c,fe Jarliani» (Obstruer
Page 8
December 29, 2010
H ealth matters
Fighting Alzheimer’s
by
L arry L ucas
T he w ord “ retirem ent” typically
conjures im ages o f days filled with
golf, reading, fam ily tim e and vaca­
tioning. I’m lucky to have my health
to allow m e to enjoy these types o f
leisure activities today, but I also
recognize that as our bodies age, so
do our m inds.
W hile it’s expected that you m ay
forget the nam e o f your high school
class president, forgetting how to
com plete sim ple tasks like tying your
g o lf shoes is a frightening prospect.
U nfortunately, it’s one that faces
mill ions o f A m ericans, including the
aging Baby B oom er generation, the
first o f w hich turns 65 next year.
A lready, 5.1 million A m ericans
su ffer from d em entia, including
A lzheim er’s disease, which is the
m ost com m on form o f dem entia
am ong seniors. A lzheim er’s begins
by destroying brain cells and caus­
ing problem s with mem ory, thinking
and behavior severe enough to affect
work, lifelong hobbies or social life. It
is a condition that w orsens over time
include severe m em ory loss, diffi­
culty com pleting previously easy
tasks, regularly m isplacing things,
confusing fam iliar places and dras­
tic changes in m ood or personality.
If you or a family m em ber is expe­
riencing A lzheim er’s-related sym p­
toms, be sure to see your doctor
immediately. Early diagnosis will pro­
vide the best chance to receive the
most effective treatments.
The good new s is studies have
show n that by doing simple mental
exercises, such as crossword puzzles,
reading the new spaper and keeping
a journal, you can offset the disease’s
affect on the brain. There are also
steps you can take around the house
to help m aintain your independence.
T h e A lz h eim er’s A ssociation
suggests using m em ory aids like
labels and rem inder notes, staying
active and m aking hom e safety im ­
provem ents.
It is p o s sib le to liv e w ith
A lzh eim er’s if sim ple adjustm ents
are m ade, m edicines are taken as
prescribed and w e take care o f our
bodies. T he golden years are to be
savored - not forgotten.
and is ultimately fatal. The num ber o f
A lzheim er’s patients will only rise
with the aging Baby Bodfner genera­
tion; in fact, an estim ated 13.5 million
A m ericans are expected to be living
w ithA lzheim er’sb y 2015.
A re c e n t re p o rt fro m th e
A lzheim er’s A ssociation found that
the A frican-A m erican com m unity is
twice as likely as its white counter­
parts to develop A lzheim er’s - po­
tentially because we have a higher
rate o f vascular disease than others,
which is a suspected risk factor for
Alzheimer’s.
«
In addition, m inorities’ cases o f
Alzheim er’s typically go undiagnosed
far longer than those o f w hite pa­
tients, allow ing the disease to worsen
w ithout the help o f available treat­
m ents to slow its progression. This is
why it’s im portant to know the w arn­
ing signs o f A lzheim er’s and to visit
your doctor for regular checkups.
As with other age-related diseases,
Larry Lucas is a retired vice
early detection is key, and being aware president for the Pharmaceutical
ofthe sym ptom s isessential for fight­ Research and Manufacturers
ing A lzheim er’s. Early warning signs o f America.
H ealth W atch
T en d erfoot C are — T reat y o u r feet w ith a soak, nail trim , buffing and
m assage from a licensed nurse at one o f six clinics o r at your hom e. C all
503-251 -6303 for more information.
F re e B ody B asics - This physician recom m ended class is appropriate for
all ages and health conditions. Plan to attend this one-session class and
learn the sim ple guidelines for safe exercises, including stretching. Call
503-256-4000 to register.
F am ilies w ith M ental Illness -- A free, 12-w eek course for people w hose
fam ily m em bers live with m ental illness is offered at Em anuel H ospital, Mt.
H ood M edical C enter and Providence M edical C enter. T he course has
been describ ed as “life-changing” by form er participants. R egistration is
required by calling 503-203-3326.
M anaging C hronic H epatitis C — T hird W ednesday o f each m onth at 5
p.m . T he inform ative session is led by a registered nurse to help you
m anage side effects o f m edications and dosage preparations and adm in­
istration; d o cto r referral required. T o register, call 503-251-6313.
B etter B reath ers — An asthm a educational support group m eets on the
1 st T uesday o f the m onth from 1:15 p.m . to 2:45 p.m . at A dventist M edical
Center. For inform ation, call 503-251 -6830.
