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Features

New women’s health and birthing facilities provide caring environment while using advanced technology

[AUG. 3, 2001]  Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is celebrating the opening of its newest additions, the Women's Health Unit and Family Maternity Suites, with an open house on Sunday, Aug. 12. The community is invited to tour the new unit and suites from 2 to 4 p.m.

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[ALMH news release]

[AUG. 1, 2001]  There are many benefits from breast-feeding your baby. Breast-feeding is nature’s way to feed and nourish your baby.

Breast or human milk gives the best nutrition for your baby. It provides the right balance of nutrients for human babies from birth through the growth and development of your baby’s first year. No other food is necessary for the first six months.

Breast milk also provides protection against some infections. Studies have shown that the immune system of breast-fed babies benefits as well. The incidence of certain diseases in exclusively breast-fed babies is reduced. Even some allergic symptoms show a reduced incidence in these babies.

Breast-feeding helps with the babies’ development of strong jaw and facial muscles, mouth structure, and positioning of the teeth. This is because the sucking technique for breast-feeding is entirely different than for bottle feeding.

There are studies that have also suggested other benefits for your baby. These include psychological as well as cognitive benefits, with breast milk playing a role in the growth of the central nervous system. Breast-fed babies have scored higher in educational achievement tests as they have grown. Some of the studies have taken place over an 18-year time span.

There are also a variety of benefits for the mother who chooses to breast-feed.

If you have any questions or would like more information about breast-feeding, please contact the certified lactation counselor at the Logan County Health Department, 109 Third St.; phone (217) 735-2317.

[Provided by Logan County Health Department]

[JULY 12, 2001]  Walking is great for the body and mind, the cheapest exercise around and also one of the easiest forms of exercise a person can do.

According to the U.S. Public Health Service, before you start any fitness routine, it’s a good idea to visit your physician for a checkup, just in case you have any underlying health conditions that need monitoring. Once you get the go-ahead, wear comfortable clothing and shoes to make your walk as pleasant as possible and to avoid serious injuries.

Once you have your gear ready, start slowly and do only what feels comfortable. Results can be seen with only 20 to 30 minutes of walking a day, three times a week.

Once you have the right attire and the right attitude, approach walking wisely to get an effective workout. Stretch before and after your walk to prevent muscle cramps. Start slow, walking with your back straight, toes pointed forward and chin up. With each step, plant your heel down first and push off with your toes. Move your arms to give yourself more momentum and to tone arm muscles. You can even carry a couple of dumbbells and do arm curls while you walk.

Experts say you can use the "talk test" to determine if you’re exercising at the proper pace. You should be able to carry on a conversation without gasping for air. Finish your workout by slowing down to a casual stroll and ending with a stretch.

Studies also show that incorporating moderate- to high-intensity spurts into your workout not only helps you burn fat four times faster but also brings new life to an old routine and keeps your body from plateauing — getting so accustomed to a particular workout that it loses its effectiveness. To interval train, walk three minutes at your regular pace (brisk, yet comfortable), then walk faster for a full minute by lengthening your stride and swinging your arms harder. Return to your regular pace for three minutes, then walk fast for one minute. You can do this combination throughout your workout.

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Varying the intensity level of each interval is also helpful. For example, walk faster the first one-minute interval. The second interval, walk up a small hill or a few flights of stairs or increase the incline on the treadmill. On the third interval, jog or sprint if you can and repeat the different levels during your walk.

Also, when walking outdoors, consider the effects of the environment on your body, especially during the summer. The sun can affect your endurance, so you may not perform as well on a blistering hot day. Experts advise walking during cooler periods, such as early morning or at dusk, and carrying water and drinking it frequently, even if you’re not thirsty.

Many people find that walking in shady areas or air-conditioned shopping malls is an easy alternative to fighting the outdoor conditions.

A regular walking plan can provide major health benefits. A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health found that post-menopausal women who started a walking program 10 to 15 years ago as part of a clinical trial reported fewer cases of heart disease and half as many hospitalizations compared with
women in the trial who did not walk.

Walking has been proven to be a good choice of exercise for people of all ages, and experts say that walking is a good foundation for any fitness program and an excellent alternative when you can’t make it to the gym. Even if you’ve never exercised before, or started and stopped, walking could be your best prescription for fitness.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[JULY 7, 2001]  Gary "Skip" Dobey of Elkhart dons his walking shoes several times a week for a mile-and-a-half trek. But walking wasn’t always part of his daily routine.

Even though the 57-year-old now says walking makes him feel better, he admits health reasons forced him to take up the exercise. Last Thanksgiving, Dobey had heart bypass surgery. After three months of recovery, he took his doctor’s advice and began walking toward a healthier lifestyle.

"It’s not my favorite thing to do," said Dobey. "It’s not one of my favorite pastimes, but you have to do what you have to do. I walk fast to get my heartbeat up. I feel better. You can tell a difference in the way you feel."

Dobey is just one of millions of Americans who have found walking to be their preferred form of exercise. Walking is the most popular exercise in the country today because it’s easy, convenient and can be done anywhere, anytime. It’s a safe, low-impact activity that’s easy on the body and an excellent form of exercise for senior citizens because of the minimal risk to muscles and joints.

Dobey, who enjoys walking outside during warm weather months, said he walked at
the hospital during his recovery and later at the local Wal-Mart store and at home on a treadmill during the cold winter months. He plans to continue his new exercise regime, which includes weight machines and bicycling, this winter.

