Thrive Spring 2020

Spring 2020

Thr ve Health and Wellness Magazine for Rural Central Texans

Heart to Heart

with Jimmy Moncrief PLUS heart healthy tips

Ask the Doc: Spring Allergy Relief

Spring into

Lean Legs

6

Tips to protect your lower back It took a village to help Pete Jordan through a stroke

Committed to quality.

SILVE

R James R. Lee, M.D. Chief of Staff Hamilton Clinic

Tim Rudolph, M.D. HGH ER

Brad Bartels, M.D. HGH ER

W. Shalor Craig, M.D. Charles Johnson, M.D. Hamilton Clinic Hamilton Clinic Hico Clinc Hico Clinic

Kristen Stegemoller, M.D. FPC Mills County

Keith Ellison, M.D. Orthopedics Specialty Services

Thomas Aycock, M.D. Julia Hernandez. M.D. Shelly Lengefeld, P.A. Wound Care Behavioral Health Hamilton Clinic

Shelly Boyle, P.A. Hamilton Clinic

Grant Ward, P.A. Hamilton Clinic

Kayla Routh, FNP FPC Mills County

Trevor Watson, FNP FPC Mills County

Ryan Adams, M.D. General Surgery Specialty Services

Mistee Jefferies, APRN, PMHNP-BC Behavioral Health

Gerald Snyder, M.D. Hamilton Clinic

400 North Brown, Hamilton

Stephanie Shephard, FNP Hico Clinic

Robbye Lengefeld, M.D. Hamilton Clinic

John Seth, FNP FPC Mills County

Luke Killian, M.D. HGH ER

Arlene Brown, FNP Hamilton Clinic

(254) 386-1600

hamiltonhospital.org

Committed to you.

contents

Welcome to Thr ve magazine! lease enjoy this health and wellness publication designed to be a fun and informative way to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.

We understand how difficult it is to stay on top of your health. Given this fact, I hope you will find useful content regarding your physical and mental wellness within these pages. With the help of Hamilton Herald-News, many of our healthcare professionals as well as our community members, have come together to make sure you have all the tools you need to continue your path to a healthy lifestyle.

Spring 2020 4 NUTRITION

20 HEALTHY MIND

6 ASK A DOCTOR

22 PREVENTION

8 SAFETY

24 SPOTLIGHT

12 COMMUNITY

25 EDUCATION

14 HEART

26 DIRECTORY

Be Happy

Bravo Avocado

Lower Back Health

Spring Allergies

Grady Hooper

CEO Hamilton Healthcare System

thrive • to grow vigorously : FLOURISH • to gain in wealth or possessions : PROSPER • to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances

Ryan Adams, M.D. Colon Health

Fall Prevention When to Call 911

Weight Loss Program

It Took a Village

Heart to Heart Matters of the Heart 7 Heart Healthy Habits Cardiopulmonary Rehab New Lab Cardiac Testing

Community Resources

27 WHAT’SNEW Optometry

18 FITNESS

Spring Into Lean Legs Cardio & Exercise Goals 8 Tips for Success Benefits of Exercise

H

H

amilton erald-News Published by 101 N. Rice Street | Hamilton, TX 76531 254-386-3145 | hhnpaper.com

Live Life.

Give Life.

Have you registered to become an organ and tissue donor?

Be a Hero!

Register at DonateLifeTexas.org

©LifeGift 2019

An HHN publication

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

3

nutrition

Bravo

Avocado Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Serves 5

NUTRITION FACTS

Submitted by

Keep the flavor and love your heart with this fresh salad combining creamy avocado, lean chicken breast, lowsodium high-fiber black beans and a little chipotle kick.

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups 2 cups

shredded romaine lettuce roasted boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved ½ cup diced and peeled avocado 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion 1 can low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained (15-oz) 1 can no salt added whole-kernel corn, rinsed and drained (8 ¾ ounce)

1 Serving = 1 ounce (1/4 avocado)

Sheila Ondrusek

Family & Consumer Science Agent

Dressing: 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro 2/3 cup fat-free sour cream 1 tablespoon minced chipotle chile (canned in adobo sauce) 1 teaspoon ground cumin 5 teaspoons fresh lime juice ¼ teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. To prepare dressing, combine first 6 ingredients, stirring well.

2. To prepare salad, combine lettuce and remaining ingredients.

3. Drizzle dressing over salad; toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.

Per serving: 270 calories, 5 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 50 mg cholesterol, 430 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 9 g dietary fiber, 3 g sugars, 25 g protein. 114 mg calcium, 3 mg iron, 788 mg potassium

Love this

recip Order th e cookboo e? ka agrilifebo okstore.o t rg

Calories: 50 per serving Dietary Fiber: 2 grams or 4% daily value Monounsaturated Fat: 3 grams Folate: 27 micrograms or 7% daily value Potassium: 152 milligrams or 4% daily value

Avocados contain heart-healthy

monounsaturated

fat

According to the American Heart Association, monounsaturated fats are beneficial to the heart when eaten in moderation. They can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood which can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. The monounsaturated fats found in avocados can increase absorption of fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, K and E. Other foods containing monounsaturated fats are olive oils, peanut butter and many nuts and seeds.

STEP1: Wrap avocado in foil

Save thee Tonight Cooking School DAprilat28 Dinner • 5:30 -8 p.m.• Cowboy Church of Erath County 4

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Hamilton Healthcare System

STEP2: 200° in Bake e v o n for s 15 minute An HHN publication

An HHN publication

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

5

Family Practice Rural Health Clinic 400 N. Brown, Bldg II Hamilton, TX

254-386-1700

Monday -Thursday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Hico Clinic

104 Walnut Hico, TX

254-796-4224

Monday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Family Practice Clinic of Mills County

Spring allerg es with Kristen Stegemoller, M.D.

Q: How do I know if it is allergies or a cold?

Q: What is the best way to treat seasonal allergies?

Q: How long does allergy season last in this area?

Q: When should you have allergy testing?

A: With a cold, typically you will experience body aches, fever, chills and feel poorly. You might have swollen lymph nodes in your neck. Allergies typically cause a runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes.

A: That varies. It could be months depending on the weather and the allergens like cedar.

Q: What is the most common allergen in Central Texas?

A: Definitely cedar.

A: A nasal corticosteroid like Flonase.

Antihistamines like Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin and Xyzal are available without a prescription.

A netipot is good to rinse out the nasal passages. Find what works best for you.

A: When allergies begin to affect your quality of life. If you can’t get relief with over-thecounter treatments, then you might speak with your doctor about seeing an ENT for testing.

1501 W. Front Street Goldthwaite, TX

325-648-2850

Monday and Thursday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sneezing

Watery eyes

Itchy Throat

3D Mammography

is now at Hamilton General Hospital

3D !

E R E H IS

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Hamilton Healthcare System

Hamilton Healthcare System is now the proud owner of a digital mammography machine.

Through the fundraising efforts of the Hamilton General Hospital Healthcare Foundation, the community now has access to this state-of-the-art technology.

A digital mammography uses a 3D scan as opposed to a traditional analog 2D scan. While the digital method requires the patient to be in the machine a few moments longer, there are many benefits to using the digital scan versus the traditional.

Perhaps the greatest benefit is that the digital 3D mammography can see more.

The images can be manipulated for better

clarity and visibility. A 2D mammogram cannot.

For example, in women with dense fibrocystic breast tissue, their breasts appear white on a mammogram.

However, tumors also appear as white on a 2D scan.

But with digital mammograms, the radiologist can manipulate the contrast of the images, making them darker or lighter, allowing for the masses to be identified.

The Hamilton Healthcare System radiologic team is currently scheduling digital mammograms. Female patients are encouraged to talk to their primary care physicians to set up referrals.

Why 3D Mammography?

• More accurate detection • Earlier diagnosis • Better detection in dense breast tissue • Reduce callbacks • Safe and effective

An HHN publication

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America more than 50 million Americans have experienced various types of allergies each year making allergies the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. Q: Can kids get allergies?

A: Of course!

Q: When should you see a doctor about an allergy flare up?

A: If you have symptoms last five to seven days or get worse with over the counter medicines, you should seek medical treatment. It could turn into something else or you could have a secondary infection.

Kristen Stegemoller, M.D. joined Hamilton Healthcare System in 2012. A graduate of the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, she completed her residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth in June 2012.

