Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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When your nose runs, although it may not slow you down, it can be annoying. This time of year, it's difficult to know if your runny nose is from a cold, allergies or another reason. Rhinitis can be broadly defined as inflammation of the nasal membrane. Sometimes a runny nose is from allergies, caused by allergens in the air, such as trees, grass, weeds, molds, dust mites or pet dander. Allergy symptoms often include sneezing, an itchy or runny nose and itchy, watery or red eyes. A runny nose...
I love sports. I have enjoyed playing and watching sports for as long as I can remember. And as someone who participated in a sport year-round in high school and continued in athletics (golf) in college, I am constantly grateful for the large impact being able to play competitive sports has had in my life. Now I am a parent, a proud coach of a young girls' soccer team and a more casual observer of youth athletics. I see youth sports through the lens of how they can impact our kids....
What is the primary purpose of attending college? The most common responses include to gain more knowledge in the particular field one is pursuing, become involved, make connections, and, of course, to attend college for the experience. While all of these reasons are highly important, college is about growth and watching friends and family mature into the responsible adults they hope to become. Two students from Page - one a freshman, one a senior - talk about the college experience and how the...
One summer during my college years, I had a roommate who suffered from suicidal thoughts. She’d attempted suicide before we met, and been hospitalized, but continued to struggle. Back in the late 80s, there was very little public understanding of mental health issues and the stigma was even stronger than it is today. Our other roommate and I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. Not surprisingly, we didn’t handle it well. However, we did one thing right: we restricted access to lethal means....
People often talk about having a "gut feeling" when they know something is wrong. What feelings come when there is something wrong with the digestive system itself and how do you differentiate between "butterflies" acting up and a serious gastrointestinal problem? There are many different organs that can cause GI problems and may include the esophagus, stomach, the small intestine and the large intestine. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. The most common issue...
After a visit about aches, pains and various medical issues, a patient was commenting on getting older. Similar to other patients, I expected him to say something like, “It’s no fun getting older.” To my surprise, the patient said, “I’m 85. That means I have a lot to be thankful for.” Some people are almost always positive, and some are usually negative. Those who are positive have been found to have better outcomes and seem to enjoy themselves more while unfortunately, those who tend to be...
For most people, taking a daily 81-mg aspirin to prevent stroke and heart attack is more risky than beneficial. Aspirin has been in use as a pharmaceutical for over 150 years making it one of our oldest. One might assume with all this experience we would know exactly how to use it, but today’s recommendations are based on better evidence gained from better science. Originally used to treat pain, aspirin evolved to become a cornerstone for cardiovascular protection after compelling research in t...
For students with allergies and asthma, back to school means more than getting their backpacks filled with paper, pencils and any needed odds and ends. Keeping your child safe and healthy involves creating a proactive plan to be implemented both at home and at school. Allergy doctors refer to these plans as control programs because the goal is prevention and control. Food allergies can cause anaphylaxis, the total body allergic reaction with shortness of breath, hives, low blood pressure,...
The annual wellness exam is one of my favorite things to do as a doctor. It’s a chance to talk about one of my passions: health promotion. As most patients expect, our health-promotion discussion includes smoking cessation, diet and exercise. Perhaps more surprising is our conversation regarding personal safety. We talk about sunscreen, seatbelts, helmets, distracted driving or driving under the influence. And I ask if their guns are locked up. I grew up in Iowa and I live in South Dakota. B...
Larry Pendergast 1943 - 2022 Memorial services for Larry L. Pendergast, 78 of Inman, will be Saturday, Aug. 27, at 1 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview. A private graveside gathering for immediate family will follow the service. The family will host a celebration of life for Larry following the graveside gathering, at the Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Larry died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk after a brief illness (pulmonary fibrosis). He was...
As a practicing urologist who is double board certified in urology and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, I see a lot of patients with urinary incontinence. And while it is extremely common, many myths surround the topic. Sadly, even though more patients in the U.S. suffer from overactive bladder than diabetes, there is very little education surrounding incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders. One common misconception I hear is "you have to drink eight glasses of water."...
ANDREW ELLSWORTH, M.D. One late summer day, fresh out of residency and seeing patients for the first time as a full-fledged family physician, I examined a young man who had a fever, fatigue and a bad headache. Considering the time of year, influenza was low on the list of possibilities, and COVID-19 did not yet exist. After a physical exam and listening to his story, I ordered some tests, which resulted in a diagnosis of West Nile virus. Now that we are entering the later half of the summer, the weather and environment are prime for West Nile...
As a physician with 45 years of practice, I've seen my share of diseases. I have usually been on the physician side of the diagnosis- treatment paradigm. However, knowing the rationale for diagnostic screening tests, I fortunately did not shirk my own. Testing too much or too frequently leads to insignificant findings that may have no long-term consequences, yet create worry and further testing. Too often, this can lead to surgery that does not save lives but carries pain, disability,...
As a clinical professor at my state’s medical school, I frequently have medical students seeing patients with me in clinic. While the majority of patients are happy to allow student involvement, some decline. This makes me wonder what misconceptions lead patients to be averse to trainees participating at clinic visits or hospital bedsides. In my experience, the presence of learners has a positive influence on our work in the clinic and hospital. Medical education is a complex, highly i...
Summertime. For most, this signals thoughts of warm weather and good times with family and friends. Sadly, what brings happiness for some can trigger stress and sorrow for others. In the words of a Vietnam War veteran, "The fourth of July was once my favorite holiday with friends and family ... but now it is a day I wish never existed." Now ask, what could this veteran, a victim of a farming accident, a female sexual-abuse victim, a child who lost his mother to domestic violence and a survivor o...
Recently our family went on a camping trip. Our kids loved how we canoed our supplies across a lake and set up our campsite. My wife and I were reminded how much work it is. Soon our children were experiencing more mosquitos, flies, caterpillars and ticks than they had ever seen before. On one of our lovely hikes, nearly every time I looked down, I found another tick crawling on my shoe or leg. Ticks love tall grass, wooded areas and other moist and humid environments often close to the ground....
This past weekend is a blur. After wrapping up last week’s paper and making sure everything was organized for the rodeo, Scott and I headed north, to Fargo, where I was a finalist (and eventually named the winner) of the National Federation of Press Women’s Communicator of Achievement. We decided to take the less-traveled path and support small-town businesses. Word to the wise: call ahead, especially if you need to make a reservation. After driving around a South Dakota town for 20 min...
Many of my patients will say, “Doctor, I am so inflamed.” The use of the word inflammation is commonplace as we search the market for anti-inflammatory diets or self-help books on inflammation. The inflammatory response created by the immune system contributes to healing, but when left unchecked, can contribute to chronic disease, allergy and nonspecific symptoms such as achy joints, fatigue and malaise. The immune system has two main parts. The first of these is the innate immune system whi...
My mind is all over the place today. I’m trying to wrap up loose ends before a whirlwind, three-day trip to Fargo for the National Federation of Press Women convention and Communicator of Achievement awards banquet. Plenty of notes and reminders cover my desk, a few email snippets from friends with suggestions for the convention and hot spots in North Dakota. Wait! There are hot spots in North Dakota? A former student of mine lives there and suggested the craft beer scene is exceptional and s...
Frank G. Meyer, 65, of Orchard appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick, in the Holt County courtroom June 14 for sentencing on four counts committed Feb. 25. Burdick sentenced Meyer to seven days in the Holt County Jail, a $500 fine and revoked his driver’s license for six months on an amended count of driving under the influence, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor; fined him $50 for an infraction count, possession of open alcohol container, $25 each on infraction counts, speeding, six to 10 mph over the posted limit, and driving o...
For the past few months, I’ve been fielding questions about the baby formula crisis. Make no mistake, the shortage of baby formula is indeed a crisis. Babies are delicate. Their immature bodies rely on having just the right intake of water and salts, and just the right composition of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Their organs can’t keep that balance independently, the way healthy older children and adults can. Formula is carefully designed for this. Breastmilk is the ideal food for bab...
One of my favorite daily reads is from Revitalize, or Die by Jeff Siegler, an economic development specialist who tells it like it is. Siegler writes, “The only way to combat the effects of apathy is in fostering a sense of civic pride. By focusing on identity, aesthetics, sense of community, standards, engagement and action, I assist communities in becoming places residents can be proud to call home.” So much of what Siegler says makes sense: • “Neglect is simply delaying cost and effort...
Summer is just around the corner and warm days outside in the sunshine will soon be here. This is the perfect time to remember the importance of sunscreen. The number of sunscreens has increased over the years and the plethora of options can make it confusing when shopping for one that works best for you and your family. There are two main categories of sunscreen: chemical and physical. Each type has its own list of pros and cons. Where you are going, how long you are going to be outside, and...
Summit Carbon Solutions representatives met with area landowners, May 18, in the former Orchard School building, to answer questions about a potential carbon dioxide pipeline slated for construction in the area. Jake Ketzner, vice president of government and public affairs at Summit Carbon, opened the meeting with a brief overview of the new carbon pipeline that would cut through Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, if approved. The Ames, Iowa-based company plans to run the pipeline th...
With the storm approaching, my wife texted me after work to come home right away. Within minutes, after I left the clinic, she called me again to tell me NOT to come home and to seek shelter immediately. At first, I thought I could make it home, but then the wall of wind hit and a tree fell onto the road in front of me. I turned around and another tree blocked the way. Then it got so dark. It was disorienting and I turned on my windshield wipers using the fluid to try to clear the dust and mud...
