Monthly Health Articles Archive

When health risks snowball into a chronic health problem

This winter has been ideal for making snowballs.   It’s always fun to see how fast one small handful of white stuff can turn into a giant, immovable mound of snow.  Many serious health problems start out the same way.  A small problem emerges or an unhealthy habit begins.  As time passes, behaviors can begin to snowball, medical conditions can go untreated and a small health issue has suddenly developed into a serious problem. 

Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.  These diseases tend to be both common and costly, but they are also the most preventable.  What can you do if you suspect you may be on the path to a chronic health disease? 

First, take some time to learn about your health and family health history.  What is your height, weight and BMI (body mass index)?  Get your cholesterol and glucose checked and find out whether your numbers are in the normal range.  Does your family have a history of heart attacks, cancer or other medical conditions?  By answering some of these questions, you can determine what areas you may need to monitor.  Keep in mind that some health risks change with age.  Regular checkups are one way to stay in tune with your current health status, and wellness screenings are another good option.  The Kossuth Regional Health Center walk in wellness lab offers several wellness screenings at a reasonable cost and without a doctor’s order.  At the KRHC health fair on February 21, KRHC is giving away 20 free wellness screenings from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on a first come, first serve basis.  Now is a great time to start finding out more about your health.

Second, try adopting some healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, increasing your physical activity and avoiding tobacco use.  Assess your diet to see if you are getting the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day.  Take time to squeeze at least 30 minutes of exercise into your day.  Walk the dog, work outside, join an exercise class or try a new sport.  If you are currently using tobacco, consider cutting down or quitting either on your own or with the help of KRHC’s cessation program.  For more information on the quit program available at KRHC, contact Jo Lighter at 515-295-4430.

Lastly, assess what kind of support you need to make these changes stick.  Some people like to kickoff a new healthy habit with a friend, such as going for a walk together before meeting for coffee or getting together to make and freeze a week’s worth of healthy meals.  Organizations like Weight Watchers or TOPS also provide support and KRHC can provide support and education on many different areas regarding your health.

At our upcoming health fair, we will address several of these issues in four different information sessions beginning at 9 a.m. Please join us to learn more about lifestyle choices and chronic disease, preparing economical and healthy meals, making an effective exercise plan and how to jumpstart healthy changes in your life.   Everyone is welcome to attend this free health event on Saturday, February 21 in the hospital lobby.  For more information about the health fair or how Kossuth Regional Health Center can help you learn more about your health, please contact us at 515-295-2451.

-Jeff Doolittle, M.D. is a family physician at Kossuth Regional Health Center