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Looking forwardto caring for you.Clinic & Hospital
caringforyouSPRING 2012
www.granditasca.org
Sleep Disorders Can Lead to Long-Term Health Troubles » pg. 6
Help Your Child
Build a Strong Funny Bone
Grand Itasca Awards GrantsFind out more » pg. 7
Sleep Disorders Long-Term Health Troubles » pg. 6
Understanding AllergiesFind out more » pg. 2
COLORECTAL CANCER Screening Saves Lives
HELP YOUR CHILDBuild a Strong Funny Bone
SLEEP DISORDERS Can Lead to Long-Term Health Troubles
3
4
6
7
8
10
CONTENTS
FOUNDATION FEVERGrand Itasca Foundation Awards More than $9,000 in Grants
COMMUNITY CALENDARCommunity workshops and support groups
WHO’S NEW AT GRAND ITASCA
www.granditasca.org2
Rashes, Sniffles, Itches, and More
Understanding Allergies
Does doggie dander make
you sneeze? Can freshly
cut grass bring tears to
your eyes? Are you rashy, itchy,
congested or wheezy? If so, you
may have an allergy. An allergy
results when the body’s immune
system has an abnormal reaction
to a trigger (the allergen).
“The tendency to have allergies
seems to be genetic and lifelong,”
says Cathy Cleary, MD, family
physician. “People tend to develop
allergies to the common plants in
their area.”
Common allergens include pollen,
dust, insect stings, animal dander,
mold, medications and latex. Allergies
to particular foods – most often
peanuts, eggs and shellfish – are
not unusual. Some individuals
react to dairy products, wheat and
other foods, but medical tests are
necessary to determine if these
are true allergies or simply an
intolerance.
“The good news is that most people
can control their symptoms with
a combination of lifestyle changes
and medications,” Dr. Cleary says.
1 Talk with your health care
provider if you suspect you are
suffering from allergies. A simple
series of tests may help pinpoint
your particular allergens.
2 Take steps to prevent or mini-
mize reactions by avoiding the
allergen and, if appropriate, using
over-the-counter or prescription
medications to address specific
symptoms. Antihistamines may
help with sneezing and wheez-
ing, and decongestants can help
> continued on page 11
Achoo! Scents and Perfumes Can Trigger Allergies, Too
Perfumes and scented lotions that
smell lovely to you can be overpower-
ing to others nearby – in the waiting
room at the clinic, at church, at sports
games or concerts, etc. “People should
remember that allergies to scents are
common and can cause very uncom-
fortable symptoms, such as an allergy
attack or migraine headache,” Dr.
Cleary says.
Tip: Please be considerate to those
around you who may be sensitive
to scents, and avoid wearing scents
in public places where people are in
close proximity.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
Some colorectal cancer screenings
can help prevent, as well as detect cancer,
by finding polyps so they can be removed
before they become cancerous. “The
gold standard for colorectal cancer
screening is colonoscopy,” says Lisa K.
Owens, MD, a general surgeon at Grand
Itasca Clinic & Hospital. “It permits us to
look at the colon and identify abnormali-
ties, and remove them at the same time.”
During a colonoscopy, the rectum and
entire colon are examined using a
lighted instrument. “The most common
thing I hear after a colonoscopy is,
‘That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would
be!’” Dr. Owens says. “Most people are
pleasantly surprised at how easy the
procedure is.”
There are other types of colorectal can-
cer screenings. “Most of the other tests,
can tell us if there are polyps, but we
can’t remove polyps at the same time,”
explains Dr. Owens. “For most healthy
people, colonoscopy is the best screen-
ing option. But people should talk to
their doctors to determine which
test is right for their situation.”
3SPRING 2012
HEALTHY LIVING
Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives
Most people aren’t
comfortable discussing
issues relating to their
colon or rectum. That’s OK.
What isn’t OK is letting that
discomfort prevent you from getting
screened for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is one of the few
cancers that can not only be detected
in its early stages by screening, but
can actually be prevented. These
cancers almost always develop from
polyps in the colon or rectum. “Colon
polyps can grow without causing any
noticeable symptoms,” says Lisa K.
Owens, MD, FACS, a general surgeon
at Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital.
