Longmont United Hospital

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, heat exhaustion exists far beyond the humid rainforest and dry, hot desert. Summertime in the United States means that people all across the country will find themselves seeking shelter from the sun's heat. And where there's warmth, there's the potential for heat exhaustion. "Heat exhaustion occurs when your body gets so hot that you can no longer properly regulate your body temperature," says Marek Odehnal, MD, internal medicine physician at CHPG Primary Care - Longmont. "If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to life-threatening conditions like heatstroke. Fortunately, it's completely preventable." KEEPING YOUR COOL Following these three P's will help you keep your body temperature at a safe, comfortable level: • P revent—Drink plenty of water before going out, and try to plan your outdoor activities to avoid the hottest parts of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). • P erceive—Recognize the signs of heat exhaustion, which include rapid pulse, clammy skin, heavy sweating, faintness, fatigue, headache, nausea, muscle cramps and thirst. • P ull back—If you recognize any of these signs, immediately stop the activity that you're doing. Find a cool, shaded area to relax, and replenish your fluids and electrolytes with water or sports drinks. If, after following these steps, symptoms don't improve or your body temperature reaches 104° F, seek medical help right away. › CHPG Primary Care - Longmont, inside the Longmont United Hospital campus, is located at 2030 Mountain View Ave., Suite 310. To schedule an appointment, call 720-652-8400. REMOVING A GALLBLADDER, repairing a hernia, resolving a reflux issue—each calls for a skilled surgeon and a specific procedure. At Longmont United Hospital, these and other general surgeries can now be performed using robot-assisted, minimally invasive techniques. The added precision and enhanced imaging of this advanced technology can deliver significant patient advantages, including less pain, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery. "Given these patient benefits, our practice is trying to implement da Vinci ® Surgical System technology whenever possible," says David Donahue, DO, FACS, general surgeon at LUH. "When it isn't the best option because of timing or the patient's condition, more traditional surgical procedures come back into play." "It really is all about what's best for the patient," adds Andrea Boedecker, DO, a general surgeon who practices with Dr. Donahue and fellow general surgeon Brian Pottorf, MD, FACS, at Centura Health Physician Group General Surgery. All three surgeons are board certified in surgery with further certification in robotic procedures. Dr. Boedecker is also fellowship trained in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery. Along with a strong commitment to patient- benefitting technology, the three surgeons share another bond: All are grateful to be practicing in Longmont. For Dr. Donahue, who was born at LUH, and Dr. Boedecker, who lived in the Rockies before medical school, it's a homecoming. Dr. Pottorf is happy to be raising his children as Colorado natives. All see being part of a smaller community hospital as a very special opportunity. "There is just something special about a hospital like this and the people who live here," Dr. Boedecker says. "To be able to provide them great surgical care with this level of technology is very rewarding." › CHPG General Surgery is located at 2030 Mountain View Ave., Suite 200, on the LUH campus. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 720-652-8444. Visit longmontsurgeons.org to learn more. State-of-the-art This team's robot-assisted procedures can mean greater precision and less pain. SURGEONS MINIMALLY INVASIVE AND ROBOTIC SURGERIES AVAILABLE AT LUH • Adrenal surgery • Cancer surgery • Colorectal surgery • Gallbladder surgery • Hernia surgery • Lung surgery • Pancreas surgery • Rectal surgery • Reflux surgery • Small bowel surgery • Spleen surgery • Stomach surgery Handling the When it comes to heat exhaustion, one thing is for sure—it's certainly not cool. Heat Marek Odehnal, MD 303-651-5111 LUHCARES.ORG / 7

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