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Saturday, April 9, 2011 – Daily News – 5A What is stuttering? Overweight octogenarian opposes objectors FEATURES Dear Annie: DEAR DR. GOTT: “The King’s Speech” movie has everyone talking about stutter- ing. We at The Stuttering Foun- dation are seeing a four-fold increase in inquiries. So are ther- apists. Please consider answer- ing the simple question, “What is stuttering?” for the benefit of your readers. Our website, www.StutteringHelp.org, has a trove of helpful materials and can make referrals. President Jane Fraser can offer thoughts and advice. I’ve searched your site and did not see any information on stuttering. Thank you. Dr. Peter Gott DEAR READER: I have not written about stuttering since 2009. Stuttering, sometimes known as stammering, is a communication disor- der. It is characterized by repetition, prolongation or abnormal stoppages in the flow of the speech. It can also be associated with unusual facial or body movements that occur when having dif- ficulty speaking. Stuttering is not a sign of reduced mental capacity or intelli- gence. Stuttering affects approximately 68 million people worldwide. There are more than 3 million sufferers in the United States. Men are affected four times more frequently than women. About 5 percent of all children will experience stuttering that lasts for six or more months. Of that, nearly 4 percent resolve by late childhood. The remain- ing 1 percent will have long-term prob- lems. About 60 percent of those who stut- ter have another family member who also does, suggesting a genetic cause. Children with other speech and lan- guage problems or developmental delays are more likely to develop a stut- ter than other children. Families with high expectations and fast-paced lifestyles can also contribute to stutter- ing. Recent research has also shown that those who stutter process speech and language slightly differently than those with otherwise normal speech. Stutter- ing may also be the result of a combina- tion of factors, and the cause may not be the same for everyone. It’s likely that the starting cause is different from the cause of prolonged or worsening stut- tering. Emotional and psychological prob- lems are no more likely in those who stutter than those who don’t, so they are not believed to be a cause. Stuttering is treatable and gaining near-normal or normal fluency takes time. There is no cure. In general, results are better and appear faster the earlier treatment is begun. For very young children, this may even prevent developmental stuttering from becom- ing a lifelong issue. Treatment can vary from person to person and between children, teens and adults. Speech therapists and patholo- gists are often the first and best option for treatment. They can tailor care and find the therapies that work best for each person. There is no approved medication for stuttering, but some drugs, such as those for depression, epilepsy and anxiety, have been used; however, studies have News tip? Call 527-2151 9th Annual FIBER ON THE FOOT Natural Fiber Producer’s Liverstock Show & Fiber Festival May 7, 9 to 5 Fairgrounds, RB A Clean, Reliable, Trustworthy, Chimney Company... Possible? ”Their tarps are always clean and my home is always clean afterward. What I like best is their reliability and quality.” “I can trust them!” Dr. Evan Reasor Flue Season 527 3331 THE Chimney Professionals Gayle’s Tuxedo Rentals New Location 223 Main St. 527-1381 736-1341 inside Flower Boutique across from Taco Bell concluded that they are largely ineffective. Clinical trials using other medications are currently being conducted. There are several types of electronic devices; however, they do not work for everyone. Long-term effectiveness is not known, and real-world effec- tiveness is questionable. A final option is self-help groups. Many sufferers have found that therapy and self- help/study help are the most beneficial. Self-help groups also act as a support system where people can come together and learn from each other, find new information, and develop mutual friend- ships with others who understand the daily stresses, difficulties and chal- lenges of dealing with stuttering. Sup- port groups in general can be extremely helpful to sufferers of any disorder, regardless of what it may be. Readers interested in learning more can visit The Stuttering Foundation’s website or call for free informational brochures and a nationwide referral list of speech pathologists at (800) 992- 9392. You can also visit the stuttering information page on the National Insti- tute on Deafness and Other Communi- cation Disorders (a part of the National Institutes of Health) website at www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/stut- ter.html or by calling the NIDCD Infor- mation Clearinghouse at (800) 241- 1044. DEAR DR. GOTT: I suffered vertigo misery for more than 20 years. I had brain scans and more that showed no pathology. Luckily, a referral from a local neurologist sent me to a physical therapist experienced in performing the Epley maneuvers. I had amazing results from the repositioning of debris in the inner ear. Between sessions, I wear a “Sea-band” elastic bracelet for any dizzi- ness. Low-salt, low-alcohol, low-caf- feine diets can also help tremendously. DEAR READER: Vertigo is a com- mon complaint among my readers and one of the most difficult to treat because it is often caused by benign or unknown conditions. The Epley maneuvers, as you have experienced, are designed to reposition debris to a location within the ear that does not cause the spinning, dizzy sensation of vertigo. These often have to be done on a regular basis to maintain results. Thank you for sharing your experience. Readers who are interested in learn- ing more about ear disorders can order my Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders” by sending a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website’s direct link at www.AskDrGottMD.com/order_form.p df. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. We are in our 80s and have known ‘‘Ed and Jane’’ for 15 years. They sometimes invite us to spend a couple of nights at their condo in another state, and we recip- rocate. It went fair- ly well until the past few years. Now the first thing Jane men- tions is how much weight I’ve gained, and the conver- sation is always about food. The last time we visited, my husband and I brought Chi- nese takeout. After Ed and Jane finished their soup, they were ‘‘stuffed’’ and insisted they couldn’t eat another bite. When they come here, Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar now and then. How can I tactfully tell them I don’t want their company right now without caus- ing a lot of hurt feel- ings? — A Slightly Portly Senior Citi- zen Dear Senior: Inform Ed and Jane that the situation in your home has changed and, so sorry, you no longer it’s the same thing. I try to serve small portions and healthy meals, but it’s always ‘‘way too much.’’ Jane and Ed are really skin- ny. I am a little heavier than I should be because I don’t get enough physical activity, but I try to eat nutritious, well-balanced meals. Jane and Ed now want to visit again, and I’m already losing sleep over the thought. We have an extra bedroom, but my husband hasn’t been well lately and needs his own space, so I’ve taken the second room. If guests come, I’d have to sleep on the couch. And the extra grocery shopping, laundry and cooking wears me out. I particularly don’t want to take on the addi- tional burden when I know the visit will be all about food. We no longer converse much with Ed and Jane except for a few e-mails The CSU, Chico Cen- ter for Economic Devel- opment is holding the workshop: Demistifying the Numbers: Hands-On Data Workshop for 2010 Census. Due to popular demand a second workshop, which will be limited to the first 25 registrations, has been added for April 25. The 2010 Census is significantly different from any other data used in the past. The social and economic data needed are no longer available in the decennial census, but this workshop can show how to find it. Whether writing a busi- ness plan or grant propos- al or solving community problems the workshop Annual 34th 20-75% OFF All Sunglasses APRIL 2ND thru 15TH have room for them to stay with you. Give them the names of nearby hotels. The next time they mention your weight or your food, tell them you appreciate their interest in your health, but you’d prefer not to discuss it. Then deliberately and obviously change the sub- ject. But do it with a smile. Dear Annie: My daugh- ter keeps buying things she doesn’t need and spending money before paying her bills. At the moment, she is in foreclosure because she buys junk before paying her mortgage. She and her chil- dren may have to move in with us. I have a lot of health issues, and the stress over this is killing me. Jane has a decent job. She just cannot manage her money and con- stantly lies to justify her pur- chases. We have helped her out financially several times, but this time we decided to let her be responsible for her own mess. She is going through a divorce and could afford to keep her home if she would just stop spend- ing. She is a wonderful mother, and the kids do well in school. Please help us. — Ohio Dear Ohio: Compulsive will increase awareness of, access to and under- standing of the census data. The workshop will be 9 a.m. to noon at CSU, spending can have many causes, including poor impulse control, bipolar dis- ease or a way to mask depression or anxiety. Your daughter’s pending divorce may have driven her over the edge. Please suggest she contact Debtors Anony- mous (debtorsanonymous.org) at 1-800-421-2383. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Gotta Do What You Gotta Do,’’ who said she tried to kill her mother- in-law with kindness, to no avail, and finally moved across the country to be rid of her. When I was engaged, I had a dim view of my fiance’s parents. I had never met them, yet had heard plenty of griping about them from my boyfriend when he needed to vent. Before I traveled to his town to meet his family, I decided that no matter how fake I had to be, I was going to be nice. Fast-forward a few years. My mother-in-law has become closer to me than my own mother. She is kind-hearted and compas- sionate and simply wants to love us. It is well worth the effort to treat your mother- in-law with respect and decency right from the start. Things can change. — A Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Demystifying the Numbers workshop offered Chico in the Butte Hall, room 207. Cost is $65, which is non-refundable. For more information call Sandy Linville at 898- 3857. Fundraiser SWAP MEET 100% of entry fees to benefit the Branding Project! Saturday, April 30, 2011 *Except Oakley & Rayban 910 Main St. Suite C Red Bluff 910 Main St. Suite C Red Bluff (530) 527-2510 or (800) 481-LENS gummsoptical.com Have you lost your job due to layoff or closure? Special services may be available to you through the Job Training Center. First steps 1. Come into the career center with your right to work information and fill out a one page registration form. 2. Attend an Information and Resource Workshop Wednesdays from 10-11am. Please bring a copy of your resume, if you have one. Career Counselors will be available for one-on-one introductions and appointment planning following the workshop. To learn more, visit www.jobtrainingcenter.org/layoff-services.html Job Training Center 718 Main Street, Red Bluff Hours: Monday-Friday/9am to 5pm Tehama District Fairgrounds 650 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff Booth Space Fees: • 10’x12’ space $20.00 • 10’ x 12’ space plus adjacent vehicle $30.00 • Non-Profit Service Club Row • As many service club members as can fit in a whole row $200.00 Spaces are Limited! Register early! Register at: • Business Connections 332 Pine Street, Red Bluff •Tehama District Fairgrounds Office 650 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff •Chamber of Commerce 100 Main Street, Red Bluff For information contact Suzanne Muench (530) 690-2200 or suzmuench@aol.com Published as part of a project co- sponsorship with D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY 25 Brands To Choose From Hundreds of styles to Choose From