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November 16, 2011
Now is the Right Time to Quit Smoking
For Your Health
For people who smoke, kicking
the habit is one of the healthiest
things you can do for yourself. Ciga­
rette smoking kills. Each puff of ciga­
rette smoke exposes users to 2,500
chem icals and cancer-cau sin g
agents, including nicotine, tar, and
carbon monoxide.
Smoking causes 87 percent of
lung cancer deaths and increases
the risk of developing cervical and
other cancers. Smokers are more
likely to experience heart attack,
stroke, emphysema, bronchitis, os­
teoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis.
H ealth
by D r . J ames
N. M artin J r .
cataracts, and infertility than non-
smokers are.
Pregnant women who smoke put
their babies at a higher risk for
preterm birth, low birth weight, sud­
den infant death syndrome, poor
lung function, asthma, and bronchi­
tis. The harmful chemicals in ciga­
rette smoke are also passed through
breast milk to babies.
Smokers who quit can stop or
reverse the damage caused t>y ciga­
rettes. In the days and months after
you quit, your heart rate and blood
pressure drop to healthier levels, and
your breathing, circulation, and sense
ofsmell and taste may improve. Heart
attack risk decreases by 50 percent
within the first year after quitting, and
the chances of developing lung can­
cer, heart disease, and other ailments
fall to nearly that of a nonsmoker in
the first few years.
Nicotine withdrawal and cravings
derail 70 to 90 percent of quit at­
tempts. If you are thinking about
quitting, nicotine replacement prod­
ucts— such as patches, gum, loz­
enges, inhalers, and nasal spray—
geared specifically toward seniors. Call 503-
449-0783 for current schedule.
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Free Dental Services Day - The Oregon
Dental Association will host Mission of
Mercy dental clinic on Monday, Nov. 23 and
Tuesday, Nov. 22 at the Oregon Convention
Center. Teeth cleanings, x-rays, filings, ex­
tractions and partial dentures will be per­
formed on a first come, first-served and at no
charge. Doors will open at 6 a.m.
Mind Body Health Class -- Learn and prac­
tice techniques to help you improve your
mood, health and wellbeing, including effec­
tive ways to manage difficult emotions and
chronic stress or illness. Registration is $70
for Kaiser Permanente members and $95 for
nonmembers. Call 503-286-6816.
Senior Aerobics — A low-impact workout
Red Cross Certification - The Oregon Trail
Chapter Red Cross now offers credits to
No-Cost or Low Cost
Health Coverage for Kids and Teens!
No family makes too much to qualify!
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Urban League
of Portland
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Sign up with the Urban League and
receive a FREE holiday turkey!
Healthy Kids covers all the health care kids & teens need
• Doctor visits and preventative care
• Medical, dental and vision
Prescriptions and medical equipment
to coincide with the Great American
Smokeout.
Keep busy on your quit day—
exercise, go to the movies, take a
long walk, etc.— get plenty of water,
and ask your friends and family to
help keep you honest.
According to a recent study, al­
most 70 percent of smokers want to
quit. It takes most smokers several
tries to finally quit for good. If your
first attempt is not successful, don’t
get discouraged. Get some help and
get back on track.
For more information on smoking
cessation, go to cancer.org.
Dr. James N. Martin Jr. is presi­
dent o f the American Congress o f
Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
helps professionals maintain licensing or
certification. For a cumulative list, visit
pdxinfo.net.
Smoke-Free Support G roup-M e e ts Mon­
days, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For information, call 503-
2564000.
Chronic Pain Support Group - Meets the
first Wednesday at 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the
third Wednesday of each month, from 7 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 503-
256-4000.
Osteoporosis Screening - An ultrasound
bone density screening with personalized
education; fee $30. To schedule an appoint­
ment, call 503-261-6611.
Weight Loss Help — Take Off Pounds Sen­
sibly (TOPS) m eetings are held every
Wednesday from 8:45 to 10 a.m. at the Hol­
lywood Senior Center, 1820 N.E. 40th Ave.
Anyone interested is invited to visit and
learn more. For details, call 503-287-0731.
Family Caregiver Support Group - This
topic-oriented group offers a safe place to
discuss the stresses, challenges and rewards
of providing care to an older relative or
friend. Meets the first Thursday of each
month at 3 p.m. at Legacy Good Samaritan
Hospital.
Cardiac-Rehab Exercises ~ A medically
supervised exercise program for people deal­
ing with heart conditions. For information,
call 503-251-6260.
Stroke Alert Screening - Check your ca­
rotid arteries with a painless ultrasound to
assess your risk. Fee $40. To schedule a
screening, call 503-251-6137.
Managing Chronic Hepatitis C - Third
Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. The
informative session is led by a registered
nurse to help you manage side effects of
medications and dosage preparations and
administration; doctor referral required. To
register, call 503-251-6313.
Better Breathers - An asthma educational
support group meets on the 1st Tuesday of
the month from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at
Adventist Medical Center. For information,
call 503-251-6830.
For more information or to
enroll in Healthy Kids,
contact:
Powerful Tools For Caregivers — 6-week
educational series designed to help family
caregivers take care of themselves while
caring for relatives or friends with chronic
illness. Class size is limited, and registration
is required. Call 503-413-8018.
Rachel Gilmer
Healthy Kids Coordinator
503-280-2600 ext 630
Rgilmer@ulpdx.org
Leg Alert Screening - Check for peripheral
arterial disease with this safe, simple screen­
ing using ankle and arm blood pressure. The
fee is $40. To schedule an appointment, call
503-251-6137.
Mental health and chemical dependency services
Already have Healthy Kids
Coverage?
Families already enrolled
in Healthy Kids need to
renew coverage annually.
The Urban League can
help!
or doctor-prescribed medications,
such as bupropion or varenicline,
can help curb cravings and may
increase your chances of quitting
successfully.
Smokers can call 800-QUIT-
NOW, a free national smoking ces­
sation hotline, to speak with trained
counselors who will help develop
individualized quit plans. Support
groups, such as Nicotine Anony­
mous, and other local smoking ces­
sation resources may also be a great
place to start.
Set a quit date when you will
throw away all your cigarettes and
clean your clothes to get rid of the
smoky smell. You may want to
schedule your quit date for Nov. 17
Free Body Basics — This physician recom­
mended class is appropriate for all ages and
health conditions. Plan to attend this one-
session class and learn the simple guidelines
for safe exercises, including stretching. Call
503-256-4000 to register.
Empowerment through Relaxation - Free
informal meditation classes that address
breathing techniques, some gentle ancient
African yoga poses and mental balancing
techniques. People have left these classes
joyful and with a peaceful view of their lives.
Call Dr. Marcelitte Failla at 503-228-6140.
Tenderfoot Care — Treat your feet with a
soak, nail trim, buffing and massage from a
licensed nurse at one of six clinics or at your
home. Call 503-251 -6303 for more informa­
tion.
Cancer Resource Center - Providence St.
Vincent Medical Center and the American
Red Cross have joined forces to create the
first in-hospital resource center providing
books, printed material, computer access
and more for individuals and families dealing
with cancer. The center is open Monday
through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lead Poisoning Prevention -- Learn how to
protect your family from lead poisoning.
Ideal for folks in live in older homes with
children or pregnant women. Qualified par­
ticipants receive a free kit of safety and
testing supplies. Call 503-284-6827.