| Kidney
Health is topic
Dr. Jeremy Ostrander will be the presenter at the October diabetes support group meeting at Oscars Restaurant in  Grangeville
on Wednesday, October 19th . He will discuss the relationship between diabetes
and kidney health. An informal lunch at noon will precede the educational
portion of the meeting held from 1:00 to 3:00. Anyone impacted by
diabetes is welcome to attend the free session.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 30 percent of patients with Type 1 (juvenile onset) diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes will eventually experience kidney failure. When blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, the kidneys cannot properly clean the blood resulting in water and salt retention which can cause weight gain and ankle swelling. Kidney damage can cause a raised level of protein in urine and waste materials can build up in the blood. Also according to the National Kidney Foundation, diabetes may cause nerve damage which can create difficulty in emptying the bladder. The pressure resulting from a full bladder can back up and injure the kidneys. If urine remains in the bladder for a long time an infection can develop from the rapid growth of bacteria in urine with a high sugar level. Dr. Ostrander will talk about the signs and symptoms of kidney damage, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, treatment options, and strategies to reduce kidney damage. “Dr Ostrander will answer questions and emphasize the importance of managing diabetes to prevent kidney damage,” said Becky Ewing, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, co-facilitator of the support group that meets the third Wednesday of each month. “Kidney disease is not inevitable. With enough knowledge and effort the chances of preventing it certainly increase.” The support group is also co-facilitated by Vicki Berg, RN, CDE. The class is provided as a community service by St. Mary’s Hospital and the Grangeville Medical Clinic. For more information call the Grangeville Medical Clinic, 983-6027. EMT class considered Depending on community interest, St. Mary’s Hospital Ambulance Service is considering offering an EMT training class.  The
EMT course includes 180 hours of instruction in medical, trauma, pediatrics,
geriatrics and OB subject areas. There will be a weekly test and
a national registry test for national certification at the conclusion of
the class which would be offered two evenings per week for four hours each
evening. The four to five month course would begin in early 2012.
“We are always in need of qualified EMTs, but won’t offer the course unless we have enough interested people. Not everyone is suited to take the EMT course so we do initial prescreening,” said Charles Butler, RN, Director, SMH Ambulance Service. ”Hopefully, everyone who takes the class will pass the weekly tests and national certification exam. It is also important to understand that not everyone who takes the class will be offered employment, but each will certainly be considered.” EMTs are employees of SMH and are paid for being on call, as well as an hourly wage while they are on a call. The course will be taught by Butler and other qualified instructors. “I’ve been Director of the Ambulance Service since 2006 and understand the importance of having skilled, experienced EMTs,” said Butler. “Candidates should have a natural interest in medicine and in helping their neighbor. It’s more than a job.” The SMH Ambulance Service has two state-of-the-art ambulances which are dispatched through the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone interested in taking the course should contact Charles via email: Charles.Butler@smh-cvhc.org. |
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