4 B
SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, JULY 8 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Can Magnesium
Pills Help Control
A-Fib?
DEAR DR. ROACH: Ten years
ago, I had many episodes of rapid
heartbeats, diagnosed as atrial fi bril-
lation. My cardiologist put me on a
medication, which I took for a couple
of years, but the A fi b came back. The
doctor changed my medication to so-
talol, but that didn’t help either. I read
that low magnesium could be a cause
of atrial fi brillation, and I started tak-
ing calcium, magnesium and potassi-
um, and have not an episode of rapid
heartbeat for four years. I went back
to my doctor, who told me it was a
crazy idea. I haven’t seen him in four
years. It seems a shame that we hear
of so many treatments for A fi b when
it might be stopped with a simple
supplement. -- S.Z.
ANSWER: Well, it certainly isn’t a
crazy idea, but low magnesium isn’t
the only cause of atrial fi brillation,
and supplementing magnesium and
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Aspects favor socializing with family
and friends, but an irksome work-
place situation could intrude. No use
grumbling, Lamb. Just do it, and then
get back to the fun times.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Th ere’s still time for you Ferdinands
and Fernandas to relax and sniff the
roses. But a major work project looms
and soon will demand much of your
attention through the 24th.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
Your enthusiasm persuades even the
toughest doubters to listen to what
you’re proposing. But don’t push
too hard, or you’ll push them away.
Moderate for best results.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Your energy levels are rising, and you
other electrolytes will not stop atrial
fi brillation in most people. However,
low blood magnesium levels are a
recognized risk factor for developing
atrial fi brillation, and giving magne-
sium during heart surgery reduces
the risk of developing A fi b afterward
in some (but not all) studies, so there
certainly is something to it. Also, oral
magnesium can make other medica-
tions for A fi b work more effectively.
Since oral magnesium is safe and
cheap, I think it is reasonable to try.
However, I am concerned because
atrial fi brillation can go on in some
people without their being aware of
it, and the major risk of A fi b is blood
clots. I would recommend that you
continue to get evaluated periodi-
cally to make sure your heart rate is
persistently normal. I also would try
to fi nd a physician who is willing to
work with you on combining “alter-
native” treatments like magnesium
with traditional therapy if needed.
READERS: Atrial fi brillation is
quite common, affecting some 2 mil-
lion Americans, and becomes more
common with age. To learn more,
order the booklet on Heartbeat Ir-
regularities by writing: Dr. Roach
-- No. 107W, Box 536475, Orlando,
FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check
or money order (no cash) for $4.75
U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s
printed name and address. Please al-
low four weeks for delivery.
DR. ROACH WRITES: I wrote a
column awhile back about a man who
kept falling, whose doctor wasn’t
able to fi nd the cause after a thorough
search. I had suggested checking his
vitamin D level, but many readers
wrote in to tell me about conditions
that were missed in themselves or in
a loved one. I thought that a few of
these were worth sharing.
Many people wrote that a physical
therapist (and perhaps an occupation-
al therapist as well) would be impor-
tant, and I fully agree. I have found
physical and occupational therapists
to be among my most treasured but
underappreciated colleagues, and
almost always, they are able to im-
prove people’s function.
Other suggestions included look-
ing for low oxygen levels, and
checking whether the blood pressure
drops too much upon standing. One
person wrote in to note that walk-
ers and wheelchairs can decrease
activity and lead to loss of strength
and balance. Another recommended
looking for hidden infections, such
as in the urine. These should have
been checked for.
feel you can handle anything the job
requires. Th at’s great. But don’t iso-
late yourself. Keep your door open to
your workplace colleagues.
LEO (July 23 August 22) A work-
place change could lead to that pro-
motion you’ve been hoping for. But
you’ll have to face some tough com-
petition before the Lion can claim his
or her share of the goodies.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Your rigidity regarding a diffi cult
workplace situation could be the rea-
son your colleagues aren’t rushing to
your assistance. Try being more fl ex-
ible in your demands.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Th at uneasy mood could be your
Libran inner voice reminding you
that while it’s great to be with your
new friends, you need to take care not
to ignore your old ones.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) A sudden spate of
criticism could shake the Scorpion’s
usually high sense of self-confi dence.
Best advice: You made a decision you
believed in -- now defend it.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22
to December 21) Your reluctance
to help restart a stalled relationship
could be traced to unresolved doubts
about your partner’s honesty. Rely on
a trusted friend’s advice.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Th e capricious Sea Goat
is torn between duty and diversion.
Best advice: Do both. Tend to your
workaday chores, then go out and
enjoy your well-earned fun time.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Cutting back on some
of your activities for a few days helps
restore your energy levels. You should
be feeling ready to tackle your many
projects early next week.
PISCES (February 19 to March
20) A co-worker might be secretly
carping about your work to mutual
colleagues. But associates will come
to your defense, and the situation will
ultimately work to your advantage.
Siuslaw N ews
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