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4 B SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2017 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Lupus Is More Than a Single Disease DEAR DR. ROACH: After hav- ing a body rash for fi ve months, I fi - nally was diagnosed as having sub- acute lupus. After searching on the Internet, I got very little understand- able information. I am an 83-year- old very healthy woman. -- J.B. ANSWER: Lupus (literally “wolf,” as the classic rash of sys- temic lupus erythematosis was thought to resemble a wolf bite) is a complicated group of related diseases, including SLE (the “full- blown” syndrome, which can affect many organ systems, although itself highly variable), discoid lupus ery- thematosis (a skin condition that can exist by itself or as part of SLE) and subacute cutaneous lupus erythema- tosis, which I think you are referring to. SCLE is a skin condition that starts as small, red, scaly raised bumps, which coalesce or form ring- like patterns on the trunk, shoulders, forearms and neck, but usually not the face. About a third of the time, SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might feel compelled to get involved on the “right side” of a seemingly unfair fi ght. But appearances can be deceptive. Get the facts before going forth into the fray. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Bul- lying others into agreeing with your position could cause resentment. In- stead, persuade them to join you by making your case on a logical point- by-point basis. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Resist pushing for a workplace decision you might feel is long overdue. Your im- patience could backfi re. Meanwhile, focus on that still-unsettled personal situation. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your aspects favor doing something diff er- SCLE is related to a medication. Many medications are associated with development of SCLE, includ- ing blood pressure medications, some statins, omeprazole and other anti-ulcer and GERD medications. About half the time, SCLE occurs in combination with systemic lupus. Treatment of SCLE involves careful avoidance of direct sunlight, including the use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Any drug commonly associated with SCLE should be stopped, if possible. Stop- ping smoking may improve the dis- ease. Low vitamin D level often is associated with SCLE (possibly be- cause people are avoiding sunlight), so supplementation may be neces- sary. If medications are needed, topical steroids are probably the most effec- tive treatment. Topical calcineurin inhibiters such as tacrolimus (Pro- topic) are (very) expensive alterna- tives. So many people ask me to com- ment on dietary treatment that I will mention that although there is no data to prove it, I have anecdotally found that the “anti-infl ammatory diet” of high fruits and vegetables, low saturated fat, low processed and high whole-grain products, and high omega-3 fatty acids such as fatty fi sh and walnuts, may improve symptoms of lupus, and is a gener- ally healthy diet for most people. I found two especially good web- sites for more information: www. lupus.org and www.mollysfund.org. READERS: Since lupus affects many organs and joints, the signs and symptoms are equally many, and most who suffer are women. To learn more, order the Arthritis & Lu- pus booklet by writing: Dr. Roach -- No. 301W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please al- low four weeks for delivery. DEAR DR. ROACH: At 53, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and since this runs in my family, I had the cancer removed. For three years now, I have gotten the PSA test done and my numbers have been steady at 0.01. Some friends say I should go for additional radia- tion treatments, but my doctor says I’m fi ne. I believe in my doctor, but maybe you can put the argument to rest. -- M.P. ANSWER: Believe in your doc- tor. A persistently low PSA is very good evidence that the cancer is cured or at least staying quiet. If the PSA starts increasing (which I hope it doesn’t), your doctor will go over your options with you. ent. You might decide to redecorate your home, or take a trip somewhere you’ve never been, or even change your hairstyle. LEO (July 23 to August 22) You might want to take a break from your busy schedule to restore your energy levels. Use this less-hectic time to also reassess your plans and make needed changes. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) What you like to think of as deter- mination might be seen by others as nothing more than stubbornness. Try to be more fl exible if you hope to get things resolved. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Watch that you don’t unwittingly reveal work-related information to the wrong person. Best to say noth- ing until you get offi cial clearance to open up. SCORPIO (October 23 to Novem- ber 21) With things settling down at work or at home, you can now take on a new challenge without fear of dis- traction. Be open to helpful sugges- tions from colleagues. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your creativity can help resolve an emotional situation that might otherwise get out of hand. Continue to be your usual caring, sensitive self. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You could impress a lot of infl uential people with the way you untangle a few knotty problems. Meanwhile, a colleague is set to share some welcome news. AQUARIUS (January 20 to Febru- ary 18) Aspects favor recharging your social life and meeting new people. It’s also a good time to renew friend- ships that might be stagnating due to neglect on both sides. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Congratulations. Your talent for working out a highly technical prob- lem earns you well-deserved praise. Th e weekend could bring news about a friend or relative. Siuslaw N ews ! 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