Hastings Internal Medicine Associates, P.C. updated their phone number.
Hastings Internal Medicine Associates, P.C. updated their address.
Covid-19 update 4/10
Mary Lanning will be offering drive-through Covid-19 testing starting on Monday. You will still need a doctor's order to get tested. There are still some restrictions on who can be tested. Contact our office for further information.
Stay home and stay safe this weekend. Stay connected to your family and friends via phone or internet. Stay connected to your places of worship through the streaming opportunities available online, on radio or television. Stay healthy by exercising daily.
Good Friday. Our office will close at noon 4/10/20.
Covid-19 update 4/8/20
Adams County is now reporting 25 cases in our area. Hall County now has over 60 cases. We can assume there is generalized community spread of the virus. Up to 50% of the people who carry the virus are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. Therefore it is important that we doubled down on our social distancing and staying at home. Exercise outdoors is okay as long as 6 feet of distance is maintained from people other than household members. It is now recommended that you use some kind of face mask when you go to the grocery store or pharmacy. There are several easy homemade masks you can use made of cloth. Checkout YouTube on the internet for instructions.
We continue to provide telehealth visits by phone or video. You can call and make an appointment for a telehealth visit. Office appointments and lab draws for those patients who do not have infection symptoms are available in the mornings. We are reserving afternoon appointments for those who have symptoms of an infection. Please call ahead for any appointment so we can have things setup to see you in a safe and efficient manner. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 3/20/20
We now have operational TeleHealth capabilities. For those who have smart phones or a laptop with camera we can do a video visit. Our office staff will set up a time frame for this visit. We will send you a link which will connect you to the video visit. We can also do just a telephone visit for those who do not have video capability. If lab work or a office exam is needed we will set this up at the end of the call. We continue to use the mornings and early afternoons for well patient visits. if you are ill we will do a TeleHealth visit initially and then arrange for an exam and further testing if needed. Covid-19 testing is still limited and only for those who are seriously ill or at high risk. If you have any questions please give us a call. Stay safe and follow the social distancing guidelines.
As many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness. According to the CDC, breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in women. In 2017, there were 1,446 new cases in Nebraska alone. Some people with breast cancer do not have any symptoms, however some signs or symptoms of breast cancer include
• Changes in skin on the breast including dimpling
• New lump in breast or armpit
• Nipple discharge or pain
• Nipple inversion (pulling in of the nipple)
• Pain in the breast
• Changes in size of breast or symmetry of breast
For more information check out: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/what-is-breast-cancer.htm
CDC.GOV
What Is Breast Cancer?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be hosting flu shot clinic this year. Flu shots are available and no appointment is needed, but please call before coming to confirm availability.
There are three ways to test for diabetes mellitus.
1. Fasting glucose: done on blood draw after not eating or drinking anything other than water for the eight hours prior
2. Glucose tolerance test: ingest a drink with 75 grams of sugar and check blood sugar in 2 hours
3. Hemoglobin A1c: blood work that measures what blood sugars have been averaging over the past 2-3 months by measuring how much of the hemoglobin is coated in sugar.
Testing ranges by test:
Fasting blood sugar (on 2 separate occasions): normal<100, prediabetes 100-125, diabetes >125
Glucose tolerance test: normal <140, prediabetes 140-199, diabetes >199
Hemoglobin A1c: normal <5.7%, prediabetes 5.7-6.4%, diabetes >6.4%
November is American Diabetes Month. The most common form of diabetes is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, which is where the body does not metabolize sugar (glucose) the way it should. It can be caused by insulin resistance, where the cells do not respond to insulin by bringing sugar in to them, or that the pancreas does not make enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugars. Many people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are without any symptoms, however symptoms can include
• Increased thirst or urination
• Blurry vision
• Increased hunger
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Poorly healing sores
• Dark areas in underarms or along neck called acanthosis nigricans
What foods affect my blood sugar?
Carbohydrates are sugars, starches, and fiber that are found in the foods we eat. These foods include fruits, grains, potatoes, breads, sweets, dairy products, and some vegetables. Sugars and starches increase your blood sugars, so if you have diabetes decreasing the amount of these foods in your diet can help control blood sugars. Getting familiar with reading food labels will be helpful in managing diabetes. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, talk to your medical provider to determine how many carbohydrates you should have at each meal and snacks.
We are thankful for our medical providers! From 10 to 41 years of experience, we are thankful for their compassion, breadth of knowledge, and clinical judgement! Thank you for all you do Dr. French, Dr. Wibbels, Dr. Seizys, Dr. Wenburg, Dr. Hentzen, and Lindsey Stout PA-C!
Our amazing nursing staff and clinical call center staff give us plenty to be thankful for! They handle countless phone calls a day, update computer records, take vital signs, give immunizations, relay results, line up referrals… the list goes on and on. Most importantly they handle all of those tasks with a smile on their faces and truly do care for our patients.
As we enter the Holiday Season this week and it happens to be American Diabetes Month, we wanted to share a few of our favorite low carbohydrate substitutions that can help with having lower blood sugars and smaller waist lines.
