Winter Health Guide 2015

Winter Health Cover 2015 LB

GUIDEHEALTHHEALTHWINTER

JANUARY 21, 22, & 23

2015

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311 S. Minnesota Ave, St. Peter, MN 56082507-931-4520 • Fax: 507-931-4522

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507-665-3332 • Fax: 507-665-3334Le Center Leader

62 East Minnesota Street, Le Center, MN 56057507-357-2233 • Fax: 507-357-6656

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Winter Health Cover 2015 LB

GUIDEHEALTHHEALTHWINTER

JANUARY 21, 22, & 23

2015

2 Winter Health Guide January 21, 22, & 23, 2015

Michelle Lund, D.D.S.Jay Ranfranz, D.D.S.

217 Nassau Street • St. Peter • (507) 931-5646

Michelle Lund, D.D.S.Jay Ranfranz, D.D.S.

217 Nassau Street • St. Peter • (507) 931-5646

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Front row: Nicki Rehnelt, Housing Director; Darcy Beranek, RN, Clinical Director; Melanie Marti, RN, Sand Prairie. Second row: Becky Tapper, Sand Prairie Life Enrichment Coordinator; Janet Geisler, Life Enrichment Director; Rachel Hauschild, Human Resources Representative. Third row: Joyce Wilcox, Sand Prairie Food & Beverage Manager; George Willis, Prairie Hill Food & Beverage Manager; Lisa Hofferbert, Sales & Marketing Manager. Fourth row: Doug Mehlhaff, Environmental Service Director; Tami Brandt, Business Office Manager

By River’s Edge Hospital

On Jan. 6, 2014 Gov. Mark Dayton ordered all schools be closed due to extreme cold tem-peratures that blanketed the state.

Fast forward one year later and Minnesota is again facing double digit air and wind chill temperatures for much of this week. When wind chill values are 20 to 40 below zero are fore-casted it is time to think about protecting yourselves, children and pets from frostbite.

�e temperature the morning of Jan. 5, 2015 was -11 and with the wind chill it felt like -25. Kids headed out the door with extra layers to keep them warm while waiting for the bus and plumes of exhaust �lled the air as cars were warmed for the chilly drive to work.

While bundling up when you know you have to be outside is a good idea, it is important to note that frostbite can occur within

30 minutes when temperatures are as low they were on Monday. Dress in layers and go inside im-mediately if you get wet.

There are three degrees of exposure – frostnip, super�cial frostbite and deep frostbite. Peo-ple with chronic medical condi-tions such as diabetes or heart disease are at increased risk for frostbite. Certain medications also increase the risk.

“Super�cial frostbite results in very little tissue loss and heals quickly with little to no need for medical treatment. Deep frost-bite has greater consequences; one can expect signi�cant tissue loss and o�en results in amputa-tions to manage the injury. Do not rub the skin and do not pop blisters,” said Carrie Lager, man-ager of Emergency Services at River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic in St. Peter.

Frostbite most often oc-curs in areas furthest from the body’s core – fingers, hands, ears, nose, feet and toes. It be-

gins when blood vessels in the a�ected area begin to contract, reducing blood �ow and oxygen to the area. Loss of feeling in the area occurs then color changes – pale to blue –will begin.

“Avoid alcohol before going out in the cold weather or during as it may keep you from recog-nizing the symptoms of frost-bite,” Lager said.

Treatment of frostbite in-cludes a physical exam of the exposed area. In some cases the patient is admitted to the hos-pital for observation. Warming

of the exposed area is done by placing the frostbitten area in warm water (100-105°F). In 3-5 imaging of the area is done to identify any tissue damage a�er rewarming.

If getting immediate medi-cal attention is not an option, get out of the cold as quickly as possible and, if there is no risk of refreezing, warm the area in warm water to thaw the exposed area. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

�e bare facts on frostbite: better to prevent it than treat it3Winter Health GuideJanuary 21, 22, & 23, 2015

Benefits include: Easy online communication to MVHC staff Ease of accessing your own medical records Standardized health charts

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With the state in the midst of a particularly tough in� uenza season, health o� cials are urg-ing Minnesotans to protect them-selves and others by staying home when they are ill.

