Alexander L. Lin, MD

12/27/2025

Influenza A or B: When it comes to the flu, which one’s the bigger troublemaker?

12/26/2025

For some people, about 5 to 10 pounds of weight gain may be related to hypothyroidism. However, the thyroid is only one contributor to the regulation of body weight.

A simple blood test can determine if you have hypothyroidism.

12/24/2025

With holiday joy comes holiday stress. From family gatherings to gift shopping, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Protect your mental health this holiday season.

12/24/2025

During a Pilates class, 65-year-old Tonni Richard, a retired nurse, began feeling sharp muscle spasms on the right side of her back. When the discomfort persisted, she went to her local hospital in LeClaire, Iowa, for evaluation. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a tumor in Tonni’s lung.

“The thoracic surgeon told me they'd need to remove the entire lower lobe of my lung, which would reduce my oxygen capacity by 20%,” Tonni recalls. “After the appointment, my husband and I agreed, there had to be a better option.”

After searching online for a second opinion, she found Kalvin Lung, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. Using advanced 3D technology, Dr. Lung turned Tonni’s CT scan into a 3D model that could be viewed in real time during surgery. This allowed him to remove the tumor while keeping as much of her lung as possible.

On September 30, Tonni was the first person to receive a lung procedure with the new 3D model at Northwestern Medicine. Dr. Lung was able to remove the tumor and only 5% of her lung.

“I’m so lucky to have found the tumor when I did, and to have Dr. Lung help preserve my lung and breathing,” says Tonni. “I hope my story encourages others to get a second opinion and annual lung screenings if they qualify.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

To see if you qualify for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening, regardless of smoking history, visit https://bit.ly/3YNj7Rz.

12/23/2025

The risk of heart attack may be almost 40% higher during the holidays. Here are some potential reasons why.

12/22/2025

One evening, while watching a television show, she saw a reminder about the importance of breast self-exams and Stephanie Wysaski decided to check herself. She wasn’t in the habit of doing them regularly, but something about the reminder prompted her to pause and take a moment. That’s when she felt a lump.

Weeks into her fourth pregnancy and still nursing her 11-month-old, she assumed the change was hormonal. Still, she mentioned it at her next OB-GYN appointment.

After an ultrasound and follow-up tests, physicians diagnosed Stephanie with invasive lobular carcinoma in her left breast at eight weeks pregnant. This type of breast cancer begins in the milk-producing lobules and can spread into surrounding breast tissue.

Annabelle Veerapaneni, MD, medical oncologist at Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Oak Brook, reassured Stephanie that safe treatment options existed for both her and her baby.

Using imaging safe for pregnancy, the care team identified the mass and removed it. Faaiza Vaince, MD, a breast surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, performed Stephanie’s lumpectomy, a breast-conserving surgery that removes the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue.

Stephanie then completed four rounds of two types of chemotherapy — doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide — both considered safe during pregnancy.

Dr. Veerapaneni stayed in close contact with Stephanie’s care team, and they monitored the baby’s growth throughout treatment.

Although the baby was originally due in early December, the team chose to deliver at 34 weeks in October so Stephanie could begin more aggressive treatment and undergo additional imaging to determine the full extent of her cancer. A PET scan showed the cancer had not spread to other parts of her body.

Stephanie chose to have a mastectomy on her left side at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and is being monitored to determine if additional chemotherapy is needed.

Already a mother to three children ages 1, 4 and 6, Stephanie acknowledges the uncertainty ahead is challenging, but she shares her journey to help others.

Thank you, Stephanie, for trusting us to journey with you.

12/22/2025

Kratom may be popular, but it’s not a harmless health trend.

An addiction medicine physician explains.

12/21/2025

“This is the first time experts have come together nationally to cut through the overwhelming number of skin care options,” says Murad Alam, MD, vice chair and professor of Dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Medicine dermatologist and surgeon. “We wanted to help both doctors and everyday users understand which ingredients are backed by the most expert support.”

Key findings from dermatologists.

12/20/2025

Was your mom right about cracking your knuckles?

A rheumatologist at Northwestern Medicine explains what those popping sounds actually are.

12/19/2025

Cutest (canine) volunteer alert! Tag along with Tucker for a day in his life.

12/18/2025

Congestion, cough, fever — how do you know if it’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu or COVID-19? These respiratory viruses share symptoms, but there are key differences.

Plus, find out who’s most at risk and ways to stay safe.

12/18/2025

For the past five years, our Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital team has celebrated the holiday season with an annual pie-eating contest.

This year, a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, resident physician and rehabilitation technician dug into whipped-cream pies to find two hidden gummy bears. The first to find both earned a trophy and bragging rights until next year.

Thanks to everyone who joined the fun, and congratulations to this year’s champion, Speech Language Pathologist Halley Dopp, MS, CCC-SLP!