Josh Peot did not plan to have his legs screened when he decided to attend the Tomah Health Men’s Night Out April 4. But the Tomah resident said he could not pass up the chance for the screening with Tomah Health vascular surgeon Dr. John Robertson, III during the event at the Cranberry County Lodge.
“It’s not something I would normally think about or even think about asking my doctor,” Peot said of his decision to get screened.
Peot was one of more than 160 people to attend the event which included several health screenings and displays on health education, and recreation.
“Most men really don’t worry about their veins until it becomes a problem where there is a pain or there is a wound that results as relates to vein incompetence, so what we’re trying to do is promote more,” Robertson said of the complimentary screening. “If left untreated, varicose veins can progress to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a serious disease that can cause leg pain, swelling, restlessness, skin damage and ulcers,” added Robertson.
Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins affect 30 million Americans, yet Dr. Robertson said reports indicate that less than 10 percent seek treatment. “As we age, it’s important to take care of our entire body, including our legs, as they play a major role in helping us lead an active, healthy lifestyle,” Robertson said. “People with varicose veins must understand that they don’t have to suffer in silence. We can screen, diagnose, and treat their condition.”
Peot believes screening should be part of everyone’s health habits. “It’s easy, it’s quick and it was just good to have some of the knowledge,” he said. “It’s the little things you can do that can really affect your overall health.”
Robertson said Tomah Health is planning future vein screenings for the community. In the meantime, he suggested contacting the Tomah Health Specialty Clinic or talk to your health care provider to get screened. “What we are hoping to do is to first educate and from there to let patients know that we have a procedure here at Tomah Health that can help them lead their life in a more fruitful fashion.”
Pitmaster and BP Smokehouse owner Darren Price of Tomah shared tips to grill and smoke meat during the Tomah Health Men’s Night Out at the Cranberry County Lodge in Tomah. Price said grilling or smoking can be a healthy way to cook if people follow simple rules. “What makes grilling unhealthy is people use petroleum fire starter and that never leaves. In fact, people think that’s what the taste of grilling is,” said Price. “The difference is that grilling is high heat for a short period of time and smoking is low temp for long period of time.” He also recommended using clean equipment and making sure the area in which you are grilling or smoking is safe.
