Vol XI, Issue III
September 2012
Designed by: Candy Garza A pu blic atio n of Natio n al He alt h Ser vices, I nc.
We a re a n eq ual op port unity em ploy er .
A Me ssage from the Editor: Welcome to the Fall issue of National Health Services, Inc. (NHSI) quarterly publication; “Health Link.” Since 1978, NHSI has been working relentlessly to provide the best Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, Optometry, and Chiropractic services to our patients. With an established prestigious record of ethical scientific practice and a solid commitment to superb patient care, it is clear that NHSI is a leader in providing the best possible health services to our patients and communities. NHSI has also played an important part in the regional plan for the economic health of Kern County. The integration of health services and economic health has been an essential part of NHSI’s economic growth. We also believe in promoting healthy lifestyles as healthy people are better workers, and productive workers are necessary for economic success in any business and is contingent on surrounding yourself with a great team. We have diversity of backgrounds and disciplines but share the tradition of commitment to a cause, which is built on trust, communication and friendship with the communities we are privileged to serve. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Physicians, Nurses, Ancillary staff and community members, together WE have accomplished so much!
Mr. Francisco Castillon,
MPA Chief Executive Officer
Board of Directors John Ogborn - Chairperson Marcos Rodriquez - Vice Chairperson Ruby Payne - Treasurer Giuli Kelly - Secretary Alice Jimenez - Director Aurelio Nuñez - Director
Mona K. Dawar, PhD, MS, M.Ed
Eustolia Diaz - Director
Director of Behavioral Health & Health Education
Julien Parsons - Director
Brimhall Community Health Center
Tommie Fowler - Director
1014 Calloway Dr. Bldg. F
Jerry Taylor - Director
Bakersfield, CA 93312 (661) 630-7600
Inside this issue:
Buttonwillow Medical & Dental Center
Tehachapi Community Health Center
Wasco Medical & Dental Center
277 E. Front Street P.O. Box 907
161 N. Mill Street
2101 7th Street P.O. Box AA
Buttonwillow, CA 93206
Tehachapi, CA 93561
Wasco, CA 93280
(661) 764-5211 Medical (661) 764-5257 Dental
(661) 822-9054
(661) 758-2263 Medical (661) 758-5903 Dental
Delano Family Dental and
Joy Cariño Kimpo Women’s Health Center
Ridgecrest Community Health Center
Women’s Health Center
320 James Street P.O. Box 1060
1133 N. Chelsea Street
1215 Jefferson Street P.O. Box 957
Shafter, CA 93263
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Delano, CA 93215
(661) 459-1800
(760) 446-7978
Shafter Community Medical & Dental Center
Oildale Community Health Center
(661) 454-1700 Joy Cariño Kimpo Family Medical Center
655 S. Central Valley Hwy. P.O. Box 1060
525 Roberts Lane
1001 Main Street P.O. Box 957
Shafter, CA 93263
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Delano, CA 93215
(661) 746-9194 Medical & Dental
(661) 392-7850
Lost Hills Community Health Center
Rosedale Community Health Center
21138 Paso Robles Hwy. (Hwy 46)
3409 Calloway Drive, #300
1100 Fourth Street
P.O. Box 106
Bakersfield, CA 93312
Taft, CA 93268
Lost Hills, CA 93249
(661) 387-6930
(661) 765-5044 Medical (661) 770-3320 Dental
(661) 797-2667 Medical (661) 797-2677 Dental
About Us
1
Dental & Eye Care
2
Medical Health
3
Back to School
4
Behavioral Health
5
Healthy Recipes
6
Our Services
7
(661) 721-7080 Taft Community Medical & Dental Center
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Vol XI, Issue III
September 2012
How can I best care for my child’s teeth? Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child’s first tooth comes in. Wiping your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria. Once your child is preschool-age, start using fluoride toothpaste. Don’t cover the brush with toothpaste; a pea sized amount is just right. Young children tend to swallow most of the toothpaste and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause permanent stains on their teeth.
What are cavities? Cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use the sugar in food to make acid. This acid eats away at the teeth. Cavities are the most common disease in childhood. Good teeth care can help cavities from happening in your child.
