Sports and Physical Fitness Month
The time has come for the indoor activities to make their way into the sun.
Being active is an important part of your overall health, but many Americans have one concern: joint pain. When left untreated, joint pain can cause your body to compensate for the damaged area, which can complicate your recovery.
While joint pain is most commonly associated with arthritis, repetitive physical activity and injury can also cause damage or pain. Some ways to help protect your joints include stretching, drinking water, allowing your body to properly cool down after workouts, and consulting your doctor when you experience pain.
“With all of its positive effects, exercise does have potential risks,” Dr. Richardson warns. “Injuries can occur and pain can be very debilitating. If you have pain in your limbs or joints, starting an intense exercise program may not be the right thing for you. Your orthopedic surgeon can evaluate you prior to beginning an exercise program or sport and give you tips/treatments to get you ready to participate safely.”
Here are several ways to help protect your joints while enjoying the great outdoors.
• Remember to use proper stretching and warm up techniques.
• Before, during, and after a workout or physical activity, drink plenty of water.
• Allow time for your body to cool down by taking a walk after vigorous activity.
• Use proper equipment (footwear, braces, helmets etc.).
• Consult a doctor if you have repeated or lasting pain in/or around the joints.
As a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Richardson is trained to help you get back to doing what you love. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richardson, call 239-8000.
Better Hearing and Speech
The children are playing, the birds are chirping, and the music is loud. The problem is, a large number of Americans can’t hear them due to hearing loss.
Loss of hearing is the third most common physical condition, next to arthritis and heart disease.
While there is a strong correlation between hearing loss and age, it is not the only reason people lose their hearing. Anyone, at any age, can become subject to hearing loss if they experience the following:
- Congenital Hearing Loss
- Gunfire Explosion
- Every day noises, such as loud music or machinery
- Injury to the head or ear
- Earwax buildup
- Ear infections
- Ruptured Eardrum
- Object in the ear
Loss of hearing can be damaging to relationships and daily life. We can help. For the month of May, we are offering free speech and hearing screenings. Screenings are offered for both adults and children and include hearing, speech/language, and voice screenings. Free screenings are offered in both our Blackfoot and Pocatello clinics. To schedule an appointment for your free screening, please call (208) 782-3733 for pediatric screenings and (208) 785-3883 for adult screenings.
An Ounce of Prevention
Growing up, our grandparents didn’t know all the dangers of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Today, we know the risks and how to protect ourselves: with sunscreen. However, there are still lots of questions when it comes to sunscreen.
Dermatologists suggest using one ounce each day. An ounce of sunscreen is roughly the size of a shot glass. Most people don’t apply that much, or they don’t reapply it frequently enough. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours while outside, or every 45 minutes while swimming.
Remember to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you head outdoors so your skin has time to absorb it. And use common sense: Limit outdoor activities when the sun is strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or keep to the shade; wear UV-protective sunglasses; and don’t forget to slick on an SPF-containing lip balm. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using a sunscreen rated at least sun protection factor (SPF) 15. This protects against 93 percent of UVB rays, whose absorption is linked to sunburn and skin cancer.
Skin care experts recommend using higher SPF sunscreens to offer greater protection. Even “sport” or “waterproof” options need to be reapplied. Choose a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum” protection against both UVB and UVA rays. These rays reach your skin more deeply and cause your skin to age and create wrinkles. They also can cause skin cancer.
With these precautions, we can ensure that we are able to protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
Hearth Health Month: Cholesterol
We’re rounding out American Heart Month, and want to take a moment to talk to you about one of the most important factors you should take into consideration when thinking about your heart health: cholesterol.
You’ve probably heard the word cholesterol from your doctor before, or from ads on TV. But have you ever really stopped to understand what cholesterol really is?
Put simply, your cholesterol level how much cholesterol you have in your blood. Cholesterol itself is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of your body. When doctors talk about watching your cholesterol, they’re specifically talking about how much cholesterol you have in your blood.
Why? Because a build-up of too much “bad cholesterol” can lead to a plaque-like building in parts of your circulatory system, which may put you at risk for heart disease and stroke.
That’s right, there is such thing as “bad” and “good” cholesterol. Your body actually needs cholesterol in order to function. Good cholesterol is known as HDL. Doctors recommend your HDL levels be at least somewhere about 40 mg/dL (your doctor will be able to show you and explain these numbers when you are tested).
As far as bad cholesterol, or LDL, experts recommend keeping your levels between 100 and 130 mg/dL. Anything above that may be cause for concern.
There are actually some things you can do to prevent your cholesterol levels from putting you at risk from heart disease. Eating healthy, especially with an emphasis on fiber and whole grains, has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol. And getting regular exercise has been shown to raise HDL cholesterol levels.
Just being aware of what your cholesterol numbers are is vitally important to your health. If you’ve never had your cholesterol checked, now is the time to find out where you’re at. Many of the symptoms of high cholesterol aren’t noticeable to you until damage has already been done to your body.
That’s why it’s so important to know your numbers. A visit with one of our internal medicine physicians can help you get on the right track to managing your cholesterol. Call 785-3838 for Dr. Cory Brown or 785-5801 for Dr. Saad Hijazi. And get to know your numbers this Heart Health month.
