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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2017)
8 B SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Helping a Smoker Quit DEAR DR. ROACH: I need your help to get my husband to stop smoking. We have been together for 27 years. He has smoked cigarettes dai- ly for at least 30-35 years. Recently, he had an attack where he couldn’t breathe, and we took him to the clin- ic, where they did a breathing test. My 15-year-old son and I watched as my husband agonized to get through the test. They gave him an albuterol machine, prescribed Ad- vair and sent him on his way. His father also smoked for many years, and now is on oxygen for COPD -- he is miserable every day. My husband quit smoking about two years ago using Chantix, but he started smoking again shortly after that. I do not want to watch him suf- fer like his father. I don’t understand how he sees what his father is go- ing through and still continues down SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might have to turn your Arian charm up a few degrees if you hope to persuade that persistent pessimist to see the possibilities in your proj- ect. Whatever you do, don’t give up. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A “tip” about a co-worker’s “betrayal” might well raise the Bovine’s rage levels. But before charging into a confrontation, let an unbiased col- league do some fact checking. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Although a relationship still seems to be moving too slowly to suit your expectations, it’s best not to push it. Let it develop at its own pace. You’ll soon get news about a workplace change. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A continually changing personal situ- that road. I know it is not too late for him to stop, even though I am pretty sure he has already done some seri- ous damage to his body. What can I do to get my husband to quit for good. -- S.W. ANSWER: Quitting smoking is perhaps the most diffi cult rec- ommendation to follow. There are some defi nite red fl ags in your hus- band’s case as you have described it, but some reason to hope as well. The fact that your husband can see the effects of smoking on his father but has not successfully quit is wor- risome. On the other hand, quitting now will greatly slow down damage to his lungs. Similarly, although he restarted quickly after quitting, he was able to quit. He needs to know that most people who quit success- fully have tried several times to quit in the past and went back. It’s worth trying again, and he knows that he is able to quit. Varenicline (Chantix), bupropion (Zyban and Wellbutrin) and nicotine replacement therapies defi nitely are helpful for most people in quitting. I am sure his doctor will be happy to partner with you, his family, in help- ing him quit. The American Lung Associa- tion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Canada and the American Heart Association all have helpful information for people trying to quit as well. DEAR DR. ROACH: After two years of seeing several doctors and being misdiagnosed and treated with wrong medications, my 27-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Her joint pain has been constant. What kind of long- term damage has been done during this time? -- A.F. ANSWER: Psoriasis is a com- mon infl ammatory skin condition, with well-known plaques -- raised red patches with silvery scales or fl aked skin -- most commonly seen over the elbows, knees or on the back. Only a minority of people with psoriasis will ever develop psoriatic arthritis, but you have to have psoriasis to get psoriatic arthri- tis. Sometimes, the arthritis shows up before the skin lesions, making the diagnosis diffi cult. Unfortunately, damage to the joints can happen early in the course of psoriatic arthritis, but only an X- ray can show the extent of damage. Your daughter may need aggressive treatment. A rheumatologist experi- enced in psoriatic arthritis is essen- tial. ation makes you feel as if you’re rid- ing an emotional roller coaster. But hold on tight; stability starts to set in early next week. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Believe it or not, someone might dare to say “No!” to the Regal One’s suggestion. But instead of being miff ed, use this rebuff to recheck the proposition and, perhaps, make some changes. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might fi nd it diffi cult to make a decision about a family mat- ter. But delay can only lead to more problems. Seek out trusted counsel and then make that important deci- sion. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Concentrate your focus on what needs to be done, and avoid frit- tering away your energies on less- important pursuits. Th ere’ll be time later for fun and games. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Although the con- fl icts seem to be letting up, you still need to be wary of being drawn into workplace intrigues. Plan a special weekend event for family and/or friends. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your quick wit helps you work through an already diffi - cult situation without creating more problems. Creative aspects begin to dominate by the week’s end. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Be patient. You’ll soon receive news about a project that means so much to you. Meanwhile, you might want to reconsider a sug- gestion you previously turned down. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Th ere are still some aspects about that new job off er you need to resolve. In the meantime, another possibility seems promising. Be sure to check that out as well. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Opening up your emotional fl ood- gates could leave you vulnerable to being hurt later on. Watch what you say, in order to avoid having your words come back to haunt you. 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
