The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com Annual Blood Tests Give a Picture Health Blood work is a standard part of an annual primary care wellness visit because it gives a global picture of a person's health. The lab results help healthcare providers check for certain diseases and conditions, see indicators of heart and organ functioning, and track how medications are working. Ivonne Joiner, CRNP, a family medicine provider with Southside Medical Clinic says annual blood tests are important for the long term health and well-being of their patients, even when they seem to be in good health. “Annual blood work measures naturally occurring chemicals in the blood to screen for abnormalities that could signal an underlying disorder which may not show any other signs or symptoms,” said Joiner. “As your results are tracked over time, we can see whether the numbers are trending in the right direction or if there is a disease such as diabetes or cholesterol that could benefit from treatment to prevent bigger issues later.” A basic metabolic blood panel measures the amounts of eight substances in the blood and a comprehensive metabolic panel adds six more measures. The lab results give indications of the function and health of organs, including liver and kidney, blood sugar levels, acid and base balance, fluid and electrolyte balance, and nutritional deficiencies. • Glucose or blood sugar levels when elevated after fasting can be a sign of Type 2 diabetes, and very high levels whether fasting or not usually indicate Type 1 diabetes. • Calcium is essential in your blood for proper functioning of your nerves, muscles and heart. • Billirubin levels are an indication of how well your liver is removing the waste product from the breakdown of your red blood cells. • Total protein in your blood to help build muscle, heal, fight infection, and stay healthy • BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine levels indicate how well your kidneys are removing these waste products from the blood. • Albumin is a protein made by your liver that transports substances through your bloodstream and keeps fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels. • Sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride are electrolytes in your blood that control nerve and muscle function and maintain the pH balance of your blood and your water balance. • Three liver enzymes – alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate amino transferase – are substances that allow certain bodily processes to happen. OSHA Fines Alabama Sawmill 2.5 Million An annual checkup supports current health and the best action to maintain and improve health. Family history, lifestyle, age, diet and activity level are all factors that can affect health and a primary care provider can take all of that information and their knowledge to help get and keep healthcare on track. A lipoprotein panel measures the levels of cholesterol in your blood. LDL “bad” cholesterol is the main source of buildup and blockages in the arteries and HDL “good” cholesterol helps decrease cholesterol blockages in the arteries. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. If cholesterol or triglyceride levels are outside the range of normal for a person's gender, ethnic group and age, the individuals may be at higher risk of heart disease. Joiner says, “Maintaining your best health takes active work and attention as you go through life. Keeping a schedule of regular checkups and blood work can help identify any shifts in status that may call for lifestyle changes, medication or both to reverse a problem or prevent it from progressing.” A federal investigation into an August 2023 horrific fatal incident at a Phenix City sawmill revealed, for the second time in three years, that the employer could have prevented a tragedy by following required safety rules. According to a press release, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that a 67-year-old sawmill supervisor at MDLG Inc., operating as Phenix Lumber Co., had climbed on top of an auger to access a difficult- to-reach area to unclog a woodchipper. Because of multiple failures by the employer to protect him, the machine started while the employee was on top of the auger. The 20-year employee was caught in the machinery and fatally injured. “Phenix Lumber’s willful disregard for the well-being of their employees leaves another family to grieve the loss of their loved one. This must stop,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer in Atlanta. “This worksite has become all too familiar to OSHA. Phenix and its owners have a legal responsibility to follow federal safety laws that are meant to prevent the exact hazards that cost this employee’s life.” In response to the August 2023 fatal incident, OSHA cited Phenix Lumber Co., as well as its owners John Menza Dudley Jr. and Leslie Elizabeth Dudley, with 22 willful violations, one repeat violation and five serious violations, totaling $2,471,683 in proposed penalties. Specifically, the agency found the employer failed to: • Ensure employees used energy control procedures to prevent the unexpected start-up of machines while performing maintenance and servicing activities such as clearing jams. • Ensure the use of lockout/tagout devices on machinery when performing maintenance. • Provide training to employees on the purpose and function of the energy control program, as well as ensure they have the knowledge and skills required for the safe application of energy control measures. • Maintain guarding on machines that posed amputation hazards to employees. • Require fall protection to be used in work areas above four feet. • Require employees operating a forklift to wear a seatbelt. • Maintain fire extinguishers in a fully charged and operable condition. • Ensure an electrical disconnect was located in direct line of sight from the equipment being locked out. Prior to these citations, Phenix Lumber Co. had been inspected four times in the past five years, including a fatality inspection in 2020 that resulted in the agency citing the company with four willful and 10 serious violations. OSHA added the employer to the agency’s Severe Violators Enforcement Program in 2020, a program for employers who endanger workers by committing willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations that could lead to fatalities or catastrophic injuries. Employers remain on the list until they can demonstrate certain criteria and safety standards within a three-year timeframe. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742). Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more info visit http://www.osha.gov.
Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com
PAGE 3 March 2024
Gadsden State Community College recently crowned its 2024 Homecoming King and Queen. Dalton Chestnut was crowned homecoming king, and Isis Young was crowned homecoming queen. Students on the Homecoming Court with Chestnut and Young include Kaylee Green of Cherokee County, Artavious McCloud of Gadsden, Sebella Henry of Gadsden and Brody Wood of Clay County. Homecoming Royalty Courtesy of Gadsden State Community College
The poetic works of Tabitha Bozeman, left, and Rachel Houghton have been published in “The Southern Poetry Anthology, Volume X: Alabama.” The Texas Review Press publication showcases literary talents across the southern region and has chosen poems that highlight the deep and diverse literary contributions of the writers’ observational experiences in Alabama. Both individuals are English instructors at Gadsden State Community College Poetic Works Recognized Courtesy of Gadsden State Community College make the decision to invest in YOURSELF! GADSDENSTATE.EDU
SUMMER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
8563 US Hwy 431 Albertville, AL Office: 256-878-1000
For All Your Real Estate Needs Call
Full Term | Summer 1 | Summer 2
Riley Honea 256-302-6875
Tracy Honea 256-302-2590
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator