Pike’s Health Fair set for Friday, March 20

The annual Pike County Health Fair sponsored by the Pike County Cooperative Extension and the Pike County Farm Bureau is set for 7 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 20. It will be held at Life Springs Church at the corner of Highways 19 and 109 East in Meansville.There will be many free health screenings and educational exhibits according to Helen Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences agent with Pike County Cooperative Extension, coordinator of the event. The event is open to any citizen who is concerned about their health. ’There are several new offerings for this year’s health fair,’ said Carter. ‘The health fair is open to the public and it does not matter where one resides. Come join us on March 20 from 7 to 11 a.m. and take advantage of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.’ New screenings include a fall risk assessment; hemoglobin level screening; homebound status screening; oxygen saturation check; and radon test kits and are free of charge. There will be representatives from the mental health field, Alzheimer’s association, Shepard Care Hospice, Three Rivers Area Agency on Aging and the University of Georgia’s radon education program as new exhibitors. Also, new for this year is an opportunity for participants to bring any old, outdated and unused medications, whether over the counter or prescription and drop them in a box so they can be properly disposed. This service is being provided cooperatively with the Pike County Sheriff’s office. Other free screenings include bone density, blood pressure, hearing, pulmonary function study, pulse check and vision screenings. Upson Regional Medical Center will provide the following services for a fee: Fasting Blood Sugar and Lipid Profile for $10, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone for $5, PSA for males only for $5, Colorectal Cancer Screening kit for $5.00; and EKG for $10. For the blood tests it is recommended that participants fast for eight (8) hours prior to the test for more accurate results. The fasting blood glucose is a blood test to help physicians assess for diabetes. The lipid profile is a panel of five blood tests that measures the total cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. It also measures the triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood. The thyroid stimulating hormone test helps assess the function of your thyroid gland. The prostate screening antigen (PSA) is for males only and measures prostate health. The EKG, electrocardiogram, is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. The test will be interpreted by a skilled internal medicine physician. Within 10 days, your personal physician will receive the results of your exam. ’Upson Regional Medical Center will send results of your lab tests from the health fair directly to your doctor,’ said Carter. The laboratory testing should be utilized along with other examinations and medical history obtained by a family physician. There are a total of 30 exhibitors that will provide educational information on various health related topics, according to Carter. Exhibitor organizations include: Pike County Cooperative Extension, Pike County Farm Bureau, A Better Life Counseling & Coaching, LLC, Allie Bankston Edwards Center for Seniors, Alzheimer’s Association, Amedisys, Atlanta Heart Alliance, Audiological Consultants of Atlanta, Brightmoor Hospice, CareMaster Medical Services, City Pharmacy, Coastal Home Care, Curves for Women ‘“ Zebulon, District 4 Health Services, McIntosh Trail CSB Behavioral Health Center, McIntosh Trail Management Services, Mid-Georgia Cattlewomen’s Association, Mid-Georgia Ambulance, Pike County Health Department, Pike County Lions Club, Promise Place, Right from the Start Medicaid, Robert Goldberg and Associates, Shepard Care Hospice, Spalding Regional Hospital, Three Rivers Area Agency on Aging, United Bank, Upson Regional Medical Center, University of Georgia Radon Education Program and Wellcare Health Plans. For more information concerning the health fair, contact Helen Carter at the Pike County Extension Service office at 770-567-2010.