'Tis the Sneezin'

Colds, flu, and other illnesses are “gifts” that can keep on giving throughout the holidays.

What can you do to increase your odds of staying well?

 

·  Keep your hands clean. Frequent hand-washing is your first line of defense against germs. Soap and water is best, but if you don’t have access to this, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can work. Small bottles make great gifts and stocking stuffers.

·       Avoid crowds. It’s tricky to do at this time of year but avoiding people who already have a virus or symptoms will make a difference.

·       Get plenty of sleep. When our bodies are tired and feeling rundown, it is hard to fight off viruses and infections.

·       Make healthy food choices. This is the time of year when there is an abundance of treats, rich foods, and sweets. Make sure that you take in plenty of healthy and nutritious foods as well. This also helps the body ward off nasty germs to keep you well.

·       Be active. How about walking the neighborhood to tour the holiday lights? Ice skating, skiing, snow-shoeing are just some great activities you can do to work off Grandma’s fudge. Even if you aren’t into outdoor winter exercise, sneak in some activity by dancing to your favorite holiday music, hitting the fitness center, or putting in an exercise video at home.

And, these steps will help you stay healthy anytime of the year, not just during the holidays.

However, if you do find that you need us, the Manatt Family Urgent Care will be open December 24 and 31 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For those medical needs that do not require emergency care, Manatt Family Urgent Care will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to help care for you and your loved ones.

Top Things to Consider When Buying Safe Toys and Gifts

The national Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that in 2011, more than 262,000 children were treated in emergency rooms across the country for toy-related injuries. Because the head and face area are the most commonly injured part of the body, Prevent Blindness America has declared December Safe Toys and Gifts Month to raise awareness of the possible dangers that these can have.

What do you need to remember?

Prevent Blindness America suggests that before purchasing a toy:

·       Read all warnings and instructions on the box.

·       Ask yourself or the parent if the toy is right for the child’s ability and age.

·       Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods, or dangerous

            edges.

·       Check the lenses and frames of children's sunglasses; many can break and

            cause injuries.

·       Buy toys that will withstand impact and not break into dangerous shards.

·       Look for the letters "ASTM." This designation means the product meets the

            national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials

            (ASTM).

·       Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.

·       Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear

            (such as a basketball along with eye goggles or a face guard with a new batting

            helmet for baseball or softball).

·       Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things

            in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the part of a toy can fit in a toilet

            paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.

·       Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very

            young children as this can become wrapped around a child’s neck.

·       Always dispose of uninflated or broken balloons immediately. According to the

            CPSC, more children have suffocated from them than any other type of toy.

For more information on safe toys and gifts for children, including the PBA Safe Toys

Check List, please go to preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist, or call Prevent Blindness

America at 800-331-2020.

Is it a stroke?

Potential stroke patients in GRMC's emergency department now have a specially trained neurologist "on the scene" to help diagnose the condition - thanks to a telemedicine mobile stroke detection robotic unit. The University of Iowa Stroke Center placed a robotic stroke unit in the GRMC emergency department that connects a UI neurologist and neurological diagnostic equipment to the GRMC patient. The neurologist actually sees the patient and the GRMC physician by a two-way camera and monitor. 

GRMC has had diagnostic equipment to assess patients for stroke but not fast access to a neurologist 24-7. This robotic unit provides that essential piece of the stroke diagnostic process. Faster assessment in the emergency department means faster treatment because minutes matter.

At the onset of stroke symptoms, minutes really do matter. The sooner clot-busting medications can be administered, the faster oxygen-rich blood feeds the brain and minimizes the effects of the clot in the brain. 

When you or someone around you shows signs of a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately to get medical attention and to the hospital fast. From there, GRMC emergency staff and UI Stroke Center will take quick action to get the right care for the symptoms. 

F-A-S-T is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you'll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away.

F-A-S-T stands for:

Face drooping -  Does one side of the face droop or numb? Ask the person to smile. Is their smile uneven?

Arm weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech difficulty - Is their speech slurred? Are they unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, "The sky is blue." Can they repeat it correctly?

Time to call 9-1-1  If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get help immediately. Check the time so that you will know when the symptoms first appeared. 

What else?

Sometimes additional symptoms come on suddenly and may not fall into one of these more obvious signs of stroke. 

Sudden numbness or weakness of the leg

Sudden confusion or trouble understanding

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Source: National Stroke Association

Need help enrolling in health insurance?

We can help!

