Category Archives: Health
One Hot Mama
July is well upon us with high outdoor temperatures and incredible levels of humidity! Along with these weather extremes comes the potential for heat-related illnesses, which can all too quickly become life-threatening to some individuals. Heat-related illnesses are dependent on
Going for the Goal
Passing Amy Kibler frequently as she ran along the roadside during our brutal winter weather was the impetus for me to contact her; talking with her inspired me to let her story inspire you. Amy—a professional occupational therapist in her
A Note on E-Cigarettes
My first encounter with an electronic cigarette, known as an e-cig, was about two years ago at a farm-equipment auction. I found myself staring at the apparatus around the neck of several gentlemen, which reminded me of a Mr. T
For the Love of Exercise
Two years after I left my employment in an outpatient care clinic, I ran into a previous patient who had lost 50 pounds. Smiling, he related how he finally “decided to do what the doctor told me to do for
Real-life Resolutions for the New Year
Happy 2014! As another January rolls in, so does the season for resolutions related to health, exercise and diet. Sometimes it can be hard to go from resolutions to reality—but I met two local individuals who committed in 2013 to
Steps for the Season
A colleague of mine recently announced the countdown of days until Christmas, and a hush fell over the break room. Of course this silence was followed by a loud and collective groan, followed by many folks bemoaning all that must
Put on Those Party Shoes
As the holiday season begins, social festivities abound complete with song, wonderful food and drink. Often, people prone to gout develop symptoms as a result of party activities which cause them to miss future soirées due to pain and discomfort.
Pump Up the Pumpkin
One of my fondest childhood memories of Iowa is driving to The Pumpkin Patch located a few miles from town each October. The arthritic, weathered old farmer wandered his fields with a huge smile on his face. Children ran in
Blessings in Disguise
Everyone’s cancer journey is totally different—no two are the same. So when our editor, Bethany, asked me if I wanted to share my story as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I immediately said yes! And as I thought
