Health And Fitness

Most children get restless, rowdy, or distracted at times. That’s all part of being a kid. But some kids have such trouble paying attention, staying focused, and finishing tasks that it interferes with their schoolwork, home life, and friendships. These difficulties might be signs of a developmental disorder called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

VPRD has begun accepting registrations for our upcoming Fall Aqua Aerobics session held Wednesday and Sunday evenings at the Iowa Braille School's indoor pool. Class times are from 6:30-7:30 PM on October 22, 26, 29. November 5, 12. Class times are from 5:30-6:30 PM on November 2, 9, 16. The cost of the class is $40 and registrations must be submitted by Monday, October 20.

Click to view

Every year, millions of children in the United States catch enteroviruses that can cause coughing, sneezing, and fever. This year, the enterovirus that is most commonly causing respiratory illness in children across the country is enterovirus-D68 (EV-D68). Take basic steps to keep your child from getting and spreading EV-D68. Infections with enteroviruses are usually common in the United States during summer and fall.

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Getting mammograms regularly can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you are 50 to 74 years old, be sure to have a screening mammogram every two years. If you are 40 to 49 years old, talk to your doctor about when to start and how often to get a screening mammogram.

When you learn something new, the best way to remember it is to sleep on it. That’s because sleeping helps strengthen memories you’ve formed throughout the day. It also helps to link new memories to earlier ones. You might even come up with creative new ideas while you slumber. What happens to memories in your brain while you sleep? And how does lack of sleep affect your ability to learn and remember? NIH-funded scientists have been gathering clues about the complex relationship between sleep and memory.

Many may not be aware that October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, but most people have been impacted by substance use and addiction. The vast majority of substance use begins with experimentation during the teen years, leading some to become regular users. Regardless of the choices that have been made, adults have the responsibility to teach kids the values and skills necessary for them to live successful, fulfilling, and addiction free lives.

October marks the beginning of the influenza (flu) season and Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics now has the seasonal vaccine available during special Flu Shot Clinics at the Vinton Family Medical Clinic. Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death.

Today, Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton has joined health care facilities all over the U.S in initiating a new Ebola Screening Tool, as fears about the rare virus spread across the U.S. Yet, says VGH Public Health Director Melissa Smith, the infectious disease that Iowans and Americans should still fear much more is the the most commonly-known one: The flu.

On Saturday, October 4th Virginia Gay Hospital Healthcare Foundation with the support of Vinton Parks and Recreation Department (VPRD) and other area health and wellness organizations will host the first Benton County Community Health and Wellness Fair at the Vinton Skate and Activity Center from 10am to 2pm - Admission is Free. Below is a listing of the free health and wellness sessions: Activity Arena” Break Out Sessions 10:30 am -“What is Rapid Resistance Training?” (Kettlebells) Take the opportunity to try some of our most popular tools, Kettlebells, TRX Suspension Trainers and Concept 2 Rowing machines.