IRRITABLE SYNDROME Tuesday, Now 7, 7:30 p.m. Eagle Ridge Hospital, Port Moody. Support group meet- ing for people with IBS. Family and friends are also weleome to attend. For fur- ther information contact 875- 4875. LECTURE ON BIOLOGI- CAL AGING Dr. Wikenheiser, a naturo- pathic doctor, will give a free public lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., at the Holiday Tan, North Vancouver. Call Tobias Aysslinger at 436- 6000, ext. 137 for informa- tion. ETHICS OF TOUCH PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION Establish and maintain appro- priate boundaries. An interac- tive and participatory. method of. exploring questions that arise in the direct care and support of people with dis- abilities. Wednesday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-noon, 3158 Mountain Highway, N.V. Iafo and RSVP to 985-5371. BOWEL STRESS AND BURNOUT: Saturday, Nov. 25,9 a.m.- noon. Create boundaries to keep yourself from’ burning out. $36. For more informa- - - tion call 763-2457. *B.C. SCHIZOPHRENIA ~ SOCIETY ‘North Shore Branch, Family ; Support. Centre, provides :. information and support for :., family and_ friends of those suffering severe mental illness. "4205-1865 Marine Dr., West - .. Van, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. or by appointment. Intormation: 926-0856, UBC RESEARCH Nine- to 12-vear-old girls with ADD/ADHD and their moms needed for a study on girls” behaviour with children. Questionnaires plus girls play a computer game. Honorarium and a UBC T- shirt given to participants. For further information call 822- 9037. SEAVIEW ADDICTION SERVICES Non-profit agency serving the residents of West and North Vancouver. They would be grateful for donations of the following: three area rugs, book shelves, pictures and plants, file cabinet(s), lamp(s), art supplies and toys, and a computer for word process ing. Contact Jason Warr at - HEALTH _- Cosmet HEALTH Canada issued a warning last month about coloured contact lenses. The government agency in consulta- tion with the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, the Canadian Association of Optometrists, the Opticians Association of Canada, the Retail Council of Canada and the Canadian Association of Chain Drugstores, is warning consumers of seri- aus safety concerns with the use of non- corrective coloured contact lenses, com- monly called “cosmetic” contacts. Health Canada acknowledges that ail contact lenses, whether prescription or non-prescription, might present the same health hazards. The potential risk of serious eye injury with prescription contact lenses is consid- ered minimal because the lenses are man- ufactured from approved materials, are properly fitted and are used under profes- sional supervision, according to Health Sunday, November 5, 2000 - North Shore News ~ 21 ¢ contacis risky Canada. Cosmetic contacts can be obtained off the- shelf, not fitted and used without pro- fessional eye-care supervision, Cosmetic contacts are currently not subject to the same health assessment as prescription contact lenses. As a result, they may pose a greater risk of injury, says Health Canada. These risks include: @ imerfeding with the flow of oxy; gen to the cornea. This can cause swelling and ulceration of the cornea which can lead to infection; @ causing the accumulation of debris, such as dirt or dust, under improperly fit- ting lenses that can damage the cornea and cause an infection; 8 reacting to the contact Jens solutions in an allergic way. Contaminating the lens with microor- ganisms can cause serious irritation or infection. An infection, also called ulcera- tive keratitis, can rapidly lead to blindness. Temporary changes in the shape of the cornea causes interference with vision, especially ar night. _ Cosmetic lenses are sold in: various - retail oudets, Consumers of cosmetic con- tact lenses should stop using them, according to the Health Canada warning. Users of cosmetic lenses should consult an eye-care professional immediately should they experience or have experienced any pain, irritation, redness, haziness or visual disturbance, Health Canada recommends that cos- metic lenses be used only under the super- vision of an cye-care professional. Wear time should be limited to the shortest duration possible. The lenses should never be worn while asleep, and cosmetic con- tact lenses should not be shared with oth- ers. For more information, consumers should contact their eye-care professional or the regional Health Canada office in Burnaby at 666-5003. Consumers: be wary of Internet health products POWDERED diet drinks, anti-depressant herbal tea, pain-relieving magnets — these are just a few of the many offers enticing consumers to purchase health and medical products over the Internet. As the popularity of'e-shop- ping grows, the Better Business Bureau of Mainland 8.C. (BBB) has’ witnessed a resur- gence of inquiries that raise alarm bells. - BBB spokesperson Valerie MacLean says these weight-loss products and medical products used to solicit primarily through mail order. Mail is still a popular method of solicita- tion but Internet promotions appear to be reaching a wide audience, said MacLean. MacLean explains the BBB doesn’t provide product refer- ences and, particularly in the medical field, is not qualified to judge the reliability of the products being offered. She said BBB expresses a concern for consumers purchasing products sight unseen, especial- ly when those praducts: can affect a person’s health. The BBB reminds con- sumers that regulation of phar- maceutical sales over the Internet. may be minimal. Many herbal treatments, which have ‘gained popularity as alter- natives to prescription drugs, are now recognized to contain. powerful medicines that shouldn’s be taken without the advice of a medical person. said MacLean. The BBB recommends the following to anyone surfing the net for health information or purchasin mail order: @ Get information from a reli- able source whose credentials can be verified. There are med- ical databases and journals accessible by the Web, but not all information posted carries the same weight. For example, a “ scientific study” by Dr. R. Smith at Eastern University would be more difficult to ver- ify than an article from the New England Journal of Medicine. - Wi Be wary of incredible perfor- mance claims or miracle cures. Remember the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probatly is.” Promised refunds or guarantees may be dificult “personal or impossible to obtain in the virtual world of e-shopping. M@ Use - local resources to research any planned purchase. A family doctor, specialist. or pharmacist can give advice on ealth and medications. The local library may carry informa- tion to support or refute other data. It’s also important to.. know if the product has been tested and cleared for use in this country by Health Canada. @ Be cautious about releasing personal medical history or any information, and’ never do so on an unsecured ~ Organic eee: + Produce ° Beet *< ‘Chicken ° ili * Breads _ i a att Spr Spring Lamb 3080 Lonsdale Ave. North. Vancouver . -Frax: 987-6155... 987-6644 le STORE HCURS _ MON TO FRI. SAM TO SPM SAT & SUN SAM TO 7PM TEL: