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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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