hometown
health
™
New year resolutions redux, how to regain momentum PAGE 10
HEALTHY HEART FOR LIFE PAGE 4 THE POWER OF WALKING PAGE 12 HEALTHY BREAKFAST PAGE 13 MEN’S HEALTH ISSUES PAGE 14
LOCAL FEATURE
| hometown health | Winter 2017
Heart attack leads to lifechanging opportunity Jeanie Hinz was having a bad year. Last spring she broke her ankle and was laid up for several weeks. Then in July, she wasn’t feeling well. After a day with friends at a farmer’s market, she felt nauseated, was
“ I’ve had a great recovery and have learned how to take better care of myself.” Jeanie Hinz
short of breath, and especially had difficulty breathing at night. She called her doctor who told her to go to the Emergency Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls. She did and discovered she had suffered a heart attack.
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Surgery and recovery Hinz was transferred to Mayo Clinic Hospital – St. Marys Campus where she underwent an aortic heart valve replacement surgery. “I was born with a heart defect and knew I had a heart murmur,” says Hinz. Still, the shock of having a heart attack was a lot to digest. The 65-year-old Zumbrota woman says there were times after the surgery that she felt depressed, was weighed down with taking numerous medications and wasn’t sure when she would begin feeling better. Getting physical Three weeks following her surgery, Hinz was back home and began a cardiac rehabilitation program with Elysha Skiba, a cardiac rehab therapist at Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls. Skiba helped Hinz strengthen her heart with during a rigorous nine-week exercise program at the Bringgold Family Rehabilitation Center in the medical facility. Three times a week, Hinz worked on gradually increasing her activity levels. “It was challenging but not impossible,” says Hinz. “Elysha helped make it an enjoyable experience and monitored my progress each week. I was amazed at how far I had come from where I was at when I started the program.” Lifestyle changes At home, Hinz made changes to her meal planning and what she stocked in her pantry. “I never realized how much sodium I was eating,” she says. She learned to read labels and began eating more vegetables, including leafy greens and broccoli. She reduced the amount of foods that were processed and foods that were heavy in sodium content. As a result of both
clean eating and increased physical activity, Hinz lost 25 pounds. She also needed a new wardrobe and began a part-time job at a clothing boutique. “I feel great and life is good!” Building friendships In addition to gaining back her strength and feeling better than ever, Hinz made a personal connection with two other women who were part of her cardiac rehabilitation group. “We talk and laugh and share the new healthier recipes we’ve discovered with one another,” says Hinz. “It’s so great to have others who are going through similar situations. We were all at different levels in our recovery journeys, so it’s nice to share our ups and downs and cheer one another on.” “Jeanie has been wonderful to have as a patient as she has maintained a positive attitude during her recovery. This has been an inspiration to others,” says Skiba. Hinz also credits her husband, Mark, and the couple’s neighbors for their encouragement and support in her recovery. Moving forward Hinz graduated from the cardiac rehabilitation program in Cannon Falls in November 2016 but did not give up exercising or her lifestyle modifications. She works out on an elliptical machine and walks regularly. After spending some time in California during the winter months, she says she looks forward to returning to Cannon Falls when the facility opens a new wellness center complete with exercise equipment for the public in the spring of 2017. “I’ve had a great recovery and have learned how to take better care of myself.”•
Cardiologists care for conditions such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, coronary artery disease and heart valve disease. Full-time, on-site cardiology care in Red Wing is provided by Tyler Peterson, M.D., and Jeremy Thaden, M.D.
To schedule an appointment, call 651-267-5000.
Tyler Peterson, M.D.
Jeremy Thaden, M.D. mayoclinichealthsystem.org
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FEATURE
| hometown health | Winter 2017
Heart disease: Keeping the biggest health threat at bay
It’s easy to think that America has heart disease under control. Between the steep drop in the number of people who smoke, media campaigns touting healthy foods, and the invention of every “miracle” diet imaginable, one could believe that heart disease has been practically eliminated. It hasn’t.
