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How to Properly Clean a Wound
Disinfecting wounds is not only great knowledge to have for yourself, but also, it’s great to have in your back pocket for the kiddos. We know kids are notorious for bumps, bruises, and scrapes. It’s always best to take care of it as soon as possible to avoid infection rather than going to your local medical center near mid-Missouri.
At Central Ozarks Medical Center our goal is to help you and your family prepare for medical incidents with or without us. Read on to learn how to disinfect cuts and scrapes.
Disinfect Your Hands
This is the simplest step. Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and warm water. You can use hand sanitizer, but it’s best to wash your hands. If you want to take it a step further, cover your hands with gloves after cleaning them.
Gentle Pressure
If the wound is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or sterile gauze until the bleeding halts. Then, elevate the part of the body that is bleeding. However, if the blood goes through the covering, leave it on the wound and put another clean covering on top of the other one. Then, continue pressure.
Rinse Off with Water
You’re probably wondering at what point you need to use hydrogen peroxide, but when it’s just a cut or a scrape, this isn’t necessary. Instead, rinse the cut with water to remove dirt. Then, use gentle soap and a soft rag or washcloth to clean around the perimeter of the wound. If there is still any debris in the wound after washing, get disinfected tweezers and pick it out of the cut.
Antibiotic Cream or Ointment
Apply skin antibiotics (over the counter), such as, Neosporin, to keep the skin hydrated and prevent infection. Although not always necessary, this step is helpful for large cuts and reducing the risk of scarring.
Bandage It Up
This is another step that isn’t always a must. If it’s a minor scratch or scrape, you can skip this step. Otherwise, you’ll cover the wound with a clean, nonstick bandage after it’s been cleaned. This helps block out specific bacteria that might cause infection. Switch out the bandage once or twice a day or any time it becomes wet or dirty.
If you notice things like continuous bleeding, a wound with jagged edges, the child is under a year old, the wound is from an animal’s mouth, or something else abnormal, you can consult Central Ozarks Medical Center. We want you have a safe and healthy rest of summer.
ow along with our blogs to get more health and lifestyle pointers to keep you out of our office more than once a year!
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7 Things You Can Do to Make You Feel Happier
When people ask you how your health is, normally people only respond in correspondence to their physical health. However, at medical centers like Central Ozarks Medical Center, we’re concerned about your mental health, too. We know that mental health contributes to an individual’s overall health.
We want to share with you some things that can help brighten up your day or can overall time create happier habits for you. We are not claiming that these things are a cure or way to get rid of certain disorders. Visit your local medical center near mid-Missouri if you have questions pertaining to your mental health concerns.
Exercise
This is probably the dreaded tip that everyone tries to avoid. However, this can be the easiest tip to follow. Exercise doesn’t always need to be Pilates or weightlifting. The point of exercise is to move your body! Whether you want to use the stairs instead of the elevator or take a walk after dinner, these are a great way to get a few minutes of movement into your everyday routine!
Proper sleep habits
Another lecture you’re tired of hearing… Sleep 7-8 hours a night. Recent studies have showed scary results when adults sleep under the recommended average. Under sleeping can lead to things like heart disease and stroke. Imagine the kind of effect it has on your mental clarity.
Smile
Smiling is the one disease we like to catch. Smiling catches like wildfire. Whenever we see our banker smile at us or our waiter, the common subconscious thing to do is to smile back. Plus, scientists have said that smiling can trick your brain into thinking you’re happy by releasing dopamine, serotonin, AND endorphins. Even just smiling back at the mailman can switch our attitude around.
Be in nature
We are grateful to be located in such a beautiful state with beautiful scenery. Take more time to enjoy it. Doctor’s orders!
Being outside actually not only helps our mental health, but also, our physical health. In fact, it helps to reduce anger, increase memory, and create pleasant feelings.
Cherish time with family and friends
Not to get too morbid, but actually one of the top five regrets people have looking back at their life is not spending enough time with people they love. Don’t worry, several studies show it helps with your current happiness state too.
Help others
Did you know we’re suggested to take two weeks out of every year to help others? We tend to remember experiences and memories over materialistic items. The reason is because we have strong emotions correlated with memories and experiences. The same concept goes for helping others. It creates a strong emotion and therefore lasts longer in our minds. This keeps our moods booster for longer.
An attitude for gratitude
Practicing gratitude is a highly suggested and commonly used method in order to create more happiness in your life. The best way to practice gratitude is to keep a journal and try to write down things you’re grateful for daily. This helps us focus on the good in our lives rather than narrowing in on the bad.
If you have trouble making these habits for yourself, set alarms on your phone, put sticky notes on your bathroom mirror, or get an accountability buddy. Then, soon enough you’ll be on a brighter path.
Why do we care about your mental health? Overall, it helps your other health concerns improve, too. Central Ozarks Medical Center is excited for your bright future.
Follow along with our blogs to get more health and lifestyle pointers to keep you out of our office more than once a year!
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
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HOW TO RELIEVE MUSCLE PAIN AT HOME
Everyone experiences sore muscles from time to time. Since we contain a lot of muscle in our bodies, these aches can be felt almost anywhere. Usually, muscle aches can be treated quickly. However, if pain continues, see your local medical center near Lake of the Ozarks.
Whether it be from muscle fatigue from exercising or an aching body from the flu, Central Ozarks Medical Center wants to help you find relief at home.
REST
Rest the area that is giving you trouble. Depending on the part of the body that is hurting, elevation can be helpful. We know this can be difficult for a lot of people who are always on the go. However, whenever you get home for the night, try to avoid using this muscle.
Avoid high-impact exercises or activities until this pain goes away.
TAKE AN OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN RELIEVER
Usually when the muscles are aching, there is inflammation present. To combat this, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as, ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
It is normally recommended for adults to take 400 mg of ibuprofen every four to six hours, as needed.
With acetaminophen, the common recommendation is to take two tablets every eight hours.
ICE
Take frozen peas or an ice pack to the affected area to help reduce inflammation and to soothe aches. Usually icing for 20 minutes at a time tends to be most effective.
Following a sprain or muscle strain, application of heat is necessary when pain persists longer than three days. For the first three days, apply ice.
As a reminder, if muscle pain persists after following these tips, come see us at Central Ozarks Medical Center. Otherwise, we wish you an ache-free rest of the week!
Follow along with our blogs to get more health and lifestyle pointers to keep you out of our office more than once a year!
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3 WAYS TO BUILD STRONGER BONES
Bone loss is a common issue today. Even the younger generation struggles to maintain bone strength. Obviously, our bone health is critical for a lot of reasons. However, most want to achieve stronger bones and joints, so they avoid bone diseases.
Central Ozarks Medical Center wants to help our patients become more knowledgeable about bone health. We have put together three simple and critical ways to build bone strength.
In the case that you already struggle with bone health, enlist your local medical center in Lake of the Ozarks for help on what to do next.
Add Calcium
Each age group is recommended a different dosage of calcium each day. Either ask your doctor or research the right amount for you. Once you understand the amount needed for you, implement that amount into your daily eating routine.
You can find good sources of calcium in almonds, broccoli, kale, salmon, and tofu. There are many more foods out there with great sources of calcium, but here are just a few. If you can’t get enough in your diet, look into taking calcium supplements with your doctor.
Implement More Vitamin D
Most of the population today is deficient in vitamin D since it is something we mainly get from the sun. However, we really need higher levels of vitamin D in order to absorb calcium into our bodies.
Good sources of vitamin D can be found in a lot of fish, mushrooms, and eggs. There are also a lot of cereals on the market with good amounts of vitamin D. Otherwise, supplements are always a great option, too.
Time to Start Exercising
Exercise has many benefits to it besides increasing bone health. In this case specifically, weight-bearing movements greatly helps bone strength and prevent slow bone loss. Exercises, such as, walking, running, and walking stairs are great examples. Simple but effective!
Taking care of our health doesn’t need to be complicated. Small habits we do every day impact our lives significantly in the long run. Central Ozarks Medical Center is excited to see you and your family’s health improve over time.
Follow along with our blogs to get more health and lifestyle pointers to keep you out of our office more than once a year!
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
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HEALTHCARE ADVICE THAT MIGHT BE MYTHICAL
Healthcare advice is thrown around every day. You’ve probably heard many conflicting pieces of advice, but our medical center near Mid-Missouri wants to help give you more background behind these so-called ‘facts.’ Many have differing opinions regarding healthcare due to different research and findings, so take the following myths we have found with a grain of salt.
Central Ozark Medical Center’s biggest goal is to help your family maintain health inside and outside of our walls.
