Health

The United States is currently experiencing a large multi-state outbreak of measles linked to an amusement park in California. More than 100 people from 14 states. (AZ, CA, CO, IL, MI, MN, NE, NY, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, WA) have been confirmed as having measles. As of now, there are no confirmed measles cases in Iowa.      
“This national measles outbreak has brought the protection provided by vaccinations back into the spotlight,” said Lisa Moose, RN, Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health Director.  “It’s always important to keep your vaccinations up-to-date, but during times like this, when we know a virus is circulating in many states, it’s especially critical to check with your health care provider to be sure you and your family’s vaccinations are current.”

Individuals who experience any type of chest pain need to take that pain very seriously and seek medical assistance. There is always the possibility that pain may be caused by a heart attack or some other form of heart disease and must not be ignored. Immediate medical attention is the only way to stop or decrease the damage to the heart.
The common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include the following:
• Any type of chest pain. It may be a crushing pain, a feeling of heaviness such as an elephant standing on one’s chest, or even a squeezing of the chest.
• Pain that radiates down the arm, or other areas of the body such as the neck, jaw or shoulders.
• Weakness or shortness of breath, nausea, light headedness and/or possible sweating.

February is Heart Month.  Veterans Memorial Hospital is encouraging the public to learn the American Heart Association’s new “Hands Only CPR.”  This simple, new way of performing CPR is very easy to do and effective for the victim.
According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death with nearly 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring annually in the United States.  89% of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene.  
The American Heart Association has found Hands Only CPR to be as effective as conventional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest at home, at work, or in the public—doubling or even tripling a victim’s chance of survival.
Since 80% of cardiac arrests happen in private or residential settings, learn these simple steps for performing Hands Only CPR to help save the life of someone you love:
• Call 9-1-1 immediately

 Over 950,000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular disease. Since February is National Heart Month, Veterans Memorial Hospital provides the following facts and tips on heart health:
• 250,000 people die within one hour of onset of a heart attack.
• 60-70% of those individuals are male.
• Heart disease is the number one killer of American women and men.
• 75-80% of cardiac arrests happen in the home.
• Bystander CPR does improve the outcome once someone has arrested.
• Traditional CPR courses are not reaching those who live with high-risk populations.
• Rapid defibrillation is the most important treatment for victims.
• For every minute delay in defibrillation there is a 10% loss for chance of survival.
• In the case of heart attack, “Time is Muscle.”

by Jeff Mitchell, EMT-P
Veterans Memorial Hospital EMS Coordinator
 
How to Dress for Being in the Cold
Wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing to insulate your body by trapping warm, dry air inside. Loosley woven cotton and wool clothes best trap air and resist dampness. The head and neck lose heat faster than any other part of the body. The cheeks, ears and nose are the most prone to frostbite.  Wear a hat, scarf and turtleneck sweater to protect these areas.

The dry air experienced during the winter months is an integral factor in creating dry skin problems. Heating systems to warm homes and offices, most commonly forced-air heat, wrings even more moisture out of the already dry air. This dry air can take moisture right out of the skin and causes the top layer, which is made up of dead skin cells, to flake.
What can a person do?
• Use a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier to replace the moisture in the air. Fewer static electricity shocks will be given off of light switches and clothes won’t crackle or stick to the body.

Veterans Memorial Hospital is encouraging individuals in the area communities to sign up to participate in Live Healthy Iowa this winter and spring. The length of the Live Healthy Iowa program is 10 weeks, allowing those involved a good duration to truly make these wellness changes a habit. Teams can be anywhere from two to 10 members per team allowing for greater flexibility for each team. The program is web-based with a personal tracking page that allows everyone to keep their own results right in front of them at all times.  And the professional support offered by Live Healthy Iowa offers weekly motivational emails and unlimited access to recipes, workouts and other health information, all easily accessible on the Live Healthy Iowa website.

Surveillance by the Iowa Department of Public Health and testing by the State Hygienic Laboratory indicate flu activity is increasing. The flu season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May. According to the State, anyone with flu symptoms should help out family, friends and co-workers by staying home to avoid spreading the virus and also remember to cover coughs and sneezes, and wash hands frequently.

Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff are awaiting the arrival of the first baby born at the hospital in 2015. This fortunate child and his or her family will receive a large number of gifts compliments of area merchants. The first baby of the year will receive the following in cash and prizes:
• $100 cash from Dr. Bruce Carlson, Lansing Dental Clinic
• A free night’s stay in a whirlpool suite at the Stoney Creek Inn
• $20 gift certificate from Cynda’s West Side Cafe
• Gift basket from Mayo Clinic Health System-Waukon
• Free pedicure from the Hair, Body and Mind Salon and Day Spa
• Free year of baby photos (five sessions) from Coté Color Photography, Katie Hennessy
• $10 gift certificate from Village Farm and Home, Waukon
• Two T-bone steak dinners from Jet’s Meat Processing prepared by Gus and Tony’s
• Tastefully Simple gift basket from consultant Jan Baumler

by Michael Lessor, 

Veterans Memorial Hospital Dietetic Intern