Adult Blood Draw

Livingston County Health Center is offering its Adult Wellness Blood Draw Clinic this coming Wednesday, January 28th from 7 to 10 a.m. at their office, located at 800 Adam Drive.  The clinic is an effort to encourage adults to get recommended preventive screenings conveniently and at an affordable charge.  

 It is the aim of public health to promote health and prevent disease-this service encourages our residents to take charge of their own health before problems arise. 

The health center is offering several basic blood tests for those 18 and older at the Adult Wellness Clinic, most of which require fasting the night before.  (To achieve the most accurate results, it’s best to not eat or drink anything but water after midnight the day before a blood test.)  A light snack will be available at the clinic, as well as water.  If you know you are a challenging draw, it might help to drink water when you get up in the morning and until your blood is drawn.

The CBC/Chem Profile is offered for $30. The CBC/Chem Profile is the most comprehensive blood test , measuring 35 different blood parameters that can have a powerful impact on the state of your health, including complete blood panel, cholesterol profile including lipids, thyroid function and more; a PSA prostate cancer marker for $10; the Hemoglobin A1C, a test that gives diabetics a picture of average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months, for $10; or Vitamin D (25[OH]D, which is short-hand for 25-hydroxyvitamin D) for a cost of $15. Current research is revealing connections between vitamin D deficiency and a myriad of health concerns, including cancer, depression, osteoporosis, immune dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease, and more. 

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Looney Toons 1949 So Much for So Little

Aging and Activity

New Year’s resolutions have filled up the local fitness centers for now and exercise DVD’s and equipment are in all the sale ads.  To paraphrase, our paths are currently paved with good intentions.  The problem for me and many other people is consistency.  The mere thought of “exercise” makes me want to curl up on the couch and wait for this idea to pass.  I have many excuses and they are all good ones.  I am tired after work, my lunch hour is too short, I need to catch up with my housework on weekends and my current favorite, it’s too cold outside.  I have noticed that the earlier it gets dark, the quicker I want to go to bed.  The unfortunate result of an inactive lifestyle is that you really are tired.  This only gets worse with age.  What to do? 

Over the years I have noticed some disturbing patterns for people with sedentary lifestyles.  I have seen these issues in patients I have cared for and in family members that didn’t want any free advice.  Sedentary lifestyles make your body seem older than it is.  Heart disease and high blood pressure can develop due to heredity but also due to lifestyle.  You can control diet choices, activity level and weight, and can choose not to smoke.

The aging heart doesn’t pump as efficiently and blood vessels lose elasticity.  Lung capacity decreases.  Muscle mass decreases and fat tissue increases.  Bones become less dense and more brittle.  Yes, you really are shorter.  As you lose muscle tone in your legs and joints become inflamed or stiff, balance becomes a problem.  Falls can easily occur.  It is easier to become dehydrated, to overheat or to injure yourself due to decreased sensation.  Not a pretty picture.

Now we come to the real reason to increase your activity level.  It’s not so you can run in a 5K.  It’s so you can get to and from the bathroom without asking for help.  Activities of daily living take a lot of energy and flexibility.  Getting out of bed, standing up from a chair, combing your hair, putting on your socks, all require coordination and flexibility.  And we haven’t even gone to the mailbox yet.

Getting fit as a senior isn’t a quick process, nor is it for anyone else.  There are real benefits and they don’t require hours in the gym.  The easiest way to start is by walking for 10 minutes.  I advise people to shoot for daily and they will probably do it 5 days a week.  The real goal is 30 minutes a day.  But 10 minutes three times a day counts and it might become enjoyable after a month or so.  It really is easier with a partner, be it human or animal.  Make plans to continue even if the weather is bad.  Don’t expect a big weight loss with this effort but not gaining weight is sometimes a reward.  Regular walking not only improves endurance but helps with balance, important in preventing falls.  Because regular exercise also improves muscle strength, you do have more energy.  Your own daily activities don’t wear you out.  I find that regular exercise is a stress reliever.  When I am in a fitness class, I am concentrating only on that activity.  A side benefit of this is being able to sleep better.  Regular exercise will improve HDL or “good” cholesterol and decrease triglycerides.  This is important when you are competing with the members of your coffee group.

We are approaching the perfect storm of New Year’s resolutions still in play, cold weather and the prospect aging gracefully.  Regular activity begins with the first 10 minute walk you take instead of watching another episode of Dr. Oz.  Everyone knows why it is good for them, but you have to decide why it is good for you.  There aren’t any shortcuts.

My youngest son goes to the gym at least 2 hours 5 days a week, after working 8 to 10 hours.  He doesn’t have any bad dietary habits.  Unfortunately, he didn’t learn any of this from me.  Whenever I try to get any pointers from him about fitness, eating habits or weight loss, he always gives me the same tip, “Proper diet and exercise, mother.”  Not the answer I wanted but I do think he is onto something. - Susan Rice, RN

            All services provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Flu Shot Fridays Suspended

Livingston County Health Center would like to announce the suspension of Flu Shot Fridays, due to waning vaccine supply.  Remaining adult vaccine will be administered through our regular Tuesday walk in clinics, until the supply is exhausted.

