Radon in Your Home - Show Me Health

Our coldest months of the year are upon us, and we’re all scrambling to stay warm.  Since our doors and windows remain closed against the cold, it’s the perfect time of year to get an accurate result from a radon test of your home.  Approximately 1 out of 15 homes in the United States has increased levels of radon.  Testing is the only way to know if your home has a problem. 

What is radon?

Radon is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that causes lung cancer. Radon can build up to dangerous levels inside homes, schools and other buildings. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking.

Radon gas occurs naturally. It forms when uranium breaks down to radium, which in turn breaks down to form radon. As radon decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled and can cause lung cancer. Radon-related lung cancers are responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the United States.

How does it get in my home?

Radon is emitted from the ground and enters a home through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings. Because radon comes from rock and soil, it can be found anywhere. Exposure to limited concentrations, like those found outdoors, is impossible to avoid. However, when radon gets trapped indoors, it may build up to dangerous concentrations.

The most important source of radon gas indoors is the soil and rock surrounding the building. By sealing your home to keep radon from getting through cracks and openings, you can significantly reduce your home's radon levels.

Less frequently, radon may enter buildings from radon-contaminated drinking water used in bathroom showers and sprays, though this occurs only when the water comes from a private well. More recently, concerns have been raised about the radon released indoors from granite countertops or tiles. However, these sources are rarely a problem by themselves.

Radon is not known to cause asthma or any other type of respiratory distress. Radon can be tested and measured (in picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air) and there are estimated risks to health from the exposure depending on the concentration. DHSS in conjunction with EPA recommends that if the concentration of radon is 4 pCi/L or greater, then remediation should be done to lower risks. Smoking in conjunction with radon exposure greatly increases the risk of cancer.

What Can I Do?

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers FREE Radon Testing kits by request.  We have paper copies of the request here at the health center, or you can go online and order a kit here: https://health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/testkit.php  or visit www.health.mo.gov and search “Radon Testing Kit.”   The test kit comes with instructions, but if you need help, please feel free to contact me at 660-646-5506.

If you find you have a radon problem, and want to fix the problem; Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has a list of mitigation specialists qualified to install mitigation systems in your home. The cost can range from $500 to $2500 depending on the size and construction of the home. Lists of mitigation specialists can also be obtained from the National Radon Safety Board (NSRB) and National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) websites. They are www.nrsb.org and www.radongas.org respectively.

Sources: US Environmental Protection Agency, American Lung Association, Missouri Department of Health

Baby Boomers & Hepatitis C - Show Me Health

Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C has been called a silent epidemic because most people with Hepatitis C do not know they are infected.

While some people who get infected with Hepatitis C are able to clear, or get rid of, the virus, most people who get infected develop a chronic, or lifelong, infection. Over time, chronic Hepatitis C can lead to serious liver problems including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. But many people can benefit from available treatment options that can eliminate the virus from the body and prevent further liver damage.

Why should people born during 1945-1965 get tested for Hepatitis C?

In 2012, CDC started recommending Hepatitis C testing for everyone born from 1945 – 1965. While anyone can get Hepatitis C, up to 75% of adults infected with Hepatitis C were born from 1945 – 1965.

• Most people with Hepatitis C don’t know they are infected so getting tested is the only way to know.
• Baby boomers are five times more likely to have Hepatitis C than other adults.
• The longer people live with Hepatitis C undiagnosed and untreated, the more likely they are to develop serious, life-threatening liver disease.
• Liver disease, liver cancer, and deaths from Hepatitis C are on the rise.
• Getting tested can help people learn if they are infected and get them into lifesaving care and treatment.

Why do baby boomers have such high rates of Hepatitis C?

The reason that baby boomers have high rates of Hepatitis C is not completely understood. Most boomers are believed to have become infected in the 1970s and 1980s when rates of Hepatitis C were the highest.

How do you get Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through multiple ways.

Before widespread screening of the blood supply began in 1992, Hepatitis C was spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. People with clotting problems who took blood products prior to 1987 could have been exposed to Hepatitis C. Sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs was and is a very efficient way to transmit the virus. People have also become infected with the Hepatitis C virus from body piercing or tattoos that were done in prisons, homes, or in other unlicensed or informal facilities.

Although uncommon, outbreaks of Hepatitis C have occurred from poor infection control in health care settings. In rare cases, Hepatitis C may be sexually transmitted. Babies born to mothers with Hepatitis C can get infected during childbirth. Still, many people do not know how or when they were infected.

Hepatitis C is not spread by casual contact, kissing, hugging, sneezing, coughing, breastfeeding or sharing food, eating utensils or glasses.

Symptoms

Many people with chronic Hepatitis C do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. People with chronic Hepatitis C can live for decades without symptoms or feeling sick.

