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Aneurysms are a health risk because they can burst or rupture. A ruptured aneurysm can cause severe internal bleeding, which can lead to shock or even death. What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm? An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), is a condition in which the lining of the blood vessel called the aorta is enlarged within the abdomen. Abdominal aortic aneurysms pose a threat because they are usually silent until a medical emergency occurs. Many people with an abdominal aortic aneurysm do not experience symptoms, but may experience these common warning signs: • Intense back or abdominal pain • Rapid pulse • Nausea and Vomiting • Excessive sweating What Causes an AAA? The exact reason why an aneurysm forms in the aorta in most cases in not clear. Aneurysms can affect people of any age and both sexes. However, they are most common in men, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) and those over the age of 65. Your genetic make-up plays a part as you have a much higher chance of developing an AAA if one of your immediate relatives (parent, brother or sister) has or had one. Risk Factors Certain other “risk factors” in-crease the chance of getting an aneurysm. These include: • Smoking • High Blood Pressure • High Cholestero • Emphysema • Obesity How to prepare for an AAA Screening The screening is a quick and painless procedure that requires no radiation. • Wear comfortable clothes • NPO (nothing by mouth) after midnight • If you take medication, take as prescribed What to Expect The AAA screening requires you to lay on your back while the technologist uses ultrasound to take images and measurements of your aorta. The technologist will apply a warm gel to the transducer and move it along your abdomen. You may be asked to hold your breath for a brief moment. The radiologist will review the images and a final report will be sent to your physician in 24-48 hours. Medicare Coverage If you are covered under Medicare and meet the guidelines for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening talk to your doctor today about scheduling you for this potential lifesaving test! Talk to your doctor today about scheduling your AAA Screening.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends you take your baby to the doctor for 10 checkups during their first 2 years. Recommended Ages: • 3-5 Days • 1 Month • 2 Months • 4 Months • 6 Months • 9 Months • 12 Months • 15 Months • 18 Months • 24 Months Check-Ups Include: • Physical Exam • Check your baby's growth • Assess your baby's developmental milestones, the behaviors and expected skills at each age. • Recommended Vaccinations Well Baby Check-Up Physical Exams Include: • Weight, length, and head circumference • Heartbeat and breathing • Hips, legs, arms, back and spine • Eyes • Ears and nose • Mouth and throat • Neck and underarm lymph glands • Skin for birthmarks and rashes • Stomach • Additional age specific assessment to check to see if your baby is meeting the developmental milestones for their age group Developmental Milestones: Each baby is different and may achieve milestones at a different pace. Providers track expected behaviors and skills appropriate for your baby's age to check to see if there are any delays or areas of concern. • Observe child's behaviors • Asks you about your baby's age-related accomplishments • Asks about how you and your baby are doing, and about their feeding, sleeping and development. Well Baby Vaccinations: The CDC recommends a dosing schedule to help protect children against diseases. Vaccinations are given at their recommended times upon parent consent. Recommended infant vaccinations include: • Hepatitis B • Rotavirus • Diphtheria (DTaP) • Hib • Pneumococcal Conjugate • Polio • Influenza • COVID-19 Chester Clinic participates in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program which offers vaccines at no cost to eligible children through health care providers enrolled in the program.

According to the CDC, "Because of vaccines, some diseases (like polio and diphtheria) are becoming rare in the U.S. Vaccination can prevent certain deadly diseases in infants, children, teens, adults and travelers of all ages." Why Vaccinate? Vaccination throughout childhood are important because it aids in providing immunity prior to a child being exposed to life threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages. Vaccines aren't just for children. Even adults should receive vaccines. It is important that adults keep their vaccinations up to date because immunity can wear off over time. As you age you become a risk for different diseases as well. When to Vaccinate: View the charts below for a list of child vaccinations from newborn to age 18 and adult vaccinations for adults 19 years and older. For additional information on Vaccinations, visit the Center for Disease Control and Preventions website at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires commercial motor vehicle operators to have the DOT physical exam to maintain their driver certification. Drivers must provide periodic physical examination reports to maintain compliance and continue working. Memorial Hospital's Rural Clinic providers are certified to perform your DOT physical to ensure that you are in satisfactory health and able to work safely. Don't loose time on the road, schedule your DOT physical today at the Chester Clinic 618-826-2388 or Steeleville Family Practice 618-965-3382. Wat the DOT Physical Covers 1. Vision 2. Hearing 3. Blood Pressure/Pulse Rate 4. Urinalysis 5. Physical Examination Be Prepared for Your Physical • Take all medications as scheduled at all times, since taking your medication irregularly may cause inaccurate readings during the physical exam. • Do not run out of your prescribed medications as you lead up to your physical exam. Suddenly withdrawing from a medication can significantly impact your test. • If you use contact lenses or glasses to see, make sure your prescription is up to date and bring your corrective lenses with you tot he physical. What You Need for the DOT Physical • Bring medical records from your primary care doctor if your primary care doctor is not the one performing your exam. • If you have any health conditions, bring the name and contact information for the doctor who treats you for each condition. Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea typically require additional paperwork, such as sleep test results or stress test results. • Bring a complete medication list. The list should include every medication you take, its strength, its dosage, and the prescribing doctor.

