Health

Quit for Life tobacco cessation classes are being offered at St. Peter’s Hospital in May. Classes meet on May 7, 9, 14, 16, 22, and 28 from 5:30 -6:30 p.m. at the hospital.  The cost is $35. Register at www.stpetes.org, click on Classes/Events, or call 444-2130 before May 7. 

The current level of influenza activity in Montana has lowered substantially and St. Peter’s has lifted its visitor restrictions related to the flu.

Chad Spangler, St. Peter’s Infection Control Coordinator, cautioned however that it is possible for the seasonal flu to pick back up. He said although the flu is winding down, Norovirus is picking up.

Like many areas of the country, Helena is experiencing an influenza outbreak. Because St. Peter’s is experiencing high levels of contagious respiratory illness, it is limiting hospital visitors.

St. Peter’s Wellness is offering two opportunities for the public to receive a flu shot this week.  Flu shot clinics are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 7 to 9 a.m., and Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Education Center. 

Flu vaccinations will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $25 cash, check or credit card.  Insurance billing will not be accepted.  Please use hospital’s Main Entrance.  

Several cases of influenza have been reported in the community.  For the protection of patients, staff and volunteers, St. Peter's Hospital requests that the community refrain from visiting patients if people are having flu-like symptoms or other illness.  Please express well wishes to loved ones who are hospitalized by phone or card instead of a personal visit. 

“We want our patients to get well quickly and exposure to influenza and other communicable diseases could delay their recovery,” stated Chad Spangler, St. Peter’s Infection Control Coordinator.

Two new exercise classes for people with arthritis and related diseases will be offered at St. Peter’s Hospital’s Health Education Center beginning in January.

An eight-week exercise program will start January 21 and be offered from noon to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk with Ease Program will begin January 22 and be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. for eight weeks.

Are Whole Grains Trendy or Necessary?  

Have you sampled a quinoa dish or added whole grain flour to your pantry?  Most Americans do not consume the recommended amount of whole grains. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that three or half of the six servings of grains be whole grain.

As part of October’s breast cancer awareness activities, St. Peter’s Hospital is offering free massages with first-time mammograms on Friday, Oct. 28.  The day is dedicated to those who have never had a screening or baseline mammogram.

Pre-registration is required by calling 447-2912.  Appointments are available between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.  Be sure to ask for the Mammogram and Massage on October 28.  Those registering should have their doctor send an order to St. Peter’s for the mammogram.

Many of us have ambitions to improve our lives by setting goals for ourselves such as to to eat healthier or to save more money. Well, wouldn’t it be nice to take care of two things at once? It is a myth that eating healthy costs more money. If you take a little time to do some comparisons, you will find that you can save money while cutting out salt, fat, and sugar. Check out the following examples:

You Have a Food Allergy—Now What?

You just received the news that you are allergic to wheat. What does that mean?

What can you eat and what happens if you do eat a food to which you are allergic?

There are eight foods that cause 90% of food allergies. They are 

• milk
• eggs
• peanuts
• soy
• wheat
• tree nuts (almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, etc.)
• fish
• shellfish

What is a Food Allergy?