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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 2017)
4 B SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Healthy Diet Possible While Avoiding Oxalate DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had several kidney stones and was ad- vised to avoid oxalate. I was told that green, leafy vegetables and grains are high in oxalate. How can my diet be healthy if I avoid these healthy foods? -- D.F. ANSWER: Calcium oxalate is the most common type of kidney stone, so limiting dietary oxalate makes sense. However, increasing water intake, dietary calcium and potassi- um can help prevent kidney stones. It is paradoxical, but dietary calcium reduces kidney stone risk while cal- cium supplements increase kidney stone risk. Also, vitamin C increases kidney stone risk, so it’s not recom- mended to take supplemental vita- min C. There are many places to fi nd the oxalate content of food, starting with your dietician, but websites like www.lowoxalate.info and www.ohf. org have nice lists. There you can SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Th is week could off er more opportuni- ties for ambitious Lambs eager to get ahead. But don’t rush into making de- cisions until you’ve checked for pos- sible hidden problems. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Some light begins to shine on profes- sional and/or personal situations that have long eluded explanation. Best advice: Don’t rush things. All will be made clear in time. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Al- though you might want to protest what seems to be an unfair situation, it’s best to keep your tongue and tem- per in check for now. Th e full story hasn’t yet come out. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Work prospects are back on track. But watch fi nd many fruits and vegetables that have little or no oxalate, including broccoli, lettuce and cucumber. You do need to avoid spinach, beets and similar vegetables. As far as grains go, corn, rice and wild rice are good choices. DEAR DR. ROACH: For a young couple wanting a baby, is there any help available for a man with a low sperm count? -- N.N. ANSWER: Identifying the cause of a couple’s infertility is often dif- fi cult. In one large study, 20 percent of cases were attributed to male fac- tors, and 38 percent to female. In 27 percent, there were reasons for in- fertility in both partners, and in 15 percent of cases no cause could be found. Clearly, both partners need to be evaluated. Low sperm count isn’t a diagno- sis; many separate systems can be af- fected, all leading to reduced sperm count. Abnormalities in hormonal function, mechanical obstruction and testicular disease all are pos- sibilities. Although many causes of low sperm count are untreatable, not all are. For example, elevated pro- lactin levels from a tumor or medi- cation can be treated, leading to im- proved fertility. Low sex-hormone levels can be replaced. Many men are advised to wear boxer shorts, as high temperatures affect fertility, but it’s not clear this is effective. Assistive procedures, such as intrauterine insemination, in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (a single sperma- tozoa injected into an egg) can be effective, but these procedures are always expensive, rarely covered by insurance, not 100 percent effective and have a small increased risk of birth defects. DEAR DR. ROACH: Is second- hand vapor (from the electronic cig- arettes) harmful? -- B.S.B. ANSWER: While the evidence that secondhand smoke from regu- lar cigarettes is harmful to people around smokers, causing increased risks of lung cancer and heart dis- ease, the data just aren’t clear about the vapor from electronic cigarettes. It is known that the vapor contains nicotine and potentially cancer- causing chemicals, but the amounts are much lower than with regular cigarettes. These chemicals can be inhaled by nonsmokers if close enough and possibly absorbed through the skin. Electronic cigarettes, also called vaporizers, may help people quit smoking. That’s the only use for them that I would recommend, after which they should be eliminated. what you say. A thoughtless comment to the wrong person -- even if it’s said in jest -- could delay or even derail your progress. LEO (July 23 to August 22) A col- league might try to goad you into say- ing or doing the wrong thing. It’s best to ignore the troublemaker, even if he or she riles your royal self. Your sup- porters stand with you. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Be careful not to let your on-the- job zealousness create resentment with co-workers who might feel you shut them out. Prove them wrong by including them in your project. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Although it’s not quite what you hoped for, use your good business sense to make the most of what you’re being off ered at this time. Th ings will improve down the line. SCORPIO (October 23 to Novem- ber 21) A more positive picture of what lies ahead is beginning to take shape. But there are still too many gaps that need to be fi lled in before you make defi nitive plans. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Continue to keep a tight hold on the reins so that you don’t charge willy-nilly into a situa- tion that might appear attractive on the surface but lack substance. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You still need to demand those answers to your questions. Re- member, your wise counseling earns you respect, but it’s your search for truth that gives you wisdom. AQUARIUS (January 20 to Febru- ary 18) You’ll fi nd that people are hap- py to help you deal with some diffi cult situations. And, of course, knowing you, you’ll be happy to return those favors anytime. Won’t you? PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Give that special someone in your personal life a large, loving dollop of reassurance. Th at will go a long way toward restoring the well-being of your ailing relationship. UNCLE FRANK IS BACK! Frank’s 101 Barber Shop 396 Highway 101, Florence • 541-902-9588 Siuslaw N ews ! AD IT DAY E R TO Joi n Uncle Fra nk at the Kla m ath River Sal mon Festival August 19th! See you there! Fra nk is at the Barbershop on Mon, Tues, Thurs a nd Friday, 9-3 Taki ng lu nch from Noon - 1:00 It is a must!