“About 1 in 3 people will have a colon
polyp by the age of 50. Not all of the
polyps will turn into cancer but some
of them will,” Dr. Owens adds.
“If you don’t have any other factors
that increase the risk, then the
recommended age for having a
colorectal cancer screening is 50,” says
Dr. Owens.
Risk FactoRs
Certain factors increase the risk of
developing the disease. According
to the National Cancer Institute,
they include:
• Age. Most people who develop
colorectal cancer are over age 50.
• Polyps. Most polyps are
noncancerous, but the majority of
colorectal cancers develop in polyps.
• Personal history of colorectal
cancer. Women who have had
ovarian, uterine or breast cancer
also have a higher risk.
• Family history of colorectal cancer.
• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
• Diet. Eating a lot of red and
processed meats.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Smoking.
Get scReened
If you’re embarrassed to talk to
your doctor about colorectal cancer
screening, do it anyway; you’ll get
over it. The same may not be true
of cancer.
To schedule an appointment, call
218.326.7344.
www.granditasca.org4
HEALTHY LIVING caringforyou
Help Your Child
Build a Strong Funny Bone
A diaper on the head.
A raspberry on the
belly. A funny face. No
matter the source, a child’s first
laugh signals the beginning of
a new developmental stage, one
which requires nurturing and
encouragement. Kids are not
born with – or without – a sense
of humor. They must learn it. “It
takes learning the social cues and
enjoying the unexpected to develop
a sense of humor,” says Patty
Carlin-Janssen, MD, FAAFP. But
the benefits can last a lifetime.
A well-developed sense of humor
can improve reading skills, boost
creative-thinking and increase
self-esteem. Those who appreciate
humor also tend to be better
liked by their peers, and are more
socially active and adept at putting
others at ease. “Older kids who have
a good sense of humor seem to
handle peer pressure and bullying
better,” Dr. Carlin-Janssen says.
A sense of humor can also help
individuals of all ages manage
their emotions, sustain a positive
attitude, cope with stress and
challenges, and deal with conflict.
“There is a physical advantage,
too,” says Dr. Carlin-Janssen. “Kids
with a good sense of humor have
lower heart rates, lower blood
pressure, better digestion and a
stronger immune system.”
know YouR audience
Anyone who has tried telling
a teenager a knock-knock joke
can attest to the importance of
matching the type of humor to a
child’s developmental stage. Babies
tend to react to unexpected or
out of the ordinary things, such
as Mom mooing like a cow or Dad
sucking on baby’s bottle. “One of
the first sense of humor games for
babies and toddlers is peek-a-boo,”
Dr. Carlin-Janssen says. Toddlers
may enjoy rhymes and nonsense
words once their language skills
begin to develop.
Preschoolers may begin to find
humor in the absurd. “A picture of
animals wearing clothes is funny
for a preschooler,” Dr. Carlin-
Janssen explains. Early school-age
children may enjoy exaggeration,
slapstick and basic wordplay. “As
they grow older, kids have built up
enough language that they can try
true jokes,” Dr. Carlin-Janssen says.
Riddles, puns and gross-out jokes
become funnier. “Kids have to have
enough vocabulary even for knock-
knock jokes,” Dr. Carlin-Janssen adds.
LauGhteR BReeds LauGhteR
Laughing, playing and being silly
with children are the best ways
to cultivate a sense of humor. “If
infants get more attention when
they laugh and smile, they will
laugh and smile that much more,”
Dr. Carlin-Janssen says. So smile
and giggle at your kids’ jokes, tailor
your humor to their developmental
stage, and spend time every day
playing with them. These tips may
also help:
Lead by example. “Kids learn to be
funny by watching their parents
be funny,” Dr. Carlin-Janssen
says. “That may be anything from
telling jokes to using different
funny voices.”
Support them. Your child’s
attempts at humor won’t always
be funny, but they deserve some
recognition. If you can’t bring
yourself to laugh, try praising their
efforts instead.
5SPRING 2012
Show them fun is for all ages. Help
them feel comfortable sharing funny
stories or reactions in any crowd.
Surround them with humor. “Let
children read the funnies or joke
books,” Dr. Carlin-Janssen suggests.
