Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/16023
Thursday, September 9, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Is male menopause for real? DEAR DR. GOTT: I am writ- ing in the hope you will write about the effects of male menopause. I am 68 years old, and from time to time, my face will flush. Is this a symptom of male menopause? Anything you can tell me will be of great bene- fit. I have learned much from your column over the years, and I truly thank you for all your help in medical matters. better to do the morning walk on an empty stomach or to walk after I’ve eaten some- thing? Twenty years Dr. Peter Gott ago, I would run three or four miles every morning right after I got up, consuming nothing but water, and it seemed to work fine. DEAR READER: The DEAR READER: Some people — both men and women — can pass through menopause easily and without disruption to their daily lives. For oth- ers, it’s a difficult process that varies in intensity from person to person. Furthermore, the reality of menopause varies exten- sively between men and women. Age-related hormonal changes in men are com- mon. As we age, older men are known to have reduced testosterone lev- els. By the age of 70, the decrease can be as great as 50 percent of prior levels. These low levels can result in swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia), hair loss, depression, insomnia, sleep distur- bances, infertility, flush- ing and hot flashes, an increase in body fat and other unwanted symp- toms. Treatment is both ques- tionable and controversial. While testosterone thera- py may relieve the symp- toms, the benefits are not well-defined and may actually increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer. This pertains to both pre- scription drugs and herbal supplements. Until your symptoms pass, stay active. Exercise and eat well. Routine physical activity will keep you in a better frame of mind. Join a local commu- nity center with a swim- ming pool. Go out to lunch with your friends one day a week. Attend concerts. Read. And, by all means, seek the help of your physician if you become anxious and depressed. DEAR DR. GOTT: I walk about two miles every morning to keep in shape. I’ve developed a paunch and what my wife calls a bicycle tire around my middle. To get rid of the paunch and tire, is it key words here are “twen- ty years ago.” Unfortu- nately, our metabolism changes as we age, and what worked then for most of us probably won’t work as easily now. You should match your energy intake to your energy needs. If you awaken in the morning and plan a rigorous sched- ule of exercise, you should eat prior. I’m not speaking of loading up on pancakes and bacon before jogging, but I am recommending a lighter meal to give you the ener- gy to partake in the physi- cal activity. Keep in mind that your body customari- ly burns about 100 calo- ries an hour at rest and while you are sleeping. So, if you sleep eight hours at night, you have already expended 800 calories on awakening. To avoid major fluctuations throughout the day, you might consider what I call grazing — eating small to moderate meals every three to four hours. In that way, you should match your energy intake and output. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “A Strategy for Losing Weight: Introduc- tion to the No Flour, No Sugar Diet.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newslet- ter, P.O. Box 167, Wick- liffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.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 18th annual Pick-Up Lake Litter Day Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, the Friends of Whiskeytown and Forever Resorts are collaborating with local businesses and supporters to help clean up litter on Whiskeytown Lake on Saturday, Sept. 25. Over the last 17 years, thousands of volunteers have helped to clear thousands of pounds of litter from the waters and shoreline of Whiskeytown Lake. The event runs concurrently with National Public Lands Day, which is the nation’s largest hands-on vol- unteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands that Americans enjoy. National Public Lands Day has been designated as a fee-free day for visitors to all National Park Service units, including Whiskeytown. In celebration of National Public Lands Day, West- ern National Parks Association is offering a 15 percent discount on all bookstore items at the Whiskeytown Visitor Center. Participants can register Saturday from 8:30-10:00 a.m. in front of the Whiskeytown Visitor Center, 8 miles west of Redding at the intersection of Highway 299 and Kennedy Memorial Drive. Volunteers should bring gloves, wear appropriate clothing for the weather, and bring a reusable water container for the event. The park will have water avail- able at various locations to fill up your container if the need arises. After picking up litter from various locations in the park, volunteers will be treated to a barbecue lunch at the Brandy Creek Marina. In addition, volunteers will receive a raffle ticket for special prize drawings and have a chance to