Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 9, 2016)
6 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Rare nerve problem causes chronic cough DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had a chronic cough for over 30 years. As you can imagine, I have seen numer- ous specialists through the years, and none of the prescribed treatments has worked. A friend suggested I might have laryngeal neuropathy. My doctor did- n’t know anything about it. What is the solution for this condition? — A.B. ANSWER: I can’t blame your doc- tor for not knowing anything about it. I’ve never recognized a case of it, though I wonder now, having researched it, whether it might be more common than we think. The word “neuropathy” just means “a nerve problem,” and in this case, it’s one of the nerves in the throat, the superior laryngeal nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve. It’s a sensory neu- SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Whether a waiting period is taking longer than expected, or just seems that way, the anxious Lamb would do well to create a center of calm within her- or himself, and not do anything rash. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Practical matters dominate the week, but cultural activities also are favored, especially those that can be shared with someone special in the Bovine’s life. Some important news might be forth- coming. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You need to know more about a possible career move in order to see if it offers a real opportunity or just a change. You’re sure to get lots of advice — some of it good — but the decision must be yours. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The ropathy, meaning that the nerve is sending the brain incorrect informa- tion, which the brain misinterprets as a need to cough or clear the throat. Most people diagnosed with this condition have sudden onset of cough, often after surgery or viral illness. The con- dition is diagnosed by an expert ENT doctor via a nerve conduction test or a video test of the larynx. In the largest paper on this syn- drome, about two-thirds of study par- ticipants were relieved by gabapentin (Neurontin), a medication used for many types of neuropathy. Some physicians choose to try this medica- tion without doing the testing. This approach sometimes makes sense, especially when diagnostic testing is difficult or expensive. DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 47- year-old male in generally good health. In 1999, I was involved in a nasty car accident, ending up in a trau- ma center. I needed abdominal sur- gery to repair a ruptured small intes- tine. Today, 15 years after the fact, is it possible to have issues with the scar tissue from that surgery? I have some of the symptoms of scar tissue prob- lems, but a doc has told me I have diverticulitis. Can you help me? — M.F. ANSWER: Well, I can’t tell you what you have, but I certainly can confirm that scar tissue, called adhe- sions, can cause problems even years after the original trauma that caused them. Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can envelop the intestine, causing an obstruction. Most of the time the obstruction is partial, and with time and bowel rest, the problem resolves itself. However, sometimes it doesn’t, or the obstruction is complete, and in those cases it will require another trip to the operating room. Diverticula are small outpouchings in the intestinal wall, most commonly in the sigmoid colon. The condition is called diverticulosis and is very com- mon, with about 20 percent of people at age 40 and 60 percent of people age 60 having them. When they get inflamed, that is called diverticulitis, and symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, or bowel changes. A CT scan usually can diagnose both conditions. It’s possible to have both problems at the same time, which makes determining the cause of cur- rent symptoms difficult. Still, the CT scan would be the next step if you are having symptoms. arrival of hoped-for good news about a loved one dominates most of the week and provides a great excuse for the party-loving Moon Child to plan a spe- cial event to celebrate. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Leos and Leonas rushing to finalize their plans might want to think about slowing down the pace, or risk overlooking an important consideration that could become a sore point down the line. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) The week’s challenges call for logi- cal approaches. But sentiment also has its place. Sharing memories with a spe- cial someone, for example, strengthens the bond between you. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A brand-new approach to a problem could have a good chance of succeed- ing if it’s based on a solid foundation of fact to strengthen its potential for stand- ing up to scrutiny. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A favorable report should give your optimism an important boost as you confront another phase of a challenge. Don’t be timid about accepting advice from someone you trust. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You might want to target another goal if your current aim is con- tinually being deflected. But stay with it until you find that first sign of an open- ing, and then follow through. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Although offers of advice might not always please the usually sure-footed Goat, good counsel is always worth considering, especially from those whose experience can be invaluable. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Don’t rush to make up for lost time. Your productivity can be measured not only by what you do, but how you do it. Move carefully until the job is done the way you like it. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Emerging facts about someone you know might cause you to rethink your relationship. But remember to make judgments in context of a full situation, not just on scraps of data. 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