When symptoms do appear, they often are a sign of advanced liver disease. Symptoms of Hepatitis C can include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, grey-colored stools, joint pain and/or jaundice.

Information on Testing

The only way to know if someone has Hepatitis C is to get tested. Doctors use a blood test, called a Hepatitis C Antibody Test, to find out if a person has ever been infected with Hepatitis C.

A Non-reactive or a negative Hepatitis C antibody test result means that a person does not have Hepatitis C. However, if a person has been recently exposed to the Hepatitis C virus, he or she will need to be tested again.

A Reactive or a positive Hepatitis C antibody test result means that Hepatitis C antibodies were found in the blood and a person has been infected with the Hepatitis C virus at some point in time.

A reactive antibody test does not necessarily mean a person still has Hepatitis C. Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if even if they have cleared the Hepatitis C virus. A reactive antibody test requires an additional, follow-up test to determine if a person is currently infected with Hepatitis C.

The Health Center offers Hepatitis C testing through our Adult Blood Draw Clinics for a fee of $20.  Our next clinic is Wednesday, January 25^th from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.   

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Progress as Promised - Show Me Health

With the close of another year approaching, I wanted to update our county residents about what the Livingston County Health Center has accomplished this year.

Thanks to the support of Livingston County voters, the Health received a nine-cent levy increase beginning in January 2016.  With that came the responsibility of wise choices for the use of these extra funds, and making progress in the areas targeted in our levy campaign.

Building Maintenance, Repair and Renovation

The Health Center building was constructed in 1991.  Very few updates or repairs have been made to the building in the 25 years since, save for roof replacement and repair. Levy funds have allowed us to repair and update the facilities in 2106.

On the exterior, we’ve been able to complete an ongoing 8-year effort to repair and replace bad spots in our parking lot.  Other outdoor projects have been landscaping and new carpet for the front entrance, as well as some repairs to lighting. 

On the inside, all interior walls were repaired and painted in stages throughout the year.  More lighting was also added to our classroom and vaccination areas to assist staff during immunization clinics.  We are currently replacing carpet on the East side of the building.

Mental Health Needs

Mental health is seriously underfunded state wide and nationally, and the lack of services and access to services is a testament to that fact. The need for more mental health services in our county has been evident for many years. 

To begin the fact-finding work of planning interventions in this area, the Health Center established Mental Health Needs groups for both Children and Adult mental health services in early 2016, with each group targeting a primary issue. 

Children’s Mental Health identified the need for Trauma Based Therapy.  In response to that need, the Health Center has partnered with the Crittendon Foundation and Livingston County R-2 schools to provide Trauma Smart Training and support services in the form of a licensed professional counselor for grades Pre-K-3 in the district.

Adult Mental Health leaders identified housing and acute care services for those in psychiatric distress.  The group has been able to educate about North Central Missouri Mental Health Center being a Crisis Center for our area, and what options for care may be available.  In the area of housing, there are ongoing efforts to determine the need for transitional housing for foster kids aging out of the system.

On the education and training front, LCHC has hosted both a Mental Health First Aid and Psychological First Aid course during 2016. 

Both groups benefited from closer networking and sharing of information, which strengthened local partnerships and services to kids.

Adult/Senior Health

Throughout 2016 we offered Shingles Vaccinations for 60 and older at a reduced cost to taxpayers, thanks in part to a Livingston County Senior Tax Fund grant.  The health center also kicked in a portion of the cost for the vaccine, making each vaccination $100 or less for county residents.  Depending on insurance benefits, some paid nothing at all. 

Tai Chi for Arthritis

In the fall of 2016, the health center began offering Tai Chi for arthritis through the Northwest Area Agency on Aging.  In 2017, Health Center staff will get trained to continue the offering in the future.

CPR

To increase the number of individuals trained in life-saving CPR, Hands Only CPR was offered through our office in February as well as Community CPR in October.

Aging in Place

An effort to create a community wide program relating to Aging in Place is in its early stages.  Aging in Place refers to the idea that by educating people over 55 on issues affecting all people as they age, we can help them to remain in their homes as long as possible.  Examples would be financial planning, home safety assessment, elder fraud, accessing volunteer help, health interventions and more. 

Adult Blood Draws

Adult Blood Draws continue to be a popular service.  Year after year, we hear many positive stories from our clients identifying a health issue early on so they can start treatment as soon as possible. This has proven to be a great asset to not only residents of Livingston County but those nearby.  Obtaining lab values through our clinics has enabled people to renew medications and keep track of lab values to better their health and wellness.

Immunizations

We will also continue to provide our three Immunizations clinics each month to immunize adults and children with life-saving vaccines.   As the only source for children’s immunizations in Livingston County, we take pride in providing thousands of dollars of vaccine to them every year. 

