Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/11748
2B – Daily News – Wednesday, June 9, 2010 FEATURES Babies’ father a deadbeat Are water softeners bad for health? Dear Annie: I have a toddler and another child on the way. I’ve been with my children’s father for years, although we are not married. ‘‘Evan’’ does not have a job, and it seems as if he has no intention of ever getting one. While I’m at Annie’s Mailbox work, Evan takes our son to his moth- er’s house and stays until late at night. He says he doesn’t like to sit around our apartment all day. I do not understand why his moth- er’s house is any better. If we get into an argu- ment, Evan will leave for a couple of days. I don’t know what to do because I love him and my kids need their father. — Trying To Do the Right Thing Dear Trying: If Evan takes care of the children, helps to keep the house orderly and cooks meals, it means he has a job no mat- ter where he spends his time. If, however, he is drop- ping your son off at Mom’s so he can go to the pool hall or play videogames with his friends, that’s another story. You and Evan need to work this out together. Counsel- ing will help. Dear Annie: I have three siblings. Our parents have willed half their property to us, with the remainder to go toward scholarships to the college we all attended. I feel they should give all their property to us to be used as we see fit. None of by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Iowa Dear Iowa: Yes. Stop. Your parents’ property belongs to them, which means they get to decide what happens to it when they die. You have no say in the matter, and pressuring them makes you seem greedy and ungrateful. Not speaking to them for six months because you didn’t get your way is childish and manipulative. We hope you can be mature enough to apologize, and we hope they will forgive you. Dear Annie: I read with interest the letter from ‘‘Raised in the Sun Belt,’’ who had misgivings about seeing a dermatologist who left most examinations to his assistant. As a board-cer- tified Mayo Clinic-trained clinical dermatologist with 30 years of practice, I agree with the writer that many of my colleagues, lured by lucrative dollars, are aban- doning patients with med- ical problems to concentrate on cosmetic procedures. Many cosmetically focused doctors dump patients on ‘‘physician us is in financial need, but this would be a nice addition. I have tried to get them to see my side, but they remain adamant. Because of this, I have not spoken to them for six months. This does not seem to be working. Do you have any sugges- tions? — Stiffed in extenders,’’ otherwise known as physician assis- tants or nurse practitioners. They take 18 months to 24 months of general courses to assist a general practition- er, and specialty care is only learned from the supervis- ing physician. The amount of training they receive is quite variable. They then see patients on their own. In many states, there is no law requiring the physician to be present at all. More and more people are being cared for by those with less and less training. The result is mis- diagnosis, mistreatment and increasing expense. There is no way a physi- cian assistant can match the scope of knowledge the doctor possesses. In my experience, a PA doesn’t know enough to adequate- ly diagnose and treat der- matology patients. The American Academy of Dermatology maintains that all new patients should be seen by the physician and any new problem should be evaluated by the doctor. If the doctor’s office looks like a showroom, the focus is on sales and cos- metics, not medicine. You’re no longer a patient. You’re a customer. ‘‘Raised in the Sun Belt’’ is right to be wary. She should be seen by a well- trained medical dermatolo- gist. Accept no substitutes. — Deanna DuComb, M.D., Dermatologist Dear Dr. DuComb: Thank you for weighing in. DEAR DR. GOTT: I reside in an independent-living complex. When it was built in 2001, they put soft water throughout our water system on both the hot and cold faucets. Could this cause problems such as high blood pres- sure, neuropathy, dementia and more? Many of the residents have had to take pills for high blood pres- sure and were never on them before. Some of these people are over 70 years old. Many of our residents are in the early stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is scary knowing that pos- sibly the salt water in our water system could be causing these problems. A faucet in the basement of our building isn’t connected to the system, so resi- dents go there for a supply. The complex owner says he checked with a doctor who says the amount of salt in the water would not be harmful to us. Do we have a chance of having a real problem here? Should the water be changed? DEAR READER: Hard water causes a Dr. Peter Gott A more likely cause of exces- buildup of chemicals in household pipes, stains sinks, discolors laundry, and dries out skin following bathing. That said, the National Research Council has gone on record stating that drinking hard water does not pose health risks. While I don’t know what the condition of the water is in your area, obviously the owner of your complex determined that installing a water-softener system was the best way to go financially in the long run. The amount of sodium added to any system depends on the hardness of the water, but treated water doesn’t appear to add any significant amount of salt to the diet. Generally speaking, an 8-ounce glass of treated water contains less than 13 milligrams of sodium. The average adult without a history of hypertension requires between 1,500 and 2,400 mil- ligrams of sodium each day. With a histo- ry of high blood pressure, the recom- mended amount holds at 1,500 mil- ligrams. sive sodium comes from a per- son’s diet. One teaspoon of salt contains 230 milligrams of sodi- um. Adding to that many processed foods, cold cuts, canned goods and soups brings the potential for excessive