Dr. Stegemoller specializes in family medicine at the Family Practice Clinic of Mills County.

Common Central TX Allergens

DUST

TREES Kristen Stegemoller, M.D.

Did you know?

Plants with bright flowers, like roses, that are fertilized by insects, usually do not contribute to spring allergies.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

ask a doctor Bring home better healthcare.

Now Offering Immunizations and Medicare Part B.

MOLD

GRASSES

1004 E. Main • 254-386-3682

Proudly serving Central Texans since 1991

(254) 386-8971 leehealthcare.com An HHN publication

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

7

F LPREVENTION L

safety ccording to the National Council on Aging, falls are the single largest cause of death and injuries in older Americans. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in older adults and may cause Becky other severe injuries Thompson, RN such as hip fractures.

Trauma Coordinator In the United States, around 33% of the elderly fall at least once per year, and these falls result in more than 2 million visits to the emergency room. These are statistics for falls that caused the person to go to the emergency room. It does not take into account the number of falls that do not require emergency treatment.

In 2018, Hamilton General Hospital treated 381 adults older than 65 in the emergency room. Twenty-six percent of those patients were treated for fall related injuries.

Seniors who have fallen can become afraid of falling again, and this fear can curtail their independence and reduce their quality of life. Falls among the elderly are a serious problem and can have a huge impact on an otherwise healthy and independent life. Therefore, fall prevention is an essential part of senior care.

Family members are an important resource in fall prevention, doing a little planning, installing equipment, checking on family members and encouraging them to take steps to decrease risks to maintain an independent lifestyle for as long as possible.

I N

FALL RISK

O L D E R

Answer the following questions. If you answer yes to 3 or more questions, you may be at a higher risk for falling. Talk to your doctor and your family about fall prevention.  I have fallen in the past 12 months  I have been advised to use a cane or walker to get around safely  I steady myself by holding onto furniture or walls when walking in my home  Sometimes I feel unsteady when walking  I’m afraid of falling  I have trouble stepping up onto a curb or step  I sometimes have to rush to get to the bathroom  I have lost some of the feeling in my feet  I take medicine to help me sleep, improve my mood or that makes me feel light-headed.  I have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, irregular heartbeats or a previous stroke.

A D U L T S

PREVENTING A FALL:

If you have been advised to use a cane or walker use it ALL the time.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Your home environment may create falling hazards. Inclement weather can also increase the chances of a fall STAIRS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE: Keep objects off the stairs. Make sure hand rails and steps are in good repair. Add non-slip treads to stairs. Ensure good lighting inside and outside and make sure outside sidewalks are even.

BATHROOMS: Use non-slip mats or strips in tubs /showers. Use a shower chair and a hand-held shower. Install grab bars in the tub/shower area and by the toilet. Use an elevated toilet seat with arms.

LIVING ROOMS, KITCHENS AND BEDROOMS HALLWAYS: Keep

electric/phone/computer cords and wires out of the walkways. Remove loose rugs or secure rugs with non-slip pads or double-stick tape. Arrange furniture for clear walking paths. Walkways should be 30 inches wide. Repair damaged flooring, stretch wrinkled carpeting. Store necessary daily items- food, cooking utensils, clothing within easy reach.

Keep home brightly lit. Use night lights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways.

Keep flashlights in easy to find places for continued on page 10

GoSafe, wherever you go!

Feel more secure both at home and on the go with proven medical alert services.

• 2-way voice communication • Easy-to-wear waterproof pendant • AutoAlert feature detects falls A service brought • Locally installed and maintained by HGH Auxiliary to you by

HAMILTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Hospital Auxiliary Team

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Hamilton Healthcare System

For more information or installation, contact

Kay Zschiesche 254-206-0609 Dona Smith 940-206-5056 Philips Lifeline Program TX652

An HHN publication

The view is better from the top.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES • • • • • • • • • • •

Memory Care Wing E Stem Wound Care Stroke Rehabilitation Pain Management Respite Care Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Medicare/Medicare Advantage Plans Private Pay & Private Insurances Medicaid & Medicaid Pending Baylor Scott & White

325-648-2247 FAX: 325-648-2487 ADMINISTRATOR DAVE JOHNSON, 432-413-1425 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GEORGIA HARPER, 325-451-7424

Where the people make the difference!

• • • • • • • • • • • •

High Acuity 24-Hour Skilled Nursing IV Therapy Specialized Wound Care In-house Lab & X-ray Services Outpatient Therapy In-house Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Medicare/Medicare Advantage Plans Medicaid/Medicaid Pending Hospice Private Insurances Private Pay

1207 Reynolds St • Goldthwaite, TX 76844 | Telephone 325-648-2258 | Fax 325-648-3496

Administrator Andrea Johnson, 432-413-1734| Business Development Georgia Harper, 325-451-7424 An HHN publication

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

9

FA L L P R E V E N T I O N continued from page 8

power outages. If you must use a step stool, get one with nonslip feet and a bar to hold on to- NEVER use a chair as a step stool.

CLOTHING AND SHOES: Wear well-fitting comfortable clothing. Clothing that is too loose or too long can get caught on furniture or under foot. Shoes should be comfortable, fit well and have non slip soles. Avoid shoes with slick soles, flip flops, high heels or walking in only socks.

MEDICAL ISSUES: Have an annual physical, review all the medications you are taking including over-the-counter medications and supplements with your doctor. Have your eyes and ears checked yearly. Decreased vision can increase the chance of you not seeing a hazard in your path. Decreased hearing can cause you to not hear traffic coming toward you, and ear diseases can affect your balance. Talk to your doctor about improving your gait and balance if you have had any falls in the last 12 months. If you are interested in increasing your strength and balance, consider physical therapy, join a gym, take classes in yoga and tai chi, go swimming or go on walks with friends.

Treadway Hearing Aid Center Cindy Bankston, Hearing Specialist

FREE EVALUATION BATTERY SALES & CHECKS CLEANING, Sales & REPAIR FIRST WEDNESDAYS: CCS HOSPICE 623 E MAIN ST, HAMILTON

IN-HOME APPOINTMENTS | 254-865-6028

Tai Chi class at Hamilton Wellness Center

26%

What should you do if you fall?

Accidents happen, but having a plan of what to do before you fall can help improve your outcome. Ask yourself how will you call for help? Who will you call?

• Keep a cell phone in your pocket or on a lanyard around your neck; having an emergency medical alert that can call for help when you push a button is ideal.

• If you fall, remain calm. Can you get up? Are you in pain if you try to move?

•

HAMILTON WELLNESS CENTER • Weight Training • Cardio Equipment • Fitness Pool • 24/7 Access • Group Classes 400 North Brown across from Hamilton General Hospital Day Passes Available.

10

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254-386-1670

www.hamiltonhospital.org/wellness-center

Hamilton Healthcare System

Hamilton General Hospital ER patients over age 65 treated for fall-related injuries in 2018

If you think you can get up, follow these steps:

Turn on your side.

Bend your top leg and try to raise up on your elbow.

Slide yourself to a sturdy stationary object and pull yourself to a kneeling position.

Put your strong leg in front of your body; while holding onto the furniture, pull yourself up to a standing position.

Move to a chair and sit down.

Call for help.

Let your doctor and family know that you have fallen.

• If you can’t get up or it hurts to move, call for help. Use the cell phone, an emergency call button or shout for help.

Make as much noise as possible. When help arrives, go to the emergency room.

Just because there isn’t any immediate observable injury doesn’t mean you’re okay. If any of the following things happen after a fall, you should immediately go to the emergency room: • loss of consciousness • severe headache • difficulty breathing • dizziness • nausea • confusion • vision changes • difficulty moving • severe pain Don’t let the fear of falling rob you of your independence. Assess your risk, practice good fall prevention techniques and make a plan before a fall.

Becky Thompson has cared for the Hamilton community as a nurse since 2001, first in the Emergency Department and now as Trauma Coordinator.

She enjoys educating her community in safety and prevention techniques.

An HHN publication

DON’T DRIVE YOURSELF!

WHEN TO CALL 9•1•1 Chest pain If it lasts more than a couple of minutes or if it comes back, call 911.

DON’T DRIVE YOURSELF! The ambulance has equipment and trained people who can help you more quickly.

