ABOUT YOUR CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs for growth and good health. Your liver makes cholesterol, and you get cholesterol from the foods you eat. Saturated fats add a lot of cholesterol to your blood. Too much cholesterol can build up in your blood and get stuck along the insides of your blood vessels. This can narrow your blood vessels, making it hard to get blood through the arteries. If arteries in the heart are affected, this can lead to a heart attack. If the arteries in your brain are affected, this can lead to a stroke. It is ideal to have your total cholesterol below 200mg/dl.
Total cholesterol can be divided into two major types: HDL, a good type of cholesterol and LDL, a bad type of cholesterol. The higher your HDL is, the better. Exercise is a good way to increase your HDL.

Questions? Visit the Wellness Center and Ask the Nurse.

ASK THE NURSE
Come in for blood pressure checks and bring along questions or concerns about your health.  Cindy McKenna, is OPC's Registered Nurse on duty.  This is designed for walk-ins.
 

CRITTENTON/OPC FITNESS CHALLENGE

The Crittenton Wellness Center and OPC Fitness Challenge will soon be working harder for you! Starting in September, you will have an initial assessment completed prior to entering into the challenge. This will allow you to determine both your fitness and health parameters. The assessment is not a qualification test and will not determine entry into the program. It is only used as a starting point for you to know your initial status and what areas to focus on during the course of the challenge. This initial assessment will be compared to re-evaluations made through the year and to the final evaluation after one year of participation.

The assessment will include waist and hip measurements, weight, height and body-mass index. Medical assessments will include total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure, resting heart rate, fasting blood sugar levels, and bone density. Physical therapy assessments will evaluate muscle endurance, balance, range of motion, flexibility, and muscle strength. Health-risk appraisals will also be completed and personal recommendations will be offered for both disease risk reduction and health enhancements. After completing the initial assessment and exercise classes, educational seminars on various health topics will be offered every month followed by a complimentary lunch. Topics will include nutrition, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and well-being. Healthy aging is the goal and with the help of the Crittenton Wellness Center and the OPC Fitness Challenge you can maximize your physical and emotional health.

The first month of of the new fitness challenge is $90. Thereafter the cost of the challenge is still $30. A bonus: if you continue to take on the challenge consecutively for 11 months, the twelfth month is on us.

DIAL-A-PHARMACIST
Bob Wood, Crittenton pharmacist, will answer questions you may have regarding your medications or those of a loved one. Come to the Crittenton Wellness Center to make the call.
 

BLOOD CHOLESTEROL & BLOOD GLUCOSE SCREENING: 
A Registered Nurse will screen for total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and blood glucose and discuss results.  Please, if you eat 6 hours prior to test, low fat only!
 

BONE DENSITY SCREENING
A Registered Nurse will screen for bone density and discuss results.  This will take approximately 15 minutes.
 

HEARING TESTING & HEARING AID CLEANING
Hearing screening, baseline hearing test by Audiologist.
 

PAIN IN THE BACK
Members of Crittenton's Physical Therapy Department will be back. They will review the physiology of the spine and supporting structures, share strengthening exercises for the core and lower back areas. They will address posture and body mechanics as well.
 

PSA TESTING
PSA (prostate surface antigen) is an enzyme produced by prostate cells. PSA levels can be used to tell if you have prostate-related diseases. An experienced member of Crittenton's lab department will draw your blood and results will be mailed to you and your doctor. Bring your doctor's name and address. Results will also be available the same day.