Lymphedema Therapy, an innovative program offered by the Physical Therapy department at FirstLight Health System, is a specialized program of care designed  to treat people with swollen arms or legs. Lymphedema is a condition in which fluid is trapped in the tissues causing swelling in any area of the body, most commonly the arms and legs.  The swelling may be due to cancer treatment, an injury or surgery, or an unknown cause. Swelling of an arm or leg(s) may be painful, disabling or inconvenient as it can make it difficult to experience a full range of movement, fit into clothes or shoes, or maintain quality of life. Without treatment, this swelling can increase the risk of a life-threatening attack of cellulitis.  

In the past, before therapists were trained to treat Lymphedema, people with swelling were treated with diuretics, compression pumps, unsuccessful surgeries and elastic stockings.  With knowledge and research the most successful method of treating swelling is through what is called Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).  This consists of a massage- like technique called Manual Lymphatic Drainage, exercises, bandaging and education in home management and prevention.  This education can also be a very important step in prevention for those who are at risk, most often patient’s with cancer diagnoses.  

FirstLight Health System has been actively treating Lymphedema for over 10 years.  There are currently two Certified Lymphedema Specialists in the Physical Therapy department.  Julie O’Connor DPT, CLT is a licensed Physical Therapist and after graduating with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, has been working at FirstLight for over 6 years.  Jenny Niedzielski PTA, CLT is a Physical Therapist Assistant and has been treating patients at FirstLight for nearly 10 years.  Julie and Jenny have both completed certification through Upledger Institute, a nationally recognized educational institute, and are two of a select group in the state qualified to treat Lymphedema.           

If you feel you would benefit from Lymphedema Therapy, the first step is to talk to your doctor, as a referral or prescription is required for this Physical Therapy treatment.  FirstLight’s Certified Lymphedema Specialists also hold a support group every other month for those who suffer from or know someone with Lymphedema or swelling problems.  For more information, call 320-225-3356 and ask for Julie or Jenny.

Answer: The American College of Emergency Physicians says the following conditions are warning signs of a real medical emergency that would benefit from the services of an ambulance.

1)      Any difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. An ambulance carries oxygen, medication, and specialized equipment designed to care for people who are experiencing shortness of breath,

2)      Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure. The signs of a heart attack can be complicated. Ambulance staff can run specialized tests to determine if you are having an acute heart attack. They can then begin treatment in order to lessen the damages of heart disease.

3)      Fainting. This is often a signal of other complex medical emergencies and should always be evaluated by ambulance staff.

4)      Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision. These symptoms are common indications of a stroke-which if treated correctly can be reversible. Contacting 9-1-1 at the immediate onset of these symptoms is essential to your recovery.

5)      Change in mental status. This includes unusual behavior, confusion, and difficulty arousing. These symptoms can all be indications of other conditions.

The following conditions can and should also be analyzed by ambulance staff.

1)      Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body

2)      Bleeding that will not stop

3)      Severe and persistent vomiting

4)      Coughing or vomiting of blood

5)      Suicidal or homicidal feelings

Answer: The food pyramid has been a constant guide for adults looking to eat a healthy, balanced diet. One of the most recent additions of the food pyramid can be found at www.MyPyramid.gov  This is a Web site maintained by the Food and Drug Administration that can help you find the right balance of fruits, vegetables, oils, meat and beans, dairy, and grains.

The site provides adults with tips to make easy, smart food decisions. First off, half your grains throughout the day should be whole grain. Proteins should be lean and varied. Fruits are an important part of anyone’s diet but fruit juices should be avoided. People need to be taking in plenty of vegetables that vary in color—different colors mean different vitamins. Finally, skim and low-fat dairy products are not just for children. They are essential in the diets of adults.

If you are embarking on a new, healthy diet, you can begin by taking the foods you prepare now and tweaking them with some of the tips from above. A good rule of thumb though is a balanced diet means everything in moderation.

Answer: Experts from the Centers of Disease Control conclude that everyone over the age of 6 months should receive the flu vaccination. The following groups are at a higher risk of developing the flu:

1)      Pregnant women

2)      Children younger than 5

3)      People age 50 or older

4)      People of any age with serious medical conditions

5)      People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities

6)      People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

    a.       Health care workers

    b.      Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

    c.       Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age

This year the flu vaccine will protect against three viruses, including the H1N1 virus. For people older than 6 months, the “flu-shot” is recommended. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is approved for use in healthy people ages 2 to 49 and who are not pregnant.

The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that contains a killed virus. The nasal-spray flu vaccine contains a live, weakened virus that CANNOT cause the flu. Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as the vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, which includes December, January, and beyond.

Answer: Heart pain is an indication of heart trouble. When you are experiencing chest or heart pain, it is important for the heart to receive as much oxygen as possible and as quickly as possible. Ambulance staff can provide this to you. The instant you call 9-1-1, oxygen and other lifesaving equipment will be on route to you with sheriff’s deputies and first responders. When that oxygen arrives, it is the first step to reversing the potential damage of a heart attack.

Law enforcement agents and first responders are in direct contact with the ambulance staff in order to best coordinate your care.

The ambulance staff that was called for your emergency has advanced levels of training that will not only treat your chest pain by increasing the oxygen flow to your heart, but also run diagnostic tests to figure out if you are indeed having a “heart attack”. If you are having a heart attack, staff will activate a specialized response system designed to get you into the emergency room and directly to the heart specialists. This is a well-oiled system that is proven to reduce death and disability due to an acute heart attack.