6 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
If walking hurts,
try water exercise
DEAR DR. ROACH: I just want-
ed to touch base with you about my
diabetes. While my weight has
stayed stable around 320 pounds,
my sugar numbers have been
increasingly hard to keep in line.
I’ve maxed out on the oral medica-
tions we use. My latest A1c was 6.6.
The doctor says it should be under 6
and that our next step is insulin. He
asked me to try to lose 50 pounds
over the next six months in order to
get my sugar back under control.
I agree and want it to happen. I’m
counting calories and cutting out
carbs, and have started walking in
the morning. I know I can’t run,
with no discs in my bottom three
vertebrae. But even walking is hard.
I walk until my leg goes numb, but I
don’t think it will be enough, and I
may not even be able to keep that
up. Even walking easy makes my
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You
dislike waiting for promises to be ful-
filled and for commitments to be kept,
but resist your headstrong tendency to
push things along. Your patience will
be rewarded.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Expect continuing opposition to your
plans from die-hard detractors.
However, your determination to see
things through will carry the day. A
Pisces has romantic ideas.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You
might be too close to a troublesome
workplace situation to deal with it
successfully. Step away in order to get
a better perspective. A solution soon
becomes obvious.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You
might suspect that someone you trust
hip hurt and leg go numb after about
20 minutes. — S.A.
ANSWER: I am surprised by
your doctor’s advice, because it’s
very clear now (from the ACCORD
study) that an A1c (a measure of
average sugar levels) of 7 percent
has lower overall risks than an A1c
of 6 percent for someone like you.
Exercise is always good, and my
first thought is water. Getting in a
pool will take pressure off your
back, and you should be able to
swim, walk in the water or do water-
exercise classes to your heart’s con-
tent.
Readers: Start reaping the bene-
fits of exercise the moment you
begin. Even a brief daily walk or
bike ride will make a difference. To
learn more, order the booklet on
Aerobics, Fitness and Abdominal
Exercises by writing: Dr. Roach —
No. 1301W, 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.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I read a let-
ter that seems to be saying that the
Department of Health and Human
Services is against breastfeeding.
There also was something about
hospitals and insurance companies,
but I’m not sure what that was all
about. Up until now, I just thought
that breastfeeding was the best I
could do for my baby. But if that’s
true, then why would the DHHS or
hospitals be against breastfeeding?
— S.G.
ANSWER: There is no doubt that
breastfeeding is best for your baby.
Breastfed babies have lower risk of
becoming overweight and of many
illnesses. The science is absolutely
clear.
I read the letter I think you are
referring to, and it seems to me that
it is pointing out that some hospitals
don’t do as good a job as they could
in helping educate new mothers
about why and how to breastfeed.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
without hospital support, one in
three mothers stops breastfeeding.
Only about 5 percent of babies are
born in U.S. hospitals that are desig-
nated “baby-friendly.” I support ini-
tiatives that help promote breast-
feeding in hospitals, and hope the
DHHS gives its support as well.
has misled you on an important mat-
ter, but a more balanced view of
things reveals a misunderstanding to
be the culprit.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) The
Big Cat’s animal magnetism has
rarely been stronger. You can either
just bask in all that admiration or use
it to your advantage, especially in the
workplace.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Someone who previously balked
at cooperating with you on a project
suddenly has a change of heart.
Accept both help and advice with
grace.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Some hazy issues still need to be
cleared up before you can move on
with your new plans. A friend from
the past reaches out to re-establish old
ties.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Continued positive
fall-out follows that risky workplace
decision you made some time ago.
Your payoff will soon prove to be
more substantial than you expected.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) A personal relationship
continues to be affected by a recent
unexpected turn of events. Things
need to work themselves out without
finger-pointing.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) It’s a wonderful week for
all you capricious Goats to kick up
your heels with friends or family
members in some well-earned fun and
frivolity.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Caution is advised
before making a financial commit-
ment to someone you don’t really
know. There are better ways to build
friendships than with risky fiscal
dealings.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Travel plans continue to be favored. A
change of scenery brings new oppor-
tunities, both personally and profes-
sionally. Be open to the possibilities.
Siuslaw N ews
!
AD IT DAY
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