Blood drive set
      A blood drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., September 25, at in the student lounge at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Whitesburg. The drive is cosponsored by the Central Kentucky Blood Center. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health. For more information, call (800) 775-2522.
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Free Flumist vaccine offered for children
      The Letcher County Health Center will give free flu vaccine to all school age children for the upcoming 2008-2009 flu season. This vaccine is given by a mist sprayed in the nose called Flumist. This is not an injection. Permission forms and information on Flumist will be sent home by the school system and school nurse.
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Leg pain can signal deadly clot
By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer
      WASHINGTON Far too many Americans are dying of dangerous blood clots that can masquerade as simple leg pain, says a major new government effort to get both patients and their doctors to recognize the emergency in time. "It's a silent killer. It's hard to diagnose," said acting Surgeon General Dr. Steven Galson, who announced the new campaign Monday.
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Don't wake a child who is sleepwalking
      DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please discuss sleepwalking in children. — Anon. ANSWER: It's surprising to learn that 15 percent of children sleepwalk at some time. It happens mostly between the ages of 5 and 12, with the peak years being those between 4 and 8. During a sleepwalk, the child's eyes are open, and he or she is unresponsive, with a blank look on his or her face.
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Flu vaccine aimed at children this year
By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer
      WASHINGTON Lots of youngsters on your street? Watch out: Flu may strike your community sooner and harder than it hits the hip singles neighborhood down the road. Flu-shot season in the U.S. begins this month, and for the first time vaccination is being pushed for virtually all children — not just those under 5.
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FDA approves anti-nausea patch for chemo patients
The Associated Press
      WASHINGTON Cancer patients will soon be able to use a medication patch to ease the debilitating nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy. The Food and Drug Administration said this week it has approved the first anti-nausea patch for chemotherapy patients, intended to provide relief for up to five days.
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Testing After Eating
      When you have diabetes, it is important to test your blood sugar. In the past, testing blood sugar was advised before meals and bedtime. This helped people make sure they were taking the right amount of insulin. Now research has shown that testing blood sugar levels after eating is also an important part of diabetes care.
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