Central Ozarks Medical Center: June 2017

Friday, June 30, 2017

The Facts Behind Pregnancy Superstitions

There are many pregnancy superstitions out there. Central Ozarks Medical Center believes that knowledge and preparation are KEY to a healthy pregnancy. Our OB providers know that every birth is special and they are very privileged to have the chance to guide expectant mother throughout their pregnancies. Our health clinics in Mid Missouri are going to show you the facts behind some of them today in our blog.

The fullness of a pregnant woman's face can determine a baby's gender.

Yes, every expectant mother gains weight during pregnancy, but every pregnancy is different. Some people may tell you your face is round, so you're having a girl. They may be correct, but it's just as likely they're incorrect.

Having a baby boy could mean a long, difficult labor.

According to CNN, researchers aren't quite sure why this is true, but in 2003, a team of doctors looked at more than 8000 births at a single hospital in Ireland between 1997 & 2000, excluding women who delivered prematurely or needed to induce labor. When they ran the numbers, labor for boys lasted a little over 6 hours, while girls took a little under 6 hours.

Stay away from bananas, if you want to have a girl.

CNN shows, in 2008 a study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society Basked 740 women who were pregnant for the first time to describe their diets leading up to conception. The women in the top third of the study, calorie wise, had boys 56% of the time, among the third that consumed the fewest calories, 55% had girls.

Heartburn could mean a hairy baby.

CNN also shows that in the second trimester of pregnancy, babies develop a coat of fine hair all over their bodies, called lanugo. Sometime, in the third trimester, they shed it and eat it. A baby's first feces, in fact can be digested remains of their own body hair.

Your baby's sex can be determined by the shape and height of your belly.

People have been known to say, if an expecting mother is carrying high, than the baby will be a girl, if they are carrying low than it will be a boy. This is not true. The shape and height of your stomach is justified by your:

muscle tone
uterine tone
weight gained
position baby is in

The best way to tell the gender of your baby is to talk to your doctor about an ultrasound. Don't rely on superstition.

Our mid-Missouri obstetrics providers and their staff of nurses will work to keep you informed and answer all of your questions from pregnancy confirmation to your post-partum check-up. All of our locations serve everyone from newborns to the elderly. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

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For Appointments Call
573.765.5141 -- Richland
573.302.7490 -- Osage Beach
573.346.4446 -- Camdenton
573.317.9200 -- Stone Castle
573.765.2510 -- Dental

Serving Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties

Friday, June 23, 2017

7 Ways Walking Is Good For Your Health

The science is undeniable - taking brief walks every day (even for only 30 minutes or so) offers numerous health advantages. In order to help you maintain a healthier lifestyle, Central Ozarks Medical Center has comprised a quick-hitter list of some of the important ways walking is good for your health. Pull out your favorite pair of walking shoes and head outside... you won't want to miss out on any of these amazing benefits!

1. Increase Energy
You might be surprised to learn that walking is an excellent way to boost your energy levels naturally. Every cell in your body benefits from the increased circulation and oxygen supply generated by going on a brisk walk. Though it may sound counter-intuitive, try to get outside and get moving the next time you're feeling drowsy.

2. Ward Off Dementia
Dementia affects thousands of aging adults in the United States. Characterized by increasing forgetfulness and loss of long-term memory, dementia can be a heartbreaking disease. Some studies have shown that seniors who walk a few miles per week are less likely to lose their memory as the years pass. It's never too soon to start!

3. Improve Mental Health
Exercise is a powerful natural mood-booster. The endorphins released during exercise can help overcome feelings of stress and anxiety. In some situations, they can be just as effective as antidepressants. The next time you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a break and go for a brisk walk outside.

4. Tone Muscles
By giving them regular exercise, walking is a great way to tone the muscles in your calves, thighs, and rear. If you focus on maintaining a straight posture while you walk, you'll also help tone your waist and abdominal muscles. Incorporating hills into your route will help you tone your muscles even more. (As an added bonus, keeping your legs toned will help prevent the appearance of varicose veins.)

