Health briefs/calendar 7/13/06

Briefly

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

George C. Scott, Conway Twitty and John Ritter all have one thing in common, and it's something to be avoided.

All three died from abdominal aortic aneurysm, a ballooning of the aorta that causes a weakening of the vessel wall and increases the likelihood of rupture, and possibly death.

The Saint Francis Medical Center Heart Institute and Dr. John C. Wiggans are offering AAA screenings at the hospital from 7 to 11 a.m. July 22.

For more information on the screening, its cost, or to schedule an appointment, call Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at 331-3155.

Southeast accredited as a chest pain center

Southeast Missouri Hospital has received a full three-year accreditation status as a chest pain center. The hospital is the 18th accredited chest pain center in Missouri and the 315th in the nation.

Southeast emergency services medical director Michael Kolda, M.D., said, "There always is a very real sense of urgency in caring for patients with chest pain. We must treat them quickly, using the demonstrated best practices. Through accreditation, the Society of Chest Pain Centers provides us with road maps to achieve those high standards of care."

Beach party/survivor camp at Main Street

Boys and girls ages 6 to 13 can register for the weeklong camp at Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson with a "Survivor" theme. Camp will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through July 21. There will be games and challenges like those seen on "Survivor," plus field trips, golf, swimming and other activities. Campers should bring sack lunches Monday and Tuesday, but lunch will be provided Wednesday through Friday as well as snacks and drinks daily.

To register, call 243-2211.

Calendar

Today

"Ask Your Doctor," 8 to 9 p.m., cable Channel 5. Dr. Chris Jung will talk about swimmer's ear. To phone in a question, call 334-3095.

Pee Wee Playtime, for children ages 2 to 5, games, crafts, and activities plus a healthy snack, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson. For information, call 243-2211.

Infant massage, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Meeting Room 102 near the lobby at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Free class. To register, call 651-5825.

Asthma Education Program, 6:30 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast MissouriHospital. Advance registration is required by calling 651-5825.

Friday

LifeSaver class for new parents, 1 to 4 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. To register for this or upcoming sessions, call 651-5825.

Saturday

Breast-feeding class, free class from 9 to 11 a.m., in the Generations Family Resource Center at Southeast Hospital. Call 651-5815 to register for this class or for those in upcoming months.

MS Support Group, 10 a.m. to noon, Saint Francis Health and Wellness conference room 1. For information, call 331-5993.

Monday

Super Sitter training, for ages 11 to 16 who want to learn proper babysitting techniques and child care information. To register, call 651-5825.

Healthy cooking class, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., HealthPoint Plaza. Raina Childers, a dietitian at Southeast Missouri Hospital, will give participants a "tropical vacation" featuring flavorful and exotic treats. To register, call 986-4400.

Tuesday

Dance camp, for ages 5 to 13, HealthPoint Plaza. First day of two-week program that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ballet shoes are required. To register. call 986-4400.

-- From staff reports

Explorer Post 4077, for young people considering a career in health care, 7-8:30 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast Hospital. For information call 651-5825.

Wednesday

Grief Support Group, 1 p.m., HealthPoint Plaza. For information call 651-5549 or 651-5519.