Central Ozarks Medical Center: September 2017

Friday, September 29, 2017

How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Your Life?

Do you have or know someone who has sleep apnea? It's fairly common and can actually impact your life and cause change, but the good news is that you CAN live with it. Our mid-Missouri health clinics want you to know the symptoms that tell you, you might have sleep apnea, what sleep apnea is, and how to treat it.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

It can be very difficult to identify symptoms of sleep apnea since you are asleep, but you can have a sleeping partner help you or have your sleep recorded by a professional. These are some of the symptoms that could indicate you might have sleep apnea:

Waking up in the night feeling short of breath
Pauses in breath
Loud and chronic snoring almost every night
Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
Being sleepy and feeling fatigued during the day, no matter how much time you spend in bed

Sleep Apnea Defined

Sleep apnea is a common, but serious sleep disorder that occurs when you're breathing is briefly interrupted when you are asleep. There are 3 types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - This is the most common type of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxes during sleep, blocking the airway, often causing you to snore loudly.

Central Sleep Apnea - This is a much less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system. This occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. People who have central sleep apnea seldom snore.

Complex Sleep Apnea - This is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

How Sleep Apnea is Treated

Treatment for sleep apnea has come a long way, so if in the past you were unhappy with treatment, you may be impressed now. Some of the treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea include:

CPAP
Other breathing devices
Dental devices
Implants
Surgery

Only seek these options if they are prescribed to you by a doctor. For other treatment options, consult a doctor.

In Need of Affordable Quality Healthcare?

Central Ozark Medical Center has a goal of keeping the lack of health insurance from being a roadblock to getting quality healthcare. Our mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the healthcare status of underserved and vulnerable populations in Camden, Laclede, Miller and Pulaski Counties. Our belief is that it is not just what we do here at Central Ozarks Medical Center, but how we do it that makes all the difference. Central Ozarks Medical Center provides a broad set of services based on the needs of the communities we serve. We pride ourselves on offering quality healthcare that works best for your financial situation. If you are uninsured and would like to look at insurance options we have Assisters to help you navigate the process.

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, September 22, 2017

Quality Obstetrics Services at the Lake of the Ozarks

According to Baby Center, slightly fewer than 4 million babies are born in the United States each year. That is A LOT of new life brought into this world and due to large numbers, such as these, we need all of the quality obstetrics providers we can get. In this blog, Central Ozarks Medical Center would like to highlight our obstetrics services and providers.

OB Services at the Lake of the Ozarks

Our OB services here at Central Ozark Medical Center include:

• A knowledge, friendly staff
• Reliable experts in their fields
• Safe, clean environment

Knowledge and preparation are key to enjoying pregnancy. The ultimate goal of our OB providers is for your continued good health and the delivery of a healthy newborn. Our providers as well as their amazing staff of nurses will work to keep you informed and answer all of your questions from pregnancy confirmation to your postpartum check-up.

OB Providers at the Lake of the Ozarks

Our OB GYN providers include:

Sarah M. Buchanan, MD

Sarah M. Buchanan, MD, is a graduate of University of Missouri-Kansas City Combined Medical Program. She completed her residency in Family Practice Medicine in 2004 from Seneca Lakes Family Practice (Seneca, South Carolina) and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Buchanan has volunteered with Volunteers in Medical Missions to Peru and with Global Volunteers to Ecuador providing health check-ups to villagers and street children as well as well-woman and well-child exams respectively.

Dr. Buchanan has been practicing since 2005, and has been with Central Ozarks Medical Center for 4 years.

Dr. Buchanan is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Buchanan provides general obstetrics and gynecology services including high risk pregnancies, menopause, adolescent care, and pelvic surgery. She takes a special interest in bioidentical hormone therapy, alternative medicine, and acupuncture in addition to her specialty in women’s health.

Robert Nielsen, DO

Robert C. Nielsen, DO, is a graduate of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO. He completed his internship at Des Moines General Hospital and residency at North Oakland Medical Center (Pontiac, MI). Dr. Nielsen served in the United States Army from 1978-1982, the Iowa National Guard from 1982-1989, and in the Michigan National Guard from 1989-1995 where he served in Operation Desert Storm as a Major in the Medical Corps.

Dr. Nielsen has been practicing Medicine for 27 years and has been with Central Ozarks Medical Center since 2011.

Dr. Nielsen is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In Need of an OB GYN You Can Trust?

Call on of our mid-MO health clinics listed below to make an appointment. We look forward to meeting you soon.

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

Friday, September 15, 2017

How Do Flu Shots Work?

Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and even spread it to loved ones and others. Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to being hospitalized and sometimes, even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu-related hospitalizations since 2010 have ranged from 140,000 to 710,000, while flu-related deaths are estimated to have ranged from 12,000 to 56,000. Flu viruses spread at higher levels in the U.S. during flu season. Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. In this blog, our mid-Missouri health clinics will give you information on how flu vaccines work, who should get vaccinated, and when you should get vaccinated.

How Flu Vaccines Work

When you get a flu vaccine, it causes the antibodies in the body to develop in the body, about 2 weeks after the vaccination. The antibodies provide protection against infection, with the viruses that are in the vaccine. Traditional flu vaccines are designed to protect against 3 flu viruses; influenza (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

Anyone who is 6 months of age or older should get a flu vaccine every season. Getting a flu shot to prevent the flu is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.

