It seems back-to-school is getting earlier each year. We are starting to see a continuous stream of pediatric patients getting ready for a new school year. We are hearing about new back packs, excitement about activities and new teachers. Though getting a shot is not on the list of favorite back-to-school activities it is important. We love our pediatric patients and want to make sure we are keeping them healthy and safe by being fully vaccinated. We care about our adult patients too. Often, our adult patients think vaccinations are just for kids, but that’s not true. Vaccines are for people …

Though it’s still May the recent temperatures in the 80s and 90s have encouraged an early start to summer activities. Almost everyone looks forward to summer with backyard BBQs, trips to the swimming pool and just being able to get outside and enjoy some sun. With the freedom of summer also comes an increased risk for injuries, especially in teenagers. Many of the activities we enjoy during the summer months can lead to risky behaviors. In fact, our emergency room and trauma division often sees an increase in injuries during the warmer weather months. Of course we can’t keep our eyes our kids…

They aren’t just for runways anymore. Stilettos used to be reserved for special occasions and maybe girls night out. Now, it seems women are doing everything from running after toddlers to taking casual strolls in them. They’ve become a part of our everyday wardrobe, but has this trend in highest of high heels been to the detriment of our feet? Recent studies have shown that up to a third of women suffer permanent foot problems as a result of prolonged wearing of high heels. These can range anywhere from hammer toes to leg tendon damage. Still, the most common from those high heeled, pointed-…

The weather these past few days has been amazing. In fact, we’ve had a very mild winter. And though we may be grateful for the warmer temperatures we’re starting to pay the price with an onslaught of symptoms from allergy season. Runny noses, sneezing and coughing often trumpet spring’s return, but many parents wonder does my child have a cold or is it allergies? It’s easy to get allergies and colds confused because they have several of the same symptoms. One of the easiest ways to tell the difference is to check to see if your child has a fever. If your child has a fever he or she has a …

Brain aneurysms can be quick and deadly and happen in people of all ages. Often, a person will think they have a bad headache and try to ward it off with sleep, but without medical attention the aneurysm can be fatal. It isn’t rare either. About 6 million Americans, 1 in 50, have brain aneurysms that could rupture which causes death or permanent disabilities. An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel. As the bulge expands, the artery wall thins and eventually, it can leak or burst, causing damage similar to a stroke. When this happens a person can feel an excruciating headache and have …

We all knew it, the mild winter weather we enjoyed couldn’t last forever. In comes Old Man Winter bringing frigid temperatures, ice, snow and red noses. Though everyone should take precautions when dealing with the winter weather, children are even more vulnerable than adults to cold-weather and winter-related injuries. Here are some tips to keep kids safe while playing outside in the cold. Dress your child in layers. If one layer gets wet the child can remove it to keep moisture away from the skin. Avoid cotton clothes as they will not insulate if wet. Fleece and wool are better options. …

Just because Santa’s belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly doesn’t mean yours has to this holiday season. Staying on track with your fitness program, even while traveling, will give you extra energy and start you out right for a healthful new year. Whether you’re at home for the holidays or traveling, it is important to stay on your path to fitness during the holidays. Here are a few helpful tips: Pack healthy snacks such as trail mix, apples and oranges. This will not only save you calories, but money as well. When packing, include a small Thera-Band® or resistance tubing so you can perform…

It’s Thanksgiving and I’m sure the last thing you want to think about are the risks from a larger belt size. But, that’s my job. To help people stay healthy I wanted to share findings from a study led by one of my colleagues. The research team, led by Loyola Nephrologists Dr. Holly Kramer, MD, MPH, found that the larger a kidney patient’s waist circumference, the greater the chance the patient would die during the course of the study. In fact, this study showed waist circumference was a better indicator of mortality than body mass index (BMI), another common measure of obesity. In some cases …

Halloween has become one of the most anticipated holidays for kids. For one night it is OK to be scared, free candy is everywhere and you can pretend to be someone or something completely different. Still, it’s up to parents to make sure kids have a spook-tacluar time and not a horrifying experience.  Some of the best ways to keep kids safe on Halloween is to create boundaries and talk to your kids. Make sure you know who your kids are with and where they are going. Though parents have heard it a million times it is important to check all candy. This means:             Don’t let kids eat …

