** i
Oct. 7,1998
Page A6
H jv ÎJJorHanft (ßbserüer
Science
■■■■■■■MP”’**
mwi
Cryptosporidiosis Linked To
Swimming Pool
Fifty-one people w ho attended a
private sw im pool party on A ugust
30th at Sellw ood Pool in Southeast
Portland becam e ill w ith diarrhea,
officials at the M ultnom ah C ounty
H ealth D epartm ent announced to-
* day. The illness w as caused by the
parasite Cryptosporidium . N one o f
the individuals affected by this ill
ness have suffered serious com plica
tions. N one have been hospitalized,
and less than ten percent o f those
who becam e ill saw a doctor.
“C ryptosporidiosis is an illness
that usually involves diarrhea and is
o fte n a c c o m p a n ie d by sto m ac h
cram ps or vom iting," according to
Dr. Gary Oxm an, Multnomah C ounty
H ealth O fficer. "The vast majQrity
ofp eo p le recover in a few days w ith
out any treatm ent, but people in
fected w ith H IV can have prolonged
illness,” he said. There is no antibi
o tic tre a tm e n t e ffe c tiv e ag a in st
Cryptosporidium.
Interview s w ith those w ho at
tended the party show ed that sw im
m ing in the pool was the activity that
le d
to
th e
e x p o s u re
to
Cryptosporidium. “Exactly how this
pool got contam inated is unclear,"
said Dr. Paul Cieslak, Com municable
D ise ase M an ag er at the O regon
H ealth Division. "A round the United
States, there have been num erous
ou tb reak s o f d iarrhea caused by
sw im m ing in contam inated w ater in
cluding sw im m ing pools, lakes and
rivers,” explained Dr. Cieslak. "The
w ater is usually contam inated by
sw im m ers.”
H ealth officials recom m end that:
♦ A n y o n e w h o sw a m a t th e
Migraines
Migraine headaches have been tor
m enting people since the tim e o f
Hippocrates. And torment is the cor
rect descriptor, because migraines can
be debilitating. They can range along
a continuum from m ild headache and
no disability to excruciating pain and
com plete dysfunction. They can last
for hours or days; they can m ake you
nauseous, photophobic (sensitive to
light), and phonophobic (sensitive to
sound). And they have serious eco
nomic consequences as well, leading
to the loss ofm illions o f w ork days per
year.
Headaches are not a m inor malady;
they are the seventh leading reason for
why people seek m edical assistance in
the US. M ore than 18 millions outpa
tient visits per year are due to head
ache. O f the different types o f head
ache, w om en are m ore likely to de
velop tension headaches or migraine
headaches, w hile m en are more likely
to experience cluster headaches.
M igraines are unfortunately too
com m on, affecting about one in 10
adults internationally, predominantly
women. The prevalence o f migraine
headaches in adults is about 6% in
men and 15 to 19% in women. These
figures vary with age, but the occur
rence increases from puberty until age
40, and then declines more signifi
cantly in older men.
There is a long standing debate as to
Sellw ood Pool on or around A ugust
30th and has developed diarrhea
should take particular care to wash
their hands with soap and w ater after
using the toilet to avoid spreading
the organism to others.
♦Everyone who uses public bath
ing areas should use good hygiene.
No one with diarrhea should go sw im
ming in a public pool or natural sw im
m ing area; children w ho are not toi
let-trained should w ear sw im diapers
w hen they’re in the water.
♦Since people w ith HIV infection
and other im m une deficiencies m ay
get a more severe and prolonged
illness, they should contact their
m edical provider if they w ere ex
posed to the pool and develop severe
diarrhea. People w ith im m une d efi
ciencies should be aw are that there is
some risk ofbecom ing ill from sw im
ming in public pools and natural bod
ies o f water.* A nyone w ho has ques
tions or is seeking additional infor
m ation should call the M ultnom ah
County H ealth D epartm ent D isease
C ontrol O ffice at 503-248-3406.
Women
the cause and nature o f migraine head
aches. This debate focuses on whether
the origin o f migraines stems from a
vascular disturbance or a neurobio-
logical imbalance. However, there may
be an underlying mechanism involved
in the development o f migraine head
aches that is characteristic o f both
theories. The role that serotonin plays
in the brain may be a link between the
neural and vascular systems. There
fore, regulating the role o f serotonin
receptors may help prevent migraines
and leadtosignificanttherapeutic out
comes.
Experience has shown that certain
foods can act as triggers in the onset o f
a migraine attack. Food culprits such
as chocolate, caffeine, cheese, fish,
wheat, nuts, tomatoes and alcohol (red
wines and champagne) are the most
well known triggers o f migraines. Cer
tain food additives such as sodium
nitrite (found in processed meats and
hot dogs), M SG (Chinese foods), and
food colorings may also cause m i
graines. Tyramine, a natural substance
which is found in foods that have been
fermented oraged, such as wine, Ched
dar and blue cheese, may trigger mi
graines.
