Memorial Day

in this issue >>>

current topics >>>

May is Stroke Awareness Month

A Day of Rememberance

May

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. Health systems and health care professionals can help reduce stroke deaths by addressing risk factors and improving patient outcomes when stroke occurs.(CDC)

Would you be able to detect if someone was having a stroke? Learn more about the symptoms on page 2.

Healthy Living

Helping New Hampshire Veterans live their best life!

In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community-wide or one-time events.

By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities.

It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971,

Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays. https://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp

Physical Activity Stroke Awareness: Know the Signs Staff Spotlight Mental Health Awareness Reading Nutrition Labels

Memorial Day

Ceremony

Monday, May 27th 10:30 a.m.

(Rain or Shine) Eagle (Main) Entrance

Manchester VA Medical Center

Staff Spotlight >>>

Nurse Case Manager Tilton Community Based Outpatient Clinic

Kristina Huntoon, MSN, RN-BC, CNL is the Nurse Case Manager for the Tilton CBOC. She earned her Associates in Nursing from NHTI, Bachelors in Nursing from Franklin Pierce University, and Masters in Nursing from Sacred Heart University. She is a certified Clinical Nurse Leader and a certified Gerontological Nurse.

Prior to working for the VA she worked on an inpatient medical-surgical unit at DHMC. She enjoys the problem-solving nature of her case management role.

Signs of Stroke…Act FAST

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does

one side of the face droop?

Arms: Ask the person to raise both

arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech: Ask the person to repeat a

simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or

strange?

Time: If you see any of these signs, call

9-1-1 right away.

All adults should avoid inactivity. Regular physical activity lowers the risk of depression, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, colon cancer, and breast cancer. It may also help you feel like you have more energy, stamina, and endurance. Be active for any and all reasons that are meaningful to you!

Physical activity is safe for almost everyone, and the health benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks. Even if you are out of shape or have not been active in a long time, you can be active safely. Unless you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis, or you have active symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, dizziness, or joint pain, you do not need to talk to your health care team before activity. If you have a concern about a health condition, talk with your health care team about the types and amounts of activity that are best for you.

Nutrition: Men vs. Women By: Kathleen Martin RDN, LDN

Nutritional needs for both men and women are similar in many ways but there are some differences. Men tend to have bigger frames with larger muscle mass, therefore, calorie needs for men are usually higher than for women. Most men need an average of 2000 to 2800 calories to maintain their weight. Protein needed to build, and repair muscle is the same calculation for both men and women, (0.8-1.0 grams per kilogram of body weight), but how much protein you need to consume will be different for each person due to individual weight and calorie needs. The larger size and higher calorie requirements of most men mean a man will usually need to eat more protein in a day than a woman.

When exercising and performing weight training, protein needs for muscle repair does increase. However, there often is a misconception that the more protein eaten, the bigger and faster the muscles will grow. Eating more protein than your body can utilize will not make muscles grow any faster, it is the work that the muscles do during exercise and daily activities that helps increase muscle size. It is a process that takes time and patience.

A concern for men, more so than women, is they tend to gain weight around the middle due to the hormone testosterone. If your waist is greater than 40 inches around you could be at

greater risk for developing diabetes, heart disease and dementia. If you are gaining weight around your waist line you might want to look at your diet, exercise and sleep habits.

There are some specific nutrients that are important to men’s health. As men age the risk of developing prostate cancer increases. Lycopene, and selenium can help protect against developing this cancer. Zinc is another important mineral for men. Studies have shown that low zinc levels can result in low sperm quality and poor sperm counts. Eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, grains and lean protein will help provide these essential nutrients. Avoid using over the counter supplements unless advised by your Primary Care Physician. There is no “magic pill”. There are properties in food that help these vital nutrients work to their full potential. Over the counter supplements will not provide the same benefit as food. Supplements taken in excess can put your health at risk.

If you want more information about your individual nutritional needs, consider working with the Registered Dietitians available to you through the VA Medical Center. Even small changes can help you live a healthier life. We are always here to assist you on the road to optimal health.

Healthy Teaching Kitchen~June

Whole Health Nutrition~June

9:30-11:30 am 1:00-2:00 pm

6/6 Kitchen Safety 6/6: Go Green Eat Local

6/13 Food Safety 6/13 Fighting Cancer with Diet

6/20 Summer Salads 6/20 Fueling the Body for Training and Exercise

6/27 Healthy BBQ’s 6/27 Calories In VS Calories Out

June Nutritional Class offerings. If you

are interested in attending, please call 6404 for the whole

health class and 3829 Healthy Teaching

Kitchen

How to Read a Nutrition Facts Label

ask the experts >>>

Understanding what the Nutrition Facts Label means can help you make smart food choices that are best for your health.

Serving Size & Servings Per Container

We’re used to saying “portion” or “helping” when we talk about how much we eat.“Serving size” is the official term used on food labels. Nutrition facts given on the food label are based on one serving.

Be sure to look at the number of servings in the container. Even small containers may have more than one serving. If you eat the whole container, then you must multiply the nutrition values Amount of Calories

The calories listed are for one serving of the food. Keep in mind your total daily calorie needs. “Calories from fat” tells how many fat calories there are in one serving. Remember, a product that is fat-free isn’t necessarily calorie-free. *Percent Daily Values (DV)

This section tells you how the nutrients in one serving of the food contribute to your total daily diet. Use it to choose foods that are high in the nutrients you should get more of, and low in the nutrients you should get less of. Tip: 5% DV or less is low, 20% or more is high. You will not find a % DV for trans fat, Sugars, or Protein (refer to the bottom box for Percent Daily Values for a 2,000 and 2,500 calorie diet). Limit these Nutrients

Eating too much total fat (especially saturated fat and trans fat), cholesterol, or sodium may increase your risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, some cancers, or high blood pressure. Limit these nutrients.

Get Enough of These Nutrients

Americans often don’t get enough dietary fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Potassium in their diets. • Look for choices that have at least 1 gram of fiber. • Aim for 20–35 grams of fiber per day. • Compare the number of grams (g) of sugars to the number given for Total Carbohydrate. Unless this food has natural sugar, like that in fruit or milk, these sugars are added.

Mental Health Awarenss Month

The May Mental Health events are designed to encourage the VA community to learn more about what the VA offers, to think about what mental health means, to recognize the challenges and barriers to wellness, and to engage in practices

that encourage respect and inclusivity.

On Monday May 13, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH will host an event for Veterans and the VA featuring the “99 Faces Project: Portraits without Labels” art exhibit. The exhibit features photos, videos, and artwork by artist Lynda Michaud Cutrell, which depicts individuals living with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and the people who love and support them. The exhibit challenges assumptions about mental illness and what it looks like. Veterans and staff are welcome to attend. In addition to the exhibit, events include a talk by Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Donald Bolduc, who is an advocate for Veterans accessing mental health services, and a panel discussion of mental health recovery and resources at the VA. “Plant the Seeds of Wellness” is a health and wellness fair on Tues May 21, from 1130 am to 2 pm, in the T&E Room. Staff and Veterans are welcome to come learn about the wide range of activities and resources at the VA that support whole-person health. Gift baskets will be raffled, and participants can make their own herbal bouquets. Our director,

Al Montoya, will demonstrate a simulation of what it’s like to experience certain mental health challenges, starting at 1 pm. For more information about May Mental Health Awareness Month activities, or mental health and recovery resources at the Manchester VA, please contact Manchester’s Local Recovery Coordinator Lindy Feigenbaum LCSW, at 603-624-4366 ext. 3621, or Lindy.Feigenbaum@va.gov.

Created by:

Annie J. Duquette, RN Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program Manager

Veteran Health Education Coordinator Annie.duquette@va.gov

(603) 624-4366 ext. 6439

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