Shortness of breath If it happens suddenly and keeps you from everyday activities, call 911, especially if it’s severe or accompanied by nausea or chest pain or if you pass out.

Vision problems Call 911 if you suddenly have blurry vision, double vision or loss of vision or if you have trouble seeing and have a bad headache, nausea or vomiting, numbness, weakness, dizziness, confusion or trouble talking.

Burns

Get to the emergency room if the burn is on a large part of your hands or feet, face, buttocks, groin or one of your big joints like knees or elbows. Also if you have blisters, splotchy skin or if the burn is bigger than three inches, charred or white.

CALL

911 •

•

EMERGENCY

Vomiting Go to the emergency room if there is blood in the vomit or if you have other symptoms like severe headache or abdominal pain, confusion or fast breathing or heart rate.

Children younger than 6 should be seen right away if vomiting lasts more than a few hours or there are signs of dehydration. Kids older than six and adults should see a doctor if it lasts longer than a day or fever is more than 101 for adults or 102 for children.

Head injury Get immediate medical care if you pass out, have a seizure or headache that won’t go away, persistent vomiting or nausea, slurred speech or feeling confused, weak, numb or less coordinated.

Deep cuts If you see yellow fatty tissue under the first layer of skin, if you are bitten by a person or animal, cut with a dirty or rusty object, bleeding badly or have an object stuck in the cut, get help.

Stomach pain If it lasts more than 30 minutes, especially if it is sudden and intense, seek emergency care.

Testicular pain or swelling Get immediate care if the pain is severe or comes on quickly or you have nausea, vomiting, fever or feel a lump in the scrotum.

High fever A baby younger than 3 months with temperature more than 100°, a child 3 months to 3 years with fever of 102.2° or higher or adult with temperature of 104° or higher should get help.

Confusion or trouble speaking Broken bones See a doctor ASAP. It’s an

emergency situation if a bone pierces your skin or if the injured body part looks deformed or is numb or bluish.

Seizure If you have never had one, are pregnant or have diabetes, a seizure calls for emergency medical care.

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy Get medical care right away if you have heavy bleeding or also have cramping, dizziness or pain in your belly or pelvis.

Trust your gut. If your instinct tells you it’s serious, call 911. Don’t drive yourself!

When a band-aid isn’t enough...

Comprehensive outpatient care for wounds that are difficult or slow to heal including those resulting from surgery, trauma, diabetes or vascular disease such as: • Diabetic wounds • Arterial wounds secondary to PVD or PAD • Neuropathic wounds • Pressure ulcers • Venous stasis ulcers • Trauma wounds HAMILTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Hamilton City Drug

• Complex soft tissue wounds, skin tears • Radiation tissue damage • Chronic, non-healing wounds • Minor burns • Non-healing or slow to heal wounds • Non-healing surgical wounds

Wound Care 254-386-1895 Clinic For more information call,

Dr. Tom Cody Graves Dr. Cody C. Graves General Dentist

Your hometown Drug Store

Danny and Suzanne Ray, owners, Cindy Kinsey RPh/PIC, David Cleveland RPh, John Opryshek RPh

105 E Henry St in Hamilton • (254) 386-3121 Monday - Friday 8 am - 5:30 pm • Sunday 8 am - Noon

1318 Fisher Street Goldthwaite, Texas 76844 Fax: (325)648-2721 Tel: (325)648-2251 info@gravesdentalcare.com An HHN publication

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

11

It took a village to help Pete Jordan through a stroke

Pete Jordan with Debbie Roberts, Eddie Martin and the Rosie Jo’s morning cofee crew.

By Maria Weaver ongtime Hamilton pharmacist Pete Jordan has spent a lifetime helping folks in his community, working in tandem with other Hamilton healthcare professionals.

Always healthy, Pete hasn’t had to use the services often, but it was a real stroke of luck that placed him at Rosie Jo’s restaurant Jan. 11 when he did have a major health event.

Pete was sitting with a group of men drinking coffee about 9 a.m., when Eddie Martin asked him a question, but Pete was slow in answering. When he did answer, he couldn’t find the words, and the ones he

mustered were slurred.

“Eddie said, ‘Something’s wrong!’” said Earleen Slough, part of the family that operates Rosie Jo’s and the adjoining One More Stitch.

A retired nurse, Earleen and daughter Debbie Roberts, also a registered nurse, immediately went to Pete’s table.

“I was just sitting at that table and someone asked, ‘Are you all right?’” Pete said. “I said sure, but he said I didn’t look good. I said thanks! I didn’t feel a thing.

“Debbie and Earleen came up and went through the litany,” Pete said.

“I asked him to answer a few questions,” Earleen said. “But he wasn’t right. Then I took his left hand and lifted it up and it fell.

I said, ‘He’s having a stroke.’”

“And I concurred,” Debbie said.

Stroke affects more than 200,000 people in the United States every year. It is caused by an interrupted blood supply to the brain.

“We told him he needed to go to the hospital, and he said, no, and don’t call the ambulance,” Debbie said.

“All the while he was asking me about Dr. Cook’s Garden (a play she is directing for Hamilton Civic Theatre). But he still couldn’t lift his left hand and refused to go to the hospital.”

“Debbie said, ‘I think you’re having a stroke,’ and I said surely not!” Pete said.

Meanwhile, the pair called Pete’s wife Marge, who was exercising in the pool at the Wellness Center.

“I sat next to him and said ‘You really need to go to the hospital,’” Debbie said.

“He took my hand. I said, ‘Pete, you really need to go to the hospital,’ and he said no.

“So I had to get loud. I said ‘PETE, YOU ARE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL! We talked to Marge, got her out of the pool. She will meet you there.’

“He said, ‘Oh, you got her out of the pool? I guess I should go,’ and by that time the ambulance was here.”

“They told me Marge was at the hospital waiting for me, so I figured I better go,” Pete said with a grin.

“The EMTs arrived and went through the same litany – stick out your tongue, say a sentence – and they tracked my eyes and said yep, I was having a stroke.

“They strung me up on a machine, and the ambulance took me to the ER,” he said.

“Dr. Killian was on duty, and he said yep, that’s what it is.

“We have the best ER in this part of the country,” Pete said. “The nurses are fantastic.

“My blood pressure was up a little but not too high, and my oxygen was 95 or 96.

I felt good.

“There was some slackness in my left side, then they started doing pressure tests – ‘which knee am I touching, and which is strongest…’ I didn’t realize I wasn’t passing the tests. Everything was working, my brain

Life’s best moments happen out of the hospital...

Designed for inpatients and outpatients, the goal of Hamilton Healthcare System’s Heart Failure Program is to prevent hospitalization and help heart failure patients achieve a better quality of life through:

• Education & Self-Awareness • Medication Management • Fluid Weight Monitoring • Nutritional Guidance Contact your doctor for a referral.

12

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Hamilton Healthcare System

We can help you be there for them.

An HHN publication

community Suspect a stroke? Act Pete’s angels Earleen Slough and Debbie Roberts of Rosie Jo’s just wasn’t responding.”

Pete said he noticed a big hand on his head, scratching his neck.

“Who’s doing that?” he asked Marge.

“You are,” she said.

“I had a (transient ischemic attack), but it was minor. The EKG showed slight atrial fibrillation and an irregular heartbeat, which I’ve had all my life.”

A CT scan revealed a clot in a small blood vessel that serves the sensory and speech portion of the brain between the ears.

“From that point on, they knew what to do,” Pete said.

“It was a minor thing, but major for me. It makes you realize, I was in the industry for 50-plus years, but you realize what you’ve learned over the years is true – be aware of your situation.

“We think we’re bullet-proof, but we’re not. My symptoms were classic. I had overlooked a few little signs, but we need to be aware, and be aware of what’s happening to people around you.”

Pete was admitted to Hamilton General Hospital about 4 p.m. and medication

started. By the next morning, the clot was gone. The episode was over.

“I told Debbie and Earleen they are my heroes,” Pete said. “I’ve known them forever, and they knew exactly what to do.

“The EMTs were excellent. It was my first ambulance ride.”

It’s hard to imagine Hamilton without Pete’s “What are you? Up to?” or his other quips that always made his customers brighten even when they felt lousy.

Thanks to caring neighbors, friends and professionals right here in Hamilton, the 86-year-old didn’t check out with his TIA and will continue to help his community and spread his special style of cheer.

