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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
The mysterious
rise in meat
allergies
DEAR DR. ROACH: I heard that
there is a sudden surge in people
coming down with severe meat
allergies. Is there any information as
to why, after years of eating red
meat, you suddenly can become
extremely allergic? — E.V.
ANSWER: Meat allergies are
uncommon; however, there has been
a recent surge of meat allergies due
to tick bites. I have read that over
5,000 cases of meat allergy have
been estimated in the United States,
mostly in the Southeast. The allergy
is most often caused by a bite of the
Lone Star tick, which carries the car-
bohydrate alpha-gal. If introduced
into the bloodstream, it can cause a
reaction from eating meat, especial-
ly beef, pork and lamb. Interestingly,
it is much more likely in people with
blood types A and O.
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A
more harmonious aspect favors all
relationships. Family ties with mates
and children are strengthened. Libra
is Cupid’s choice to win the amorous
Aries’ heart.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
The bold Bull is ready to take on
fresh challenges. Expect some oppo-
sition as you plow new ground — but
supporters will outnumber detrac-
tors.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) An
upcoming job change could mean
uprooting your family to a far-distant
location. Weigh all considerations
carefully before making a decision
one way or the other.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A
long-standing problem is resolved by
It isn’t yet clear if the allergy will
be temporary or long-lasting, but it
can be very severe, and people who
develop this allergy should avoid
meat and carry an epinephrine
device in case of exposure.
DEAR DR. ROACH: A few days
ago, I heard a report on breast cancer
recurrence. I had cancer in my left
breast in 1995, and on my right side
in 2003. What are your thoughts on
the subject? There is no history of
breast cancer in my family. — P.M.
ANSWER: Breast cancer some-
times runs in families, but 70 per-
cent to 80 percent of women with
breast cancer have no family history.
Once a woman has had breast can-
cer, she is at higher risk for develop-
ing a second breast cancer.
Survivors of breast cancer should
get regular physical exams and
mammograms.
A team of researchers from Johns
Hopkins University recently pub-
lished a study promising that in the
near future, a new type of blood test
may be able to identify DNA from
breast cancer cells and find recur-
rence much earlier than current
methods. If confirmed, this would be
a big relief to the many women (and
a few men) with breast cancer at risk
for recurrence.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you
please address stem-cell treatment
for a torn rotator cuff? My son is fac-
ing his second surgery for this prob-
lem and is considering stem-cell
treatment instead. He had such terri-
ble pain from surgery the first time.
— L.P.
ANSWER: A torn rotator cuff is a
common sports injury in athletes.
Complete tears usually are repaired
surgically. A new surgical technique
is to inject the body’s own stem cells
(obtained from the bone marrow) to
help promote healing. It is too new
of a technique for me to be able to
compare it with standard surgical
therapy, but the preliminary studies
are very promising.
I often have said that only an indi-
vidual’s surgeon can decide the right
surgical procedure, based on far
more information than we could
include in this column. It’s really
true that you never trust anyone
quite the way you trust your sur-
geon. There are surgeons who are
using the stem-cell technique, and it
would be reasonable to get a consul-
tation with one of them.printed
name and address. Please allow four
weeks for delivery.
a mutually agreed upon compromise.
You can now focus on getting the
facts you’ll need for a decision you’ll
soon be asked to make.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) The
Big Cat needs to be wary of what
appears to be a golden investment
opportunity. That “sure thing” could
turn out to be nothing more than a
sack of Kitty Glitter.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) You give of yourself generously
to help others, but right now you
must allow people to help you.
Confide your problems to family and
trusted friends.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Relationships benefit from a
strong harmonious aspect. Things go
more smoothly at work. Someone
you thought you’d never see again
asks for a reconciliation.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) A minor distraction
interferes with travel plans, but the
delay is temporary. Meanwhile,
expect to play peacemaker once
again for feuding family members.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Keep that positive
momentum going on the home front.
Arrange your schedule to spend more
time with your family. You’ll soon
have news about that job change.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Control that possessive
tendency that sometimes goads you
into an unnecessary display of jeal-
ousy. You could be creating problems
where none currently exist.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) A new project holds
some challenges you hadn’t expect-
ed. But don’t be discouraged; you’ll
find you’re more prepared to deal
with them than you realized.
PISCES (February 19 to March
20) Yours is the sign of the celestial
Chemist, so don’t be surprised if you
experience a pleasant “chemistry”
betwixt yourself and that new Leo in
your life.
Siuslaw N ews
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