Seminar Explores Fibromyalgia

A seminar, “New Frontiers in Fibromyalgia,” will be given Thursday, Sept. 21, in Coeur d’Alene’s North Idaho College Auditorium.

Little is known about the origins of fibromyalgia and there are no standard tests to diagnose it. It sneaks up on its victims and often debilitates them with pain, muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, chest pains and a variety of other symptoms.

Two of disease’s foremost researchers, Dr. I. Jon Russell of the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Dr. Jorge D. Flechas of North Carolina, will be guest speakers at the seminar.Flechas will discuss his theory of how he thinks people are stricken with fibromyalgia. Whereas most medical literature says the ailment is a rheumatological illness, Flechas believes it has metabolic roots and feels there might be a connection between fibromyalgia and low-thyroid disease.

The five-hour seminar costs $15.

For more information or to register, call Holy Family Hospital’s Women’s Health Center, 482-2477; or, in Idaho, call the Hanford Health Information Network, (208) 667-5320.

Hearing loss seminar

Empire Health Services will sponsor an afternoon seminar centering on hearing loss at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday at the Deaconess Health and Education Center, 800 W. Fifth.

Dr. Neil Giddings will discuss medical techniques for the treatment of hearing loss, and ways to avoid hearing loss. Call 624-7770.

Childbirth class

Group Health Northwest will conduct a seven-week class, “Birthwise,” for expectant parents starting Tuesday at the Group Health Northwest Riverfront Medical Center, 322 W. North River Drive.

The cost per couple is $50 for Group Health subscribers, and $60 for non-subscribers. Call 459-1086.