SVMC Wellness Connection: Dec. 20

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December 20, 2024

SVMC Primary Care Offices Recognized for Patient-Centered Care

Five primary care sites of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) have achieved national recognition for providing personalized, effective, and efficient care. 

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Tips for Tackling Snow Shoveling Safely

 

In this part of the country, shoveling snow is just another winter chore. But unlike scraping a windshield and filling bird feeders, shoveling comes with significant health risks, including heart attacks.

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Tis the Season for Flu, RSV, and COVID

 

As temperatures drop, the rate of flu, COVID, and RSV illnesses tends to rise. Learn how to fight off infections or make them less severe if you catch one.

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Mocktails Everyone Can Enjoy This Holiday Season

 

Ready to toast the season but not interested in the alcohol and excess calories traditional cocktails pack? Then you’ll love these buzz-free, flavor-filled mocktails developed by SVMC’s dining and nutrition manager Russell Carrier.

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Air Quality Alert Issued for Berkshire County

Staff reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The state's on an air quality alert through midnight Thursday because of the smoke from wildfires in Canada. 
 
Berkshire residents woke up to smoky, hazy skies and a red glowing sun on Wednesday morning, but with less oppressive heat.  
 
The Department of Environmental Protection issued an air quality alert for elevated levels of fine particles (PM2.5). This refers to microscopic airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter — about 30 times smaller than a human hair. These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals.
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the size of these particles can cause serious health problems because they can get deep into your lungs and even into bloodstreams. Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest risk to health.
 
The air quality statewide is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. These include people with heart or lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to air pollution. 
 
MassDEP advises people in sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. 
 
EPA's air quality index rates levels from "good" at 0-50 and "very unhealthy" from 201 to 300. Residents of Williamstown can track the AQI through PurpleAir, which displays results from monitors in five sections of town.
 
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