Friday, January 26, 2018

It's National Sugar Awareness Week

The third work week of January (1/22-26) of 2018 is known as Sugar Awareness Week. In honor of this week, our health clinics in Osage Beach would like to point out approximately how much sugar is in some of the most popular foods we may eat today and what you can do to combat the damage sugar has done to your teeth.


Approximate Sugar Levels in Some of the Most Popular Foods


Source: USDA (unless otherwise stated)

Food Choice # 1
Ice Cream
One serving of vanilla ice cream (½ cup) holds approximately 14 grams of sugar. While ice cream can be a good source of dairy, you should be aware of how much sugar is in each serving before you eat it, if you are hoping to eat less sugar.


Food Choice # 2
Cereal
For example, Kellogg's Raisin Bran Crunch has 19 grams of sugar per cup.
If you are looking for less sugary breakfast items, be sure to pay attention to the nutrition labels on your cereal.


Food Choice # 3
Doughnuts
There are approximately 11 grams of sugar in a medium doughnut with chocolate. Doughnuts can be very tasty and can be a nice treat every once in a while, but if you eat one for breakfast every morning, you will be consuming a ton of sugar, which can hold you back from accomplishing your weight loss goal in 2018.


Food Choice # 4
Chocolate Chip Cookies
According to http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/nestle-toll-house-home-made-chocolate-chip-cookies-34145921, Nestle Toll House has 10 grams of sugar per 1 rounded tablespoon of dough. Pay attention to your portions when consuming chocolate chip cookies, it can be very easy to binge eat a batch. If you're looking to watch your sugar intake in 2018, just be mindful of your portion control.


Food Choice # 5
Biscuits
There are approximately .3 grams of sugar per 1 small biscuit.
If you LOVE biscuits but want to eat less sugar, you can try searching the web for sugar-free recipes or substituting a non-calorie sweetener for the sugar.


Take Care of Your Teeth


Tooth decay can be caused in part by the sugar we eat. Be sure to floss daily and brush your teeth at least twice a day. You should also set up a visit the dentist at least once every 6 months for regular checkups.


"Beauty is power; a smile is its sword." - John Ray


Eat Healthy & Stay Healthy With Central Ozarks Medical Center


If you are having issues with sugary foods eating away at your beautiful teeth, call our dental office in Richland. We have a friendly staff and we are dedicated to helping you have the brightest smile you can have. Our dental office is located at 304 W. Washington Ave. in Richland. For your next dental appointment, you can call us at 573.765.2510. Our mission is to lead the way to healthier communities.


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, January 19, 2018

Winter Weather Safety Tips for Your Kids

While winter can be a fun time of year for your kids, between the snow days, making snowman, snow angels, and all of the other fun snow activities, safety in the cold - should still be a priority. Are your kids dressed warmly enough? Are they using caution while sledding and playing outside? Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you some tips to help keep your children safe during these colder winter months.


Winter Weather Safety Tips for Your Kids


Safety Tip # 1
Dress them in layers.
Dress your children in warm layers to where they won't get cold right away when walking outside. They say to dress your children in 1 more layer then you would yourself, as an adult. Keep an eye on the wind chill too. Keep as much skin as possible covered to help prevent frostbite. This can include dressing your kids in:

  • mittens
  • waterproof boots
  • ear muffs
  • cotas
  • sweaters
  • ski masks
  • coveralls
  • and so much more!


Safety Tip # 2
Make sure they have all the safety equipment they need while ice-skating.
Ice skating can be a very popular activity do participate in during the winter, so don't be afraid to let your kids join in. Here are some things you can do to help make for a safer ice skating experience for your children:

  • Be sure their ice skates are tight enough to where they won't rub on their ankles
  • Consider having them wear a helmet
  • Make sure they understand all of the rules of the ice skating rink
  • Supervise your children while ice skating


Safety Tip # 3
Be sure your kids are supervised while playing outside in the snow.
Prevent your kids from wandering out on to the road or from "rough housing" by keeping a close eye on them while playing in the snow. Suggest a fun activity for you all to do together, such as making a snowman or  snow angels.



Safety Tip # 4
Make sure your children are taking frequent breaks inside from the snow.
Kids can get so excited that they forget to come inside and warm up, so remind them. You don't want them to catch a cold.


Stay Safe this Winter With Central Ozarks Medical Center


We are committed to leading the way to healthier communities. All of our locations are community practices and we serve everyone from newborns to the elderly. We accept patients with and without insurance and offer a sliding fee scale based on income and family. To learn more about the health care services we provide or our sliding fee scale, visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org or call one of our locations listed below.


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

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn

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, January 12, 2018

Flu Facts for You

It’s that time of year and flu season is in session. Having the flu is no fun, but there are certain things you should know. If you feel like you may have the flu, set up an appointment with one of our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks and let our friendly staff members help you through it. Here are some flu facts for you.


Flu Facts for You


Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm

We found a great article on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website that explains some key facts you should know about the flu.

How do I know if I have the flu?

You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:


  • fever*
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • body aches
  • headache
  • chills
  • fatigue
  • sometimes diarrhea and vomiting


*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

What should I do if I get sick?

Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.

If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are in a high risk group, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider (doctor, physician assistant, etc.).

Certain people are at high risk of serious flu-related complications (including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions). This is true both for seasonal flu and novel flu virus infections. (For a full list of people at high risk of flu-related complications, see People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications). If you are in a high risk group and develop flu symptoms, it’s best for you to contact your doctor early in your illness. Remind them about your high risk status for flu. CDC recommends that people at high risk for complications should get antiviral treatment as early as possible, because benefit is greatest if treatment is started within 2 days after illness onset.

Do I need to go the emergency room if I am only a little sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill.

If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.



What are the emergency warning signs of flu sickness?

In children


  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash


In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:


  • Being unable to eat
  • Has trouble breathing
  • Has no tears when crying
  • Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal


In adults


  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough


Think You May Have the Flu? Central Ozarks Medical Center is Here for You!


Our health care professionals in Camden County are here for your health care needs. Call one of our locations listed below to make your appointment today.


Central Ozarks Medical Center

Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn

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, January 5, 2018

5 Tips to Quit Smoking

2018 is here! The New Year can motivate you to better yourself. One way you can do that is to quit smoking. If this is what you have decided to do, congratulations on making such a great decision! Quitting smoking may be difficult and stressful at times, but there are some tips you can try that may make the process a little easier on yourself. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few tips to hopefully help you quit smoking.


5 Tips to Quit Smoking


Tip # 1
It’s a New Year, get a new hobby.
Finding a new hobby can help keep you busy and distract yourself from wanting to smoke. For example, perhaps try: 

Going to the movies
Reading a new book
Go for a walk 
Start doing yoga

The point is to just keep yourself busy. You can also keep your mouth busy by chewing gum. This may make you less likely to smoke.

Tip # 2
Name your reason for quitting smoking and make it strong. 
You probably have a good reason for quitting smoking, whether it be for family, a new baby, or friends; stick by your reasons. Remember it so much that you aren’t motivated to try and start smoking again.

Tip # 3
Stay away from anything that can trigger you to smoke.
Throw away all old cigarettes and try to avoid areas where you know there will be a ton of people smoking. If you are serious about quitting smoking, you probably aren’t going to want that temptation in your life.

Tip # 4
Start exercising more.
Exercising can also help keep your mind off smoking. Get a steady exercise routine going. Stick with it and this can motivate you even more not to start smoking again because you probably aren’t going to want to lose all the progress you’ve made on improving your body.




Tip # 5
Start eating your favorite healthy snack more.
Whether you love carrots, celery, apples, bananas, or broccoli, find a healthy snack you enjoy. When you quit smoking, your appetite can increase. Keep your mouth busy with eating your favorite healthy snack, when you start to crave a cigarette. 

New Year, New You! Stay Healthy with Central Ozarks Medical Center


Again, Congratulations on deciding to quit smoking. We hope these tips help you on your journey to a smoke-free life. Our health clinics in Mid-Missouri are committed to leading the way to healthier communities and that can happen one person deciding to quit smoking at a time. Smoking can cause lung cancer, COPD, dental issues, and all sorts of problems, so stick to your plan and stay confident in yourself. If you are in need of a new healthcare provider at the Lake of the Ozarks, call one of our clinics listed below. Happy New Year to all!


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

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn

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