6 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Two heads
are best at
doctor’s visit
DEAR DR. ROACH: I always try
to accompany my husband when he
goes to the doctor. I feel that two
sets of ears are always better than
one. When his vitals are taken (e.g.,
weight, blood pressure), I have to
ask what they were, as they never
seem to volunteer this information. I
mention this because the last time
we were at the doctor’s office, I
asked what his weight was, because
he had just lost 10 pounds. The
nurse said it was 165, and I said
“really,” that was odd, as his shorts
were very loose on him. We took it
again, and she had transposed the
numbers. It was 156. This is a wake-
up call to all patients: They need to
be aware to ask these questions for
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) It
isn’t always easy for the rambunc-
tious Aries to give a second thought to
their often spur-of-the-moment choic-
es. But aspects favor rechecking a
decision before declaring it final.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Information emerges for the business-
driven Bovine who feels ready to
restart a stalled project. Be prepared
to make adjustments as needed at any
time during the process.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Part
of you wants to complete plans for an
upcoming event, while your other self
wants to see how things develop first.
Compromise by moving ahead with
your plans while being open to
change.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) An
unexpected change in a relationship
could open up a problem or could
their health and well-being. — C.W.
ANSWER: I agree with you com-
pletely, for several reasons. Doctors
and nurses make mistakes, but we
also don’t communicate as effec-
tively as we should some of the
time. We use words that people
don’t understand, talk too fast or too
quietly, and don’t spend the time we
need to making sure people know
what they should do to help them-
selves get better. I think having a
family member there is a great idea.
So is taking notes, and so is going
over what YOU understood the doc-
tor to say, to make sure you are both
on the same page.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have an
eye question. I am 84, and I have
mild hemorrhages in my left eye.
My doctor said this is due to old age,
and to just wait and see if it gets
worse. He did say that it could indi-
cate a prelude to a brain stroke-type
hemorrhage.
What can I do about this? I am
very concerned. Why are my blood
vessels so fragile? Does every old
person have this problem? — J.I.
ANSWER: I assume you mean a
hemorrhage in the white of your
eye, called a subconjunctival hem-
orrhage. These are very common,
can be seen easily in the mirror, and
they usually do not indicate
increased stroke risk. They are more
likely in people taking aspirin or
other anti-inflammatory drugs. They
also can come from even minor
trauma, as people in their 80s do
typically have somewhat more frag-
ile blood vessels.
If you have a retinal hemorrhage,
which he would see with an ophthal-
moscope in the back of the eye, that
indicates a more substantial risk for
stroke. Since the blood vessels in the
retina are essentially the same as
inside the brain, hemorrhage in the
retina predicts stroke. In that case,
your doctor would recommend very
careful control of any risk factors
you may have, especially blood
pressure, diabetes and smoking.
The booklet on stroke explains
this condition that is deservedly
feared by all. Readers can obtain a
copy by writing: Dr. Roach — No.
902, 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.
lead to a much-needed and too-long-
delayed reassessment of a number of
matters. The choice is yours to make.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Time
for the Lion to total the plusses and
minuses resulting from recent person-
al and/or professional decisions. See
what worked, what didn’t and why,
and base your next big move on the
results.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) The clever Virgo can make per-
suasion work by presenting a case
built on hard facts. Sentiment might
touch the heart, but it’s good, solid
information that invariably wins the
day.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) You usually can win over the most
stubborn skeptics on your own. But
this time you can benefit from sup-
porters who have been there, done
that and are willing to speak up on
your behalf.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) You win admiration
for your determination to do the right
thing. Don’t be distracted from that
course, despite the offer of tempting
alternatives that might suddenly turn
up.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) While you still need to
maintain control of a dominant situa-
tion, a new development emerges,
making the task easier and the out-
come potentially more rewarding.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) New factors might have a
positive effect on a still-pending mat-
ter, but only if the information proves
to be credible. Trusted colleagues
might be able to offer needed advice.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) The week favors moder-
ation, especially if a health problem is
involved. Resist the impulse to do
more than might be good for you at
this time. You can catch up later.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
You could feel more than a mite upset
by someone or some people who
might be creating problems for you.
Find out why they won’t change their
ways. Their reasons might surprise
you.
Siuslaw N ews
!
AD IT DAY
E
R
TO
www. the siuslawnews.com
E -E DITION
• S PORTS • T OP S TORIES • O BITUARIES • W EATHER • F ORUMS • B LOGS