Page B2
December5, 2007
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H ealth MATTERS
Kids Lose
Coverage
with Parents
W hen parents lose their health
eare coverage, their children can
also becom e uninsured, a state
w ide survey o f O regon families
has found
Researchers at Oregon Health
& Science U niversity and the
O ffice for Oregon Health Policy
and R esearch con d u cted the
survey to see w hat happened to
children after the 2003 cutbacks
in the O regon Health Plan.
T he study, published recently
in the online edition o f Health
Services Research, found that in
2003, O regon cut coverage for
adults in its M edicaid program,
called the Oregon Health Plan.
Shortly after the cutbacks, more
than 50,000 low -incom e adults
lost their coverage.
High Blood Pressure, Alzheimer’s Linked
Pittsburgh, who led the study.
About 50 million Americans
have hypertension, in which the
blood circulates through the ar
teries with too much force, ac
cording to the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute. The
condition increases the risk for
heart attack, stroke and aneu
rysm.
“This study demonstrates that
good vascular health is also good
for the brain,” said Oscar Lopez
of the University of Pittsburgh,
who also worked on the study.
(AP) — Having high blood
pressure reduces blood flow in
the brains of Alzheimer’s pa
tients, making them more vul
nerable to the effects of the
disease, according to a new
study.
Researchers used a magnetic
resonance imaging technique to
measure blood flow in the brains
of 68 older adults. They found
cerebral blood flow was sub
stantially decreased in all pa
tients with high blood pressure
and was the low est in
Alzheimer’s patients with high
blood pressure.
“What we think may be hap
pening is hypertension reflects
an extra hit to the brain," said
Cyrus Raji of the University of
H ealth W atch
A doctor checks the
blood pressure o f a
patient at a Los Ange
les clinic.
C a rd ia c-R eh a b E x ercise C la sses - A m edically
M a m m o g ra p h y S creen in g — Early detection is a
key factor in the prevention o f breast cancer. Call
503-251-6137 to schedule your high-tech, soft-
touch mammogram.
supervised exercise program for people dealing
with heart conditions. For more infonnation, call
5O3-25I-626O.
T reatm en t O p tio n s for J oin t an d A rth ritis P ain -
O steo p o ro sis S creen in g - An ultrasound bone
density screening with personalized education;
fee $30. T o schedule an appointm ent, call 5 0 3 -2 6 1-
6611.
- Thursday, Dec. 20, from 6:30-8 p.m., learn about
treatm ent options for degenerative joint disease,
including total hip- or knee-replacem ent surgery,
exercise and medication regimes. Call 503-692-2411
to register for this free class.
L eg A lert S creen in g -- Cheek for peripheral arte
rial disease with this safe, sim ple screening using
ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40. To
schedule an appointm ent, call 503-251 -6137.
M atern ity W ater W o rk o u t - Helping new moms
regain muscle tone, strength and flexibility, all in
the support and freedom of the water. Call 503-256-
40(X) for more i nform ation.
S tro k e A lert S creen in g - Cheek your carotid
C P R -In itia l C o u rse fo r H ea lth ca re P ro v id ers --
P a ren tin g C la sses - N ew borns d o n ’t com e with
W ednesday, Dee. 12, from 6 to 11 p.m., this course
is for participants com pleting the course will re
ceive acertification card for healthcare profession
als: $60 fee. To register, call 503-335-3500.
instruction m anuals but parents and parents-to-be
can learn about a variety o f topics from pain and
childbirth to breastfeeding to infant CPR and much
more. Foraschedule of events, call 503-574-6595 or
visit: providenee.org/classes.
arteries with a painless ultrasound to assess your
risk; fee $40. To schedule a screening, call 503-251 -
6137.
N ew b orn C are - Tuesday, Dee. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.,
learn what to expect and how to care for your new
baby; $45 fee percouple. To register,call 503-256-
4000.
T en d erfo o t C a r e — Treat your feet with a soak, nai I
trim , buffing and m assage from a licensed nurse at
one o f six clinics or at your home. Call 503-251 -6303
for more information.
