Graceful Health

The following articles were originally published in the Brattleboro Reformer on the dates indicated.

Grace Cottage Adds Lymphedema Therapy

Abby Abbot

By Abigail Abbott, Grace Cottage Physical Therapist

The bad news first, and then the good news: most women dealing with breast cancer are so focused on getting rid of the cancer, thinking if they achieve that, it will be the end of the experience. Lymphedema is probably the furthest thing from their minds. But there’s a high probability they’ll have to deal with this disease, as high as 50-50, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The good news is that specially trained physical therapists can make this experience much less traumatic. And further good news: help is nearby! Grace Cottage now has two physical therapists certified to provide this therapy, Cindy Kenyon and me.

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Grace Cottage Now Offers Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Jen and Melinda

By Jen Studin and Melinda Roy, Grace Cottage Pediatric OTs

The word “occupational” might lead you to think that Occupational Therapy (OT) is job-related, but really, it’s much more than that. And when it comes to kids, OT is not focused on work at all — unless you consider it work for kids to learn to play, to take care of themselves, and to develop social skills.

OT helps people of all ages to attain and refine the skills they need to participate in daily life: things they need to do to take care of themselves, and things they do for enjoyment. Pediatric OT focuses on skills required to play, bathe and dress, interact with peers, and fulfill student and family responsibilities.

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Is Your Child Developing Normally?

Natalie Harding

By Natalie Harding, Grace Cottage Hospital PA-C

It might seem like just another chore on the back-to-school task list, but there are plenty of good reasons why your child’s required yearly physical is a wise investment.

Children with chronic health challenges like asthma, allergies, or diabetes obviously need to be watched closely for any changes in their conditions, but “well” kids need watching too. The yearly physical provides a structure for regular check-ups to ensure that your child is developing normally.

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What to Expect When Your Doctor Refers You to a Warfarin Clinic

By John Kim, PharmD

If you or a family member has been recently diagnosed with irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) or a blood clot, your doctor may prescribe a medication called warfarin and refer you to a warfarin clinic.

What is warfarin, you might ask? It is a medication classified as an oral anticoagulant (often called a blood thinner) used to treat and prevent blood clots.

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Plants to Avoid This Summer

Parsnips

By Danny Ballentine, Grace Cottage Emergency Department Physician Assistant

If you grew up in this country, you’ve probably somewhat familiar with our three most common poisonous plants: poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. We don’t have to worry about poison oak in the Northeast, as it generally grows only in the Southeast and along the West Coast. But poison sumac and poison ivy are both native here, so they are definitely plants to look for and to avoid.

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The Right Formula for Colon Health

By Bill Monahan, Grace Cottage Community Health Team RN Outreach Coordinator as originally appeared in the Brattleboro Reformer’s Graceful Health series, July 1, 2016 When applied properly, any well-proven equation […]

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Bone Density Testing: Not Just for Women

By Angie Clark, Grace Cottage Hospital Director of Diagnostic Imaging
as originally appeared in the Brattleboro Reformer’s Graceful Health series, June 3, 2016

The latest news to come out regarding osteoporosis is that testing for men tends to fall through the cracks.

While women’s bone health is often followed closely by their primary care and ob-gyn providers, men aren’t as likely to get regular check-ups or to be referred for bone density testing when it is needed.

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Be Prepared for Anaphylaxis

Natalie Harding

By Natalie Harding, Grace Cottage Hospital PA-C
as originally appeared in the Brattleboro Reformer’s Graceful Health series, May 20, 2016

Summertime in Vermont. It’s a great time of year for getting together outdoors with family and friends, fixing up the house, catching up on yard work.

Unfortunately, it’s also a great time of year for bugs that bite and sting, and they love to join the picnic.

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Your Summer Camp Health-Wise To-Do List

By Dr. Elizabeth Linder, Grace Cottage Pediatrician
as originally appeared in the Brattleboro Reformer’s Graceful Health series, May 6, 2016

Sleeping bag? Check. Bathing suit? Check. Sunscreen? Check. T-shirts and jeans? Check. What else do you need to be ready for your kids’ summer camp? Whether they are headed to day camp or away camp, here are some tips to make sure they stay safe and healthy.

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Stress Does Not Have to be a Way of Life

By Caroline Chase, Grace Cottage Behavioral Health Specialist, as originally appeared in the April 22, 2016 Brattleboro Reformer’s “Graceful Health” column. When I was asked to write an article on stress, […]

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