5. Lose Weight
Walking is an excellent way to burn additional calories throughout the day, which helps boost your metabolism and makes it easier to lose weight. If you've been looking for an easy, low-impact way to up your activity level and potentially shed a few extra pounds, walking could be the perfect solution.

6. Strengthens The Heart
Getting regular cardio exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy heart. Cardio exercise - such as walking - helps reduce high blood pressure (which lowers the risk of a stroke). It also helps increase levels of good cholesterol and decrease levels of bad cholesterol.

7. Prevent Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes often occurs in adults who are overweight or obese. By helping you to maintain an active metabolism and a healthy weight, walking can be an excellent way to prevent (or reduce the symptoms of) type 2 diabetes.

Consider COMC Your Local Healthcare Resource!
Here at Central Ozarks Medical Center, we make it our mission to help our patients be the healthiest versions of themselves. From prenatal care to senior care, we are proud to offer medical, dental, and behavioral care to patients of all ages. If you would like more information about our healthcare services in central Missouri, check us out online at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Meet Our Behavioral Health Providers!

Maintaining strong physical health isn't always as simple as taking blood pressure and completing labs. In order to be truly healthy, you must consider the close relationship between your physical, mental, and emotional state.

At Central Ozarks Medical Center, we recognize the close relationship between physical health, emotional health, and behavioral health. We realize that in order to achieve a lasting positive outcome, all these aspects must be treated (sometimes simultaneously). We are proud to have experienced Lake of the Ozarks behavioral health specialists on staff expressly for this purpose. Today's blog is designed to help you get to know these talented providers a little bit better.

Behavioral Health Providers at COMC

Michael Stone, PsyD

Dr. Stone received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Southwest Missouri State University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Psychology from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri. He completed an internship at Wasatch Mental Health in Provo, Utah, and he completed his postdoctoral residency at Dakota Counseling Institute in Mitchell, South Dakota. He remained at this community mental health center for about 10 years. While there, he served as the Chief Psychologist and Director of Training, and was very involved with the training of graduate students, interns, and postdoctoral residents pursuing doctoral degrees in Psychology. He is a past president of the South Dakota Psychological Association, and a member of the Missouri Psychological Association and Psi Chi National Honor Society for Psychologists.

Prior to joining Central Ozarks Medical Center, Dr. Stone operated a private psychological practice in the Osage Beach and Jefferson City areas. His specialty areas of practice are psychotherapy with adults and older adult populations, as well as psychological testing and assessments.

Dr. Stone resides on a small acreage near Iberia, Missouri. He and his wife, Jennifer enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and traveling. In addition, Dr. Stone is an avid collector of music, musician, and recording engineer. He also enjoys cooking for family and friends.

Elizabeth Ewers Teel, Ph.D.

Dr. Teel received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from William Woods College, in Fulton, MO, her Masters and Doctoral Degrees from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. She completed an internship, post-doctoral fellowship, and residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR. Her areas of training were in Neuropsychological Assessment, Autism Spectrum Disorders Assessment, and Educational Assessment. While there, she also gained valuable skills in in Parent Child Interaction Training (PCIT). Her residency concentrated on working with the Adolescent Gynecology Clinic, High Risk Newborn Clinic, and Oncology Clinic, in collaboration with various medical professionals.

Prior to joining Central Ozarks Medical Center, Dr. Teel worked for the State Department of Mental Health, Comprehensive Psychological Services Division for 18 years. She spent her last 6 as the Chief of Children’s Community Operations for the Central Region (31 Counties). She left this position to join Pathways Behavioral Health Care for the past 5 years as a Clinical Psychologist in their Jefferson City and Waynesville Offices.

Dr. Teel resides with her husband in Dixon, MO. She enjoys participating in all aspects of her and her husband’s operation: Three T Quarter Horses. She and her husband breed cow and reining horses. They also train and show them with the American Ranch Horse Association.

Danette Harrington, LCSW

Danette received her Bachelor's degrees in pre-medicine and psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University and the University of Louisiana. She attended Concordia University for graduate training in School-Based and Christian Counseling and received her Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska in Clinical Social Work, majoring in individual and small group counseling.

