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SIUSLAW NEWS ❘ SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
What’s best age for
shingles vaccine?
DEAR DR. ROACH: You have
written many times about chickenpox,
shingles and the shingles vaccine. My
question concerns the age at which
one should get the vaccine. Most doc-
tors and other sources recommend 60
and above; however, I am concerned
about more and more younger people
getting shingles, in their 50s and, in
one instance, a woman in her 30s. Are
these isolated cases? I am a 48-year-
old female, and I did have chickenpox
as a child. My husband’s insurance
will pay for the vaccine at 50, and I
intend to get it then. What are your
thoughts? — L.A.B.
ANSWER: The vaccine is indicat-
ed by the Food and Drug
Administration for those ages 50 and
up, but advisory groups have recom-
mended the vaccine to people over
age 60, since the complication of post-
herpetic neuralgia is more likely, lasts
longer and can be more severe the
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) As
tensions ease on the home front, you
can once more focus on changes in the
workplace. Early difficulties are soon
worked out. Stability returns as adjust-
ments are made.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A
new romance tests the unattached
Bovine’s patience to the limit. But
Venus still rules the Taurean heart, so
expect to find yourself trying hard to
make this relationship work.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It’s a
good time to consider home-related
purchases. But shop around carefully
for the best price — whether it’s a new
house for the family or a new hose for
the garden.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A
contentious family member seems
older you get. It is reasonable to get
the vaccine at 50 if you want, but it’s
important to get it at age 60 or over if
you haven’t already had it.
DEAR DR. ROACH: A 95-year-
old does not get enough blood flow to
her lungs because she has a leaky
heart valve. She is chronically short of
breath after a small amount of exer-
tion. Her leg strength is low, and she
has to use a walker to safely get
around.
She lived with a smoker for a few
decades, and he died decades ago, but
she never smoked herself. Would sup-
plemental oxygen help, by enriching
the air in her lungs, thus allowing
blood to get more oxygen from the
lungs?
— Anon.
ANSWER: Supplemental oxygen
can improve symptoms and make
people live longer in a few specific
instances. The most prevalent is prob-
ably people with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) whose
blood oxygen level is below 89 per-
cent. Some other lung diseases also
benefit from oxygen. In cases of poor
blood flow due to heart reasons,
including valvular disease, oxygen
doesn’t help.
It’s possible that the 95-year-old
you are writing about has some lung
disease due to secondhand-smoke
exposure. It is easy now for doctors to
check oxygen levels, and that would
indicate whether she would benefit.
Readers: COPD typically causes
shortness of breath, especially with
activity. The booklet on COPD
explains this progressive disease in
detail. Readers can obtain a copy by
writing: Dr. Roach — No. 601W, 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 4-6 weeks for
delivery.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 17-
year-old cross-country and track run-
ner. I had a stress fracture of my shin.
I have not been running and have been
on crutches for one month. Are there
foods I should eat? Exercises to do?
The doctor only said not to walk on it.
What else can be done to heal the
stress fracture? — J.G.
ANSWER: Stress fractures are
common, especially in younger ath-
letes, especially runners. Most often,
they get better just by avoiding exer-
cises that cause pain. A diet with ade-
quate calcium and vitamin D, or sup-
plements, may speed healing.
intent on creating problems. Best
advice: Avoid stepping in until you
know more about the origins of this
domestic disagreement.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) A recent
job-related move proves far more suc-
cessful than you could have imagined.
Look for continued beneficial fallout.
Even your critics have something nice
to say.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Ease up and stop driving yourself to
finish that project on a deadline that is
no longer realistic. Your superiors will
be open to requests for an extension.
Ask for it.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) You should soon be hearing some
positive feedback on that recent busi-
ness move. An old family problem
recurs, but this time you’ll know how to
handle it better.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) Some surprising statements shed
light on the problem that caused that
once-warm relationship to cool off. Use
this newly won knowledge to help turn
things around.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Your spiritual side is
especially strong at this time. Let it
guide you into deeper contemplation of
aspects about yourself that you’d like to
understand better.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Your merrier aspect contin-
ues to dominate and to attract folks who
rarely see this side of you. Some serious
new romancing could develop out of all
this cheeriness.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) You’re always concerned
about the well-being of others. It’s time
you put some of that concern into your
own health situation, especially where it
involves nutrition.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Just when you thought your life had
finally stabilized, along comes another
change that needs to be addressed.
Someone you trust can help you deal
with it successfully.
Siuslaw N ews
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