And give children access to funny
television shows and websites that
are age-appropriate.
the GaG RuLe
Along with encouraging humor,
parents also play a big role in
setting limits. “If you’re blessed
with a child who is funny and
goofy all the time, teach him or
her which situations are right for
being funny and which are not,”
Dr. Carlin-Janssen advises. And
don’t tolerate mean-spirited or
off-color humor, in yourself or
your child. You can’t protect
children from hearing
inappropriate jokes, but you
can control your response. Don’t
laugh and make sure your child
understands why it isn’t funny.
Of all your parental duties,
instilling a sense of humor in your
child may be the most fun. “A
sense of humor is a good trait,”
Dr. Carlin-Janssen says. “Often
when kids are silly or goofing
around, we parents squash their
liveliness because we want them
to be more serious and grown up.
But having a well-developed sense
of humor can benefit the whole
family.” So, enjoy yourself and your
child will too.
Laughing, playing and being silly with children are the best ways to cultivate a sense of humor.
www.granditasca.org6
caringforyou
Sleep Disorders Can Lead to Long-Term Health Troubles
HEALTHY LIVING
You know that you feel
better when you awake
from a full, restful night’s
sleep. But do you realize that sleep
problems, in addition to being a
drain on your quality of life, can
pose serious health threats?
Blood pressure usually falls
during sleep, but interrupted sleep
can adversely affect this normal
decline, leading to high blood
pressure, according to the National
Sleep Foundation. Sleep disorders
are linked to a greater risk of heart
attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat
and heart failure.
“Insufficient sleep also impairs
the body’s ability to use insulin,
which can lead to diabetes,” says
Ann Hauser, a coordinator, in
our respiratory therapy and sleep
departments. In addition, it can affect
the amount of a hormone linked to
obesity that’s secreted, increasing the
chance for weight gain.
Finally, daytime drowsiness
increases the risk for accidents at
work and on the road. “This is a
particular concern on rural roads,
so Grand Itasca takes sleep disorder
testing very seriously,” Hauser says.
If you’re not getting adequate slee p,
you’re not alone. About 70 million —
or more than one in five —
Americans suffer from sleep
disorders.* If you or your loved
ones suspect you may have a sleep
disorder, talk with your health care
professional. “A bed partner may be
more aware of a problem than you
are!” Hauser states.
heLp is neaRBY
Most sleep disorders can be
managed effectively once they are
diagnosed. A consultation with
Paul Windberg, M.D., and perhaps
a sleep study at Grand Itasca
Clinic & Hospital, is the first step.
“We’re the only hospital in the area
with a sleep-certified physician
who comes in and meets with
patients in person,” Hauser says.
Dr. Windberg is a pulmonologist
certified in sleep medicine from
the St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic
Sleep Center. He sees patients
on Mondays and Wednesdays at
Grand Itasca.
Sleep studies are done by two
registered polysomnographers at
Grand Itasca. If a sleep disorder is
diagnosed, Dr. Windberg will work
with you to design a treatment
plan that works for you.
For more information, call
218.326.3401.
* Source: Cleveland Clinic, http://my.clevelandclinic.org.
7SPRING 2012
GRAND ITASCA FOUNDATION
Awards More than $9,000 in Grants
Grand Itasca Foundation
recently awarded grant
funds totaling more than
$9,000 committed to programs and
projects that support health and
wellness in the Grand Itasca Clinic
& Hospital service area.
Grants awarded include:
• Community Café – $2,000 to help
increase the availability of fresh
fruits and vegetables during meals
served by Community Café.
• City of Grand Rapids – $500 to
purchase a Walking Work Station.
This station consists of a treadmill
and a specially designed desk and
computer work station that will
allow employees to complete tasks
while walking.
• Coronary Health Improvement
Project (CHIP) – $500 to assist with
food expenses for CHIP partici-
pants enrolled in a 30-day commu-
nity based, lifestyle modification
and motivation program to help
educate and encourage participants
to make healthy lifestyle choices.
• ElderCircle Senior Wheels
Program – $3,000 to support volun-
teer drivers who provide affordable
transportation for seniors to get
to needed medical and dental
appointments.
• Home Visitor Program – $3,000 to
provide outreach and education to
more than 200 seniors and 600 in-
dividuals annually in Itasca County
helping them access services they
need to stay independent and
healthy: physically, emotionally,
and financially.