In reality, about 2,200 Americans die every day from heart disease — approximately one person dies every
40
seconds.
Rekha Mankad, M.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, says the traditional risk factors for heart disease, which is any condition that affects the structure or function of the heart, include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Being male and old age also increase risk. “Those are the factors we use to calculate a risk score,” says Dr. Mankad. “However, we know of many other important risk factors not included in the score.” These include: • Family history of heart disease, particularly in younger ages (men younger than 55, women younger than 65) • Inactivity • Overweight or obese • Unhealthy diet • Autoimmune conditions (such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis) • Women-specific conditions: preeclampsia (elevated blood pressure during pregnancy), post-menopause
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Rekha Mankad, M.D. Cardiology Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minn.
Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the world, the leading cause of death in the United States and, until recently, significantly more women had been dying from it than men.
Although chest pain is the most common symptom of heart disease for men and women, women’s symptoms are typically less prominent, not as severe, and are usually associated with other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, discomfort in the back or arms, and fatigue. “Young women who present with heart attacks have a higher risk of dying than men,” says Dr. Mankad. You know the risk factors. You know the symptoms. You know the statistics. What will you do to prevent heart disease? “ The Mediterranean diet is considered the most heart healthy ‘diet,’” says Dr. Mankad. “It encompasses whole grains, good fats (olive oil, nuts), protein from fish and legumes and lots of vegetables. You don’t have to eat only organic foods to be healthy. Limit processed foods and consume little to no ‘bad fats,’ trans fats and saturated fats.”
Despite the many smokers who remain, smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease, and death. If you smoke, stop. “Smoking is extremely bad,” Dr. Mankad says. “There is a risk with any number of cigarettes. There may even be a bigger risk for women than men at a lower number of cigarettes.” We all know it can be tough, but managing your stress will significantly improve your health and lower your risk for heart disease. Dr. Mankad says because we tend to eat more and exercise less when we are stressed out, it takes a toll on our heart. Getting enough quality sleep also lowers stress and is important to your overall health. You knew this was coming: exercise. Or “working out,” or “activity,” or “fitness” — whichever idea makes you cringe the least, pick one and get moving. The American Heart Association recommends that you move your body at moderate intensity for 150 minutes per week, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity. If you can’t move for very long, move for 10 minutes at a time. Move however you like and, ideally, combine it with something you enjoy, but get your heart rate up and make it a daily habit. The heart is your body’s engine. You’ve heard that analogy before, but there’s more to it than that. The Greek word for heart is kardia, but it also means inner self, mind, will, desire and intention. Do it for your kids. Do it for your family. Do it for you. But whomever you do it for, get proactive about taking care of your heart, because ultimately it’s more than an organ pumping in your chest.
It’s your life.
Making the decision for better health can be the hardest part, but beginning with the “Eat 5, Move 10, Sleep 8” plan might make your transition a little bit easier.
Eat Plate from cover
Move
Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day to boost your heart health. Start by eating breakfast and including at least one serving of fruits or vegetables. Snack on vegetables or fruits between meals. See page 13 for healthy breakfast menu ideas.
Add at least 10 minutes of moderately intense physical activity every day. Even 10 minutes makes a difference. Just 60 to 90 minutes a week of physical activity can reduce your heart disease risk by up to half.
Sleep Quality sleep is good for your heart. Start by trying to get eight hours of good, quality sleep each night for two weeks.
RESOURCES Follow Mayo Clinic Health System on Pinterest to view and pin many Mediterranean diet recipes to try at home. pinterest.com/mayoclinichs
Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life! This book offers help for improving your heart health and reducing your risk of heart disease in 10 easy-to-follow steps. This book is available at your local Mayo Clinic Store, or online at store.mayoclinic.com. mayoclinichealthsystem.org
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STUDIES SHOW |
hometown health | Winter 2017
Memory loss A Mayo Clinic study asking participants 70 and older how their memory now compared with their memory of the past indicated that four out of five had trouble remembering people’s names.
Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D. Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Rochester, Minn.
Brain games to help prevent dementia Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, word searches, mazes: you might have heard that activities such as these can be effective brain games to stay sharp. But can that be scientifically proven?
“The fairest thing to say about memory loss is that the most significant risk factor is aging,” says Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., a neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and director of Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. “Most people will certainly experience some loss of memory in their 70s and 80s, but some start to notice it as early as their 50s.” Dr. Petersen says a mild degree of memory loss is quite common. But memory loss can be a symptom of dementia, which Dr. Petersen defines as the inability to think as well as you used to. Although Alzheimer’s disease — a progressive, degenerative brain cell disease that affects memory and
“Some of these claims are based on real science, and if you engage in these activities you may keep yourself mentally fresher and sharper for a longer period of time,” says Dr. Petersen. “The big challenge is determining whether or not this transfers into any real-life activity. We think so, but we don’t know for sure.” Dr. Petersen says what he and his colleagues can confirm is that keeping active mentally, physically, and socially might play a role in keeping your memory healthier, for longer. “There is increasing evidence now that lifestyle modifications can affect your cognitive function going forward,” he says. “That doesn’t mean that lifestyle modifications will necessarily prevent Alzheimer’s disease.” But physical activity is healthy for your body, and playing games is just plain fun — so why not take the gamble and enjoy life as fully as possible while you’re at it?
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QUICK FACTS:
mental function — is the most common form of dementia, the condition doesn’t necessarily include memory loss. It refers to degradation in thinking, caused by old age, that can affect your daily function. Dr. Petersen says the best thing you can do to keep memory loss at bay and sustain mental function for longer is to maintain physical fitness, be intellectually engaged, make hearthealthy food choices and stay socially connected. “When it gets beyond ‘Where are my car keys?’ and ‘Where are my reading glasses?’ — when you start to forget important information and, most importantly, those around you start to notice your forgetfulness — it doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s or dementia,” Dr. Petersen says. “But it probably merits a look by your physician to examine what might be going on.”•
More than
Alzheimer’s in the United States data from alz.org/facts
5 MILLION
Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
EVERY
66 1in 3 seconds
someone in the U.S. develops the disease In 2015, more than
15 million caregivers provided an estimated
18.1 billion hours of unpaid care
SENIORS
dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia
th leading cause of death in the U.S. — it kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined
Feeling forgetful? Memory loss screenings part of Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Patients who qualify for the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit are screened for physical and cognitive functionality. During this free visit, a mini cognition test is performed to assess memory loss. This nurse-only visit is free to Medicare patients once a year and is optimally performed one month prior to your regular check up with your primary care provider. Call your local clinic to schedule an appointment.
mayoclinichealthsystem.org
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PATIENT FEATURE
Much to his surprise, avid golfer Tom Bremer sunk a putt just one week following hernia repair surgery in Lake City.
| hometown health | Winter 2017
Recovery went better, quicker than Lake City man expected Lifelong Lake City resident Tom Bremer says he likes being active. When he’s not working as a machinist, there’s a good chance he’s teeing off on a local golf course. “My only rule is that it has to be above 45 degrees, or my hands get way too cold,” Bremer chuckles. Towards the end of golf season in 2015, Bremer noticed mild discomfort in his lower abdomen. He dismissed it as a pulled muscle, but it persisted. Soon after, he could feel a bulge developing. He suspected a hernia. “I’m a guy and don’t generally go to the doctor unless I have to,” says Bremer. Almost a year went by before Bremer scheduled an appointment with his primary care provider at Mayo Clinic Health System in Lake City. “I could feel it getting bigger by that time,” he says.
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Bremer did have an inguinal hernia. He was referred to Paul Hartzheim, M.D., general surgeon who operates in both Lake City and Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing. Inguinal hernia occurs when tissues, such as part of an intestine, protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. The resulting bulge can be painful especially when coughing, bending over or lifting a heavy object. Symptoms can vary from mild, as in Bremer’s case, to very bothersome.
