6 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2015
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Psoriasis can
precede psoriatic
arthritis
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 77-
year-old male. I had to stop playing
golf about two years ago due to joint
pain. I had psoriasis from age 15 until
I was 40. I am retired from the Navy
and had to be hospitalized twice dur-
ing my time in service due to my skin.
Why it disappeared at age 40, I don’t
know. Is it possible that I could have
psoriatic arthritis? One doctor I saw
said that I had to have psoriasis in
order to get it. I saw that you said that
sometimes the arthritis shows up
before the skin lesions. Can it show up
after you have quit having the lesions?
— Anon.
ANSWER: Indeed, psoriatic arthri-
tis can show up years after psoriasis
starts and when there are no skin
lesions. Often, pits in the nails or other
nail changes are seen in those with
psoriatic arthritis.
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Some flashes of Aries ire might erupt
as you confront an unusually bewil-
dering situation. But you should be
able to keep your temper under con-
trol as you work through it.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
That marriage ‘twixt the arts and prac-
ticality that Taureans excel at once
again highlights your enjoyment of
much of the week. However, you need
to watch any sudden urge to splurge.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Even
with all the plusses apparently out-
weighing the minuses, you still might
want to defer an important decision to
make sure you have all the facts you
need.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) One
or two problems might threaten to
However, having psoriasis doesn’t
protect you from other types of arthri-
tis, such as osteoarthritis or rheuma-
toid arthritis. Since psoriatic arthritis
is so destructive, you should see an
expert, perhaps a rheumatologist.
The arthritis booklet discusses
rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and
lupus. Readers can order a copy by
writing: Dr. Roach — No. 301W, 628
Virginia Drive Orlando, FL 32803.
Enclose a check or money order (no
cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with
the recipient’s printed name and
address. Please allow four weeks for
delivery.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Do varicose
veins in the leg still return blood?
Does circulation diminish if they are
removed? Should the elderly avoid
removal? What if a vena cava filter
exists for a one-time DVT 25 years
ago? — S.S.
ANSWER: Varicose veins are
dilated veins. They are very common,
especially as we get older, and they
seem to run in families. They often
come because of leaky valves inside
the veins. A previous blood clot is a
risk factor, and a filter may make vari-
cose veins and clots somewhat more
likely.
They do continue to function,
returning blood. They should be treat-
ed conservatively, with leg elevation,
exercise and compression, such as
using pressure stockings. I seldom
recommend more-aggressive therapy,
but if they are symptomatic (pain,
tightness, skin irritation) despite a
good trial of conservative treatment,
they can be treated with laser or
radiofrequency ablation, by injecting
medication into or around them, or by
vein stripping. A vascular surgeon is
the expert on these treatments.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 63-
year-old male who had a subarach-
noid hemorrhage in 2008. The source
of the bleed could not be found, and
fortunately I came out of it in good
shape, with no adverse effects. My
doctor prescribed diclofenac [an
NSAID] for joint and muscle pain,
and it does help. Do you see a prob-
lem with this, considering that it thins
the blood? — T.O.M.
ANSWER: Since the aneurism
wasn’t repaired, I would not recom-
mend taking the NSAID unless your
consulting neurosurgeon has specifi-
cally told you that it is safe to do so. I
wouldn’t be brave enough to prescribe
it without that OK, even though there
is some evidence saying it may be
safe.
derail otherwise smoothly running sit-
uations at work or at home. But a few
well-placed words should help get
things back on track quickly.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) This
could be a good time for all you Leos
and Leonas in the spotlight to open
your generous Lion’s hearts and share
the glory with those who helped you
accomplish so much along the way.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) You might want to get advice
from someone who’s been there and
knows these situations better than you
do, before investing time or money
(or both) in a questionable matter.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Be careful how you handle a
workplace matter that seems out of
place in the schedule you’ve prepared.
Before you act, one way or another,
find out who set it up and why.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Your entertainment
aspect is strong this week. Besides
providing a wonderful break from
everyday obligations, sharing fun
times brings you closer to those you
care for.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Having a weekend fun
fest? Your friend or relative who’s
down in the emotional dumps could
perk up if you find a way to include
him or her in your plans.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) If you’re in one of those
“the Goat knows best” periods, you
might want to ease up and try listen-
ing to what others have to say. You
could learn something.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) That new challenge is
getting closer, and you should be out
there now showing facts and figures
to potential allies to help persuade
them to rally to your support. Good
luck.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Getting a head start on holiday plans
could help free up some time later to
spend on other projects. Meanwhile, a
colleague has some ideas that you
might find worth discussing.
Siuslaw News
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