6 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2015
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
What is
COPD?
DEAR DR. ROACH: Please help me
to understand what COPD means. — S.
ANSWER: “COPD” stands for
“chronic obstructive pulmonary dis-
ease.” “Chronic” means that it is long-
lasting, and “obstructive” means the air-
flow in and out of the lungs is
decreased. The three subtypes of COPD
are chronic bronchitis, emphysema and
chronic obstructive asthma. These con-
ditions usually are progressive. COPD
is the third leading cause of death in the
U.S.
Chronic bronchitis is a chronic pro-
ductive cough (specifically, lasting
three months or more in two successive
years). Smoking is far and away the
leading cause of chronic bronchitis in
the developed world, but home cooking
fires are the cause in developing
nations.
“Emphysema” means the destruction
of the walls of the airways, causing
abnormal, permanently enlarged air
spaces. Smoking is again the leading
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Avoid adding to the tension around
you. Even a well-meant reaction
against something you perceive as
unfair could be misunderstood. Let
things calm down, and then talk about
it.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s
a good time for romance for unat-
tached Bovines, and a good time for
reinforcing the bonds between part-
ners. Children’s needs are important
during the latter part of the week.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A
compliment from a surprising source
sends you wafting way up into the
clouds, where — sorry to say — your
view of what’s going on is obscured.
Come on down and face some reality.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Even
cause of emphysema, but a genetic con-
dition, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency,
can bring about both emphysema and
liver disease. People with this uncom-
mon disorder sometimes mistakenly are
assumed to be smokers.
Asthma is a common condition that
is highly variable from person to per-
son. Most people have reversible
obstruction to the airway with exacerba-
tions of asthma, but some people have a
degree of obstruction all the time, and
they are considered to have COPD.
COPD typically causes cough and
shortness of breath, especially with
activity. COPD often has exacerbations,
which may be associated with infec-
tions, that cause worsening of symp-
toms, frequently requiring treatment,
including hospitalization. Treatment for
COPD is to remove any known cause
(usually smoking, even secondhand
smoke). Medicines to reduce inflamma-
tion (especially inhaled steroids) often
are used, as are medicines to relax the
muscles inside airways to relieve
obstruction. In severe cases, oxygen is
necessary. Lung surgery or transplanta-
tion is rarely used.
The booklet on COPD explains both
emphysema and chronic bronchitis in
detail. Readers can obtain a copy by
writing: Dr. Roach — No. 601W, 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 4-6 weeks for delivery.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have
Parkinson’s disease. Although my med-
ication is still working, it’s not as effec-
tive as it was. I have heard that this is
the time to consider stem-cell treatment.
Can you tell me if this is a good idea?
— S.A.
ANSWER: Parkinson’s disease is
caused by the loss of neurons (nerve
calls) in a portion of the brain called the
substantia nigra. Stem cells are early,
unspecialized cells, capable of differen-
tiating into any kind of cell. The theory
with stem-cell treatment is that the stem
cells will go into the affected part of the
brain and take on the role of the dam-
aged or destroyed cells. Some early
work has been promising.
In my view, the technology is not yet
ready for widespread clinical use. I
don’t recommend it. There are many
new medications for Parkinson’s dis-
ease, and I have recommended non-
pharmacologic therapy, including exer-
cise, several times. I strongly recom-
mend evaluation by an expert, prefer-
ably a neurologist experienced in
Parkinson’s disease.
A reader recently wrote to tell me
that treatment of his vitamin D deficien-
cy greatly relieved his Parkinson’s
symptoms.
a family-loving person like you some-
times can feel you’re at the end of the
line with contentious kinfolk. But
things can work out. Remember that
it’s better to talk than walk.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) A job-
related move might hold more positive
surprises than you’d expected. Go into
it with confidence, and look for all the
advantages it offers. Then decide what
you’ll do with what you find.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Driving yourself too hard to get
something done on a deadline you set
up can backfire. Ease into a more real-
istic finish date, and add more breaks
to your work schedule.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Your sense of humor can brighten
any dark period, and your laughter can
dispel those gray clouds swirling
around you. The weekend presents a
surprising but welcome change.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Be careful about the
words you use, especially in touchy
situations. The old Chinese saying that
the spoken word is silver, but the
unspoken gold could well apply here.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Some facts could
emerge to shed light on unresolved
past problems. What you learn also
might help explain why a once-warm
relationship suddenly cooled down.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Don’t let your pride get in
the way of checking into what could be
a great new opportunity. Get the facts
first, and worry about procedure and
protocol later.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) A health problem in the
family might have other relatives
assuming that, as before, you’ll take
over the health-care duties. Surprise
them and insist they share in the care-
taking.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
A series of changes can be unsettling,
but in the long run, it can pay off with
new perspectives on what you plan to
do. Keep your mind open to the possi-
bilities that might well lie ahead.
Siuslaw N ews
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