Certain levels o f female hormones
may also trigger the onset o f or con
tribute to the intensity o f a migraine.
The all too predictable headaches that
develop across the 3 to 5 days before
a w om an’s period are even referred to
as ‘menstrual migraines. ’ Women may
experience a greater number and more
severe migraines with pregnancy, lac
tation, and in particular with meno
pause. Estrogen replacement therapy
does not seen to alleviate these mi
graines, and in some instances may
even exacerbate the condition.
The use o f computers has also con
tributed to an increased incidence o f
migraine. O ne type, ‘cervicogenic mi
graine,’ is precipitated by m uscle ten
sion and spinal rigidity in the neck.
Staring at a com puter screen, holding
your head in one position for long
stretches, really tightens up the neck
and shoulder muscles, constricting the
nerves and blood supply to the neck
and head. T hat’s a prim e trigger for a
migraine.
There are natural rem edies that can
benefit a person susceptible to m i
graines. Nutritional therapies that have
been shown to be helpful include V i
tamin D and calcium (for menstrual
migraines, in particular); magnesium
(600 mg/day); and high dose ribofla
vin (400 mg). Good hydration (drink
ing enough fluids) is also important.
One o f the m ost effective natural
remedies for preventing migraines is
parthenolide, a com pound found in
the herb feverfew. It is used best as a
preventive, but can also help blunt a
migraine when it occurs. The key is in
g e ttin g th e e f f e c tiv e d o se o f
parthenolide, w hich is 250 m icro
grams. Just using a feverfew supple
ment may not work, since it doesn’t
c o n ta in a s ta n d a rd a m o u n t o f
parthenolide. A nother herbal aid for
migraine is ginger. G inger can settle
the stomach, and may reduce some
migraine symptoms after the fact.
Standard medical treatment for m i
graines includes one or more o f the
following, depending upon whether
the strategy is to prevent a migraine
attack or if symptomatic relief is being
sought. Options include aspirin (low
dose for prevention), non steroidal
a n tiin fla m m a to rie s (N S A ID S ),
Sumatriptan, Beta blockers, calcium
channel blockers, and even hyperbaric
oxygen.
Although there has been no steadfast
cure or prevention o f migraines, exercise
and other natural remedies can be used
effectively to prevent or abort a migraine
attack. Chiropractic and massage may be
especially helpful for cervicogenic mi
graine. Acupuncture, biofeedback, and
stress reduction have been proven effec
tive in many cases. By the way, ifyou use
exercise to reduce the frequency or inten
sity o f a migraine, don’t exercise during
an attack (as if you felt like it!).
Total Digestive Care
“30 Day Miracle” Works!
, fatty acids, heavy metals, additives and chemi
cal» can build up in your body like "toxic sludge.” After years of accumu
lation, this sludge can clog your organs and blood stream, dam age and even
destroy your body’s cells, weaken your body's defenses and literally steal
away you r health - opening the door to disease and illnesses. 30 supply of
TDC powder and two special reports for ONLY $39.00 plus $4.50 s/h. Total
$43.50 (plus any applicable sales taxes)
Created by Dr. Jack Watkins.Try it. Money back guarantee. You
risk nothing. C all o r write today:
MCR Health Care
P.O. Box 11208
Portland, Oregon 97211
Toll free 1(800) 935-6240
Can Condoilns Save
Lives?
/
effective barriers not only to HIV,
the virus that causes AID S, but also
to herpes sim plex, CM V, hepatitis B,
chlam ydia, and gonorrhea.3
O ut o f the laboratory, condom ef
fectiveness declines w ith the intro
duction o f the “hum an factor.” Be
cause condom education has been
lacking, people do not use them well.
C ondom failure is m ore often due to
user failure than product failure.
U sers m ay fail to: 1) use a condom
w ith each act o f sexual intercourse,
2) put the condom on before any
genital contact occurs, or 3)com-
pletely unroll the condom .3 Using
drugs or alcohol can also impair judg
m ent and proper condom use.4
To insure m axim um condom effi
c a c y , th e fo llo w in g sh o u ld be
avoided: use o f oil-based lubricants
(petroleum jelly, shortening, lotions)
that w eaken latex; storing condom s
in d irect heat or sunlight; using
condom s in dam aged packages or
show ing obvious signs ofag e (brittle,
sticky or discolored).3
Absolutely. A lthough controversy
persists regarding w hether condom s
are an effective m eans o f preventing
hum an im m u n o d e fic ie n c y v iru s
(HIV) transm ission, condom s that
are readily available, effectively pro
moted, and used correctly and con
sistently, play an im portant public
health role in HIV prevention.
A bstinence or sexual intercourse
with a m utually faithful uninfected
partner are m ost effective in prevent
ing HIV infection. H ow ever, in a
national surv ey o f adolescents, 63%
o f 14-21 year-olds reported engag
ing in sexual intercourse. 1 Using
condom s can reduce the risk o f in
fection o f sexually transm itted dis
eases (STD s), including HIV, for
those people w ho are n o t abstinent.