General Public Health

Besides these new efforts, the Health Center has continued to offer our regular public health services such as TB Testing, Disease Surveillance and Investigation, Environmental Health services, Tuesday walk-in clinic services and more.

During this time of year, our weekly surveillance phone calls to doctors, schools, nursing homes, etc.  help keep disease outbreaks contained.  These are especially vital during outbreaks of whooping cough (pertussis), mumps, influenza, and other diseases.  This information is then passed on to the State Department of Health and Emergency Room personnel to alert them to possible reportable diseases in our county. 

All these projects plus many more that our small staff provides all year round just ensures you, the tax payer, that your money has gone to make the Livingston County Health Center one of the best local public health departments in our region.

We look forward to continuing with our plans for strengthening the local public health system in 2017.  

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Sherry Weldon

The Invisible Disease

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. One in 11 Americans have diabetes – that’s more than 29 million people.  According to the Centers of Disease and Control, another 86 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Despite its prevalence, diabetes is an invisible disease. It affects men and women, people young and old, and people of all races, shapes and sizes. Often there are no outward signs from the 29 million Americans who fight this chronic illness every day.

That’s why there is a critical need to foster awareness and education while breaking down stereotypes, myths and misunderstandings about this growing public health crisis that affects so many of us.  Almost everyone knows someone or is related to someone who has or is affected by diabetes.  This is exactly why the American Diabetes Association marks each November as American Diabetes Month: to bring extra attention to the disease and the tens of millions of people affected by it.

“It’s one of those things that affects you every single day and every minute of the day,” said Nick Jonas, of the hit boy band the Jonas Brothers. He’s been an outspoken advocate for diabetes awareness since shortly after he was diagnosed at age 13.  He frequently has acknowledged when discussing his diabetes, how important it has been to have the support of his family, friends, and people he performed and toured with.  “…I met people who encouraged me and helped me to tell my story.  That was a good thing.”

It is a good thing, because diabetes is more than the medications and devices used to manage it. For many, diabetes dictates how they organize their day, what they eat at every meal, how they choose to be physically active and how they spend their money.  The diagnosis is an all encompassing disease and takes an extraordinary amount of knowledge, time and commitment to control.  Along with that, people with diabetes can have health care costs that are 2.3 times higher than someone without diabetes, as type 1 and type 2 require very specific forms of treatment.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and there is no known way to prevent it. Approximately 5 percent of people with diabetes have type 1, which means their body does not produce any insulin. Insulin is critical in order for the body to transport glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells for energy. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to live.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90 to 95 percent of cases in the United States, and is caused when the body does not produce or use insulin properly. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include being overweight, having a family history of diabetes and having diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes). Some people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose (sugar) with healthy eating and being active; other may require oral medications or insulin, especially as the disease progresses. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as older adults.

Some women develop gestational diabetes, high blood glucose (sugar) levels during pregnancy, which requires treatment to protect the health of the mother and the baby. Gestational diabetes affects approximately 9.2 percent of pregnant women.

To raise awareness about diabetes and healthy living, the Livingston County Health Center is proudly participating in American Diabetes Month. The Health Center provides individual diabetes consultations, by appointment, with a Certified Diabetes Educator.  We are here to help you learn how to manage your diabetes along with your health care team.  Good diabetes self-care means healthy eating, being active, taking your diabetes medication, and tracking your blood sugar.  Also, if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, or are age 45 or older, you are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that making some of these same healthy lifestyle changes can greatly lower your risk.

At the Livingston County Health Center, we believe that education is the cornerstone of diabetes care and diabetes prevention.  For more information about our diabetes education services, visit us online at livcohealthcenter.com or call 660-646-5506.

Take Care to Give Care - National Caregivers Month

The first rule of taking care of others: take care of yourself first. Caregiving can be a rewarding experience, but it is also physically and emotionally demanding. The stress of dealing with caregiving responsibilities leads to a higher risk of health issues among the Nation’s 90 million family caregivers.

Caregiving can be a stressful job. Most family caregivers say they feel stressed providing care for a loved one. With all of their caregiving responsibilities – from managing medications to arranging doctor appointments to planning meals – caregivers too often put themselves last.

Our Northwest Area Agency on Aging provides many services for people over 60 that can help lighten the load for caregivers.  Services like light housekeeping, home visits, medication set up and more may be possible through their agency.  If you are interested in finding out about their services, have the person you are taking care of call 1-888-844-5626.  This saves time in arranging services.  If the person has difficulty communicating, call the toll free number yourself.

The stress of caregiving impacts your own health. One out of five caregivers admit they have sacrificed their own physical health while caring for a loved one. Due to stress, family caregivers have a disproportionate number of health and emotional problems. They are twice as likely to suffer depression and are at increased risk for many other chronic conditions.