How can I help stop cavities? Everyone in your family should take care of their teeth. Family members with lots of cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to babies and children. Teeth should be brushed a least twice a day and adults should at least floss once a day. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your dentist show you the right way to brush your child’s teeth.
When should I start taking my child to the dentist? The American Dental Association recommends that parents take their child to a dentist around his/her first birthday. That gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child’s teeth. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his/her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.
It is common for a speck of dirt to get blown into your eye, for soap to get into your eye, or for you to accidentally bump your eye. For these types of minor eye injuries, home treatment is usually all that is needed. Some sports and recreational activities increase the risk of eye injuries, such as; very high-risk sports include boxing, wrestling, and martial arts. High-risk sports include baseball, football, tennis, and fencing. Low-risk sports include swimming and gymnastics (no body contact or use of a ball, bat, or racquet).
Blows to the eye Direct blows to the eye can damage the skin and other tissues around the eye, the eyeball, or the bones of the eye socket. Blows to the eye often cause bruising around the eye (black eye) or cuts to the eyelid. If a blow to the eye or a cut or a cut to the eyelid occurred during an accident, be sure to check the injuries to the eyeball itself and for other injuries, especially to the head or face.
Burns to the eye Burns to the eye may be caused by chemicals, fumes, hot air or steam, sunlight, tanning lamps, electric hair curlers or dryers, or welding equipment. Bursts of flames or flash fires from stove or explosives can also burn the face and eyes. Many chemicals will not damage if they are flushed out of the eye quickly. Bright sunlight (especially when the sun is reflecting water or snow) can burn your eyes if you do not wear sunglasses that filter out ultraviolet (UV) light. Eyes that are not protected by a mask can be burned by exposure to the high-intensity light of a welder’s equipment. The eyes also may be injured by other bright lights, such as from tanning booths and sun lamps.
Foreign objects in the eye A foreign object in the eye, such as dirt, an eyelash, a contact lens, or makeup can scratch the surface of the eye (cornea) or get stuck on the eye. And a scratched cornea may feel painful. Eye injuries can be prevented by using protective eyewear. Wear safety glasses, goggles, or face shields when working with power tools or chemicals. After an eye injury, you need to watch for vision changes and symptoms of an infection. Most minor eye injuries can be treated at home but for serious eye injuries you need to see a doctor or go to the closest emergency room.
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Vol XI, Issue III
September 2012
Heartburn: A Symptom of GERD More than 15 millions Americans, usually adults but also children, have GERD. Many of these people deal with heartburn, its most common symptom, two or more times a week. The root cause of the disease is a faulty valve between the esophagus and the stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter that relaxes more often than it should. The result is that juice from the stomach-made up of acid, digestive enzymes, and other unpleasant substances-sneak back up into the esophagus and damages its lining. Why this happens isn’t always clear but doctors do know that the valve may stop working properly if a person:
• Is overweight. Extra weight puts pressure on the valve, causing it to relax.
• Is Pregnant. Hormones play a role in relaxing the valve, and the growing fetus puts pressure on the stomach.
• Has a hiatal hernia. This prevents the muscle wall between the chest and the stomach from supporting the valve as it should. GERD can be just heartburn or heartburn plus other symptoms, including excessive clearing of the throat, problems swallowing, the feeling that food is stuck in your throat, burning in the mouth, and burning pain in the chest. Untreated GERD can lead to serious health problems, so it needs to be taken seriously and managed with both medications and smart lifestyles choices, starting with maintaining a healthy weight. Dropping some pounds, taking a look at your diet, and making some adjustments to your bed – all can help you deal with GERD. Anyone with GERD should not consume alcohol, which has a relaxing effect on the esophageal sphincter, which opens the door for acid to reflux from the stomach into the esophagus and makes the symptoms of GERD worse. Finally, how you sleep has a big impact on GERD symptoms. Wait 2-3 hours after dinner before you lie down and raise the bed 5-6 inches (put bricks or blocks under the head of the bed) or get a foam wedge that goes from under your hips all the way to the head of the bed. This helps keep stomach contents where they belong – in the stomach. If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to keep the disease in check, you need a prescription medicine. There are two categories of drugs available to help treat GERD. H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. While you can buy some over-the counter versions of the drugs, see your doctor first to have your symptoms evaluated and determine which treatment is best. GERD is not curable but it is treatable with medication and healthy living.
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Vol XI, Issue III
September 2012
Back to School Backpack Guide Homework might be a pain, but thousands of children across the country are also in agony for a lesser known school related reason. 96% of kids store their school stuff in a backpack, and a whopping one-third of these children suffer from painful back and shoulder problems associated with their backpacks. 60% of doctors report having to medically treat pain in children caused by backpacks, and bad backpacks are the cause of emergency room injuries in over 13,000 children across the county each year. Is your child’s backpack bad for him/her? It is if he/she: • Shift to one side when wearing their backpack • Lean forward when wearing their backpack • Drag the pack on the ground instead of putting on their back • Complain of pain, tingling, red marks, or numbness during or after wearing their backpack • Twist and turn when putting on or removing their backpack
Even if your kids are not yet showing symptoms of a bad backpack, use these tips to make sure that all the stress and strain of school does not end up on their backs. No matter the size, a backpack should never carry more than 15% of the child’s weight, with 10% being a more preferable number. So if your child weighs 60lbs, his/her backpack should weigh somewhere between 6-9 lbs maximum. If reaching this weight is proving troublesome, ask your child’s teacher for an extra set of books to keep at home. Also when shopping for a backpack, look for lighter fabrics like canvas or nylon, but make sure that there is a layer or two of padding in whatever backpack you choose. And look for a backpack that stands upright on its own, as it is easier for your child to pick up and put on properly without having to bend over and strain.
Childhood vaccines: A child safety measure Many diseases that once killed or maimed children are now close to extinction in areas of the world where vaccinations are part of standard health care. But don’t think vaccines are no longer necessary. Indeed, these diseases still occur – even in most areas of the United States. Vaccines ensure your child is able to fight off these infections, all of which can lead to serious health problems and even death.
How vaccines work Vaccines ‘train’ your child’s body to fight off infection. When your child is vaccinated for a particular disease, the body responds by manufacturing substances called antibodies that can recognize and attack the germs that cause the disease.
Possible risks of vaccines The most common side effects of vaccination include redness, a lump under the skin, or swelling at the injection site and fever. You can treat fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol). A painless lump at the injection site does not need treatment and may last for two to eight weeks. Very rarely, allergic reactions occur. Signs of allergic reaction include breathing problem, hives, fast heartbeat and dizziness. If your child has an allergic reaction, get immediate medical attention. 4
Diseases childhood vaccines prevent include:
• Hepatitis B • Mumps • Diphtheria • Rubella (German measles) • Tetanus (lockjaw) • Pertussis (whooping • Varicella (chicken pox) • Pnemococcal infections cough) • Polio • Influenza (the flu) • Haemophilus influ- • Hepatitis A (in some
Vol XI, Issue III
September 2012
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer intensely from recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions), which they feel they cannot control. Rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsessions and the need to perform rituals can take over a person’s life. OCD is often a chronic, relapsing illness. Fortunately, effective treatments have been developed to help people with OCD.
How common is OCD? • Approximately 3.3 million Americans between the ages of 8 - 54 are diagnosed with OCD in any given year. • OCD affects men and women equally. • OCD typically begins during adolescence or early childhood. • OCD costs our Country approximately $8.4 billion in social and economic losses.
What causes OCD? The exact cause is not known but there is growing evidence that OCD represents abnormal functioning of a part of the brain called the Striatum. The striatum may play a role in the regulation of movement including the cognitive aspects of motor control. Brain imaging studies of patients with OCD show that both behavioral therapy and medication produce changes in the striatum. OCD is not caused by family problems or attitudes learned in childhood, but it does tend to run in families.
What treatments are available for OCD? Treatment usually involves both therapy and medication. A type of behavioral therapy known as “Exposure and Response Prevention” is very useful in treating OCD. In this approach, a person is deliberately and voluntarily exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts and then is taught techniques to avoid performing the compulsive rituals and to deal with the anxiety. OCD is considered a chronic disorder and treatment is lifelong.
