PMHD and IVC promote health
IMPERIAL — Pioneer Memorial Healthcare District brought the medical exam room to the Imperial Valley College on Tuesday to better accommodate hectic academic schedules.
Conducted twice a year, PMHD visited IVC; hosting 35 health-related agencies remarked Richard Morales, PMHD community outreach coordinator.
Having already forged a partnership with the IVC Student Health Department, PMHD offered body mass index measurements, blood draws analysis, glucose screening and other critical health appraisals. “It’s vital to promote health assessments because students don’t always set aside time for regular check-ups,” said Morales.
Blood draws by PMHD phlebotomist Rochelle Perez were screened for high white blood cell count, which could indicate an infection in the body. They were also analyzed for anemia that can happen from blood loss from a wound, internal bleeding or tied to genetics as well as checked for the balance of electrolytes that are essential for healthy cell functioning and common electrolytes measured include potassium, sodium and chloride.
Blood samples are also checked for glucose levels and the lipid panel, which examines fatty substances such as cholesterol, high density (HDL) and low density (LDL) lipoproteins. An early arrival to have her BMI checked was Maria Galindo, a freshman nursing student. For her height, she should weigh no more than 130 pounds.
“Right now it’s a little scary, and hopefully I can get it down,” said Galindo who didn’t want to share her weight. “I’ll have to come up with a plan. I live near a park, and I can start with walks and slow down on chips and soda, that’ll probably help.”
At 6 feet 1 inch tall and 158 pounds, freshman video production student Daniel Caro was told he has the ideal weight. “I’m glad about it and feel pretty happy with my health,” he said.
Having her vision checked was Luz Ortiz mechanical engineering freshman. She was told she had perfect vision for long distance, though she needs eyeglasses (with an anti-glare coating to reduce strain) for computers and reading.
“My eyes sometimes burn, and they told me it could be an allergy or the weather, but they said women are more prone to dry eye,” she said. “My parents had cataracts, and my father had his removed. So I want to check my eyes for cataracts.”
For nursing student Johana Garcia, who wears eyeglasses all the time, she was pleased when told her vision was good. “I also got a flu shot, and I’ll have my blood drawn and do the BMI,” she said. “I try to get to the doctor every six months.”
Signing in students for flu shots, Lizbette Cordova, PMHD employee health nurse remarked the number one benefit from getting a vaccine is avoiding the flu and not spreading it to others. “The Centers for Disease Control recommends anyone over six months to get a flu shot,” she said. “For persons at high-risk, over 65, pregnant women or those with chronic medical conditions, should certainly get a vaccine.”
The health fair is essential for young people as recent evidence shows a trend of eight, nine and 10-year-olds with higher rates of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes noted Roberta Webster, IVC nursing instructor. One likely instigator is ineffective nutrition that can be caused by genetics or even conflicting information on diet.
“The exercise factor also comes in-you need 30 minutes a day,” she said. “High cholesterol and diabetes are a fact of life, especially in Imperial County. But the health fair is a wonderful way to expose people to all the services available here.”