LESS FOOD EQUALS WEIGHT LOSS
One of the most popular theories to weight loss and “healthy” eating is that the less calories, the better. However, when your body experiences a significant shift in your eating habits, most times you end up gaining pounds instead of shedding it due your body needing to store more fat for energy.
COFFEE STUNTS GROWTH
We have been told this one a million times, right? Whether it was your parents or your childhood doctor, we were always warned to stay away from coffee because we wouldn’t grow anymore. This was thought due to the amount of caffeine in coffee causing vitamin D deficiency in our bones. Instead, it’s been found that there is little to link to correlation between the two.
DRINK BOTTLED WATER INSTEAD OF TAP
There are so many brands of water companies that tell us to buy their brand of water due to alkaline and pH levels. Additionally, we have been warned by some to stay away from tap because the government adds so much fluoride to it. There may or may not be truth to said theories about tap water, however, bottled water can be far more dangerous. The bottles used to house the water are created by petroleum, which is also very toxic to our bodies. Bottled water also causes immense amounts of waste. At that point, choose the lesser of two evils.
ACNE CAN BE CAUSED BY CHOCOLATE
For years, chocolate has been blamed for acne flare ups and breakouts especially amongst kids. However, there have been studies done where there was no significant increase in breakouts after eating chocolate over a month’s period.
This Valentine’s Day, treat yourself!
APPLY SUNSCREEN ONLY WHEN THE SUN IS OUT
Especially during the summertime, we stress about protecting our skin with sunblock. What no one has told you is that sunscreen is effective year-round. The sun may not be as strong during other times of the year, but it still affects your skin.
Mind blown? We know. Lectures we have been given our whole lives may not be true at all!
At Central Ozarks Medical, we wish you and your family a fun and healthy rest of your summer.
Follow along with our blogs to get more health and lifestyle pointers to keep you out of our office more than once a year!
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
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MOST COMMON DENTAL HYGIENE MISTAKES
Dental hygiene is one of the most commonly overlooked portions of hygiene. In fact, most people think they’re committing to good dental habits when that’s not necessarily the case.
At Central Ozark Medical Center, we want to assure we’re preparing you for a healthy lifestyle outside of our facilities. More specifically we want to inform our patients of habits they’re doing that are not healthy for their smile.
BRUSHING YOUR TEETH RIGHT AFTER EATING
It feels like common sense to brush your teeth right after you’ve put a ton of food in and sugary liquids in your mouth. You think you’re just clearing your mouth and teeth of any freshly accumulated gunk.
However, eating food causes your enamel on your teeth to soften. Therefore, brushing your teeth while that enamel layer is soft, causes damage to it.
STORING YOUR TOOTHBRUSH
Toothbrush storage is something many don’t think twice about. Most throw their toothbrush in their drawer and go about their day. However, putting your toothbrush in your drawer can cause bacteria growth. No wonder they make toothbrush holders for the counter! Instead, place it in an upright position where it can dry quicker and deaccelerate the development of bacteria growth.
NOT SWITCHING YOUR TOOTHBRUSH REGULARLY
You know how your dentist gives you a toothbrush after most cleanings? It’s not because they want you to start the largest toothbrush collection. Use it! In fact, you should be switching your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months because as toothbrushes become older, the more ineffective they become at cleaning.
ONLY BRUSHING ONCE A DAY
The common lecture to brush twice a day continues. There’s reason for it. Bacteria accumulates on your teeth throughout the day and night. You have to remove the bacteria right away in the morning and in the evening otherwise you’re damaging your teeth.
CONSUMING TOO MUCH SUGAR
The overconsumption of sugar actually accelerates the growth of bacteria. This is hence why when you eat too much sugar, it actually leads to the teeth decaying process. Find ways to reduce your daily intake of sugar to aid in the protection of your teeth health.
LACK OF HYDRATION
In addition to everything else hydration aids, it helps your teeth remain healthy. Drinking your specified daily intake of water every day helps to flush out food particles and bacteria that are sitting in your mouth. Dehydration also causes dry mouth which is the perfect environment for accelerated bacteria growth.
There are so many different habits daily we can do differently to drastically change our dental health. These are some of the largest habits that are commonly mis performed. Whenever experiencing any remaining dental issues, Central Ozarks Medical Center has you covered.
Follow along with our blogs to get more health and lifestyle pointers to keep you out of our office more than once a year!