Tasos Papachristoudis

Grinnell Regional Medical Center announces the hiring of Anastasios “Tasos” Papachristoudis to serve as an insurance enrollment counselor. Tasos will work with individuals to explore their health insurance options on the new Health Insurance Marketplace through healthcare.gov.

The Affordable Care Act requires everyone legally living in the U.S. to have health insurance. If you currently do not have health insurance, you are required to sign up during open enrollment, from October 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014. You can shop for plans by phone, through a broker, at on-site enrollment locations, or at the online Health Insurance Marketplace. If you choose not to enroll for insurance, the law states that you will face tax penalties.

Tasos is available by appointment to help provide assistance with insurance enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call him at 641-236-2566 or email at tpapachristoudis@grmc.us to set up an appointment.  

26 Million Americans

Today is World Diabetes Day, an official United Nations World Day, and a great opportunity to raise awareness of this disease.

26 million Americans live with diabetes and another 79 million have what is known as pre-diabetes, a condition that significantly increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in 2012 is $245 billion, including $176 billion in direct medical costs and $69 billion in reduced productivity. *

According to the National Institutes of Health, diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation, and even death.

Are you at risk?

There are many factors that increase your risk for diabetes. To find out about your risk, go to http://ndep.nih.gov/am-i-at-risk/DiabetesRiskFactors.aspx and review their checklist.

*National Diabetes Education Program: A program of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://ndep.nih.gov/

Should you get a flu shot?

Sources: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; Mayo Clinic; Reuters, Huffington Post

It's here. Officials at the Iowa Department of Public Health say that seasonal influenza has been identified in the state. Early strains were type-A, the strain that IDPH says can cause more serious illness.

Healthcare providers are not required to report influenza to IDPH, so it is logical to assume that there are more cases of seasonal influenza in the state than what is being reported.

Seasonal flu is not the 'stomach flu' or a '24-hour bug.'

According to IDPH, the flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days. Influenza may cause severe illness or even death in people such as the very young or the very old, or those who have underlying health conditions.

Vaccination is the best defense against influenza. Flu shots are available by appointment by calling Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385.

Strengthen your defense against influenza beyond the vaccine and help prevent the spread of illness with the 3C's:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Clean your hands frequently
• Contain germs by staying home when ill

Reduce your risk of getting seasonal flu with a vaccine and following good hygiene.

Got Scars?

Relief from Scar Tissue

Even the smallest scar can have a major affect on a body’s ability to function and a person’s overall health.

GRMC’s massage therapists now offer a technique that centers on fascia release in the body.  

Fascia, defined in the simplest terms, is a web of connective tissue in the human body that holds us together. It’s three dimensional and extends from head to toe, front to back, and inside to outside the body. Scar tissue is fibrous tissue that deposits during repair or healing, replacing normal tissue or skin after injury. When scar tissue replaces the body’s fascia tissue, the body’s functionality changes.

In the long-term, scars can cause nerve impingement, pain, limited motion and flexibility, postural misalignment, and other effects, depending on its location, severity, and age.

Jamie Hodina, GRMC massage therapist, explains how the new therapy offered at Postels Community Health Park helps patients.

“The F.A.S.T. Release Method helps an injury heal and the fascia to return to a state prior to the injury or surgery. Anytime after 18 weeks following the injury, we can begin this therapy to help the fascia tissue heal and reduce pain associated with the tightness and hardening of tissue during healing,” Hodina says. “Each person and area of the body responds differently.”

Muscle and tissue have memory so this therapy can take several sessions to retrain the muscle memory. Hodina says she can work with patients who have any scar tissue, for example, from abdominal surgery, C-sections, incisions /surgeries on the arms and legs, hernias, even heart surgery.

“I like doing this massage therapy because it shows results right away. Patients have commented on the immediate difference this makes. But because the muscle wants to revert back, we have to retrain the memory to the new ‘relaxed’ state. I have several women who have had C-sections and were experiencing back pain. This therapy has shown significant relief for them.”

For more information about scar tissue massage, call Postels Community Health Park at 641-236-2953. 

Halloween Fun at GRMC

At GRMC, we have a Celebration Council made up of employees who plan fun activities throughout the year. After all, we spend a lot of time at work with our teammates and having the opportunity to enjoy each other's company during a break in the action is always welcome.This year, the Celebration Council planned a pumpkin decorating contest. Here are some snaps of the very creative designs that GRMC staff brought to share this week.

