Take the test; take control

Over 35 million people worldwide are infected with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the United States, 1.2 million persons live with HIV. Of those infected persons in the US, an estimated one in seven, about 14 percent, don’t know about their condition.

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. Through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s campaign to raise awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS, they are encouraging everyone to take this day and find out their status. Last year, 47,352 people were diagnosed with HIV; that number could be much lower if more people were informed and taking better preventive measures.

A National HIV/AIDS Testing Day Message from Dr. Ron Valdiserri

In Iowa, approximately 2,000 people live with the disease. On average, 111 people are diagnosed every year in the state. These numbers should be lower, and could be lower if proper medication was given to those who need it, and they took proper steps to protect themselves and others.

Since 2012, the Iowa Department of Public Health has been enacting a campaign that promotes education about HIV, prevention of transmission of HIV, promotion of care and medical treatments of those infected with HIV, and changing the stigmas and misinformation about the virus.

The IDPH’s efforts support the CDC’s national testing day.

Getting yourself tested is the safe and healthy choice to make. Knowing your status is empowering, and will help you and those close to you to be safe and informed. Although there are certain demographics and groups that are statistically more at risk for HIV, everyone should be tested at least once.

You be tested at the Central Iowa Family Planning centers in Grinnell, Marshalltown, and Toledo.

Grinnell Office
717 5th Avenue, Suite 4
Grinnell, IA 50112

Phone: 641-236-7787
Fax: 641-236-7789
Open Monday 12:30 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Wednesday, and daily from
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for lunch

Marshalltown Office:
704 May Street,
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158

Phone: 641-752-7159
Fax: 641- 752-7177
Open Mondays 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed daily from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for lunch

Toledo Office:
507 South County Rd.,
Toledo, IA  52342

Phone:  641-484-2471
Fax:     641-484-3452
Open Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for lunch

Wow! Where did you get that …?

Shopping for something a little different?
Include The Glass Gift Box in your stops to find the perfect item. Since 2007, the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary has run this unique and beautiful gift shop inside GRMC.

Curious as to what The Glass Gift Box has to offer? Stop by on Thursday, June 18, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Friday, June 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is hosting a “Wear the Colors of Summer!” Featured are a variety of summer clothing, sandals, jewelry, and scarves. You will receive 20 percent off the entire purchase, with exceptions of Baggallini, Modela, Mrs. Meyers, Chocolate Storybook, See’s Candy, Isabel Bloom and fresh flowers.

From simple beginnings

The hospital’s auxiliary gift shop history began as a closet with simple sundry items for the convenience of patients’ families and visitors. Over the 45 plus year history, the GRMC Auxiliary’s gift shop has grown and moved several times to the current location, inside the medical center’s front entrance and across from the laboratory area.

Hospital auxiliary members have a very long history of running a gift shop, where the proceeds from the shop go to the auxiliary, which supports the medical center.

Wow Factor

Humble beginnings do not mean boring merchandise! The Glass Gift Box purchasing team of three volunteers led by Cara Kenkel seeks out unique items. As most economic development reports show, a community with a variety of similar business types builds a synergy and opinion that the community has many choices for consumers. When that occurs, shoppers are more likely to remain in the community to shop for that type of merchandise. We hope so. Grinnell has many great shops and The Glass Gift Box is one of the choices for shoppers.

Add your name to The Glass Gift Box or email ckenkel@grmc.us

mail and email list to receive promotional announcements and special discounts. Login at

Link to The Glass Gift Box Facebook

Zzzz— The Most Important Letter in the Alphabet

In today’s busy world, we constantly face choices and sacrifices, but sometimes those sacrifices come at a larger cost than we realize. This is especially true when the sacrifice is sleep. What many of us don’t realize is that when we deprive ourselves of healthy sleep we are actually giving up much more than puffy free, refreshed eyes and a happy demeanor. Consider three benefits you miss when you lose those precious Zzzzs.

1.  Maintaining a healthy weight

One of the best habits you can combine with a healthy diet and exercise program is an earlier bedtime. According to the University of Chicago, sleep deprived people lost much more muscle mass and much less fat than those who were well rested. The weight loss of well rested individuals consisted of 56 percent fat.  Getting enough sleep also has the ability to quench cravings. Many of us tend to do most of our snacking late at night, so by going to bed earlier you can resist the snacking temptation.

2. Staying sharp

Your body does a lot of important stuff while you sleep to keep you sharp. A University of Pennsylvania study found that being awake for extended periods of time can injure neurons in your brain necessary for alertness and cognition. Those who regularly sacrifice precious sleep can find themselves becoming more forgetful and having a difficult time learning new things day to day—this can have negative effects on home and work life alike.