Prior to joining Central Ozarks Medical Center, Danette practiced in an outpatient mental health clinic. She also worked as a medical clinical social worker with hospice, home healthcare, ER, nursing home, and dialysis patients.

Danette started her career as a school social worker serving special education students. In her spare time, she started a therapeutic horseback riding program.

Danette utilizes a service dog, Dollie, in her practice for those patients who desire to interact with pet therapy. She occasionally spends time away from work on mission trips, including four in Afghanistan.

Trust COMC With Your Behavioral Health Needs

Our job at Central Ozarks Medical Center is to provide you with the tools and resources you need to achieve (and maintain) optimum health and wellness. Tending to your behavioral and emotional health is an important part of the process. We are proud to offer a variety of tools and programs designed to assist with these efforts, including assessments, private consultations, and family counseling.

Visit our website to learn more about our behavioral health services in Mid-Missouri.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

6 Myths About Health You Probably Believe

Health is an interesting thing. We tend to take it for granted and not think much of it until if/when something happens and we lose it. Once it's gone, we do everything in our power to get it back as quickly as possible. Ironically, maintaining good health is often much easier than regaining health once it has been lost.

As the best health clinics in central Missouri, we at Central Ozarks Medical Center have made it our mission to help improve the health of patients all over the Mid-Missouri region. This week, we are taking the opportunity to bust some common myths about health so that you may break past the misinformation to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

Myth #1: Being Outside In The Cold Can Make You Sick.
Despite the prevalence of this myth, the truth is that being exposed to cold air cannot, by itself, make you sick. In fact, you may be more likely to get sick if you stay indoors, where germs are more easily passed. The only caveat is that if you are already slightly under the weather, cold air may compromise an already struggling immune system, thus worsening your symptoms.

Myth #2: Everyone Should Take A Multivitamin.
Multivitamins have long been heralded for their health benefits. Packed with lots of different vitamins, a multivitamin can your body get the vitamins and minerals it needs to be healthy. While it's true that some people can benefit greatly from a multivitamin, not everyone needs one. If you're eating a well-rounded diet of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and healthy oils, you should be getting all the nutrients you need already.

Myth #3: Toilets Are The Dirtiest Parts Of Public Bathrooms.
If you're worried about germs, you probably hate the idea of using a public toilet. Most people who are worried about germs will use a toilet seat cover to shield them from the germs that may be on the seat. While there may be some germs on the toilet, the truth is that the toilet is often the cleanest part of the bathroom. The floors, door handles, and bathroom/stall doors (areas that are not cleaned as frequently) are the real places you need to watch out for.

Myth #4: Cracking Knuckles Leads To Arthritis.
If you crack your knuckles or pop other joints regularly, you've probably heard people caution you that the habit can lead to arthritis. However, no studies have been able to prove this correlation. The popping sound actually forms from a harmless gas bubble that "pops" between your bones.

Myth #5: Alcohol Warms Your Body
This is a widely held belief, but physically and anatomically speaking, it isn't true. Drinking alcohol can cause your blood vessels to dilate, which increases blood flow near the skin. This can cause you to feel warmer, but the reality is that it can actually cause you to lose body heat faster.

Myth #6: You Must Drink Eight 8 oz Glasses Of Water Daily To Stay Hydrated
Experts generally recommend that you drink 64 ounces (or eight 8 oz glasses) of water per day in order to stay hydrated. While this is a helpful guideline, not everybody needs to drink this much water in order to stay hydrated. Conversely, some people need to drink more water in order to maintain healthy hydration. The best rule of thumb is to watch your body's signals. Dark (as opposed to very light or clear) urine, for example, is often a sign that the body is dehydrated.

FACT: Central Ozarks Medical Center Is Your Local Healthcare Resource!
With multiple locations in Camdenton, Osage Beach, and Richland, COMC is your convenient local resource for all your healthcare needs. We have physicians on staff who collectively specialize in a broad range of services, from prenatal to senior care and everything in between. To learn more about our health clinics in Mid-Missouri, visit us online at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare