Health News

Alternative healing modalities offer a perspective on health with a focus on prevention through a comprehensive approach of body, mind and spirit.
Four practitioners of yoga, tai chi, massage therapy, Reiki, biofeedback and essential oils have recently begun to offer their techniques at Dancing Sky Wellness, located at Faith United Church at 1001 5th St.
To make an appointment call 286-5464 or visit online at www.dancingskywellness.com.

Veterans fight to have Parkinson’s declared service connected to Agent Orange

U.S. Military Veterans With Parkinson’s Disease, an organization of about 150 members, is saying the Department of Veterans Affairs should recognize that exposure to Agent Orange and other pesticides during their service has a plausible connection.
They want Parkinson’s added to the VA’s “presumptive list” of Agent Orange connected illnesses.

Heart Disease Risk Assessment Program now available at the Duluth Clinic

If the old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still holds true today, then Ben Franklin would be pleased with the Women’s Heart Disease Risk Assessment Program at the Duluth Clinic — International Falls.
Designed for women, but also open to men, it is an affordable and less complicated program for testing and consultation on heart risk and health prevention.

Parents of newborn to 8-month-old infants should discuss an available rotavirus vaccine with their doctors, says Nancy Lee, Koochiching County public health nurse.
Rotavirus is a common virus that most children contract by age 3 but which sometimes leads to severe illness due to dehydration in their small bodies. The dehydration is due to the rapid loss of fluids caused by the diarrhea and vomiting that occur with rotavirus infections.
The oral vaccine is given at 2 months, 4 months, and six months of age, and can be given at the same time as other vaccinations.

The number of Minnesotans infected with a sexually transmitted disease rose in 2007, as it has every year since 1996.
More than 17,000 people became infected with chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in 2007. That’s a 3.8 percent increase over 2006.
Reportable STDs, also known as sexually transmitted infections, in Minnesota include chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

By JILL VOLLMER, Kootasca Head Start

Now that daylight savings time is back in full swing and it is lighter later, many parents are having a hard time getting their kids to go to bed at night. Every parent knows that their children need a good night’s sleep. Surprisingly, many parents don’t realize how much sleep their children actually do need in order to function at their optimal level.

Falls Memorial Hospital and the International Falls Ambulance Service are seeking community input into a proposal to change local ambulance service from basic life support to advanced life support.
An open forum to discuss the proposal is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Rainy River Community College room H100.
A community task force is considering all aspects of the transition, which members believe could be a more cost-effective option to helicopter travel and would not be as impacted by inclement weather.

A full slate of presenters are lined up

By PATTI-JO LEDREW, Fort Frances Community Clinic/Family Health Team Registered Nurse

Organizers of the first-ever Chronic Disease Management Symposium scheduled for March 29 are encouraging all residents to come out and learn about chronic disease management.
The symposium runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Sports Center Auditorium.

By TERESA HAZEL, Rainy River District Breast Health Network Chair

Members of the Rainy River District Breast Health Network would like to let all district residents know that the 5th Annual World Conference on Breast Cancer is taking place June 4-8 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
“This is a great opportunity for local residents to attend a phenomenal conference,” said Sandra McKinnon, Network member and one of the Riverside Breast Health Program’s registered nurses.
McKinnon attended a World Conference three years ago in Halifax.

This daylong conference will provide professionals, family caregivers, and others with valuable information, tools, and support for the home and workplace. Presenters will share their expertise on topics related to recent advances in research and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, coping with day-to-day challenges of caregiving, communication, effective ways of planning for care, and looking beyond the loss to recognize the strengths of the person with dementia.