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Tuesday, May 11, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Is a colonoscopy called for? DEAR DR. GOTT: My wife is 82 and in good health. She exercis- es and eats well. She takes metopro- lol and warfarin and has been urged to have a colonoscopy. She had breast can- cer two years ago. Do you think a colonoscopy is appropriate? DEAR READER: Let’s Dr. Peter Gott first discuss your wife’s medical history. She has a history of breast cancer. She is also on metoprolol, a beta blocker commonly used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), chest pain such as angina and other conditions as recommended by your physician. Because you don’t mention hyper- tension, hers was likely pre- scribed because of a cardiac history. Warfarin is an anticoagu- lant that reduces the forma- tion of blood clots in veins, arteries and the lungs. It is prescribed to prevent heart attack and stroke. Again, you don’t mention stroke or blood clots, so I interpret the warfarin prescription is cardiac-related, as well. Has your wife had a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, blood in her stool and a history of polyps, colon cancer or other intestinal suspicion that needs to be addressed or readdressed? Is this her first colonoscopy or has she had one or more in the past — perhaps with question- able results? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, this may be the reason why her physician is recommending a colonoscopy. With what appears to be a cardiac issue, possible hypertension and her age, I am not sure that her physician or gas- troenterologist would have recommended the proce- dure arbitrarily. Colonoscopy is a simple procedure recommended for everyone over the age of 50, with follow-up on a periodic basis, usually every five to 10 years. The procedure can detect cancerous polyps and a host of other problems, often nipping them in the bud. However, before commit- ting to anything, I feel your wife needs to visit her physician to determine the exact reason for the recom- mendation. This holds true of virtu- ally every procedure for M-F NOW OPEN!! 8am-6pm Baking Fresh Bread Daily Milling Wheat into Flour Made with Organic & Local Ingredients 446 Antelope Blvd. #38 Left side of Antelope Holiday Mkt 529-1687 Anniversary Special: FREE Regular or N.G. glass with all custom frames during May. Must persent this ad. Offer Expries 5/31/10. Oversize glass not included 857 Washington St. red bluff 530-527-3369 Applebee’s is racing up Purple! We are raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness by donating 15% of our sales to “RELAY FOR LIFE” from 5pm to 9pm on Wednesday May 12th Come in and be a part of our fundraiser. everyone. The only way a person can make a decision is through education. So, become educat- ed. Ask your wife if you can accom- pany her during the visit. Most often, two heads are bet- ter than one in sort- ing things out and for hearing everything that is said. If she disapproves, then she should go on her own with a list of questions that should be answered to her complete satisfaction. To provide related infor- mation, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “An Informed Approach to Surgery.” 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 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: My 27-year-old granddaughter has restless-legs syndrome, and I can’t remember your home remedy. Can you help? DEAR READER: There are several remedies that might help your grand- daughter. One herbal rec- ommendation is hawthorn berry available in most health-food stores. Nutri- tional supplements include supplemental vitamin E in the diet, calcium, magne- sium and folic acid. Home remedies include an unwrapped bar of soap under the bottom sheet of her bed placed in the area of the lower legs. Smaller hotel bars of soap are ideal because of their size, but the large ones work equally well. Still another possible solution is an over-the- counter topical liniment containing cooling menthol rubbed onto the lower legs and feet before going to sleep. 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. Hussy gloats about adulterous affair Dear Annie: I work in a doctor’s office where the husband and wife are both physicians. They have stag- gered work schedules and aren’t in the office at the same time. The wife’s sister also works in our office. Some time ago, we employees were fed up because the male doctor was fooling around after hours with his sister-in-law. Someone finally told the wife, who fired the hussy. Much later, the sister-in-law was hired back. I’m assuming there were many promises made, but I can assure you, the two are at it again. They stay late together, and the evidence of their tryst is there in the morning. I don’t think the wife is aware of it. Meanwhile, the sister- in-law struts around the office and gloats about her relationship. It makes the rest of us truly uncom- fortable. How do we let the wife know Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar find out, and soon. Dear Annie: From the time my son, ‘‘Joe,’’ was a teenager, I had no control over his behavior. His father was away most evenings and