Blog Posts in December, 2017

Dr. Younes Joins IVCH ENT Clinic

Posted By Jheri Emmerling

December 27, 2017

Ear, nose and throat specialist Maher Younes, MD, is now receiving patients at the Illinois Valley Community Hospital ENT and Allergy Center. Dr. Younes came to Peru from Shiloh, Illinois, where he had been in private practice. After receiving his medical degree from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, Dr. Younes completed post-doctoral research fellowships in head and neck medical ...

IVCH Opens Warming Center

Posted By Gene

December 26, 2017

Illinois Valley Community Hospital is keeping its cafeteria open around the clock to serve as a warming center for people who need relief from the cold. Anyone who wants to warm up at IVCH can enter the hospital through its West Street entrance until 8:00 p.m. and then through the emergency department on the east side of IVCH after 8:00 p.m.

IVCH Auxiliary Awards Four Scholarships

December 18, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM EASTERN Updated: 12/19/2017 3:02:59 PM EASTERN For more information, contact Gene Vogelgesang. Four nursing students from Utica, Hennepin, Mendota and Streator each received $1,000 scholarships for the spring semester from the Illinois Valley Community Hospital Auxiliary. The recipients are: McKenzie Allen of Utica, who is currently working on her BSN ...

Live Life Group Meets December 11

December 4, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/4/2017 12:00:00 AM EASTERN Updated: 12/4/2017 11:29:03 AM EASTERN For more information, contact Gene Vogelgesang. The Live Life pre- and post-transplant support group will next meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, December 11, in the conference room of the Illinois Valley Community Hospital office building at 1305 6th Street in Peru. Live Life is an IVCH support group for Illinois ...

Next IVCH Cancer Support Group Meeting is December 11

December 4, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/4/2017 12:00:00 AM EASTERN Updated: 12/4/2017 11:30:30 AM EASTERN For more information, contact Gene Vogelgesang. Illinois Valley Community Hospital’s new cancer support group will have its next meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, December 11, in the special procedures conference room just off the West Street lobby at IVCH. The group, which is open to anyone in the Illinois ...

Next Series of IVCH Prepared Childbirth Classes Starts January 10

December 4, 2017

Illinois Valley Community Hospital’s first 2018 series of prepared childbirth classes for women in the last trimester of their pregnancy and their partners is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, in the IVCH office building at 1305 6th Street in Peru, one block east of the hospital’s emergency department entrance. The next three classes will be January17, 24 and 31. Although there is ...

Bullying affects the whole school experience

November 28, 2017

Nov. 28, 2017— Bullying damages how students feel about their school, a new study suggests. Research shows that being bullied changes a student’s school experience in general. The study measured how three forms of victimization affected school climate at 12 Vermont middle and high schools. Experiencing bullying, cyberbullying or harassment was linked to students feeling they ...

Surviving colorectal cancer linked to a high-fiber diet

November 27, 2017

Nov. 27, 2017— Diet can make a difference after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. A new study suggests people with colorectal cancer may have a lower risk of death if they eat more fiber. Colorectal cancer—that's cancer of the colon or rectum—is the third most common cancer in both men and women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Thanks to early ...

Top 10 medicines that can harm your pet

November 26, 2017

Nov. 26, 2017— Giving a pet medicine for a human is never a good idea. Even though some medications are used for both people and pets, the effects and dosages are rarely the same. That means some drugs may hurt or even kill a pet. But accidents happen. And sometimes pets eat something they shouldn't. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, one-quarter of the calls that ...

Deciphering between a cold or the flu

November 25, 2017

Nov. 25, 2017— Colds and the flu have a lot in common. They're both respiratory viruses. They both occur more frequently in the fall and winter. And they share many of the same symptoms. All of this can make it difficult to determine which virus might be causing your suffering. The infographic below can help. Keep in mind that both colds and the flu are caused by viruses, so antibiotics ...

You've got leftovers. Now what?

November 24, 2017

Nov. 24, 2017— Having Thanksgiving leftovers doesn't mean you're destined for weeks of turkey sandwiches. Instead, make a plan for creative and delicious leftovers. Start with safety The right prep is key. Cut the turkey off the bone. Refrigerate the meat within two hours of the turkey coming out of the oven. Leftover turkey will last in the refrigerator for four days. If you're ...

Last-minute tips for a tasty turkey

November 23, 2017

Nov. 23, 2017— It's Thanksgiving Day, and you probably have a turkey plan all dialed in. But if you're scrambling to figure out a last-minute method for cooking that bird, here are three tried-and-true techniques from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will help you make a safe and delicious meal. 1. Traditional roasting Set your oven to a minimum of 325 degrees. Place ...

Next IVCH Prepared Siblings Class is December 7

November 22, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/22/2017 12:00:00 AM EASTERN Updated: 11/22/2017 1:40:28 PM EASTERN For more information, contact Gene Vogelgesang. Next IVCH Prepared Siblings Class is December 7 Children of expectant parents can find out what they can expect from the arrival of a new brother or sister when they attend the next Prepared Siblings class at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, December 7, at Illinois Valley ...