Can people with OCD also have other behavioral disorders? OCD is sometimes accompanied by depression, eating disorders, substance abuse and other anxiety disorders. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of other disorders are important to successful treatment of OCD. NHSI’S Behavioral Health Department offers multidisciplinary treatment plans tailored to individual requirements. A wide range of modalities, including Tele-Psychiatry are available in outpatient settings and include individual and family psychotherapy and pharmacologic consultation.
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Vol XI, Issue III
September 2012
Potato and Egg Scramble Ingredients
Directions
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce 3 green onions, sliced 2 to 3 ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded, and torn into strips Nonstick cooking spray 1 1/2 cups chopped, cooked potato (about 1 medium russet potato)* 1 cup chopped onion 6 egg whites or . cup of egg substitute 2 whole eggs 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup crumbled Queso Fresco cheese 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1. Put tomato sauce, green onions, and dried chiles in a blender container, cover with a tight fitting lid, and blend until smooth. Pour into a small saucepan over low heat. 2. Spray a medium skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Add potato and onion and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring often. Coat vegetables with cooking spray once or twice during cooking. Remove from skillet and keep warm. 3. Beat egg whites and whole eggs with cumin and salt. Coat skillet again with cooking spray and add eggs; cook and stir for 5 minutes or until eggs are set. Stir potato mixture into eggs. 4. Top eggs and potatoes with warm sauce, cheese, and cilantro. Serve immediately. Tip: *To cook potato, poke potato with a fork and place in a microwave safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Make sure that the plastic doesn’t touch the potato. Microwave on high for 5 minutes or until potato is soft inside. Makes 4 servings. ¾ cup per serving. | Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes
Courtesy of: http://www.cdph.ca.gov
Chicken Picadillo
Ingredients
Preparation
1 pound ground chicken
1. In a large nonstick pot or skillet, brown chicken over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, breaking it up with the back of a spoon. 2. Add all remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. 3. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Let simmer for 20 minutes. 4. Serve hot.
1 1⁄2cups chopped onion 1 1⁄2cups chopped chayote squash 1 cup chopped bell pepper or poblano pepper 1⁄3 cup chopped pimento stuffed green olives
Both sweet and spicy, this tasty dish is sure to please the whole
1⁄4 cup raisins 1⁄4cup water
tip: To make stuffed peppers, spoon
1 tablespoon chili powder
picadillo mixture into poblanos or bell pepper halves. Cover with foil and bake until peppers are tender. Makes 4 servings. 1½ cups per serving. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 35 minutes Courtesy of: http://www.cdph.ca.gov
1 teaspoon ground cumin 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
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Vol XI, Issue III
September 2012
National Health Services, Inc. “Health for All” We provide the quality health care you need, including the following:
General Medicine
Ultrasound Services
Obstetrics / Gynecology
Prenatal Services
Pediatrics
Diabetes Classes
Nutritionist
Psychological Services
Dental Services
Immigration Physicals
Teen Day Clinic
CHDP
Internal Medicine
Family Planning
Chiropractic Services
Behavioral Health Medicine
X-Ray & Lab on-site
Telemedicine
Drug Screening
School / Sport Physicals
Immunization
Health Education
Applications Assistance Medi-Cal / Healthy Family Extended Urgent Care
Pharmacy
DMV Physicals
Optometry Services
Birth Control & Contraceptive Counseling
Discounts are available to assist individuals and families who qualify. We accept Medi-Cal, Medi-Care, Kern Family Health Care, Blue Cross, Bakersfield Family Medical Center (Secure Horizon, Pacific Care, Health Net, etc.) CHDP, CPSP, Healthy Families, Family PACT, private insurance and individual payments. ** We Accept New Patients **
“NHSI is YOUR Medical Home” 7
Vol XI, Issue III
September 2012
**We Accept NEW Patients**
Designed by: Candy Garza
A publication of N ational He alth Servi ces, Inc.
We ar e an e qu al opport unity employ er.
National Health Services, Inc. 659 S. Central Valley Hwy. P.O. Box 1060 Shafter, CA 93263
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