Health And Fitness

About 9 in 10 US children eat more sodium than recommended. Most sodium is in the form of salt, as a part of processed foods. A high sodium diet can lead to high blood pressure. About 1 in 6 children ages 8-17 years has raised blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Lowering sodium in children's diets today can help prevent heart disease tomorrow, especially for those who are overweight.

Suicide can be prevented. Each year, more than 39,000 Americans take their own lives and about 487,000 people receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries. September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. Help prevent suicide in your community by knowing the facts, warning signs, and where to get help. Suicide (i.e., taking one's own life) is a serious public health problem that affects people of all ages.

What is bullying? Bullying is when a person or a group shows unwanted aggression to another person who is not a sibling or a current dating partner. Cyberbullying (or “electronic aggression”) is bullying that is done electronically, including through the Internet, e-mail, or mobile devices, among others. Bullying can be: -Physical: punching, beating, kicking, or pushing; stealing, hiding, or damaging another person’s belongings; forcing someone to do things against his or her will -Verbal: teasing, calling names, or insulting another person; threatening another person with physical harm; spreading rumors or untrue statements about another person -Relational: refusing to talk to someone or making them feel left out; encouraging other individuals to bully someone To be considered bullying, the behavior in question must be aggressive.

Volunteer blood donors play a vital role in the community health care system. Blood donors are needed every day to ensure the right blood product is on the shelf the moment it is needed.  It is difficult to predict when and exactly how much blood is needed, which is why it is important for volunteer blood donors to make blood donations on a regular basis.

How would you react to a medical emergency? When it comes to life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke, every minute counts. Get to know the signs and symptoms of these health threats. If you think you or someone else might be having a heart attack or stroke, get medical help right away. Acting fast could save your life or someone else’s.

You may notice a new, yet familiar face the next time you’re at the Vinton Family Medical Clinic (VFMC). Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics is pleased to announce the addition of Ali LaGrange, ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) to the community of healthcare providers in Benton County. Returning home to Vinton and recently completing her Nurse Practitioner credentials from Georgetown University, Ali brings to VFMC a rich array of experiences gained while living in Washington State and working for two regional hospitals over the past several years.

Cedar Rapids—Seven Eastern Iowa organizations are the recipients of $13,879 in grants as part of UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Foundation’s Rural Healthcare Grant. This program provides matching grants toward healthcare projects that improve the health and wellness of rural residents. This year’s matching grant recipients are: ·      Benton County Volunteer Program received $1,000 to fund transportation expenses for volunteer drivers.

Late yesterday afternoon administrators and staff of Virginia Gay Hospital gathered in front of the hospital to take part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (watch video). The “Challenge” is bringing about a tremendous amount of awareness of ALS, but how much do your really know about ALS? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Infected people can spread mumps when they breathe, cough, and sneeze. They can also spread it by sharing items such as cups and eating utensils, and touching surfaces that are then touched by others. There is no treatment for mumps, and it can cause long-term health problems. People in the United States still get mumps, and outbreaks continue to occur.

There are many reasons to have surgery. Some operations can relieve or prevent pain. Others can reduce a symptom of a problem or improve some body function. Some surgeries are done to find a problem. For example, a surgeon may do a biopsy, which involves removing a piece of tissue to examine under a microscope. Some surgeries, like heart surgery, can save your life.