Pete has completed physical and occupational therapy, all available through Hamilton Healthcare System, to “wake up” his left side. He says everything’s working now. He’s even driving again.

“It was a very humbling experience,” Pete said, “but it’s good to realize we have people we can trust to take care of us, and they do a good job.”

F A S T

FACE DROOPING

ARM S WEAKNES

SPEECH DIFFICULTY

TIME TO CALL 911

Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness or loss of movement in face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden vision changes or trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble speaking Sudden confusion or trouble un-

derstanding simple statements

Sudden problems walking, dizzi-

ness or loss of balance

Sudden severe headache with no

known cause

American Stroke Association

JORDAN PHARMACY

dial 911

Your Hometown, Home-owned Pharmacy caring for folks in Hamilton County since 1959

• Medicine • Vitamins • Homeopathy • Pain Relief • Gifts • Housewares • Soda Fountain

@Jordanpharmacyandwellnesscenter

254-386-3111 ♦ 107 North Rice Street ♦ jordanpharmacy.com ♦ jordanpharmacy@ embarqmail.com An HHN publication

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

13

heart Cardiac Rehabilitation

Heart to Heart

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that improves the wellbeing of people with a history of heart disease.

Hamilton Healthcare System’s cardiac rehab program includes exercise conditioning, education on heart-healthy living and counseling to reduce stress with the overall goal of returning participants to a healthier, active life.

with Jimmy Moncrief

Cardiac rehab can:

• LOWER THE CHANCES OF A 2ND HEART ATTACK or heart surgery • LESSEN CHEST PAIN, and in some cases, the need for medications • CONTROL RISK FACTORS such as high blood pressure & cholesterol • HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS • REDUCE OVERALL RISK of having a future cardiac event

Cardiac rehab has been shown to decrease 5-year mortality by 20% to 30% The program consists of classroom-style educational and conditioning sessions for 30 minutes two to three times per week up to 36 sessions. Participants are closely monitored by nurses and therapists who monitor blood pressures and oxygen levels continuously.

Hamilton Healthcare System’s cardiac rehabilitation program carries the prestigious certification of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation ensuring excellence in program quality and standards.

The cardiac rehab staff at Hamilton Healthcare System helps participants start a regular exercise program to help with the activities of daily living, adopt a healthy diet, reduce daily stress and quit smoking. The cardiac staff is fully supportive and strives to secure participants’ independence and lower their risk of other cardiac issues.

Cardiac rehab is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance companies for individuals who have experienced: • Heart attack within the preceding 12 months • Coronary artery bypass surgery • Current stable angina • Coronary stents • Heart or heart-lung transplant • Systolic heart failure Talk to your doctor about enrolling in cardiac rehab or call 254-386-1675.

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Hamilton Healthcare System

By Kymbirlee Jeschke lifesaver. That is what Hamilton native Jimmy Moncrief calls the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at the Hamilton Wellness Center.

“It’s been a lifesaver for me,” said Moncrief. “I’m blessed.”

Moncrief was a contactor in Hamilton for 40 years. He and his wife, Doris, raised three daughters here and now enjoy 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and their first great-great-grandchild. The life Moncrief enjoys now almost wasn’t.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer 25 years ago and lost part of a lung in the process. He lost four brothers to lung cancer, all in their 60s.

Moncrief was 48 years old when he had his first heart attack. He has had two more since, with a surgery following each. He has had laser surgery to blast the plaque from his arteries and has lost track of how many stents he has had put in -- somewhere between eight and 10.

The day after Thanksgiving in 2009, Moncrief remembers being flown via helicopter for surgery. In February 2010, he was transported by ambulance.

While his weight was never a problem, Moncrief has family history of heart and lung disease. As a small business owner, stress was a risk factor. Probably the biggest factor was that Moncrief was a smoker. He smoked for almost 40 years.

“The doctors told me I wouldn’t live six months,” said Moncrief. “That motivated me.

“It was hard,” admits Moncrief, who started weaning with Nicoban.

“I got to thinking how I can’t wait to get home to have some,” he said. “That went on for about two weeks, then I started thinking that I was just trading one habit for another. That’s when I just quit. My brother and his wife quit at the same time.”

Moncrief has been smoke-free for 26 years.

“The only thing I regret is that I put my

girls through that,” he remembers. “I would get up and smoke at the kitchen table every morning before going to work.”

Moncrief is passionate about smoking cessation and urges his friends and loved ones to quit the habit.

“Well, usually I just pull up my shirt and show them my scars,” he says. “It’s crazy for young people knowing what we know now and still getting in that habit. I tell them ‘it’s

“It’s been a lifesaver for me,” Jimmy Moncrief

going to catch up with you.’”

When Dr. Luke Killian referred Moncrief to the Cardiac Rehabilitation program, his life changed.

He went through the program nine years ago and continues to use the tools he was taught in cardiac rehab to improve his quality of life. Now 78 years old, Moncrief is a regular at the Hamilton Wellness Center.

He walks 40 minutes on the treadmill at least three to four days a week and enjoys tai chi classes.

“It helps with breathing and limbers the joints,” he said. “It gets the cricks out. I can bend over and tie my shoes now, and I couldn’t use to do that.”

Even though he is retired, Moncrief still makes a point to get up every morning at 7 and get to the gym by 10 a.m.

“I can’t say that every day I’m really into it, but I do it,” he said. “At my age, it’s easy to say I want to sleep. David (Rodriguez, Cardiac Rehab Director) says you got to keep moving.”

“I’ve got a friend that goes up there that is 84, maybe 85,” he says. “I see how healthy he is and think, ‘I’ve got eight good years left, if I can be like you.’”

Cardiac Rehabilitation also taught Moncrief about nutrition.

“I have to admit that is the hardest part,” he said. “I still like to eat something fried every now and then. I don’t eat a lot. Never been much of an eater, and if I don’t like it, I just don’t eat.

“I don’t know if it gets any easier,” said Moncrief.

“We are very lucky to have this hospital and the wellness center for as small a town as we are,” said Moncrief. “It’s the greatest thing there ever was. They’ve got friendly employees. People drive from Comanche, Iredell and Meridian to come work out. I’m lucky I just have to drive across town.”

An HHN publication

heart healthy habits

1. Quit smoking.

Set a quit date.

Choose a method. Decide if you need help from a healthcare provider. Plan how to deal with cravings and urges. Quit on your quit day.

2. Be physically active. AHA recommends moderate-intensity aerobic activity for 30 minutes five days each week or vigorous activity on three days each week for all adults.

3.Manage blood pressure.

The top number (systolic) should be lower than 120, and the bottom number (diastolic) should be lower than 80. Speak to your doctor about ways to manage your blood pressure.

Matters of the Heart with Robbye Lengefeld, M.D.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of death and disability in developed countries, leading to 1/3 or more of all deaths in individuals over age 35. It is estimated that nearly 1/2 of all middle-aged Robbye men and 1/3 of all middle-aged Lengefeld, M.D. women in the US will develop some manifestation of CHD. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in most developed countries.

Risk factors of CHD include advancing age, gender, family history of premature heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, psychosocial factors such as depression, anger and stress, low daily consumption of fruits and vegetables and lack of regular physical activity.

4. Manage normal blood glucose level. Healthy range for

glucose levels is lower than 100 mg/dl. Talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your blood sugar.

5. Manage normal total cholesterol level. It is important to track your cholesterol levels over time with your physician.

6. Maintain ideal weight.

Ideally body mass should be under 30. Speak with your physician about what your ideal weight should be.

7. Eat a healthy diet.

A heart healthy diet includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and lean meats.

Limit sugars. Avoid trans fats, salty and highly processed foods.

American Heart Association

Symptoms associated with heart attack include acute chest discomfort with radiation into upper extremities, jaw or back with associated shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. This chest discomfort is usually provoked by some sort of exertion.

Symptoms don’t always follow the book though, and other symptoms could include, stomach pain, nausea, heartburn or indigestion or dizziness/weakness.

The American Heart Association (AHA) promotes seven ideal cardiovascular health metrics to prevent heart disease (see above). We should start practicing all of these recommendations early to prevent development of CHD. Screening for CHD starts with routine health maintenance examinations where focused history, physical and collection of information on your cardiac risk factors can be gathered by your physician. Physicians also order screening tests for patients identified as having increased risk factors for heart disease.

