Veteran’s Column: being healthier

By Jerry Field

Support of Vietnam Veterans. National Vietnam War Veterans Day 29 March 2019 – Friday – 11:00 am at the Chicago Vietnam Memorial on Wacker Drive between State and Wabash.

Subject No Fee City of Chicago sticker. FREE City Vehicle Stickers for Veterans residing in Chicago. This is welcome news for Chicago Vets and truly appreciative of City Clerk Anna Valencia for her efforts in getting this done.

JOIN A Veterans organization today- Back the programs to expand All Veterans Benefits –include Dental, Transistion and Jobs.

Call for Volunteers

6TH ANNUAL HOMELESS VETERAN STAND DOWN HOSTED BY A SAFE HAVEN SATURDAY May 18, 2019, 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
A Safe Haven Warehouse, 2501 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60608 Accessible by the #12 Roosevelt or #49 Western Routes
Surplus Gear From: U.S. Department of Defense

Hines VA to honor Vietnam War Veterans as part of continued 50th anniversary commemoration

Hines VA is planning events to honor the service and sacrifices of Vietnam and Vietnam-era Veterans on Friday1 March 29 in the Hines VA Auditorium.

By presidential proclamation on May 25, 2012, we obs rve/, the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, extending trdmi’ : · :.:
Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025.

Hines VA is a commemorative partner with the:Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.

In addition to presenting Vietnam Veteran lapel pins to· Vietnam Veterans, we expect to offer opportunities to learn about Honor Flight’s trips to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., and representatives and artwork from the National War Art Museum in Chicago. We wo;; display photographs taken by Vietnam Veterans and the Gary Sinise Foundation is providing free pizza for Vietnam Veterans.

March 29 marks the point when the last U.S. troops left South Vietnam ending America’s direct military involvement in 1973.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 9 million Americans served during the Vietnam War period and approximately 7 million are living as of December 2018.

Thank you, Team Hines!

Nearly 300 Hines VA Hospital personnel were recognized for their service awards at the monthly ceremony February 26.

The event is just one more way to thank employees for the many years of valuable service to VA, and for going above and beyond.

Each month, dozens of employees are recognized for their accomplishments.

Did you know that you can nominate your fellow employees for a Starfish Award? This recognizes employees who go above and beyond in demonstrating ICARE values.

Employee nominations can be submitted via email to StarfishAwardHines@va.gov. Please use the subject line: Starfish Award. You can also submit in-person in the Patient Advocate Office in Room 1055, Building 228.

Additional photos from the award ceremony can be found under employee photos on the Hines Media (M) drive.

Hines VA Audiology marks important milestone

The Hines Audiology dept. has just entered its 7th year of providing Veterans with Cochlear implants.

There have now been more than 100 Cochlear implant procedures done since the department performed its first implant service on Feb. 14, 2012.

“The device is for people who no longer benefit from standard hearing aids,” said Stacey Sturgulewski, Cochlear implant program coordinator. “Dr. Matthew Kircher and the ear, nose and throat department really understand what it takes to help Veterans,” said Sturgulewski.

A cochlear implant provides an additional option for patients with severe to profound hearing loss who derive little or no benefit
from other treatment options.

The cochlear implant is the first step in a comprehensive, long-term rehabilitation of patients.

Surgical implantation is followed by a prescribed course of training and rehabilitation aimed at achieving maximum patient benefit.

For additional information about the procedure, contact the Hines Audiology dept. at 202-2298.

Hines is now participating in the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Cabinet Naloxone Program to help Veterans with addiction issues.

Throughout the hospital, select cabinets will now have nasal naloxone, a medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdose, placed next to the AEDs.

These items will allow any first responder to quickly and accurately use a naloxone dose to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, saving a Veteran’s life.

The Naloxone kits are located in the Main Lobby of Building 200, the Lobby of 228, the Lobby of CLC 1-8, Canteen, and the Employee Fitness Center.

To all subscribers and friends:

The February  2019 issue of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Diversity@Work newsletter Is available online and includes lnformation on:

• Accessibility Interns Seek Documents to Remediate for 508 Compliance
• Chinese-American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony
• VA Welcome Kit
• VA Team Works to Improve Services for Growing Populations
• And more

Fifteen ways to lower your lood pressure

1. Walk and exercise regularly
Exercise is one of the best thir:,gs you :can do to lower high blood pres$Ure. Regular exercise helps make your heart strong and more efficient at pumping blood, which lowers the pressure in your arteries,.

2. Reduce your sodiu i take
Salt intake is high around he world. In large part, this is due to processed and prepared foods. For this reason many public health efforts are aimed at lowering salt 1rith’ industry

3. Drink less alcohol
Drinking alcohol can raise blood pressure. In fact, alcohol is linked to 16% of high blood pressure cases around the world. While some research has sugge ted that low-to-moderate amounts of alcoh9\rr,ay protect the heart, those benefits may be offset by negative effects.

4. Eat more potassium-rich foods
Potassium is an important mineral. It helps your b.ody rid of sodium and ease pressure on your blood vessels. Modern diets have increased most people’s sodium intake While decreasing potassium intake.

5. Cut back on caffein:
Caffeine can cause a sMbtt-term spike in blood pressure, although for many people it does not cause a lasting increase.

6. Learn to manage stress:
Stress is a key driver of high:blood iessure. When you’re chronically stressed, your body is in a constant fight-or-flight mode. On a physical level, that means a faster heart rate and constricted blood vessels.

7. Eat dark chocolate or cocoa:
Here’s a piece of advice you can really get behind. While eating massive amounts of chocolate probably won’t help your heart, small amounts may.

8. Lose weight
If you’re overweight, losing weight can make a big difference for your heart health. According to a 2016 study, losing 5% of your body mass could significantly lower high blood pressure.

9. Quit smoking
Among the many reasons to quit smoking is that the habit is a strong risk factor for heart disease.

10. Cut added sugar and refined carbs
There’s a growing body of research showing a link between added sugar and high blood pressure. The Framingham Women’s Health Study, women who drank even one soda per day had higher levels than those who drank less than one soda per day.

11. Eat berries
Berries are full of more than just juicy flavor. They’re also packed with natural plant compounds that are good for your heart.

12. Try meditation or deep breathing
While these two behaviors could also fall under “stress reduction techniques,” meditation and deep breathing deserve specific mention.

13. Eat calcium-rich foods
People with low calcium intake often have high blood pressure.

14. Take natural supplements
Several natural supplements have been investigated for their ability to lower blood pressure.

15. Eat foods rich in magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral that helps blood vessels relax. While magnesium deficiency is pretty rare, many people don’t get enough.