participate in a treasure hunt while picking up litter, all thanks to several local businesses and individual sponsors throughout Redding. For more information, call Ranger Clinton Kane at 242-3451, or Ranger Jeremiah Hockett at 242-3421. For more information about National Public Lands Day and other volunteer events occurring across the nation, visit www.publiclandsday.org. Granny’s gall grates on growing girl Dear Annie: I recently flew out to visit my grand- parents. At first, it was great and very relaxing. However, my grandmother and I traveled six hours to go to a bridal shower, where everyone, including my grandmother, ignored me. By the time we returned, I was sick of her behavior. She is an eternal pessimist and finds fault in everything. She criticizes my judgment and insists on treating me like a child. She makes all my decisions for me, including changing my order at a restaurant. She canceled my ticket home and decided to drive the 14-hour trip and then stay for a week. I have tried talking to her and Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar order, say nicely, ‘‘Sorry, Grandma, but I prefer my original selection,’’ and be sure to give your order directly to the server (unless it costs more than Grandma wants to spend). A change in attitude is a process and takes time, so please be patient with your grand- mother. Dear Annie: Seven years ago, I had an elective bilat- eral mastectomy. I had mul- tiple lumps and biopsies, coupled with a family history of cancer. Also, my young daughter was reaching the age I was when I lost my own mother to breast can- cer. My doctor and surgeon per- formed the operation with little question. have specifically pointed out that she treats me as if I cannot make my own decisions. She acted offended and refused to believe she had done anything of the sort. I see my grandparents often and love them, but if Grandma continues doing this, I really won’t enjoy her visits. Any ideas? — Frustrated Teenager Dear Frustrated: Grandma still sees you as a child and is having a hard time loosening the reins. The way to demonstrate your maturity is to be assertive without being petulant or angry. Ignore her nega- tive or critical attitude. That’s part of her personality and requires tol- erance. When you visit, be sure to clean up after yourself and help with meal preparation. That way she will see you as a capable adult. If she changes your restaurant The years since have been diffi- cult. I have had five reconstructions and still have trouble with harden- ing implants. The real issue is, I have no one to talk to about this. I have not been able to find a thera- pist willing to touch the issue. I was even turned away by the American Cancer Society because I was not a ‘‘survivor.’’ My husband tolerates the conse- quences, but has yet to be able to look at me naked. I want to cry whenever I see women’s maga- zines, because I will never be ‘‘whole’’ again. I’ve tried to put my sadness away and accept who I am. At the age of 55, I hope to live many more years. I don’t want this to eat away at my spirit any longer. Please help. — Anxiously Awaiting Dear Anxious: When you had your surgery, support groups were The Shasta County Office of Education, Nutrition Services announces the sponsorship in the United States Department of Agriculture's Child and Adult Care Food Program. The program is available without charge to all chil- dren who are enrolled with licensed family child care providers or license exempt providers who are partici- pating in the program in Shasta, Tehama and Siskiyou counties. few and far between, but times have changed — at least a little. There is a prophylactic mastectomy group on Facebook, and we recommend you contact FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) at 866-288-RISK (866-288-7475) (facingourrisk.org). And by all means, ask them to help you find a therapist. We cannot imagine why you have been having so much trouble getting decent counseling. Dear Annie: This is in response to ‘‘Father of Mini-Me,’’ whose daughter wants to shave her head. I admire her for wanting to donate her hair to Locks of Love, but please suggest she send it to Pan- tene Beautiful Lengths for the American Cancer Society. The can- cer patients who receive hair from Pantene Beautiful Lengths do not have to pay for their wigs, unlike Locks of Love. ‘‘Father’’ can go to the website at beautifullengths.com for the details. — Your Friend in Alabama Dear Friend: We have recom- mended Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths in the past and are happy to do so again. Thanks for remind- ing us. To all our Jewish readers: A happy and healthy Rosh Hashanah. 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. Child nutrition training program available This funding helps cover the cost of meals served to children. Participation in the CACFP includes training on children's nutritional needs and food safety. Informa- tion on the USDA recommended meal patterns for chil- dren of various ages. For questions or more information on how to partic- ipate in the program, call Stephanie Thompson at 224- 3220.