The latest weekly influenza report published by the Minne-sota Department of Health shows in� uenza activity continuing at a high level in the state. Outbreaks in long-term care facilities are increasing, hospitalizations due to influenza remain high, and schools continue to see absences due to in� uenza-like illness. In addition, the state is dealing with a large number of norovirus out-breaks this winter. Since Nov. 1, 2014, 43 outbreaks have been re-

ported to the department, bring-ing the second biggest start to the norovirus season in 15 years, health o� cials said.

According to Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger, these illnesses can hit particularly hard among school kids and the elderly in long-term care facilities. One of the best ways to protect these more vul-nerable groups is by keeping ill people home for the duration of their illness.

“Every winter we encounter problems with influenza out-breaks or other infectious disease in schools and long-term care fa-cilities, but this year we seem to be getting hit harder than normal

by in� uenza and norovirus,” Min-nesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said. “We know that some of this activity can be re-duced if people stay home when they are feeling ill. It may not al-ways be convenient, but it is an important step in reducing the spread of these diseases.”

Minnesotans can also do their part to slow the spread of diseases by washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water for 15-20 seconds a� er coughing or sneezing in them, a� er going to the bathroom and before eat-ing or preparing food. Also, you can protect yourself and those around you by getting vaccinated for in� uenza. It’s still not too late,

health o� cials said.In� uenza is a respiratory in-

fection that tends to come on suddenly. Symptoms include sore throat, coughing, high fever, headache, muscle or body ache and fatigue. People who become severely ill with influenza-like symptoms should see a physician. Norovirus, sometimes mistakenly referred to as “stomach � u,” can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, body aches and mild fever. Symptoms usually last from one to three days, but most healthy people recover on their own.

WINTER HEALTH CARE: Fight in� uenza, other viruses by staying home when ill

Winter superfoods for optimal health

Illnesses seem to peak during the winter months. A tapped-out immune system as well as dry, cold air may encourage the spread of common viruses and bacterial infections more easily. As a result, it’s important that men, women and children take every step possible to ward off sickness when the temperatures drop. Dietary changes can make a world of di� erence, and more and more people are including these proven superfoods in their winter diets.

· Avocado: Avocado has high levels of essential fatty acids and vitamin B6, which is important in the biosynthesis of important neurotransmitters. Foods high in B vitamins may be able to coun-teract some of the symptoms of winter-related depression.

· Pomegranate: This quirky fruit has vitamins C and K, fo-late and potassium and is a good source of � ber. Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in reducing joint pain and preventing strokes. Pomegranate may also help the body � ght viruses.

· Cinnamon: Cinnamon has high levels of antioxidants, and some studies point to cinnamon as a natural antibacterial agent. Cinnamon also can help regu-late blood-glucose levels, which is bene� cial for those with dia-betes.

· Prunes: Now widely referred to as “dried plums,” prunes are an important source of boron, which could prevent osteoporo-sis. High in antioxidants, prunes help the body � ght a variety of illnesses.

· Cabbage: Cabbage may be a key element in the � ght against cancer. Cabbage has phyto-chemicals that can protect the body against cancer-causing free radicals. It’s also a good source of dietary � ber, which can stimulate a sluggish digestive system.

· Butternut squash: � is food is packed with carotenoids, which are stellar antioxidants. � e starches in this squash also have been found to have anti-in� ammatory properties.

· Chestnuts: Chestnuts are worthy of inclusion in anyone’s diet. Unlike many nuts, chestnuts are relatively low in fat but have high levels of protein. They’re also packed with vitamin C and B vitamins.

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3 col x 5” St. Peter Herald (Jan. 15) Le Center Leader and Le Sueur News-Herald (Jan. 14) Waseca County News (Jan. 16)

5Winter Health GuideJanuary 21, 22, & 23, 2015

By DANA [email protected]

As Minnesota in� uenza cases edge toward 1,000 hospitaliza-tions for the 2014-2015 season, numbers appear to be slowing from the late December peak.

Confirmed state influenza cases nearly hit 300 for one week

in mid-December, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. That number dipped to just 77 for the first week of January, bringing the total of confirmed flu hospitalizations to 944.

