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
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AD IT DAY
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