Perry Shumway

Today is the second day of Cardiac Rehabilitation Week. If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack or heart failure, or have had an angioplasty or heart surgery, this week is for you! Cardiac rehabilitation is a way to look to the future and improve the recovery of your heart and results of your medical procedures. This rehabilitation process involves exercise training that will get your heart pumping and working towards better health. According to the American Heart Association, the program is beneficial as it results in 31% lower hospital readmissions. This means less time feeling unwell and more time with your loved ones! Sometimes making lifestyle changes in our lives can be scary and difficult, but you aren’t in this alone. At MMH you can look forward to having personal coaches that will give you one-on-one supervision in exercise training and counseling to reduce stress...

According to the World Cancer Day, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and eating a healthy diet all play a vital role in cancer prevention. There are several other risk factors we can avoid in our day to day, one being smoking. Tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of cancer and making the decision to quit smoking is the best thing that can be done to reduce the risk of cancer for a smoker. Smoking is directly linked to 71% of lung cancer deaths and is responsible for 22% of all cancer deaths. Regardless of age, quitting can improve your quality of life and greatly increase your life expectancy and decrease chances of cancer. If you’re interested in quitting smoking, click HERE to learn more about our Smoking Cessation Class.  Cancer is the leading cause of death in the state of Idaho. While rates of cancer are declining...

Has sitting become the new smoking? With a quarter of Americans sitting for over eight hours a day, the negative health effects associated with a sedentary lifestyle have become a concern. A study published by JAMA concluded that 40% of Americans get no exercise during the week. Our bodies were designed to move, we need movement in our daily lives to ensure our muscles, bones and organs are all functioning as needed. Some of the risk factors from living a sedentary lifestyle include, obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers and increased feelings of depression and anxiety. Luckily, there are several simple changes we can make to create a more active lifestyle: 1. Stay Active at Work If you work a desk job, try swapping out the chair for an exercise ball or a standing desk. An exercise ball is a great way to increase activity...

Feeling saddened by all the good cheer? According to the World Health Organization (WHO) this happens to approximately one in four individuals. Dreading the holidays doesn’t make you a Scrooge; it makes you human. For those already challenged with physical or mental health problems, the additional stress of the holidays can quickly become overwhelming. Below are a few ideas on how to practice self–care during the holiday season. Keep expectations manageable Try to set realistic goals for yourself.  Organize your time and make a list of priorities. Remember It is OKAY to not feel overly happy all the time, and it is OKAY for those feelings of anxiety and sadness to be present. Volunteer! Reach out to someone. Being in a festive atmosphere with other good people who are doing good work is a great antidote for loneliness. Budget If financial burdens trigger your anxiety and depression prioritize the most important and...

Prediabetes is a serious medical condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Approximately 1 out of 3 American adults have prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, 90% don’t know they have it. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes or have a family history of the disease, this condition can be scary. Here at Madison Memorial Hospital we have the resources available to fight against prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, through our Diabetes Prevention Program. Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this program will begin January 10th at 7:00 pm at Madison Memorial Hospital. The program will include regular class instruction and mentoring for one year. Our registered dietitians will design a specific food plan for each client based on height, weight, and age to help maintain good health. Topics will include diet, exercise, stress reduction,...

Driving safely in winter weather can be a challenge for even the most experienced driver. It is sometimes easy to forget, after summer weather conditions, that winter driving demands extra attention and precaution. From a report collected in 2016, Idaho ranked number 4 in the Top 10 most dangerous states for snow driving, with Wyoming in ranking in first place. Follow these helpful tips to prepare for this winter: Inspect your car If possible, before the winter season begins, have a thorough inspection of your vehicle, including; all fluid levels, tire tread and pressure, and battery levels. Keep a safety kit in your car all year  Things like first aid kit, jack, and road flares should be on hand no matter what. You may also want to add in seasonal items as well, in case of a break down or getting stuck. Things like, extra warm layers (blanket, gloves, etc…),...