August 10th-14th is National Health Center Week and we’re celebrating with a Back to School Health Fair with giveaways and prizes. Schedule a well-child exam, immunization, sports physical, dental exam and cleaning or all 4 and your child will be entered into a drawing for a backpack filled with school supplies. There will also be a Children’s Art Contest.

We will have drawing supplies in the waiting rooms throughout the week. Winners will be displayed in the lobbies at the clinic, and two grand prizes will be given.

On July 6, 2015, Mt. Enterprise Community Health Clinic and the Rusk County Community Health Center will celebrate its new name as Crossroads Family Care. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10:00am at the Henderson location at 1115 US Hwy 259 South. An Open House will follow with free snow cones, popcorn, and hot dogs. The Mt. Enterprise location will celebrate with an open house at 3:00pm at 106 W. Rusk St. with a Ribbon Cutting at 3:30pm that same day. Since 2008, the clinic has offered quality, affordable health care in Rusk County and the surrounding communities. The organization felt that the new identity would bring the two locations together under one cohesive name and look.

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance — such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander — that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people.

Your immune system produces substances known as antibodies. Some antibodies protect you from unwanted invaders that could make you sick or cause infection.

When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn’t. When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune system’s reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.

Arthritis facts

• Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints.
• Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints.
• Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults.
• A rheumatologist is a medical arthritis expert.
• Earlier and accurate diagnosis can help to prevent irreversible damage and disability.

What is arthritis? What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.

Cholesterol is both our friend and foe – at normal levels, it is an essential substance for the body’s normal functioning, but if levels in the blood get too high, it becomes a silent danger that puts us at risk of a heart attack.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and has important natural functions. It is manufactured by the body but can also be taken in from food. It is waxy and fat-like in appearance.

Cholesterol is oil-based and so does not mix with the blood, which is water-based. It is therefore carried around the body in the blood by lipoproteins.