January is Birth Defects Prevention Month By: Pam O’Brien

Dawson County

Health Department News

O rgan i zat i on N am e

Inside this issue:

Cervical Caner Month 2

A Healthier You 3

Quit Tobacco 4

Thyroid Awarness 4

Services 5

Calendar 6

Volume , Issue January 2019

207 W. Bell

Glendive, MT 59330

Tel: (406)377-5213

Website:

dawsoncountymontana.com/departments/publichealth

Public Health:

Tel: (406)377-5213

WIC Program:

Tel: (406)377-5213

Home Health:

Tel: (406)377-5213

Family Planning:

Tel: (406)377-2935

Tobacco Prevention:

Tel: (406)377-5213

Every 4 ½ minutes, a baby is born with a

birth defect in the United States. That means

nearly 120,000 babies are affected by birth

defects each year. (https://www.cdc.gov/

ncbddd/birthdefects/facts.html#ref)

Birth defects are structural changes present at

birth that can affect almost any part or parts

of the body (e.g., heart, brain, foot). They

may affect how the body looks, works, or

both. Birth defects can vary from mild to se-

vere. The well-being of each child affected

with a birth defect depends mostly on

which organ or body part is in-

volved and how much it is af-

fected. Depending on the se-

verity of the defect and what

body part is affected, the

expected lifespan of a person

with a birth defect may or may

not be affected.

A birth defect can be found before

birth, at birth, or any time after birth.

Most birth defects are found within the first

year of life. Some birth defects are easy to

see, but others are found using special tests,

such as echocardiograms (an ultrasound pic-

ture of the heart), x-rays or hearing tests.

Birth defects can occur during any stage of

pregnancy. Most birth defects occur in the

first 3 months of pregnancy, when the organs

of the baby are forming. This is a very im-

portant stage of development. However,

some birth defects occur later in pregnancy.

During the last six months of pregnancy, as

the tissues and organs continue to grow and

develop.

For some birth defects, like fetal alcohol syn-

drome, we know the cause. But for most birth

defects, we don’t know what causes them. For

most birth defects, we think they are caused

by a complex mix of factors. These factors

include our genes (information inherited

from our parents), our behaviors,

and things in the environment. But,

we don’t fully understand how

these factors might work togeth-

er to cause birth defects.

While we still have more work

to do, we have learned a lot

about birth defects through past

research. For example, some things

might increase the chances of having a

baby with a birth defect, such as:

Smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking cer-tain “street” drugs during pregnancy.

Having certain medical conditions, such as being obese or having uncontrolled dia-betes before and during pregnancy.

(Continued on page 2)

Cervical Health Awareness Month

National Birth Defects Prevention

Month

National Blood Donor Month

National Glaucoma Awareness

Month

National Radon Action Month

National Stalking Awareness

Month

National Winter Sports Traumatic

Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness

Month

Thyroid Awareness Month

Upcoming Events

1 New Year’s Day—Offices

Closed

1-7 New Year’s Resolutions Week

6-13 National Folic Acid Aware-

ness Week

21 Martin Luther King Jr.

Day— Offices Closed

22–27 National Drug Facts Week

Dawson County Health Department Newsletter Page 2

January is Birth Defects Prevention Month (cont.) By: Pam O’Brien

Taking certain medications, such as isotretinoin (a drug used to treat severe acne).

Having someone in your family with a birth defect.

Being an older mother, typically over the age of 34 years.

Having one or more of these risks doesn’t mean you’ll have a pregnancy affected by a birth defect. Also, women can have a baby born

with a birth defect even when they don’t have any of these risks. It is important to talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower

your risk.

Not all birth defects can be prevented. But, there are things that a woman can do before and during pregnancy to increase her chance

of having a healthy baby:

Be sure to see your healthcare provider regularly and start prenatal care as soon as you think you might be pregnant.

Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant.

Don’t drink alcohol or use “street” drugs.

Talk to a healthcare provider about any medications you are taking or thinking about taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary or herbal supplements. Don’t stop or start taking any type of medication without first talking

with a doctor.

Learn how to prevent infections during pregnancy.

If possible, be sure any medical conditions are under control, before becoming pregnant. Some conditions that increase the risk for birth defects include diabetes and obesity.

Babies who have birth defects often need special care and interventions to survive and to thrive developmentally. State birth defects

tracking programs provide one way to identify and refer children as early as possible for services they need. Early intervention is vital

to improving outcomes for these babies. If your child has a birth defect, you should ask his or her doctor about local resources and treat-

ment. Geneticists, genetic counselors, and other specialists are another resource.

