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SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Bed Sores Linked
to COPD
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 89
years old and just learned that I
have the fi rst stages of bed sores on
my buttocks. My dermatologist said
that I should stay off of it as much as
possible and apply hydrocortisone
cream.
I have COPD, and I need to sleep
sitting up. I wonder if you have any
other suggestions to help my pain
and discomfort. -- A.A.
ANSWER: Bed sores (also called
pressure ulcers) are potentially seri-
ous problems that require immedi-
ate attention. We “stage” bed sores
into four categories. Hopefully you
have stage one, where there is skin
redness, usually over a bony promi-
nence such as the sacrum, the hand-
shaped bone at the base of the spine.
A stage two bed sore may be a
shallow, open ulcer or a blister.
At stage three there is full-thick-
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Avoid having someone else take credit
for the project you started by fi nishing
it yourself. Th en it will be you lovely
Lambs who will be wearing those well-
deserved laurels.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Th e
facts about a new opportunity are still
emerging. Wait until they’re all out
in the open, and then use your keen
business sense to help make the right
decision.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You
might feel confused, even hurt by a
friend who suddenly puts distance
between you. If she or he won’t dis-
cuss it, don’t push it. An explanation
should come in time.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your
willingness to be part of the team
ness loss of the skin, while a stage
four has exposed muscle or bone.
Sometimes, it is impossible to stage
ulcers from their appearance alone.
A stage one bed sore often is
treated with a clear fi lm for protec-
tion. Hydrocortisone cream is sur-
prising to me, since steroids can
thin the skin when used excessively,
which you certainly don’t want to
do. The pain should be treated, but
you should be taking this as your
body’s warning that there is a prob-
lem.
The key to preventing further
injury is to fi nd a way to take pres-
sure off the area. Sleeping sitting up
puts all your weight on your lower
back, buttocks and thighs, which in
turn puts these areas at a high risk
for pressure ulcers. There are sev-
eral ways to combat this, including
different kinds of mattresses and
pads, and even a device that adjusts
automatically to pressure. Changing
positions frequently (every two
hours or less) is critical if you are
not using a special mattress or pad.
There are wound-management spe-
cialists, both nurses and doctors,
with expertise for your particular
situation. I would ask your doctor
about fi nding and consulting with
one.
People with COPD are at high
risk for poor nutrition, and making
sure you are getting adequate pro-
tein and calories is critical, as poor
nutrition is a big risk for serious bed
sores. I strongly recommend a visit
with a nutritionist. Also, perhaps
your COPD treatment could be opti-
mized to make it easier to sleep in a
supine (lying-down) position. This
means a revisit with your regular
doctor or the consultant doctor who
is treating your COPD.
DEAR DR.ROACH: I am writing
to you regarding your recent column
about psoriasis.
My husband spent most of his
life suffering from severe psoriasis,
until he was told of an all-natural
solution: cilantro. In a matter of
a few months he was completely
symptom-free, and remains so after
more than a year. He simply adds
a few sprigs of cilantro to a garden
salad once a day. -- J.L.
ANSWER: I also have read that
eating fresh cilantro helps psoriasis.
I couldn’t fi nd any study that looked
at this, and people responding to
online support groups reported
mixed results. However, it is very
safe and might be worth a try.
opens doors that had been shut to
you. Keep them open by keeping your
promises even when your commit-
ment seems to be wavering.
LEO (July 23 to August 22)
Congratulations. You’re really getting
things done to purr-fection. And don’t
forget to take a catnap now and again
to keep those energy levels up and bris-
tling for action.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Your “plain-talking” honesty is
admirable. But sometimes sharp words
can leave painful scars. Be careful that
what you say doesn’t come back to
hurt you.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A stress-fi lled period takes a posi-
tive turn as you deal with the underly-
ing problem. Act now to avoid a recur-
rence by changing some basic rules in
your relationship.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) Your rising energy levels make it
easier for you to achieve some impor-
tant objectives. Th is could lead to a big
boost in how you’re perceived, both at
home and on the job.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) A changing picture
begins to emerge as you learn more
about an off er that seemed so right but
could be so wrong. Look to a trusted
adviser for guidance.
CAPRICORN (December 22
to January 19) Spiritual aspects are
strong. Take time to refl ect on the path
you’re on and where you hope it will
lead you. It’s also a good time to reach
out to loved ones.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) You could be assuming
far too many responsibilities, whether
it’s at work or in personal matters. Be
careful that you’re not weighed down
by them.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
You’re getting closer to your goals.
And since nothing succeeds like suc-
cess (or the promise thereof), don’t
be surprised to fi nd new supporters
swimming alongside you.
Siuslaw N ews
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