6 B
SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Blood test
results wildly
different
DEAR DR. ROACH: I went in
for an annual examination with my
primary-care doctor, and she had
my blood tested at a laboratory.
She told me that I have high potas-
sium, 5.5, and had me retake it. I
did, and the test came back with a
much lower level of 4.3! What could
have caused the level to go up so
high? Was this due to eating a lot of
avocado and yogurt? I was eating a
whole avocado for breakfast and a
yogurt with apple and peach. Should
I be seeing a specialist to recheck
it? Please advise what I should do.
-- A.V.R.
ANSWER: Avocados and yogurt
are high-potassium foods, and
peaches and apples are medium-
potassium foods. Most people can
take in high amounts of potassium
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Guess
what, Lamb? You’re about to experi-
ence a new perspective on a situation
you long regarded quite diff erently.
What you learn could open more
opportunities later.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Th e
Bold Bovine is tempted to charge into
a new venture. But it might be best to
take things one step at a time, so that
you know just where you are at any
given point.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It’s a
good time to go on that fun getaway
you’ve been planning. You’ll return
refreshed, ready and, yes, even eager
to tackle the new challenge that awaits
you.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Th e
Moon Child loves to fantasize about
without worry, since the kidney is
very good at getting rid of potas-
sium if the body doesn’t need it. I
more often see low potassium lev-
els, from poor intake or from medi-
cations, such as diuretics, which can
cause the body to lose potassium.
However, some people with kidney
disease (especially severe kidney
disease) need to carefully watch and
limit oral potassium intake.
By far the biggest reason for a
potassium blood test to come out
abnormally high relates to the lab
itself. Samples that sit around a long
time or that are shaken will have
broken blood cells, which release
high levels of potassium into the
serum, causing false elevations in
the lab. If you didn’t change your
diet between the two tests, there is
no reason to worry at all.
Your primary doctor is the right
person to see.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have
chronic constipation, and have had
this most of my life. I have used
most of the bulking (husk) things
that are out there. Nothing works
for me. Years ago, I went to my
doctor, and he said that I could use
MiraLAX and use it for the rest of
my life. It has worked! Now my new
doctor wants me off of it, wants me
to incorporate fi ber into my diet. I
already do this. Plus I drink a lot of
water in a day. I start my day with
24 ounces of water every morning
before anything else. Is there any-
thing wrong with taking MiraLAX
every day? I do not take the full
dose. -- V.B.
ANSWER: While I recom-
mend non-drug treatments, such
as increased water intake, high-
fi ber diet and exercise, as treat-
ment for constipation, that doesn’t
work for everybody. In that case,
using a medication as recommend-
ed by your doctor makes sense.
Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) is a
generally safe treatment that works
by increasing fl uid in the bowel. It’s
a good idea to use it as little as is
needed to keep the stool from get-
ting uncomfortably hard.
READERS: The booklet on con-
stipation explains this common dis-
order and its treatments. Readers can
obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach
-- No. 504W, 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.
magical happenings in the early part
of the week. But the sensible Crab gets
down to serious business by week’s
end.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) What
goes around comes around for those
lucky Leos and Leonas whose acts
of generosity could be repaid with
opportunities to expand into new and
exciting areas of interest.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Your concern about your job
responsibilities is commendable. But
you need to take some quiet time to
share with someone who has really
missed being with you.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Aspects favor getting out and
meeting new people. And as a bonus,
you might fi nd that some of your
newly made friends could off er impor-
tant business contacts.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) You might take pride in wanting to
do everything yourself. But now’s a
good time to ask family members to
help with a demanding personal situ-
ation.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Pay more attention
to the possibilities in that workplace
change. It could show the way to make
that long-sought turn on your career
path.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Your need to succeed
might overwhelm obligations to your
loved ones. Ease up on that workload
and into some well-deserved time with
family and friends.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Love rules for amorous
Aquarians who can make good use of
their ability to communicate feelings.
Don’t be surprised if they’re recipro-
cated in kind.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Fishing for compliments? No doubt,
you probably earned them. But it’s
best to let others believe they were the
ones who uncovered the treasure you
really are.
Siuslaw N ews
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