| SMHC
to offer free 'Kick Butts' program
St Mary’s Hospital is sponsoring a smoking cessation program, Kick Butts, to help people interested in quitting tobacco. The group sessions will be held on the second Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. beginning November 8 in the SMH conference room. 
The series will include both group meetings and individual sessions facilitated by Mary England, Respiratory Therapist. Participants can join the group at any time because it will be ongoing as long as there is interest. “We’ll have group sessions once a month, but I also get together with people individually throughout the program,” said England. “Shortly after the first group meeting I’ll work with participants to help each design a program especially suited to them. Everyone within the program will pick a quit date within five weeks of the initial session. We’ll also discuss a new medication on the market that is designed to help people quit.” There is no charge for the sessions which are designed for both people who smoke and those who chew. Advance registration is required for the program which will meet in the downstairs SMH Conference Room. “Almost everyone who uses tobacco would like to quit and many have tried unsuccessfully. It’s not an easy thing to do, but the rewards are so great,” said England “Most people associate tobacco use with cancer, but all types of serious health threats are caused by smoking and chewing. Some people are motivated to quit because they don’t like being dependent on something and they don’t like giving their money to an industry that profits from their habit. It doesn’t make any difference why people are motivated to quit. We’re here to help those people, regardless of how many times they’ve tried in the past.” A packet of materials will be distributed at the first session. The series will be ongoing and people can join at any point. “We want participants to have a high success rate. We’ll initiate a plan then provide individual follow up for however long it takes to help them be tobacco free,” said England. For more information or to register for the free program call England at CVHC, 476.4555 ext 8058. Events planned for National Diabetes Month Becky Ewing, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, has scheduled two public presentations for anyone interested in learning more about diabetes. The Cottonwood presentation is scheduled for Monday, December 4 in the SMHC Conference Room. The Kamiah talk will be held Tuesday, December 5 in the Kamiah Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center. Both presentations begin at 7:00 p.m. and are free and open to the public. 
“The number of people who are being diagnosed with diabetes continues to rise,” said Ewing. “People with diabetes or those at risk for developing diabetes can reduce their risk for complications by learning how to manage their disease. We know so much more about it today including what steps can be taken to help reduce risk factors and control the disease.” Ewing has written an article about the ABCs of Diabetes Care which will run in next week’s newspaper. A is for the Hemoglobin A-1-C lab test which should be performed every 3-4 months. B is for blood pressure with a suggested goal of 130/80. C is for controlling cholesterol since people with diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease and strokes. “Next week’s article will provide greater detail, but the bottom line is that people with diabetes need to control their disease rather than having the disease control them,” said Ewing. “They should see a health care provider every 3-4 months to help monitor their preventive care program.” Ewing takes appointments for diabetic patients through the Kamiah Medical Clinic and the SMHC Cottonwood clinic. Rachel Larson, Registered Dietitian, also sees patients for regular appointments for training in meal planning and carbohydrate counting. Patients must be referred by their health care provider. |
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