4 B
SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Statins Can Cause
Loss of Memory
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been
taking Lipitor for high cholesterol.
Lately, my pharmacist said that all
statins can cause memory loss. I
hesitate to stop taking Lipitor, but
I don’t want this side effect. Please
advise. -- P.C.
ANSWER: Your pharmacist is
quite right that some users of statins
can have the unwanted side effect
of memory loss. This is quite vari-
able: Some people never get this
effect, and it can be quite severe
in a few. It appears to be revers-
ible in the majority of people who
get it. I wouldn’t recommend stop-
ping unless you are having the side
effect.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have
chronic constipation, and have had
it most of my life. I have used most
of the bulking (husk) things that
are out there. Nothing works. Years
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your
ideas are fi nally reaching those who can
appreciate them. But don’t expect any
immediate reactions. Th at will come
later. Meanwhile, a personal matter
needs your attention.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your
energy levels are rising, and you’re feel-
ing restless and eager to get into some
activity, whether it’s for profi t or just for
fun. In either case, the aspects are highly
favorable, so go for it.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A
relationship seems to be winding down
from passionate to passive. It’s up to
you to decide what the next step will
be. But don’t wait too long to take
the initiative. Delay could create more
problems.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A deci-
ago, I went to my doctor, and he
said that I could take MiraLAX and
use it for the rest of my life. It has
worked! Now my new doctor wants
me off of it, and wants me to incor-
porate fi ber into my diet. I already
do this. Plus I drink a lot of water.
I start my day with a 24 ounces of
water every morning before any-
thing else. Is there anything 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.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Have you
ever heard of someone with sleep
apnea outgrowing the need of a
breathing aid, such as CPAP? --
G.S.
ANSWER: Most cases of sleep
apnea are due to obstruction of the
airway, caused by the relaxation of
muscles in the back of the throat.
Excess weight and obesity are the
major risk factors for sleep apnea,
but it can happen in normal-weight
people. It is more common in older
people, and men are at higher risk
than women.
Almost any condition can go
away by itself, but in nearly every
case of obstructive sleep apnea get-
ting better without a specifi c treat-
ment that I have seen, it has been
associated with signifi cant weight
loss. It doesn’t have to be extreme
weight loss. Since alcohol can make
sleep apnea worse, stopping alcohol
occasionally is enough to get it
under control.
I also recently mentioned singing
exercises as a therapy for OSA, in
addition to oral devices, CPAP or
BiPAP devices, and surgery.
sion looms. But be very sure that this is
what you really want before you sign or
say anything. Once you act, there’ll be
little or no wiggle room for any adjust-
ments.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Money
matters improve, but you still need to
be cautious with your spending. Also,
set aside that Leonine pride for a bit
and apologize for contributing to that
misunderstanding.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)
A tempting fi nancial situation could
make the usually unfl appable Virgo
rush in before checking things out. Be
alert to possible hidden problems. Get
the facts before you act.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) It’s nice to know that you’re fi nally
getting due credit for your eff orts. You
also should know that new opportuni-
ties will follow. A family member brings
important news.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) Any uncertainty that begins to cloud
an impending decision could signal a
need to re-examine your reasons for
wanting to take on this commitment.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) You benefi t from tak-
ing time out of your currently hectic
schedule to do more contemplation or
meditation. Th is will help re-energize
you, both in body and soul.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Nursing hurt feelings can
zap the energies of even the usually self-
confi dent Sea Goat. Best advice: Move
forward. Success is the best balm for a
painful ego.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February
18) A display of temperament surprises
you, as well as those around you. It
could be all that pressure you’re under.
Consider letting someone help you see
it through.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Some things don’t seem to be working
out as you’d hoped. Don’t fret. Instead,
take some time out to reassess your
plans and see where changes could be
made.
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