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SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Clean-Freak
Dad Turns
Into Hoarder
DEAR DR. ROACH: I know
you’re not a psychiatrist, but I hope
you can help. My dad was a single par-
ent raising us kids, and he was always
clean when it came to housework.
Every room in our house was almost
spotless.
But lately, we have noticed him
becoming a hoarder and being more
disorganized. By that, I mean keeping
weeks-old newspapers on the fl oor,
the kitchen table, everywhere, and he
gets upset if we try to help him clean.
He’s 79. Could it be a sign of senility
or Alzheimer’s disease? -- R.S.
ANSWER: Hoarding behavior can
have several psychiatric causes, and,
indeed, a psychiatrist may be neces-
sary to make the diagnosis. However,
odds are that your dad always had
some form of obsessive-compulsive
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Th e
changes you’ve waited to see in your
work situation might not be happen-
ing quite as quickly as you’d hoped.
Although the pace is slow, it’s ongoing.
Expect to hear news soon.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You
should be feeling very proud of the fi ne
eff ort you’ve made to get that important
project done. Now take some time out
to celebrate with family and friends.
You’ve earned it.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You’re
close to reaching your objectives. Th at’s
the good news. But be careful: Your
aspects show lots of potential distrac-
tions looming. Stay focused and keep
your eyes fi xed on your goals.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Be careful not to let that suspicious
disorder, and with age has become
worse.
There are other possibilities. Fronto-
temporal dementia, a type of dementia
that is distinct from Alzheimer’s dis-
ease, has a variant in which personal-
ity and behavior changes are promi-
nent, but given the history of what
sounds like unusual cleanliness habits,
I would suspect that OCD is the most
likely diagnosis. There usually is a
long delay from the time symptoms
begin until the time the diagnosis is
made. A diagnosis needs to be made
before treatment -- be it medications,
psychotherapy or some combination
-- can begin. Treatment can improve
not only the hoarding behavior, but
also the distress your dad is feeling.
A psychiatrist or psychologist is the
expert in making the diagnosis and for
treatment.
The new booklet on Alzheimer’s
disease gives a detailed presentation
of this common illness. Readers can
obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach
-- No. 903W, 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: In discussing
treatment of nail fungus, you did not
mention newer laser treatments that
I see advertised by podiatrists in my
area. Are they effective? -- J.F.
ANSWER: We don’t really know
if they are effective, since well-done
studies haven’t yet proven it; how-
ever, preliminary evidence is sugges-
tive. This would be a great addition
to treatment, since the only currently
accepted highly effective treatments
are oral medications, which have risk
of liver damage. Even more exciting
is the idea of combining a topical anti-
fungal agent, amorolfi ne, with laser.
This medication is not available in the
U.S., but a study in Korea showed a
50 percent effectiveness rate (which
is pretty good for this diffi cult-to-treat
condition).
Since I last wrote about this condi-
tion, I heard from a lot of readers.
Some mentioned cures from Vicks
Vapo-Rub, but the only study I found
on that showed a 22 percent cure rate.
One person asked about surgery, but
since the fungus gets into the nail
bed, the infection often recurs after
removing the nail. Listerine and white
vinegar mixed half and half cured one
couple, and several people had success
with Dr. Paul’s Piggy Paste, which
also is vinegar-based. None of these
has good data to support its use, but all
likely are safe.
Cancerian mind create a problem where
none exists. What you might believe is
an act of betrayal could be nothing more
than a misunderstanding.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your
Lion’s heart overfl ows with self-confi -
dence. All you need to do is tap into it,
and you’ll be able to handle any change
that must be made regarding that recent
surprise development.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Th e need to watch what you say
becomes increasingly crucial this week.
Be as temperate as you can with your
comments and avoid arguments for the
sake of controversy.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A longtime family problem presents
new demands. But this time, you won’t
have to go it alone: Someone else is ask-
ing to help share your responsibilities.
Let it happen.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) A period of feeling vulnerable is
about to give way to a stronger, more
self-confi dent aspect. Use this new
strength to reaffi rm promises you’ve
made to others and yourself.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) A creative dilemma stalls
your progress. Instead of letting it raise
your ire, use the time to re-examine
your aims and, perhaps, come up with
a new target.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Your nimble will fi nds a
way for you to work out those newly
emerged problems plaguing your new
project. Stay with it. Th e results will be
well worth your eff orts.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February
18) You might feel overwhelmed at hav-
ing to decide which new opportunity
you should follow. Best advice: Check
them all out and see which off ers what
you really want.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Continue to tread water before you even
consider plunging into something that
never seemed quite right. Some facts
will soon emerge that can help you
make a decision.
Siuslaw N ews
!
AD IT DAY
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TO
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