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AUGUST 1, 2017
Pharmacy offering ‘eclipse’ refills
In order to discourage travel and keep everyone safe and off the
roads during the eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, the Grand Ronde Phar-
macy will provide early refills where necessary and will be operating
for essential and urgent needs only.
Our goal is to keep everyone with their medications without having
them attempting travel on what could be extremely congested and
hazardous roadways.
Sports physicals
It’s that time of year again to sign up for a sports physical. There are 20
spots open and you get a gift when you come into the Health & Wellness
Center for get a physical.
Medical has set aside times for sports physicals from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday,
Aug. 22. Call to schedule an appointment at 503-879-2002.
Optometry hours
• 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday
• 9:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday
Please call to schedule your appointment
at 503-879-2079 or 800-775-0095.
Grand Ronde Health & Wellness
Center Optometry
Effective July 1, 2017, Tribal spouses on the Skookum Health Assis-
tance Program will be required to pay overages above the Skookum
Health Assistance Program limitations, as well co-pays when receiving
optometry services at the Health & Wellness Center.
S moke S ignals
August is Gastroparesis
Awareness Month
Gastroparesis is a condition in which your stomach cannot empty itself
of food in a normal fashion. It can be caused by damage to the vagus nerve,
which regulates the digestive system.
A damaged vagus nerve prevents the muscles in the stomach and intes-
tine from functioning, preventing food from moving through the digestive
system properly. Often, the cause of gastroparesis is unknown.
However, the causes of gastroparesis can include:
• Uncontrolled diabetes;
• Gastric surgery with injury to the vagus nerve;
• Medications, such as narcotics and some antidepressants;
• Parkinson's disease;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Rare conditions, such as amyloidosis (deposits of protein fibers in tis-
sues and organs) and scleroderma (a connective tissue disorder that affects
the skin, blood vessels, skeletal muscles and internal organs).
What Are the Symptoms of Gastroparesis?
There are many symptoms of gastroparesis, including:
• Heartburn or GERD;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting undigested food;
• Feeling full quickly when eating;
• Abdominal bloating;
• Poor appetite and weight loss;
• Poor blood sugar control.
To diagnose gastroparesis, your doctor will review your symptoms and
medical history. He or she also will give you a physical exam and may
order certain blood tests, including blood sugar levels.
What Is the Treatment for Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis is a chronic (long-lasting) condition. This means that
treatment usually doesn't cure the disease. But there are steps you can
take to manage and control the condition.
Skookum Health Assistance Program
online portal
Did you know you can access your Skookum Health Assistance Program
information at www.shastatpa.com?
You can look for things like:
Find a network health care provider
Print a temporary ID card
View your health care claims and deductible/out-of-pocket balances
Contact customer service online
Just go to the website and register for a user name and password in a few
minutes and you will have access.
Ad created by George Valdez