Some are popular - like Si Robertson!

Some are very clever!

Some are medical or traditional.

Some are very cute!

And for some, there simply are no words. 

Be on the watch for our little trick or treaters out and about tonight. 

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Artificial Sweeteners and Sugar Substitutes: How Much is Too Much?

by Lily Taylor, RD, LD, GRMC Clinical Dietitian

It's hard to know, isn't it?

We know that too much sugar is not good for us. But what about the alternatives?

Common artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes have little to no calories in each serving. Listed below are a few available types that you might see in stores now:

Aspartame - also known as Equal or NutraSweet is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It was discovered in 1965 at a pharmaceutical company, approved by the FDA in 1981.

Sucralose - also known as Splenda. It is 600 times sweeter than sugar and was discovered at a British college and approved by the FDA in 1998. Made from sugar.

Saccharin - also known as Sweet n' Low. It is 300 times sweeter than sugar and discovered in 1879 at Johns Hopkins University.

Stevia - known also as Truvia - is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar and comes from the leaves of a plant native to Central and South America.

Are they safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six sugar substitutes to be on the market. These are sucralose, saccharin, stevia, acesulfame-K, and neotame. The FDA reviewed more than 100 safety studies on sweeteners before approving their use. People who have the hereditary disease, phenylketonuria (PKU) should avoid aspartame. In women who are pregnant, saccharin is known to cross the placenta and accumulate in fetal tissue. It isn't clear if that is harmful to the baby at this point, but it may be a good idea to avoid saccharin if you are pregnant. 

How much is too much?
The acceptable daily intake (ADI) or recommended daily limit depends on a person's weight. The ADI has a safety net factored in, too. Scientists determined what the minimum amount would be that a person would have to consume to see a negative effect, and the ADI is one one-hundredth that amount, to be on the safe side. Consuming sweeteners at these amounts could lead to adverse health effects. 

Check out the tables below to see how much is too much for a 150-pound adult and a 50-pound child.

150 Pound Adult Acceptable Daily Intake
Sweetener	# of 12 oz cans of diet soda to reach the ADI	# of artificial sweetener packets to reach the ADI
Acesulfame-K*	25.6	20.4
Aspartame	17	97.4
Saccharin	2.4	8.6
Sucralose	4.8	68.2
Stevia	Product info not available, sodas containing stevia are not widely available at this time	30

50 Pound Child Acceptable Daily Intake
Sweetener	# of 12 oz cans of diet soda to reach the ADI	# of artificial sweetener packets to reach the ADI
Acesulfame-K	8.6	6.8
Aspartame	5.6	32.4
Saccharin	0.8	2.8
Sucralose	1.6	22.8
Stevia	Product info not available, sodas containing stevia are not widely available at this time	10

The choice is up to you for how you want to satisfy that sweet tooth, whether you use sugar, artificial sweeteners, or sugar substitutes. The bottom line is that moderation is usually best when it comes to healthy eating and decision making. 

What You Need to Know about the New Health Insurance Marketplace

Click here to watch a new video from the Iowa Hospital Association and American Hospital Association on what you need to know about the new Health Insurance Marketplace.

Health Insurance Exchanges Open October 1

Starting tomorrow, Americans have new options when it comes to purchasing health insurance. 

On October 1, health insurance exchanges will be open for business for those who are not already covered by a policy through their employer, Medicaid, or Medicare.

The Kaiser Family Foundation provides this calculator to determine if you are eligible for subsidies or for expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/

A leader in health policy analysis, health journalism and communication, the Kaiser Family Foundation is dedicated to filling the need for trusted, independent information on the major health issues facing our nation and its people. To learn more, go to:  http://kff.org

GRMC Seasonal Influenza Clinic Schedule

It's not too early to get your flu vaccine!


September 
26   10 to 11:30 a.m. Mayflower Community, Carman Center

October 
2     3:45 to 6 p.m.  Grinnell High School Media Center
3     10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Brookside South, Grinnell
7     10 to 11 a.m. Seeland Park, Tenplex lobby, Grinnell
14   3:30 to 6 p.m.  BGM School, Brooklyn
21   3:30 to 6 p.m. Montezuma Elementary School library
29   11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grinnell Regional Public Health, by appointment. Call 641-236-2385 to schedule.

                                                                 

Three Things You Can Do to Protect Against the Flu

Yes, it’s the beginning of the school year and there are ball games and practices, homework and scout meetings, church activities and 4-H. Who has the time to haul the whole family to get immunized against seasonal influenza?