When Should You Get Vaccinated

You need to get vaccinated before the flu begins spreading in your community. It takes about 2 weeks for the antibodies to develop in the body to protect against the flu. Make plans to get vaccinated early in the fall, before flu season begins. However, children who need 2 doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, rather than later. The 2 doses must be given at least 4 weeks apart.

Available Flu Shots at Central Ozark Medical Center

We will be hosting 3 different flu fairs in October. All are free. Check out the flu fair schedule below.

Upcoming Flu Fairs

COMC Richland: October 6th
Medical Center Main Entrance
304 W. Washington, Richland, MO
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

COMC Camdenton: October 13th
Main Entrance
948 E US Hwy 54, Camdenton
8:00 AM—12:00 PM & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

COMC Osage Beach: October 13th
Main Entrance
3870 Columbia Ave, Osage Beach

8:00 AM—12:00 PM & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

No appointments necessary
Short intake form can be completed on day of fair
Free
First Come/First Served

For medical center locations, maps, and directions, visit our website today.

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

Friday, September 8, 2017

It's National Self Improvement Month!

September is National Self Improvement Month! One way to improve your self is to improve your health. Improve your health by changing what you eat. Change your bad eating habits. A healthier lifestyle can in return make you feel happier. Combine your healthy eating with a regular work out. In honor of this month, our Mid-Missouri health clinics would like to give you 3 key tips for improving your health.

Tips for Improving Your Health

1. Get Your Sleep

Are you having trouble sleeping? Lack of sleep can affect your health and even lead to weight gain. Everyone should get around 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

2. Reduce the fat

The effect that fat has on your arteries is pretty well known. Try to cut your fat intake by changing your cooking methods. Try one of the following methods:

Grilling
Baking
Steaming
Poaching

When trying to cut back on fat, these methods will prove to be better than frying.

3. Cut Back on Your Salt Intake

Reducing your salt intake can reduce the impact salt has on your blood pressure. Try substituting herbs and spices, such as oregano, nutmeg, and paprika instead of salt, to season your food.

BONUS TIP:

Build Stronger Bones By Eating Better

It's essential to have strong bones and muscles when including exercise into your healthy routine. Eat more food with calcium and vitamin D, such as:

egg yolks
broccoli
oily fish

You can get vitamin D from sunlight.

Leading the Way to Healthier Communities

Our mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the health care status of underserved and vulnerable populations in Camden, Laclede, Miller and Pulaski counties. Our belief is that it is not just what we do here at Central Ozark Medical Center, but how we do it that makes all the difference. Take a look at some of the kind words from some of our patients.

Kind Words From Patients

I have seen all 4 doctors in the Richland office during my pregnancy and would recommend ALL of them to anyone looking for a doctor. As a plus sized woman, I am always nervous about how I will be treated by doctors because of some very negative experiences I've had with other places in the past. However, the doctors in this office have been nothing but respectful, knowledgeable and helpful to me.

I have been treated very well by doctors, nurses and all the staff here. I like having a Lab in the facility so there is no need to make another appointment elsewhere.

If You Are Need of Quality Health Care, Make an Appointment Today!

We have health clinics all throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area. Feel free to call one of our clinics and one of our friendly staff members will get your appointment scheduled promptly.

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

Friday, September 1, 2017

It's Baby Safety Month!

At Central Ozark Medical Center, we believe from the first heart beat, you want to give your children the best of everything, including the best home environment. Baby proofing in the modern world is very different than it used to be. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, our health clinics in Mid-Missouri would like to give you 5 tips on how to baby proof your home today.

Baby Proofing Your Home Today

1. Cover Your Outlets

Over time, people have used the plugs to protect their children from the electrical outlets in their homes. Now, outlet covers that include sliding doors are available. Compared to the plugs, they can be much more user-friendly and not as rough to operate. The plugs have been known to be difficult to take out of the outlet, with a sliding door, you no longer have that issue.

2. Secure Your Furniture

There can be many pieces of heavy furniture in homes. Secure them. These pieces of furniture can include desks, chairs, tables, shelves, and other pieces of furniture that can be fun to climb on, but if the furniture is not secured with restraints or brackets, they could fall over.

3. Keep the Video Monitor Out of Reach

Video baby monitors can be all the rage now. People are moving away from the audio only monitors to the video monitors. Just remember that some of these video monitors come with cords, which can pose a threat to your child. You can just keep these far out of their reach, away from the crib. You can also just purchase a wireless video monitor and not have to worry about the cords.

4. Secure Every TV

Last but not least, secure your TVs. Many people have flat screen TVs in their homes these days and they can be put on any available surface throughout the home. Children can easily climb up and knock them over. You can secure your TVs with brackets to help keep them from falling over.

5. Keep Phone Chargers and Laptop Cords Out of Reach

Cords pose a serious danger to your children. Most of us seem to plug in our phones every night to charge. Cords are just used so much in today's technology age. Try hiding them behind furniture where wandering childrens hands can't find them.

Pediatric Health Care at the Lake of the Ozarks

Child-focused health care and parent education is the practice of providers at Central Ozarks Medical Center from birth to 18 years of age. Our comprehensive services include well-child exams, diagnostic tests, follow-up of chronic problems, sports screenings, as well as evaluation and management of growth and health maintenance. If you are in need of an experienced doctor for your baby, feel free to reach out to one of our clinics at one of phone numbers listed below.

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