Health

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 18, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

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

by Brandy Strub, MS, RD/LD, Dietitian, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in plant foods that the body can’t digest and comes in two varieties: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Most high fiber foods have both, so it is best to just focus on overall fiber intake.

Fiber not only keeps bowel movements regular, which helps prevent against diverticular disease, hemorrhoids, and possibly decreases a person’s risk of colorectal cancer, it also helps:
1. Control blood sugars by slowing down the absorption of sugar and preventing blood sugar spikes
2. Protect heart health by helping lower cholesterol
3. Aid in weight management by making you feel fuller longer
4. Enhance gut health by feeding the good bacteria in your gut which may lead to better mood, less inflammation, healthier skin, etc.

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  This year will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Toe Tappers, as part of the night’s musical line-up.

The event will again be held Friday evening of Mother’s Day Weekend, May 10, from 6-11 p.m. This year the event will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion to allow for more room to enjoy the show, dancing, expanded seating and additional food options to be available this year.

“Over 50 years for The Toe Tappers, and over 45 for a number of our BBF guys.  What an honor to share the night with them,” states Bill Withers Jr., event coordinator.  “I hope everyone comes out to celebrate around a great cause!”

by Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist at Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), the Occupational Therapy Department is celebrating national awareness of its profession throughout the month of April. As occupational therapists, our role is to help people regain function following injuries and illnesses.  We treat people who have hip or knee replacement surgery, heart attacks, pneumonia, strokes, diabetes, generalized weakness, skin burns and joint contractures, breathing difficulties, and many other diagnoses.

by VMH Community and Home Care and the Iowa Department of Public Health
 
Public health plays an important role in Iowa’s high standard of living. The goal of public health is helping to create an environment where people can live in good health. Public health helps make good health happen in Iowa’s homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplace.

Public health is more than just state and local government agencies. The public health community works together to fight disease and promote healthy lifestyles through the use of nutrition education, physical activity, immunization clinics, disease surveillance  and home nursing and home care aide visits.

by Carol Gaunitz, RN, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
 
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.

At Veterans Memorial Hospital, we have specially trained nurses who can provide confidential, compassionate, holistic care and support after a sexual assault. Exams are free of charge and can include a head-to-toe exam to look for injuries, medication to treat and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy and forensic evidence collection. Patients can participate in as much or as little of the exam as they choose.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Tuesday, April 9, at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This grief support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 18, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

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

Veterans Memorial Hospital Speech - Language Pathologist Steven Mazzafield will offer the next Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke, Thursday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH). The meeting will be held in the ICN Conference Room at the hospital.

The Stroke Support Group provides opportunities to share tips, tricks, or trials among participants, offer support for caregivers, and provide an opportunity for socialization.

While strokes can happen at any age, risk of stroke is greatest as people get older with the majority of strokes occurring after the age of 70. Risk factors for stroke include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

It is important to know the signs of a stroke. “BE FAST” is a handy acronym to help remember the following:

March is National Athletic Training Month. Veterans Memorial Hospital has three athletic trainers on staff including Brad Krambeer, ATC, LAT; Austin Troendle, D-PT, ATC, who is also a Doctor of Physical Therapy; and Shelly Valley, PT-A, ATC, who is also a Physical Therapist Assistant. These trainers use their variety of skills to rehabilitate athletes, often communicating with the physicians to help coordinate the best recovery.

Athletic trainers help treat and prevent injuries for people of all ages, from athletes to laborers.  They specialize in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of physical injuries to the muscle, ligament and bone, as well as rehabilitation following surgery. Athletic trainers are also key in teaching injury prevention by explaining flexibility exercises, proper use of equipment and applying prevention devices such as tape, bandages and braces.