Health

Wed
01
Apr

Mindful eating for good health and easy weight loss

by Jill Fleming, MS, RD/LD

In today’s fast-paced society, with people eating on the run and not planning ahead, eating has become a mindless act. Distractions have shifted our attention away from the actual act of eating and more towards televisions, computers and smart-phones. This can be problematic, since it takes your brain up to 20 minutes to realize you are full.

When we are dividing our attention, we usually eat faster and often overeat. If you eat too fast, the fullness signal may not arrive until you have already eaten too much.  This is one of the contributing factors to our obesity crisis today.

Mindful eating is a technique that helps you gain control over your environment and eating habits.  Mindful eating is about using mindfulness to reach a state of full attention to your experiences, cravings and physical cues while eating. Using mindful eating has been shown to promote weight loss, reduce binge eating and help you feel healthier.

Wed
01
Apr

VMH Urgent Care hours change during COVID-19

Veterans Memorial Hospital has changed the hours of Urgent Care services during this COVID-19 challenge.  Monday through Friday, the hours will now be reduced to 5-7 p.m.  Saturdays, Sundays and holidays will still hold the same hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Urgent Care is still available seven days a week and designed for treating injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to require an emergency department visit.  During COVID-19, all patients with any respiratory symptoms are required to call the hospital at 563-568-3411 before coming in. Urgent Care patients enter through the Veterans Memorial Hospital main entrance and register with the receptionist. Emergency patients are still asked to come to the Emergency Room (ER) entrance of the hospital.

Wed
01
Apr

The need for blood does not stop during COVID-19

The local blood drives will continue to be held during COVID-19 since the need for blood does not stop. Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood. Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held Monday, April 6, from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

Wed
01
Apr

Memorials received by Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Ray Burke by David and Karla Hammel, Lester and Lockie Sass, Jim and Marilyn Kann, Dave and Jane Siegel, Jim and Mary Winters, Susan Hall, Mavis Berns, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Mary Beth Regan, Orrin and Nan Grangaard, Joel and Teresa Sommer, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Marlys Leiran, Jane Dietrich, Cyril and Shirley Larkin, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, and the Ray Burke Family.

Memorials were also received in memory of James “Tony” Urell by Fred and Geralyn Smith, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Dan and Sue Schlitter, Jane Dietrich, John and Lorna Kerndt, Rick and Cathy Larson, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, and Kate Urell.

Wed
01
Apr

Great tips on staying healthy

by Jill Fleming, RD/LD, Dietitian, Veterans Memorial Hospital

During influenza season, and especially now with the COVID-19 virus emerging so strongly, the following steps are highly recommended by dietitian Jill Fleming of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon for staying healthy:

• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables
• Stay hydrated with water                                                                                            
• Limit intake of sugar, sweets and soda
• Supplement with vitamin D (2,000-5,000 iu/day)
• Swab inside of nostrils with sesame seed oil (non-toasted)
• Wash hands often and keep hands away from your face.
 

Wed
01
Apr

Family Wellness Fair canceled for 2020

The annual “Family Wellness Fair,” which was scheduled for May 6 at Veterans Memorial Hospital, will be canceled this year. This is due to the current COVID-19 virus situation.

Any local agencies or vendors who were planning to attend this year’s fair will be contacted again next year for the 2021 event.

For any additional information or questions, contact Erin Berns, Public Relations Director at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
 

Wed
25
Mar

Over 30 students complete Veterans Memorial Hospital Babysitting Seminar


Babysitting class offered at Veterans Memorial Hospital ... Over 30 youth completed the recent Veterans Memorial Hospital Babysitting class held Saturday, March 14. The class was instructed by Corinne Cook, RN and consisted of teaching the qualities of being a good babysitter including basic child care, accident prevention and first aid. These new babysitters learned Hands Only CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to the tune of the song “Baby Shark,” as pictured below, with many hospital staff assisting in the education. The Heimlach Maneuver, to be used in the case of a choking infant or child, and fire safety were also covered as part of the class. Submitted photos.

A wide array of students completed the recent Babysitting class hosted by Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

The class, which was held Saturday, March 14,  was instructed by Corinne Cook, RN and consisted of teaching the qualities of being a good babysitter including basic child care, accident prevention and first aid. These new babysitters learned CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the Heimlach Maneuver, to be used in the case of a choking infant or child, and also learned about fire safety.

Wed
25
Mar

Keep exercising during the cooler months

by Jill Fleming, MS, RD/LD

March is National Nutrition Month. Yes, eating healthy is very important, but it is only part of the equation.  Healthy lifestyles include getting plenty of sleep, keeping stress low, eating healthy and exercising your body most days of the week. The cooler weather in Iowa during early spring months sometimes makes it difficult to get outside to exercise, but have you considered one of the several ways you could exercise indoors?

“Sitting is the new smoking” is a popular expression.  According to a January study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, sedentary time is associated with a higher risk for certain diseases and mortality. If you spend the majority of your day sitting, you will want to make a point to stand up at least once per hour and maybe do a few simple exercises. In addition to decreasing your risk for disease, standing burns 30% more calories than sitting, so it may help with weight loss too.

Wed
25
Mar

Diabetes Alert Day 2020

The American Diabetes Association recognizes the fourth Tuesday in March as “Diabetes Alert Day”. The purpose of this designated day is to make the public more aware of the risk factors of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Unfortunately, there are millions of Americans that are undiagnosed with this disease. When one has elevated blood sugars for a long duration of time, which is common in undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes, the likelihood of irreversible complications are increased.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have designed a simple diabetes risk test that can help you identify your risk of developing diabetes. View the diabetes risk test at https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/pdf/Prediabetes-Risk-Test-Final.pdf.

Wed
25
Mar

April Blood Drive will still be held

The next local blood drive will still he held Monday, April 6 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Individuals can make a difference by making a life-saving blood donation at this next Waukon Community Blood Drive.

Donating blood is safe, simple and it saves lives.  Blood donors have a unique opportunity to contribute to their community by making a life-saving blood donation.  Everyone who registers to donate blood goes through four simple steps during the donation process: registration, donor history and mini-physical, blood donation and snacks.

New blood donors who are not familiar with the blood donation process are encouraged to ask questions before, during and after their blood donation. Below are a few tips for ensuring a successful donation:

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