Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Community Healthcare - 31

IF YOU HAVE
KIDNEY PROBLEMS
To safely treat you as a transient patient,
most dialysis centers will require the following information, mailed or faxed six to
eight weeks in advance, with another copy
hand-carried by you, the National Kidney
Foundation says:
* The dates you need dialysis treatment
* Your name, address, phone number
* Medical history and recent physical exam
reports
* Recent lab results
* Recent EKG
* Recent chest X-ray
* Your dialysis prescription and three to ﬁve
recent treatment records
* Dialysis access type
* Special needs or dialysis requirements
* Information about your general health
* Insurance information
* Where you will be staying in the area
* A list of the medications you take during
treatment and at home

IF YOU HAVE DIABETES
The biggest challenge for travelers with diabetes can be the clock: On a long journey east
or west, an air traveler may rapidly cross several time zones. That can make keeping track
of insulin and meal schedules confusing, as
this must be done based on time intervals
and not the time of day at your current location. When more than a couple of time zones
are involved, have your doctor help you set
up the schedule. According to the American
Diabetes Association, you should keep these
points in mind:
* Eastward travel means a shorter day. If you
inject insulin, less may be needed.
* Westward travel means a longer day, so
more insulin may be needed.

* To

keep track of shots and meals during
changing time zones, keep your watch on
your home time zone until the morning
after you arrive.

Rx ResouRce

Taking medications for a
health concern can be a
confusing experience. But
IF YOU HAVE A
at the retail pharmacies
HEART CONDITION
at community Hospital
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in
in Munster and at
which blood clots form in a deep vein, usually in the legs. It's serious because if a clot
St. catherine Hospital in
breaks off, it can travel through the bloodEast chicago you can find
stream to the lungs and block blood ﬂow,
the support and convecausing a pulmonary embolism. Sometimes
nience you need. Patients
called "economy class syndrome" because it's
can get their prescriptions
associated with the restriction of mobility on
filled and purchase overlong ﬂights, DVT can happen to any traveler.
the-counter medications.
But if someone has had vascular disease or a
The pharmacies are
history of heart failure, the risk increases. If
you are in that category, the Federal Aviation
committed to helping
Administration says you may want to:
patients stay healthy and
* Talk to your doctor about speciﬁc risks and
provide extra support
precautions.
and education in making
* On the advice of your doctor, wear cominformed choices about
pression stockings, which can reduce the
taking medications at home.
chances of blood pooling and clotting. Your
The pharmacists use the
doctor may also prescribe blood-thinning
most up-to-date computer
medications.
programs and advanced
Get up and walk around the cabin when
*
you can. If that's not possible, frequently
robotic automation refill
exercise your lower legs and ankles while
for increased patient safety.
seated.
The equipment enables
* Drink adequate ﬂuids but avoid alcohol and
staff to track pertinent
caffeine.
information about patients
* Wear loose-ﬁtting clothing, which may
and fill prescriptions in a
help prevent constriction of veins.
timely manner.
* Take short naps to avoid the prolonged
community Hospital
inactivity of longer ones.
Pharmacy hours:
Monday-Friday,
9 a.m.-6 p.m.;
and Saturday,
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
We have answers. Contact
St. catherine
Community Hospital's retail pharmacy at
Pharmacy hours:
219-836-2146 or St. Catherine Hospital's
Monday-Friday,
retail pharmacy at 219-392-7691.
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

call

Whatever your needs, Eicher says, the
important thing to remember is that if you
love to travel, there is a way to do it. "It's just
a matter of doing things a little differently."

Got Questions?

SUM MER 2014

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Community Healthcare

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