The Siuslaw news., May 28, 2016, SATURDAY EDITION, Page 7B, Image 19

SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Pancreatitis
requires total
abstinence
DEAR DR. ROACH: I went to the
emergency ward this weekend with
severe chest pains and bloating. I was
sure I was having a heart attack. After
tests, a CT scan revealed I had pan-
creatitis (they mentioned a number
222 for some enzyme or something);
also, my potassium was low and sodi-
um was critically low, at 113. I am 62,
5 feet, 9 inches tall and weigh 210; I
have Type 2 diabetes with an A1C of
6.7 and high blood pressure.
I was discharged after four days
with no restrictions other than to eat
light and refrain from alcohol 100 per-
cent for the rest of my life to avoid
another occurrence. I had never heard
of pancreatitis, and it was devastating
news to me. I make wine, and have for
years. I do not drink anything except
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Lots
of possibilities begin to open up by
midweek. Some seem more appealing
than others. But wait for more facts to
emerge later on before you consider
which to choose.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Bravo to the determined Bovine.
While others might give up, you con-
tinue to search for answers. Expect
your Taurean tenacity to begin paying
off by week’s end.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You
might want to consider stepping back
from the task at hand for a while. This
could help you get a better perspective
on what you’ve done and what still
needs to be done.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your
keen Cancerian insight should help
wine, and the thought of never being
able to drink again is very disturbing.
Is there a possibility that I may be
able to drink wine again in the future?
The doctor’s assessment seemed pret-
ty harsh to me. — J.C.
ANSWER: Acute pancreatitis is an
inflammation of the pancreas, an
organ that makes digestive enzymes
and insulin. Acute pancreatitis can be
very severe, even life-threatening on
occasion. There are many causes, but
the most common in North America
are gallstones and alcohol. The diag-
nosis is made from the history and
physical exam, and an elevated pan-
creas enzyme level, usually amylase
or lipase. These often are elevated into
the thousand range. A CT scan also
can help confirm the diagnosis.
Before concluding that alcohol is
the cause of the pancreatitis, it’s
important to make sure there is noth-
ing blocking the pancreatic and com-
mon bile duct, such as a stone or
tumor. The CT scan is good, but if
there is doubt, an endoscopy may
need to be performed.
If your doctor determined that the
cause is alcohol, then I’m afraid I
have to agree that no amount of alco-
hol is safe. Drinking even modest
amounts of wine, even months or
years later, could bring about pancre-
atitis again. In addition to the pain and
suffering that go with an episode, the
more episodes of acute pancreatitis
you have, the more likely you are to
develop chronic pancreatitis (with
constant pain), pancreatic insufficien-
cy (leading to inability to properly
digest food) and worsen your dia-
betes.
DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband
is 61, and has twice had to take a
course of vitamin D, 50,000 units
weekly. I don’t understand why he
isn’t taking a daily dose. — L.D.
ANSWER: It is commonly recom-
mended for physicians to treat very
low levels of vitamin D with vitamin
D-2 at the high dose of 50,000 units
once weekly for six to eight weeks.
However, I have seen many people
who, like your husband, take the
course of therapy and then don’t take
any daily vitamin D and just become
deficient again. In most cases, I rec-
ommend vitamin D-3 at 800-1,000
units daily, then rechecking the level.
Some people need even more, espe-
cially if there is poor absorption, such
as after gastric bypass surgery or in
people with celiac disease.
you determine whether a new offer is
solid or just more fluff ‘n’ stuff. The
clues are all there, waiting for you to
find them.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Being
ignored is difficult for any proud Leo
or Leona. But pushing yourself back
into the spotlight might be unwise.
Instead, let things work themselves out
at their own pace.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Trying to uncover a colleague’s
secret under the pretext of showing
concern is ill-advised. Control your
curiosity in order to avoid raising
resentment in the workplace.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Expect to hear good news about a
loved one. Also, be prepared for some
changes in several family relationships
that could develop from this lucky turn
of events.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Some surprises are
expected to accompany a number of
changes that will continue through part
of next week. At least one could
involve a romantic situation.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) You might be upset by
some of your critics. But most of your
associates continue to have faith in
your ability to get the job done, and
done well.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) A workplace goal that sud-
denly seems out of reach is no problem
for the sure-footed Goat, who moves
steadily forward despite any obstacles
placed in his or her way.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Uncertainty about who is
right and who isn’t might keep you
from making a clear-cut decision. Wait
until you know more about what
you’re being asked to decide.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Be careful to keep your emotions in
check when dealing with a demanding
personal situation. You need to set an
example of strength for others to fol-
low.
7 B
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