Diabetic Foot Clinic with Dr. Dan Robinson
Diabetes has become one of the most common chronic diseases among Americans in the last 20 years. Approximately 25.8 million people in the U.S. suffer from either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Most people with diabetes know how important it is to monitor their blood sugar. But making sure you’re taking care of other parts of your body is also key to preventing complications from diabetes.You could be at risk for some of the following foot conditions if you have diabetes:
- Neuropathy (tingling or loss of feeling)
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Skin cracking and peeling
- Calluses
- Possible amputation
What You Can Do
Like all chronic diseases, diabetes requires constant care and attention in order to prevent complications. That’s why taking care of your feet is so important. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, diabetic foot conditions contribute to as many as 80 percent of non-traumatic foot amputation cases each year. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Regular monitoring of your feet is key. Any changes to the look or feeling of your feet may be a warning sign. And with diabetes, it’s important to act on warning signs quickly, as early detection could make the difference.
That’s why Dr. Dan Robinson, foot and ankle specialist at Bingham Memorial Hospital, offers regular diabetic foot screenings every other Monday in his office. He can help prevent problems before they happen. Even if you’re not experiencing symptoms now, it’s still important to have your feet evaluated on a regular basis due to common conditions associated with diabetes.
At your initial visit, Dr. Robinson will establish a “baseline” for your foot health, which will allow him to regularly monitor any changes that may happen over time to your feet. Regular check-ups ensure irregularities are caught earlier than self-monitoring alone. And if you do develop a diabetic foot condition, Dr. Robinson can help you come up with a healthcare plan that fits your individual needs.
For more information about Dr. Robinson’s diabetic foot screening clinic, or to set up an appointment, contact his office today at 782-2490.
Bingham Memorial Hospital Presents Check to County
Bingham Memorial Hospital today presented Bingham County Commissioners with a check in the amount of $356,628.33, the latest payment made as a result of an agreement signed in 2007 when the hospital converted from a county owned and operated facility to a non-profit, 501(c)3 private entity. The payment amount includes the annual lease payment for the liquid asset transfer, reimbursement for indigent care provided by the county to area residents and a percentage of excess revenues over expenses as dictated by the agreement.
The press conference was held at the Bingham Memorial facility with Bingham Memorial board of directors and hospital administrator, Louis Kraml. County Commissioner, Cleone Jolley, was in attendance to receive the check.
The Bingham Memorial board of directors chairman, Lee Kniffin, said, “We’re pleased to provide this payment to the County Commissioners to further benefit residents of Bingham County. We are proud of the work that we do at Bingham Memorial, our commitment to provide world-class patient care, and of the positive impact the hospital has on the local community, including the employment of more than 650 area residents. We look forward to the coming years as Bingham Memorial continues to bring state-of-the-art care to the residents of Southeast Idaho.”
In 2007, Bingham Memorial Hospital and County Commissioners signed a contract that would collect $150,000 per year for the liquid asset transfer, collect up to $150,000 for a percent of excess revenues over expenses and collect up to $150,000 in reimbursements for indigent care provided by the County to area residents. This year the payment includes $150,000 for the liquid asset transfer, $150,000 for the excess of revenues over expenses and $56,628.33 in indigent care reimbursement.
In aggregate, Bingham Memorial Hospital has paid out more than $1.5 million over the course of five years to the benefit of Bingham County residents.
“This is the latest example of how Bingham Memorial is positively impacting the community we serve,” said Louis Kraml, Administrator of Bingham Memorial Hospital. “We work hard to provide an environment where our patients can be assured they are receiving the best care available. We do this by recruiting the finest, most talented doctors in their fields, creating a hospital atmosphere that is nurturing for our guests, and putting together community outreach programs that benefit our residents like our free “Brake for Breakfast” breast cancer awareness event to be held Wednesday October 3rd. We’re pleased to present this check to Bingham County.”
Bingham Memorial Hospital is the fifth largest employer in Bingham County and provides care for residents of Southeast Idaho, treating close to 120,000 patients per year.
Foot and Ankle Arthritis Seminar
Imagine pain with every step. Every time you stand up. Every time you wiggle your toes.
For millions of people who suffer from arthritis, there’s no imagining. The pain is real. Arthritis is a condition that affects nearly 50 million people in the United States. And of those 50 million, over 90 percent have or will develop arthritis in the feet or ankles, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body is actually attacking its own systems. With arthritis, the joints in the body are attacked, causing pain and inflammation. When the joints of the feet are affected, it can have a tremendous impact on quality of life. Just getting from the couch to the kitchen seems like a monumental task for someone suffering from arthritis of the feet and ankles.
That’s why Dr. Dan Robinson, foot and ankle specialist here at Bingham Memorial Hospital, has developed a new FREE seminar aimed at those suffering from this condition. In his new seminar, Dr. Robinson will explore some of the options available for people suffering from pain associated with arthritis of the foot and ankle.
This seminar will be offered in three different locations around east Idaho throughout the fall. The locations and dates are:
Blackfoot – September 20
Pocatello – October 16
Idaho Falls – November 29
Dr. Robinson is committed to helping you live your life without pain and, when possible, without surgery. Minimally invasive options are available depending on your situation.
