Health Beat - Fall 2019 - 3

HEALTHYHAPPENINGS

QUESTION:

Are You Low on Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is essential for strong,
healthy bones, but it can be hard to
know whether you're getting enough
of it. Your body produces vitamin D
through exposure of bare skin to sunlight, which means if you aren't getting
enough sun, you probably aren't getting
enough vitamin D, either. People with
type 2 diabetes, liver disease and kidney
disease also may have difficulty getting
enough vitamin D.
If you're low in vitamin D, you probably won't have symptoms, though fatigue
and muscle and bone pain are possible.

Your doctor can check your vitamin D
levels with a blood test and recommend
a supplement if levels are low.
"Supplementation with vitamin D
is a safe and effective way to treat
vitamin D deficiency," says Kim
Pfotenhauer, D.O., a member of the
American Osteopathic Association.
Prescription and over-the-counter
supplements are available.
Another option: Head outside. Allow
for 10 to 15 minutes of unprotected sun
exposure before applying sunscreen
that's at least SPF 30.

THE "D" IN DIET

Spending time outside
is the best way to boost
vitamin D levels, but
adding these foods to
your diet can help, too:
DFatty fish, such as
salmon and tuna
DMushrooms
DEgg yolks
DCheese

GET THE SUN YOU NEED
Track how much sunlight is available during the
day, and how much vitamin D your body can rack
up, with the dminder app. Download it from Apple's
app store or Google Play.

THE BASICS

Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are growths inside or outside the uterus.
They vary in size and shape and can grow rapidly
or progress slowly over time. Although they are
noncancerous, fibroids can be painful and may cause
problems during pregnancy. Symptoms include:
DChanges in menstruation, including bleeding
between periods
DBack or abdominal pain or pain during sex
DUrinary problems and constipation
DEnlarged uterus and abdomen
DMiscarriage and infertility

THE 411 ON FIBROIDS
Learn more about uterine fibroids
and what they mean for your health
at fibroidsproject.com.

Fibroids might not have any symptoms. A pelvic exam
can detect them.
Doctors can treat the symptoms of fibroids with
medication, but surgery to remove them might be
required to prevent further growth. Talk to your doctor
about the best option for you.

Health Beat is a quarterly publication of Salina Regional Health Center. Director of Marketing: Beth Vinson; Public Relations Coordinator:
John Berggren; Public Relations Coordinator: Meghan Klaassen. Salina Regional Health Center, 400 S. Santa Fe Ave., Salina, KS 67401, 785-452-7000.
Copyright © 2019 by MANIFEST LLC. All rights reserved. Information in this publication is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing.
Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or advice contained in this publication. For address changes or to be
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Health Beat - Fall 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Health Beat - Fall 2019