ivy and oak are caused by a substance in the sap of the plants. Learn to recognize the plants so you can avoid them. If you come into contact, immediately wash with soap and water.

Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye.

Gluten-Free. You’ve heard the term. You’re likely seeing it more and more in grocery store aisles on pasta boxes and other packaged items. But what does it mean? And could you benefit from a gluten-free diet?

Gluten-free eating is associated with celiac disease, a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food. This damage is caused by a reaction from eating foods with gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye.

“Your intestinal lining helps absorb nutrients like iron, folate and vitamin B12,” said Gayle Jennings, MS, RD, LDN, a dietitian with Memorial Medical Center. “People with celiac disease can’t absorb these nutrients. And it leads to fatigue, weakness and anemia.”

The condition may be more common than you think. According to The Celiac Disease Center at the University of Chicago, 1 in every 133 people could have celiac disease. Even more startling is that it could take up to 11 years before you’re diagnosed. 

Did you know that the fear, shame and lack of awareness surrounding mental health issues prevent millions of children from getting the care they need and deserve? More than 15 million children have a psychiatric or learning disorder in the United States alone, and less than half of them will ever get help, according to Child Mind Institute.

In recognition of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, May 6-12, it is important for parents to know that psychiatric and learning disorders in children and adolescents are real, common and treatable.

 “At The Children’s Center, we encourage parents and guardians to bring their child in for an assessment at the first sign of a significant change in behavior,” said Dr. Cynthia Mester, director of The Children’s Center, part of the Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois. “Research shows the sooner mental health professionals become involved when there is a behavioral issue, the greater the potential for resolution and/or for diminishing the overall impact.” 

At Memorial, our Nursing Team of more than 1,000 registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nursing techs, certified nurse assistants (CNAs) and unit secretaries work together to provide every patient with high-quality, compassionate care while aiming to help them meet their health goals.

This week, Nursing Team Week, we salute our Nursing Team throughout our health system. The story below, originally published in 2009 in Memorial’s employee newsletter, is one example of how our team works together to help create great patient experiences along the entire continuum of care, including in the waning moments of life.

Doris Burke was ready to go home.

It was summertime in 2009. In and out of nursing homes and hospitals for seven straight months, the octogenarian from Chatham missed her flower garden and was tired of the restricted lifestyle she had acquired from problems related to heart failure.

If you are the parent of a child who has been diagnosed with autism, or suspect he or she may fall on the autism spectrum but have not yet received a diagnosis, the symptoms your child is exhibiting may be treatable. Many autistic children, for instance, have difficulties with communication, which can be improved with the help of a speech-language pathologist (SLP)

Speech therapy isn’t just about assisting with a child’s articulation. It can involve verbal and nonverbal communication skills, interacting and dialoging with others, and more. What’s key is that these skills be addressed early.

“Early intervention with these kids makes the most dramatic impact,” said Jennifer Pollock, CCC-SLP, CLC, a speech-language pathologist and certified lactation counselor with Memorial Outpatient Rehab Services. “Identifying and diagnosing these children at an early age is beneficial for them to attain therapy.”

With warm weather renewing interest in outdoor activities, many bike enthusiasts have grabbed life by the handle bars and returned to their favorite bike paths or road routes.

Bicycling is a great outdoor sport that builds muscle tone and strength and provides a solid cardiovascular workout. To maximize each cycling adventure and protect your safety, however, you should be sure your bike is in proper working order and you have the right gear on hand for a safe ride.

Liz Vermeersch, office assistant for Memorial SportsCare and an avid cycler for more than 20 years, shares some safety tips in the video below.

Eat your fruits and veggies.

You hear the phrase so much that eventually it becomes stale — much like the broccoli you keep leaving on the plate. But good nutrition doesn’t have to be boring. Spice things up this season by adding color, flavor and texture to your plate.

“Adults need to aim for two cups of fruit and two to three cups of vegetables a day,” says Janelle Cornell, RD, LDN, a dietitian with Taylorville Memorial Hospital. “Now instead of the food pyramid, focus on the plate itself. Fruits and veggies should be half of your plate.”

Mix up your fruits and veggies this season with these five tips from Cornell.