Health & Wellbeing

Dear Readers,

by Smita Patel, DO

For athletes, there is nothing worse than suffering a sports injury that takes them out of competition, as was the case for Chicago Cubs player Kyle Schwarber. In April, the left fielder suffered full tears to the ACL and LCL in his left knee. He returned to start the first game of the World Series as a designated hitter, having been cleared by his medical staff to bat. While some injuries require more rest and rehabilitation than others, those who undergo surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury need to take it slow before heading back into play.

Dear Readers,

Patients often ask me about supplements and it’s easy to understand why. Just about every supermarket has an aisle of “natural” cures that claim to decrease arthritis pain. The question is: Do any of them work?

It’s that time of year when kids go back to school, summer vacations end and projects at work begin with renewed vigor. And, it’s a great time to talk about learning, education and the brain!

Both chambers of the General Assembly have passed a bill that would allow workers who are also family caregivers to use up to six months of accrued sick leave annually to care for their loved ones. AARP Illinois supports the bill and is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) to sign it into law.

AARP Illinois on Tuesday, August 23rd held a "Brain Health and Wellness" seminar at the Matton Train Depot in Matton, Illinois

More than 15 years ago, when my colleagues and I wrote one of the first self-help books for people considering joint replacement, we decided we could summarize our advice in two words: STAY ACTIVE. At the time, the advice was novel - most doctors were counseling patients against exercise or telling them to “take it easy” on their joints.

Friends,