St. Mary's Parish Nurse Ministry Program
Ruth E. Williams, RN, MEPD, MSN

Dear Viewers, The Year for Priests was opened by Pope Benedict XVI. Peace to all in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Happy and Safe Independence Day July 4th. This beautiful and warm July weather lures us outside, but guard your precious skin with SPF 15 or above even on cloudy days.

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Hosea 6:1 states, "In their affliction, they shall look for me; come, let us return to the Lord, For it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us , but he will bind our wounds." This month let us focus on the thyroid gland and its functions. It is located in the neck and influences the function of the body's most important organs, such as the heart, brain, liver, skin, and kidneys. Some afflictions of the thyroid are: hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, nodules, Hoshiomoto's Thyroiditis and family history. It is more prominent in women than men. According to a survey, 76% of the population do not know that thyroid diseases run in families. www.powerofprevention.com We will only examine hyperthyroidism. Some signs and symptoms are: fast heart rate, anxious, irritable,argumentative,trembling hands, weight loss despite eating the same amounts or more, intolerance of warmth, perspiration, protrusion of eyes, muscle weakness to name a few. What can a person do? Please see your Health Care Provider (HCP) for annual physicals. Also, discuss with your HCP if you have a family history of this disease. Luke 4:40 states, "At sunset, all who had people sick with a variety of diseases took them to him, and he laid hands on each of them and cured them." Basic Parish Nurse Preparation Course is schedule October, 2,3,9,10, 16, 17, 2009. Please call 1-608-796-3670 for more information. My book, A COLLECTION OF PARISH NURSE NEWSLETTERS is available at www.dorrancebookstore.com; amazon.com; Eden Book Store (1-877-627-5653) toll free. Ocooch Book Store (1-608-647-8826).