Source: CDC

JANUARY IS CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

Dawson County Family Planning encourages women to protect

themselves against cervical cancer.

What Steps Should You Take?

Get a Pap Test.

Avoid Tobacco Use.

Get Vaccinated.

Call 377-2935 to Schedule Your Exam.

A Healthier You By: Laureen Murphree

When we hear Happy New Year, our thoughts often turn to resolutions. We often think negative thoughts when attempting resolutions

because they are often broken. Instead, we should turn to small things that can change our life for the better. Create healthy habits

that can last a lifetime.

We all know we need to eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water in order to be healthy. Many of us think we’re

doing a decent job of being healthy. However, most of us are not. One study found that very few adults (only 3 percent) actually

meet all the criteria of living a healthy lifestyle. Researchers looked at four keys

to healthfulness, including:

Not smoking.

Maintaining a healthy weight (a BMI of 18-25) or successfully losing weight.

Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Exercising 30 minutes or more, five times a week.

Few of us actually do all these things. And while these are important, there is

more to good health than checking those boxes. It’s also about having a positive

attitude, a positive self-image, taking care of your mental health and spending time with friends and family. So, before you enter into

a commitment to begin a healthier “you” in the New Year, decide which areas you desire to strengthen. Begin with your top one or

two areas and work down your list. (entrepreneur.com)

Don’t try to make huge life changes all at once. That can leave you feeling overwhelmed and tempted to give up altogether. Start

small and build.

It is amazing how quickly we can build a daily habit. Start with a small change and try to do it every day. For example, if you want

to increase your exercise, start with 5 or 10 minutes a day. When you feel like that is manageable, increase your intensity or length.

Before long, it will become a daily habit.

Getting rid of addiction is very hard. Whether it be smoking, eating, gambling or drinking alcohol in excess. There are places to get

support. If you want to quit smoking, calling the Montana Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW is a great place to start.

Another area is eating a healthy diet. Your food choices each day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the

future. Breakfast is a very important meal. Getting in those 5 servings of fruits and vegetables can be tough. If you eat fruit and/or

vegetables as a part of your breakfast, it helps your body and subtracts from that 5 servings. Scrambled eggs with some peppers,

mushrooms, broccoli and onions (or your favorites) are a great source of protein and vegetables. It also helps keep you from being

hungry later on. Don’t forget to drink water—some say eight 8 oz. glasses others say half your body weight in ounces. Regardless—

drink that water!!

Sometimes we overlook the importance of getting enough sleep. After all, if we’re eating right, working out and avoiding bad habits

like smoking, does it really matter if we’re getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night? It sure does! Sleep plays a vital role in

our health and well-being through our lives. Getting enough quality sleep aids in both mental and physical health. Sleep is key to

brain function -- it affects how well you learn, work, think, react and get along with others. Hav-

ing an ongoing sleep deficiency raises your risk for chronic health problems. (entrepreneur.com)

Managing stress and slowing down to appreciate the ones/things around us also helps create a

healthier you.

So this year try something different. Since success is never overnight but the result of a series of

small, incremental, repeated steps, simply pick a few things to do differently every day.

Page 3 Volume , Issue

New Year, New Chance to Quit Tobacco for Good! By: Lindsay Sadorf

Every year, thousands of Montanans look at the new year as an opportunity to make positive life changes. For Montanans who use

tobacco, quitting tobacco is one of the best things they can do for their health. The Montana Tobacco Quit Line and American Indian

Commercial Tobacco Quit Line are free services available to all Montanans and are here to help anyone quit tobacco.

“Remember the Quit Line is for all types of tobacco: cigarettes, smokeless, and e-cigarettes. No matter what type of tobacco you

use, the Quit Line can help,” stated Lindsay Sadorf local Tobacco Prevention Specialist.

The Quit Line offers free and reduced cost medications, free counseling with a certified quit coach and a personalized quit plan. The

Montana Tobacco Quit Line also offers a special program to pregnant women who want to quit

for their own health and the health of their baby, and offers an American Indian call line that con-

nects callers with American Indian coaches. All Quit Line programs deliver tailored services for

each caller creating the best opportunity for success.

