Health

from the American Institute of Cancer Research and Veterans Memorial Hospital
            
Early detection can prove to be lifesaving when it comes to detecting and fighting breast cancer. There are four important ways to play a crucial part in finding breast cancer early on, which could significantly increase one’s chances of recovery should one be diagnosed with the disease.
1. Perform a monthly breast self-exam (BSE). Because 65 to 70-percent of all breast cancers are found by women themselves, there’s no substitute for doing a BSE. Examine the breasts the week following a menstrual period for anyone age 20 and over. For women who are no longer menstruating, they should perform a BSE the first day of every month.

Flu and covid shots are beginning October 7 at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health.  Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine and will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care will be offering flu and Covid shot clinics all Wednesdays in October, including October 7, 14, 21, and 28. These walk-in clinics will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. at the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Appointments can also be made for afternoon immunizations these same days by calling 563-568-5660.  These afternoon by-appointment vaccines will be administered at the Community and Home Care office located at 12 E. Main Street in downtown Waukon.

World Mental Health Day is October 10 and encourages conversations about mental health, access to care, and support for people of every age.

Older adulthood can bring grief, caregiving changes, new health concerns, reduced independence, and changes in daily routines. These experiences can affect mood, sleep, energy, and connection with others.

Checking in with an older loved one can begin with a caring question: “How have you been feeling lately?” Listening with patience can help someone feel supported and may open the door to additional care when needed.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, October 15, at 10 a.m.  The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, feel free to call  Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Flu and Covid Shots are beginning October 7 at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine and will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care will be offering flu and Covid shot clinics all Wednesdays in October, including October 7, 14, 21, and 28. These walk-in clinics will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. at the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Appointments can also be made for afternoon immunizations these same days by calling 563-568-5660. These afternoon by-appointment vaccines will be administered at the Community and Home Care office located at 12 E. Main Street in downtown Waukon.

by Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Foot pain can commonly be caused by injury, overuse, incorrect footwear or underlying inflammation. Many individuals also suffer from painful neuropathy.

Neuropathy in feet is caused by nerve damage. It often presents with symptoms of burning and tingling pain as well as numbness.  Treatment involves identifying the underlying cause, medication management and lifestyle changes.

Foot pain can often be improved with rest, supportive shoes and stretching/strengthening routines.

For supportive shoes, Dr. Thompson recommends shoes with good arch support and a wide toe box.

Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center (Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health) began providing mental health services in northeast Iowa in May of 1956. In December of 1972 services expanded to include a substance use disorder treatment program. Throughout its history the focus of the agency has been the mission of promoting recovery and quality of life for the residence of northeast Iowa.

Join NEIBH in celebrating 70 years October 15, for their annual meeting and open house honoring employees and their commitment to our mission. The Annual Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. at the main office, 905 Montgomery Street, Decorah.

The Open House is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feel free to join NEIBH in recognizing the dedication and hard work of their employees over the last 70 years.

Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health is a private non-profit organization licensed and accredited by the State of Iowa and CARF. NEIBH is a safety net provider for all individuals seeking assistance.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Veterans Memorial Hospital’s (VMH) Senior Life Solutions (SLS) program recommends having a safety plan to serve as a personalized, written guide for responding when distress increases. It is usually developed with a counselor or health care professional.

A safety plan should include coping strategies, people or places that provide support or distraction, a list of trusted people who can help, contact information for clinicians, crisis services and emergency care as well as steps for creating a safer home environment.

The plan should reflect the individual’s circumstances and preferences. It can be kept in an accessible place, such as near the phone, in a wallet or with other important health information. With the older adult’s permission, a family member or caregiver can learn the plan and help carry out the agreed-upon steps.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding a Pillow Perk Monday, October 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lower Level of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Kraft Pillow Service will be on site to make old pillows look like new.

Everyone is encouraged to bring in their feather pillows to the Pillow Perk to be cleaned, sanitized and given new ticking. Foam and Dacron pillows may also be renovated by this process. People can also bring in their feather beds and have them made into new pillows.

The pillows are cleaned and renovated the same day and ready for pick up by 3 p.m. 

For more information, feel free to call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

September is Newborn Screening Awareness and Baby Safety Month. Being sure to schedule  newborn well-child visits following the baby’s birth is very important, according to Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner, Katy Maker, at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Clinics.

“Well-child exams create an environment where the parents can develop a relationship with a primary care provider who will be there for them and their child throughout their child’s growth and development,” states Maker. “It’s important to feel that you can trust the medical advice that you get from your child’s healthcare provider because these days we get bombarded with a lot of information through the Internet and it is hard to filter.”

Well-baby check-ups are encouraged at the following visits: 1-month, 2-month, 4-month, 6-month, 9-month, 12-month, 15-month, 18-month, 2-year, 30-month and at three years.