A Hamilton native, Robbye Lengefeld, M.D., joined the Family Practice Rural Health Clinic in 2004. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University in 1997 and her M.D. in 2001 with AOA honors.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised program for individuals with lung problems. The goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to improve quality of life so that participants can enjoy doing the things that bring happiness.

Pulmonary rehab helps participants:

• EXPERIENCE LESS DIFFICULTY with breathing • INCREASE MUSCLE STRENGTH and endurance • IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO COPE with daily activities • UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE MEDICATIONS and oxygen appropriately • IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE • REDUCE HOSPITALIZATIONS • IMPROVE DEPRESSION

The pulmonary rehab program consists of 36 30-minute sessions of education and lung conditioning three days per week. Participants are closely monitored by nurses and respiratory therapists during exercise activities. Hamilton Healthcare System’s pulmonary rehabilitation program carries the prestigious certification of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation ensuring excellence in program quality and standards.

Pulmonary rehab is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance companies for individuals living with: • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • Bronchitis • Emphysema • COPD/Asthma

Hamilton Healthcare System Cardiopulmonary Rehab

400 N. Brown, Hamilton | 254-386-1675

Hamilton Healthcare System’s Cardiopulmonary Rehab Team Director David Rodriguez, BA, RRT; Laurie Stewart, RN; Teressa Craig, LVN, and Medical Director Robbye Lengefeld, M.D.

An HHN publication

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

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CPR Classes

HGH laboratory announces new testing for heart attack

at Hamilton General Hospital

March 4 • April 8 • May 6

csegit@hamiltonhospital.org or call 254-386-1586

CHAIN OF SURVIVAL

Improve chances of survival or recovery from cardiac arrest

CALL 911

IMMEDIATE CPR

RAPID AED

EARLY EMS CARE

ADVANCED MEDICAL CARE

Comprehensive diabetic education classes focusing on disease management and education.

Learn daily self-management: • making healthy food choices

amilton General Hospital laboratory has introduced a new high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin I test for patients who come to the hospital or clinics with cardiac symptoms that could be early signs of a heart attack.

Like most US hospitals, HGH has used Troponin I tests for some time. But the new, more sensitive test will allow doctors to better assess the damage done to the heart muscle and more quickly determine the best course of action.

“Troponin I is a protein in the heart muscle that helps your heart contract,” says Lab Director Sanam Koirala, DCLS, MS, MLS (ASCP). “If you have an underlying heart problem, your Troponin I level is elevated and we can see that in your blood.”

The new test is also likely to speed up treatment time for all patients. “Instead of having to wait six hours to have their second blood draw, they can be tested again in just two hours, “says Dr. Cartmell.

“We should be able to rule in or rule out heart attack more quickly,” says ER physician Dr. Luke Killian.

“Either they will be able to go home from the ED sooner or we are going to be able to say ‘Yes, you are definitely having a heart attack’ sooner, “ says Chief of Staff Dr. James R. Lee. The high-sensitivity test has become the new standard for diagnosing myocardial infarction in Europe, where it has been in use since 2010. While the new test is not yet universally available in the US, and US studies are still limited, HGH believes it represents the future of cardiac care.

“We would rather be on the front end of trying something new for our patients,” says Koirala. “We are willing to say yes because this is best for our patients and the communities we serve.”

FREE Heart Healthy Nutrition Class

• staying physically active • monitoring your blood sugar • taking medications HAMILTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Diabetes E D U C A T I O N Certified Diabetes Educators Instructors (CDE) American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) accredited program

254-386-1891

March 2 10-11 a.m. at Hamilton General Hospital Licensed dietitian led. Space is limited.

Call 254-386-1891 to reserve your spot !

HAMILTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Sleep Lab • natural sleeping environment • hotel-like accomodations • bring your own pillow

A better night’s sleep

• wear your own pajamas • finished by 5 a.m.

(940) 445-4884

might be just a phone call away... (254) 386-1887

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An HHN publication

Board-Certified Full-Scope Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery TMJ Disorders • Facial Trauma & Reconstruction Facial Cosmetic Surgery • Orthognathic Surgery • Advanced Dental Implants Cleft Lip & Palate

201 Blvd/ /Stephenville, TX 76401 402River East North 6th Avenue Belton, TX 76513 254-918-0159 254-350-2690 www.texasoralfacial.com www.texasoralfacial.com

An HHN publication

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fitness Spring into

1

lean legs

2

Place your feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider. Extend your hands straight out in front of you to help keep your balance. You can also bend the elbows or clasp the fingers.

sQUaT

Sit back and down like you’re sitting into an imaginary chair. Keep your head facing forward as your upper body bends forward a bit. Rather than allowing your back to round, let your lower back arch slightly as you descend.

Lower down so your thighs are as parallel to the floor as possible, with your knees over your ankles. Press your weight back into your heels.

Push through your heels to bring yourself back to the starting position.

WORKOUT BY JARED COOK DEMONSTRATED BY TYE MOSELEY

lunge

Keep your upper body straight, with your shoulders back and relaxed and chin up (pick a point to stare at in front of you so you don’t keep looking down). Always engage your core.

3 CURL

Step forward with one leg, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle. Make sure your front knee is directly above your ankle, not pushed out too far, and make sure your other knee doesn’t touch the floor. Keep the weight in your heels as you push back up to the starting position.

4

S E A T E D

calf raise

Stand up straight, then push through the balls of your feet and raise your heels until you are standing on your toes. Then lower slowly back to the start. For variation you can point your toes in one set and out on the other or stand on a stair or blocks as shown.

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Leg Curl

Set up the machine so that the pads sit comfortably against your lower back when you sit on it.

Put your legs on the padded lever so it sits just below your calf muscles, Set up the lap pad so it sits on your thighs just above the knees.

Lift your legs so they are straight out in front of you and grasp the side handles on the machine. Pull the padded lever down and back toward you as far as you can with your legs, hold for a second, then slowly bring it back to the starting position. Control is very important!

An HHN publication

Tips for exercise Success Cardio and Exercise Goals for Weight Loss “ a little is better than nothing” • From Couch: Start with 30 minutes of walking/ light exercise 5 Days a week for 3-5 weeks and then progress with 45 Minutes of walking. Medium intensity exercise.

• For Weight Loss = 150-300 minutes of cardio/ exercise a week.

• Weight Loss Goals should be 1-2 pounds per week.

• If you are strength training, use lighter weights and do more repetitions.

• Mixing in strength training with cardio exercises has benefits.

1. Start slow and slowly build 2. Find an exercise partner 3. Make realistic goals. Small changes make big differences.

4. Get help and ask questions from qualified professionals.

5. Make sure you are able to afford a training facility/program.

6. Find exercises and classes that you enjoy.

7. Exercise Is half of the program. The other half is a healthy eating program.

Meet with your doctor or a nutritionist to get set up with a plan.

8. Consider meeting with a personal trainer to help you achieve your goals and hold you accountable.

Benefits of regular exercise Understanding just how physical activity benefits your heart can be strong motivation to get moving to get moving more. Here’s what to know.

Exercise lowers blood pressure.

Exercise works like beta-blocker medication to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure (at rest and also when exercising).

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Exercise is key to weight control.

Especially when combined with a smart diet, being physically active is an essential component for losing weight and even more important for keeping it off —which in turn helps optimize heart health. Being overweight puts stress on the heart and is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Exercise helps strengthen muscles.

START

A combination of aerobic workouts (which, depending on your fitness level, can include walking, running, swimming and other vigorous heart-pumping exercise) and strength training (weight lifting, resistance training) is considered best for heart health. These exercises improve the muscles’ ability to draw oxygen from the circulating blood. That reduces the need for the heart—a muscular organ itself—to work harder to pump more blood to the muscles, whatever your age.

Exercise can help you quit smoking.

As smokers become more fit, they often quit. And people who are fit in the first place are less likely to ever start smoking, which is one of the top risk factors for heart disease because it damages the structure and function of blood vessels.

Exercise lowers stress.

Stress hormones can put an extra burden on the heart. Exercise—whether aerobic (like running), resistance-oriented (like weight training) or flexibility-focused (like yoga)—can help you relax and ease stress.