Although uncommon, hernias can lead to life-threatening complications. “Many times we can safely watch a hernia, but it will not improve on its own. It’s time to consider surgery when the hernia becomes increasingly more painful or gets bigger,” says Dr. Hartzheim. “Hernia repair is a very common, safe procedure. We have a lot of experience in this locally.” Bremer had surgery mid-morning in August 2016 and went home in the afternoon. Dr. Hartzheim made a small incision below Bremer’s belly button and repaired the hernia using a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique. Hernia surgery takes about an hour. “Discomfort after surgery varies from person to person. We’re using some of the newer, longer active
anesthetic that lasts 2-3 days in some cases and a nerve block technique to help reduce discomfort,” says Dr. Hartzheim. “Many patients are walking right after the procedure.” “It went quicker and better than I thought it would,” Bremer says. He only took pain medication for two days after the surgery and was back to work and the golf course in no time.
“ I had my check up with Dr. Hartzheim on day seven after surgery. Eight days after surgery, I was out golfing!” says Bremer. “Everything went just great. I am feeling good now.”
Expert treatment for sports hernia It’s not as easy to diagnose as inguinal hernia, but it’s relatively common among athletes. Paul Hartzheim, M.D., general surgeon at Mayo Clinic Health System in Lake City and Red Wing, says high school athletes to weekend warriors to professionals sometimes find themselves sidelined by pain from sports hernia. The pain can be debilitating because with each twist, push off or bend comes pain. It’s due to a weakening in the abdominal
wall and inflammation of ligaments and tendons that are attached to the pubic bone. “Often times, sports hernia gets better with rest, medication and other therapies,” says Dr. Hartzheim. “When that doesn’t work, our surgery team may be able to help. Surgery involves repair of damaged lower abdominal tissues, sometimes including the insertion of mesh to help strengthen the area. We see a fair number of patients for sports hernia.”
To schedule an appointment, call 651-345-1100.
mayoclinichealthsystem.org
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DOCTOR’S ORDERS
| hometown health | Winter 2017
New year, new you? A fresh start on something new can feel invigorating but can also seem overwhelming. Weight loss is a good example. Many people plan to lose weight and are excited to look and feel better, but finding the right place to start with the right resources can be a challenge.
“It is important to set a realistic goal from the start,” says Seanna Thompson, M.D., an OB/GYN at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing and Zumbrota. “Keep it simple. Enlist the help of a partner to keep you on track or see your physician to help learn about healthful ways to meet your goal.” From a women’s health perspective, maintaining a healthy weight can significantly cut your risk of developing chronic life-threatening conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Studies show that even modest weight loss (3 to 5 percent of body weight) has been shown to produce significant improvement in many conditions. Depending on the age and stage a woman is at in her life, her goals may also need to be addressed differently. If your goal is to:
Get pregnant
Lose baby weight
“There is no best plan, but being healthy prior to becoming pregnant is ideal,” says Dr. Thompson. Monitoring food intake and incorporating regular physical activity is important to achieve long-term success.
Postpartum weight loss is a common concern, but patience is needed for women who strive to lose weight quickly. “Breastfeeding and being active with your baby are two excellent ways to lose weight,” says Dr. Thompson. She suggests going for a daily walk with baby or taking a mom-andbaby yoga class. Also, eating foods that are high in protein and low in calories and sugar can spur weight loss.
“ If you haven’t exercised for a while, begin with as little as five minutes of physical activity a day. Build up to 10 minutes, 15 minutes and so on until you reach at least 30 minutes a day.”
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Seanna Thompson, M.D. OB/GYN Red Wing and Zumbrota
Wellness for Life The Wellness for Life fitness program is designed for people in the community who are interested in starting an exercise program in a health care setting with the supervision and support of an exercise specialist.