 

The truth is that it will take far less time to get your immunizations than it will to recover if the flu finds its way into your household.

Did you know that it takes most people 10 – 14 days to fully recover from the flu? Thirty minutes vs. two weeks. Kind of a no-brainer, right?

Did you also know that since the CDC began tracking this data in the flu season of 1976 to 1977, the range of annual flu-associated deaths is as low as 3,000 and as high as 49,000 over these past forty years?

Still willing to take your chances?

Here’s what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm

Take the time to get a flu vaccine. The first immunization clinic is scheduled for Sept. 23. Click here to find a clinic location, date, and time that work for you.  Remember, those between six months and 49 years without serious health complications are eligible for FluMist – the stuff that goes in the nose, not an injection. This makes it much easier to get the kids to go!

Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Keep hands clean. Don’t share glasses and silverware. Sneeze into your elbow. Carry hand-sanitizer and use it often, especially in public areas. If you are sick, stay home for 24-hours until symptoms are gone without the use of medication. Get plenty of rest, exercise, and make healthy food choices. Stay well.

The CDC is recommending that everyone age six

Food Allergies in America

Every three minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to a hospital emergency department in the United States.

Click this link to take you to a documentary, "An Emerging Epidemic:  Food Allergies in America" to learn more about this growing health issue. The documentary is found on the Discovery Channel website.

Tips for Exercising in the Heat

As the temperatures continue to hover in the low to mid 90's, we share a few tips to remember as you or your children are out exercising, playing, or at sports practice in the heat.

It really comes down to three things.

1. Drink plenty of fluid - Start hydrating well before you begin exercise and keep drinking water during and after exercise.
2. Wear proper clothing - Lightweight, loose-fitting clothes are best. While a cotton t-shirt may be lightweight and loose-fitting, it can become very wet and heavy when you sweat. Choose items made of material that will wick the moisture away from your body. Also choose light-colored clothing to reflect the sun's rays.
3. Timing is everything - Schedule outdoor exercise in the early morning or in the evening and avoid exercise in the warmest times of day.

It is important to take these weather conditions seriously.

For more information, go to Iowa Department of Public Health.

Don't Mess Around With the Heat!

The heat this week is nothing to mess around with.  As real temps soar beyond 100 degrees and heat indices up to 110 degrees, an Excessive Heat Warning was issued for Tuesday and Wednesday this week by the National Weather Service.

 

GRMC has a cooling station open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day this week. All are welcome to seek relief from the heat in our cafeteria and have complimentary water, iced tea, and yes, even coffee if you so desire.

Iowa Department of Public Health offers this information about heat-related illness. Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, those at greatest risk include:

• People age 65 and older
• Infants and young children
• Overweight individuals
• People who are performing manual labor or exercising outdoors
• People who have a chronic illness, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as those for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation.
• Even young and healthy individuals can have a heat-related illness if they are very active during hot weather or if the heat index is very high.

  To protect your health when temperatures and humidity are high, remember to keep cool and use common sense.

• Increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level.
• If you are experiencing a lot of sweating, replace salt and minerals by eating foods like bananas and salty crackers, or drink rehydrating beverages that contain salts, such as sports drinks.
• Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and wear sunscreen.
• Wear hats that shade your face.
• Keep in the shade or in air-conditioning as much as possible.
• Work slowly if you are not used to working or exercising in heat and humidity. Stop immediately if you get dizzy, nauseated, or feel weak. Go into an air-conditioned space and drink cool liquids.
• Use a buddy system. Watch others for heat-induced illness, since some people may not realize they are suffering heat-related illnesses and can become confused or lose consciousness. 

·    For more information, click on the following: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IdphNews/Reader.aspx?id=2BAF34BB-B3A3-495E-9656-501F8057665B

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

10 Great Ideas for After-School Snacks

from Lily Taylor, RD, LD, GRMC Clinical Dietitian

Healthy snacks are good for all ages, not just kids. Snacks should be a combination of a protein, fat, and/or fiber food with a carbohydrate food to eat a variety of nutrients throughout the day.

