Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/15600
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 – Daily News – 3B Bratty behavior baffles boy Noise protection is vital Dear Annie: My good friend ‘‘Kathy’’ has an 8- year-old son, as do I. ‘‘Brian’’ is extremely smart, but has a sailor’s vocabulary. He also threatens other kids and says he will beat them up. Sometimes, Brian encourages other kids to hit him. Over the years, he’s Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar been in trouble numerous times, but Kathy blames the school, saying Brian is too smart to sit still and acts up because he’s bored. She’s right that Brian can easily do the work. Howev- er, last week I had to tell Brian that he couldn’t play with my son anymore because of his nasty tongue and the threats he made at a religious program they both attend. Brian’s response was one of confusion. He asked, ‘‘Why? What did I do?’’ I was shocked that he had repressed his behavior so well that he did not even acknowledge that his poor choices may have negative repercussions. I informed him that he had a problem using lan- guage correctly. At that point, my son jumped in and gave Brian some rules for avoiding trouble, reinforced with an ultimatum that he wouldn’t play with him any- more if he didn’t stop. When I returned Brian to his stepdad, the man was shocked by what I told him and expressed uncertainty of what to do when school starts. I am sad because Kathy is my friend, but I can’t have my son around a boy who clearly has no idea how to behave properly. I’ve always wanted to help Brian, but isn’t it time to write off this friendship because it could hurt my son? — Price of Friendship Dear Price: We don’t believe Brian is repressing his behavior. We think he doesn’t realize how inappropriate he is. And since he encourages other kids to hit him, there may be more going on. It doesn’t help that his mother blames the school, giving Brian the impression that he isn’t responsible for control- ling himself. Please don’t write him off. Your son sounds quite capable of being a good influence, as are you. Suggest to Brian’s parents that they get an eval- uation from his doctor. Dear Annie: I’m 21 years old. It’s been four years since my little son passed away, and I’m still depressed. I miss him very much. No one quite gets how I feel, and it hurts. My depression is affecting my relationship with my boyfriend. I’ve tried my best to get help, but I’m not any better. I work on being happy on the outside, but inside, I’m always crying. I pray every day that every- thing will get better. What should I do? — Missing My Son in Hawaii Dear Hawaii: The death KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (AP) — Country music star Taylor Swift is back in Maine for a half-hour television special on CMT to introduce her new music video that was shot in Maine. The cable network show aired Friday night in Kennebunkport. Swift shot the video ‘‘Mine’’ last month of a child is devastating. You could benefit from speaking to others who have suffered such a terrible loss. Please contact the Compassionate Friends (compassionate- friends.org) at 1-877-969- 0010, and get some help. Dear Annie: It is very unfortunate that Dr. DuComb sees fit to paint a broad brush as to the quality of dermatology care provid- ed by physician assistants and their supervising der- matologists. I think the thousands of patients cared for by our membership would strongly disagree. The training physician assistants go through is extensive and mirrors physi- cian training. It is unfair for DuComb to claim that a dermatology physician assistant ‘‘doesn’t know enough to adequately diagnose and treat dermatol- ogy patients.’’ There are PAs who have worked in dermatology for more than 40 years, and their experi- ence is unparalleled. The Mayo Clinic, where DuComb states she was trained, readily employs PAs throughout their prima- ry and specialty care depart- ments. PAs help increase patient access to care, decrease wait time and allow physicians to spend more time with com- plicated patients. It’s truly a shame that DuComb does not recognize the team-ori- ented quality health care that a physician-PA can pro- vide. — Renata M. Block, MMS, PA-C, ISDPA Presi- dent Taylor Swift in Maine for music video debut in Maine. The first release from her new album is due out Oct. 25. One of the central sites in the video is a church in Kennebunk, where Swift emerged in a wedding gown. During Friday’s show, the 20-year-old Grammy winner talked about the music video locations and showed behind-the- scenes footage. DEAR DR. GOTT: For years, I worked in a heavy-equipment industry that manufactured farm equipment. Though working in an engineering position, I was often exposed to loud noises in the shops for long periods of time. In later years, OSHA required hearing pro- tection. Earlier job training did not warn us of the dangers of loud noise. I now suffer from a constant ring- ing in my ears. At 65, I’m in good health and take no medications other than Allegra D for my nasal congestion. My blood pressure is good, and I just had a recent checkup. Dr. Peter Gott Is there some medication that I can take that might reduce or eliminate the noise I hear all the time? I mentioned the problem to my doctor and just got a blank look. DEAR READER: There are a number of conditions that can cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears). For example, more than 200 medications, kidney malfunction, tumors, wax buildup, ear infection, dental issues including temporomandibular-joint syn- drome, migraine headaches, trauma, inner- ear injuries, hypertension and exposure to loud noises can be to blame. It’s likely that work exposure is the culprit, but you should request referral to an otolaryngologist, (ear- nose-and-throat specialist), who can per- form testing to determine whether an under- lying, treatable cause is to blame. Your primary-care physician can certain- ly remove a wax impaction and can treat infection with antibiotics; however, because you have a positive history, I believe a spe- cialist might get to the bottom of the issue. Until you determine the problem, it is diffi- cult to determine whether drug therapy, hearing aids, counseling or another form of therapy will be most beneficial. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Ear Infections and 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 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a senior citizen and always read your column. My problem is that I’ve lost my taste buds. Nothing I drink or eat has any taste to me. What can I do to get my sense of taste back? DEAR READER: Some loss of taste (and smell) is common with aging. Other than that, there are several possibilities, including poor dental hygiene, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, a smoking habit, allergies, sinus problems and medications. Make an appointment with your prima- ry-care physician. If he or she determines the problem is age-related, there may not be a way to reverse it. If, however, your physi- cian has you on a specific medication with even a minor side effect of loss of taste, a simple switch to another drug might be all that is necessary. If you smoke, quitting will make a big difference. If you need dental work, that option might provide the relief you are seeking. Work with your doctor to get to the root of the problem. Only then can you take steps to be able to stop and smell the roses once again. In the interim, prepare meals that are pleasing to look at. Vary the colors, and make an attractive plate presen- tation. You don’t need weight loss added to your loss of smell. PASADENA (AP) — The Pasadena Pops says award-winning composer Marvin Ham- lisch will be its princi- pal conductor during summer 2011. Pops executive Paul Jan Zdunek says Ham- lisch will lead four Rose Bowl concerts between June 18 and Aug. 27. The 66-year-old Hamlisch named Pasadena Pops conductor Choice.’’ entertainer has won three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Gold- en Globes. He also won a Pulitzer Prize for his show ‘‘A Chorus Line’’ and is known for the musical ‘‘They’re Play- ing Our Song.’’ He wrote the film scores for ‘‘The Way We Were,’’ ‘‘The Sting’’ and ‘‘Sophie’s Hamlisch arrives at an economically chal- lenging time for the Pasadena Symphony and Pops and following the departure of the group’s top two con- ductors. The Pasadena Sym- phony Association was founded in 1928 as the Pasadena Civic Orches- tra.