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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
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New Prices Effective May 1,2007
Martin Cleaning Service
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Residential & Commercial Services
Minimum Service CHG
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$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)
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Heavily Soiled Area:
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A uto/Boat/RV Clean i ng
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UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
Sofa
Loveseat
Sectional
Chair or Recliner
Threw Pillows
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