It’s true, the kids are still in school, but it’s not too early to start thinking about your child’s back-to-school physicals and vaccines for next year.

“Come August, doctors’ offices will be jam-packed with last-minute appointments, so get a jump-start on it now,” said Dr. Heidi Renner, primary care physician at Loyola University Health System and assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

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Finally, the cold spring blasts have made way for balmy breezes. Along with allergies, our physicians are seeing more asthma flare-ups at our Immediate Care centers in Burr Ridge, Homer Glen and River Forest.

Asthma is a respiratory disorder that affects the lungs by causing airway constriction and inflammation.  It is commonly inherited.  People who suffer from allergies or eczema are predisposed to having asthma.

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It’s time to fire up the grill. Summer memories often include blue skies, red-checkered tablecloths and tasty grilled brats and steaks. But getting sick from your picnic is a sure way to ruin all the fun.

What are some tips so all the food stays safe?

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There is nothing like breaking out the golf clubs after a long winter hibernation and hitting the golf course. Golf is a great way for people of all ages and activity levels to get moving and enjoy the outdoors. However, injuries are common in golf, especially to the ankles, elbow, spine, knee, hip and wrist. Most injuries occur from repeating the same swing motion over and over again. This places stress on certain muscles, tendons and joints. However, a few trips to the gym before your golf outing could avert injuries.

Golfer’s Elbow
One of the most common injuries is medial epicondylitis, better known at Golfer’s Elbow. This is an inflammation of the tendons that attach your forearm muscles to the inside of the bone at the elbow.
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It’s been pretty well publicized that high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.  We now know that atherosclerosis, which can trigger a heart attack or stroke, begins in childhood. If this condition is diagnosed in childhood, there are opportunities to delay or even prevent heart attack and stroke in adulthood.  Many children with high cholesterol levels have inherited this condition from their parents, and since most parents of young children are just young adults themselves, they may not yet know they too inherited cardiovascular disease.

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In an initiative to help lead more Americans toward the path of healthy living, 18 cooking websites and five media companies are working with first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign. The websites will feature healthy recipes that follow the guidelines of the MyPlate campaign.

MyPlate is part of a larger initiative with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to help consumers make better food choices.  MyPlate illustrates the five food groups using a familiar mealtime visual, a place setting (choosemyplate.gov).    More than 3,000 recipes will be featured on a new Pinterest page (http://pinterest.com/MyPlateRecipes/).  Recipes may be for a main or side dish that meets at least one part of the MyPlate criteria.

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Thousands of people will kick off Chicago’s running season this Sunday when they step out for the city’s most popular 8K race – the Shamrock Shuffle. Having the proper footwear will be important to protect their feet and prevent injuries. Loyola University Health System podiatrists suggest the following tips when selecting a running shoe:

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Imagine a prescription that you can use every day, costs little or no money and if used properly, results in no negative side effects. That prescription is walking. Walking has been shown to help prevent diabetes, heart disease, depression (by increasing the brain’s endorphins, a chemical related to preventing depression), osteoarthritis and even improves memory.

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I’ve been thinking about doing a juice cleanse. Will it really do everything it claims?

Don’t be fooled by the growing popularity of juice cleansing. These programs can be pricey and, unfortunately, won’t do much for you. Here are some claims associated with this trendy regimen and why it likely won’t work:

Claim: A juice cleanse will detox your body

Reality: Your body is already set up to “detox” itself. It is the job of your liver, kidneys and intestines to neutralize and excrete dangerous toxins.   In fact, consuming nothing but juice can actually work against these organs.

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A white man has a 1-in-6 chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. For an African-American, the risk is 1-in-3.

More than 30,000 men die of prostate cancer each year, making it the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in men.

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My children are picky eaters. How can I get them to eat different foods?

Mealtimes do not always need to be a struggle with your picky eater.  It is important to make mealtimes as consistent and pleasant as possible.  Get your child in a routine by scheduling meals and snacks at regular times.  Keep the time just before, during and after meals and snacks positive; schedule discipline and difficult conversations for later.   Children who are easily distracted need a quiet place to eat, so move the TV, radio, music (unless it is very soothing), pets and toys out of range.

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