StemCell Therapy

Viewing even the smallest sliver of a crescent sun peeking out from behind the moon is enough to cause damage, according to a news release from the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

They offer the following suggestions:

Use specially designed solar eclipse glasses and viewers. Ordinary sunglasses, even dark ones, are not sufficient.

Use solar filters on camera lenses, binoculars and telescopes.

Inspect your solar filter before the eclipse. Don't use it if it's scratched or damaged.

Another option is to view the eclipse through #14 welder's glass. That's much darker than the shades arc welders typically wear.

Do not use solar eclipse glasses to look through a camera, binoculars or a telescope. The sun can melt the filter and damage your eyes.

The high cost of diabetes

Diabetes and prediabetes hit Minnesotans with a staggering annual medical bill, reports Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

The annual cost is estimated at $4.4 billion, according to Blue Cross, and diabetes accounts for a 6.3 percent "loss of good health" in Minnesota in the form of severe disease, disability or premature death.

Noting that 90 percent of prediabetics don't know they have the condition, the insurer last week launched a "Reverse It" campaign to raise greater awareness about diabetes prevention.

Prediabetes is indicated by a higher-than-normal level of glucose (blood sugar), but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Type 2 diabetes can include serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and blindness.

You can learn more and take a prediabetes quiz at BlueCrossMN.com/ReverseIt.

Remember walk in Chisholm

The Iron Range's first Walk to Remember fundraising walk for Alzheimer's awareness will take place on Aug. 19 around Longyear Lake in Chisholm.

Sponsored by St. Luke's Hibbing Family Medical Clinic, the walk will be based at Valentini's Restaurant, 31 W. Lake St. Registration and raffles and door prizes will be from 8-9:30 a.m. The walk will begin at 9:30 following opening comments.

Registration is free. Contact Christine Nelson at Christine.Nelson@slhduluth.com, or call (218) 780-8484 with questions or to donate.

All money raised will go to the Alzheimer's Association in Northern Minnesota/North Dakota.

The inside view in Ely

Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Aug. 19 with the Medical Inflatables MEGA Body Exhibit and Health Expo at Ely's Whiteside Park.

That means visitors will be able to step inside a 50-foot-long interactive model demonstrating the inner workings of the human body.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Help with Medicare

Answers and education regarding health insurance for Medicare beneficiaries and pre-retirees will be provided by Senior LinkAge Line through the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging on Sept. 7 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 4831 Grand Ave., and on Sept. 12 and Sept. 27 at the Missabe Building, 227 W. First St., Suite 103.

To schedule an appointment, call Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433.

Read more from the original source:
Health notes: Eclipse viewing safety, diabetes costs and more - Duluth News Tribune

This entry was posted on August 16, 2017 at 10:48 am and is filed under Diabetes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |