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Drive up pharmacy a time saver

Like most people, you have a busy life. The kids need to be dropped off at practice, you promised you'd attend that meeting, you need to get your prescription re-filled, and to top it all off, it's a cold Minnesota winter day.

Well, we can't do much about the weather, but we can help make your life a little simpler with our new drive-up prescription service. The drive-up is located immediately in front of the pharmacy allowing you the convenience of picking up your medication without having to leave your vehicle.

Simply call ahead and your prescription will be ready when you want it. A call button on the carrier equipment alerts pharmacy employees of your presence. The carrier, much like the drive up at a bank, exchanges the medications and payment between the pharmacy and you.

East Ottertail Pharmacy hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday and is located at 665 3rd Street Southwest, adjacent to MeritCare Clinic. In addition to the drive-up, East Ottertail Pharmacy also offers mail out and delivery service. Perham Memorial Hospital and MeritCare enjoy joint ownership of the pharmacy.

Physical therapy can help with incontinence

It is estimated that seven out of 10 women are affected by incontinence - the involuntary loss of bladder control. For many, the condition prohibits them from enjoying every day activities that most take for granted.

"The problem of urinary incontinence began after the birth of my third child. I'd be embarrassed to cough or sneeze because I just didn't know if something would happen," said a 32 year old affected by incontinence.

For another woman, the problem came on gradually as she aged. "I stopped attending my exercise class because it got to the point I had to excuse myself several times to go to the bathroom. It's changed a lot of things that I really used to enjoy."

Incontinence involves the involuntary loss of bladder control and the inability to predict when and where urination will occur due to weakened muscles from aging, pregnancy, childbirth, chronic coughing, and/or chronic constipation. One of the most common causes of urinary incontinence is weak pelvic floor muscles - the muscles that help control bladder function. When they're weak, leakage can result.

"People are either too embarrassed or unaware that help is available and suffer needlessly," says Celeste Kostohryz, a physical therapist at Perham Memorial Hospital specially trained in treating incontinence.

The program through Perham Memorial Physical Therapy teaches simple and effective exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles - going beyond traditional Kegel exercises focusing on the strengthening of abdominal, leg, and pelvic muscles that help control leakage. As these muscles gain strength, they are able to assist the bladder, as they should, in preventing involuntary loss of control.

In most cases, biofeedback (a technique for learning to control different body functions) will prove to be useful. Biofeedback utilizes a computer device that measures pelvic floor muscle activity that can then be viewed by the patient and therapist in helping to isolate the area that needs to be strengthened.

Education on lifestyle changes to decrease bladder irritability and relaxation and breathing techniques are also part of the program.

"The success rate of the program and what it does to improve women's lives is exciting," Kostohryz says. "Whether a woman experiences a minor or major loss of bladder control, there is now another option in regaining control without surgery or medication." The treatment has been found to be effective for women of all ages and is covered by most insurance with a doctor's recommendation.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the physical therapy department at 346-1172.

Some information taken from MeritCare's Valley Health Journal

Allison Klingenberg

Allison Klingenberg took over the lead role in PMHH's radiology department when she joined its team of health care professionals this past November.

"From the first moment I walked through the doors, I felt the warmth being extended to me by everyone," said Allison. "I've never felt like a 'new' employee.

Allison is a registered vascular technologist and diagnostic medical sonographer licensed by the American Registry Diagnostic Medical Sonography. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in community health and has over 15 years experience in ultrasound technology.

As Director of Radiology, Allison is responsible for directing the overall operations of the radiology department with compliance with the Joint Commission of Accreditation and state and federal laws and standards. In addition, she will be PMHH's primary ultrasound technician.

Allison was most recently employed at St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids where she worked for nearly seven years. She lives in Park Rapids with her husband, Dale, who is a science teacher at Sebeka Schools, and their two daughters - Alyssa age 12 and Emily age 9.

"It's going great," she adds. "I've had time to settle in and get familiar with everyone and everything just in time for some big changes in our department. We're installing new ultrasound equipment and looking at upgrading the CT scan equipment as well. It's all very exciting."