Health And Fitness
February 2015 Words on Wellness
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Protect Your Bones with Exercise
Bones feel solid, but the inside of a bone is actually filled with holes like a honeycomb. Bone tissues are broken down and rebuilt all the time. While some cells build new bone tissue, others dissolve bone and release the minerals inside.
As we get older, we begin to lose more bone than we build. The tiny holes within bones get bigger, and the solid outer layer becomes thinner.
Virginia Gay Hospital Joins Innovative Patient Care Consortium
To better serve Benton County, Virginia Gay Hospital has agreed to participate in the National Rural Accountable Care Organization Consortium – an initiative intended to improve the health of our senior citizens.
Vinton, January 1, 2015 – Virginia Gay Hospital has announced that it has joined an innovative program intended to help members of our community stay well, and navigate the complexity of our healthcare system when services are needed.
Boost Your Chances for a Healthy Pregnancy
When a baby’s on the way, moms-to-be are often overwhelmed by advice and warnings from family, friends and even strangers. But perhaps the most important advice is to stay as healthy as possible before and during your pregnancy.
Each year about 4 million babies are born in the U.S., the vast majority of them healthy. Thanks to advances in medical research and improved health care, most births in the U.
Detect Glaucoma Early To Protect Vision
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve, which carries visual signals from the eye to the brain. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to vision loss or blindness. But many people with early-stage glaucoma have no symptoms. By the time they’re diagnosed, they may have already noticed changes to their side, or peripheral, vision.
School nurse shares tips for fighting flu
The flu season is upon us and it has presented itself in a great way, says V-S district nurse Kris Hallberg.
Hallberg shared the following information and advice in a message to V-S families today:
Influenza A has become an epidemic in Iowa and surrounding states. I read that there have been several deaths caused by this virus. The best way to prevent these illnesses is to make sure your children are getting plenty of rest, washing their hands thoroughly, and staying home if they are ill with fever over 100 degrees, vomiting/diarrhea or uncontrollable cough.
Rough Up Your Diet
Fiber—you know it's good for you. But if you're like many Americans, you don't get enough. In fact, most of us get less than half the recommended amount of fiber each day.
Dietary fiber is found in the plants you eat, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It's sometimes called bulk or roughage. You've probably heard that it can help with digestion.
Stay Active in 2015!
As the New Year settles in, avoid slipping back into a routine of inactivity just because it is cold outside! Start 2015 off right and warm up by participating in several of our winter activity options for you and your family’s enjoyment!
Winter Workout Challenge
This challenge offers over 20 exhilarating exercises and winter-related activities that can be participated in to accumulate points.
Health Topic: What is an Aneurysm?
What Is an Aneurysm? An aneurysm (AN-u-rism) is a balloon-like bulge in an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your body.
Arteries have thick walls to withstand normal blood pressure. However, certain medical problems, genetic conditions, and trauma can damage or injure artery walls. The force of blood pushing against the weakened or injured walls can cause an aneurysm.
Total Body Challenge to raise money for Operation Backpack
Julie Lessig and her staff at Total Balance are offering a three-part hard-core challenges for local fitness enthusiasts, which doubles as a fund-raiser for the Vinton-Shellsburg Operation Backpack.
Cost is $25 per challenge and includes a monthly challenge over the next three months, including a plank, crunch and core challenge.