Here are some ideas for snacks to try:

• Low-fat cheese with whole grain crackers
• Low-fat yogurt with two to three tablespoons chopped nuts
• Two sheets graham crackers with peanut or almond butter
• One piece of fruit and string cheese
• 13 baked corn chips with fresh salsa
• Hummus with cut vegetables or whole wheat pita bread
• Popcorn Trail Mix – 1 cup light popcorn mixed with ¼ cup nuts and 2 tablespoons raisins
• Cereal Trail Mix – ¼ cup nuts, 2 tablespoons dried fruit, 1 tablespoon chocolate pieces, and ¼ cup whole grain cereal
• Nut Butter Smoothie – Blend 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, one banana, and 1 tablespoon of nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew…)
• Fruit Smoothie – Blend 6 oz. low-fat vanilla yogurt, ½ cup skim milk, 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)

Try a few of these options for a fresh and wholesome snack!

Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (www.eatright.org) and Kids Eat Right (www.eatright.org/kids)

What did you have for breakfast?

What’s that? 

You aren't eating breakfast because you are trying to lose weight?

Did you know that recent research published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finds that people who skip breakfast may be in for a big surprise?

“Breakfast skippers are more likely to be overweight or obese and have a higher risk of type 2 Diabetes,” says Elizabeth Collins, a researcher at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn more about healthy eating.

2013 Blue Jean Ball Tickets Go On Sale August 1

It’s back! The Blue Jean Ball was such a hit in 2011 that GRMC is bringing it back, this time better than before.

Saturday, September 28, 8 p.m. to midnight

Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center

1500 Penrose Street, Grinnell

Tickets:  $25/person; $45/couple; $30 at the door on the night of the event

Opening Act: Grinnell’s own Broken Record

Performance by The Dweebs – Back by popular demand!

Silent and Live Auction for more than 50 fabulous items from area merchants, artists, and individuals.

Raffle for iPad Mini and Beats by Dre

Light refreshments and cash bar

Tickets go on sale at the following locations:

• Brooklyn – Seaton’s Grocery
• Grinnell – The Glass Gift Box at GRMC and Postels Community Health Park
• Lynnville Clinic
• Tama/Toledo – Deer Creek Health Center
• Victor Health Center and Victor Market
• Online at: www.grmc.us

Grab your friends, find your favorite pair of jeans, and put on your dancing shoes because the 2013 Blue Jean Ball is here!

GRMC Auxiliary Makes Significant Pledge to Grinnell Regional Medical Center Chemotherapy

The GRMC Auxiliary has pledged $150,000 toward the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign directed for the new chemotherapy and infusion department. This department is now officially known as the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite and is a tribute to the countless volunteer hours of service that the auxiliary has provided for decades and continues today.

“Our mission is solely to support GRMC through volunteer service and philanthropy, supporting a positive patient experience and providing scholarships to those seeking education in a health-related field,” says Shannon Reding, president of the GRMC Auxiliary.

“We wanted to honor the auxiliary for all they have done for GRMC, and ultimately for the entire community,” says Dan Agnew, co-chair of the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign for GRMC. “Their role, past, present, and future, is truly vital to the success of GRMC.”

The GRMC Auxiliary has more than 300 members and volunteers who serve within the medical center. They raise funds through special events such as the annual wreath raffle; the angel tree; jewelry, book, and medical scrub uniform sales; and Tag Day.

The Glass Gift Box located in the GRMC lobby is also a funding source for the GRMC Auxiliary.

“Many don’t realize that their purchases at The Glass Gift Box go toward our auxiliary projects,” Reding says. “It is one of our strongest fundraisers year-round.”

Overall, the comprehensive campaign, Moving at the Speed of Life, has a goal to raise $7.5 million over the next three to five years. To date, GRMC has $1.8 million toward these projects, including $450,000 from the last capital campaign.

Funds are being raised to modernize the GRMC emergency department and create an urgent care clinic, purchase the daVinci® surgical robotic system and a new CT scanner, renovate Postels Community Health Park to accommodate a new fitness center, and establish an endowment for Grinnell Regional Mental Health Center, in addition to the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite.

If you’d like to become a GRMC Auxiliary member, stop by The Glass Gift Box or call Kerri Olson, volunteer coordinator, 641-236-2588.

To learn more about the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign, call Denise Lamphier, 641-236-2589.

The GRMC Auxiliary was honored at an opening reception of the new GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite on July 15. Pictured here are members of the GRMC Auxiliary Board with Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO. From left to right: Kerri Olson, Karen Thomson, Jessie Johnson, Bonnie Buntz, Jennifer Collins, Todd Linden, Kama Small, Sheila Latcham, Sarah Smith, Judy Brown, and Fran Davis.