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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
EB
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)
(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
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