May 30, 2018
You're home alone on a Friday night when all of a sudden you feel dizzy. Before you know it, you’re on the floor unable to get up. You know you need help but your family isn’t close by, and your spouse is out of town for a weekend business trip. Who do you call? Each year, the emergency department at Augusta Health treats more than 60,000 people. Not all of these patients made it to the hospital on their own or were transported by people they know. When there is no other way to get to the hospital safely, or there’s a dire emergency, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responders step in to help... Continue Reading
May 28, 2018
What does a crushed leg sustained in a car accident, a severe burn from scalding water, and a concussion from playing football have in common? They are all considered traumas. However, trauma includes a complex layering of both physical and psychological ramifications. Health care professionals deal with trauma in a variety of capacities from life-saving medical interventions to long-term emotional care. It’s estimated that at least 70% of people will experience a traumatic injury or event in their lifetime. In recent years, developing new treatment programs and revising old ones to meet... Continue Reading
May 25, 2018
What is a career that requires you to walk an average of four miles a day, has over 100 different specialties to choose from and is consistently named one of the most trusting jobs? Nursing! Nurses are essential not only to patients but to the doctor's they support. While there are many different career paths for nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) provides a solid foundation for other roles or specialties. So, what does it take to become a registered nurse, and what do they do that makes the career so valuable? What is an RN? An RN, or registered nurse, is someone who has graduated... Continue Reading
May 23, 2018
Every year, nearly 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke. In other words, a stroke happens every 40 seconds. Unfortunately, a stroke also claims a life every four minutes. With statistics like these, strokes are now the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., as well as the leading cause of adult disability. However, up to 50 percent of strokes are preventable. Do you know the best actions for surviving a stroke? What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. The brain cells die because they become deprived of the oxygen and glucose... Continue Reading
May 21, 2018
As you age, your body experiences changes that can also affect your lifestyle. Aging also comes with its own set of rewards – retirement, self-confidence, and welcoming grandchildren. Despite some of the challenges of aging, there are simple steps you can take to make sure you thrive in your golden years. Baby boomers become seniors Following World War II the American population experienced an upswing, and a generation named “Baby Boomers” to describe the phenomenon. When taking Baby Boomers into account, there are now 46 million older Americans that make up the population. By 2060 that... Continue Reading
May 16, 2018
Think for a moment about your morning routine. How quickly does your mind go to the list of things you want to accomplish in the day? How fast do you grab your phone to check email, social media, or the news? Do your household look more like a hurricane of activity or a relaxed day at the beach? If you're like many people, your life can feel more like a frenzied sprint to get things done rather than a steady step-by-step stroll. This state of being constantly pulled in a million directions, and the stress it causes has prompted a not-so-new concept to reemerge and go mainstream. It's called... Continue Reading
May 11, 2018
Faith Community Nurses Reach Out to Provide Compassionate and Professional Care Throughout Augusta County Sometimes innovation comes in the form of human connection. Augusta County is the size of the state of Rhode Island, and its small communities stretch its width and breadth. Augusta Health's Community Health Needs Assessment indicated that the health concerns among the communities were similar, but fluctuated. So how could Augusta Health reach out to these widespread communities, connect with them, and meet their health needs? The answer turned out not to be a high tech social media app... Continue Reading
May 9, 2018
The thought of a tick burrowing into your skin and sucking your blood is enough to give anyone a case of the creepy crawlies. These pests are more than just a minor nuisance. The blacklegged tick, sometimes called a deer tick, carries bacteria that can infect humans with Lyme disease. Each year, approximately 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease. Ninety-five percent of Lyme disease cases come from: Virginia Vermont Wisconsin Rhode Island Pennsylvania New York New Jersey New Hampshire Minnesota Massachusetts Maryland Maine Delaware Connecticut Diagnosing Lyme disease can be... Continue Reading
May 7, 2018
Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, is often a silent killer. The disorder can quietly damage your body for years before symptoms develop. Left uncontrolled, high blood pressure may cause disabilities, a poor quality of life, or even be fatal. Hypertension may also be called the silent killer since nearly half of people that go untreated die of heart disease and another third die of stroke. Understanding this important health indicator is essential for good health. Understanding Blood Pressure Blood pressure is defined as the pressure of the blood pushing against the walls... Continue Reading
May 2, 2018
Mental Health of America is focused on helping Americans live physically and mentally healthy lives. Considering May is Mental Health Month, they have released special tools, materials, and fact sheets about mental health. There are many components to mental health, many of which are tied to physical health as well. All parts of a healthy lifestyle improve the health of the whole person. Below is an outline of Mental Health America's focus points for achieving a fit mind and body as well as some information about them. Have a healthy diet. Individuals who have diets rich in fruits, vegetables... Continue Reading
