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SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Irritable Bowel
Disease, Syndrome
Very Different
DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you
please explain the difference between
irritable bowel syndrome and irri-
table bowel disease? What is the
treatment for each? I saw in a health
magazine that there is a blood test to
determine which one someone may
have. -- ES
ANSWER: Although the two
names are very similar, the con-
ditions are very different. Irritable
bowel syndrome is a common condi-
tion, more frequent in women than
in men, of abdominal discomfort and
bowel changes, such as diarrhea and/
or constipation. It is managed by diet
(such as the low-FODMAP diet I
have recommended several times),
stress management and sometimes
medications. It can cause signifi cant
changes in one’s social life, in addi-
tion to pain and discomfort. IBS is
a clinical diagnosis, and there is no
blood test to confi rm it. Primary-
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A
hectic period begins to wind down.
Take time to draw some deep breaths
and relax before getting into your
next project. A long-absent family
member makes contact.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
You’re eager to move forward with a
new challenge that suddenly dropped
in your lap. But you’d be wise to take
this one step at a time to allow new
developments to come through.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
You’re almost ready to make a com-
mitment. A lingering doubt or two,
however, should be resolved before
you move ahead. An associate could
provide important answers.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Caution is still the watchword as you
care doctors manage IBS, and severe
cases may benefi t from the care of a
gastroenterologist.
Irritable bowel disease -- of which
there are two types: ulcerative colitis
and Crohn’s disease -- is a potentially
life-threatening condition of the GI
tract. In ulcerative colitis, there is
infl ammation that’s limited to the
colon, whereas in Crohn’s disease,
the infl ammation can be in any part
of the GI tract, from the lip to the
anus, though it is most frequent in
the far end of the small bowel and
the colon.
IBD should be managed by a gas-
troenterologist, preferably one with
special expertise in these diseases.
IBD usually is diagnosed by colonos-
copy or other endoscopy with biopsy.
Many blood tests can be abnormal
in IBD, but only the pathologist’s
report is defi nitive. Most people with
IBD will need medication treatment,
although symptoms and therefore
treatment may change dramatically
across time.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 83 and
recently began having sciatica pain
down my right thigh. My doctor rec-
ommended using a hot-water bottle.
Are there any painkillers I can use?
Are there any other products I can
use? -- G.L.B.
ANSWER: The sciatic nerve is a
very large nerve that runs down the
back of the leg. When the nerve is
pressed on in the back -- from a her-
niated disk in the back or from spinal
stenosis -- there can be intense pain
that feels like it is coming from the
back, or anywhere from the top of the
thigh to the foot. Since other nerves
besides the sciatic can be affected,
the condition is called lumbar radicu-
lopathy.
A herniated disk is when the
shock-absorbing material in between
the vertebrae comes out into the
space where the nerve root is, on its
way out of the spinal column toward
the leg. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing
of the bony canal through which the
nerve travels.
In most cases, people get better
within four to six weeks. Standard
pain medications, such as acetamin-
ophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen, can
be helpful. If pain is severe and
not responsive, there are other treat-
ments, including a short course of
steroids and narcotics, which should
be given only during that initial peri-
od of pain.
Pain that persists for a longer peri-
od of time, or pain with weakness,
especially with progressive symp-
toms, needs expert evaluation.
move closer toward a decision about a
new situation. If you act too fast, you
might miss some vital warning signs.
Go slowly and stay alert.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your
new goal looks promising, and your
golden touch does much to enhance
its prospects for success. In your pri-
vate life, Cupid does his best to make
your new relationship special.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Th at impatient side of yours is
looking to goad you into moving
before you’re ready to take that big
step. Stay calm and cool. Let things
fall into place before you act.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A legal matter you hoped could
fi nally be settled could be a pesky
problem for a while, until all the par-
ties agree to stop disagreeing with
each other. Be patient.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Partnerships -- per-
sonal or professional -- which began
before the new year take on new
importance. Th ey also reveal some
previously hidden risks. So be warned.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Your associates are
fi rmly on your side, and that persis-
tent problem that has caused you to
delay some activities should soon be
resolved to your satisfaction.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Favorable changes con-
tinue to dominate, and you should be
responding positively as they emerge.
Someone wants to become more
involved in what you’re doing.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) A friend wants to share
a secret that could answer some ques-
tions you’ve wondered about for a
long time. Meanwhile, travel aspects
continue to be strong.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Stay on your new course despite so-
called well-meaning eff orts to dis-
courage you. Rely on your deep sense
of self-awareness to guide you to do
what’s right for you.
Siuslaw N ews
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