County residents can walk in and receive their immunization from 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.  Those with private insurance or Medicare should bring their card to the clinic.  Those without insurance will also be able to get vaccinated at no out of pocket cost, until the purchased supply is diminished. 

Residents are encouraged to call 646-5506 to make sure vaccine is available before making the trip. Those seeking children’s vaccine should call the health center at 646-5506 to make an appointment.

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Early Date for November Blood Draw Clinic

Livingston County Health Center is offering its Adult Wellness Blood Draw Clinic this coming Wednesday, November 19th from 7 to 10 a.m. at their office, located at 800 Adam Drive.  The clinic is an effort to encourage adults to get recommended preventive screenings conveniently and at an affordable charge.  

It is the aim of public health to promote health and prevent disease-this service encourages our residents to take charge of their own health before problems arise. 

The health center is offering several basic blood tests for those 18 and older at the Adult Wellness Clinic, all of which require fasting the night before.  (To achieve the most accurate results, it’s best to not eat or drink anything but water after midnight the day before a blood test.)  A light snack will be available at the clinic, as well as water.  If you know you are a challenging draw, it might help to drink water when you get up in the morning and until your blood is drawn.

The CBC/Chem Profile is offered for $30. The CBC/Chem Profile is the most comprehensive blood test , measuring 35 different blood parameters that can have a powerful impact on the state of your health, including complete blood panel, cholesterol profile including lipids, thyroid function and more; a PSA prostate cancer marker for $10; the Hemoglobin A1C, a test that gives diabetics a picture of average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months, for $10; or Vitamin D (25[OH]D, which is short-hand for 25-hydroxyvitamin D) for a cost of $15. Current research is revealing connections between vitamin D deficiency and a myriad of health concerns, including cancer, depression, osteoporosis, immune dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease, and more. 

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Diabetes Awareness Month 2014 - Show Me Health

More than 29 million Americans—or about 9 percent of the U.S. population—have diabetes, and it is estimated that one in every four people with diabetes does not even know they have the disease. Diabetes is becoming more common in the United States. From 1980 through 2011, the number of Americans with diagnosed diabetes has more than tripled (from 5.6 million to 20.9 million). In Missouri alone, diabetes affects approximately 400,000 people. If left undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.  

This November, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) and the Livingston County Health Center are encouraging people with diabetes to “Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes.”  This is a critical message because people with diabetes are nearly two times more likely to die from heart disease or stroke than a person without diabetes.

The good news is that people with diabetes can lower their chance of having diabetes-related heart problems by managing their Diabetes ABCs:

·         A is for the A1C test (A-one-C).  This is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar (glucose) level over the past three months.

·         B is for Blood pressure. 

·         C is for Cholesterol.

·         S is for stopping smoking. 

Managing the Diabetes ABCs can help prevent diabetes-related heart problems such as heart attack and stroke.  Many people with diabetes do not understand that having diabetes puts them at increased risk for having a heart attack or stroke.  People with diabetes need to understand how important it is to manage their disease, which includes controlling their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and stopping smoking.

The importance of family support is critical for people living with diabetes or at risk for type 2 diabetes in managing the disease and to staying healthy.  Diabetes is a challenging disease that affects the entire family in many ways.  For people with diabetes and their families, it’s important to work together to manage diabetes and prevent serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage that can lead to amputation.  People with diabetes who have a strong family support system are better able to cope with the day-to-day challenges associated with the disease. Whether family means loved ones at home, school, work, place of worship, or in the community, having a support system is an important part of staying healthy.

It’s also important to know that having a family history of diabetes, such as a mother, father, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes, puts you at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  The good news is that you-and your family-can take small, but important steps to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that affects a growing number of people. But diabetes can be controlled. It can even be prevented! Through lifestyle modifications, individuals can decrease some of the risk factors for diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t have to conquer you.  With a sensible diet and exercise, you can take charge of your diabetes and help prevent its deadly complications. For those at risk for type 2 diabetes, you can even prevent or delay the disease. Change your diet, increase your level of physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and quit smoking!

If you have diabetes, ask your health care team what your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers are, and what they should be. Your ABC goals will depend on how long you have had diabetes and other health problems.

The Health Center offers free individual diabetes counseling by appointment.  So, if you are newly diagnosed, or could use help getting better control of your disease, give us a call at 646-5506 to find out more. 

Please visit www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/DiabetesMonth2014 for more information about the link between diabetes and heart disease, and visit www.livcohealthcenter.com to learn more about how Livingston County Health Center can help you control your diabetes. 

Flu Shot Fridays Begin This Friday, October 31st at Health Center

Livingston County Health Center would like to announce “Flu Shot Fridays,” beginning this Friday, October 31st.

County residents can walk in and receive their immunization from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on any Friday.  Those with private insurance or Medicare should bring their card to the clinic.  Those without insurance will also be able to get vaccinated at no out of pocket cost. 

Adult vaccine will be given out until we exhaust our supply.   Those residents seeking children’s vaccine should call the health center at 646-5506 to make an appointment.

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis