Community health news

Hannah Huerter has two immediate family members who have Type 1 diabetes, which means their bodies don’t produce enough insulin. She knows many tools and technologies are available to help diabetics manage their condition and maintain good health, but the tool she recommends most often may seem unusual: Communication.

“We had a lot of family discussion. Once a week, we sat down together as a family to talk about diabetes and whether they were having a good...

Want to learn more about what lab tests at our October 9 Health Fair will tell you? Take a look at answers to some frequently asked questions. 

What tests will I receive?

Lab tests include complete blood count, chemistry panel, thyroid screen, cholesterol panel, and hemoglobin A1c for diabetes screening for $25. A prostate specific antigen, or PSA, test can be added for $10.

What does a chemistry panel tell me?

The...

 

Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D: Enrolling in Medicare can feel overwhelming. But taking time to understand the alphabet soup is important, and all seniors need to be aware of how the choices they make can affect their healthcare. Medicare open enrollment for 2022 coverage is October 15 through December 7, so now is the perfect time to learn about the options.

Individuals can enroll in Original Medicare, which includes Part A (Hospital Insurance) and...

 

It’s never a good time to be seriously ill or hospitalized with the flu, but 2021-22 could be particularly challenging as patients with COVID-19 continue to fill beds. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, infections are also on the rise in our area. Health experts in northeast Kansas and nationwide are worried about the upcoming influenza season and hope people will help prevent a large number of flu hospitalizations by getting a flu shot.

Karen...

By Dr. Nancy Zidek, CHCS Chief of Medical Staff

Community HealthCare System has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases in our area in recent weeks. We want to make sure our patients know that early testing combined with effective treatment of COVID-19 can prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and other poor outcomes.

If you or a loved one develop any of the symptoms of COVID-19 and have ANY of the risk factors, you should get tested as soon as possible. Community...

  No matter your age or health status, regular screenings are important. Many people may put off labs because of cost, but Community HealthCare System can help. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 9 and plan to attend at the Onaga Community Hospital between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. for low-cost labs at the CHCS Health Fair.

During the Health Fair, individuals can receive a complete blood count, chemistry panel, thyroid screen, cholesterol panel, and hemoglobin A1c for...

If you have a heart attack or a heart procedure, you can participate in Cardiac Rehab to help regain your health. But Community HealthCare System wants to do more to help people prevent heart problems in the first place. A new program, Heart to Heart Therapy, can do just that.

The friendly, highly customizable program is designed to help people set goals, learn about heart health risk factors, and start exercising with help from a team of wellness experts.

Meranda...

By Meranda Schmitz, RN and Cardiac Rehab nurse

We recently posted about cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. So what can you do decrease your risk factors and increase your heart’s health?

Make a few changes to your diet Exercise for the recommended amount of time at the recommended effort level Keep your blood sugar levels under control Take the medications prescribed by your doctor or cardiologist Join Cardiac Rehab!

After a...

By Meranda Schmitz, RN and Cardiac Rehab nurse

Your heart is the most important muscle in your body. Just like any muscle, it can get damaged or worn out. Cardiac Rehab is designed to strengthen and recover your heart so that you may go on to live a happier, healthier life. If you have cardiovascular disease, Cardiac Rehab may be for you. But first, it’s important to understand cardiovascular disease, its risk factors, and how it affects the body.

So...