Lifestyle
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How to get the most out of your doctor's appointment
Dec 26, 2025 6:30 am - It’s not unusual for a 20-something to text Mom in a panic from the doctor’s office, seeking help answering a question. And patients of any age can struggle to recall all their medicines — or forget to mention a concern. Getting the most out of a doctor’s visit requires some advance preparation.
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Patient advocate: Tweaks for a happier, healthier 2026Dec 26, 2025 6:15 am - A recently released poll of 2,000 American adults of various ages yielded some interesting insights. Nearly 70% of those responding said 2025 was a dumpster fire of one sort or another for them, labeling it OK, bad or even awful. Yet, hope springs eternal.
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Ask the doctors: Mold can pose serious health risksDec 26, 2025 6:15 am - Molds and other forms of fungal growth can pose serious health risks. This is particularly true when their growth is extensive or there’s long-standing exposure. Symptoms often vary a lot from person to person. This can make it hard to identify a mold-related illness.
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Children’s health: Why do babies need the hepatitis B vaccine?Dec 26, 2025 6:00 am - Hepatitis B is a virus that can damage the liver and lead to lifelong health problems. The hepatitis B vaccine prevents short-term illness (acute hepatitis) and a life-threatening infection called chronic hepatitis B.
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The ‘best birds’ of 2025: Snowy Owl, Mountain Bluebird and more arrived this yearDec 26, 2025 2:00 am - As 2025 comes to a close, “Words on Birds” columnist Jeff Reiter takes a look back at the year in birding.
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Pope Leo XIV urges the faithful on Christmas to shed indifference in the face of suffering
Dec 25, 2025 6:12 pm - Pope Leo XIV during his first Christmas Day message on Thursday urged the faithful to shed indifference in the face of those who have lost everything, such as in Gaza, those who are impoverished, such as in Yemen, and the many migrants who cross the Mediterranean Sea and the American continent for a better future.
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Christians celebrate Christmas Eve service with worship, fellowship and seasonal messageDec 24, 2025 5:02 pm - Worshippers gathered early Wednesday afternoon at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington for one of its multiple Christmas Eve services.
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Thousands flock to Bethlehem to revive the Christmas spirit after 2 years of war in Gaza
Dec 24, 2025 3:38 pm - Thousands of people flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square on Christmas Eve as families there and at other sites across the Holy Land heralded a much-needed boost of holiday spirit, after two years of subdued celebrations because of the war in Gaza.
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Dog tests positive for rabies in Cook CountyDec 23, 2025 1:10 pm - Cook County is reporting a dog has tested positive for rabies, the first in more than 60 years.
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DuPagePads opens new warming center in WheatonDec 23, 2025 12:18 pm - Due to increasing demand for emergency winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness, DuPagePads is offering a new overnight warming site in Wheaton.