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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 2017)
6 B SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2017 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Reader Drank Mercury From a Thermometer! DEAR DR. ROACH: You prob- ably have never gotten a question like this. How much mercury is in an old thermometer? A month ago, I wasn’t feeling well, so I took my temperature with an old thermome- ter that seemed to be taking too long to work. Long story short, I broke it into my hot cup of coffee, which I drank before I realized that I had broken the thermometer. I didn’t fi nish the whole cup. What happens to mercury when it’s in hot liquid? Does it sink or fl oat? Is it visible? Does it have a taste or smell? What will happen to me? I didn’t call the poison center or my doctor; I was too embarrassed. I did end up being sick for a long time. I had a fever (I got a new ther- mometer), sore throat, terrible head- SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A stubborn refusal to go ahead on a proj- ect mystifi es colleagues who expected more fl exibility. But once you explain your position, they’ll understand and even applaud you. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A relationship seems to be stuck in the same place. Now it’s up to you, dear Bovine, to decide how far you want it to go and how intense you want it to be. Choose well and choose soon. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A relationship progresses more slowly than you would prefer. Best advice: Insist on a frank and open discussion. What is learned could change minds and, maybe, hearts. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) It’s all right to be grateful to a workplace ache that lasted for days, my blood pressure was elevated and I vomited on the fi fth day after ingesting the mercury. I don’t know if some of the symptoms were from a reaction to the Nyquil I had taken, which has never bothered me before. Any sug- gestions? -- Anon. ANSWER: I wasn’t embarrassed to call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 -- you should have called immediately, too. They confi rmed the teaching I received: The mercury in a thermometer is elemental mercury, not the toxic organic mercury salts, so it would not normally be absorbed. Mercury is very heavy, much denser than water, so it would have sunk to the bottom of the coffee quickly, and odds are you didn’t even ingest much of it. It stays bright-silver, but you probably would not have seen it through the dark coffee. The expert I spoke with was just as concerned about the broken glass you might have ingested. I suspect the symp- toms you describe have nothing to do with the mercury. Even though the news I give you is good, I still would go to your doctor and discuss it. If someone came in to me with these symptoms, I would look for other reasons for them, not mercury. DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old man with numbness in my hand for the past seven years. A neurologist diagnosed me with car- pal tunnel syndrome and prescribed special gloves. I have no hand pain, only numbness when I elevate my arms, which also causes neck and shoulder pain. What can I do to get some relief? -- B.W. ANSWER: Carpal tunnel syn- drome is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. It may cause numbness and pain in the hands. The pain can travel up the arm, but rarely affects the arm above the elbow, and neck/shoul- der pain makes me concerned that the nerve compression causing your hand numbness might be originating in your neck. It is possible you have both carpal tunnel syndrome and a “pinched nerve” in the neck, but compression of the nerve in the neck could cause all the symptoms you are telling me about. A careful exam usually sorts this out, but an MRI may be neces- sary to confi rm. colleague who has done you a good turn. But gratitude shouldn’t be a life- long obligation. Th e time to break this cycle is now. LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s going to be especially nice to be the King of the Zodiac at this time. A recent money squeeze eases. Plans start to work out, and new friends enter Your Majesty’s domain. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Before you make a commitment on any level (personal, professional, legal), get all the facts. Th ere might be hidden problems that could cause trouble later on. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Personal relationships improve. Professional prospects also brighten. A job off er could come through by month’s end. An old friend seeks to make contact. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your senses detect that something is not quite right about a matter involving a workplace col- league. Best advice: Follow your keen instincts and don’t get involved. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A prospect off ers rewards, but it also demands that you assume a great deal of responsibility. Knowing you, you’re up to the chal- lenge, so go for it, and good luck. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A favor you did a long time ago is repaid, as a trusted col- league steps in to help you with a sud- denly expanded workload. A family member has important news. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A new job off er could require moving across the country. But before you let your doubts deter- mine your decision, learn more about the potentials involved. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your sense of fair play doesn’t allow you to rush to judgment about a friend who might have betrayed you. Good! Because all the facts are not yet in. 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
