4J BENEFITS AND WELLNESS NEWSLETTER
Prepared by Julie Wenzl • 541-790-7682 • wenzl@4j.lane.edu • February 3, 2017 • Issue Number 293
PRIMARY CARE V. URGENT CARE V. EMERGENCY CARE
Primary care is usually your first stop in getting health care for you and your family. Your primary care provider can help treat common illnesses and minor injuries. If specialty care is needed your primary care provider can coordinate care and make referrals (if required) for your specific medical condition. Your primary care provider can also help you manage your overall health by knowing you and your medical history.
Primary care clinics are usually open only during the weekdays and limited hours on weekends. Appointments are required to receive care.
Primary care clinics can take care of:
- Common illnesses (flu, colds, fever, sore throats, headaches, skin irritations)
- Minor injuries like minor cuts/burns, sprains, minor bone fractures
- Physical exams, vaccinations and health screenings
If your primary care provider isn’t available but you need care right away, urgent care can help you with non-life threatening medical issues that could become worse if not treated immediately. The key words here are non-life threatening.
Urgent care clinics are open extended hours during the weekdays and weekends. To receive care, you can just walk in without an appointment on a first-come, first-served basis.
Urgent care clinics can take care of:
- Common illnesses (flu, colds, fever, sore throats, headaches, skin irritations)
- Minor injuries like minor cuts/burns, sprains, minor broken bones
Emergency care is for serious medical conditions that threaten a person’s life or limb. For these medical conditions, every second counts.
Emergency rooms (ERs) are usually located at hospitals and are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Patients with the most serious medical conditions get treated first while those with less serious conditions might have to wait long hours for their turn. It’s also much more expensive to get care at an ER compared to an urgent care clinic.
Go to an ER if you have:
- Severe chest pain/heart palpitations
- Difficulty breathing
- Ingestion of objects or poisons
- Major/significant trauma or injury
- Seizures
- Severe burns
- Severe diarrhea
- Uncontrollable bleeding/vomiting blood
- Animal bites
- Fainting/unconsciousness
The 4J Wellness Clinic is a primary care clinic and as such, it may not be able to meet your urgent care needs. There are a very limited number of same day appointments available at the clinic, and those slots tend to fill up early each day. Your understanding regarding the limitations of immediate appointment availability is greatly appreciated.
4J BLOOD DRIVE
Did you know that a pint of blood can save as many as three lives? Now’s your chance to be a 4J armchair hero! Representatives from Lane Blood Center will be in the Ed Center Tower Room on February 28th for a 4J blood drive. The drive will take place from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m., and will be a combination of scheduled appointments and drop-in appointments. Details about the event, including information on how to reserve a time slot to make a donation, will be e-mailed soon.
To learn more about the blood needs in our community and the donation process, please visit: http://lanebloodcenter.org/.
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS FAIR
Just a reminder, the 1st Annual Employee Wellness Fair originally scheduled for January 10th was moved to February 21st due to January weather. This event is open to all employees and their families.
More than 16 vendors will be on hand to answer your questions, hand out swag, and help get you moving!
- Enjoy learning about our benefits in an informal way by visiting our carriers individually, on your time, with your questions.
- Find out more about our 4J Wellness Clinic and what services are offered to you and your family at no cost.
- Visit with representatives from local gym and fitness centers about programs and discounts to get you back on track.
- See how you can give back to your community by donating blood and blood products through the Lane Blood Center.
- Explore community resources and programs for you and your family!
- Learn how home gardening and food preparation can help add nutrients to you diet from the OSU Extension Service.
There will be prizes available, including two Lane County Annual Parking Passes as well prizes from some of the vendors. Mark your calendar for this fun event!
TEST YOUR NUT KNOWLEDGE
Nuts are often regarded as a snack food, but they’re actually much more than that. Nuts have served as an important source of nourishment throughout human history. They provide a wide range of nutrients, are versatile cooking ingredients, and can be processed into nut butters, ground into flour, and pressed into oils. (And, yes, they make a delicious snack too.) How nut savvy are you? Some questions have more than one correct answer.
People who eat nuts regularly
- have lower blood cholesterol
- are at lower risk of heart disease
- are more likely to develop problems related to diverticulosis
- are less likely to develop diabetes
- live longer, on average, than people who don’t eat nuts
Answers: (a), (b), (d), and (e). Studies have consistently linked all kinds of nuts to a reduced risk of heart disease, largely because nuts have a favorable effect on blood cholesterol. Nuts may also help keep blood vessels healthy and have other cardiovascular benefits. Back in 2002, a major study found that women who ate nuts (an ounce at least five times a week) had a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. It’s a myth that nuts increase the risk of complications of diverticulosis (small pouches in the intestinal wall that can become infected). Studies have even linked nut consumption to increased longevity.
True or false: Nut eaters tend to weigh more.
Answer: False.
People who eat nuts regularly tend to weigh less than those who don’t—or at least they don’t weigh more, studies show. The protein, fat, and fiber in nuts help make you feel full longer, so you are less hungry—and presumably eat less—later. Some studies also suggest that nuts may slightly increase calorie burning, while other research has found that some of the fat and protein in nuts is not absorbed by the body because it passes through the intestines undigested (unless the nuts are ground into butter).
What substances in nuts may explain their health benefits?
- unsaturated fats
- potassium
- arginine
- fiber
Answer: All. At least three-quarters of the calories in nuts come from fat, which is mostly unsaturated (monounsaturated or polyunsaturated), the kind that can improve blood cholesterol levels. Other healthful substances in nuts include potassium, copper, magnesium, fiber (much of it soluble), arginine (an amino acid that helps relax blood vessels), sterols (which also help lower cholesterol), and various antioxidant compounds.
True or false: Almonds help you meet your calcium needs.
Answer: True. Almonds contain the most calcium of all nuts—75 milligrams per ounce, which is nearly 8 percent of the Daily Value.
The information in this newsletter has been summarized. It is presented as information – not advice or counsel. In all instances, the benefits, conditions, and limitations as outlined in the 4J Master Contracts prevail over this representation. Please refer to your Benefits booklet or master contracts available at the District offices for additional information regarding your benefits plans.