3. Keeping the flu and colds away

According to researchers at Harvard University, when you deprive yourself of sleep, your body is at greater risk of infection. Without enough sleep, you deny your body the necessary rejuvenation and restoration it needs to keep you healthy! When you make sleep a priority you are also building a strong immune system. This is a prime example of how sacrificing those one to two hours of sleep of night to increase productivity can cause you to lose full days or even weeks of productivity if you become sick. Do the math— sleep sacrificing is a losing game.

 

Sleep Tip:

“It’s harder than it sounds”

Changing habits can be difficult, even after you learn and begin to desire all of these great benefits. If you typically go to bed past midnight and wake up before dawn, and then try to go to bed at 9 p.m.  to log 10 hours of Zzzzs on the first day, it probably won’t work out for you. Instead, gradually acclimate your body to the change. Move your bedtime by a half hour to an hour every three or four nights until you get to your desired amount of sleep. It will leave you feeling more normalized and your body will not fight you as hard in the transition.

Still having trouble?

Consider the GRMC Sleep Lab. Patients are seen on a referral basis (meaning that the primary care physician or another specialist refers patients) by Melisa Coaker, MD, at GRMC to evaluate sleep problems.

For more information about sleep disorders, sleep studies, or to schedule a sleep test, contact GRMC Sleep Lab at 515-358-9640, where Coaker awaits to help you sleep well.

 

By Courtney Petersen

GRMC Summer Intern

 

Sources:

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences/sleep-and-disease-risk

 

5 Tips to Feeling Healthier and Happier This Summer

Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start when embarking on your journey to a healthier you. Turns out, summer is the perfect time to give a healthier lifestyle a go. It’s the season for rejuvenation and relaxation. Follow these five simple and fun tips to help you and your family have a healthier and happier summer!


1. Sign up for a 5K

 

Summer time in Iowa is prime 5K season. Despite what many think, there is a place for everyone on race day! You don’t have to be an avid runner to reap the many benefits of a 5K event. On race day, you’ll come to find out that some participants opt to run the race competitively, some decide to walk the track with their families, and some just choose to dress silly and enjoy a jog with friends. Wherever you fall on the spectrum—there is a 5K out there for you! BONUS—5Ks often are put on as charity functions, so not only are you helping yourself and improving your fitness, but you are also contributing to a great cause and making a difference! Not to mention you get to enjoy the summer sunshine and quality time with your family and friends.

 

 

2. Carry a water bottle

Sometimes we get so caught up in the summer’s events—baseball games, work, pool days, vacations— we forget to do one of the most important things: HYDRATE! We all have heard this advice so many times that it sounds like a broken record. Even so, millions of us don’t pay enough attention to our water intake. Signature summer beverages like soda and lemonade are an enjoyable treat every once in a while, but they really don’t compare to the health benefits of water. A little water can go a long way in the summer Iowa weather. By making a point to carry a water bottle with you at all times, you’ll have access to healthy hydration all day. You’ll find yourself feeling healthier and having more energy to tackle your fun filled summer day!

3. Substitute foods

Summer is also the time for cookouts, barbeques, and picnics on the lawn. Unhealthy choices can start to add up without us even realizing. As it turns out, there is a solution to ensure you and your family can stay healthier and still enjoy great food—ingredient substitutions. Finding a healthier substitution for your favorite ingredients is easy thanks to the help of the Mayo Clinic. They have created a chart you can easily reference as a guide when trying to make the healthier choice and still maintain the great tastes of foods! Many of the substitutes are quick and cheap. Print it out and stick it on your fridge for easy access. Here is the link http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/healthy-recipes/art-20047195

4. Take time for “you time”

Studies show that taking quiet time for yourself to meditate and reflect on your thoughts at least once a day can do wonders for your health and wellbeing. So much of our lives are consumed by constant busyness and the “go go go” lifestyle; this can have lasting effects on our health. Not to mention, constant activity can be physically and mentally draining. This summer make it a priority to put down the phone, close the computer, shut the door, and have quiet meditation time every day. Shutting off your mind and focusing on your breathing for a few minutes will do wonders for your mental and physical health—you’ll feel refreshed, relaxed, and rejuvenated.

 

5. Bike and walk when possible

Iowa winters can be “brrrrrrrr”utal being cooped up inside all day wondering when the summer sun will finally make its way out to free you from the subzero temperatures. Lucky for us, summer is finally here, and the warmth and sunshine came along with it—perfect weather to get out and get active! Take advantage of it by opting for your bike or your own two feet when heading place to place during the busy summer months. This fitness tip is perfect for those days when there just isn’t time to make the special trip to the gym or suit up for a run. Your trip is too long to walk or bike? No worries, there are still ways to increase activity when you have to drive. When you reach your location, park as far away from the door as possible—every step counts! Get out and enjoy the sun while you can. Hate to be the one to say it, but winter will come sooner than you think.

By Courtney Petersen

GRMC Summer Intern