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
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AD IT DAY
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