No public health strategy can guar
antee perfect protection. For instance,
the influenza vaccine is “o n ly ” 60 to
80% effective in preventing influ
enza, but thousands o f deaths could
be prevented annually through the
w ider use o f this “ im perfect” vac-
cine.2
The real public health question is
not are condom s 100% effective, but
rather, how can w e m ore effectively
use condom s to help prevent the
spread o f disease.
W hy Do P eople N ot Use
Condoms?
M ainly because o f em otional re
actions or m isperceptions. Results
from a telephone interview o f het
erosexuals in 23 urban areas w ith a
high prevalence o f AID S found that
distrust associated w ith condom use
was m ore likely am ong m ales, A fri
can-A m ericans, and the less edu
cated.
O f the respondents, 54% believed
condom s m ight fail during inter
course, 41% com plained they re
Are Condoms Effective Barri
ers?
Y es. In th e la b o ra to ry , latex
condom s are very effective at block
ing transm ission o f HI V because the
pores in latex condom s are too small
to allow the passage o f the virus.
Condom s have been show n to be
Are Condoms Foolproof?
No. N either are seatbelts, helm ets,
vaccines, or people. But in the real
w orld w e drive to work, vaccinate
our children, and hope to get through
the day unscathed. N o disease pre
vention strategy is ever perfect, and
all strategies,including abstinence,
depend on the skills and know ledge
o f the user.
A com prehensive HIV prevention
strategy uses m ultiple elem ents to
protect as m any people at risk o f HI V
infection as possible. A bstinence and
m utual m onogam y are a part o f that
strategy, as w ell as prom oting cor
rect and consistent condom use.
In a study o f 245 heterosexual
couples w here one partner was HIV-
infected and the other w asn ’t, none
o f the 123 m ale or fem ale partners
w ho consistently used condom s be
cam e infected. In contrast, 12 o f the
122 partners w ho either d id n ’t use
condom s or used them inconsistently
becam e infected. 13
C o rrec t an d c o n s iste n t co n d o m
u se can d ra m a tic a lly red u c e the
risk o f H IV o r S T D tran sm issio n .
W ith a m illio n A m eric an s c u r
ren tly in fec ted w ith H IV , an d the
m a jo rity o f in fe c tio n s s e x u a lly
tra n sm itte d , co n d o m p ro m o tio n is
a c ru c ia l p a rt o f an y p u b lic h ea lth
strateg y .
project Alliance
You Can
Now Find
Us On The
Web!!
I I
"promoting Middle School Succe«»"
Thanks the following organizations for their
generous support:
❖ Portland Public Schools ❖
Beaumont. Ockley Green, & W hitaker M iddle Schools
Staff. Students & Families
h ttp ://
www.portland
observer.net
O
duced sexual sensation, 35% w ere
uncomfortable buying them, and 21 %
felt uncom fortable putting condom s
on. 5
A dolescent girls asking for help
buying condom s, in a 1988 survey o f
W ashington DC drugstores, encoun
tered resistance or condem nation
from store clerks 40% o f the tim e.6
In a study o f C anadian college
students, factors associated w ith not
using a condom included em barrass
m ent about condom purchase, diffi
culty discussing condom use with
partner, use o f oral contraceptives,
insufficient know ledgeofH IV /STD s,
and the b elief that condom s interfere
w ith sexual pleasure.7 M isapprehen
sions can be addressed by education,
frank talk about sexuality, and better
m a rk e tin g a n d d is tr ib u tio n o f
condom s.
# Alberta Street Caf##Applebee‘s Restaurant#Border's Books#
^Bridges Soup & Sandwich 0 Broadway Books ❖ Cannon's Express#
#Family Fun Center#Hollywood Video#lmago Theatre#
# Lloyd Center#Metropolitan Youth Symphony#NabiscoBakery#
# Oaks Park # O M SI# Oregon Children's Theatre # Oregon
Symphony#Portland Center Stage#Portland Ice Cream Parlor#
#Rustica#Safeway#Tears o f Joy Puppet Theatre #
#Toy$ R Us # Videoland # Portland Winterhawks #
Thank You!
Ghetto
Rise
Soaps, "Body Oils and Sot ions
We feature CI cm * m J. f a J products which are the finest on the
market. In addition we carry lS^i*J (fJ J body oil. Excellent after
shower or bath!
Special Offerl * Hygiene Pack
One Lotion (16oz.)
One shampoo (16oz.)
Halrdress (4oz.)
One conditioner (16oz.)
$30+$5 shipping and handling
"Through the manufacturing and distribution o f our own products, we can begin to
achieve economic self-sufficiency. Only then will we be able to provide jobs fo r our own
people and improve the quality o f life. We hold the key to our own salvation through the
control o f our buying power"
-Minister Louis Farrakhan
WWW.Ghettorise.com, P.O. box 11851 Portland, Oregon97211, PH#5O3-288-54O9.
We accept Credit Cards!