Next IVCH Red Cross Blood Drive is November 29

November 22, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/22/2017 12:00:00 AM EASTERN Updated: 11/22/2017 1:26:18 PM EASTERN For more information, contact Gene Vogelgesang. Next IVCH Red Cross Blood Drive is November 29 Illinois Valley Community Hospital will host an American Red Cross blood drive between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 29, in the conference room of the IVCH office building at 1305 6th Street in ...

Americans more stressed about what's coming for America than money, work

November 22, 2017

Nov. 22, 2017— Almost two-thirds of Americans surveyed say the future of the nation is a source of stress. It's even causing more stress than usual triggers like money and work, according to a new report about stress in the United States. Each year the American Psychological Association (APA) releases a report on stress. The 2017 report was based on an online survey of almost 3,500 adult ...

New guidelines redefine high blood pressure

November 21, 2017

Nov. 21, 2017— Did you have high blood pressure last week? You might have it now, even if your numbers have changed. That's because the definition of high blood pressure has changed. A high systolic pressure has switched to 130 mm Hg or higher. A high diastolic pressure is now 80 mm Hg or higher. Systolic is the top number in a blood pressure reading. Diastolic is the bottom number. ...

Moms who nurse longer show more 'maternal sensitivity'

November 20, 2017

Nov. 20, 2017— Could breastfeeding make you a more nurturing mother? A new study suggests it might. Researchers studied 1,272 couples with a child born in 1991. It found that women who nursed their babies longer were more sensitive mothers. That was true even when their kids were 11 years old. On average, the moms nursed for 17 weeks. Nearly 75 percent of mothers reported some breastfeeding. ...

5 tips for cooking the turkey safely

November 19, 2017

Nov. 19, 2017— It's almost Thanksgiving Day, and many people are planning their main course: the turkey. Whether you're a novice or a pro at cooking the bird, preparing it safely shouldn't be overlooked. FoodSafety.gov offers some great safe-turkey tips. Here are five important steps to follow if you're tackling the task: 1. Plan time for thawing. Thawing a turkey in the ...

Acetaminophen during pregnancy linked to ADHD in kids

November 18, 2017

Nov. 18, 2017— Many moms-to-be use acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter medicine found in Tylenol and Excedrin. In fact, an estimated 65 to 70% of pregnant women in the United States use it for pain relief. This drug has long been considered safe for use during pregnancy. But a new study suggests that prenatal exposure to the drug can be trouble. It's linked to higher risk of ...

Health Library Share Share Email Print Heart rates jump when watching hockey

November 17, 2017

Nov. 17, 2017—Win or lose, watching hockey can make your heart pound. New research says cardiovascular stress is a very real result of watching the sport. Researchers noted that rates of heart attacks and cardiac deaths have spiked during major soccer championships. Was this coincidence or did the effect spread to other sports as well? The researchers wanted to find out. Studying ...

Teens who use nicotine in e-cigs vape more and smoke more cigarettes

November 16, 2017

Nov. 16, 2017— Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) with higher nicotine levels may pose a serious health risk to teenagers. A new, small study suggests that teens who use them may be more likely to vape more and smoke more traditional cigarettes. Teens, nicotine and smoking According to the researchers, 11 percent of 10th graders in the U.S. in 2016 reported using e-cigs in the last 30 days. To ...

What to know about breast cancer in men

November 15, 2017

Nov. 15, 2017— When you think about breast cancer, you usually think about how it affects women. But men get breast cancer too. Breast cancer, a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast, is about 100 times less common in men than women. But that doesn't mean it's not a serious health problem for men. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2017 about 2,470 men ...

Selfies of super-skinny bodies are common on social media, a new study finds

November 14, 2017

Nov. 14, 2017— Young women are using social media to promote extreme thinness with selfies and images depicting bone-protruding bodies. The pictures, posted on Twitter accounts that use hashtags such as "thinspiration," may push more young people to try to reach an unhealthy weight, a new study shows. The 'thinspiration' craze Popular social media sites allow users to share ...

Prediabetes: What's your risk?

November 13, 2017

Nov. 13, 2017— Do you have prediabetes? The condition affects 1 in 3 U.S. adults, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). But 90 percent don't know they have it. Watching your blood sugar is important. Having prediabetes puts you on the road to getting type 2 diabetes—and increases your odds for other major health issues. Here are some important facts about ...

7 questions to ask your doctor about COPD

November 12, 2017

Nov. 12, 2017— Being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be discouraging. COPD is a term for a group of respiratory illnesses that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and nonreversible asthma. But your doctor can help. With the right treatment plan and support network, COPD can be managed to preserve your quality of life. Here are seven questions to ask your ...