Health & Wellness Blog

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Many times it is hard to tell whether we have a cold…

The holidays bring comfort and joy... but they may also bring unwanted, added weight. This season our dietitians have you covered with delicious, healthy recipes. In honor of November being Diabetes Awareness Month, all recipes are diabetes friendly.  Meal:  Herbed-Lemon Turkey with Wild Mushroom Gravy, Green Beans and Onions, and…

Caring for a loved one at home can be rewarding. Prairie Lakes Home Health & Hospice understands it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting. Our staff encourages you to follow these tips for taking care of yourself- it’s important! Tips: By taking care of yourself, you are also making…

November is Healthy Skin Month, Dr. Jeffrey Smith of Prairie Lakes Dermatology Clinic has helpful tips for the winter months. Dr. Smith is available to see patients with no referral from your doctor. Living in our region can be particularly hard on your skin, especially in the winter. Here are…

Pain is a complex, individualized experience. Who we are and what we do contributes to pain. The last 20 years of research has made promising strides in understanding pain, but we still have much to learn. There are many non-medicinal things that can be done to help ease pain, including…

It’s back to school time once again. As schedules and routines become established we may find our children's backpacks becoming more and more heavy.   The weight of their backpacks could be a cause for concern as injuries may result.  Carrying backpacks, especially overloaded ones, can cause chronic back pain which…

Take a deep breath in – and out. Breathing isn’t easy for everyone, especially those with COPD. COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and it’s talked about a lot these days for a good reason. According to the American Lung Association, the third leading cause of disease-related deaths in…

Hernias are usually self-identified due to bulging, swelling, and/or pain. It’s important to consult your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms and they are affecting your daily life. Here are a few frequently asked questions about hernias that I’ve answered below. What is a hernia? A hernia is a hole that allows…

It's only $45 to give the gift of a Target Heart or Stroke Screen. Consider Target Heart or Stroke Screen if any of the following risk factors apply: Family history of heart disease or stroke  High cholesterol History of smoking High blood pressure Overweight High stress levels Sedentary lifestyle Diabetes Postmenopausal female Target Heart…

Occupational Therapy (OT) and hand therapy are specialized areas of therapy that focuses on helping people of all ages improve or recover the skills necessary to complete their daily activities or “occupations”. These occupations include self cares, career and productive tasks, and social/leisure skills. Whether you are recovering after an…