PeaceHealth St. John | House call | Winter 2016

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Is it true that the
American Heart
Association is making
changes in how to do CPR?
A The American Heart Association
(AHA) is the foremost authority
on issues regarding the heart and strokes.
Approximately every three years, the AHA
updates all training materials to reflect
the current research. The new 2016
guidelines for chest compressions will
be to deliver 110 to 120 compressions in
a minute while pushing 2 inches down
on the patient’s chest.
Will I have to blow in a
stranger’s mouth during CPR?
If you are performing CPR, doing only
compressions is acceptable if you do
not know the person needing CPR or
do not have a barrier device. Doing
great compressions can keep the blood
flowing until an ambulance arrives.
What else can I do while
waiting for the ambulance? If an
automated external defibrillator (AED)
is available, bring it to the patient and
follow the prompts to see if the patient
can benefit from a shock. Early CPR
with the use of an AED greatly improves
the patient’s chances of surviving a
heart attack.
HEART
Do 110 to 120
compressions in
a minute while
pushing 2 inches
down on the
patient’s chest. Teen Heart
Screens
When: Saturday, Feb. 20,
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: PeaceHealth Medical
Group–Lakefront
1718 E. Kessler Blvd., Longview
Info: Sign up online at
. Bring
your teen, age 13 to 18,
to the heart screening. He or
she will receive an EKG, blood
pressure check, risk factor
assessment, and more.
Fee: Suggested $25 donation
to Spencer’s HeartStrong
Foundation
My knees have
been hurting on
a daily basis. Do I
need a joint replacement?
A Knee pain is quite common and
can be caused by many things.
Injuries to any portion of the knee, the
bones, or the connective tissues can
cause pain. Mechanical or postural
problems can cause knee pain, as can
any of the more than 100 forms of
arthritis.
To discover more about your
particular situation, schedule a visit
with your primary care doctor or
ask for a referral to an orthopedic
surgeon. A thorough evaluation
may give you the insight you are
looking for.
As a general rule, if your knees
hurt every day and prevent you from
engaging in your regular activities,
it is likely that a knee replacement
could help improve your knee pain
and function. If your knees stiffen up
when you’re sitting, if you’re no longer
as mobile as you’d like to be, or if over-
the-counter medication and a cane
aren’t giving you the relief you need,
you may be a candidate for a knee
replacement.
Talk to your doctor or visit
for more
information about knee replacement.
JOINTS
I’ve been
experiencing
cramping in my
lower abdomen lately. Could
it be colon cancer?
A Abdominal cramping can
be caused by a number of
conditions, from diarrhea and
constipation to colon cancer. If you
have had this pain for more than two
weeks, you should see your doctor
right away for an exam and to begin a
treatment plan.
Despite its high incidence, colon
cancer is one of the most detectable
and treatable forms of cancer when
found early. Most cases of colon
cancer begin with precancerous
polyps located in the colon or rectum.
They are usually diagnosed and
treated at the same time—during a
colonoscopy.
According to the Colon Cancer
Alliance, more than 90 percent
of all cases of colon cancer can
be prevented with recommended
screenings. For people who have
no previous symptoms, personal
history, or family history of colorectal
cancer, it is recommended to have
an initial colonoscopy at age 50 and
then another every 10 years after, as
long as you remain symptom-free. If
you are 50 or older and haven’t had
a colonoscopy, call your doctor and
schedule one. The sooner you get it,
the sooner it’s done!
COLON CANCER
Craig McNabb, MD
Physical Medicine and Rehab
PeaceHealth Medical Group–
Pain Relief and Wellness
1615 Delaware St.
Longview, WA
360-414-2700
Carol Wegdahl
Occupational Health
Education Coordinator
PeaceHealth Occupational Medicine
1405 Delaware St.
Longview, WA
360-414-2332
Heart and
Stroke Walk
When: Saturday, May 14;
festivities start at 8:30 a.m.;
walk starts at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Lake Sacajawea
Info: Call 503-820-5300 or
email pdxinfo@heart.org
to learn more or sign up.
SAVE THE DATE!
First aid,
CPR, and
AED classes
American Heart
Association classes
for both laypeople
and professionals
are available weekly
at PeaceHealth
Occupational Health
at 1405 Delaware St.,
Longview. Call
360-414-2332 or stop
by for more information.
Anthony Simons, MD
Surgery
PeaceHealth Medical Group–
Surgery
1615 Delaware St.
Longview, WA
360-501-3500
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