Benefits of exercise Overall, exercise will help improve your quality of life and can help delay or prevent chronic illnesses associated with aging and helps maintain independence. Some of the other benefits you may gain from regular exercise include: • Improved function of cardiovascular and muscular
Reduce the menopause midriff The pre- and post-menopause phase can also impact a woman’s metabolism which can lead to weight gain. To counter the slowdown of metabolism, incorporate aerobic activity such as brisk walking or strength training exercises. Food consumption also should be modified. Typically, women can get by with 200 fewer calories a day in their 50s than during their 30s and 40s. To reduce calories without skimping on nutrition, pay attention to what you’re eating and drinking. Dr. Thompson suggests choosing more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, particularly those that are less processed and contain more fiber. “And, listen to your body,” says Dr. Thompson. “Stop eating when you feel full and make a pact with yourself to not eat every time you go into the kitchen.”•
systems, making daily work and activities easier to perform. • Increased quality of sleep, energy, strength and flexibility. • Improved mood and reduced stress. •H ealthy levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, and body weight. •B etter control of blood sugars for individuals with diabetes.
Fitness program details Our staff helps you develop an individualized exercise program and goals while evaluating and monitoring your blood pressure, blood sugars, weight and oxygen saturation levels. The program includes 12 sessions over the course of six weeks and is intended for those who have chronic health
conditions, want to gain confidence to exercise independently or who have completed cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation and would like to continue exercising.
JOIN US: Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing. Call 651-267-5450 for more information or to register.
Healthy Salad Bar Choices Maintaining your resolutions may be as simple as deciding to add the salad bar the next time you dine out. Amanda Leisenheimer, a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic Health System in Lake City, says, “Filling up on a low-calorie salad may help you to feel fuller and eat less. If you opt for a healthy salad, you reduce calories and increase nutrition.” While there are many healthful options to choose from at the salad bar, the nutritional value may vary. For example, some options are high in antioxidants, fiber and lowcalorie content. When it comes to navigating better options, Leisenheimer says, “Try to avoid salad dressings that are high in fat, such as creamy dressings like ranch or blue cheese. Try, instead, a non-creamy Italian dressing or balsamic vinaigrette, as these options typically have half the calories.” She also suggests limiting bacon bits and croutons. “A half of a cup of croutons can cost you almost 100 calories,” explains Leisenheimer. “Eating at the salad bar should not be a hassle, so take these tips into consideration and explore all the different ways you can build a salad to fit your flavor desire.”
mayoclinichealthsystem.org
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
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| hometown health | Winter 2017
TOP 5: Weight loss tips
Featured book:
Looking for some effective ways to shed that winter weight? Try starting with the following tips and resources.
1 2
Know your habits: For a few weeks, jot down what, when and why you eat. See if any patterns emerge.
Take away temptation: Don’t keep comfort foods in your home if they’re hard for you to resist.
Enjoy an occasional treat: This will help you curb cravings.
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Don’t give up on yourself: An occasional setback is to be expected. If you have one, get right back on the bandwagon.
The power of walking You might have heard that a sedentary lifestyle (lack of movement) is the latest epidemic. But the good news is, there is an easy cure. Just do what the human body was designed to do — move.
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3
Don’t skip on snacks, but make them count: Snacks aren’t necessarily bad. They can help manage hunger and reduce binge eating. Consider eating fresh fruit or raw veggies to keep you satisfied and cut down your calorie count. Try the muesli bars on page 13.
“Walking is a great physical activity,” says Edward Laskowski, M.D., a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician and co-director of sports medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. “You don’t have to run marathons or have any specialized equipment other than a good pair of shoes. The magic number for heart health and protection against certain cancers is 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity per week, which can be divided up daily in as short as 10-minute segments.”
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The Mayo Clinic Diet: Eat well. Enjoy Life. Lose Weight. The Mayo Clinic Diet puts you in charge of reshaping your body and your lifestyle by adopting healthy habits and breaking unhealthy ones. This book offers a plan for a sustainable lifestyle, not just a diet. Discover better health through better weight management by following The Mayo Clinic Diet. We’ve boiled the research down to five simple habits to help you take off the extra weight — and five habits to break so that you can keep it from coming back. This book is available at your local Mayo Clinic Store, or online at store.mayoclinic.com.
