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SIUSLAW NEWS z SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Sleep medications
linked to falls
DEAR DR. ROACH: You’ve dis-
cussed sleep aids and your belief that
it is best to get off all of this type of
medication. I am healthy, 75 (take no
meds), exercise with weights, do
swimming and running regularly, and
since 2007 have been taking an over-
the-counter sleep aid called doxy-
lamine nightly with no apparent side
effects. Do you see a problem with
continuing? — A.B.
ANSWER: Unfortunately, I do see
a problem. Odds are that you won’t
have a problem taking this medica-
tion; it’s cheap and is effective for
you. However, there is unequivocal,
abundant, incontrovertible evidence
that antihistamines like doxylamine
or diphenhydramine increase fall
risk. If you drive, they increase acci-
dent risk. They also can cause confu-
sion.
Although the benefit to you from
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Having second thoughts could be a
good thing, even if you’re determined
to go through with your plans. You
might find it worthwhile to take a
fresh look at how things have been set
up.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Financial matters could continue to be
a problem until you’re able to
straighten out some of the more pesky
situations. Once that happens, the rest
should be easier to unsnarl.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
Family matters once again take center
stage, and should be dealt with com-
petently and quickly. And, again,
insist on others taking on their fair
share of the responsibilities.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Your creative pursuits seem to be run-
ning into a roadblock. But rather than
quitting is small, if I can get enough
people to minimize their sleep med-
ications, I know I will prevent some
falls. Falls are so often the first step
in a progression from health to dis-
ability that I want to do all I can to
prevent them.
Adequate lighting in the house at
nighttime, especially between the
bedroom and bathroom, avoiding
obstructions like area rugs and the
addition of stairway railings and tub
grab bars all help reduce fall risk.
Exercise programs — like the kind
you are doing, but also tai chi — are
great at preventing falls. So is getting
your eyes checked.
No single one of these interven-
tions can prevent all falls. All of them
together will prevent many. Your
medication list, even a simple over-
the-counter sleeping aid, is the best
place to start looking to reduce risk of
falls.
DEAR DR. ROACH: My dad has
an extreme case of COPD and is on
oxygen. He gets winded just walking
across the house. Dad lives in
Montana; I live in Florida and would
like him to come visit me during the
cold Montana winters. I have heard
that it would be easier for him to
breathe at a lower altitude. But peo-
ple have told him that if he comes to
Florida, he would never be able to go
back to Montana because he would-
n’t be used to the altitude any longer.
Is this true? — D.W.
ANSWER: The lower oxygen lev-
els at high altitude, like some cities in
Montana, can be a real problem for
people with any kind of chronic lung
disease. In those cases, supplemental
oxygen or a lower altitude can make
people feel better and even live
longer. Given that your dad is already
on oxygen, a lower altitude would be
similar to dialing up the oxygen a bit.
He may certainly prefer Florida’s
winters to Montana’s.
We begin to be accustomed to high
altitude in a few days, but full
acclimatization takes weeks. Your
dad will be able to return home after
his visit.
The booklet on COPD explains
both emphysema and chronic bron-
chitis, the two elements of COPD, in
detail. Readers can obtain a copy by
writing: Dr. Roach — No. 601W,
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 4-6
weeks for delivery.
blame outside factors, look within to
see if you might be holding back your
efforts for some reason.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Keep
that keen Cat’s Eye focused on rele-
vant aspects of this new situation in
your life. Don’t be distracted by triv-
ial matters. You need the pertinent
facts before making a decision.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) As much as you prefer doing
things on your own, continue to
accept help if you still need to resolve
the problem affecting your project.
Some cheerful news is about to come
your way.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) While you might begrudge the
added time it will take to get your
project from point A to B to C, etc.,
you could benefit from the facts that
will emerge over this expanded time
span.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Regarding your work-
place suggestions, be prepared to pro-
duce the facts to counter reactions
from skeptics who feel your approach
is unreasonable or even impossible.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Savvy Sagittarians will
look for work-related answers on
their own rather than rely on
unproved assumptions. It might take
more time to do so, but the payoff is
worth it.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Your aspects continue to
favor family issues, with special
emphasis this week on changes in and
around your home. Get everyone to
suggest what he or she would like to
see done.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) A matter you thought
had been settled might still produce
surprises. Best advice: Continue to
gather facts to bolster your position
just in case you need to produce them
quickly.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
While your instincts are usually right
when discerning ‘twixt truth and
deception, you could benefit from
doing more research on the new
“prospect” that you’ve been pitched.
S i u s l a w Ne w s
!
AD IT DAY
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TO
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