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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2010)
Page 18 IJortlanò (Dbs^ruer August 18, 2010 H ealth M ä h e r s Belly Bulge Increases Health Risks Deadly dangers for older adults (A P )~ Ifyour pants are feeling a hit tight around the waistline, take note: Belly bulge can be deadly for older adults, even those who aren't overweight or obese by other mea sures. One of the largest studies to ex- amine the dangers of abdominal fat THE LAW OFFICES OF Patrick John Sweeney, P.C Patrick John Sweeney Attorney at Law 1549 SE Ladd Portland, Oregon Portland: Hillsoboro: Facsimile: Email: (503) 491-5156 (503) 615-0425 (503) 244-2084 Sweeney @ PDXLawyer.com Obesity in the United States has grown "faster than anyone could have imagined," doubling in adults and tripling in children in recent years, said a leading US health official. suggests men and women with the tummies. biggest waistlines have twice the Surprisingly, bigger waists carry risk of dying over a decade com- agreater risk of death even for people pared to those with the smallest whose weight is "normal" by the _____________________________ body mass index, or BMI, a stan dard measure based on weight and height. "Even if you haven't had a no ticeable weight gain, if you notice your waist size increasing that's an important sign," said lead author Eric Jacobs of the American Cancer Society, which funded the study. " It's time to eat better and start exer cising more." Other research has linked waist size to dementia, heart disease, asthma and breast cancer. Bulging bellies are a problem for most Am ericans older than 50. It's estim ated that more than half o f older men and more than 70 percent o f older women have big ger waistlines than recommended. And it's a growing problem: A ver age w aistlines have expanded by about an inch per decade since the 1960s. To check your girth, wrap a tape measure around your waist at the navel. No fair sucking in your bulge. Men should have a waist circumfer ence no larger than 40 inches. For women, the limit is 35 inches H ealth W atch Dr. Billy R. Flowers (above center) and his skilled staff are ready to help those in need. THE SPINA; COLUMN TM An ongoing senes of questions and answers about Americas natural healing profession. Part 15. Back Pain: Why “oh, my aching back” has become such a popular phrase. : I always know when my back hurts. But I rarely know why. : Statistics tell us 80% of all men, women, and children will experience back pain in their lives. Chiropractors can also tell you why. There are, for example, several mechanical malfunctions that cause back pain. Among them are: Direct pinching on the nerve. This is the reason many people gi ve for their back pain, but in fact, “pinched nerves" only account for about 10%ofit. Edema(swell- ing) This occurs from inflamma tion due to simple strain or sublux ation. Fixation. This is yet another component of what we call the ver tebrae are not moving the way na ture intended. Other factors include muscle spasm and disc herniation. Of course, in addition to knowing you have back pain, chiropractors also know how to make it go away. By eliminating the components of the subluxation complex and allow ing the central nervous system to function the way nature intended, we Chiropractors not only relieve your back pain symptoms, we re move the cause. Without drugs. Without surgery. Without doubt. Call our office for an appointment today to find out how Chiroprac tic can help your “aching back.” Or if you have any questions about your health, just call us at the number below. Flowers' Chiropractic Office 2124N.E. Hancock Street, Portland Oregon97212 P hone: ( 5 0 3 ) 2 8 7 *5 5 0 4 Free B ody B a sics -- This providing books, printed material, physician recommended class is com puter access and more for appropriate for all ages and health individuals and families dealing conditions. Plan to attend this one- with cancer. The center is open session class and learn the simple Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. guidelines for safe exercises, to 4 p.m. including stretching. Call 503- Lead P o iso n in g P reven tio n - 256-4000 to register. Learn how to protect your family F a m ilie s w ith M enta l Illn e s s from lead poisoning. Ideal for folks -- A free, 12-week course for in live in older homes with children people whose family members live or pregnant wom en. Qualified with mental illness is offered at participants receive a free kit of Em anuel H o sp ita l, Mt. Hood safety and testing supplies. Call Medical Center and Providence 503-284-6827. Medical Center. The course has been described as “life-changing” C a rd ia c -R e h a b E xe rcise s - A by fo rm e r p a rtic ip a n ts . m edically supervised exercise Registration is required by calling program for people dealing with heart conditions. For information, 503-203-3326. call 503-251-6260. M anaging Chronic H epatitis C -T h ird Wednesday of each month S tro k e A le rt S c re e n in g - at 5 p.m. The informative session Check your carotid arteries with a is led by a registered nurse to help painless ultrasound to assess your you m anage sid e e ffe c ts of risk. Fee $40. To sch edu le a m e d ica tio n s and d o sa ge screening, call 503-251-6137. preparations and administration: Powerful Tools For C aregivers doctor referral required. To register, -- 6 -w eek e d u c a tio n a l se rie s call 503-251-6313. designed to help family caregivers Better Breathers - An asthma take care of them selves while educational support group meets caring for relatives or friends with on the 1st Tuesday of the month ch ro n ic illn e s s . C la ss size is from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at lim ite d , and re g is tra tio n is A dventist M edical Center. For required. Call 503-413-8018. information, call 503-251-6830. C a n c e r R e so u rc e C e n te r -- Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and the Am erican Red Cross have joined forces to create the first in-hospital resource center Leg Alert Screening - Check for peripheral arterial disease with this safe, simple screening using ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40. To sc h e d u le an appointment, call 503-251-6137.