weekends ‘‘entertaining cus- tomers,’’ which really meant he was out with the guys. Joe found occasional temporary jobs, but never wanted to work. He was an adult when my husband and I divorced, and for a time, he lived with his father and stepmother and freeloaded off of them. what’s going on? Nobody wants to tell her the bad news, and we worry her husband will be angry with whoever spills the beans. But I feel terribly guilty. What should we do? — Wish I Didn’t Know Dear Wish: You and at least one other employee should ask to speak privately with the husband. Explain that the sister-in-law is bragging about her relationship with him and it is affecting office morale. He will surely understand that this open ‘‘secret’’ means his wife is bound to The Anderson River Park Century bicycle ride will be held on Sat- urday, May 15. Ride Director Mike Ferrier says registration is open until ride start times at Anderson River Park for all distances. The 100-mile ride starts at 7 a.m. followed at 8 a.m. by the 60-mile and the 25- and 40-mile rides starting at 9 a.m. Online registration is open until May 13 at www.centurybikeride.c om. Registration forms COIN COLLECTIONS WANTED The Gold “Your Quality Hometown Jeweler” Sat. 11 am-4 pm 528-8000 413 Walnut St. Red Bluff Exchange M-F 10am-5:30 pm I turned 71 last year and retired. Through careful budgeting, my hus- band and I have enough funds to live on. Joe is 51 and now claims he has emphysema and is unable to work. (He hasn’t seen a doctor, but he was a heavy smoker.) His father has a bad heart and figures he’ll die first, and he expects me to support Joe after he runs through whatever money Dad leaves him. I cannot afford to do that. Joe refuses to help around the house, mow the lawn, clean or do anything else. I want nothing to do with him. Father and son both lived their lives to please themselves while I worked two jobs. I no longer feel this is my problem. But if Joe actually is suffering from emphyse- ma, is there someplace he can get low-cost help? — Still His Mother Dear Still: Joe will need to see a physician and be diagnosed. If he does have emphysema, he may are available at Redding bike shops and on the website. Costs are $40 for 60- and 100-mile rides and $30 for the 25- and 40- mile rides. Riders from four states have registered and Ferrier expects a record turnout for this 6th annual ride. The Enterprise and Anderson Lions Clubs and the Anderson Parks and Recreation Depart- ment conduct the ride. More than 50 volun- Is cremation your choice? Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers owns and operates the only on-site crematory in Tehama County. • Your loved one NEVER leaves our care. • For your peace of mind, we personally perform cremations on site. • No hidden charges. If cremation is your choice, there really is no other choice for you than the cremation experts at Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers. Contact us today so we may answer your questions. Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers Funerals • Cremations • Prearrangements 816 Walnut Street | Red Bluff (530) 527-1174 www.chapeloftheflowers.net State Theatre, 333 Oak Street, Red Bluff www.statetheatreredbluff.com Published through a co- sponsorship agreement with the D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY and Friends of the Theatre qualify for disability benefits or Medicaid, but he cannot simply claim the illness without medical evidence. There may be a nearby free clinic, or he could ask at local hospitals whether they will examine him for a minimal fee. He (or you) could also call 2-1-1 and see what help is available for Joe in your area. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Getting Anxious,’’ who said she suffers from hyperhidrosis. I, too, was embarrassed by excessive sweating. I hated shaking hands and wearing fitted shirts. A number of years ago, I opted for the surgery. They do one side at a time because, yes, it is invasive. The recovery was hard and painful, but the end result was worth it. I had one side done, and that hand and armpit no longer sweat. I am now anxious to have the other side fixed. I would encourage her to do it. — Saved by Surgery Dear Saved: The decision to have surgery is up to the individual since everyone handles it different- ly, but we appreciate your positive testimony. 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. Registration still open for century ride teers from local clubs will aid riders during the event. Financial support from local business allows for profits the clubs use in their com- munities. More information is available at www.centu- rybikeride.com or by calling Ferrier at 941- 9977 or sending an email to mikeferrier@sbcglob- al.net. Enjoy Girlfriends Day at the Historic Red Bluff State Theatre MAMMA MIA! Saturday, May 22, 2010 THE MOVIE 4 pm Wine Tasting in the Lobby by California Kitchen Company 5 pm Movie • All Seats $5.00 RED BLUFF OUTDOOR POWER 527-5741 490 Antelope Blvd., Red bluff Mon. - Sat. 8-5 Read the owner’s manual before operating Honda Power Equipment 220 Antelope Blvd. (530) 527-6164 We look forward to seeing you! www.rollinghillscasino.com Rosser’s Bakery & Specialty Foods