• Itasca Water Legacy Partnership –
$100 to help fund an informational
program series dealing with topics
such as pharmaceuticals in our
water supply.
Grand Itasca Foundation also provid-
ed funding for two programs within
Grand Itasca, including a nursing
education seminar that will bring
Barbara Karnes, RN, speaker and
educator on end-of-life care and the
dynamics of dying, to Grand Rapids
in late September. This program
will be done in collaboration with
Itasca Hospice and offered to all area
nurses and nursing students. Funds
were also allocated to Grand Itasca’s
Pathology and Histology staff for the
purchase of Pink Bags that will be
filled with cancer resource informa-
tion that are distributed for newly
diagnosed cancer patients.
To learn more about Grand Itasca
Foundation and its community
granting programs, contact Kelly
Kirwin, Foundation Director,
at 218.999.1009 or [email protected].
Grand Itasca Foundation Board Members: Steve Wright, Sandy Harling, and Cricket Guyer present Merry Moody, Itasca CHIP Chapter Director, with a $500 grant to support an upcoming Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP).
www.granditasca.org8
To register or for more information on monthly events, please call 218.326.7344 or visit the Grand Events Calendar at www.granditasca.org.
Partners are encouraged to attend all birth classes with soon-to-be mothers.
WorkshopsBIRTH PROCESS CLASSESThis weekend class is designed to
help prepare parents for childbirth,
and includes a tour of the labor,
delivery, and nursery area of
the hospital.
Cost: $45 for mom and coach. Fee includes all class materials and refreshments.Dates: April 14 and June 2 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
INFANT CARE/ BREASTFEEDING CLASSThis class is designed to help
prepare you for some of the
changes that occur once your baby
enters the world. Breastfeeding
techniques and benefits are also
covered, and the breastfeeding
portion of class is highly recom-
mended prior to childbirth.
Cost: FREEDates: April 21 and June 9 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
PROSTATE SUPPORT GROUPJoin other men who have been
recently diagnosed or have had
prostate cancer. Family members
are also welcome.
Second Tuesday of the month, 5:30 p.m.Meeting Room ABC
Support GroupsCARDIAC SUPPORT GROUPMonthly speakers cover topics related
to cardiovascular conditioning, diet
and exercise, and other areas of
interest for persons recovering from
a heart attack, bypass surgery, valve
replacement surgery, or
cardiac ballooning.
Third Monday of the month, 7 p.m.Meeting Room ABC
Celebrating History, Technology and Professional Care
National Hospital Week is a special week that has been celebrated
across the country since 1921. Today National Hospital Week
is one of the largest health care events in the U.S. and is a time
to recognize the people who provide care and save lives. It
celebrates the professionals who are devoted to making our
health facilities a place of compassion and confidence.
A few facts about National Hospital Week:
• The first National Hospital Day was celebrated on Florence
Nightingale’s birthday on May 12, 1921.
• National Hospital Day was suggested by a magazine editor after
the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918.
• National Hospital Day was expanded to an entire week in 1953.
• Every state in the U.S. celebrates National Hospital Week,
sponsored by the American Hospital Association.
• National Hospital Week is intended to engage every member of
the hospital team, from administrators and medical professionals
to volunteers and patients.
• It is the American Hospital Association’s hope that this devoted
week will remind the public that hospitals are a huge part of the
community’s foundation, serving all who enter.
• This year, National Hospital Week is celebrated May 6-12, 2012.
National Hospital Week
9SPRING 2012
DIABETIC SUPPORT GROUPThis is an opportunity to meet other members
of our community who have diabetes and share
successes and experiences regarding diabetic
care.
Third Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m.Meeting Room A
MS SUPPORT GROUPThis group is open to those diagnosed with
MS as well as family members, caregivers,
and friends to offer support, awareness,
and education about the everyday traumas,
challenges, and hardships for those afflicted
with the chronic disease of MS.
Second Thursday of the month, 12:30 p.m. St. Joseph’s Church
10 www.granditasca.org
caringforyouWHO’S NEW AT GRAND ITASCA
Welcome New PhysiciansLisa owens, Md
Lisa Owens, MD, Board-
Certified General Surgeon,
joined Grand Itasca on Feb.