C ancer R esource C enter - P rovidence St. V incent M edical C en ter and
the A m erican R ed C ross have jo in e d forces to create the first in-hospital
resource cen ter providing books, printed m aterial, co m p u ter access and
m ore for individuals and fam ilies dealing w ith cancer. T he cen ter is open
M onday through T hursday, 9 a.m . to 4 p.m.
Lead P oisoning Prevention -- Learn how to protect your fam ily from lead
poisoning. Ideal for folks in live in older hom es w ith children o r pregnant
w om en. Q ualified participants receive a free kit o f safety and testing
supplies. Call 503-284-6827.
P arentin g C lasses -- N ew borns d o n ’t com e w ith instruction m anuals but
parents and parents-to-be can learn about a variety o f topics from pain and
childbirth to breastfeeding to infant C PR and m uch m ore. For a schedule
o f events, call 503-574-6595 or visit: p ro v id en ce.o rg /classes.
C ardiac-R eh ab E xercises -- A m edically supervised exercise program for
people dealing w ith heart conditions. For inform ation, call 503-251 -6260.
Strok e A lert S creen in g — C heck your carotid arteries w ith a painless
ultrasound to assess your risk. Fee $40. T o schedule a screening, call 503-
251-6137.
Dr. Billy R. Flowers (above center) and his skilled staff are ready to help those in need.
____________ THE __________
SPINACOLUMN
An ongoing series of questions and answers about Amencas natural healing profession
Thank you: A Happy and healthy
New Year to our great patients.
N ow is the season to reflect on
the events o f the past year and
look ahead to al 1 the N ew Y ear has
to offer. T his past y ear has c er­
tainly been a happy one for all o f
us. W e ’ve had so m any kind and
w onderful patients.
T o all o f you, “thank yo u .” W e
appreciate y o u r courtesy and your
zeal to share w ith friends how
C h iro p ra c tic ’s natural healing has
helped you. It is really exciting to
have m ore and m ore people aw are
o f the healing pow er o f nature.
O nly nature creates and only nature
can truly heal.
W e look forw ard to co n tin u e
serving those o f you w h o ’ve m ade
the natural selection: C hiropractic.
T h e o n ly m a jo r h e alth scie n c e
w hose only side effects are im ­
proved health and g reater sense o f
w ell-being. If you ev er have any
questions about y o u r health or
about any o f o u r m any services,
w e ’ll alw ays be happy to help.
A g a in , w e w ish y ou a H ap p y
H o lid a y an d c o n tin u e d h e alth
th ro u g h -o u t th e c o m in g N ew
Year.
Flowers' Chiropractic Office
2124N.E.HancockStreet,PortlandOregon97212
P h o n e: ( 5 0 3 ) 2 8 7 *5 5 0 4
E m p o w e rm e n t th ro u g h R elax atio n - Free informal m editation classes that
address breathing techniques, som e gentle ancient A frican y oga poses
and m ental balancing techniques - People have left these classes joy fu l
and with a peaceful view o f their lives. Call Dr. M arceline Failla at 503-228-
6140.
P ow erful fo o ls For C aregivers — 6-w eek ed ucational series designed to
help fam ily caregivers take care o f them selves w hile carin g for relatives or
friends w ith chronic illness. C lass size is lim ited, and registration is
required. Call 503-413-8018.
L eg A lert S creen in g — C heck for peripheral arterial disease w ith this safe,
sim ple screening using ankle and arm blood pressure. T he fee is $40. T o
schedule an appointm ent, call 503-251-6137.
Sm ok e-F ree S u pport G roup - M eets M ondays, 7 p.m . to 8 p.m . F or
information, call 503-256-4000.
H eart T alk S u p p ort G rou p - M eets on the second M onday o f each
m onth; from 6 p.m . to 8 p.m . For m ore inform ation, call 503-251 -6260.
Fam ily C aregiver Su pport G rou p -- T his topic-oriented group o ffers a
safe place to discuss the stresses, challenges and rew ards o f providing
care to an o ld e r relative o r friend. M eets the first T h ursday o f each m onth
at 3 p.m. at L egacy G ood Sam aritan H ospital. 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 m onth, from 7 p.m . to 8:30 p.m . For m ore inform ation,
caU503-256-4000.
C holesterol P rofiles — G et the resources to help you keep an eye on your
cholesterol and other indicators o f heart health. Educational m aterial
provided. For m ore inform ation, call 503-261-6611.