(Eh November 19, 2008 Page A5 H ealth matters Damper put on Obama Family Dog Quest Finding a hypoallergenic breed is a misconception ( AP) - Not to put a dam per on the O bam a family's canine quest, but allergists have a new s flash: T h e re 's no su ch th in g as a hypoallergenic dog. D octors w ho sp e cia liz e in children's allergies say kids who are truly allergic to dogs probably shouldn't get one. So M alia and Sasha, how about a fish instead? President-elect Barack O bam a has said his young daughters have been prom ised a dog with their m ove to the W hite House. A nd in his first post-election news conference, he announced that M alia "is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic." It's a com m on m isconception. In response, the A m erican A cad em y o f Allergy, A sthm a& Im m u- A puppy that goes by the name 'Ears' is a Peruvian Hairless Dog, a bald and often toothless breed that was popular among Incan kings. nology issued a statem ent say in g , "T h e re is n o tru ly 'hypoallergenic' dog." A n o th e r m isc o n c e p tio n is "that people are allergic to a dog's hair, and it is falsely believed that a dog that sheds less will not cause a reaction," the academy said. W hile som e people with dog allergies say som e breeds cause them more problem s than others, there isn't any scientific proof to back that up, said the academ y's Dr. Clifford Bassett, a New York City allergy specialist. All do g s produce p ro tein s that can cau se allergies. T h ese p ro tein s are found in dogs' d a n d er — w hich is dead skin cells, not fur — and saliv a and urine, explained Dr. E lizabeth M atsui, a ch ild ren 's allergy ex p ert at Johns H opkins C h ild ren 's C e n ter. G room ing and bathing can re move much o f the dander and cause few er allergic symptoms, and som e b reed s tend to be groom ed and bathed more often. But it’s that treatm ent rather than the breed that makes the differ ence, doctors say. People with general allergies but not a specific allergy to dogs will probably do fine with a dog, said Dr. Robert Naclerio, an al lergy specialist. But for those with a true dog allergy, diagnosed by a skin test, "then I w o u ld n ’t reco m m en d bringing it in," he said, "because you are going to have sym p tom s." T hose include a runny nose, teary eyes, sneezing and cough ing. Naclerio said people with pet allergies can "outgrow " them, though it takes years. That said, the al lergy academy offers tips for minimizing the prob lem. (W hite House cleaning staff, take note): • Clean the house often with vacuum s equipped with special filters and double bags. • Keep the dog out o f the aller gic child's bedroom. • R em ove carpeting, w here dander also can build up. • Bathe the animal weekly. N M M M M IN Test Could Detect Future Heart Disease A m ericans focu sed on c h o lesterol and blood p ressu re as the m ain signs o f risk fo r heart attack s and strokes m ay have a new tool: a sim ple, low co st b lood test that rese arch e rs say m easures coronary in fla m m a tion. A m ajo r study p rese n ted at this w ee k ’s A m erican H eart A s s o c ia tio n s c ie n tific m e e tin g found that even am ong people in good health w ith relativ ely low ch o lestero l, the test is a strong in d icato r o f future heart d isease risk. D o cto rs look for elev ated levels o f C R P, a p ro tein that can indicate in flam m a tion. R esearch sho w s those p a tien ts can reduce th eir risk by taking a statin drug like C resto r W e all m ust do our part to responsibly protect the environ ment - including ensuring the safe disposal o f m edications. Sometimes, trace levels o f phar m aceuticals can be detected in our water supplies - prim arily as the result o f normal patient use or im proper disposal. W e can all further minimize this risk by learn ing how to safely dispose o f old or unused medicines. If you do not use all o f your prescribed or over-the-counter I know what y o u ’re thinking - tion into a sealable plastic bag. If the m edication is a you thought flushing medicines solid (pill, liquid capsule, was the safe way to go, right? etc.), crush it or add water to Y ou're not alone. Many o f my friends used to do this to help dissolve it. You can add kitty litter, keep m edicines away from their sawdust, coffee grounds to pets and children. We now know that there are the plastic bag or any m ate m edication, you can take a few rial that mixes with the medication sa fe r, m o re e n v iro n m e n ta lly small steps to make a huge impact to make it less appealing for pets friendly ways to dispose o f un w anted medicines. in safeguarding lives and pro and children to eat. As paren ts, we all w ant to tecting the environm ent by dis You should also remove and posing o f unused medicines prop destroy all identifying personal leave this w orld a little bit better erly. information from the prescription than w hen w e en tered it - for W ith a few exceptions, do not label from all medication contain o u r ow n ch ild ren , and for their flush unused m edications or pour ers before recycling them or ch ild ren . S afe, sm art disposal o f unused o r unw anted m ed ica them down a sink or drain. throwing them away. Always’ refer to printed m ate tions is one easy w ay to do ju st You can dispose o f unused m edication in household trash, rial accom panying your m edica that. Larry Lucas is a vice president but m ake sure to protect children tion for specific disposal instruc and pets from potentially nega tions and consult your pharm a fa r the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers o f America. tive effects by pouring m edica cist w ith any questions. Even if patient is healthy now o r Lipitor. Dr. A lison Fulm er, a K aiser P erm anente ca rd io lo g ist, says she plans to use the test for C R P for those p atien ts w ho d o n ’t show an o th er obv io u s risk fac tor. T he goal: find in flam m a tion. “ It has been clea r to m e for som e tim e that in flam m atio n is the big issue, and ch o lestero l is n o t,” said Dr. Fulm er. P h y sician s have know n for years that elev ated levels o f LD L ch o lestero l are associated w ith heart disease, and that low erin g those levels can reduce the n um ber o f heart attack s and