Our Rural Health Clinics provide Family Planning services which include: • Gynecological Exams • Birth Control Counseling • Subdermal Birth Control Implants At our clinics we know one plan doesn't fit all, especially when it comes to family planning and the correct contraception. Plan your family on your terms, contact the Chester Clinic or Steeleville Family Practice to schedule your birth control consultation or Gynecological Exam. Nexplanon insertion also available at both locations.

Cryosurgery is a technique for removing skin lesions that primarily involve the surface of the skin, such as warts, seborrheic keratosis (noncancerous skin growth), or actinic keratosis (A rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by years of sun exposure.). Liquid nitrogen needs to be applied long enough to freeze the affected skin. By freezing the skin, a blister is created underneath the lesion. Ideally, as the new skin forms underneath the blister, the abnormal skin on the roof of the blister peels off. Occasionally, if the lesion is very thick (such as a large wart), only the surface is blistered off. The base or residual lesion may need to be frozen at another visit. Talk to your physician about it. To schedule an evaluation with a Memorial Hospital Provider contact one of our Rural Health Clinic Locations.

Memorial Hospital's Chester Clinic participates in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, The VFC Program offers vaccines at no cost to eligible children through health care providers enrolled in the program. Vaccinating on time means healthier children, families, and communities. Who is eligible for VFC? Children ages 18 years or younger who meet at least one of the following requirements: • American Indian or Alaska Native • Medicaid-eligible • Uninsured • Underinsured What is the cost of VFC? There is no charge for the vaccines given by VFC providers to eligible children. Health care providers may charge other fees related to the visit, such as: • Giving a shot • Office visit • Non-vaccine services, like an eye exam or blood test Where can I get my child vaccinated? Chester Clinic 2319 Old Plank Road Chester, IL 62233 618-826-2388

Primary indications for punch biopsies include suspicious skin growths and lesions. These include melanoma, carcinomas and various bullous or inflammatory skin conditions. Small pieces of skin from any part of the body are removed using a tube-shaped tool. It is rotated through the skin to the subcutaneous fat. The specimens obtained are sent for microscopic and histopathological examination, or bacterial and/ or viral cultures. While punch biopsies are capable of showing the full thickness of lesions, they are limited in terms of how much width they are able to display with respect to the specimen obtained. This limitation is crucial in the staging and prognosis of malignant lesions. Talk to your physician about it. To schedule an evaluation with a Memorial Hospital Provider contact one of our Rural Health Clinic Locations.

Our Rural Health Clinics provide Age Specific Wellness exams, Annual Physicals, Well Woman exams, Well Baby Exams, and School and Sports Physicals. You can schedule your exam with anyone of our Family Healthcare Providers, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistants at our Chester Clinic or Steeleville Family Practice locations. Need to establish care with a new provider? Our providers are accepting new patients. Call today, to schedule your appointment 618-826-2388 or 618-965-3382.

“Excision” means the doctor uses a scalpel to remove something from the skin. Excisions are recommended for problem growths such as small cancers, atypical moles, and enlarging cysts. First, the growth is numbed with injectable anesthesia. The doctor then excises the growth and a narrow rim of normal-appearing tissue. The excised tissue is sent to a dermatopathology lab for final diagnosis which may take 1-2 weeks. Talk to your physician about it. To schedule an evaluation with a Memorial Hospital Provider contact one of our Rural Health Clinic Locations.

Memorial Hospital has two Rural Health Clinics that provide care to patients of all ages from infancy to geriatrics. Same Day Appointments are available by calling one of our clinic locations and scheduling an appointment with one of our primary care providers, nurse practitioner, or physician assistants. Chester Clinic - 618-826-2388 Steeleville Family Practice 618-965-3382

A trigger point injection can help soothe muscle pain, especially in your arms, legs, lower back and neck. It also can be used to treat fibromyalgia, tension headaches and myofascial pain. Trigger points are painful “knots” in your muscles. They form when a muscle can’t relax. Sometimes you can feel these knots when you rub your muscle. Injecting small amounts of anesthetic and steroid into the trigger point can help alleviate the pain. Trigger point injection may be right for you if your muscle pain has not improved with other treatment, including pain medication and physical therapy. Talk to your physician about it. To schedule an evaluation with a Memorial Hospital Provider contact one of our Rural Health Clinic Locations.