Central Ozarks Medical Center: October 2018

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

How Your Body Can Suffer From Sitting Too Long

Whether you have an office job and are sitting for 8 hours a day or the relaxation of fall fever has stricken you and you haven't gotten out much - sitting for too long can affect your body in a bad way. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help make you aware of how sitting too long can have a damaging effect on certain parts of your body. For a health provider at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can count on, call Central Ozarks Medical Center today.

How Your Body Can Suffer From Sitting Too Long

Neck
The problems with slouching do not stop at the back. Hunching forward requires your neck to strain upwards in order for you to look straight ahead (at your computer screen, for example). A prolonged strain on the cervical vertebrae in this manner can take a serious toll on the body and may result in several problems, including headaches.

Abdomen & Back
Standing or sitting upright requires your core abdominal muscles to work. However, if you're like most people, you relax into a comfortable slouch when you sit down. Slouching doesn't require any effort from your abdominal muscles, and as such they may become weak and atrophied overtime. Consistent slouching also causes numerous back problems.

Brain
As blood flows more slowly, so does the transportation of oxygen and various important chemicals. All aspects of the body can be affected, including the brain. Sitting for several hours may cause your brain to become foggy and sluggish. If you've ever felt "brain dead" and resorted to a quick walk to clear your mind, then you probably know exactly what we're talking about.

Heart
When you sit, your muscles burn less fat and your blood flows more slowly. This makes it easier for fatty acids to build up in your heart, which can significantly increase your chances of developing heart disease.

Pancreas
Not long ago, we discussed how the pancreas produces insulin - a hormone that enables the body to break down the glucose in the blood and transform it into usable energy. Sitting for prolonged periods of time can cause the body to produce too much insulin, and when there is an excess amount of a certain hormone, the body begins to ignore its signals. Excess insulin may hinder the body's ability to convert blood sugar into usable energy, which can contribute to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Stand Up and Be Healthy with Central Ozarks Medical Center

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. For more information on our services, please visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

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

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573.765.5141 -- Richland
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573.346.4446 -- Camdenton
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573.765.2510 -- Dental

Serving Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Tackle Menopause with Central Ozarks Medical Center

We are in the middle of Fall 2018 which means the holiday season is right around the corner. Christmas and Thanksgiving can be such an exciting time of year, from catching up with family and friends to chowing down on some good, old-fashioned home cooked meals, but it can also be a little stressful. Preparing for the holidays and getting all the Christmas presents purchased in time and wrapped, finding all of the ingredients for your family Thanksgiving recipes, and cooking the most wonderful meals can be exhausting. It can feel like a full time job and you probably already have one of those. Don't let your menopause symptoms get in the way of you having fun getting ready for the holidays. Central Ozarks Medical Center is here to give you a few helpful tips for dealing with menopause. For women's health providers at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can count on, call one of our Mid Missouri health clinics today. Our phone numbers, locations, and directions can all be found on our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Symptoms of Menopause

Symptoms you may experience that could mean you are entering into menopause could include:

Panic disorder
Breast pain
Headaches
Joint pain
Burning tongue
Electric shock sensation
Digestive problems
Gum problems
Muscle tension
Itchy, crawly skin
Tingling extremities
Osteoporosis
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Irregular periods
Loss of libido
Vaginal Dryness
Mood swings
Hair loss or thinning
Fatigue
Sleep disorders
Difficulty concentrating
Memory lapses
Dizziness
Weight gain
Incontinence
Bloating
Allergies
Brittle nails
Changes in body odor
Irregular heartbeat
Depression
Anxiety
Irritability

Exercise on a Regular Basis

Regular exercise can lead to:

improved energy
improved metabolism
healthier joints
healthier bones
better sleep
decreased stress

Eat Foods That Have Plenty of Calcium and Vitamin D
Hormonal changes that can happen during menopause can cause your bones to weaken. This can lead to osteoporosis. Foods high in vitamin D and calcium are linked to good bone health, so it's essential that you eat plenty of these types of foods. For calcium-rich foods, try eating foods or drinking liquids such as:

yogurt
milk
cheese
kale
tofu
beans
sardines

For foods with Vitamin D, try eating:

oily fish
eggs

Avoid "Trigger Foods"
There are foods that can trigger hot flashes, such as foods or drinks that contain:

alcohol
caffeine
foods that are spicy or sugary

Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables
Eating lots of fruits and vegetable can help prevent many menopause symptoms. Fruits and vegetable can be low in calories, so that helps with weight loss and maintenance. Fruits and vegetables have also been known to help prevent heart disease. This is significant because the risk of heart disease tends to increase after menopause.

Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
It can be very common to gain weight during menopause. According to healthline, one study of 17,473 postmenopausal women found that those who lost at least 10 lbs (4.5 kg) of weight or 10% of their body weight over a year were more likely to eliminate hot flashes and night sweat.

Tackle Menopause with Central Ozarks Medical Center

Central Ozarks Medical Center Physicians recognize the unique medical needs of women and provide a variety of medical services designed with you in mind. Through each stage of your life COMC physicians tailor wellness and preventative care to meet you where you are. For more information, visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

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

Friday, October 19, 2018

Healthy Halloween Treats

Halloween is almost here! Just because Halloween is known for the delicious candy you get doesn't mean you have to give in to temptation and eat unhealthy. If you are determined to lose weight by the end of the year, there are ways to stay on track throughout holidays like this. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a couple of healthy Halloween treat recipes we found online that could be great for your next festive party treat. If you child is feeling sick and you need to get them in to a doctor you can trust before the holiday, call Central Ozarks Medical Center today. Our phone numbers and locations are listed on our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Healthy Halloween Treats

Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sweet-and-spicy-pepitas-popcorn-balls-recipe-1928429

Sweet and Spicy Pepitas Popcorn Balls

Total: 40 min
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 20 min
Yield: 20 balls

Ingredients

3 (3.5-ounce) bags natural microwave popcorn

2 cups pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for forming

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

Pop the popcorn according to package instructions. While hot, carefully open package and dump into a large bowl.

Toast the pumpkin seeds in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until browned and popping, tossing and stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. (Do this in batches, if needed.) Add to the popcorn.

Make caramel: Warm the cream over low heat and keep warm while you cook the sugar. Put the sugar and corn syrup and in a deep, heavy-bottomed large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, raise heat to medium-high, and simmer until the sugar reaches the hard crack stage, or 305 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 7 minutes.

Whisk the butter and salt into the sugar mixture. Gradually pour in the cream and vanilla taking care since the mixture will bubble up. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar reaches soft ball stage, 240 degrees F on the thermometer, about 5 minutes more. Immediately remove from the heat and stir in the cinnamon and cayenne. Cool for about a minute. Pour caramel over the popcorn and stir to evenly coat.

When the popcorn is cool enough to handle, coat your hands with some butter and shape into 4-inch balls. Wrap in waxed paper and tie with a string, if desired. Serve or store covered at room temperature for up to a week.

Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jeff-mauro/deviled-ham-eyeball-sandwich-recipe-2125219#/

Deviled Ham Eyeball Sandwich

Total: 25 min
Prep: 25 min
Yield: 20 eyeballs

Ingredients

20 slices white bread, such as Arnold Brick Oven White Sandwich Bread

2 cups smoked cooked ham, chopped (about 8 ounces)

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon pickled relish

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 dashes hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Kosher salt

10 pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced in half

Ketchup, for squirting

Directions

Special equipment: 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter

Punch out rounds from the bread using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter. Lay out the rounds on a baking sheet. Set aside.

Add the ham, mayonnaise, honey, mustard, relish, Worcestershire and hot sauce in the bowl of a food processor. Sprinkle with salt and pulse until finely chopped, but still chunky. Spoon a tablespoon at a time of the ham mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roll each spoonful into round balls. Stuff 1 olive into the center of each ball for eyes. Lay the balls in the center of the bread rounds. Squirt ketchup around the edges of the bread to mimic veins. Serve to kids and pray they don't cry from how scary these are.