“Another thing we’ll discuss is some of the bracing and medication treatments available conservatively for these particular issues,” says Dr. Robinson.
Don’t let foot and ankle pain dictate how you live your life any more. Come to Dr. Robinson’s free seminar at 6 p.m. next Thursday in the Medical Office Building across from Bingham Memorial Hospital in Blackfoot. There is no obligation and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions specific to you. Register online now by going to www.MyFreeSeminar.org or by calling 782-2937.
Bingham is Proud to Welcome New Women’s Health Physician
Bingham Memorial is proud to welcome Heather Pugmire, M.D. to the medical staff as part of the Bingham Memorial Women’s Center.
Dr. Pugmire received her undergraduate degree in exercise science from Brigham Young University. She graduated from the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, then completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology from Creighton University as well.
Since she was in high school, Dr. Pugmire has had a desire to serve people through the science of medicine. “In high school I read an article about a surgeon who went to Africa and fixed thousands of children’s clef palates,” she says. “I thought that developing a skill that can so profoundly affect the happiness and well being of others is something I would like to pursue.”
Dr. Pugmire is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. From early on in medical school, she knew OB/GYN was a field she would enjoy. “I always thought delivering babies would be so great,” says Dr. Pugmire. “But I never realized how much I would enjoy the other areas of this specialty, especially surgery. Working with your hands to fix something is very rewarding.”
In addition to helping women through pregnancy, labor and delivery, Dr. Pugmire enjoys helping women with issues such as menstrual irregularities and urinary incontinence.
“My philosophy is that a doctor is a type of teacher,” she says. “I try to help women understand their bodies, disease processes, the risks and benefits of therapies to help them figure out the best way to get and stay healthy.”‘
In her spare time, Dr. Pugmire enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids, ages 10, 7 and 5. Her family is excited about being in eastern Idaho with all of its outdoor opportunities like camping, hiking and skiing. She also enjoys reading and music.
Getting into Shape as a Family
The statistics are alarming. Since 1980, the rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled. In the U.S. today, 12.5 million children ages 2 to 19 are obese. That’s 17 percent. From sugary drinks to processed food and a more sedentary lifestyle that includes video games and TV, kids are more prone to gaining too much weight today than ever before.
It’s hard with our busy schedules to set aside time to exercise and it’s even harder to set aside time to make sure our kids are getting the amount they need, but that’s exactly what needs to be done in order to reverse the childhood obesity trends. With it being National Exercise With Your Child Week, we will take this time to focus on the little things we can do every day to make sure kids are getting the physical activity they need to be healthy.
As with many things in life, kids need a good example to look up to. If we spend our days in front of the computer or TV instead of focusing on getting proper exercise, children will follow our example. That’s why it’s not called National Make Your Child Exercise Week. It takes parents and adults giving the proper example and initiating action to get kids moving.
It doesn’t take as much effort as you might think. There’s no need to drag your child to the gym, program the treadmill and count calories. Something as simple as standing up, turning off the TV and going for a walk together as a family can make a big difference.
You can plan fun outings that involve physical activity, like hiking, riding bikes or swimming. Set reasonable goals, especially starting out. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend kids between the ages of 6-17 should get 60 minutes of physical activity per day. That may seem like a lot, but it is achievable.
If you’re worried about your child’s weight or just want some ideas and suggestions for how to get your kids moving and healthier, we’re here to help.
Bingham Memorial pediatrician Dr. Cory Brown can help you create a plan to get your kids on the right track to staying healthy. Call his office at 785-3838 and schedule an appointment to get your questions answered and give you peace of mind.
The Heart Truth
It seems like not a month goes by without some sort of reminder about heart disease. February was National Heart Month. May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. And for good reason. Heart disease is by far the leading cause of death in the United States.
Heart disease is such a dangerous culprit because it can strike based on a myriad of reasons. For some, obesity is the cause. Other people can be at a normal weight and still have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
That’s why it’s so important to be constantly in tune with what’s going on with your heart. Regular checkups and getting the recommended screenings is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. That’s also why we have brought one of the country’s most gifted interventional cardiologists to southeast Idaho.
Dr. Stutts was named one of the country’s top cardiologists by the Consumers’ Research Council of America and Doctor of the Year at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. While practicing in Idaho Falls he help found the local chapter of Mended Hearts a national organization dedicated to support group activities for people with heart disease and was their physician director while living in Idaho.
Dr. Stutts practiced medicine in Idaho Falls for close to 20 years before relocating to Arizona. His return to Eastern Idaho gives residents access to one of the most experienced heart doctors in the region.
And now, Dr. Stutts is here at Bingham Memorial Hospital full time. After making the transition from his previous work in Arizona, he will be available to see patients on a regular basis. Already, he has pioneered several procedures at our facility, including the first pacemaker implant ever done at Bingham Memorial.
So take some time to care about your heart this month and give Dr. Stutts a call. He is welcoming new patients in Blackfoot at the Medical Plaza Office Building. You can schedule an appointment by calling 785-3897.