March 2016 Hamburg, Lexington Health Calendar

MARCH 17

Irregular Heartbeats: Everything You Need to Know, 6 pm, Beaumont Public Library Large Conference Room. An irregular heartbeat is an arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia). “An arrhythmia is an abnormal or disturbed heartbeat or rhythm that can cause patients to feel unsettled. Many patients can find relief with newer medicines that solve their problem by keeping their arrhythmia in check. However, some patients may need a minimally invasive procedure. Please join Dr. Yousef Darrat, cardiologist specializing in heart rhythm disorders at the UK Gill Heart Institute, as he discusses the latest treatment option for abnormal heart rhythms. Registration recommended.” To schedule an appointment to see a physician at the Gill Heart Institute, call 859-323-0295.

MARCH 1

Breastfeeding Essentials II class, 7:15-8:45 pm, Baby Moon, 2891 Richmond Rd. Follow-up to Breastfeeding Essentials I class focusing on pumping and returning to work.

MARCH 5

“Transitions: Bringing Home a Baby” class, 3 – 5 pm, Baby Moon, 2891 Richmond Rd., Lexington.

MARCH 8

Diabetes Self-Management at Beaumont Public Library in Small Conference Room at 5 pm. “The Diabetes Self Management Program (DSMP) is a peer-led workshop for individuals with a Type II diabetes diagnosis. DSMP workshops are designed to help individuals gain self-confidence in their ability to control their symptoms and learn how their health problems affect their lives. Small-group, highly interactive workshops are six (6) weeks long, meeting once per week, and are facilitated by a pair of leaders of which one or both are individuals with Type II diabetes. To register, please call Lydia Jacobs at The Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living at 859-269-8021. Registration recommended.”

MARCH 10

Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease, 5 pm, Beaumont Public Library Large Conference Room. “This Alzheimer’s Association program will give valuable information to families and individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia about how to plan for legal and financial needs. Lexington attorney Robert McClelland will address issues such as power of attorney, guardianship, and handling the finances and property of a person with dementia. A light dinner will be provided by Bridgepointe at Ashgrove Woods free of charge. Call 1-800-272-3900 to register. Registration required.”

MARCH 14

Being Your Healthiest!, 6 pm, Northside Public Library. Join for a healthy living class taught by diabetes educators. Free and open to anyone who wants to prevent diabetes, including family or friends. Call 859-288-2446 to register.

MARCH 19

KentuckyOne Health Diabetes and Nutrition Expo at Keeneland Health Education Center, Building D, 4th floor at 9 am. “If you are living with diabetes or may be at risk for developing diabetes, you are invited to attend the first annual Diabetes and Nutrition Expo.”

• Vendor/Exhibit Booths
• Educational sessions with experts on diabetes

– Bradford Fine, DPM, Podiatry Medicine

– Chih Chang, MD, Endocrinologist, Lexington Clinic

– Cindy Ashford, Exercise Specialist,

KentuckyOne Health at the YMCA

– Janelle Schnake, RD, KentuckyOne Health

Diabetes and Nutrition Care

• Cooking Demonstration — Join TV personality and fresh produce advocate Chef Curtis Aikens, best known as host of The Food Network’s “Pick of the Day” cooking show, and a Novo Nordisk Diabetes Educator when they visit for a healthy cooking demonstration and educational workshop.
• Giveaways and Prizes
• Free Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and Foot Screenings

MARCH 20

The Great Diabetes Epidemic, 2 pm, Northside Public Library Large Conference Room. “Learn why diabetes is an epidemic in Kentucky and why you may be part of the epidemic! Do you know that 14% of Kentuckians have diabetes, and that over 1/4^th of those do not realize they have it? Learn why Diabetes is the major cause of blindness, lower limb amputations and kidney diseases in our State at a costs of billions of dollars, annually. Dr. Gilbert Friedell, Director Emeritus of the Markey Cancer Center will tell you about diabetes, how to determine if you have pre-diabetes and how to prevent it from developing into the later stages of diabetes.”

UPCOMING HEALTH FAIRS

Sunday, March 13, 1:30-5 p.m.: St. Paul AME Church Fashion Show/Health Fair, SP Rawlings Conference Center, 866 Georgetown St., Lexington

Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: KentuckyOne Diabetes and Nutrition Expo, Keeneland  Health Education Center, 1451 Harrodsburg Road, Building D, 4th Floor, Lexington.

Wednesday, March 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Eastern Kentucky University health fair, Powell Building, Richmond

FLU SEASON

Kentucky is experiencing “widespread influenza,” the highest prevalence of flu, according to the CDC.

With Spring Break just around the corner, here are a few things to keep in mind.

·        Flu viruses are highly contagious. They can live on hard surfaces for up to
8 hours. Most healthy adults with the flu may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and 5-7 days after becoming sick.

·        Know the symptoms of the flu so you can quickly take action if you think you have it. Typical flu symptoms are: the sudden onset of high fever (100ºF+), chills, aches and extreme fatigue.

·        There is a second line of defense if you’re not protected by the vaccine.
If you act fast (within 2 days of having symptoms), a doctor can prescribe an
antiviral, which can shorten the length of time that you are sick by attacking the
flu virus at its source.

This article also appears on page 14 of the March 2016 printed edition of the Hamburg Journal.