Health

Whooping Cough Warning

Submitted by Dan Jones on Monday, May 7th, 9:21 pm

A warning from health officials in Iowa about whooping cough.

There's been an increase of the number of cases and that's a concern with children.

It's an illness that is easily spread, and potentially deadly for infants.

The Health Department wants to make sure children and those around children like parents, grandparents and childcare workers to be up to date on immunizations.

View Comments | Post a Comment

A Reason to Run: Tackling my First Hill Run

Submitted by Gordon Severson, ABC 6 News Reporter-Rochester

Thursday, April 26th, 2012, 5:10pm

A Reason to Run: Tackling my First Hill Run

Journal of a Distance Runner (Thursday April 26th 2012)

Hill Runs:

Have you ever tried to run up a hill? It’s not as easy as it looks.

At first, you think, “yeah, I can totally do this.”

After a few feet, you suddenly realize how steep you’re actually climbing.

I was surprised last week when my trainer told me to not only run up a 600 meter hill, but do it 7 times.

Let me tell you one things about hill runs, they stink.

They’re terrible.

But everyone tells me their worth it.

At first I thought, “you guys are crazy. No way in heck can this be worth it.”

I soon realized how beneficial they can be.

Just a few days ago I was handed a map of the marathon route.

On race day I’m set to encounter a handful of nasty looking monoliths of destruction.

My knees are trembling already.

View Comments | Post a Comment

A Reason to Run: Only 37 Training Days Left!

Submitted by Gordon Severson, ABC 6 News Reporter-Rochester

Friday, April 20th, 2012, 4:55pm

A Reason to Run: Only 37 Training Days Left!

Journal of a Marathon Runner: ( Friday April 20th)

After several weeks of training I finally came to one scary realization, in only 37 days I will have to run 26.2 miles!

Even though I’ve logged over 300 miles so far, it’s still an intimidating task.

26.2 miles, 26.2 miles. WOW!

In my long runs I am currently up to 20 miles each Sunday, but it’s that extra 6.2 that still escapes me.

Surprisingly, 20 miles is the most I’ll run until the race itself!

My trainer has forbidden me from running any further than my training schedule will allow.

For some reason, that baffles me. I was always taught that if you’re doing something you’ve never done before, you should try it out alone first.

That way you know what to expect before you run a race in front of thousands of spectators.

I’m told it will all work out in the end. I hope it does.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Laughing Out Loud For Your Health

Submitted by Chris Kuball, Storm Tracker 6 Meteorologist

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012, 8:09am

     Sometimes laughter is the best medicine and that was the case at the Iowa Statehouse.
     Monday was officially proclaimed laugh out loud day in Iowa.
     Governor Branstad signed the proclomation during this jovial ceremony.
     It's part of his plan to makeIiowa the healthiest state in the country.
     We're told laughing raises the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and can improve the immune system.
     Researchers have found that even fake laughter can have a positive effect on your health.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Health Department Warns of Flu Activity

Submitted by Dan Jones on Wednesday, March 28th, 10:15 pm

Cerro Gordo County Public Health has confirmed an increase of flu activity.

The health department began receiving increased calls this week from people reporting Influenza type illness.

Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat and muscle aches.

The department says it still has vaccines available.

To avoid getting sick, you should avoid close contact with people who are sick and wash your hands often.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Drug Buy Back Program Working

Submitted by Dan Jones on Thursday, March 22nd, 10:10 pm

A county-wide effort to properly dispose of unwanted perscription drugs is working.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's office set up a secure storage container and says the eight month old program is proving to be "extremely successful."

The goal is to keep medications out of the wrong hands as well as landfills and waterways.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Mason City’s Blue Zones Video Debuts on Youtube

Submitted by Phenda Varnie on Thursday, February 23rd, 12:25 pm

MASON CITY—The video produced for submission with Mason City’s Blue Zones application has been posted on YouTube. Entitled, “Mason City on the March for Blue Zones”, it was filmed at The Music Man Square, local schools, and downtown, and features enthusiastic citizens of all ages.

Youth Leadership (YIELD) students from Mason City High School, Newman High School, and the Mason City Alternative School worked on the project as part of their community impact project. They organized pep assemblies at the high schools and arranged for the MCHS Drum Line to lead the Start Somewhere Community Walk. The AHS students segment highlights Mason City’s Walking School Bus project.

View Comments | Post a Comment