strokes. Som e p h y sician s say they can see a tim e w hen a C R P test is standard p ractice fo r ro u tine physical ex am s for patients in th eir 4 0 ’s. T he test co sts $20. H eart d isease is the leading cau se o f death in the U nited S tates. H ealth W atch fitness and em otional stability. For more information, call 503-335-3500. health: educational material provided. For more information, call 503-261-6611. “G et M e Through the Holidays: 10 Strate gies for C oping with Loss” - Thursday, Nov. 20, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. This class will provide inform ation on coping with a loss o f a loved one during the holiday season and any other days that hold special meaning. For more information, call 503-512-8404. Accelerated One-Day Prepared Childbirth --Sunday, Dec. 14,9:30a.m. to6p.m .,expect- ant parents to prepare for a m ore com fort able labor add delivery; $100 per couple (includes lunch). T o register, call 503-256- 4000. Tenderfoot C a re -T re a t yourfeetwithasoak, nail trim, buffing and massage from a licensed nurse atone o f six clinics or at your home. Call 503-251 -6303 for more information. Introduction to Insulin Pum p Therapy - Friday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 10:30a.m., this small group class is designed to teach basic pum p functions and use o f basal insulin, bolus insulin and ways to troubleshoot high blood sugar levels. For more inform ation, call 503-221-0161, extension 2254. N ew born C are - T hursday, Nov. 22, from 6:30p.m . to 7:30 p.m., expectant parents will get a com plete-head-to-toe look at prepar ing tocare for their newborn. Topics include appearance, bathing, diapering, safety and more; $45 per couple. T o register, call 503- 574-6595. Breastfeeding Preparation - Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m ., this class prepares parents for the first few weeks o f breastfeeding; $42 fee per couple. To register, call 503-574-6595. C hildbirth Preparation C lass - W ednes days, beginning Nov. 26, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., helps first-tim e parents prepare for a more com fortable labor and delivery through lectures, active practice and group discus sions; $85 per couple. T o register, call 503- 574-6595. Yoga for Fitness-D e c . 10thruJan.28,from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., this 8-week class teaches true w ellness through a balance o f Polycystic Ovary Syndrom e Informational Class - Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. $20 fee. To register, call 503-221-0161, extension. 2254. Peer-to- Peer Recovery - Peer-to-peer edu cation recovery is a free 9 -w e ek course for mental health patients. M entors w ho are recovering from mental illness are trained to teach coping strategies to others. For more information,call 503-228-5692. Cardiac-Rehab Exercise Classes - A medi cally supervisedexercise program for people dealing with heart conditions. For m ore in formation, call 503-251 -6260. O steoporosis Screening - An ultrasound bone density screening with personalized education; fee $30. T o schedule an appoint ment, call 503-261-6611. Stroke A lert Screening - C heck your ca rotid arteries with a painless ultrasound to assess your risk. Fee $40. T o schedule a screening, call 503-251 -6137. C hronic Pain Support G roup - m eets the first W ednesday at 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the third W ednesday o f each month, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For m ore inform ation, call 503- 2564000. C holesterol Profiles - Keep an eye on your cholesterol and other indicators o f heart Senior A erobics - A low -im pact workout geared specifically toward seniors. Call 503- 449-0783 for current schedule. Better Breathers - An asthm a educational support group meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Adventist M edical Center. For more infor mation, call 503-251 -6830. Ireg A lert S creen in g - Check for peripheral arterial disease with this safe, sim ple screen ing using ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40. T o schedule an appointm ent, call 503-251-6137. C an cer R esource C en ter - P rovidence St. V incent M edical C enter and the A m eri can Red C ross h av e jo in e d fo rces to c re ate the first in -h o sp ital reso u rce cen ter providing books, p rin ted m aterial, co m p u ter access and m ore for in d iv id u als and fam ilies dealing w ith cancer. T he cen ter is open M onday th ro u g h T h u rsd ay , 9 a.m. to 4 p.m . Free Body Basics - T his physician recom m ended ec u s is appropriate for all ages and health conditions. Plan to attend this one- session clkss and learn the sim ple guide lines for safe exercises, including stretch ing. Call 513-256-4000 to register. Heart Talk Support G roup m eets - on the second Monday o f each month; from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. F^r more information, call 503-251 - 6260. Double J Tires New & Used Tires Overstock & Used Tires $ 1 5 & u p PRICED TO SELL All tires mounted & blanched on the car, out the door - no additives. Free stock wheels w / purchase of any new or used tlre- limited to sto ck on hand 3 0 years In business 2 locations to Serve You 6841 NE MLK, Portland 503-283-9437 4510 SE 52nd & Holgate 503-771-1834 Michael Tillery Broker 503.975.8004 michael@ bridgetownrealty.com Please call me, your neighborhood specialist, for any o f your Real Estate needs. My success is built on a com m itm ent to quality service. BRIDGETOWN r REA LTY EB New Prices Effective May 1,2007 Martin Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG % $45 .(X) Carpet Cleaning 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 (Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area • Hallway Extra) Stairs (12-16.stairs) $25.(X) (With Other Services) Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning A uto/Boat/RV Clean i ng Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment Spot & Stain Removal Service Scotchguard Protection UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa Loveseat Sectional Chair or Recliner Threw Pillows (With Other Services) $79.00 $59.00 $ 109 - $ 139 $35 - $49 $5.00 f See Flyers for Additional Prices Call For Appointment % (503) 281-3949 I i