Dr. Laskowski says regular walking has myriad health benefits and can help maintain your bone density, improve your sleep quality, and even contribute to clarity of mind and improved mood. Extending your walks into winter months is a great way to harness year-round health benefits, but Dr. Laskowski says when it’s wet and/or slippery, make sure to use footwear with substantial grip on the soles, dress in layers according to the weather, and wear reflective clothing to keep yourself visible to others.
Muesli Breakfast Bars The original breakfast cereal called muesli — a Swiss German word meaning “mixture” — combined rolled oats with nuts and fruit. The bars here are perfect for breakfast on the go or for a healthy snack anytime. Makes 24 bars
Directions
Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 325 F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with olive oil cooking spray.
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1/2 cup soy or almond flour 1/2 cup fat-free dry milk 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ 1/2 cup sliced (flaked) almonds or chopped pecans, toasted 1/2 cup dried apples, chopped 1/2 cup raisins or cranberries 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup dark honey 1/2 cup natural unsalted peanut butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
This recipe is from The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, Second Edition, which is available at your local Mayo Clinic Store, or online at store.mayoclinic.com.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, dry milk, wheat germ, almonds, apples, raisins and salt. Stir well to blend and set aside. In a small saucepan, stir together the honey, peanut butter and olive oil over medium-low heat until well blended. Don’t let the mixture boil. Stir in the vanilla. Add the warm honey mixture to the dry ingredients and stir quickly until well combined. The mixture should be sticky but not wet. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Press firmly to remove any air pockets. Bake just until the edges begin to brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, and then cut into 24 bars. When just cool enough to handle, remove the bars from the pan and place them on the rack to cool completely. Store the bars in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Nutritional information Serving size: 1 bar Calories 177 Total fat 5 g Saturated fat 1 g Trans fat 0 g Monounsaturated fat 2 g Cholesterol 1 mg Sodium 75 mg Total carbohydrate 27 g Dietary fiber 3 g Added sugars 11 g Protein 6 g
Find more recipes at mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes.
From the cover:
Healthy breakfast Avocado Toast: • 1 slice multigrain bread, toasted • 1/2 avocado, mashed or thinly sliced • 3 grape tomatoes, cut in half • Olive oil, salt and pepper to taste
1 hardboiled egg 1 cup strawberries and grapes 1 cup of milk
mayoclinichealthsystem.org
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Q&A
| hometown health | Winter 2017
Q: What is one health issue you
good question
wish men paid attention to?
Amy Frank, nurse practitioner Family Medicine Lake City
A:
Men do not pay as much attention to their health as they need to. They should visit their primary care provider on a regular basis. If men are healthy, a yearly visit will be sufficient. If you have a family history of any disease, a pre-existing condition, or have suffered an injury, you will need follow-up more often. A yearly visit to see your provider is as much a part of a healthy lifestyle as eating well and exercising on a regular basis. If you are experiencing any health issues, you need to speak up and let your doctor know. Symptoms men should not ignore include back pain, irregular urinary habits, snoring, and sudden weight gain/loss.
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Scott Benson, M.D. Family Medicine Cannon Falls
A:
The No. 1 cause of death in men is heart disease. Men need to pay attention to their health in order to avoid becoming a statistic. There are many risk factors for heart disease and most of these can be reduced by behavioral modifications and medications. It’s very important for men to exercise daily. Your heart is a muscle and needs to be exercised, specifically by getting your heart rate higher than normal for 20 to 30 minutes daily. Also, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, do not use tobacco in any form and limit alcohol use. Finally, see your provider to establish your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers so they can be treated if necessary — this will go a long way to lessening your risk of heart disease.