School is back in session, the wind starts getting colder and leaves begin to change color; all indicators that it’s time to start thinking about flu season. No one likes to get the flu. Having to miss work or school, feeling achy and tired, coping with headaches and chills, these are some of the hallmarks of this miserable virus. It’s tough even to get out of bed let alone get anything done. For some, it can even be deadly. About 36,000 Americans die and 200,000 are hospitalized from the flu each year. We do have a defense. The flu shot really can protect you from getting the flu. Since the …

It might be September but forecasters are predicting July-like temperatures. With schools in full swing and many without air conditioning this could be a hazardous combination. With summer temperatures in fall days dehydration can happen quickly so watch your kids for signs that they’re not getting enough fluid. Check out my post from earlier this summer for signs your kids might be dehyrdated. Heat is dangerous for everyone so keep yourself safe as well. Prevention and planning are the best ways to deal with the heat. Here are some tips: Prehydrate. Even before you step out the door, start …

It’s the start of the school year and for most kids this brings anxiety about friends, teachers and homework, but sometimes the anxiety is from something more. Though it’s often mistakenly considered a normal part of growing up, bullying is a serious problem that affects millions of children and adolescents. Nearly 30 percent of teens in the United States—more than 5.7 million—are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both, according to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center. Some surveys have found that about half of all children …

It’s a silent killer, most women don’t even know they have it. It’s often thought of as a man’s disease and may not receive as much attention as other illnesses, but coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in women in the U.S. It is so common that if you combine the number of women who die from the next five leading causes of death it would equal the number of women who die from CAD. When most people think about heart disease they think about men. Often, heart disease manifests itself earlier in men, but it is nearly as common and just as deadly in women. Whether in men or…

Temperatures are going to be soaring this week. The best thing to do is stay inside in a cool place, but if you have to venture out drink lots of water (you can check out my article on helping kids staying hydrated) and use a generous amount of sunscreen. We know tanned skin is sun-damaged skin. Even skin that is lightly pink has had too much sun exposure. Here are a few ways to keep skin healthy this summer: 1. Wear sunscreen         Everyone needs sunscreen, regardless of race. I've heard darker skinned individuals argue that they don't need sunscreen. This is not true. If you have skin, …

It seems the classroom doors have just closed, but all too soon we’ll start seeing sale flyers for Dora the Explorer backpacks and 25-cent crayons. Though summer fun has just begun it’s not too early to start thinking about your child’s back-to-school physicals and making sure they are up to date on their vaccines. Come August, doctors’ offices will be jam-packed with last-minute appointments, so get a jumpstart on it now. When heading to the doctor’s office don’t forget your school’s required physical forms. Also, if you have an updated immunization record bring it along as well. To get the …

The national weather service is predicting heat indexes to be well above 100 degrees. Add kids playing outside and outdoor summer activities in full swing to the dangerous heat and you’ve got a hazardous combination. It’s always important to keep your kids hydrated, but when you’re dealing with this kind of heat it can be especially dangerous. Dehydration puts kids at risk for heat related illnesses like heat stroke. They can suffer from rhabdomyolysis, which is when their muscles break down and this process leads to kidney failure and damaged muscle cells from crystals in the urine. Here are…

Beautiful summer weather means that running season is in full swing. I applaud those who make exercise such a priority in their lives. But when pushing your body to new levels of endurance, precautions must be taken to avoid an injury. For runners the most common injuries are shin splints, iliotibial band syndrome causing pain on the outside of the knee and hips, stress fractures, muscle strains, and patellofemoral pain syndrome causing pain under and around the knee. Injuries may occur when people push their bodies too far, too quickly. To avoid painful injuries take things slowly, build up …

Dr. Heidi Renner is an integral part of the Loyola University Health System’s primary care team. She is double boarded in adult internal medicine and pediatrics and enjoys seeing patients of all ages from infants to geriatrics at the Loyola Center for Health at Burr Ridge. In addition, she is an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in the departments of internal medicine and pediatrics. When not seeing patients she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, traveling and hiking. As a mom of two young children I understand the car seat battle. It…