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Thursday, April 1, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Warm up cold feet DEAR DR. GOTT: What are the possible reasons for my extremely cold feet and toes? DEAR READER: There are a number of possible causes, including exposure to cold, hypothyroidism, peripheral neu- ropathy, peripheral-artery disease and Raynaud’s. Many disorders share symptoms, so you might need some follow-up. If you were exposed to in leg muscles after walking a certain distance). I would expect, and perhaps incorrectly, that you are too young to suffer from PAD. Dr. Peter Gott extreme cold without adequate protection, exposure could be the answer. Perhaps you were outside for a long time in frigid temperatures without benefit of socks, footwear or warm boots. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is easy enough to determine with a simple blood test but is often accompanied by a num- ber of other symptoms, such as fatigue, that you don’t mention. If it is time for an annual physical examination, ask your physician to test you for a thyroid disor- der. Include cholesterol and blood-sugar levels. If abnormalities exist, it is likely simple medication will help you. Peripheal neuropathy is caused by nerve damage and commonly presents with numbness, tingling and a burning sensation. This certainly might be an answer. Raynaud’s is an interruption of blood flow to the extremities caused by expo- sure to cold and made worse by emo- tional stimulation. Symptoms include burning, tingling, pain on exposure to cold and whitish/blue skin, followed by redder skin when circulation improves. Peripheral-artery disease is a common problem involving circulation that occurs when there’s an insufficient flow of blood to the hands, legs and feet. A person may complain of cold extremi- ties, foot ulcers that fail to heal and inter- mittent claudication (pain or discomfort DW PLUMBING INC. Local Plumbers Serving all Your Plumbing Needs 530 527-6403 COHEN Since 1993 Major Credit Cards Accepted Lic. No 679492 TEHAMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY Discontinue smoking if you currently do so. Exercise to improve your circulation. Cover your feet with socks and warm slippers or shoes, even when at home. Avoid excess coffee, chocolate and other caffeine- containing products that con- strict blood vessels. Substitute green and black teas that contain flavonoids, as they help support blood-vessel health. While I have no personal experience and cannot endorse the alternative, magne- sium taken in doses of 1,000 milligrams daily is purported to relax blood vessels and promote blood flow. Too much mag- nesium, however, can cause diarrhea, so be careful not to overdo it. Have a thorough examination by your primary-care physician or see a specialist to determine whether there is an underly- ing cause for your symptoms. Ask about the possibility of an ultrasound or angiography, which will identify blocked or narrowed arteries. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Thyroid Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet,” available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook.” PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT ✓ ❏Re-Elect GREGG $ Money $ 2 Lend Cash 4 Notes McKinley Mortgage Co. CA DRE # 01773837 Call 530-241-0977 800-909-1977 Corning Calif. Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com Found grown son’s birth mom Dear Annie: My husband and I adopted a boy from a reputable adoption home 26 years ago. At the time, we were given only a few details about the birth parents. Several months ago, I found out who the birth mother is and where she lives. If I contact her and she wants to get in touch, should I share this information with my son? The mother was only 17 when she gave him up. I know now that my child has siblings. Should I keep this information to myself forever? — Desper- ate To Know What To Do Dear Desperate: Has your son ever expressed an interest in searching for his birth parents? He is an adult now, and this deci- sion should be his. Tell him you can help him locate his birth mother if he wants to do so. There may be med- ical history that would prove useful, and if his bio- logical family agrees, a meeting could be a good thing. Adoptees often find this emotionally beneficial. Dear Annie: I am a 52- year-old widow. My hus- band died seven years ago, and I had not dated anyone until I met ‘‘Jim’’ at the health club. We discovered we had a Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar lot in common, and as time went on, we began to develop strong feelings for each other. I felt my life come back to me. After five months, Jim moved in with my teenage son and me. He makes us both happy. The problem is, my two older boys do not feel I should have another man in my life. I told them Jim has also felt the emptiness of a loss and understands. I also said I will always love their father, but I want a life, too. Unfortunately, my sons have made it hard for me to see my grandchildren. We are not a close family anymore, and I am heart- broken. What do I do? Should I please my sons or myself? Am I a bad moth- er for choosing a man over my grown sons? — Mom in the Middle Dear Mom:We see two different problems here. Your sons are being selfish to withhold the grandchil- dren because you refuse to remain alone for the rest of your life. However, having Jim move in with you and a teenager after five months is too much too soon. We know you have been lonely, but you are rushing this relationship. It is premature to cohabit, and you should explain to Jim that you are having second thoughts about the arrangement and would like to take things more slowly. He should move out. This will also allow your older sons to get to know him before he is shoved in their faces. By all means, continue to see him, but please give your- self more time before tak- ing the next step. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Lost in Hawaii,’’ who was con- cerned that her ex-husband was too lenient with their 14-year-old daughter who lived with him. My ex gave himself a divorce for his 50th birth- day. My 12-year-old daughter decided to live with Dad, and was allowed to stay out as late as she wanted and leave her room a mess and was never dis- ciplined for anything. After two years of his lazy and lenient parenting, my beautiful, smart daughter started drinking and was suspended from high school twice for drugs. The police once picked her up at 3 a.m. If I tried to ‘‘interfere,’’ she would threaten not to visit me again. Last fall, she flunked out of her first semester of college. My biggest regret is that I didn’t fight harder to get custody. I hope she will bounce back, but the situa- tion has gone downhill, and I realize what she needed most was guidance and discipline, not guilt- induced permissiveness. — Didn’t Stand Up for My Daughter Dear Didn’t: You can’t turn back the clock, but it is never too late to build a better relationship with your daughter so you can be the source of support she needs. 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.ne t, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.