"Sometimes I don’t want to walk, but after I get going and start doing it, you feel better. It’s hard to discipline yourself that you have to do it," he added.

Medical experts claim walking just 30 minutes a day three times every week can produce great benefits for your body, especially when combined with healthy eating. Walking lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, stimulates circulation and
reduces the risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. It boosts your immune system, metabolism and endurance, while strengthening your bones, toning muscles, prompting weight loss and helping you sleep better.

In addition to the physical benefits, walking has
important psychological effects. It decreases stress and tension, relieves depression and improves both your mood and your self-image.

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"Men tend to think that they work hard and walk (at work) all week, but that’s not the same kind of exercise," said Dobey, who has been an Eaton Corporation employee for 37 years.

"Sometimes I come home from the plant and I don’t feel like doing it. I think to myself that I put in eight hours and I’m tired. But that’s a different kind of exercise; it’s not the same as continuous exercise to get your heart rate up," he said. 

A study by the American Council on Exercise shows that a brisk walk can even help improve your memory. A new study of older adults found that those who walked about 45 minutes, three times per week for six months performed substantially better on several cognitive tasks than those who did stretching or strengthening exercises. Not only did the walkers perform better on tests that gauged their ability to plan, establish schedules and switch between tasks, they also showed significant improvement in oxygen consumption. Previous studies have also shown a link between lifelong exercise and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Medical experts say that people who can’t even walk under normal conditions can walk in a swimming pool using flotation devices to strengthen their muscles.

Walking also is part of the rehabilitation program for many heart attack and stroke sufferers.

Not only is walking great for the body and mind, it’s also the cheapest exercise around. All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes, cushioned socks and you’re ready to go. And you can walk up and down your stairways, around the neighborhood, at one of the local parks, inside at the gym or on a treadmill.

Not only does it ease the mind and tone the body, it’s also one of the easiest forms of exercise a person can do.

(To be continued)

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[Click here for Part 2]

Honors & Awards

Announcements

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit. Effective Feb. 1, 2001, the unit will run as follows:

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership (732-2161, Ext. 409) and the Healthy Families Task Force.         

Resources for Logan County families

Agency	Phone number	Address
911	911 (Emergencies) 732-3911 (Office -- non-emergency)	911 Pekin St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital	732-2161	315 Eighth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Aging (Department of)	785-3356	421 E. Capitol, #100 Springfield, IL 62701-1789
American Cancer Society	546-7586 (24 hour)	1305 Wabash, Ste. J Springfield, IL 62704
American Red Cross	732-2134 1-800-412-0100	125 S. Kickapoo Lincoln, IL 62656
Catholic Social Services	732-3771	310 S. Logan Lincoln, IL 62656
Chamber of Commerce	735-2385	303 S. Kickapoo St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Community Action (CIEDC)	732-2159	1800 Fifth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Community Child Care Connection	525-2805 1-800-676-2805	1004 N. Milton Ave. Springfield, IL 62702-443
Crisis Pregnancy Center	735-4838	513 Pulaski St. Lincoln, IL 62656
DCFS (Department of Children & Family Services)	735-4402 1-800-252-2873 (crisis hotline)	1100 Keokuk St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Heartland Community College GED Program	735-1731	620 Broadway St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Hospice Care of Illinois	1-800-342-4862 (24 hour) 732-2161, Ext. 444	720 N. Bond Springfield, IL 62702
Housing Authority	732-7776 732-6312 (24 hour)	1028 N. College St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program	735-2317 1-800-269-4019	LCHD - 109 Third St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Illinois Department of Public Health	782-4977	535 W. Jefferson Springfield, IL 62761
Illinois Employment and Training Center (replaces JTPA office)	735-5441	120 S. McLean St., Suite B Farm Bureau Building Lincoln, IL 62656
Legal Assistance Foundation	(217) 753-3300 1-800-252-8629	730 E. Vine St., Ste. 214 Springfield, IL 62703
Library - Atlanta	(217) 648-2112	100 Race St. Atlanta, IL 61723
Library - Elkhart	(217) 947-2313	121 E. Bohan Elkhart, IL 62634
Library - Lincoln	732-8878	725 Pekin St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Library - Mount Pulaski	792-5919	320 N. Washington Mount Pulaski, IL 62548
Lincoln Area YMCA	735-3915	319 W. Kickapoo St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry	732-2204	P.O. Box 773 Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln Parents’ Center	735-4192	100 S. Maple Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln Park District	732-8770	1400 Primm Rd. Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan County Department of Human Services (Public Aid)	735-2306	1550 Fourth St., P.O. Box 310 Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan County Health Department	735-2317	109 Third St., P.O. Box 508 Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan Mason Mental Health	735-2272 1-888-832-3600 (crisis line)	304 Eighth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center	735-1413	760 S. Postville Dr. Lincoln, IL 62656
Oasis (Senior Citizens of Logan County)	732-6132	501 Pulaski St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Project READ	735-1731	620 Broadway St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Salvation Army	732-7890	1501 N. Kickapoo Lincoln, IL 62656
Senior Services of Central Illinois	732-6213 1-800-252-8966 (crisis line)	109 Third St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Sojourn Shelter & Service Inc.	732-8988 (217) 726-5200 (24-hour hotline)	1800 Westchester Blvd. Springfield, IL 62704
U. of I. Division of Specialized Care for Children	524-2000 1-800-946-8468	421 S. Grand Ave. West, 2nd Floor Springfield, IL 62704
U. of I. Extension Service	732-8289	122 S. McLean St. Lincoln, IL 62656

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