Still, despite on-going con-cerns voiced by the department and regional health o� cials, that

overall number doesn’t yet reach the previous year total of 1,540. � e MDA o� ce in St. Paul be-lieves early warnings of the � u outbreak and attention through-out the state’s health industry helped slow the number of cases.

An early December press conference at South Central Col-lege in North Mankato brought

many regional and state o� cials together to signal those early warnings.

But the state’s department of health continues to sound alerts, as outbreaks in long-term care facilities have been increasing and hospitalizations due to in-� uenza are still considered too high, according to the MDH re-port of Jan. 8.

In addition, the state is deal-ing with a large number of noro-virus outbreaks this winter, ac-cording to the MDH. Since Nov. 1, 2014, 43 outbreaks have been reported to the state department, making it the second worst start in 15 years, health o� cials said.

According to MDH Commis-sioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger, these ill-nesses can hit particularly hard among elementary age students and the elderly in long-term care facilities. One of the best and simplest ways to protect these more vulnerable groups is by af-fected individuals staying home, the department said.

� e department reports that 81 percent of con� rmed in� u-enza cases in the state this season

involved individuals 65 years or older. � e median age of those hospitalized is 72. 3 years,

Flu season hit Minnesota hard, continues to test health o� cials

A December 2014 press conference at South Central College in North Mankato on the � u outbreak included (left to right): Mary Hildebrandt, Director of Nicollet County Public Health; Dr. Rich Peller, family physician at Mankato Clinic; Dr. Ruth Bolton, Urgent Care physician for Mayo Clinic Health System; Brad Krier, epidemiologist for the Minnesota Department of Health; and Eric Weller of the South Central Minnesota Health Care Coalition at South Central College. (Dana Melius/St. Peter Herald)

Continued ON page 6

according to the MDH.School reports peaked in

mid-December, as the holiday break helped curb additional numbers, according to the MDH. But reports from Minnesota school districts have number 619 to date this season, according to the latest department report.

State K-12 schools must re-port an outbreak of in�uenza-like illness when the number of students absent with such con-ditions reaches 5 percent of to-tal enrollment or three or more students absent from the same elementary classroom.

Outside of the metro area and its 477 con�rmed cases of in�u-enza tops in the state, the central region (149) and southeast (140) were second and third in con-�rmed cases.

A fourth pediatric death linked to seasonal in�uenza was con�rmed in early January by the department. However, MDH of-�cials urge that there is no need to panic, for while the �u season

has been harsher than normal, there are no signs that these four deaths suggest a change in state procedures or action.

“Every winter we encounter problems with influenza out-breaks or other infectious disease in schools and long-term care fa-cilities,” Ehlinger said. “But this year we seem to be getting hit harder than normal by in�uenza and norovirus.”

Influenza is a respiratory infection that tends to come on suddenly, reports the MDH. Symptoms include sore throats, coughing, high fever, headaches, muscle or body aches or fatique. People who become severely ill with in�uenza-like symptoms are encouraged to see a physician.

Norovirus, sometimes mis-takenly referred to as “stomach flu,” can cause nausea, vomit-ing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headaches, body aches and mild fever. Symptoms usually last one to three days, but most healthy people recover on their own, according to the department report.

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Continued from page 5Flu Season

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that roughly 30 percent of the popu-lation complains of chronic back pain in a given year. Lower back pain is a problem that plagues millions of people and can lead to lost hours of work, poor qual-ity of life and reduced mobility. In fact, according to Global Bur-den of Disease 2010, low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. People spend around $50 billion each year on back pain treatments. One solution to back pain is to consult with a chiropractor. �e American Chiropractic Associa-tion says chiropractic spinal ma-

nipulation is a safe and e�ective pain treatment. It also can help return mobility and �exibility to the back. With addiction to pain medications such a preva-lent problem in both the United States and Canada, chiropractic care may be a good �rst step to alleviate pain and discomfort in the back.

Did you know?

Soup for you! If you made a New Year’s resolution to eat better in 2015, the Co-op is the place to shop. Oh, and our amazing Wellness Department has products that help you de-stress and relax after exercising!

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7Winter Health GuideJanuary 21, 22, & 23, 2015

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Winter Health Guide 2015