An HHN publication

Exercise can stop or slow the development of diabetes.

Johns Hopkins research has shown that when combined with strength training, regular aerobic exercise such as cycling, brisk walking, or swimming can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by over 50% by allowing the muscles to better process glycogen, a fuel for energy, which when impaired, leads to excessive blood sugars, and thus diabetes.

Exercise reduces inflammation.

With regular exercise, chronic inflammation is reduced as the body adapts to the challenge of exercise on many bodily systems. This is an important factor for reducing the adverse effects of many of the diseases just mentioned.

From John Hopkins Medicine

Jared Cook came to Hamilton in 2014 from Colorado where he graduated from Colorado State University with a BS in Exercise Science. Jared has his Personal Training Certification from the Cooper Institute and has served as the Director of the Wellness Center since April of 2015.

His goal is to encourage and educate the community as they move towards their fitness goals and overall health. Jared Jared Cook Wellness Center enjoys skiing, backpacking, camping, fishing, music and watching Dallas Director Stars hockey with his family.

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

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healthy mind

Happiness

is Internal

uring the month of February our thoughts are often swirling around all things love and romance. Valentine’s Day is known as the day of love. We can get Linda C. Kolodziej , caught up in finding M.Ed. LPC CSC the perfect gift for LCDC NCC our romantic partner.

Solutions We can even become Behavioral Health stressed over NOT finding the perfect gift for said partner! Loving someone is awesome! Feeling invested in someone is amazing! Knowing that someone (other than your mother) has your back and is there for you on your good days and bad days can provide a sense of comfort. But what happens when we find ourselves alone on Valentine’s Day? What happens we are alone EVERY day? What happens when we are in a relationship, but the honeymoon stage is a distant memory? Those are the times when the importance of self-love becomes all the more apparent.

We have probably all heard lines from movies and songs indicating that we NEED someone else to complete us. We are often led to believe that we cannot find happiness, or live a full

life, if we don’t have a romantic partner.

I am a firm believer that we must all find happiness within ourselves and then share that happiness with a partner if we so choose, in order to truly BE happy. If our happiness depends on someone else then we have completely given that person power to control us. We might just as well have given them a remote control to our emotions.

It IS possible to be happy alone. In fact, it is imperative that we are able to be hap happy alone. I am certainly not saying that we should strive to be alone. I am simply say saying that we need to know we CAN be alone and still be happy, and that it is OKAY if we CHOOSE to be alone. If we are unhappy in a relationship then we are more than likely going to still be unhappy when we are out of that relationship. Happiness is internal.

If we blame our lack of happiness on another person then it is really on US to work on what the real trigger is. Not every relationship is healthy, and there are circumstances when we are actually better off alone than remaining in one that is toxic.

Another person should not have control of our happiness. I believe that we should avoid placing blame on another for what WE are feeling. I will say again…happiness is internal.

We often tend to take romantic partners, and others whom we love platonically for that matter, for granted. We do not intend

to do this. It just inadvertently happens with the passing of time. We should take care to be appreciative of what we have, and be mindful of the fact that what we HAVE includes relationships and not just material possessions. People are quicker to complain about perceived bad customer service than they are to compliment good customer service. We EXPECT good service, and so we often forget to appreciate it. Appreciation is paramount to happiness. Appreciation of ALL things, not just material possessions.

I read once that happiness is the point of life. The author surmised that all humans strive for happiness, and when they are unable to reach a level of serendipity, they feel unfulfilled. Happiness is internal. Happiness should not depend on the actions of someone else. Happiness is within reach for us all! I encourage you all to find your serendipity and take charge of your own happiness.

Cathy Kolodziej received her Masters degree in counseling from Tarleton State University in 2011. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and the Clinical Director at Solutions Behavioral Health. Cathy joined the Solutions team in August of 2014 as a therapist and became the Clinical Director in 2016. She is passionate about helping others discover their inner strength in order to achieve a better quality of life.

group and individual counseling for seniors • adults • adolescents • families HAMILTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Solutions

B E H AV I O R A L H E A L T H 20

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Talk to your physician or call for more information.

254-386-1800 400 North Brown in Hamilton An HHN publication

An HHN publication

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

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6

Tips for protecting and stabilizing your

Lower Back

Incorporate these tips and techniques in your daily activities to help prevent or minimize the development of new problems or future flareups of lower back pain.

1. Strengthen your core muscles daily

Strong and supportive muscles throughout the trunk of your body are essential to support your spine. Core-building exercises include: • Low-impact cardiovascular exercise such as walking helps increase blood flow to the spine and stretch muscles. An adequate flow of blood supplies healing nutrients and hydration to the structures in your lower back.

• Water therapy provides a greater range of motion due to the buoyancy of water, particularly for exercises that require lifting the legs. Water also provides resistance by means of gentle friction, allowing the strengthening and conditioning of an injured muscle. This therapy is optimal for people who have chronic back pain and find it too painful to exercise without the supportive effect of water.

Consider engaging a physical therapist to help you get started, provide correct guidance on how to safely exercise and what particular exercises to perform.

2. Invest in an ergonomic office chair

Slouching forward while working at a desk places excessive pressure on the discs in your lower back and can cause problems, such as disc degeneration to occur or further deteriorate. Support the natural curve in your lower spine by: • Using an ergonomic chair that helps you align and support your back and thighs correctly • Placing a small rolled-up towel in the small of your back for additional support • Using a standup desk, if possible, for at least part of the d a y

It is helpful to set a timer for every 50 minutes to an hour on your phone to remind yourself to check your posture, walk for a few minutes, and stretch your lower back and leg muscles.

3. Safeguard your back while lifting

Lifting is a common cause of lower back pain. Common everyday activities such as unloading grocery bags from the car or lifting your young child, can lead to lower back problems.

Lifting with your back bent or lifting while twisting may cause a sudden injury to your lower back or repetitive injury over a period of time, leading to chronic tissue damage.

Follow these lifting guidelines to prevent lower back injury:

• Bend at your knees, not at your lower back; a completely flexed (forward bent) back can be highly susceptible to a ligament and/or disc injury • Pivot your feet and hips, rather than twisting your lower back • Hold the object close to your chest while straightening your spine

4. Dissipate stressors during everyday activities

Even small amounts of stressing on the intricate structures in your lower back can add up and lead to degeneration and pain over time. Here are recommendations on how to reduce everyday stresses to concentrate on your lower back: • Opening a door. While opening a door, stand straight in front of the door’s handle and pull it perpendicular to your body. Avoid standing on the side of the handle and twisting your trunk while opening the door, which may injure your spinal ligaments.

• Using a vacuum cleaner. While vacuuming, hold the vacuum cleaner in front of your body with both hands and use small arm movements while cleaning. Holding the vacuum to the side of your body with just one hand results in large arm movements and requires more twisting torque forces on your lower spine.

• Shoveling snow or while gardening. While shoveling, rest one arm on your thigh while slightly bending the knees.

This technique helps prevent large arm movements and prolonged stooping, which significantly loads your lower back.

Using spine-sparing principles such as these on a daily basis helps prevent chronic injury to the tissues.

Golfer’s Lift The best way to lift small objects The golfer’s lifting technique is particularly helpful in lifting small and light objects. Here’s how to properly execute the golfer’s lift: • While one leg bears the body’s weight, lift the other leg off the floor and toward the back for counterbalance • Support one arm on a stationary object, such as a table or a countertop and bend down at the hip (like a fulcrum) so that the body becomes almost parallel to the floor • Reach the free arm to pick up the object This technique is considered safe for the lower back tissues because lifting one leg toward the back allows the spine to stay straight, and the counterbalance offsets the strain on the back. The golfer’s lift is particularly useful for the repetitive lifting of small objects.

Focused Orthopedic Care with a Full spectrum nonsurgical and surgical care with a multi-disciplinary approach to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for orthopedic concerns and conditions including: Board Certied Orthopedic Surgeon

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• • • •

team a pproach.

carpal tunnel release knee replacement surgeries shoulder and knee scopes hand surgeries

Specialty Services Clinic 400 N. Brown in Hamilton • (254) 386-1524

Contact your physician for a referral.

