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Health and Wellness Information
Wellness and Community Programs
In August 2003, Mon Health System became the first workplace in West Virginia, and one of only a handful in the United States, to earn the Platinum Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA). Platinum is the highest level of awards offered by WELCOA. It represents the pinnacle of results oriented worksite wellness programming. Previously, Mon Health System was a three time Gold Well Workplace. At Mon Health System, health and wellness begins within our walls, where we encourage staff to participate in our Employee Wellness Program. Since it originated in 1992, the Employee Wellness Program has grown to incorporate staff, community, and school wellness programs.
Vital Signs
Multiphasic Blood Screening
Mon Health System offers the Multiphasic Blood Screening at our annual HealthFair each February and in conjuntion with other health events and screenings periodically throughout the year.
What do your Multiphasic Blood Screening Results mean?
The results of the blood work you had drawn will be mailed to you within a few weeks of your screening. This screening offered a number of tests of chemicals found in the blood as well as counts of your blood cells.THIS IS ONLY A SCREENINGS: IF ONE OR MORE OF YOUR TESTS IS ABNORMAL, DON'T PANIC. Consult you doctor. Your doctor can tell if abnormalities found in your screening indicate the need for more testing or treatment.
What are these tests screening for?
CHOLESTEROL: If this is high, you may be at increased risk of fatty deposits, narrowing arteries in the heart and other organs. If you have not been fasting, the results may be invalid. Ask your doctor.
WHAT IF MY BLOOD CHOLESTEROL LEVELS ARE HIGH?
Losing excess weight and starting a program of regular aerobic exercise are the first and foremost "treatments" for undesirable cholesterol levels. This cannot be emphasized too strongly. Your doctor will also advise you to stop smoking, maintain a low-fat diet, restrict or avoid alcohol, and learn to manage daily stress. After you've made the above lifestyle changes, ask to have a second blood test done to see how these changes have affected your blood chemistry. If the results are still not satisfactory, work with your doctor on a plan to bring your blood cholesterol levels into the normal range.
WHAT IS LDL CHOLESTEROL?
Low density lipoprotein (LDL)is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. When a person has too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, it can slowly build up in the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is called atherosclerosis. If a clot forms where this plaque is located, it can block blood flow to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain, a stroke results.
WHAT IS HDL CHOLESTEROL?
High density lipoprotein (HDL) is made in the liver. Medical experts think HDL removes cholesterol from the arteries and takes it back to the liver. HDL is called "good" cholesterol because a high level of it seems to lower the risk of heart attack. The opposite is also true; a low HDL level increases the risk.
WHAT ARE TRIGLYCERIDES?
Triglycerides are basically blood fats. Most people (but not all) who have heart disease have high triglyceride levels. Fortunately, the lifestyle habits that are good for lowering total blood cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol are also good for lowering triglycerides.
GLUCOSE: If this is high, you may have diabetes. If you have not been fasting, the result may be incorrect. Consult your physician. It is possible for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus to be made by obtaining at least two fasting blood sugar determinations. (Fasting means not eating for at least 12 hours prior to testing.) Values above 126 MG/DL indicate diabetes. Fasting values below 110 are normal. Fasting values between 110 MG/DL and 125 MG/DL indicate impaired glucose tolerance. See your doctor if your fasting glucose value is above 110 MG/DL.
PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA) (MALES ONLY): Abnormal values may indicate malignant disease. It is recommended that you contact your physician to schedule a digital rectal exam.
BUN/CREATININE: Increased values may indicate kidney disease.
SODIUM: Decreased values may be due to decreased fluid intake and lead to weakness. Increased values may lead to heart and kidney symptoms. Consult your physician.
POTASSIUM: Abnormal values may lead to an abnormal heart rhythm; contact your doctor immediately if your potassium level is not within normal range.
LDH, ALK PHOS, AST, ALT, GGPT, ALK PHOS, and TOTAL BILIRUBIN: Increased values may indicate liver or gall bladder disease.
CALCIUM: Continual decreased values could lead to osteoporosis.
MAGNESIUM: Magnesium is an intracellular ion involved in muscle contraction.
TOTAL PROTEIN, ALBUMIN: Increased values may indicate dehydration. Decreased values may indicate malnutrition among other illnesses.
URIC ACID: Increased values could mean you have, or could develop, gout or kidney stones.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS (WBC): Decreased values may indicate a breakdown in the immune system. Increased levels may indicate infection. Consult your physician.
HEMOGLOBIN/HEMATOCRIT/IRON/RED BLOOD CELLS (RBC): If these are low, you may need to be treated for anemia. Very high iron levels can cause disease of the liver and other organs. Consult your physician.
MCV: Average volume of Red Blood Cells.
All abnormal results should be discussed with your physician!
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Mon General Announces Open House Dates for New Patient Tower