Cauliflower: can be substituted for rice, mashed potatoes, pizza crusts
Lettuce: can be substituted for bread or tortillas
Portabella mushrooms: can be substituted for hamburger buns
Zucchini: can be substituted for noodles
Almond flour: can be substituted for all-purpose flour
Most likely when you visit us at Hastings Internal Medicine you are bound to encounter one of these fine folks, our laboratory staff! From being able to draw blood on the toughest of patients to efficiently and accurately producing laboratory results for the patient and providers alike, we are blessed to have these wonderful people on our team! (not picture Jeff Douglas and Wendy Judy)
We are going to kick this Week of Thanks with the first voices you hear and faces you see when you contact us, our front office staff! These ladies have a cumulative 74 years of experience at Hastings Internal Medicine. We are thankful for their loyalty, organization, and efficiency!
Here at Hastings Internal Medicine we would like to take sometime this week and to reflect on the people we are most thankful for. Feel free to comment below each post with your own message of thanks if you feel so inclined.
As we enter the last month of the year, we are going to focus this month on preparing for a healthy start to 2021. Health insurance is an important part of keeping you up to date on your health. Open enrollment for Medicare ends on December 7th!
This Week of Thanks would not be complete without saying how thankful we are for our patients. It is truly an honor and privilege to be apart of their medical care team. Happy Thanksgiving to you all and have a safe and joyous celebration!
Although not a topic anyone likes to discuss, planning for your future should also include completing your Advanced Directives. Advanced Directives are legal documents that outline what you would like done with your medical care when you are unable to communicate them at that time. There are two forms of Advanced Directives that are typically completed. A Living Will tells your medical providers what life-prolonging treatments you would like performed when you are unable to express informed consent. Medical Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to select the person who would be responsible for making your medical decisions if you are unable to.
As we are nearing the New Year a lot of people are starting to make New Year’s resolutions or goals. When considering goals for next year, keep it “SMART”: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. For more instruction on how to set SMART goals, visit https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm
MINDTOOLS.COM
SMART Goals: – How to Make Your Goals Achievable
Hastings Internal Medicine Associates, P.C.
Today at 2:20 AM ·
The past two days our providers and staff received their first dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We feel blessed at the opportunity to receive it and are thankful for all of the people who were a part of the development and distribution of the vaccine. We will post here and our website when and where our patients will be able to get the vaccine too when that information is finalized.
*Photo of Dr. Wenburg receiving his first dose
The past two days our providers and staff received their first dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We feel blessed at the opportunity to receive it and are thankful for all of the people who were a part of the development and distribution of the vaccine. We will post here and our website when and where our patients will be able to get the vaccine too when that information is finalized.
*Photo of Dr. Wenburg receiving his first dose
Trying to figure out how to celebrate the holidays during the pandemic has been challenging to stay the least. We wanted to share the risk stratification by activity published by Nebraska Medicine to try to help guide you and your family.
January is National Blood Donor Month! If you are interested in blood donation, below is a link describing the blood donation process.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/donation-process-overview.html
REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG
Donation Process Overview
Below is a COVID-19 vaccination distribution timeline recently published by the South Heartland Health Department.
South Heartland District Health Department
January 8 at 8:39 AM ·
This is subject to change, but currently here is the timeline
Have you ever wondered what happens to your blood after blood donation? Watch this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfwq_vJHwT8
Not everyone is eligible to donate blood. Most common reasons people are unable to donate are because of being ill, taking certain medications, having low iron, or traveling to areas with malaria, Zika, and Ebola. For more information on eligibility requirements go to the link below.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html
REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG
Eligibility Requirements
Interested in donating but don’t know when and where there is a blood drive? Go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive and insert your zip code. There are a couple in the next week in Hastings!
REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG
Upcoming blood drive. Help save lives.
Due to inclement weather our office is closing at noon on 1/25. Please follow our page for future weather related closures.
February is American Heart Month! To help improve heart health, we recommend eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, herbs, spices, fish, seafood, and extra virgin olive oil. We also recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise.
What is a myocardial infarction (MI)? A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is where the artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart muscle becomes blocked. Symptoms of a MI can come on slowly while sometimes they can be sudden and intense.
What is atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart beat or quivering of the top two chambers of the heart. It is the most common arrhythmia. Some people do not have symptoms while others will have a racing or pounding heart, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and sometimes chest pain.
What is heart failure? Heart failure is a condition when the heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. There are two types: systolic and diastolic. Systolic heart failure is where the left ventricle can not pump with enough force to get the blood into circulation. Diastolic heart failure is where the heart is “stiff” and does not relax well between each contraction.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the CDC, in 2017 there were 141,425 new cases of colorectal cancer, 912 of which were in Nebraska. Risk factors for colorectal cancer that you can change include smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diet high in red meat and processed meats (hot dogs, lunch meat), and alcohol use.
According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer screening for average risk people should start at age 45 while other organizations recommend starting at age 50. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer screening. A newer colon cancer screening tool is Cologuard testing that detects blood and DNA changes in your stool sample.
Some people with colon cancer have no symptoms. Below are some symptoms that can be associated with colon cancer, among other colon issues. Consult your provider with questions or concerns.
For great bowel health, women should eat at least 25 grams of fiber a day, and men should eat 38 grams.
