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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-09-28, Page 31 s,. Arthur Hallam of Vanastra, demonstrates how to use a specially designed pen given to him by the Arthritis Society in London. On the table are pictures of Arthur's family. Each member tries to visit as often as possible to help out. ( Wendy Somerville Photo) Modern medicine helps the arthritis sufferer By Wendy Somerville Today treatment of arthritis has begun much earlier and is more aggressive than was ever possible in the past. The range of drugs available for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis has in- creased dramatically in number and effec- tiveness. Aspirin still remains the most common choice of drugs used. Aspirin, if used in high enough doses, has the dual ef- fect of relieving pain and reducing inflam- mation, which is what causes damage to the joints. Many years afro it was hoped that steroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, would be the answer to the cure of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was later discovered that there were complications, including joint destruction through the long time use of steroids. As a result these drugs are usually restricted to patients with severe or advanced arthritis. Many will do almost anything to relieve their constant pain. Among the multitude of "cures" they have been offered are cop- per bracelets, "magic" rocks, distilled 2t water injections, massive radiation treatments and medications containing everything from sugar to highly toxic drug combinations. The Arthritis Society estimated that more than $50 million dollars a year is spent by victims of the disease on phoney cures. According to a London, Ontario, specialist, more effective drugs with minimal side effects are needed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In an interview with the London Free Press, Dr. John Thompson said that while there are a number of agents available and useful in treating this form of arthritis, most either begin to lose their beneficial effects over time or the side effects lead to patients stopping the drug. The St. Joseph's Hospital specialist had recently visited Calgary to address the an- nual meeting of the Royal College of Physi- cians and Surgeons of Canada on the results of a 24 -month study comparing the use of injectable gold treatment with a new gold substance – aranofin – which is taken in a pill form. He said it was found that the pill seemed equally as good as the injection. Unfor- tunately, he said, there was a high in- cidence of patients stopping the drug for one reason or another with only about a third still taking the drug at the end of two years. Injectable gold has been used for about 50 years to treat patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and the new pill gets away from the "undesirable" aspect of having to receive injections, Dr. Thomspon said. There are no cures for arthritis but there are some drugs 'that can relieve the pain and discomfort associated with the disease. By Wendy Somerville Arthritis is Canada's number one chronic disease. It affects more than three million Canadians and about 30,000 of them are children under 15. Nearly one million people are from 30 to 45 years old. The word arthritis comes from two Greek words; ARTHRON - meaning joint and ITIS - meaning inflammation. Therefore, any condition which causes in- flammation of joints is correctly called ar- thritis. Medical science has shown us that there are more than 100 causes of arthritis or more than 100 different kinds of ar- thritis. In order to understand arthritis you must first understand the function of the joint, for that is where the disease most often strikes. Joints are extremely important to every human being because they permit move- ment. Without them, you'd be unable to sit, stand, walk, run, jump, pick up objects or perform any other function that involves bending, stretching or twisting. A joint is the point at which two bones meet within the body. Supported by muscles and tendons it permits movement up, down and sideways. All joints are enclosed within a capsule; a sacklike structure made up of a tough fibrous tissue that is attached to the ends of the bones and helps keep the joint together and in place. A soft, cushionlike material lines this capsule and provides the all-important lubrication to keep the joint moving. This lining is called the "synovial mem- brane". The fluid located in this mem- brane is called the "synovial fluid". If you did not have this lubricating fluid, you would be unable to move. Unfortunately science has not been able to artificially duplicate this fluid. Arthur Hallam of Vanastra has rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most