Walk-in childhood immunization clinics

Walk-in childhood immunization clinics

WARREN

The Warren City Health District, 258 E. Market St., Suite 327, has scheduled childhood immunization clinics from 9 to 11 and 1 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 8 and 22; Feb. 12 and 26; and March 12 and 26.

All clinics are walk-in; no appointment is necessary. The child should be well, free of fever, rash or illness, and an updated shot record. A $21.25 administration fee is charged. Medicaid is accepted. Participants should bring insurance cards. For information, call 330-841-2596.

Herbology class

NILES

Dannielle MacDuff, in part with Mussler Chiropractic and Phoenix House Wellness Center, is offering a three-week class on herbology from 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 18, 25 and Feb. 1, 2018 at ETI Technical College, 2076 Youngstown-Warren Road.

The cost is a $55 donation to the Phoenix House Building Fund.

The course, taught by MacDuff, a board-certified naturopathic doctor, will focus on nutritives in the form of poultices, infusions and syrups. For information and to register, call 330-758-9567 or visit drdanni.eventbrite,com. Flu vaccine

CLEVELAND

Christopher Kleather, a United Healthcare medical director, says the most important step in protecting against the flu is to get the flu vaccine.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. The CDC also reported that flu-related deaths during a given season can number as high as 49,000. A study from “Health Affairs” reported that flu costs in the U.S. in 2015 for adults reached $5.8 billion in medical visits, medication and lost productivity.

Getting vaccinated is especially important for people who have certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or chronic lung disease; and for pregnant women, young children and people 65 and older. It takes about two weeks for the vaccination to take full effect. The flu season can run through May with a peak between now and March, Dr. Kleather said.

Typically, the cost of a flu shot is covered by your health plan, whether you buy health insurance on your own or are covered through your employer, Medicare or Medicaid.

Learn how to fall

NEW YORK CITY

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 1 out of 4 adults over 65 fall each year, and that 20 percent of the falls “causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.” Also, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. In addition, those 50-to-60 fall with even greater frequency because they are more active than those 65 and over, according to a recent study in the “Journal of Allied Health.”

The American Council on Science and Health offers ways to help avoid fractures when falls do occur. They are:

Learn how to fall. Avoid being rigid; protect your head; allow for your butt and muscles to hit first, and to attempt to “roll” out of any fall.

Never reach out with locked arms. Bend your elbows and have some give in your arms to soften the impact.

To protect your head, tuck your chin to your chest so your head doesn’t hit the ground when falling backward, and turn your face to the side if you feel yourself falling forward.

If you sense you’re about to fall, and you remember to bend your knees and elbows, you’re more likely going to be able to hit the floor with your side or back or butt, which are better shock absorbers than your hips.

To roll, tuck your shoulder in and push yourself through the initial fall, which spreads the impact over more surface area and creates a softer landing.