We believe in leading the way to healthier communities. If you are needing a new doctor at the Lake of the Ozarks to become your family doctor, call Central Ozarks Medical Center today. Visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org for our contact information. We'd like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!

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

Friday, October 12, 2018

Healthy Eating Tips for Dining Out

Staying on a diet or just eating healthy can be really hard to do in social situations where you are asked to dine out somewhere. There is so much temptation around to cheat and it can be difficult to know what is ok and not ok to eat. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few healthy tips for dining out. If you ate something that just didn't quite sit right and you start to feel ill, call Central Ozarks Medical Center to make an appointment. We have health clinics throughout Central Missouri and our locations and phone numbers can be found on our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Healthy Eating Tips for Dining Out

Plan ahead.
Take a look at the menu before you leave for the restaurant. Most of the time you can find the menu online. Browse the menu for a healthy option, whether that be a salad or burger but with no bun. Planning out your meal this way can help you to avoid "impulse ordering" something unhealthy out of feeling anxious to just make a quick decision.

Ask to substitute.
Ask your server about substituting a salad for your fries or mixed vegetables for your fried potatoes. Cut down on calories where you can.

Eat a healthy snack before you leave.
Eating something healthy before you leave can help you to feel more full before you leave so you are less likely to order a bunch of food that can be bad for you.

Try ordering a couple of appetizers instead of a meal.
Sometimes you can find healthy appetizers on the menu, such as grilled shrimp or grilled chicken wings. If you are trying to eat low carb, ordering two appetizers like these can be a great option rather than ordering a full meal.

Drink lots of water.
Make sure to drink water before your meal and throughout your meal. Fill yourself up on water instead of french fries.

Eat Healthy with Central Ozarks Medical Center

We know how hard it can be to eat healthy sometimes, but a healthy diet and regular exercise can be key to feeling good and losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Central Ozarks Medical Center provides a broad set of services based on the needs of the communities we serve, including but not limited to:

Primary Care
Obstetrics
Pediatrics
Behavioral Health
Women's Health
Senior Health
Dental Services

We pride ourselves on offering quality healthcare that works best with your financial situation. If you are uninsured and would like to look at insurance options we have Assisters to help you navigate the process. For more information, please visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org or give us call at the health clinic nearest to you. You will find our phone numbers for each location listed below.

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

Friday, October 5, 2018

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! In honor of this special month, Central Ozarks Medical Center is here to bring some important breast cancer statistics to your attention. We believe in leading the way to healthier communities by providing quality health care at a fair price. If you find yourself needing a new doctor at the Lake of the Ozarks or are tired of paying too much for healthcare, call Central Ozarks Medical Center today. We have several locations throughout the Lake area and they can be found on our website, www.CentralOzarks.org along with the contact phone numbers and directions.

Breast Cancer Statistics

According to the CDC:

Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer in the United States is—

The most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity.
The most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women.
The second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/index.htm

According to the BreastCancer.org:

Approximately 1 out of every 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their lifetimes.
Less than 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member who was diagnosed with it.
Approximately 85% of breast cancers happen in women who have no family history of the disease.

Source: https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics

According to Susan G. Komen:

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in pregnant and postpartum women and typically occurs between the ages of 32 and 38.
The overall median age at diagnosis for women in the U.S. is 62 years.
Race and ethnicity vary for women in the U.S. who get breast cancer.

Source: https://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Statistics.html

Affordable Healthcare at the Lake of the Ozarks

Central Ozarks Medical Center offers a discounted fee to patients based on their household size and household income. The Sliding Fee Program includes fees for medical, dental and behavioral health services.

To determine eligibility, COMC will need to ask you to bring in personal financial information. Any information we ask from you will be strictly confidential. None of your personal information, financial or medical, can be released without your written consent. The information we are asking for is used solely to determine household size and household income. Applications are effective for a one-year period. Sliding Fee Discount Program participants must complete an application annually Discount Program applications must be completed, signed and approved prior to services being provided. All participants are asked to notify COMC of income changes as soon as possible after the change occurs. For more information on this program, please visit http://www.centralozarks.org/financial.html or give us a call.

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