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Friday, August 13, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Reader offers help to neuropathy sufferers DEAR DR. GOTT: Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with peripheral neu- ropathy due to numbness on the bottoms of both feet. My podiatrist made the diagno- sis. Because I was not a diabetic or an alcoholic, he diag- nosed idiopathic PN. I was 75 at the time. He wanted to do muscle tests, which I turned down in favor of a second opinion at the local Mayo Clinic. Their tests showed the neuropathy to be present, and they sug- gested I take 600 mil- ligrams per day of alpha- lipoic acid from my health-food store and exer- cise. My neurologist pre- scribed 10 milligrams of baclofen for the few leg cramps I was getting at night. I declined after hearing the side effects from my pharmacist. Because the weather was hot, I decided to try a high- carb sports drink, which took away the cramps until the weather changed. I have always been a heavy user of Vicks VapoRub, so I began mas- saging it onto both feet — bottom and top, heels and toes. My chiropractor also suggested 1/8th teaspoon of cream of tartar mixed with water at night. Seven years later, I have a little numbness in spots but no pain and only cramps at night when my feet get cold. I also take 100 milligrams of vitamin B6 along with the alpha- lipoic acid per day. My neurologist agrees that the Vicks will keep the nerves alive, and the exercise by massaging keeps the mus- cles strong. Please tell people. I do. Thank you. DEAR READER: Let’s start with the simple case of your leg cramps. Many people experience cramp- ing of the feet and calves after exercising or profuse sweating because the body’s electrolyte balance is disturbed. Sports drinks can help bring this back into balance, thus elimi- nating the cramps. Other home remedies include soap under the sheets, pickles, pickle juice, sup- plemental potassium and several others. Now, on to your periph- eral neuropathy. This con- dition is caused by damage to the peripheral nerves in the feet, legs, hands and/or arms. Causes can be untreated or poorly con- trolled diabetes, chemotherapy or radiation side effects, improper diet or injury. When the cause cannot be found, the condi- tion is labeled idiopathic. Dr. Peter Gott Common treat- ment includes pre- scription nerve blockers such as gabapentin. Another treatment that has received a lot of positive review is Ano- dyne therapy. Home reme- dies range from topical mentholated chest rubs to dietary vitamin and miner- al supplements and topical ointments containing cap- saicin. Massage may also be beneficial since its aids circulation. The cream-of-tartar remedy offered by your chiropractor is new to me, but if it works for you, stick with it. I cannot think of any harm it could do, especially given the mini- mal amount used. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant made by the body and is present in every cell. It is both fat- and water-soluble. It has been shown to lower blood-sugar levels, kill free radicals and improve symptoms of autonomic neuropathy (damage to the nerves of the heart associ- ated with diabetes). It is currently being studied as a part of a treatment pro- gram for glaucoma, stroke, brain disorders and liver disease. It is too early yet to tell whether it is benefi- cial. Because of your suc- cess, I am printing your letter in the hopes that it may help others. I also ask for feedback from my readers about their experi- ences. To provide related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Dr. Gott’s Com- pelling Home Remedies” and “More Compelling Home Remedies.” Other readers who would like copies should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order per 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 website 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. Lovestruck lad longs to lift ladies’ lives Dear Annie: I am going to be in college soon, and I have two problems, both centered around my love life. While acting as a service volunteer in a foreign coun- try, I met ‘‘Anna’’ and became close to her and her family. Anna has kept in contact, writing me every day. But twice she has got- ten upset when she thought I had a girlfriend. (I did not then and don’t now.) I am not trying to lead her on. I never made any promises. I do have feel- ings for her, but I don’t know that I can do anything about bringing her to the States. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar being their hero, they treat you as a convenient way to get what they need. Tell Anna you cherish your friendship with her, but the distance makes any closer relationship impossible. Then wish Mia the best, and let her know you’ll be avail- able if she ever gets over her old boyfriend. Please stop being the consolation prize. You can do better. Dear Annie: Our home is five feet away from our neighbor’s fence. They have two dogs that use the cement pavement as their bathroom. There is a strong smell of urine coming from their property. Then there is ‘‘Mia,’’ a close friend from high school. After I returned from my volunteer service, we met up again. I care for her a lot, but she seems stuck in a rut with school and with a previous boyfriend who keeps her dangling and makes her unhappy. Mia knows how I feel and is OK dating and spending time with me, but there’s no commitment. I want to help her find herself. If she chooses to be with me, great. If not, at least she’ll be happier than she is now. So what can I do to help without hurting either of these two girls or causing their lives to be needlessly complicated? They deserve the best. — Concerned Admirer Dear Prince Charming: You seem to think it is your responsibil- ity to protect these women from themselves. It is not. Instead of Is there a tactful way of asking them to hose off the cement walk- way so that we do not have to smell these unpleasant odors? — Both- ered in California Dear California: First try talk- ing to your neighbors. Say nicely, ‘‘I’m sure you don’t realize that the pungent odor from your dogs pene- trates my entire home. Would it be possible for you to hose down the walkway after they use it?’’ If they are considerate neighbors, they will be happy to do this. You also could check to see whether your county or state has a community mediation or dispute resolution center that han- dles such disagreements between neighbors. Dear Annie: I was quite amused by the letter from ‘‘Dirty Dishes Not Dirty Hands,’’ who objected to a friend washing up in his kitchen sink after playing golf. I am curious: Before this family prepares food, do they go to the bathroom to wash their hands? After they prepare the hamburger patties for grilling, do they go back to the bathroom to clean up? And after they rinse off the raw chicken, do they go back to the bathroom to wash their hands? After they clean the counter to prepare the salad, do they go into the bathroom to rinse the cleanser off their fingers? Do you see where I’m going with this? Raw chicken residue and the miniscule bits of food left around the kitchen drain harbor as many if not more bacteria than grubby golf hands. And don’t even get me start- ed on the germs one might find in a garbage disposal. If one is really worried about a clean preparation area, I suggest using an antibacterial cleanser or some good old-fashioned bleach. — Clean Hands Dear Clean: How you choose to wash up in your own house is your business. But one needs to be cau- tious about germs, particularly those tracked in from outdoors, in areas where food is prepared. Enough said. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your ques- tions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Centu- ry Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. or Ken Salazar announced on July 28 that the Nation- al Park Service will waive entrance fees on Aug. 14 and 15 to encourage all Americans to visit our national parks — includ- ing Lassen Volcanic National Park and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. “This fee-free weekend provides an opportunity for individuals and fami- lies alike to take an afford- able vacation or to explore a nearby park they have never visited before,” Salazar said. “I encourage everyone to take advan- tage of the free admission to visit not only our great- est natural wonders but also our nation’s historic and cultural icons.” Whiskeytown and all Fee-free weekend at area parks ‘This fee-free weekend Secretary of the Interi- provides an opportunity for individuals and families alike to take an affordable vacation or to explore a nearby park they have never visited before’ Interior Secretary Ken Salazar of the nearly 400 National Park Service Units within the system will not charge an entrance fee during this weekend. The fee free waiver does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors such as fees charged for camping, reservations, tours and use of conces- sions. “We encourage visi- tors take advantage of this great opportunity by enjoying the cool waters of Whiskeytown Lake and exploring the park’s wonderful backcountry,” said Superin- tendent Jim Milestone. “Through these fee- free weekends, we want to reinforce that national parks are places for everyone to have fun, reconnect with nature and history, and build a sense of ownership and stewardship toward parks and the environ- ment.” Visitors can explore and learn more about the park by attending any of the free ranger-guided activities. In concurrence with the fee-free weekend, the Western National Parks Association is offer- ing a 15 percent discount on all bookstore items in the park’s Visitor Cen- ter. For more infor- mation on Whiske ytown recreational opportu- nities, and ranger-guided activities, please stop by the Visitor Center daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., call 246-1225 or visit www.nps.gov/whis. All of us are touched at some time in life by death. Navigating the course through grief and learning to live again without our beloved other can be daunting and overwhelming. "Grief: The Journey of Healing" is an evening of remembering our beloved other, reflecting upon the life shared and the journey of healing while allowing ourselves the space and support to express our grief and loss through contemplation, reflec- tion, music, silence and ritual. Free evening of grief therapy offered in Redding Forum. Mercy Hospice and Lynn E. Fritz, Licensed Marriage and Family Ther- apist, are collaborating to offer this evening for all those grieving the loss of a loved one from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15. The evening will be in the outdoor setting of Mercy Oaks, 2225 College View Drive, Redding. Co-sponsored by the Center for Spiritual Living, Shasta Estates, National Association of Social Workers-Northern Gateway Unit, Shasta County Interfaith Those in attendance are invited to bring a picture of their loved one(s) or a symbol representing the individ- ual(s) and the loss they have experi- enced. The evening is free, open to the public of all ages and no advanced reservations are required. For more information, call Lynn Fritz at 243- 8862 or Mercy Hospice at 245-4070. Event flyers are available at www.lynnfritz.com. BOOK BARN Used Books Tues-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-2 THANK YOU RED BLUFF We are now celebrating our 16th Anniversary 619 Oak St., Red Bluff (530) 528-2665 Mon.-Fri. 10:30 to 5:30 Sat. 11-3 40 Crafters in 1 Shop! 650 Main St., Red Bluff 530 528-2723 Crafter’s Boutique Come & Shop Or Rent a Space to Sell Your Crafts Gifts for family & friends Plenty of parking on Pine Street