com- mon forms of arthritis. It usually strikes between the ages of 20 and 50, although it can hit at an earlier age. Arthur is 74 and has had this disease for the past decade. In rheumatoid arthritis, the process of literal self-destruction of the synovial lin- ing is usually apparent. Cells of the lining, running rampant, begin to eat way at the cartilage protecting the ends of the bone. Ultimately, if left unchecked, it can com- pletely destroy the cartilage and leave microscopic chips floating in the synovial fluid. tllrthur first went to the doctor about eigh years ago, complaining of sore finger joints. "When Doctor Baker first looked at my hands he said 'my goodness you have rheumatoid arthritis'", chuckled Arthur. "And then they started me on the hot wax." Hot wax treatments involve the patient dipping his hands into steaming wax in order to apply warmth to the inflamed joints. Like rubbing your hands, warmth temporarily eases the pain by increasing and reducing swelling. j Today rheumatoid arthritis patients are aggressively treated by doctors much earlier in the course of the disease than they were 10 or 20 years ago. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of several Bluewater Blind and CNIB hold visual aid display... • from page 1 Monopoly and Checkers in brail. A talking book machine also received a lot of at- tention. Blind people can now hear their favorite books on tapes recorded by professional radio people. The tape library includes over 3,000 books. The talking calculator turned a few heads. This machine can provide six functions. It tells you: It's time to get up; the time; it's time for your appointment; it's time for your meeting; it's time to go and for those who need a reminder to let their dogs in, it can be set to bark! It's main purpose of course, is being used as a calculator. A number of cooking aids for visually impaired people were on display. Calendars and playing cards were printed in larger sizes. YOU COULD WIN 2 BEAUTIFUL DATSUNS! MAXIMA TRIAI\IF-3 LE ISCDUNLm 172 THE SQUARE, GODERICH; MAIN CORNER.kLINTON; MAIN CORNER. SEAFORTH ADORN HAIRSPRAY 400 ml, $49 ONLY 1/ TONI PERMS NLY GILLETTE TRAC II 5's ATRA BLADES S's $1 69 ONLY • SOFT 'N DRY, OR, RIGHT GUARD ANTIPERSPIRANT 20o $229 ONLY • 399 CRICKET � LIGHTERS ONLY 79 FOAMY SHAVE CREAM $ 9 19 ONLY ,411 SILKIENCE SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER TWIN PACK 200 nal. $ 59 ONLY 0 LIGHTWAVES PERMS COMPLETE KIT $3 99 NLY In summing up the success of the visual - aid service, Mrs. Day said it has improved a lot over the years. "The serviceis ce by better. Before people had to go to Torohto to get help. Now, we usually get requests from physicians to visit patients in their home," she said. el s pe diseases which have similar characteristics of joint pain and are known as "collagen vascular" diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis patients suffer with pain and swelling of finger joints or toes and then swelling in larger joints such as knees and shoulders. A patient often finds the major joints are stiff and painful in the morning, but improve with increas- ed activity through the day. It is estimated that rheumatoid arthritis affects over three per cent off the population and 10 per cent of those are over the age of 65. Physiotherapists aim to help you by restoring muscle power and joint mobility with exercise. They may use heat or cold in various forms or use the support of water to make it easy to exercise. It wasn't until the winter of '82 that Ar- • thur first found out about swimming as a means of easing the pain. A friend who works at the Vanastra Recreation Centre's nursery and a doctor, coaxed Arthur into joining the swim program available at the centre. "Last winter I couldn't get along without my canes, now I guess swimming is a big help because I haven't used them since," he said. "I've been going for about four months now and the pain isn't half as bad as it was before." Sandy Fremlin, Special Needs Coor- dinator and Secretary Instructor at the Vanastra Recreation Centre is the present instructor of the Arthritis swim program. She said that a few arthritic people come out every week, and that most of the par- ticipants are finding the exercise helpful. `Arthur swears his ankles have loosened up just from exercising in the pool," she said. The majority of the arthritic exercises ' conducted at the centre are for above the waist. This way there is a stress on the shoulder, elbow, neck and waist muscles and joints. Sept. 19, marked the first of ten sessions to be conducted once a week. Sandy Fremlin had her students march back and forth like soldiers, lifting their knees as high as they could. One exercise was similar to a ballerina's bar routine. Students had to lean against the pool's side, while lifting their legs back, to the side and to the front. Sandy was always on hand to assist the students if they ran into difficulties. Though there were seven students, each one was able to receive individual atten- tion if they had any difficulties. At the end of the exercise session, Sandy said that if the class members complained of any problem in any joint, she would do an exercise in class focussing on their par- ticular problem. According to Sandy, "the exercise ses- sions are a real social event." a chance for arthritis victims to come together and share their complaints and triumphs helps in the struggle to overcome the disease. Sandy gives the participants time at the end of the class to work on their own. She noted, " Teaching the pupils different ex- ercises according to their needs helps them so that they can practise what they've learned at the end of class." • Non -swimmers have to be taught in a different manner than those who swim. "Non -swimmers have to wear special flotation jackets, so I have to base their ex- ercises accordingly," explained Sandy. Sandy said that she can only do so much to help, "it is up to them to practise regularly on their own for the exercises to benefit them." Though Arthur finds the swimming helpful both physically and mentally, he still has time to rest and relax in his small Vanastra bungalow. He shares his home with his sister-in-law, whose husband died DELUXE TOURS "LIBERACE" IN CHICAGO—Oct. 14-17 (4 days) Includes "transportation •3 nights superior accommodation 'baggage handling •taxes & tips on hotel •top priced ticket "Liberace" •Friday and Sunday night dinner •Saturday night dinner theatre featuring "Annie" •taxes & grat. on meals *admission to Vatican collection •Guided tour Chicago •deluxe Blue Cross coverage "escorted throughout. DOUBLE $399.00 P.P. "ENGELBERT" IN CLEVELAND—Oct, 15-17 (3 days) Includes *transportation •2 nights accommodation •baggage handling •dinner theatre featuring "Oklahoma" •top priced ticket "Engelbert" •dinner same evening •Monday lunch •taxes & grat. on hotel and meals •deluxe Blue Cross coverage *escorted throughout. DOUBLE $219.00 P.P. ERIE FEATURING °°MILLCREEIB MALL°°—November 11-13 (3 days) Includes •transportation •2 nights accommodation •baggage handling *taxes & tips on hotel and meals •1 lunch •1 dinner •buffet breakfast •top priced theatre ticket "Show Boat" •shopping excursion •deluxe Blue Cross coverage 'escorted throughout. DOUBLE $199.00 P.P. LAS VEGAS—November 17-20 and February 23-26 (4 days) Includes *round trip motorcoach to Detroit •non-stop return air fare *complimentary in flight meals •round trip transfers between airport and hotel *baggage handling 03 nights accommodation at Holiday Inn, centre strip *discount coupons •all taxes •all gratuities •deluxe Blue Cross coverage *cancellation insurance •escorted. DOUBLE $999.00 P.P. TOLEDO FEATURING "OLIVER" — November 13-20 (3 days) Includes •transportation •2 nights accommodation •Friday night dinner theatre "Saturday night dinner & drink *hotel & meal taxes & grat. "brunch and tour Meadowbrook Hall 'baggage handling •deluxe Blue Cross coverage *escorted throughout. DOUBLE $09000 P.P. NIA . RA ICE ; ASTLES—December 2-4 (3 days) In •es *transportation •2 nights superior accommodation *baggage handling •2 dinners •1 brunch •toxek & grat. on hotel and meals "Ice Castle show all admissions •tour of lights •shopping "deluxe Blue Cross coverage •escorted throughout. DOUBLE $199.00 P.P. ADVENT CHEER—December 9-12 (4 days) Includes "transportation •3 nights accommodation 'baggage handling •taxes & grat. on hotel & meals •3 breakfasts •3 dinners •wine & cheese party *admission to Winterthur Mansion 'admission to Longwood Gardens •night light tour of Bethlehem •admission to Christmas Village •Las Vegas revue show •shopping •deluxe Blue Cross coverage *escorted throughout. DOUBLE $329.00 P.P. CRUISE "M/S NORDIC PRINCE°' — December 10-10 and January 7-14 Includes •London •Detroit •Nassau, Bahamas *San Juan, Puerto Rico •St..Thomos, Virgin Islands "transfers to and from Detroit airport *return airfare Detroit/Miami *airport taxes •transfers to and from Miami airport and pier •"A" deck - inside stateroom •twin accommodation •port taxes all meals and activities on board ship •deluxe Blue Cross coverage 'U.S. exchange •escorted throughout. DOUBLE '1595.00 P.P. SPAIN—(30 days) January 7 -February S Includes "transfers to and from Toronto International Airport *return air Toronto/Malaga, Spain ',departure taxes •baggage handling •transfers to and from Fuengirolo and Malaga •28 nights accommodation at the Las Palmeras Hotel •doily continental breakfast •daily dinner °taxes & grat, for hotel and meals •deluxe Blue Cross coverage *escorted throughout. TWIN $1199.00 P.P. FOR MORE INFORMATION - CALL Fol OUR BROCHURES. 