Health And Fitness

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.

Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (sometimes spelled orthopaedic surgery and orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders (Wikipedia).

People enjoy the sun. Some have even worshiped it. Sunlight is essential to many living things. But sunlight also has a dangerous side. It can harm your skin and even your eyes. The good news is you can take some simple steps to protect your body from sun damage and still enjoy the sun’s healthful effects. Our bodies were built to make good use of the sun.

What Is Depression? Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment.

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.

What is Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever? Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is one of numerous Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola HF is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly.