Local health happenings

LIVER WALK

The Connecticut Chapter of the American Liver Foundation will hold its first Football Walk for Liver Wellness on 8:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 25, rain or shine, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, home of the UConn Huskies. People can register to walk or volunteer by visiting www.footballwalk.org or by calling (203) 234-2022.

Families, school groups, clubs, and work groups from all over Connecticut and Western Massachusetts are forming teams for the event. Volunteers also can serve as "referees" or pledge financial support. The walk will rise awareness of the more than 100 forms of liver diseases and raise funds for their prevention, treatment and cure. Liver disease affects more than 25 million men, women and children nationwide one in 10 Americans. A similar event will be held in Boston later in the fall.

The American Liver Foundation is the nation's leading nonprofit organization promoting liver health and disease prevention. ALF, which has 26 chapters nationwide, provides research, education and advocacy for those affected by hepatitis and other liver-related diseases. Its toll-free HelpLine is 1-800-GO LIVER, and the Web address is www.liverfoundation.org.

SEEKING PATIENTS

Baystate Medical Center is seeking patients to participate in a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) using continuous glucose monitoring feedback to change physical activity levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMS) is a pager sized monitor that records 72 hours of glucose levels which change with diet and physical activity. The new research study will test the effectiveness of using CGMS feedback to provide diabetes education. The technology has been used for changing insulin doses in patients with type 1 diabetes, but its effectiveness as an educational tool in individuals with type 2 diabetes has not been studied. Participants will receive specialty diabetes evaluation, a complete history and physical exam, individualized diabetes education and $25 reimbursement for their time. To qualify for the study, individuals must have type 2 diabetes, exercise less than two days per week, and use only oral diabetes medications. To learn if you qualify, or for more information, contact Allen at 413-794-7206.

ASTHMA WORKSHOP

"Controlling Your Child's Asthma" will be the topic of a free evening seminar sponsored by Baystate Medical Center Children's Hospital at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Holyoke on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 6-7:30 p.m. The seminar will be led by Dr. Matthew Sadof and Alberto Maysonet-Galarza, LCSW, from the Primary Care Asthma Intervention Program at Baystate Medical Center Children's Hospital. They will discuss signs and symptoms of asthma, environmental factors, prevention strategies, how best to manage an asthma flare-up, and recent advances in asthma that make it possible for children with asthma to live normal, active healthy lives. Registration is required by calling The Professionals at 413-794-2255 or toll-free outside the Springfield area at 1-800-377-HEALTH.

LOSERS

Ready for a little "reality" while you create healthy habits that will last a lifetime? We'll team 4 of you with one of our Personal Trainers for some "healthy" competition to see who will gain the most strength, lose the most weight and trim the most inches! Prizes Galore, One Grand Winner, three Fitness Assessments and Nutritional Plan all included. Program lasts through both Fall I and Fall II sessions, begins week of September 26. Free informational meeting being held on Wednesday, September 14 at 6 p.m. or Saturday, September 17 at 9 a.m. Members $200 and Non Members $275 (can be split into 2 payments). Registration deadline is Tuesday, September 20. For more information, please call or stop by the YMCA of Greater Springfield, 275 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104 (413)739-6951 ext. 260.

FREE YOGA CLASSES

Join the staff at Heartsong Yoga Center for a series of free introductory classes, as a chance for folks to learn techniques for relaxation and stress reduction, fitness and health. On September 12, try a free Astanga, or Power Yoga class, at 7:30 PM. This is a hot, vigorous and athletic kind of yoga, so come prepared to sweat! On Sept. 13 at 7:30 PM, meet Alice Barrett, Heartsong's long time Buddhist "Mindfulness Meditation" teacher for an experience of meditation, and a chance to learn more about this ancient practice. On Sept. 14, at 7:30 PM there will be a free introduction to the Kripalu Yoga style; this is a traditional practice that is appropriate for all levels of students, those who are brand new to exercise, as well as folks who want to add a stretching and strengthening practice to their regular routines. All adults, high school aged and above, are welcome to attend. Call the center to reserve a spot, 413-525-0720, or visit them on the web at www.heartsongyoga.com. Heartsong Yoga is located at 264 North Main Street, Condo East, in East Longmeadow, MA.

BELLY DANCE CLASSES

Belly dance classes, an ancient dance form at Quantum Life Management Center (formerly Wellness Center, 30 Westwood Ave., East Longmeadow: Sept. 21-Nov. 30; beginner: 6:30-7:45 p.m. No dance experience necessary; intermediate: 8-9:15 p.m. Mary Studio of Dance, 1168 Boston Road, Springfield: Oct. 1-Nov. 26; beginner 3:15-4:30 p.m. No experience necessary. Info: Shifh, 253-5426; www.shifah.com.

PARKINSON'S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP

On the second Monday of each month, a support group, for caregivers and those coping with the disease themselves, will meet at the Wilbraham Senior Center on Boston Rd. (Rte 20) at 1 p.m. No registration is required. If you have questions, call Joyce at 413-323-4274.

FAMILY-TO-FAMILY EDUCATION CLASS

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Massachusetts and Massachusetts Department of Mental Health are sponsoring a 12-week supportive educational program for family members and friends affected by a loved one's mental illness. The program will take place at Western Massachusetts Hospital in Westfield, Thursday evenings Sept. 15 through Dec. 1 from 6:30 to 9. The course is open to the public, and there is no cost to attend. All course materials are free. Class size is limited. Call to reserve a seat in the class: Deb Habernern (737-0257) or Dee West (569-3958). Topics covered will be Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Co-occuring Brain Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder.