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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2015)
SIUSLAW NEWS z SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Premature heartbeats are extremely common DEAR DR. ROACH: I went to a walk-in clinic because I had chest pain. They did an EKG and saw extra beats (PVCs). They recommended I go to a cardiologist, and he put me on a heart monitor, which showed that I had 5,000 extra beats within 24 hours. He had me come back in two weeks and did an echocardiogram (heart muscles are perfect) and heart monitor (still extra beats). He did a stress test, and it was normal. He has no idea why I have extra beats. I have a feeling they have been going on for a long period of time, because when the nurse asked me if I could feel them while she was doing the echo, it felt like a flutter, and I had been feeling them for at least a year (I didn’t know what it was). He has me coming back to see him in three months. Can you give me some SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You need to be certain that all the right conditions are in place before you take that first step. It can’t hurt to listen to good advice from those who have your best interests at heart. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Be careful not to get involved in other people’s disputes unless you know the facts behind the disagreements. That’s the best way to be assured of making wise and honest decisions. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You still need to be careful about how you’re going to spend those energy reserves you finally got around to restoring. Best advice: Avoid overdo- ing it. Let things take their course. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your aspect continues to favor travel — alone or with that special person. So if insight? — D.J. ANSWER: Premature beats are very common, almost universal, and come in two types: premature atrial beats (PACs) and premature ventric- ular beats (PVCs). These can happen in people with perfectly normal hearts, but your cardiologist did exactly the recommended tests, including an EKG, echocardiogram and stress test. This is to be sure your heart function and blood flow are normal. Since they are, you don’t need to do anything about it unless the fluttering sensation is bothering you. There are several mechanisms for PVCs. The electrical system of the heart can develop a kind of short-cir- cuit, called a re-entry loop, which is the most common cause. Individual heart muscle cells also can trigger a premature beat. If you desire treatment, the usual treatment is a beta blocker, which can reduce symptoms. Other medications also are used. In cases where medica- tions don’t work, radio waves can be used to stop the areas of the heart where the extra beats arise. The booklet on abnormal heart rhythms explains atrial fibrillation and the more common heart-rhythm disturbances in greater detail. Readers can obtain a copy by writ- ing: Dr. Roach — No. 107W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. 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: About two years ago, I had terrible pain on the top part of the left side of my head. It also felt very warm. I went to my doctor, who diagnosed it as shingles and treated me with gabapentin. I can’t recall how long I took the pills, but eventually he told me to wean myself off of them. My question is: Did I really have shingles? I had the pain, but no sores or blisters. — T.K. ANSWER: There is a condition called zoster sine herpete, which means “zoster without the blisters.” I have seen cases where the pain pre- cedes the blisters by months — once by 18 months — but I haven’t per- sonally seen a case where the blisters never show. Still, given your history, I think there’s a very good chance that your doctor was right. you’ve been putting off making those getaway plans, it’s still a good time to get started on them. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Those so-called golden opportunities that continue to dazzle the Lion still need to be carefully checked out. Be suspi- cious about anything that looks like the “perfect” prospect. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Changes at the workplace could make it more difficult to do things the way you prefer. But the wise Virgo who shows some flexibility could find it paying off in a big way. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might want to check out the explanation you were given for a sud- den shift in your duties. There’s a pos- sibility that you haven’t been told all the facts that you deserve to know. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Having confidence in your abilities is important, especially when you could be facing a new chal- lenge, whether it’s in the workplace or in a personal relationship. Good luck. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A new work-related opportunity might not be all that it seems. Before making any decisions, you might want to check with others who have had some experience in that area. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A situation involving someone close could benefit from your timely intervention. Avoid being judgmental. There’ll be plenty of time later for those “little talks” you like to have. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Travel could be a sur- prise element in that new project. Be prepared for other previously undis- closed aspects that also might come to light as you proceed with the work. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Try to balance your work-related responsibilities with the time you’re spending on your recently revived social life. An old friend might be planning to return after a long absence. Call us today to find out why we continue to pay the best interest in town. Personal Interest. 5 B S i u s l a w N e w s ! AD IT DAY E R TO 777 Hwy. 101, Florence 997-3486
