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Wednesday, May 19, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Slacker son worries parents Unusual GERD symptoms plague reader Dear Annie: Mom I have two teenage sons. The oldest is very athletic and makes good grades. He will be graduating soon and leaving for college. The problem is our youngest son. ‘‘Logan’’ is very intelligent, but couldn’t care Dear Wor- Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar less about his grades. Half the time, he doesn’t turn in his homework. He refuses to study and generally hates school. He will lie about assign- ments and grades. We have nagged him, grounded him and taken away privileges, but nothing seems to matter. Logan is also extremely overweight. We encourage him to exercise, but again, he ignores us. After his brother goes to school, I know he will quit the only team sport he has ever participated in. Fortunately, Logan isn’t involved in drink- ing or drugs. His friends are good kids, even though he doesn’t have many. He spends most of his time at home, doing next to nothing. He helps out with chores when I ask, but he never volunteers. When Logan was in middle school, we took him for counseling, but it didn’t help. He came around for a couple of years on his own, but now things are worse than ever. Maybe we just didn’t have the right counselor. How do you motivate someone to make the right choices? At the rate he’s going, he will be a lonely, overweight adult with no direction. Any advice? — Worried Jack the Ribber Come by for the Best Lunch in town • Ribs •Tri-Tip • Pulled Pork • Specials Mon.-Fri. 11am-8pm Sat. 4-9pm 1150 Monroe St. 527-6108 ried: Sometimes nagging and pun- ishment don’t work as well as encouragement and positive rein- forcement. First take Logan to his doctor for a com- plete checkup to be sure there is no underlying medical issue. Then have him evaluat- ed for hidden learning disabilities, since those can often cause a bright child to shut down in school. Allow him to be more involved in his choices. Discuss why some foods will aid in the develop- ment of bone and mus- cle and others will make him feel sluggish. Make exercise a regu- lar part of the entire family’s routine — a bike ride, basketball pick-up game, bowling, rollerblading. And if his behavior is still troublesome, please get him back into coun- seling. Your pediatrician can refer you. Dear Annie: For a long time, I’ve had feel- ings for ‘‘Stan.’’ I know he also cared for me, but would never have cheat- ed on his wife, for which I greatly admired him. Stan’s wife recently passed away after a six- month illness. Should I contact him in some way, and if so, when? I don’t want to appear insensitive, and I know he needs time to grieve. I want to be respectful. — Just Wondering Dear Just: It is not disrespectful to send a note expressing your sympathy on his loss. Should he be interested BOOK BARN Used Books Tues-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-2 Serving Tehama County since 1994 619 Oak St., Red Bluff (530) 528-2665 in contacting you for anything more, he will do so. If you hear noth- ing after six weeks, you may call and ask how he’s doing. Dear Annie: Your advice to ‘‘Mom in the Middle’’ was way off the mark. She asked her boyfriend to move in with her after five months, and you said she was rushing the rela- tionship. People can and do develop relationships faster than you give them credit for. I met my spouse less than a year ago, he moved in less than a month after we met, and we were married last November. Don’t deny someone the pleasure of a loving partner on the grounds of not knowing him long enough. — Brandon Dear Brandon: We don’t deny that you can fall in love in a short time and sometimes those relationships are successful over the long haul. We’re glad it is work- ing out for you. But ‘‘Mom’’ had a young teenager still living at home, and her first responsibility is to her child. It is unwise to bring someone into the house- hold until everyone has a chance to know him better. 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. DEAR DR. GOTT: I was pre- scribed omeprazole 20 mil- ligrams daily following an upper endoscopy. I have been taking this medication for almost a year and have been told that it inhibits the absorption of calcium. I was diagnosed with GERD and a hiatal hernia, plus two small stomach ulcers. I’m a 62-year- old female and have in the past been prescribed Evista, which my doctor took me off after one year and a sufficient bone-density test. Should I continue to take the omepra- zole? I have severe stomach cramps that are debilitating for about three days and also vomiting about once a month, even with the medication. Dr. Peter Gott form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: What can you tell me about relapsing polychondritis? I can’t find much help on the Web. I’ve had flare-ups three times a year for years, affecting one ear and sometimes both at the same time. Surprisingly, my last episode was three years ago, and it lasted six weeks, but now I am dealing with it again. Two different specialists have been of no help. The condition gets painful before it gets better. DEAR READER: Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus fails to close properly or is weakened, allowing a backwash of stomach acid into the esophagus. Hiatal hernia occurs as a result of increased abdominal pressure caused by sudden physical exertion, vomiting, coughing, obesity, increased abdominal pressure and excess fluid in the abdomen. A small 2002 study of 18 women over the age of 65 reported the concomi- tant use of omeprazole with calcium car- bonate when taken without food decreased calcium absorption in elderly women. It contradicted a study a few years earlier from Tufts in which omeprazole was found not to interfere with calcium, zinc or phosphorous absorption. The medication your physician rec- ommended is to reduce the amount of acid produced. Common symptoms of GERD include chest, neck and arm pain, breathing difficulties, dry cough, diffi- culty swallowing, burning or pressure and bad breath. Debilitating stomach cramps and vomiting are uncommon. Speak with your physician to rule out other possible causes or health condi- tions and to determine whether you should continue or discontinue the omeprazole. Then request a referral to a gastroenterologist for further testing if appropriate. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Hiatal Hernia, Acid Reflux & Indiges- tion.” 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 Mon.-Fri. 10:30 to 5:30 Sat. 11-3 40 Crafters in 1 Shop! Or Rent a Space to Sell Your Crafts Gifts for family & friends Wrapping available$1.00 650 Main St., Red Bluff 530 528-2723 Come & Shop Crafter’s Boutique DEAR READER: Polychondritis is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory autoimmune reaction of cartilage in var- ious tissues of the body, including the ears, nose, spine, trachea and joints. The eyes, blood vessels, skin and heart, while not formed by cartilage, have a similar makeup and can also be involved. The condition generally affects men and women in middle age. Symptoms typically begin with one or both ears becoming red, swollen and painful. Diagnosis is made when a healthcare provider observes eye inflammation, hearing or balance problems, bilateral ear inflammation, painful swelling in more than one joint and damage to carti- lage in the respiratory tract. Laboratory testing to include an ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) can provide perti- nent evidence when inflammation is pre- sent. Exacerbation of symptoms can last a few weeks, subside and occur again. Over time, the supporting cartilage can become damaged, resulting in hearing, vision and balance difficulties, floppy ears and a sloping nose. Mild relapsing polychronditis is com- monly treated with NSAIDs (non- stereroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). As symptoms become more troublesome, they are treated with daily prednisone on a tapering basis. Severe cases are treated with prescription cyclosporine, azathio- prine or cyclophosphamide, which will lessen symptoms but have not been shown to alter the course of the disorder. 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.