Central Ozarks Medical Center: March 2020

Friday, March 27, 2020

Who's at Higher Risk For COVID-19?

There are more and more updates each and every week in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks feel that it's very important to stay updated as much as you can. With that in mind, we are here to share some information with you about who is at higher risk for COVID-19, in this week's blog. We feel the best way to update you on this important topic is to share the public information that the CDC is putting out there for your benefit. Please remember, if you are coming into one of our Mid-MO health clinics and are showing major symptoms of COVID-19, such as trouble breathing, coughing, or a fever, please give us a call so we can prepare for you. All of our phone numbers can be found on the Central Ozarks Medical Center website, www.CentralOzarks.org.

INFORMATION FROM THE CDC

People who are at higher risk for severe illness

COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Based upon available information to date, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:

People aged 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
Other high-risk conditions could include:

People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk

People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with a severe viral illness, however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk.

Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.

Call COMC If You Are Showing Symptoms of COVID-19

We know this is an intense time in history right now but we can get through this together. Follow the safety precautions that the CDC is requesting. Practice social distancing and wash your hands often. Let's slow this spread and get back to our known normal. Please remember if you are on your way in to see us and are showing symptoms of COVID-19, give us a call and we will be prepared for you. Stay safe everyone!

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

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573.765.5141
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573.346.4446
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Serving Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties

Friday, March 20, 2020

Symptoms of COVID-19

These are times of crisis. We all know that. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks want you to stay informed and to know what to do during this unfortunate time. Central Ozarks Medical Center is here to share information from the CDC on the coronavirus with you in this week's blog. Remember, if you are headed to one of our Mid-MO health clinics and are feeling any of the coronavirus symptoms, be sure to call ahead so we are ready for you.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Watch for symptoms
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face

This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Know How it Spreads

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Take steps to protect yourself

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

INFO. FROM HERE.

We here at COMC encourage you to follow our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on our latest announcements. We share a lot of the information from the CDC and we encourage you to do the same. Remember, a crisis like this is going to take all of us to get through, so be sure to follow the CDC guidelines. Stay safe everyone!

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

Friday, March 13, 2020

Healthy Ways of Boosting Your Immune System

It's always good to have a healthy immune system, but with sickness spreading at such a rapid rate it's important to be aware of how to boost your immune system. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few healthy tips on how to boost your immune system. If you feel ill or have any flu-like symptoms, be sure to call your doctor at the Lake of the Ozarks immediately. Central Ozarks Medical Center - We've been providing quality health care in Central Missouri since 1979.

Healthy Ways of Boosting Your Immune System

Eat a variety of immune-boosting foods.
There are healthy foods that you can eat that can actually BOOST your immune system for you, such as:

Red Bell Peppers
Oranges
Garlic
Broccoli
Seafood (Shellfish in particular)
Tumeric
Almonds

These foods are loaded with vitamins and minerals that your body needs to support its immune system.

Limit your drinking of alcoholic beverages.
Drinking too many alcoholic beverages have been known to mess with your immune system in a negative way. If you are going to drink alcohol, just be sure to do so moderately.

Lower your stress level as much as possible.
Lower your stress in a healthy way! Try participating in yoga, breathing exercises, reach out to a friend to talk, just go for a walk, or check out some amazing lake views.

Make a point to regularly exercise.
While regular exercise may sound challenging time-wise, it really doesn't have to be. You likely get a lunch break at work right? Go for a walk around the building or do a few crunches on a exercise ball in your office. Pack your gym bag before work and keep it with you, this way you aren't tempted to go home after work, before stopping by the gym. If you prefer to work out at home, train yourself to work out before dinner, then eat after. This way your calories can likely burn easier.

Sleep 7-8 hours a night.
This is a big one! Do what you need to get your sleep. In today's technology culture, many of us are on our smartphones while in bed. Maybe you have anxiety about checking your work e-mail or you feel you might miss out on something if you aren't checking your social media channels constantly. Your health needs to be a priority.

Boost Your Immune System and Stay Healthy with COMC!

All of us here at Central Ozarks Medical Center hope you found this week's blog helpful. Please be safe and follow the CDC regulations right now. Do your best to sanitize or wash your hands throughout the day and take caution during this time. Feel free to follow us on all of our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on our latest announcements.

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

Friday, March 6, 2020

Health Tips for the WHOLE Family

Being healthy can be easier if the whole family participates! Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks understand this and that's why we have a few health tips that can work for the whole family in this week's blog. It can also be nice to have a family doctor at the Lake of the Ozarks that all your loved ones can depend on and trust. To make an appointment with an experienced primary care provider at the Lake of the Ozarks, call Central Ozarks Medical Center today. All of our providers and their phone numbers can be found on our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Health Tips for the WHOLE Family

Make sure the whole family attends their regular health check-ups.
This can be easier to do when everyone goes to the same place. COMC serves everyone from newborns to the elderly. Visiting your doctor periodically for your wellness checkups is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your family.

Get your 8 glasses of water in a day!
If you knew how much sugar you consumed just from beverages alone, you might be shocked.

You can limit your sugar intake by exchanging one of your and your child's mealtime beverages for water.
Be aware that fruit juice contains extremely high concentrations of sugar, as well - just because your child isn't drinking soda does not necessarily mean that she isn't still consuming large amounts of sugar.

Ask your kids what they think being healthy means.
Ask your children what ideas they have to help the family be healthier as a whole. Encourage them to think outside the box.

Change out unhealthy food items for healthy ones.
For example, you can use ground turkey instead of ground beef in your favorite recipes or:

Cauliflower rice for rice
Cauliflower pizza crusts instead of flour and dough-based crusts
Zucchini noodles for noodles
Spaghetti squash instead of spaghetti noodles

...There are many healthier options today. You may even have some fun discovering these healthier items and realize that you may like them more.

Visit local parks for fun outdoor activities!
When the weather is nice, spending time outside provides a great opportunity for little ones to be active and enjoy breathing in the fresh air. Instead of only returning to your usual haunt, try visiting every park in your city (or even some of the surrounding towns). You might find a new favorite!

Family Doctors at the Lake of the Ozarks

All of us here at Central Ozarks Medical Center hope you enjoyed learning about these health tips that can work for the whole family! If you are interested in finding a new doctor for the whole family, consider Central Ozarks Medical Center. We can be reached at the phone numbers listed below and you can also check out our website at www.CentralOzarks.org for more information on the services we provide. Be sure to follow us on all of our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on our latest announcements.

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