Work and play safely in the summer heat

It’s the season for picnics and swimming, summer construction projects and field work. But as you’re out playing or working hard in the sun, protect yourself and your family from heat-related illness and sunburn.

Heat is responsible for more weather-related deaths than any other weather event including tornadoes, lightening, wind, cold, winter storms, flooding or hurricanes. Heat-related deaths have averaged 117 per year over the past 10 years, according to the National Weather Service. The best medicine for heat-related illnesses is prevention. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe.

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein which increase metabolic heat.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by your physician.
• Slow down. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, usually the early morning hours.
• Stay indoors when possible. If your home is not air conditioned, spend time in public facilities such as movie theaters, libraries, and shopping malls. While electric fans provide some relief on mildly hot days, they won’t help prevent heat-related illness when the temperature rises above the mid-90s.
• Take regular breaks: Take time out to find a cool place.
• Never leave your child, pet, or anyone in a closed car on a hot day.

Never underestimate the effect of heat on your body, or think that you’re used to it. Anyone can be vulnerable to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Dr. Jason Koelewyn, family practice physician with the Sioux Center Medical Clinic.

Colorectal cancer is preventable and treatable

It’s the cancer no one likes to talk about, yet colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers – and most treatable, if detected early.

As the third most common cancer in both men and women, an estimated 147,000 new cases were diagnosed in 2009. After lung cancer, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths, with an estimated 50,000 deaths annually. (more…)

Encourage healthy habits early to prevent childhood obesity

First, the bad news: Childhood obesity is a growing health threat for today’s kids. The good news? Parents have more influence than anyone in preventing or addressing this problem.

Over the past 25 years, incidence of childhood obesity among children ages 6 to 19 has grown from around 5% to 17%, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even among preschoolers, obesity has increased from 5% to around 12%.

Dr. M. Yvonne Rayborn, family practitioner with Sioux Center Medical Clinic said several factors are to blame, including bigger portions of high-fat, high-sugar foods coupled with less outdoor play and more time in front of the TV or computer screen. (more…)

Combat Dry Skin this Winter

As a family practice physician at the Sioux Center Medical Clinic, I see patients who have dry, cracked skin. This is especially common in the winter.

Using lotions may not be the answer to healing your dry skin. Many lotions are made with too much water – even those lotions that claim to be for very dry skin. If it has a pump, it’s a good clue that it is too light and too watery.

I recommend that you try creams or ointments instead. They are located in the same aisles as the lotions so you’ll be able to find them easily. They may cost a bit more than lotions, but they go farther because you won’t need to reapply as often as with lotion.

Ointments are greasier, so using them at night time is better, and save the creams for the daytime.

Dr. LoriAnne Andersen

Medical Clinics Provide Literacy Program

When you think of a medical clinic, most people think of that place as somewhere you go to help with physical health. And it is. We are here to help heal our patients injuries, and to help educate people on how to stay physically healthy.

But not everyone would think that a medical clinic would concern itself with mental and cognitive development as well. Our physicians believe that they have a responsibility to promote and help develop mental and cognitive functions especially in our children.

This is why we partner with Reach Out and Read Program. This is a national program that is designed to help build healthy young minds and foster an excitement about books and reading. We partnered with this program because it was designed by physicians and early childhood educators.

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