Health

Wed
06
Nov

Diabetes Support Group to meet November 21

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, November 21, 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, call  Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Wed
06
Nov

Hospital Auxiliary Euchre Marathon to be held

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding their monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, November 21. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if you are not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if you wish to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. All proceeds go towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in.  It is asked that you come with your table of four players, however.

Wed
30
Oct

October is National Physical Therapy Month: Treating chronic back pain


Physical Therapy Team at Veterans Memorial Hospital ... October is National Physical Therapy Month. The Physical Therapy Team at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon is pictured above, left to right: Amy Robinson, PT, Rehabilitation Director; Laurel Hagensick, PT; Amy Ghelf, PT Assistant; Brad Krambeer, Athletic Trainer; Sara White, PT Assistant; Dacia Johnson, PT Aide; Shelly Valley, PT Assistant and Alana Gavin, PT. Submitted photo.

by Amy Robinson, PT, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic back pain.  Chronic back pain is often defined as pain that lasts for six months or longer. It may remain constant or it may come and go. Often times, chronic pain begins as pain caused at the tissue level, but after prolonged pain signals are sent to the brain, the pain threshold of the transmitting nerves decreases making them more sensitive. Also, the brain becomes more sensitive to the pain it is receiving, so your pain feels much worse even though your injury or illness is not getting any worse.

Chronic Back Pain Facts:

Wed
30
Oct

28th Annual Christmas Fantasy; Make your reservations now

Reservations are being taken now for the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s 28th  Annual Christmas Fantasy to be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 15, 16, 17 and 18 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be “Through the Eyes of a Child.”

Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday and Monday Noon luncheons and the Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event.

The luncheons are sponsored by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association, and will be held Saturday, November 16 at Noon, and again Monday, November 18 at Noon. A full meal will be served plus entertainment will be provided at both events. All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays. Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-6262.

Wed
30
Oct

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: “Four Key Steps for Early Detection of Breast Cancer”

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.

Wed
30
Oct

Become an EMT; Auxiliary of VMH offering two full scholarships

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital has announced they are offering full scholarships for two individuals from the community to attend the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course held this winter in Waukon. The course will be co-sponsored by Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and Veterans Memorial Hospital. The classes will begin January 7 at the NICC Waukon Center.

There is a great need for more EMTs in the area so the hospital’s Auxiliary, in an effort to help recruit, will pay the NICC college credit fee for two individuals this upcoming semester. Classes will meet twice per week with additional clinical time at Veterans Memorial Hospital and other larger medical facilities.

Wed
30
Oct

Blood donation matters

Did you know just how much blood is needed by certain patients?  Here are some facts from the LifeServe Blood Center.

· Cancer patients can use up to eight units of blood a month.
· Bone Marrow Transplant patients can use up to two units a day.
· Cardiovascular Surgery patient can use between two and 25 units.
· Liver Transplant patients can use up to 100 units.
· Auto/Trauma Accident patients can use up five to 100 units.
· Premature infants can use up to one to four units.
· Burn victims can use up to 20 units of platelets.
· Heart surgery patients can use up to three to eight units of red cells and one to 10 units of platelets.
· Organ transplant patients can use 10-30 units of blood.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, November 7 from 12:30-5 p.m. The blood drive will be held at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

Wed
23
Oct

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Be diligent for early detection


3D digital mammography at Veterans Memorial Hospital ... October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Just two years ago, Veterans Memorial Hospital introduced the first 3D digital mammography machine in northeast Iowa, pictured above, and is now in its third year of offering this innovative technology. Submitted photo.

An estimated 252,710 new invasive cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2019 and about 2,470 new cases of breast cancer are expected in men in 2019. In total, an estimated 40,610 deaths (40,170 women and 440 men) are anticipated from breast cancer in 2019. These numbers have steadily decreased since 1990. The American Cancer Society states the decrease represents progress in both earlier detection and improved treatment.

Wed
23
Oct

October is Physical Therapy Month: Try dry needling, a drug free approach to pain control


Dry needling at VMH ... October is National Physical Therapy Month. When it comes to pain management, most Americans would rather use a drug-free approach. They also chose physical therapy as the safest option in treating pain. Pictured above is Amy Robinson, Physical Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation at Veterans Memorial Hospital demonstrating dry needling on a patient. This is a pain management procedure, similar to acupuncture, that treats painful muscle regions quite effectively. Submitted photo.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Patients who would prefer to try just about anything before taking prescription opioids to treat their physical pain are not alone. According to a new report, most Americans would rather use a drug-free approach.

Earlier this year, data was collected from nearly 63,000 American adults, 78% of whom prefer to find another option to treat pain rather than taking medication prescribed by their doctors. The use of narcotics is viewed as a “crisis” or a very serious problem, and most people do not want to get caught up in it.

This study could mean that in the future, patients and health-care professionals alike will try drug-free treatment options before relying on opioids.

Instead of using pain medications, those surveyed in this recent study chose physical therapy as the safest option in treating pain.

Wed
23
Oct

Become an EMT; Auxiliary of VMH offering two full scholarships; Classes begin January 2020

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital has announced they are offering full scholarships for two individuals from the community to attend the Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.) course held this winter in Waukon. The course will be co-sponsored by Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and Veterans Memorial Hospital. The classes will begin January 7 at the NICC Waukon Center.

There is a great need for more EMTs in the area so the hospital Auxiliary, in an effort to help recruit, will pay the NICC college credit fee for two individuals this upcoming semester. Classes will meet twice per week with additional clinical time at Veterans Memorial Hospital and other larger medical facilities.

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