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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 26, 2016)
6 B SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2016 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Can too much walking wear out our knees? DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a rea- sonably healthy 66-year-old male. I walk 5 miles a day. I have no knee problems. My doctor says I am walking too much and will wear out my knees. Do you agree? -- M.D. ANSWER: No, I don’t agree at all. I think I understand why your doctor said that: osteoarthritis, the most common arthritis in the knee, used to be considered a wear-and- tear injury, and if that were the case it might make sense to pro- tect your joints by not overdoing it. However, we believe now that osteoarthritis is caused by an injury to the joint, not by regular exercise. More importantly, studies show clearly that people who are very active don’t have higher arthri- tis rates than sedentary people. SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your curiosity might not be appreciated by everyone. Expect some resistance in getting answers to your questions. But stay with it. You need facts in order to make important decisions. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Some of the mystery surrounding your recent fi scal situation soon will be dispelled with a clear explanation. Use this new knowledge to help you chart a fresh fi nancial course. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Start your Hanukkah and Christmas gift- buying now. This will help avoid problems caused by possible mid- December delays. A family member has important information. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Use a little more sense in how you plan to Most important of all, people with osteoarthritis who exercise get bet- ter, not only in pain and stiffness levels, but also in ability to walk. Exercise is so good for your body, mind and spirit that this per- sistent myth needs to be corrected. The arthritis booklet discusses rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and lupus. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Roach -- No. 301W, 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: When I was 60, my doctor told me to take a baby aspirin daily to prevent heart attack and stroke. So I did. When I was 70, a new doctor said the risk wasn’t worth the benefi t, so I stopped. I heard and read a lot more about the benefi ts of aspirin. But a friend of mine had a horrifi c nosebleed that was thought to be from the aspirin. I and a few of my senior friends are confused. Should we or shouldn’t we take aspirin? -- A.H. ANSWER: When you see multi- ple opinions on a topic in medicine, it usually means there is confl icting evidence, and that certainly is the case with aspirin. The difference of opinion takes place at the highest levels: the United States Food and Drug Administration recommends, in general, against using aspirin to prevent heart attack and stroke in people who have not already had a heart attack or stroke. However, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends aspirin in gen- eral for men age 45-79 and women age 55-79. The USPSTF makes no recommendation about men or women over age 79. Both groups agree that your physician should be helping you make the decision about whether to take aspirin. Aspirin has the risk of causing bleeding, and the bleeding can be more serious than a nosebleed. A bleed inside the stomach or intes- tines can be life-threatening, and there also is a very small risk of bleeding in the brain. As a physician, I prescribe aspi- rin for those at increased risk based on multiple factors, and do not pre- scribe aspirin to people at high risk of a gastrointestinal bleed. This is a judgment call about which physi- cians may differ. spend your end-of-the-year holiday dollars. Meanwhile, you continue to gain support for your stand on a work- place issue. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Wearing that big, loving Lion’s heart of yours on your sleeve leaves it unprotected. Let things develop a little more before you allow your emotions to spill over. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to September 22) You might feel you’re not ready to patch up an unraveled relationship. But the longer you wait, the more dif- fi cult it will be for all parties to take the fi rst healing step. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your end-of-the-year holiday plans could be disrupted by something out of your control, but stay the course. Ultimately, things will settle back into a normal pace. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your honest approach to a work- place project earns you both respect and credit from those in charge. Meanwhile, that personal problem still needs to be dealt with. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Money could be a little tight this month. This means the usual- ly bargain-oblivious Sagittarian should look for ways to save on end-of-the- year holidays. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Examine the facts, and you might fi nd that it’s a wiser move to shift gears and redirect some of your goals before the end of the year. Someone close to you offers good advice. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Be careful that your generosity is not abused. Find out more, both about the special favors you might be asked to grant and who is asking for them. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You’ve come through a recent rough time in great shape. Congratulations. Now go out and enjoy your well- earned rewards. More good news comes in mid-December. Siuslaw N ews ! AD IT DAY E R TO www. the siuslawnews.com E -E DITION • S PORTS • T OP S TORIES • O BITUARIES • W EATHER • F ORUMS • B LOGS