A ctiv e L ivin g E very D ay -- Beginning Tuesday,
Jan. 15, the “evidence-based" national 20-week
program changing A m erica's outlook on physical
activity (not an exercise class) will spark a new way
o f thinking. To register, call 503-241-0359.
N u tritio n a l S em in a rs — New Seasons M arket is
presenting a series o f nutritional sem inars at vari
ous store locations along with a nutritional help
lin e .
For
m o re
in f o rm a tio n ,
e m a il
aksthenutritionist@ new seasonsm arket.com .
M a tern ity O rien ta tio n -- Thursdays, D ec. 6, and
Dec. 20, this free class will hclpto familiari zecxpect-
ant parents with the M aternity Unit and answ er
any question they may have. For more inform ation,
call 503-574-6595.
C a n cer R esource C en ter -- Providence St. Vincent
M edical Center and the A m erican Red Cross have
joined forces to create the first in-hospital resource
center providing books, printed material, com puter
access and more for individuals and fam ilies deal
ing with cancer. The center isopcn M onday through
Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eree B ody B a sics -- This physician-recom m ended
class is appropriate for all ages and health condi
tions. Plan to attend this one-session class and
learn the sim ple guidelines for safe exercises, in
cluding stretching. Call 503-256-4000 to register.
B erea v em en t S u p p o rt - A bereavem ent support
group m eets each second and fourth Tuesday,
from lO to 11:30a m .T o le a m m o re ,c a ll503-251-
6192, extension 5670.
B etter B rea th ers - An asthm a educational sup
port group m eets on the first Tuesday o f the month
from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. at Adventist M edical Center.
For more information, call 503-251 -6830.
C h ro n ic Pain S u p p o rt G r o u p - meets the first
S en io r A ero b ics — A low -im pact w orkout geared
W ednesday at 4 to 5:30 p.m. and the third W ednes
day o f each month, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more
infonnation, call 503-256-4000.
specifically tow ard seniors. Call 503-449-0783 for
current schedule.
H eart T a lk S u p p o rt G ro u p - meets on the second
V eg eta ria n S ta rter K it - H ealthy vegetarian eat
M onday o f each month; from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For
more information,call 503-251 -6260.
ing m ade easier with inform ational resources,
sam ples, coupons and delicious recipes. Kits are
$7.50 each (includes shipping). T o order, call 503-
2564000.
S m o k e-F ree S u p p o rt G ro u p - meets every M on
d ay ,7 to8p.m . For more information, call 503-256-
4000.
THE
Health Officials Promote Vaccines
Children need
flu defense too
Oregon public-health officials
this week are renewing their
push to get both adults and chil
dren vaccinated against influ
enza.
“A flu shot or nasal spray is
an easy way to protect your
self and your loved ones from
the misery of flu,” said Lorraine
Duncan, immun zation m an
ager in the Oregon Depart
ment of Human Services. “ It
prevents you from infecting
others, which is important if
you have close contact with
people for whom the flu might
be especially dangerous such
as the elderly, people with a
chronic illness, and infants or
young children.”
Oregon received a record
number of 1.25 million doses of
flu vaccine this fall.
“There is plenty of vaccine
available, and influenza season
typically doesn't peak until Feb
ruary,” Duncan said. “Getting
vaccinated in Novem ber or
December and even beyond will
offer protection from the flu.”
Duncan stressed that it’s im
portant for children and those
Sexual Diseases Set Record
(AP) — More than 1 million
cases of chlam ydia were re
ported in the United States
last year — the most ever
reported for a sexually trans
mitted disease, federal health
officials said Tuesday.
Officials at the Centers for
Disease Control and Preven
tion said they think better and
more intensive screening ac
counts for much of the in
crease, but added that chlam y
dia was not the only sexually
transmitted disease on the rise.
G onorrhea rates are jum p
ing again after hitting a record
low, and an increasing num
ber o f cases are caused by a
“ su perbug” version that is
much more resistant to com
mon antibiotics.
Syphilis is rising, too. The
rate of congenital syphilis —
which can deform or kill ba
bies — rose for the first time
in 15 years.
“ Hopefully we will not see
Staff and volunteers from the
M ultnom ah C ounty Senior
Health Insurance Benefits As
sistance program will conduct
neighborhoodenrollment events
to help individuals compare
Medicare Part D prescription
drug plans.
The annual enrollment period
began Nov. 15 and continues
through Dec. 31.
People with Medicare are
encouraged to find a plan that
fits their needs, but it takes re
search to sort through the op
tions.
“ It's wise to assume your
plan has changed, and read it
carefully to compare costs,”
says Janet Bowman, Multnomah
County SHIBA coordinator.
“ Before choosing a different
plan, find out: will my doctor
accept it? Will it cover what 1
need? Get the answers before
you sign up."
People who have questions
may call their plan or 1-800-
Dentures Worth
Smiling About!
SPINACOLUW
An ongoing senes of questions and answers about Amenca's natural healing profession
Dr. Billy R. Flowers
: C ould my golf swing hurt
my back?
QA
: People who exercise regu
larly and p erform stre tc h
ing and stren g th en in g exercise
are less likely to injure their
backs.
T h e ir
s u p p o r tin g
m uscles, such as their stom ach,
h a m strin g s, and g lu te a ls are
stro n g e ra n d m ore flexible from
reg u la r cond itio n in g .
However, people who play golf
or racquet sports are more prone to
injuries because o f the frequent
twisting and bending m otions. And
casual athletes could be more at
risk for injuries as well; depending
on their level o f fitness. Most inju
ries o f these types respond well to
conservative chiropractic treat
ments. A chiropractor can show
you how to prevent these injuries
with proper conditioning and tech
nique.
this turn into a trend,” said Dr.
Khalil Ghanem, an infectious
diseases specialist at Johns
Hopkins U niversity’s School
of medicine.
The CDC releases a report
each year on chlam ydia, gon
orrhea and syphilis, three dis
e a se s c a u se d by se x u ally
transm itted bacteria.
C hlam ydiaisthe most com
mon. Nearly 1,031,000 cases
were reported last year, up
from 976,000 the year before.
Medicare Drug Part D Explained
i
Part 34. Osteoperosis and Bone Loss Reversal
who have close contact with
them to get vaccinated. Each
year, more than 20,0(X) children
under age 5 nationally are hos
pitalized as a result of influenza.
The nasal-sp ray vaccine
FluMist is a good alternative to
the injectable vaccine for any
one who is healthy and between
ages of 2 and 49.
Influenza is characterized by
abrupt onset of high fever, head
ache, sore throat, cough and
muscle aches. Unlikeothercom-
mon respiratory illnesses, it is
associated with extreme fatigue
and loss of appetite lasting sev
eral days.
• Professional Services • Affordable Prices
• Payment Plans: O A C
• Over 20 years experience
• Full & Partial Dentures • Natural Appearance
• Full Service Lab • Accepting Oregon Health Plan
MEDICARE.
To make an appointment at
one of the following enrollment
invents, contact Multnomah
County Aging and Disability
Services Helpline at 503-988-
3648: Thursday, Nov. 29 at the
Midland Library, Friday, Nov.
30 at the Hollywood Library,
Dec. 6 at the St. Johns Library,
Dec. 13 at the Midland Library,
Dec. 14 at the Hollywood Li
brary and Dec. 17 at the
Gresham Library.
L eg a l N o tic e s
I
D cnturisi
Need to publish a court
document or notice? Need an
affidavit of publication quickly
and efficiently? Please fax or
e-mail your notice for a free
price quote!
Flowers' Chiropractic Office
503-230-0207
Fax: 5 0 3 -2 8 8 -0 0 1 5
2124 N.E. Hancock Street, Portland Oregon 97212
1020 NE 2nd Ave., Suite 205
O ff M L K on NE Multnomah
Phone: (503) 287-5504
Melanie Block, L.D.
Free parking
I
e-mall:
classlfieds@portlandobserver.com
The Portland Observer