PageA5 December 19, 2007 H ealth MATTERS Health Officials Offer Holiday Toy Safety Tips Choking hazard most common problem This y ear’s w idespread pub­ licity about toy recalls has in­ jected confusion into the biggest toy-selling season o f the year. Shoppers aren’t com pletely sure what is or isn ’t safe. “The most com m on cause of toy-related deaths and injuries to children under the age o f three is cho k in g , so it’s im portant to avoid small toys or those that have small parts,” said A drienne G reene, Safe Kids O regon co o r­ dinator in the Public Health Di vi- The Little Tikes keyboard is so loud, when it's placed near a child’s ear, it can cause hearing loss. sion. “ A nother critical preven­ tion step is to make sure the toy is appropriate for the child’s age.'” W hile the num ber of toys re- H ealth W atch Join t and A rth ritis Pain -- Thursday, Dec. 20, from 6:30-8 p.m., learn about treatm ent options for de­ generative joint disease, including total hip- or knee-replacem ent surgery, exercise and m edica­ tion regimes. Call 503-692-241 1 to register for this free class. F a m ilies L ivin g W ith M ental Illn ess — A free 12- week, life-changing course designed for the fam i­ lies with mentally ill family members begins Jan. 10, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., teaching coping skills, how to deal with crisis and relapse and more. To register, call 503-890-4805 by Dec. 30. B a b y sittin g T r a in in g — T hursday, Jan. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 :3 0 p .m ., the Youth Em ploym ent Institute, 1704 N.E. 26th A ve., will host a first aid training class for teens. Participants will receive a first-aid kit for a $40 fee. To register, call 503-888-2756. A dult C P R /F irst A id C lass — Friday, Jan. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., the Youth Em ploym ent Institute, 1704 N.E. 26th Ave., will host the adult training class. Participants will receive a first-aid kit for a $47 fee. To register, call 503-888-2756. W elcom e to M ed icare — Make informed M edicare choices, attend the free class to explain M edicare options, Jan. 17, and Feb. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Bruning Center in Gresham, 1484 N.W. Civic Drive. For registration information, call 503-491-7572. M a m m ograp h y S cre en in g — Early detection is a key factor in the prevention of breast cancer. Call 503-251-6137 to schedule your high-tech, soft- touch mammogram. M a tern ity W ater W ork ou t — Helping new moms regain muscle tone, strength, and flexibility, all in the support and freedom o f the water. Call 503-256- 4000 for more information. T en d erfoot C are — Treat your feet with a soak, nail trim, buffing and m assage from a licensed nurse at one o f si x clinics or at your home. Cal 1503-251 -6303 for more inform ation. V egeta ria n S ta r te r K it — Healthy vegetarian eat­ ing made easier with inform ational resources, sam ples, coupons and delicious recipes. Kits are $7.50 each ( includes shipping). To order, call 503- 256-4000. N u trition al 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 r m a tio n , e m a il askthenutritionist@ new seasonsm arket.com . S en io r A ero b ics — A low -im pact workout geared specifically toward seniors. Call 503-449-0783 for current schedule. C a rd ia c-R eh a b E xercise C la sses - A m edically supervised exercise program for people dealing called is a small fraction of the 3 billion sold every year in the United States, it’s im portant for consum ers to be inform ed about with heart conditions. For more inform ation, call 503-251-6260. M an agin g C h ron ic H ep a titis C — Third W ednes­ day o f each month at 5 p.m., an inform ative ses­ sion led by a registered nurse to help manage side effects o f m edications and dosage preparations and adm inistration; doctors referral required to registercall 503-251-6313. O steo p o ro sis S cre en in g — An ultrasound bone density screening with personalized education; fee $30. To schedule an appointment, call 503-261 - 6611. potential dangers, G reene said. To ensure purchases are safe, she advises: -Look for w ell-constructed toys that are age-appropriate. Read the labels for age and safety recommendations. -Avoid toys that have small parts or are small. Use an empty toilet paper roll as a handy guide: if toys can slide through, they are too small for children under tfge 3. -A void toys that have m ag­ nets forchildren under age 6, due to ingestion hazards. -A void buying second-hand toys that may have been recalled and have not removed from circu­ lation. -W hen purchasing arts and A registry to identify every person living in the Pacific North­ west who has MS has been launched by the Providence M ultiple Sclerosis C enter in hopes of finding answers to the disease and better treatment. “We are hoping every person with MS in the Northwest will sign up for this registry so we can SPlNAjCOLUMN An ongoing series of questions and answers about Americas natural healing profession Dr. Billy R. Flowers Part 36. Healing Time P a ren tin g C la sses -- N ew borns d o n 't com e with C ancer R esource C enter -- Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and the American Red Cross have joined forces to create the first in-hospital resource center providing book-,, printed material, computer access and more for individuals and families dealing with cancer. The center is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Body Basics -- This physician recommended class is appropriate for all ages and health condi­ tions. Plan to attend this one-session class and learn the simple guidelines for safe exercises, including stretching. Call 503-256-4000 to register. : How long will it take until And now that you'll understand the role your body plays in healing, you get well? you’ll understand the role in heal­ : Your body possesses tre ing, you'll understand the role your mendous healing powers. chiropractor plays. In fa c t, by c o rre c tin g the subluxations which interfere with There are three basic phases o f treat­ healing, your chiropractor helps ment. make you well again. Q A Q Better B reathers — An asthma educational support But, to help you understand which priorities your body may select, yourchiropractor will want toknow which problems developed first, which bother you the most and whether any might be hereditary. C h ro n ic P ain S u p p ort G ro u p — meets the first 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 information, call 503-256-4000. Heart T alk Support G roup -- meets on the second Monday of each month: from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 503-251 -6260. S m ok e-F ree Sup port G ro u p — meets every Mon­ day, 7 to 8 p.m. For more information, cal 1503-256- 4000. Advertise with diversity in “ ,|f J jo v tta itb (D h s e rlirr Call 503^288-00^3 ads