salt consumption far above the rec- ommended daily allowance. There is an association between Alzheimer’s dementia and aluminum. Perhaps this is what some of your residents refer to. I cannot find any confirming reports of memory loss, Alzheimer’s or neuropathy caused by water-softening systems. A more likely consideration is that the resi- dents of your establishment are aging and are developing diseases and disorders common to an advanced age. That said, it appears that by making a trip to the base- ment for drinking water, residents who fear potential side effects can bypass the problem. I would also recommend that residents request a sodium test be added to their next routine lab work when they visit their physicians. Providing they eat a healthful diet and do not cook with or add salt to their meals, this will be one sure- fire way to resolve one of the issues. Because of the concerns you raise, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Hypertension” and “Alzheimer’s Disease.” Other readers who would like copies should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order for each report to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print an order form off my web- site at www.AskDrGottMD.com. 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. HOME SERVICES DIRECTORY $7900 Runs Every Monday - Wednesday - Friday $8900 with a 3 month commitment Blinds Need Blinds? C A L L P A U L Paul Stubbs Blinds & Draperies www.nsbd.biz Lic.#906022 Handyman Help for Seniors & Singles “Let me help you with the small repairs to keep your home running smoothly” 527-2288 Home Repairs At Very Reasonable Rates Call Richard at Masonry Professional Custom Work HUNTOON MASONRY FREE ESTIMATES Call TOM Specializing in: Walls, Planters, Patios, Barbecues, Fireplaces, Mailboxes, Foundations, Brick & Stone Veneer Quality Custom Brick, Block & Stone (Real or Cultured Products) Residential & Light Commercial (530) 824-0396 Lic#599876 527-0842 North State Building Construction R. G. SIDES New Homes • MF Home Set-up • Raw Land Development • Power • Septic • Roads • Complete Building • Remodeling Additions • Carpentry • Electrical • Plumbing • Drywall • Tile • Doors • Windows • Roofing • Painting • Concrete Foundations • Overlays • Stamps • Sidewalks • Retaining Wall • Gutters Free Estimate Small Jobs Welcome Office # 530-528-8079 Lic.#639360 530-209-9999 Handyman Service Residential Construction/Home Improvements Interior & Exterior Maintenance: • Service & Repairs • Framing • Remodel • Flooring • Fencing • Roofing • Decks • Gardening • Landscaping • Small Jobs OK Senior Discount Available Licensed 530-690-2113 530-366-4016 Painting B PAINTING 530-260-0988 Honest & Reliable Interior & Exterior Painting • Remodel/New Construction • Custom Homes • Residential, Small Commercial • Airless & HVLP Spray Licensed Since 1988 CA License #558742 No early cancellation, non-refundable Bobcat Services Concrete Great Hr. Rates Dependable Service C Me and My Bobcat B Auger Backhoe 5 ft. Bucket 5 Yard Dump Trailer Clayton Allen - Owner Red Bluff Area • 949-6162 Footings - Spreading Gravel, Dirt, Sand Bark, etc. - Dirt Removal - Landscaping - Drilling Post Holes - Stump Removal and much more. SMALL PLACES AND BACKYARDS MY SPECIALTY Landscaping Torres Landscaping Mowing, Pruning, Weeding, Blowing, Cleaning, Trimming Yearly Yard Maintenance Monthly or One time available All around LAWN Maintenance Free Estimates Cell: 530-526-3752 Home: 520-529-5474 Ramon Torres Lic.# 10034 Advertisement If this was your Service Directory ad customers would be reading it right now!! Call us at 527-2151 For more information ALLEN’S CONCRETE Foundations Curbs-n-Gutters Repairs & Replacement Quality Work-Reasonably Priced FREE ESTIMATES 530 949-6162 LIC#914460 Serving Red Bluff, Corning area Landscape CUTTING EDGE LANDSCAPE ATTENTION NEW CUSTOMERS: Month to month: Receive 1 wk. FREE Commit to 6 mos: Get 3 wks-FREE “ I still have unbeatable prices!” • Sprinkler repair & installation • Bob Cat & Dump trailer service • Monthly, Weekly or One time yard maintenance • New landscape ideas • Gutter cleaning FREE ESTIMATES Charlie Ingram 526-6855 Quality Service • Competitive Prices Senior Discounts Not a licensed contractor Tractor Service Tractor Dan “Have Tractor-Will Travel” Mow (Rotary or Flail) Till - Disk - Rip - Harrow Load - Light Hauling Gannon Box - Float Dan Marshall Owner/ Operator Insured Tehama County Resident since 1958 (530) 527-1437 Sidewalks Driveways Patios a month Residential • Commerical PATIOS • DECKS Construction Remodel, Construction Burrows New Additions, Siding Repair and Replacement, Water and Dryrot Damage Specialist, New Construction Foundation to Finish FREE ESTIMATES & REFRENCES Lic#824770 Ph: (530) 515-9779 Landscapes Lassen Landscapes JOHN P. KITCHEL B.S. HORTICULTURE FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE & SPRINKLER NEEDS Design, Installation, Renovations, Repairs • SPRINKLERS • DRIP IRRIGATION • SOD & SEED LAWNS • BEDDING & PLANTS • WALKWAYS • STONEWORK • FENCING • RETAINERS • FOUNTAINS • POOLS (530) 384-1966 Lic.#4879 Tractor Service • Mowing • Rototilling • Driveways • Backhoe Work Call For Competitive Prices Ron’s Tractor Service 530-520-2389 Free Estimates 831645 CALL US AT (530) 527-2151 TO PLACE YOUR AD. Lic# est. 1984 Landscape/Fence Tractor & Landscape Service Steve’s • Fence Building • Landscaping • Trenching • Rototilling • Disking • Mowing • Ridging • Post Hole Digging • Blade Work Excellent References Work Guaranteed Not a Licensed Contractor • Sprinkler Installation • Concrete Work Cont. Lic. #703511 Steve Dyke 385-1783 Advertisement If this was your Service Directory ad customers would be reading it right now!! Call us at 527-2151 For more information for a 1 month commitment Advertisement If this was your Service Directory ad customers would be reading it right now!! Call us at 527-2151 For more information a month E A A C I L L O V E R R R N E ' R I S S N T B A O A W D