363 Tall of ('tit girt p PHONE 434.374q OUT OF TOWf.IEPS CACI COtitCt hinter ch.rgit VISA CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1983—PAGE 3 le cspe wi a while ago. Arthur's second wife passed away about two years ago, so he finds the companionship extremely important. According to the Arthritis Society, a per- son who suffers from active arthritis should live by the idea of moderation in everything. This is particularly true with physical activity. They should be reasonably active so that joints do not stif- fen up, but at the same time, they should also ensure that they get adequate physical rest. In other words, try to lead as normal a life as possible. Arthur has all kinds of gadgets to aid him with his everyday tasks. Through visits to London's Arthritic Society and chats with Stephanie Baldwin, the staff physiotherapist, Arthur now owns items like a specially designed button hook that helps him button his shirts and coats. He also owns a rubber triangle object with a hole that runs right through the middle and allows pens and pencils to slide through. This makes the pens and pencils thicker and therefore easier to handle. A tip from the Arthritis Society is to wrap a foam curler around the pen. They also suggest the purchase of inexpensive battery operated pencil sharpeners to avoid stress to wrists. Arthur also has elastic shoe laces in his shoes, this allows his feet to slip in and out easier. Other gadgets available to arthritic pa- tients are: angled toothbrushes, long - handled combs, electric or battery - riffs powered manicure units, raised toilet seats, and specially designed knives that bend at the blade. All these items aid the patient with his everyday tasks that seem effortless to the non -arthritic. There are all kinds of drugs, equipment and exercises to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis but unfortunately, there is nothing to free pa- tients from the depression. According to the Arthritis Society, the psychological effects of arthritis vary in different people. In the early stages, most people are fearful and anxious about what will happen to them, how their lives will be affected and tow bad the pain will be. Young people often attempt to deny the presence of their arthritis. Another reac- tion eartion is frustration, irritability and anger at the difficulty or time it takes to do simple tasks. Depression and withdrawal from society may occur in patients with chronic arthritis, especially if pain is prolonged and sleep difficult. Most people with ar- thritis, however, learn to cope with their disabilities and remain cheerful and outgo- ing. Arthur will admit that he went through some bad times in the beginning and every now and then the feelings come back, but now he just smiles and shrugs his shoulders and gets ready to go to swim class with Sandy and his friends. "It'll be a while before I can go to the Olympics, but it won't be long before I can beat Sandy in a race!" laughed Arthur. Opening Special! 2.0111 tNES,R S'� MEMS ME9 EN ESI 00 p��,�C WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 COMPARE! *Free Estimates - quality Workmanship *Low Labour Rate - 98.00 per hour *Proprietor: Wayne Andrews, employed in the Auto Body business in the Clinton area for the past 7 years. \Xrw\\N‘ OUNTRY ON HIGHWAY NO. 4 - 1'/2 MILES NORTH OF BRUCEFIELD (FORMERLY DON'S AUTO BODY) OPEN 8 AM -5 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY 482-9809 Town of Clinton PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TAKE -NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Clinton will hold a publlt meeting on November 7, 19113 at 7:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers to consider a proposed zoning by-law amendment under section 34 of the Planning Act. The proposed zoning by-law amendment would change the zone category of 5.7 hectares of land as shown in the attached sketch, from Zone • (General Industrial) to Zones 2, 4, & 5 to permit single family residential (Zone 2), multiple family residential (Zone 4) and Commercial (Zone 5). ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed zoning by-law amendment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed zoning by-law amendment is available at the Town offices during normal business hours. DATED AT THE TOWN OF CLINTON SEPTEMBER 26, 1983 c) 0 15 0 C 0 0 r LiI fl,,.: - \\ \. _ -- N. 1, P ____1=111\II•P„\\ ___ _ \ \— ___ \ \ \-- — - - \_____‘9\\••\ )\-- - -\ 1 N_ \ \-- —>p::\ ----L_ I, ! C.C.Proctor Clerk, Town of Clinton 1319) 482-3997 ARFA RFZONFD '17' I s,NSLr FAMILY RFSIDENTIAI I AREA RE7ONED Z4 (MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIALI LiIIi ARFA RF ZONE 29 (COMMERCIAL) 0