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
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8 HEALTHY FOODS TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM
It’s officially summer vacay season! Whether you and your family are staying around Lake of the Ozarks or traveling to Italy, it’s best to prepare your health in advance. In fact, there are things you all can do to strengthen your immune system.
Especially after emerging from a pandemic, immunity is crucial. Obviously, eating one vegetable a week isn’t going to magically prevent you from getting sick. The best way to prevent illness or to build immunity is by improving your overall diet and lifestyle. For example, exercising, washing your hands, and a full night of sleep also aid in the process.
At Center of Ozarks Medical Center, we want to discuss a few different options you and your loved ones can add into your EVERYDAY diet to build a strong immune system.
1. Citrus Fruit
The lecture of ingesting vitamin C continues! Yes, citrus fruit contains vitamin C. Usually eating fresh citrus fruits is the best way to get vitamin C in your system.
Examples of citrus fruits you can incorporate are oranges, lemons, tangerines, and limes. Vitamin C is one of the main nutrients you need to add into your diet since we, as humans, cannot produce it on our own. That’s why humans get all of their vitamin C from external sources.
2. Broccoli
We have always been told to eat broccoli especially by our doctors. There’s good reason, too.
You guessed it! They have lots of nutrients and antioxidants. It’s considered one of the best vegetables you can eat.
In order to reap the most benefits from this superfood, try to cook it as little as possible or eat it raw.
3. Ginger
Ginger is another magical ingredient that we hear a lot. There are so many benefits from drinking or eating ginger. Besides illnesses, ginger can help with pain management and is thought to contain properties that help lower cholesterol.
Depending on the person, ginger can help tame nausea and usually is best at tackling inflammation.
4. Almonds
Vitamin C always seems to take the front seat when it comes to the immunity discussion, however vitamin E is also important. It, too, plays a role in a strong immune system and provides our bodies with healthy fats.
5. Green Tea
A lot of teas are wonderful and filled with antioxidants, however, green tea takes the cake. Green tea contains EGCG and flavonoids, two great antioxidants. These together are said to enhance immunity
6. Kiwi
Kiwi contains a lot of basic and crucial nutrients, such as, vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, and potassium. As we know, vitamin C fights off infection whereas the rest of the other nutrients maintain the body’s proper functions while fighting.
7. Carrots
Let’s add in vitamin A to the mix since it hasn’t been discussed yet. Carrots are packed full of vitamin A, which is considered the anti-inflammatory vitamin.
8. Beans
Last and certainly not least, we have, ‘beans, beans the magical fruit.’ Not only are beans a great source of protein, but also, they are filled with the amino acid, L-glutamine. L-glutamine fuels your body’s white blood cells.
As much as we love seeing you and your families, we do not want to see you in our medical center near mid-Missouri due to illness. Our COMC family wants to see you and your family to stay healthy and happy this summer.
Follow along with our blogs to get more health and lifestyle pointers to keep you out of our office more than once a year!
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Central Ozarks Medical Center and the American Heart Association
Our medical center in mid-Missouri cares for all of our patients. We’re dedicated to providing comprehensive medical care for the Lake of the Ozarks region. Check out this recent article that showcases how technology and care meet with a self-monitoring blood pressure device with Central Ozarks Medical Center!
High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease. In Missouri, 34% of adults have been told they have high blood pressure. Many more Missourians without symptoms of high blood pressure or access to healthcare are unknowingly living with the disease. To address this disparity in awareness and treatment, the American Heart Association collaborated with Central Ozark Medical Center (COMC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with four locations in rural central Missouri – Camdenton Medical & Dental Center, Eldon Dental Center, Osage Medical Center, and Richland Medical Center.
Central Ozark Medical Center (COMC) has a mission to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the health care status of underserved and vulnerable populations in Camden, Laclede, Miller, and Pulaski Counties in Missouri. Offering a wide range of services based on the needs of the communities including medical, behavioral, dental and substance abuse programs, COMC is offering high quality healthcare regardless of insurance status. COMC serves over 18,000 patients annually with nearly 98% of its patient population living at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guideline and 38% of adult patients have hypertension.