The Health Center offers bi-monthly Adult Blood Draws on the last Wednesday of each month from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at our office, located at 800 Adam Drive.   We offer many basic tests at an affordable charge.  Share your results with your healthcare provider to determine if there are issues that need more attention.

Proper nutrition helps promote good health. Ensuring that you are getting proper nutrition is key to help maintain your strength, energy and stamina, as well as strengthening your immune system. Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the most powerful things you can do to take care of yourself and keep a positive attitude overall.

Ensuring good nutrition for your loved one helps make care easier. As many as half of all older adults are at risk for malnutrition. Good nutrition can help maintain muscle health, support recovery, and reduce risk for re-hospitalization – which may help make your care of a loved one easier.

There are two separate meal delivery programs in Livingston County.  Home-Delivered Meals is managed by the Grand River Multipurpose Center and delivered by RSVP volunteers.  For more information on that project, call 646-1115. 

A different organization, Mobile Meals, is sponsored by Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe with meals delivered by volunteers. Mobile Meals provides lunch Monday through Friday, including any holidays that fall through the week. The meals cost $3.85 per day and there are no qualifications to receive Mobile Meals; anyone who has a need may make reservations. Call Maureen Erwin at 646-5521 for more information.

Remember: “Rest. Recharge. Respite.” People think of respite as a luxury, but considering caregivers’ higher risk for health issues from chronic stress, those risks can be a lot costlier than some time away to recharge. The chance to take a breather, the opportunity to re-energize, is vital in order for you to be as good a caregiver tomorrow as you were today.

Our community is very lucky to have an adult day center, Bella-Brooke, that provides medic al and personal care, as well as a place for recreational therapy and socialization.  If you are feeling overwhelmed, consider their services.  Bella-Brook Adult also hosts a Caregiver Support Group monthly on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at their location at 1115 Second Street.  They usually have a speaker and an opportunity to share, vent and support each other.

If you are a family caregiver, remember to pay attention to your own physical and mental wellness, and get proper rest and nutrition. Only by taking care of yourself can you be strong enough to take care of your loved one. You really do need to “take care to give care.” 

Source: Caregiver Action Network

Earthquake Safety

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day or night. Forty-five states and territories in the United States are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes, and they are located in every region of the country, including ours.

Many residents were surprised in early September to feel REAL earthquake tremors in our area, including objects falling off the walls, beds shuddering and literally the ground moving beneath their feet.  Reports show a 5.8 earthquake hit northern Oklahoma and was felt over most of the Midwest. Yes, this can happen to us. 

At 10:20 a.m. on October 20, 2016, millions of people will “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, the region’s largest earthquake drill ever.  Everyone is encouraged to participate in the drill wherever you are at 10:20 a.m. on 10/20.

Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you live, work, or travel. The ShakeOut is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves, and for everyone to become prepared. The goal is to prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe for you, your organization, and your community.

So, what are you supposed to do in case of an earthquake?  In a nutshell, “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”

If you are inside when the shaking begins:

Drop, cover and hold on.  Move as little as possible.

If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.

Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.

Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit.  If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage.

If you are outside when the shaking starts:

Find a clear spot and drop to the ground.  Stay there until the shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees and street lights.)

If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible.  Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.  Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.

If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out.  Wait for assistance.

If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. 

Why is a “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill important? To respond quickly you must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocks you down, or something falls on you.

At the very least, have a discussion with your family about what you would do in case of an earthquake.  Remember kids count on adults to know what to do in case of emergency.  Be ready with an answer!

Source: The Great Central US Shakeout and American Red Cross

Health Center to Host Free Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention Classes

Livingston County Health Center has partnered with the Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging to provide Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention classes for seniors 60 and older.   There will be a free demonstration class led by Instructor Micky Bates on Friday, October 21^st at 10 a.m. in the Health Center classroom.

Tai Chi for Arthritis is a low impact, graceful form of exercise using gentle movements that puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it suitable for adults that are age 60 and over. Tai Chi is proven to help reduce the prevalence of falls among and is rated as the highest level evidence-based program for senior adults for health and wellness.

Tai Chi has been proven to improve balance, increase leg strength, improve mobility, increase flexibility, reduce stress, improve posture and reduce the fear of falling.

Weekly one-hour Tai Chi classes begin at the Health Center on November 7th and will be held on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.  

For more information about Tai Chi and the upcoming classes, please contact Micky Bates, NWMOAAA Healthy Living Coordinator, at 816-368-8816, or email mbates@nwmoaaa.org.  Or you may contact Ann Burchett at Livingston County Health Center at 660-646-5506.

This program is funded in part by the United States Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Aging, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging.