6 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Can heart
surgery cause
hot flashes?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had
hot flashes, similar to those experi-
enced by post-menopausal women,
ever since my coronary bypass in
1990. I can be sitting quietly in a chair
reading or at my computer, and sud-
denly I find myself dripping with per-
spiration. I also have had panic
attacks, with increased heart rate and
other physical symptoms. A few years
ago, a 24-hour EKG showed heart-
rhythm irregularities and that my
heart stopped briefly while asleep.
If these idiosyncrasies of my auto-
nomic nervous system are a conse-
quence of my time on the heart-lung
machine for the bypass, I’m not com-
plaining — just curious. You said that
studies have been done on almost
everything. Is this one? — W.S.B.
ANSWER: I found that a lot of
people complain of similar symp-
toms. I also found that indeed, the
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Guess what, Lamb? You’re about to
experience a new perspective on a sit-
uation you long regarded quite differ-
ently. What you learn could open more
opportunities later.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The
Bold Bovine is tempted to charge into
a new venture. But it might be best to
take things one step at a time so that
you know just where you are at any
given point.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It’s a
good time to go on that fun getaway
you’ve been planning. You’ll return
refreshed, ready and, yes, even eager
to tackle the new challenge that awaits
you.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The
Moon Child loves to fantasize about
autonomic nervous system (the part
of the nervous system that regulates
temperature, sweat, blood pressure
and many other critical aspects of
body function without our being con-
sciously aware of it) can be adversely
affected by cardiac surgery. Some
authors have suggested that the auto-
nomic nervous system changes are
one mechanism by which people are
more likely to have depression after
cardiac surgery. I found several possi-
ble explanations why the ANS
changes with bypass surgery, but no
clear consensus.
I would want to be sure that there
are no other causes of these symp-
toms. It sounds like you have had an
extensive evaluation, but I certainly
would be concerned about a sudden
fast heart rhythm, such as atrial fibril-
lation.
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 writing: Dr.
Roach — No. 107W, 628 Virginia
Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a
check or money order (no cash) for
$4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recip-
ient’s printed name and address.
Please allow four weeks for delivery.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I suffered a
long time with GERD. I was diag-
nosed with Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-
cancerous disease. My doctor recom-
mended a procedure called a Nissen
fundoplication. Since the procedure, I
have not had heartburn again. I would
do it again, after what I went through.
I get an endoscopy every two years to
keep an eye on my disease. — G.D.B.
ANSWER: Barrett’s esophagus is
a complication of longstanding
reflux. It is diagnosed when the lining
of the esophagus starts to look like the
lining of the stomach. Barrett’s
esophagus can progress to cancer of
the esophagus. About 0.2 percent of
those with Barrett’s per year will
develop cancer, which sounds low,
but if you live with the condition for
25 years, that’s about a 5 percent risk.
Surgery for reflux disease is done
only rarely. However, it is very effec-
tive (85 percent to 90 percent). The
most common reason to consider sur-
gery is inadequate relief from med-
ications and lifestyle changes.
However, severe erosions from acid
in the esophagus, inability to take
medications, a stricture (partial clo-
sure) of the esophagus and Barrett’s
esophagus are all reasons to consider
surgery. Surgery appears to reduce
the risk of cancer more than other
treatments.
magical happenings in the early part of
the week. But the sensible Crab gets
down to serious business by week’s
end.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) What
goes around comes around for those
lucky Leos and Leonas whose acts of
generosity could be repaid with oppor-
tunities to expand into new and excit-
ing areas of interest.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Your concern about your job
responsibilities is commendable. But
you need to take some quiet time to
share with someone who has really
missed being with you.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Aspects favor getting out and
meeting new people. And as a bonus,
you could find that some of your
newly made friends could offer impor-
tant business contacts.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) You might take pride in
wanting to do everything yourself. But
now’s a good time to ask family mem-
bers to help with a demanding person-
al situation.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Pay more attention to
the possibilities in that workplace
change. It could show the way to make
that long-sought turn on your career
path.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Your need to succeed
might overwhelm obligations to your
loved ones. Ease up on that workload
and into some well-deserved time with
family and friends.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Love rules for amorous
Aquarians who can make good use of
their ability to communicate feelings.
Don’t be surprised if they’re recipro-
cated in kind.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Fishing for compliments? No doubt,
you probably earned them. But it’s
best to let others believe they were the
ones who uncovered the treasure you
really are.
Siuslaw N ews
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AD IT DAY
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