Morris Hospital Adds Two Family Nurse Practitioners in Morris Get the skinny on triglycerides

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Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers has added two family nurse practitioners to offices in Morris.

Both new family nurse practitioners are excellent resources for routine check-ups, preventive medicine, immunizations and physicals, illness and injuries, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, and health risk assessments for children, adolescents, adults and seniors.

Diana Olsen serves as a primary care provider for patients of all ages and is currently accepting new patients at the Morris Healthcare Center of Morris Hospital, 1300 W. Dresden Dr.

Having previously worked at the Morris Hospital Yorkville Campus, Olsen has more than 12 years of experience as a registered nurse, including four years of experience as a family nurse practitioner in family practice and urgent care environments. She also has a clinical interest in treating diabetes.

Olsen received her master’s degree in nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner certificate from Lewis University in Romeoville. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lewis University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Northern Illinois University. Appointments with Olsen can be scheduled by calling 815-942-5200.

Julie Sieling serves as a primary care provider for patients ages 2 and up and is currently accepting new patients at the Morris Healthcare Center of Morris Hospital, 948 W. U.S. Route 6.

Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner in 2010, Sieling worked as a registered nurse in various roles in the hospital setting for 17 years. She received her master’s degree in nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner certificate from Rush University. She also has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Olivet Nazarene University. Additionally, she is board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and am also a certified Breast Patient Navigator.

Appointments with Sieling can be scheduled by calling 815-9425474.

Serving patients at 27 locations, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers includes the 89-bed Morris Hospital, as well as physician offices in Braidwood, Channahon, Diamond, Dwight, Gardner, Marseilles, Mazon, Minooka, Morris, Newark, Seneca and Ottawa.

For more information, visit www.morrishospital.org

While cholesterol is a familiar term, triglycerides may be more of a mystery to the average Joe.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, triglycerides are lipids (waxy fats) that provide energy to the body. The body produces triglycerides and also gets them through food. Triglycerides are actual fats, while cholesterol is a waxy, odorless substance made by the liver. Since cholesterol cannot mix or dissolve in the blood, the liver puts cholesterol together with triglycerides to move the fatty mixture (lipoproteins) throughout the body.

When a person eats, any extra calories not used for energy are converted into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells. Later, hormones release these triglycerides as energy between meals. Individuals who regularly eat more calories than they burn, particularly from high-carbohydrate foods, may have high triglycerides.

According to the Mayo Clinic, high triglyceride levels may contribute to a hardening or thickening of the arteries, which is a condition known as arteriosclerosis.

For healthy adults, normal triglyceride levels should be under 150 mg/dL. Values of 151 to 200 mg/dL are considered borderline high, and anything over 201 is high or very high. In addition to arteriosclerosis, high triglyceride levels can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and pancreatitis.

Overeating, having a family history of high cholesterol, drinking alcohol to excess, being overweight or obese, and having unmanaged diabetes can contribute to high cholesterol levels. Smoking, the presence of thyroid disease and certain medications, like diuretics and hormones, also may raise the risk of developing high triglyceride levels.

Lifestyle changes similar to those recommended to manage high cholesterol can help people lower their triglyceride levels. These include eating a nutritious diet, doing aerobic exercises regularly and maintaining a moderate weight. Individuals should avoid simple carbohydrates, such as those made with white flour, fructose, trans fats, and hydrogenated oils or fats.

Low triglyceride levels are not typically a cause for concern. But in these instances malnutrition or malabsorption could be the culprit.

Individuals should undergo routine health screenings to determine if high triglycerides are part of their lipid panels.

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