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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Caffeine pills
vs. coffee
DEAR DR. ROACH: You
advised an 81-year-old farmer who
was drinking an energy drink sever-
al times a week to “stick with cof-
fee” in order to avoid the added
sugar in the energy drink. What is
your opinion of getting an equiva-
lent amount of caffeine through
over-the-counter caffeine pills
instead of coffee?
I am a 55-year-old woman, and
except for being overweight, I am in
excellent health. I exercise daily,
sleep well at night and have no com-
plaints whatsoever. I get about six or
seven hours of sleep a night, and am
a naturally early riser. I do not drink
either tea or coffee (don’t like the
taste), but I have found that if I take
one half of a 200-mg caffeine pill
immediately on arising, it does won-
ders for my mood and productivity.
On some days I take a second pill in
the early afternoon, and rarely, a
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A
once-harmonious
relationship
appears to be hitting some sour notes.
Spend some time together to see why
things have gone off-key. What you
learn might surprise you.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
You feel a need to make some
changes. Good — you can do it on a
small scale (some new clothes, for
example), or go big and redecorate
your home and/or office.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
Control your tendency toward early
boredom. A situation in your life
might be taking a long time to devel-
op, but patience pays off. Stay with
it.
third in the evening, though never
later than 6 p.m.
Is there anything wrong with this?
I’ve found that many people who
drink several cups of coffee a day
seem to look askance at me because
I get my caffeine a pill. — A.C.
ANSWER: Some people drink
coffee for the caffeine; some people
drink decaf to avoid the caffeine;
most people like both the taste and
the caffeine effect. You are unusual
in only wanting the caffeine effect.
A 16-ounce cup of coffee at a
large chain contains 330 mg of caf-
feine. I don’t see anything wrong
with taking caffeine pills the way
you are. However, some people
won’t sleep well if taking as much
as you are.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your
column regarding the high cost of
the shingles vaccine. I am an insur-
ance agent who is often asked about
coverage for the shingles vaccine.
The Affordable Care Act does
include this under preventive care
for individuals 60 and over.
Preventive care is covered at 100
percent for health plans that are not
grandfathered.
(Grandfathered
health plans are plans that have been
continued virtually unchanged since
2010. They are not required to com-
ply with all aspects of ACA, so these
plans might not provide this serv-
ice.)
You also may be interested in
knowing that, in our area, the
Department of Health clinic does
offer the shingles vaccine for a fee
of $5 for individuals over the age of
50 who do not have it covered under
a health plan. I am not aware if this
is unique to our area, or if it is a
widespread provision.
ANSWER: Thank you for writ-
ing. Others wrote to me that their
Department of Health paid for most
or all of the cost. Some said they
could get the vaccine covered at a
pharmacy but not at physician’s
offices.
Readers: Shingles questions are
among the most frequently asked.
The booklet on the shingles virus
answers many of them. Obtain a
copy by writing: Dr. Donohue —
No. 1201W, 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.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You
might feel that you’re on an emotion-
al roller coaster this week. Don’t fret;
just ride it out and let things settle
down. A Pisces shows understanding.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Do
something different for once — com-
promise. A stubborn stand on an
important issue proves counterpro-
ductive. You need to be open to new
ideas.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) A friend offers advice that you
perceive as an act of betrayal. But
before you turn against the messen-
ger, pay attention to the message.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A year of riding an emotional
pogo stick finally settles down. Use
this calmer period to restore frayed
relationships and to pursue new
opportunities.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Your words can sting,
so be careful how you respond to a
friend’s actions. A calm approach
could produce some surprising facts.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Be careful about
whose secrets you’re being asked to
keep. They could impose an unfair
burden on a straight arrow like you.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) While you prefer taking
the tried-and-true course in life, be
adventurous this week and accept a
challenge that can open new vistas.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Your strong sense of
justice helps you deal with a job- or
school-related situation. Stay with
your principles. A Sagittarius
emerges as a supporter.
PISCES (February 19 to March
20) You need to build a stronger on-
the-job support system to convince
doubting colleagues that your inno-
vative proposals are workable.
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