An HHN publication

prevention Bonus tip:

Lower back pain is directly impacted by your overall health When you improve your overall physical fitness and general health, it will benefit your lower back. The following simple measures can help prevent the development, chronicity or flaring of your lower back pain, such as:

• • • • • • •

Hamilton Healthcare System’s Physical Therapy Team: Tye Moseley, PT; Bethany Radle, PTA; Victoria Bankston, Therapy Coordinator; Rick Housden, PTA; and Garrett Schwartz, PT

5. Rest your back after prolonged bending

Staying active Drinking lots of water Minimizing the consumption of alcohol Getting enough deep, restorative sleep Following an anti-inflammatory diet Avoiding smoking and any form of nicotine intake Managing mental and psychological stress by participating in related therapies

The damage to any single tissue can lead to biomechanical changes that progressively affect the other structures. The resulting effects may cause pain in your lower back, hip, and/or leg(s).

When you bend forward for a long time, such as while weeding your garden, certain changes take place in your discs and ligaments. These changes last for a few minutes, during which time, the stability of your spine is reduced. The joints also become temporarily stiff during this period.

Your lower back is at risk for sustaining a sudden injury after these tissue changes if you exert stress on your back immediately afterward, such as lifting a bag of soil right after you’ve been bending and weeding for a long time.

It is advisable to stand upright for a few minutes and allow the spinal tissues to recover and re-shape after prolonged stooping or bending before attempting strenuous exertions.

6. Protect your discs immediately after waking

The pressure within your discs rises up to 240% when you sleep at night (for a minimum of 7 hours). At this time, your discs are fully hydrated and are typically at a higher risk of herniation when subject to bending or lifting forces.

Maintaining a straight back for an hour or two after waking allows your discs to regain their normal pressure and withstand loads more effectively.

Originally from Goldthwaite, Tye joined the HHS physical therapy team in February 2017. As a physical therapist he enjoys helping people get healthy and educating them on ways to continue a healthy lifestyle. Tye currently lives in Gatesville with his wife Caitlin and 3 dogs. In his spare time, you will find him fishing, golfing or enjoying some type of sporting event.

Tye Moseley, PT Physical Therapy

Hamilton Healthcare System Physical Therapy Department

400 N. Brown, Hamilton | 254-386-1670

FOCUSED CARE AT HAMILTON Quality Care. Dignity. Respect.

It Takes a Minute to Change a Life

Long Term Care

Skilled Nursing

Assisted Living

www.fpacp.com 1315 East Hwy 22 Hamilton, TX 76531 254-386-3171 An HHN publication

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spotlight Meet Dr. Adams Board Certified General Surgeon Ryan Adams, M.D. joined the Hamilton General Hospital staff. in 2019.

Originally from Utah and Northern California, Adams completed his Ryan Adams, undergraduate studies M.D. in microbiology at General Surgeon Weber State University in Utah. He earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, in May 2014 and completed his general surgeon residency at Baylor Scott and White in Temple.

“I became a surgeon because of a strong desire to help others and serve my community,” said Adams, whose training emphasized trauma and acute care surgery.

He received specialized training in advanced laparoscopic surgery to treat biliary disease, affecting the bile ducts and gallbladder, as well as diseases of the colon and small intestine.

As a general surgeon, Adams treats a broad range of conditions through surgical procedures.

“My motto for life is ‘where there’s a will there’s a way,’” said Adams.

Growing up in a small town on a dairy farm, Adams attributes his tenacity and work ethic to one of the most influential people in his life, his father.

“He taught me at an early age to work hard and never give up in the pursuit of a goal, no matter how difficult or distant it may seem,” said Adams. “This has proven true time and time again throughout my life and as a surgeon.”

Adams was recognized by the Texas Surgical Society and awarded the Raleigh Ross Surgical Scholar award for his contribution and accomplishments in surgical training.

“With a desire to return to my roots, I was drawn to Temple and eventually Hamilton,” said Adams, who looks forward to raising his four children in a small town like the one where he grew up.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of Hamilton and surrounding communities,” said Adams.

“I feel at home here.

“I am committed to doing my best to help my patients with kindness, compassion and exemplary surgical care.”

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COLON health

with Ryan Adams, M.D.

olorectal cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in males and females in the United States.

The rate of colorectal cancer in Texas is 38 new cases per 100,000 people in 2015 (most recent data).

In rural Central Texas, we see obesity and smoking as two major things individuals can avoid to improve overall health and decrease the risk of colorectal cancer.

Other risk factors for colorectal disease include obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco use, heavy alcohol intake and a diet high in red meat and processed foods.

Colorectal disease risk also increases with age. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, are at an increased risk and should undergo more frequent screening.

Additionally, those who have previously had cancer or polyps, or with a family history of colon cancer can be at an increased risk.

Other ways to keep your colon healthy are to regularly exercise, eat fruits and vegetables along with a high fiber diet and avoid high fat and processed foods.

Colon screenings are generally recommended to begin at age 50. The use of regular screenings has helped increase the detection of colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer.

This has resulted in a steady decrease in the mortality rate from colorectal cancer over the past several years. The best chance of complete cure from colorectal cancer is early detection.

Colorectal cancer can often progress silently and go undetected. That is why screening is so important, to catch it early.

Change in bowel habits, blood in stool and unintentional weight loss can sometimes be seen in more advanced cases.

Although 50 is the typical age to begin colon screenings, you should be seen sooner if you have a strong family history of cancer or if you experience any of the unusual changes listed above.

The bowel prep needed for a good colonoscopy is usually the biggest hassle of the procedure, but the procedure itself is usually very well tolerated.

Patients are sedated and usually have no memory of the procedure. I tell my patients that the hassle and inconvenience of the procedure can help gather valuable information that can give you peace of mind as it pertains to your colorectal health.

Talk to your doctor if you experience: • Change Change in bowel habits

including diarrhea, constipation, a change in the consistency of your stool or finding your stools are narrower than usual

• Persistent abdominal discomfort

such as cramps, gas, or pain and/ or feeling full, bloated or that your bowel does not empty completely

• Rectal bleeding • Bloody stool

(either bright red or very dark)

• Weakness or fatigue

accompanied by weight loss for no known reason, nausea or vomiting

At-home tests can work well if performed correctly, but if there are abnormalities, colonoscopy is the best way to get full evaluation and to get biopsies of abnormal tissue.

Cologuard is a new screening test that can be done at home. However, if the results are positive, a colonoscopy will still be needed for full evaluation.

The treatment for colorectal disease varies depending on how extensive and/ or advanced the disease is. A biopsy is usually the first step after an abnormality is identified.

Observation, repeat colonoscopy, and surgery are all options that can be employed based on biopsy results.

With advanced disease, surgery may be followed by chemotherapy or radiation.

At Hamilton General Hospital, we perform all necessary screening colonoscopies and polyp removal.

If there are polyps that are too large to be removed during colonoscopy, minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery can be performed right here in Hamilton.

Additionally, if cancer is identified and the patient is a candidate for surgery, that can be done here in the same manner.

Many times, this results in a complete cure from colon cancer.

We understand that matters of the colon and rectum health can be difficult to discuss and easy to put off, but we are here to help educate and guide our patients step-by-step to enjoy a longer and healthier Central Texas way of life.

Even if you have put it off, it is never too late to see your doctor to discuss and ask questions. Peace of mind is valuable when it comes to one’s health.

An HHN publication

Weight Loss Program AT HAMILTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM amilton Healthcare System offers a healthy guided weight loss program facilitated by a licensed dietitian.

The program is based on education and healthy nutrition and is individually tailored to each patient’s needs.

“We try different dietary approaches to help facilitate behaviorial change to support weight loss and long-term dietary changes,” said Krista Lindley, MS, RD, LD, CDE. The program consists of about 20 sessions over the course of a year. For the first month, patients meet weekly then move to bimonthly through the six month. From month seven through 12, meetings reduce to monthly.

Hamilton Healthcare System’s weight loss program is referral based.

To qualify for the weight loss program, individuals must have a BMI of at least 30.

Speak to your doctor to see if Hamilton Healthcare System’s Weight Loss Program is right for you or call 254-386-1891 for more information.

education Pain Management

CERVICAL • THORACIC • LUMBAR INJECTIONS • • • • •

designed to decrease inflammation and pain

95% successful in reducing inflammation Safe, accurate X-ray guided injections below the spinal cord Close to home Minimally invasive and quick so you can get back to your day Compliments other treatments such as physical therapy, exercise, massage and chiropractic care For more information call your doctor or

254-386-1600

Chronic Care MANAGEMENT

SERVICES

Comprehensive program for managing your health and chronic conditions: • COPD • Alzheimer’s • Atrial fibrillation • Depression and Dementia • Cancer • Diabetes • Cardiovascular • Arthritis Disease • Hypertension • Asthma Eligible to RHC patients with 2 or more chronic conditions.

Contact your doctor for information:

Hamilton RHC 254-386-1700 Hico Clinic 254-796-4224 FPC Mills County 325-648-2850

FIGHT CANCER When you’re treated at Texas Oncology, you can be sure you’re getting leading-edge cancer care right here in Waco. Our physicians provide compassionate patient care, offer the latest treatment innovations and share one goal: to be the best at what they do. With more than 210 locations and 460 physicians throughout the state, every Texan can receive recognized cancer care in their community.

TEXAS ONCOLOGY–WACO 1700 W. State Hwy. 6 Waco, TX 76712 • 254-399-0741 TEXAS ONCOLOGY–HORIZON CIRCLE 6520 Horizon Circle Waco, TX 76712 • 254-755-4460 Additional locations in Clifton, Gatesville, Groesbeck, Hamilton, Hillsboro and Mexia.

An HHN publication

1-888-864-4226 • www.TexasOncology.com

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

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directory ADVERTISERS

3 LIFEGIFT 5 SOLARIS 7 BROOKSHIRE

BROTHERS PHARMACY

7 LEE HEALTHCARE & 9 9 10 11 11 13 17 21 23 25 27

MEDICAL SUPPLY HILLVIEW NURSING & REHABILITATION GOLDTHWAITE HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER TREADWAY HEARING AID CENTER HAMILTON CITY DRUG GRAVES DENTAL JORDAN PHARMACY TX CENTER FOR ORAL & FACIAL SURGERY LUTHERAN SUNSET MINISTRIES FOCUSED CARE AT HAMILTON TEXAS ONCOLOGY HAMILTON HEALTHCARE CENTER

6 6 8 10 11 12 14 14 16 16 20 22 22 25 25 25 27 28

SERVICES 3D MAMMOGRAPHY RURAL HEALTH CLINICS LIFELINE WELLNESS CENTER WOUND CARE CHF PROGRAM CARDIAC REHAB PULMONARY REHAB SLEEP STUDY DIABETES EDUCATION SOLUTIONS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ORTHOPEDIC SERVICES PHYSCIAL THERAPY PAIN MANAGEMENT CHRONIC CARE MANAGEMENT WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM OPTOMETRY HHS HOSPITAL AUXILIARY TEAM HGH HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION

Great 28

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Competitive

SALARIES Excellent

BENEFITS

Join

OUR TEAM

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Thrive |

Hamilton Healthcare System

Apply online at

hamiltonhospital.org

COMMUNITY RESOURCES General Assistance

Adult Substance Abuse

211 Texas

Help finding services/resources www.211texas.org 211 or 1-877-541-7905

Texas Health & Human Services Office

Texas Health & Human Svcs Bluebonnet Trails 1-800-841-1255 (Crisis) 1-844-309-6385 (Main)

Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Central Counties Services

Medicaid, Food Stamps, Medicare Savings Programs (254) 386-8965

254-386-8179 Crisis Hotline 1-800-888-4036

Hamilton Co. United Care

Women & Children Texas Health Steps

Help w/ food & clothing 254-206-7371

Hill Country Community Action

Services for Pregnant Women, Children on Medicaid Birth-20yrs 1-877-THSTEPS (1-877-847-8377)

Hamilton TX Helping Hands

Texas WIC

1-866-372-5167

find them on Facebook •••

Aged & Disabled, Veterans

Early Childhood Intervention (254) 773-6787

Texas Health & Human Services

Hamilton Early Head Start 254-386-8936

Long Term Care Services 1-855-937-2372

Choices Hamilton County

Area Agency on Aging | Aging & Disability Resource Center Services, Info & Referral for Aged, Disabled & Veterans 254.770.2330 or 1-800-4477169

Hico Senior Center 254-796-4488

Domestic Violence

Social Security Administration 1-800-771-1213

Mills County Senior Center 325-648-3122

•••

MEDICARE HOTLINE 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Transportation

Texas Medicaid Transportation

MEDICAID HOTLINE 1-800-335-8957

1-877-MED-TRIP (1-800-633-4227) Transportation of Elderly, Disabled, Low Income 254-386-3778 or 254-206-0046 254-933-3700 ext. 5005 or 1-800-791-9601 ext. 5005

•••

Emergency Shelter & Assistance for DV Survivors 254-865-2151

254-386-3676

The Hop Rural Transit

www.choicesclinic.net 254-386-3709 or 833-773-3001

HOPE – Tri-Rivers Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter

Hamilton Senior Center

April’s Aides

Women, Infants, Children 1-866-907-0080 Texas WIC.org 254-216-9211 Hamilton

Texas Department of Insurance 1-800-252-3439 Texas Dept. of Protective & Regulatory Svcs.

ABUSE & NEGLECT HOTLINE 1-800-252-5400

We’re coming to Hamilton!

March 5 • May 14 12 - 6 p.m. @ HGH Parking Lot

Sign up at carterbloodcare.org An HHN publication

what’s new

Optometry Services r. Melanie Bartek and her optometry practice have joined the H a m i l t o n Healthcare System family as one of the many services offered

by HHS. Formerly Mills County Eye Care, Central Texas Eye Care is located in Goldthwaite at 1020 Fourth Street and has the same great services, providers and quality of care as before.

Dr. Bartek is a therapeutic optometrist and certified as an optometric glaucoma specialist. She received her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston and is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Texas Optometric Association.

Services at Central Texas Eye Care include comprehensive vision examinations and diagnosis and treatment of a wide array of eye diseases, conditions and problems.

Using advanced diagnostic technology and vision correction products, the clinic is committed to improving the quality of life through enhanced vision.

Give yourself the gift of clear vision – schedule an appointment with Melanie C. Bartek, O.D. today by calling 325-648-2040.

www.centexeyecare.org An HHN publication

FEEL BETTER WITH US ORTHOPEDIC REHABILITATION REHAB TO HOME PROGRAM 24-HR SKILLED NURSING SERVICES PHYSICAL & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SPEECH & LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY TRACHEOTOMY CARE

KRISTI LEONARD 910 E PIERSON STREET HAMILTON, TX 76531 seniorlivingproperties.com/hamilton

Call Our Rapid Response Line Today at (888) 299-0996

Hamilton Healthcare System | Thrive

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We

our

Hamilton General Hospital Healthcare Foundation

Hamilton Healthcare System Hospital Auxiliary Team

Hamilton General Hospital Healthcare Foundation’s primary goal is the continuation of planned growth and needed healthcare services for our community.

Through generous donations, the Foundation has purchased state-of-the-art equipment like the new 3D mammography unit in Radiology and the pulmonary function testing machine in Pulmonary Rehab equipping our community with healthcare options generally only found in larger facilities. The Hamilton General Hospital Healthcare Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that welcomes all levels of philanthropy, including gifts, memorials and honorariums, as well as donations of such property as stocks. In addition, individuals can create trusts with regular planned gifts, affording special estate income tax benefits. The Foundation is governed by a voluntary board of local citizens dedicated to developing resources to promote healthcare. Taxdeductible contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 788, Hamilton, Texas 76531.

The Hamilton Healthcare System Hospital Auxiliary Team exists to help the Hamilton Healthcare System.

This dynamic group works tirelessly on fundraisers to underwrite new programs and projects for the hospital. The volunteers also support the work of Hamilton General Hospital by purchasing needed equipment and furnishings for patient rooms. From scholarships to specific requests from staff, the auxiliary supports needs throughout the healthcare system. The Auxiliary funded landscaping for the new hospital and continues to maintain the Serenity Garden. The Auxiliary coordinates the LifeLine program, which allows many seniors to remain independent and live at home safely. The Auxiliary welcomes all levels of philanthropy including gifts, memorials and honorariums. Taxdeductible contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 93, Hamilton, Texas 76531. If you are looking for a meaningful, enjoyable volunteer opportunity, call 254-386-1950.