Heidi Eisenman, nurse practitioner Family Medicine Plainview
A:
Becoming a dad is a lifechanging, wonderful experience. However, it can be stressful for you and your partner. When baby comes home, make sure you have ‘daddy-baby time’ to build an intimate connection between the two of you. This will give your partner a chance to rest and recover as well. Being a hands-on dad will help with getting to know your baby. Offer to help your partner by taking turns feeding, changing and burping the baby. In fact, the two are interdependent; you get to know your baby partly by handling and caring for him or her. At the same time, knowing the baby makes you more attentive, which enables you to better understand and respond to the needs of your baby.
OUR THOUGHTS
Want to learn more about a provider you’re scheduled to see? You can get a sneak peek by visiting our website, where we’re posting short videos of many of our providers. Go to mayoclinichealthsystem.org and enter the name under “Find Medical Staff.”
For more information, visit our website, mayoclinichealthsystem.org Hometown Health™ is published as a community service for the friends and patients of Mayo Clinic Health System. If you have comments or suggestions for Hometown Health, contact Kristy Jacobson, Public Affairs, 507-263-9706. Information for Hometown Health stories is provided by Mayo Clinic Health System medical professionals. If you have medical questions about these stories and how they affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Mayo Clinic Health System has locations in Cannon Falls, Lake City and Red Wing, Minn. Regional clinics are located in Plainview, Wabasha and Zumbrota, Minn., and Alma and Ellsworth, Wis. ©2016 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. MAYO, MAYO CLINIC, Mayo Clinic Health System and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks and service marks of MFMER.
Helping you “catch” healthier habits Bobbie Gostout, M.D. Vice President, Mayo Clinic
Now that we’re in the middle of cold and flu season, you’re probably washing or sanitizing your hands more often. After all, it’s easy to “catch” a virus from the people around you. But you can also “catch” habits from your friends and family. Have you ever noticed you’re more likely to order dessert at a restaurant if your friends do? Or, to take a walk over your lunch break if your colleagues are heading out to get some steps in?
“
We’re often influenced by the habits of those around us, whether good or bad. That’s one reason we at Mayo Clinic Health System believe it’s important to
“
View provider bios and videos online
| hometown health | Winter 2017
offer a variety of health and wellness activities, including nutrition counseling, support groups and fun runs.
By providing more opportunities for people to make healthy choices about the way they eat, drink, think and move, we believe we can help make our communities healthier. And that’s something worth catching. PS: Turn to the back page of this newsletter to see some health and wellness activities available near you.
mayoclinichealthsystem.org
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32021 County 24 Blvd. Cannon Falls, MN 55009
events & classes For a complete calendar listing, visit mayoclinichealthsystem.org.
Personalized running form evaluations
Breathe & Relax Mid-day Break
Runners of all ages and ability levels, whether competitive or recreational, who are interested in improving their running performance may now schedule a running form evaluation at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing.
Take a relaxing but energizing break at mid-day. Learn how to make stretching more effective by linking your body and breath through mindful awareness.
Personalized evaluations are $250 and consist of one 60- to 90-minute initial session and one 60-minute follow-up session. Call 651-267-5450 for more information.
Tuesdays, 11:40 a.m. to Noon Professional and Community Center, 4th floor classroom, 1407 W. 4th Street, Red Wing
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mayo Clinic
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group in Cannon Falls Multiple Sclerosis (MS) impacts individuals on many different levels. This support group will provide a safe place where people can come together to share their personal experiences in living with MS, as a patient, family member, caregiver or community member. Staff from Rehabilitation Services will moderate the group. First Thursday of every third month — next meeting is March 2, 2017.
Thursdays, 12:10 to 12:30 p.m. Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing, 3rd floor chapel, 701 Hewitt Blvd., Red Wing
4 p.m.
$45 ($38 for Mayo employees, their families, and individuals age 65 and over)
Free
Call 651-385-3338 for more information.
Mayo Clinic Health System Lower Level Conference Room 32021 Cty. Road 24, Cannon Falls Call 507-263-6000 for more information.
For more Hometown Health, visit our blog Read patient stories, get guidance and advice from health experts and explore health topics. You can share your story there, too. To visit the blog, go to mayoclinichealthsystem.org and click “visit our blog.”
