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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 26, 2008 - 33 Carnations bloom for MS Awareness On Friday, May 9 and throughout Mother's Day weekend, carnations will be sold in the community by volunteers of the local Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada. The carnation sales will be done to raise awareness about MS in the 32nd annual MS Carnation Campaign. Halton's MS Society chapter will join thousands of volunteers across Canada in the effort by selling carnations to the public to raise funds for the fight against multiple sclerosis. This year marks the MS Society's 60th year of existence. "The MS Society's 60 years of service to the MS community has improved quality of life and has greatly advanced our understanding of what it takes to end MS," said Linda Hunt, executive director of the Halton Chapter. "The MS Carnation Campaign gives us a chance to get out into our community to not only raise funds for the families living with MS and research, but to raise awareness about this often disabling disease," said Hunt. "Public awareness is a key component of the MS Carnation Campaign. It is especially important in Canada where the rate of MS is one of the highest in the world," she said. "We're working on behalf of people with MS because we believe we can end MS," said Hunt. Last year, the Halton chapter raised $12,000 in the MS Carnation Campaign that provided much-needed services for people with MS and their families in Halton and helped fund the MS research program that is co-ordinated nationally by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The MS Carnation Campaign has raised more than $46 million for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada since it became a national fundraising program in 1976. The carnation sale is the only MS Society of Canada event that occurs on the same dates throughout Canada. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15-40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families, and funds research to find the cause and cure. Meth mouth is far from glamourous T he term "Meth mouth" refers to the permanent destruction of teeth that have been exposed to the drug methamphetamine also known as Meth, Speed, Ice, Chalk, Crank, Fire, Glass, and Crystal. How often a person uses this drug and in what form, will determine how quickly damage in the mouth will take place. Very often this damage is not reparable. The appeal of this drug is that it is cheap, comes in different forms, and gives a prolonged "high." The ingredients that produce the high also produce harmful changes in the user's mouth. The problems include severe tooth decay, dry mouth, grinding, clenching, and sugar cravings. Depending on the level of dependency, daily oral hygiene becomes unimportant to the user. Smoking this drug also increases the amount of damage done to gums and surrounding mouth tissues. One of the main oral side effects of methamphetamines is that the user's mouth feels very dry. This drug stops the flow of saliva and reduces the mouth's natural ability to fight off the bacteria that cause cavities. The thirst produced from the dry mouth and the sugar cravings influence the frequency that an individual will sip on sugary drinks. Meth users often drink pop and many report drinking 8 to 10 cans of pop per day. The amounts of sugar found in these beverages and the large levels of consumption provide an ideal situation in the mouth for causing more cavities. Whether this drug is smoked, snorted, crushed, swallowed in pill form, or used intravenously, the same side effects happen when used on a long-term basis. The teeth will become brittle, blackened, and rotted and can very quickly crumble or fall apart. Methamphetamine smoke causes harm to oral tissues including gum problems and mouth sores. The stimulating effect of Meth can cause the chronic user to become hyperactive and many will grind or clench their teeth. This grinding wears down the teeth causing them to be sensitive, break off more easy, and, if the teeth have become shortened, difficult to repair. It is reported that the physiological and psychological effects of this drug often leave the user unconcerned with daily oral care. Daily brushing and flossing fall by the wayside. The poor oral hygiene increases the rate at which the teeth will be ruined. The harsh side effects of this drug also leave dependent user's appearing drawn, malnourished and looking older than what they are, especially in the area of the mouth. When a long-term user seeks professional dental help, often the damage is so extensive that many teeth can not be saved and must be removed. To replace natural teeth with crowns, bridges or implants is very expensive. Lost teeth are often replaced with dentures. Extreme tooth decay, dry mouth, worn teeth and a malnourished appearance are distinguishing features that indicate teens or young adults may be using methamphetamine drugs. This drug continues to do long-term, permanent dam- age to the dependent user's overall health and oral health. For more information, please call Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free 1866-4HALTON (1-866-4425866),TTY 905-827-9833 or visit www.halton.ca. -- Health Notes is prepared by staff of the Halton Region Health Department. Free education forum on nutrition with IBD Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Nutrition: Before and After Surgery will be the topic of a free seminar on Wednesday, May 7. The event will be hosted by Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) at Milton District Hospital, Classroom, at 30 Derry Rd. The forum will begin at 7 p.m. with displays and refreshments available at 6:30 p.m. Andrea Clark, Clinical Dietitian from Mount Sinai Hospital and Dr. Jeff Kolbasnik, General Surgeon from HHS will be on hand to answer questions. The seminar is presented in partnership with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada, Halton Chapter. To reserve a seat for the forum, or for more information, call 905-338-4379 or 905-873-0111, ext. 4379 or email elittle@haltonhealthcare.on.ca. Personal Growth and Redecision Centre Linda Berry MSW, RSW Thérese Haverty Cleary BA, SSW ` offer A Course in Wellness for Women 10 Individual Sessions Group Format Also Available KNEE, HEEL & ARCH PAIN ARE TREATABLE! Understanding the source of your foot and knee pain could lead to permanent relief. Book a consultation today! SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST If you want to know... ­ why you repeat negative patterns over and over ­ why you feel sad without knowing the reasons ­ how to ask for your needs to be met ­ how to be more assertive ­ how to say `no' ­ how to place a higher value on yourself For more information call: Georgetown Oakville NEW LOCATION Free Parking in front of office We Treat: · Diabetic Foot Care · General Care · Custom Made Foot Orthotics P Covered by most insurance companies. 905-877-2765 905-338-2882 Living Well Pilates REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING CLASSES REGISTER FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION THIS SPRING 728 Burloak Drive 905-632-1414 Fertility Problems? Pregnancy Discomfort? Did you know? · IVF patients who had acupuncture had a 42% pregnancy rate. IVF patients who did not have acupuncture had a 26% rate. · A recent study showed a strong link between the resolution of infertility and the initiation of chiropractic care (Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, May 2003) · Acupuncture and chiropractic help benefit all aspects of a woman's health and improve their overall success in achieving, maintaining and enjoying their pregnancy. PERSONALIZED PROGRAMS Mary German Dr. Jenna Davis specializes in: · Helping couples increase their fertility · Naturally turning breech babies · Supporting couples through all aspects of · Pre and Postnatal care to help both IUI, IVF and all other fertility treatments mother and baby If you, or someone you know would like to set-up a courtesy consultation with Dr. Jenna Davis, please call Alliance Healthcare, 905-845-2291. "Pilates For All Bodies" Dr. Jenna Davis Family Chiropractor/Acupuncturist Alliance Healthcare Professionals 905-847-0707 2251 Westoak Trails Blvd., Unit 4 w w w. l i v i n g w e l l p i l a t e s . c o m 905.845.2291 232 South Service Rd. E, Oakville, ON L6J 2X5 www.alliancehealthcare.ca