Varicose veins. They’re visible and often unsightly. You may be resigned to just covering them up. But do they pose a health risk? Should you worry about varicose veins?
Varicose veins appear as swollen or raised leg veins and are often blue or dark red in color. They result from a weakness in the vein walls. They almost always occur in the legs (because gravity makes it harder for blood to flow upward), but they can show up anywhere on the body. A milder version of varicose veins usually seen in the legs is often called “spider veins,” which are typically smaller and thinner.
Learn more about Varicose Veins
It’s a sobering fact. Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people in the United States. The topic is difficult to talk about – but it is one that can save lives.
Every year, approximately 2 million adolescents attempt suicide. According to the Children’s Hospital Association’s Pediatric Health Information System, suicide attempts, ideation and self-injury among children from ages 5-18 have become the most common behavioral health condition seen in children’s hospitals’ emergency departments nationwide.
Experts say several factors are behind these numbers. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to outpatient health care was extremely limited. This led to a significant increase in children and adolescent visits to the emergency room for mental health emergencies across the United States that may have been prevented with careful outpatient management,” said Bonnie Mackenzie, MD, attending physician and medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.
Learn more about Preventing Youth Suicide
Wondering what to do with a medicine cabinet chock-full of expired or unneeded medications? Is there a better way to throw them out without endangering your family or harming the environment?
The first step is to check the expiration dates on all of your medications, according to Janet Mattiucci, RPh, manager of Yale New Haven Health Pharmacy at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. Each medication has an expiration date printed on the label. If your medication is past the expiration date, follow the disposal instructions that came with it.
Learn more about Medicine Cabinet Spring Cleaning
L+M and the Hartford Marathon Foundation encourage all runners (and walkers, too!) to join in the fun on the morning of Saturday, July 20 when a longstanding community tradition continues with 5K and 10K road races for all ages and abilities starting on Montauk Avenue in front of L+M Hospital.
The 5K is a 3.1-mile race that is perfect for runners, walkers and families with strollers. It is a relatively flat and scenic course with views of the Thames River. The 10K is a double loop which also features spectacular views along Pequot Avenue.
To register for the event, please visit the Hartford Marathon Foundation website, or click Register for Summer Stride.
The Beyond Beauty Program is a free service for Smilow Cancer Hospital patients, provided by our licensed cosmetologists, certified hair and wig specialists and The Cingari Family Boutique. It is created for current Smilow patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment and experiencing temporary visual changes to their hair, skin and nails.
If you are a current Smilow patient, you may register for an interactive workshop held on Aug. 7 from 2 - 4 pm at Smilow Cancer Hospital - Waterford, 230 Waterford Parkway South, Waterford. You must pre-register to receive your makeup toolkit on the day of the class. Sign up for the Beyond Beauty Program by calling the Cingari Family Boutique at 203-200-2273 (CARE) or by sending an email to [email protected].
Additional upcoming workshops are available at Smilow Cancer Hospital locations in Guilford, North Haven, Trumbull, Waterbury, Stamford, Torrington and Derby; and Westerly, RI. Call or email for details on dates and times.
Volunteers are essential for creating Westerly Hospital’s helpful and welcoming atmosphere. When you join our team, you have ample opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. Volunteers assist in many ways and places, including our Courier Service for patient transport, as Safety Volunteers, at reception desks, providing music therapy and knitting comfort blankets for our patients.
Volunteer candidates must apply and interview with the manager of Volunteer Services, have a criminal background check, be medically cleared by our Occupational Health Department and complete an orientation.
Junior volunteers between the ages of 15 -18 years old and in good academic standing are welcome with a guardian’s signature.
Westerly Hospital also facilitates clinical observations. This program allows interested individuals to observe a clinical area of interest if you are looking to make a decision about a potential clinical career. Observers must meet the same requirements for onboarding.
For more information about volunteering at Westerly Hospital, call 401-348-3969 or send an email to [email protected].
When you are a new grandparent, it’s essential to brush up on the basics while also staying up to date on the latest trends and methods in childcare, health and safety.
Lawrence + Memorial’s “Understanding Grandparenting” class is designed to help grandparents learn about current hospital birth practices, changes in bathing/diapering, safe sleep, car seats, childproofing, supporting breastfeeding and other skills. You will also learn about monthly milestones for the first four months, ideas for interacting with the baby, setting boundaries and the importance of healthy communication with the new parents.
The online course can be completed on your own time and is not held on scheduled dates. After registering, you will receive a link to the online course that is accessible for up to nine months. Cost is $50.
For more information or to register for the eClass, call 888-700-6543 or visit the Lawrence + Memorial Events page.
Northeast Medical Group offers a free monthly diabetes support group at Westerly Hospital for patients, families and caregivers. Sessions are the first Wednesday of the month from 5 - 6 pm in the Henry J. Nardone Conference Center. The group is facilitated by Joan Sommers, RD, and Dandie Gallaher. For information, call 401-637-7202.
Are you looking for a physician? Call 833-346-3637 or visit our website’s “Find a Doctor” feature for information on physician specialties, office hours and locations as well as insurance plans accepted. Many of our physician practices offer telehealth video visits for your convenience.
Yale New Haven Health offers financial counseling to patients and families. Spanish-speaking counselors are also available. To make an appointment with a financial counselor, call 855-547-4584.
