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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Every minute
counts during
heart attack
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have read
that if you think you are having a heart
attack, you should put an aspirin
under your tongue to help it dissolve
fast and therefore thin your blood. Is
this true? Does it somehow adversely
affect any medicine the hospital might
want to administer?
Would it be the same to swallow
powder versus a tablet under your
tongue? Goody’s powder has caffeine
in it. Does this make it better or worse
in the case of a heart attack? — G.A.
ANSWER: Yes, it is true that
aspirin is among the very first treat-
ments given by paramedics for some-
one with a suspected heart attack. The
fastest way of it being effective is to
use a 325-mg regular, uncoated
aspirin, and to chew and swallow it.
Every minute counts during a heart
attack, and chewing the tablet speeds
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A hec-
tic period begins to wind down. Take
time to draw some deep breaths and
relax before getting into your next proj-
ect. A long-absent family member
makes contact.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
You’re eager to move forward with a
new challenge that suddenly dropped in
your lap. But you’d be wise to take this
one step at a time to allow new devel-
opments to come through.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You’re
almost ready to make a commitment. A
lingering doubt or two, however, should
be resolved before you move ahead. An
associate could provide important
answers.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Caution is still the watchword as you
up effectiveness by about six minutes.
I think you may be confusing aspirin
with nitroglycerine, which is absorbed
under the tongue and should be
administered only by the paramedic or
a doctor if you haven’t had it before.
Aspirin is very important and does not
interfere with the other medications
used.
If you really think you are having a
heart attack, call 911 first, then take
the aspirin. You still should take it
even if you regularly take a baby
aspirin. Tell the paramedics that you
took it and when. I wouldn’t recom-
mend using a preparation with caf-
feine.
READERS: Every year, over 1.5
million Americans suffer heart attacks
— more than a third are fatal. You can
play an essential role in surviving and
even preventing a heart attack. To
learn more, order the booklet Heart
Attack by writing: Dr. Roach — No.
102w, 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: Nine weeks
ago, my 76-year-old dad went to
Punta Cana in the Dominic Republic
for a two-week vacation. On the sec-
ond day there, he began having diar-
rhea, and it has persisted since then.
He has lost 15 pounds (and was not
overweight to start).
He went to a GI doctor, who
ordered a single stool culture for ova
and parasites, giardia, shiga, campy-
lobacter, salmonella, shigella and C
diff (toxin B screen cytotoxin), which
all were negative. He will occasional-
ly vomit. He has not had a fever or
abdominal pain. Many foods cause
violent symptoms, something that
never happened before. The GI doctor
recommended probiotics, which is
being followed.
The GI doctor says he is stumped,
and has now started him on a lactose-
free diet. We need some resolution to
this. What are your thoughts? What
else can be done to find out what is
wrong? Any help would be greatly
appreciated. — B.I.
ANSWER: Normally, we would
repeat the stool cultures, since ova and
parasites especially can be missed on
one. Most specialists recommend
three cultures.
I agree with the lactose-free diet
and probiotics for now. If it persists,
he should probably get an upper and
lower endoscopy as well.
move closer toward a decision about a
new situation. If you act too fast, you
might miss some vital warning signs.
Go slowly and stay alert.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your
new goal looks promising, and your
golden touch does much to enhance its
prospects for success. In your private
life, Cupid does his best to make your
new relationship special.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) That impatient side of yours is look-
ing to goad you into moving before
you’re ready to take that big step. Stay
calm and cool. Let things fall into place
before you act.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A legal matter you hoped could
finally be settled could be a pesky prob-
lem for a while, until all the parties
agree to stop disagreeing with each
other. Be patient.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) Partnerships — personal or profes-
sional — which began before the new
year take on new importance. They also
reveal some previously hidden risks. So
be warned.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Your associates are firm-
ly on your side, and that persistent prob-
lem that has caused you to delay some
activities should soon be resolved to
your satisfaction.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Favorable changes contin-
ue to dominate, and you should be
responding positively as they emerge.
Someone wants to become more
involved in what you’re doing.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) A friend wants to share a
secret that could answer some questions
you’ve wondered about for a long time.
Meanwhile, travel aspects continue to
be strong.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Stay on your new course despite so-
called well-meaning efforts to discour-
age you. Rely on your deep sense of
self-awareness to guide you to do
what’s right for you.
Siuslaw N ews
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