While working with patients to manage health and wellness, COMC staff also work to address the root causes of health disparities by addressing access to food, housing, and health insurance with care coordination, and access to health care particularly when it comes to treating hypertension. With the support of the National Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI), a collaboration of the American Heart Association, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care, COMC established and piloted a fully integrated self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP) initiative for their patients suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure. The initiative has been successful with strong COMC provider champions and referrals identifying patients with uncontrolled hypertension. COMC staff provide referred patients with validated Bluetooth enabled home blood pressure monitoring devices and patient education resources on the risks of high blood pressure, the importance of self-monitoring, the proper technique for monitoring, and communicating results with the provider team. THE COMC team uses AHA/AMA Target: BP materials to create standardized protocols to train staff to ensure fidelity to SMBP best practices. This protocol includes standardized training for patients as well. Patients use Bluetooth capable monitors that are integrated with the eClinicalWorks EHR software supporting with NHCI funding, allowing patients’ blood pressure readings to be logged electronically within the EHR for timely follow-up by clinical care team members.
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5 HEALTHY HABITS THAT’LL CHANGE YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE
Per our last blog, we discussed immunity strengthening foods for an ultimately healthy life. Now, at the Central Ozarks Medical Center we would like to discuss healthy lifestyle habits you can pick up to maximize your life.
These healthy lifestyle tips not only help to strengthen your immune system, but also, aid in the longevity of your life. Obviously, no one is perfect and it’s not just as easy as reading this blog and it applies to your life. You have to want to make these changes in your life, as well.
- Wake up with purpose
Many Americans find themselves “going through the motions,” rather than living their fullest life. If you’ve ever found yourself to be on autopilot mode, it’s most likely because you lost your sense of purpose.
It’s one thing to find your sense of purpose, but another to remind yourself of your sense of purpose.
What makes you tick? If money weren’t an obstacle and you could do something every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Once you’re able to confidently state your purpose in life, create habits to fulfill that purpose every day.
2. Have a proper sleep cycle
In a generation full of caffeine and all-nighters, many forget the significance of sleep. It genuinely can deem our whole health.
As most know, lack of sleep can affect our mood and concentration levels. However, what a lot of us forget is that lack of sleep can cause very dangerous health problems. Stay away from getting under six hours of sleep a night!
3. Incorporate more whole foods
Taking vitamins is great. What’s even better than taking vitamins? Getting nutrients from whole foods.
Nowadays, there seems to be a cheat for everything. Outside of vitamins and eating whole foods, there is no effective substitute for nutrients.
Start replacing small things in your diet to create an overall healthier habit for yourself down the line,
4. Exercise is key
There are SO MANY ways today to find ways to get your body up and moving. Whether it be golfing or swimming or just going to the gym, these activities that increase your heart’s BPM are so beneficial.
Not only will you look amazing, but also, you’ll start noticing a significant difference in the way you feel cognitively, too.
5. Stay hydrated!
Yes, we had to end off on the ‘drink more water’ cliché. We’re reminding you because we care.
If you’re not certain why everyone constantly squawks to drink more water, it’s because it has so many different benefits you wouldn’t be able to imagine. It varies from clearing up your skin, decreasing chance of heart disease, or even just waking you up throughout the day.
COMC not only promises to help you find solutions to your medical issues, but also, we want to try our darndest to prevent them, too.
If you’re looking for any spectrum of healthcare near mid-Missouri, COMC is the place for you.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
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4th of July Fireworks Safety Tips
Fourth of July is coming up this weekend and Central Ozarks Medical Center wants to help you celebrate in the most safe and fun ways! Check out some tips to keep top if mind this 4th of July Weekend!
There is no fun without safety involved. Your health is always our number one priority.
If you’re near Mid-Missouri looking to get fireworks, make sure you prepare yourself fully and take the correct precautions.
However, if firework injuries occur, our medical staff near mid-Missouri is more than prepared to help.
IMPORTANT FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS:
• Fireworks should be used ONLY outdoors. Further, keep away from your home, buildings, or any other tall structures.
• Only one firework should ever be lit at a time.
• Always keep a bucket of water or a water supply nearby.
• Read the label and firework instructions thoroughly and follow them
• If you have pets, keep them indoors.
• Keep toddlers and infants a reasonable distance away from the fireworks.
• Do NOT carry fireworks in your pockets.
• Do NOT light fireworks in your hand.
• Do NOT throw fireworks.
• Make sure an adult is always lighting the fireworks.
• After fireworks have gone off, allow them to sit for 20 minutes minimum before putting them in water for 10 minutes.
Prepare days in advance of your upcoming firework session and thoroughly read over the provided list above.
The goal is to practice safety before our team at COMC has to step in.
We wish you the happiest and most enjoyable Fourth of July.
Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare
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