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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2017)
8 B SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Don’t Keep Secrets From Your Doctor DEAR DR. ROACH: About three years ago, I was walking from the parking lot to church (not a long distance) and was overcome with a feeling of warmth and weak- ness throughout my body. I almost dropped my purse, but it stopped almost immediately. About three weeks ago, the same thing hap- pened. I did not feel ill, and it passed almost as fast as it came on. I am 65 years old, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. I have yearly check- ups and blood tests. After looking over my yearly bloodwork, which we do at work, my white blood cell count is usually low, according to my hematologist. He had me do a total body X-ray and several blood tests over a three- month period and found nothing wrong with me. I did not mention SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You Ewes and Rams will fi nd your ideas cheered by a mostly receptive fl ock. Th ose few dissenters could well be turned around by your charm and powers of persuasion. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s time for the bold and beautiful Bovine to shake off the dust of the past and shape up with new ideas for the future. Th is could surprise some folks, but they’ll soon adjust. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Th ose nagging new doubts about an upcom- ing decision should alert you to step back (at least temporarily) so you can reassess its potential impact from a new perspective. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Th at unpleasant situation you hoped would the above to him. Can you tell me what can possibly be going on in my body? -- A.N. ANSWER: Since it has happened only twice in three years, and since you have had an evaluation without fi nding anything, it may just be one of those things that happens that we don’t get an answer to. In fact, I think that is the most likely outcome. However, whenever I hear about warmth all over the body, I worry about conditions that cause a release of substances that act on the blood vessels. Carcinoid syndrome and pheochromocytomas are two rare conditions that can cause a tempo- rary fl ushing sensation, and you cer- tainly should mention this to your doctor. Neither of them is likely, but you don’t want to miss either possibility. Sudden onset of weakness is a warning sign of a TIA or stroke, but your situation doesn’t really sound like that. Still, giving your doctor the most information will help him decide whether this needs to be looked into further. DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 80 years old, and have been bothered by frequent urination for many years. My urologist was constantly recommending a surgical procedure, and was performing diagnostic tests to determine what I already knew -- that I do not void fully. I sometimes must urinate three to four times at night. I have not seen this urologist for more than two years. My ques- tion is: What are the risks of doing nothing? I was on Flomax and found it to be of no benefi t. -- W.B. ANSWER: Diffi culty urinating is a common problem for older men, and for many men, the symptoms themselves make them want to be treated. It sounds like you are asking if there might be additional down- sides besides the symptoms. The major risk is that there might be a cancer, especially of the pros- tate, so seeing the urologist to look for cancer is important. Prolonged blockage occasionally leads to kidney damage, if the blockage is severe enough for long enough. Finally, having “stale” urine in the bladder predisposes you to infec- tion. If your doctor fi nds you have good kidney function, no cancer and no infection, you don’t need to get treated. That being said, there are other treatments besides Flomax that might help your symptoms. go away by itself needs immediate attention before it aff ects an upcom- ing decision. Expect your supporters to rally around your cause. LEO (July 23 to August 22) You’re moving up and away from that recent setback. But remain cautious about fi nances. An exercise in thrift today helps cushion a possible end-of-the- month money squeeze. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You’re still dealing with overtones of pessimism that cause you to doubt your ability to make some needed changes. But the negative pressures will ease up by week’s end. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Th ere could be some fallout from the way you handled a recent family problem. But those who know that you were in the right won’t hesitate to step in on your behalf. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Financial strains ease by week’s end. Meanwhile, focus on cultivating that new relationship if you hope to have it blossom into something more meaningful. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Health matters once again dominate the week. Be careful not to ignore recurrences of an old problem. An almost-forgotten com- mitment resurfaces. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Th e emergence of an unusual selfi sh streak could dismay those close to you. Defy it -- don’t justify it -- so you can become your gracious self again. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Reassess your decision to stay with the status quo. It might seem like the sensible thing to do right now, but changes around you could make that choice a risky one. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Move decisively but cautiously when dealing with a delicate personal mat- ter. Th e fewer mistakes you make now, the less likely it is that the prob- lem will recur later on. 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
