Health calendar 10/21/08

Calendar

Wednesday

• Living with fibromyalgia: 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Southeast Missouri Hospital's Harrison Room. Fibromyalgia is a condition that is characterized by widespread pain and stiffness in various muscles, tendons and ligaments. Discuss the wide range of symptoms and treatments of choice for this debilitating disorder. To register, call 332-1587.
• Freedom from smoking: 5 to 5:30 p.m. in Saint Francis Medical Center Fitness Plus conference room 3. Class is for smokers who are ready to quit. There is a cost. To register, call 275-2177.
• Health care forum: 6 to 8:30 p.m. in SADI facility, 1913 Rusmar St. Discuss ways to improve the current health-care system. Candidates for office in the 2008 election may attend this event to learn about health-care issues directly from Missouri residents who face them and to hear suggestions for improvements. Time permitting, each candidate may make brief comments. An RSVP is preferred by calling 651-6464.

Saturday

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm risk assessment: 7 to 11 a.m. in Saint Francis Medical Center Heart Institute. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a "ballooning" of the aorta that could cause the blood vessel to burst. Nearly 2 million Americans have the condition, but only 150,000 are diagnosed each year. There is a cost. To schedule an appointment, call 331-3155.