1, 2012, after practicing for 7
years in Waverly, IA.
“Dr. Owens is a talented,
experienced surgeon who
brings a lot of enthusiasm to our surgical depart-
ment,” says Nathan Noznesky, MD – Chief Medical
Officer. “Her abilities, along with those of Drs. Kole,
Serleth, and myself, bring added diversity and help
broaden the surgical services we are able to provide
in the community.”
Having completed her graduate studies at the
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine,
Dr. Owens finished her General Surgery Residency at
Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.
“I love taking care of a wide variety of general surgery
patients, but have a special interest in taking care of
patients with breast complaints and breast cancer,”
says Dr. Owens. “I am excited to join Grand Itasca
because of the focus on providing high quality,
personalized care for patients.”
For more information or to make an appointment
with Dr. Lisa Owens, please call 218.326.7344.
pauL windBeRG, Md
Paul Windberg, MD, is
board-certified by the
American Board of Internal
and Sleep Medicine and is
providing Pulmonary and
Sleep Medicine services at
Grand Itasca.
Dr. Windberg was brought to Grand Itasca in a joint
partnership with Fairview Range Clinic – Hibbing,
Minnesota. As part of this partnership, Dr. Windberg
will practice part-time at Grand Itasca and Fairview
Range Clinic.
“By adding Dr. Windberg’s abilities and experience in
sleep medicine to Grand Itasca, we are able to provide
additional specialty service to our community and the
patients we serve,” says Nathan Noznesky, MD – Chief
Medical Officer.
Dr. Windberg received his medical degree from the
University of Washington Medical School – Seattle,
Washington. He completed his residency at the
Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.
Most recently, Dr. Windberg has been practicing as a
pulmonary (lung) disease physician in Duluth, MN.
For more information on how to make an appointment
with Dr. Windberg, call 218.326.3401.
11SPRING 2012
combat congestion. Topical
treatments, such as cortisone
cream or ointment, may help
reduce inflammation and rash-
es as well as relieve itching.
3 Ask your doctor about other
treatment options. “For people
with severe allergies not con-
trolled with medication, allergy
shots can result in marked
improvement in symptoms,”
Dr. Cleary says. “Allergy shots
require skin testing and are
given over a span of several
years, so they require a large
commitment; but can be
extremely helpful for patients
who are able to complete their
regimen.”
Preventing Allergic Reactions
Rashes, Sniffles, Itches and More
Understanding Allergies > continued from page 2
4 Watch for signs of severe
allergic reaction. A bee sting
or even a whiff of peanut
crumbs can result in life-
threatening anaphylaxis (or
anaphylactic shock) for some
people. Anaphylaxis can lead
to death if not treated imme-
diately. Talk with your health
care provider if you suspect
you may be at risk for a serious
allergic reaction.
Airborne AllergiesIf you are allergic to pollen, mold, dust
mites or pet dander, you can help
minimize reactions.
• Filter the air in your home with a
high-efficiency air filter.
• Prevent mold growth by keeping the
humidity below 50%.
• Avoid having pets that trigger your
allergies.
• Use special covers for pillows, mattresses and
box springs and avoid down-filled bedding.
• Clean and vacuum often, and wear a face
mask and gloves while housecleaning.
• Choose hardwood, vinyl or ceramic
flooring rather than carpeting.
• Minimize outdoor walks during
pollen season.
Food AllergiesIf you have food allergies, avoid any foods
that contain the offending ingredients.
When eating out, always ask your waiter
to confirm that your meal does not contain
whatever food triggers your allergies.
Medication AllergiesIf you have had a reaction to a medication
in the past, be sure to alert your health
care provider to make a note in your
medical records.
A simple series of tests may help pinpoint your particular allergens.
12 www.granditasca.org
Looking forwardto caring for you.Clinic & Hospital
Grand Itasca Clinic & HospitalAppointment Line: 218.326.7344Main Line: 218.326.3401
Email: [email protected]: www.granditasca.org
Clinic Hours:Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m.-noon
Emergency Room:Open 24 hours a day
Professional Building111 SE Third StreetGrand Rapids, MN 55744218.326.3401
Professional Building Hours:Monday through Thursday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
This publication does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia, Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital. ©2012