Quitting tobacco can be the most important thing you do for your health this New Year. The Quit

Line, along with FDA-approved cessation medications available through enrollment, is a proven

effective way to help you quit tobacco use successfully. Tobacco users who use the Montana To-

bacco Quit Line are 7 to 10 times more likely to quit than if they were to try alone.

To get started call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visit the website at www.QuitNowMontana.com to enroll. American

Indian callers can reach Native coaches directly by calling 1-855-372-0037. Set yourself up for success in the New Year by calling

the quit line today!

Dawson County Health Department Newsletter Page 4

The thyroid is a critical part of one’s overall health. Unfortunately, many still are inadequately informed or are completely unaware

of this butterfly-shaped gland located just under the larynx. January is Thyroid Awareness Month, which provides an excellent oppor-

tunity to read up on this small gland that is so important to our health.

So, how common is thyroid disease?

Thyroid disease is more common than diabetes or heart disease. Thyroid disease is a fact

of life for as many as 30 million Americans – and more than half of those people remain

undiagnosed. Women are five times more likely than men to suffer from hypothyroidism

(when the gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone). Aging is just one risk factor

for hypothyroidism.

How important is my thyroid in my overall well-being?

The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone, which controls virtually every cell, tissue and organ in the body. If your thyroid is not

functioning properly, it can produce too much thyroid hormone, which causes the body’s systems to speed up (hyperthyroidism); or it

can create too little thyroid hormone, which causes the body’s systems to slow down (hypothyroidism).

(Continued on page 5)

January is Thyroid Awareness Month By: Andeen Raymond

Services Provided by the Health Department

Untreated thyroid disease may lead to elevated cholesterol

levels and subsequent heart disease, as well as infertility and

osteoporosis. Research also shows that there is a strong genetic

link between thyroid disease and other autoimmune diseases,

including types of diabetes, arthritis and anemia.

Simply put, if your thyroid gland isn’t working properly, neither

are you.

How do you know if you have a thyroid problem?

First, you must understand how to recognize the symptoms and

risk factors of thyroid disease. Since many symptoms may be

hidden or mimic other diseases and conditions, the best way to

know for sure is to ask your doctor for a TSH (thyroid-

stimulating hormone) test, a simple blood test to verify your

thyroid gland’s condition. Also, take a minute and perform a

self-Neck Check. Because thyroid disease often runs in families,

examinations of your family members and a review of their

medical histories may reveal other individuals with thyroid

problems.

What are some of the reasons to consider a thyroid evalua-

tion?

Family history: A familiar place to look for thyroid disorder

signs and symptoms is your family tree. If you have a first-

degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) with thyroid dis-

ease, you would benefit from thyroid evaluation. Women are

much more likely to be thyroid patients than men; however, the

gene pool runs through both.

Prescription medications: If you are taking Lithium or Amioda-

rone, you should consider a thyroid evaluation.

Radiation therapy to the head or neck: If you have had any of

the following radiation therapies, you should consider a thyroid

evaluation: radiation therapy for tonsils, radiation therapy for

an enlarged thymus, or radiation therapy for acne.

Sources: https://www.holtorfmed.com/thyroid-awareness-month/ http://www.thyroidawareness.com/about-your-thyroid

(Continued from page 4)

Immunizations: Adults and children, Thursdays: 8:30 am - noon and 1:00-5:00. Walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment call 377-

5213.

Insurance Billing: Yes, the Dawson County Health Department does

bill insurance for children’s immunizations.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children): Thursdays 8:00 -12:00 and 1:00 -5:00 . Appointments may be made by calling 377-5213.

Family Planning: Walk in hours are Monday—Tuesday: 1-5 pm, Wednesday: 8 am - noon and 1-5 pm, Thursday: No Clinic, Friday: 10 am

- noon and 1-3 pm. Services are based on a sliding fee scale. To schedule

an appointment call 377-2935.

Blood Pressure Clinics: Wednesday-Thursday: 8 - noon—no charge.

Labs: Wednesday 8:00 - noon. Some labs require 12 hour fast.

Home Health Services: In home services including skilled nursing. Certified Nurse Assistant, Homemaker and Meals on Wheels. Call

377-5213 for more information or to make a referral.

Public Health Home Visiting: Home visiting program for pregnant women, infants and children. Services help to build parental resilience,

social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete

supports in times of need and social and emotional competence of children.

Tobacco Prevention: Preventing tobacco use among youth and promote quitting among adult users. Free signs for CIAA compliance.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Planning and coordination of community resources to prepare for public health

emergencies.

2019

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