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Saturday, September 28, 2013 – Daily News 5B FEATURES How is ankle-brachial index test done? done using a DEAR DOCblood pressure TOR K: I had cuff and an ultrasome pain in my sound probe. leg while exercisN o r m a l l y, ing, and now my blood pressure is doctor wants to do similar whether it an ankle-brachial is measured in the index test. How is legs or in the it done? And what arms. If blood will it tell him? Dr. K pressure is lower DEAR READby Anthony L. ER: Atherosclero- Komaroff, M.D. in the legs, it usually means that sis stiffens and clogs our arteries. It fatty buildup inside the leg attacks the coronary arter- arteries is interfering with ies that provide blood to circulation. The doctor will calcuthe heart muscle and causes heart attacks. It also late your ABI by taking attacks the arteries of the the highest pressure recorded at your ankle and brain, causing strokes. Atherosclerosis also dividing it by the highest often affects the peripher- pressure recorded at your al arteries of the legs. arm. The normal range is When we exercise our leg between 0.90 and 1.30. A muscles, they can reach result under 0.90 means the point where we're ask- that blood is having a hard ing them to work harder time getting to the legs than their blood supply and feet. The lower the allows. When that hap- number, the higher the pens, they scream in pain. chances of leg pain while The leg pain caused by exercising or of limbatherosclerosis is usually threatening low blood felt in the calf, though flow. On the other end, an sometimes it is felt in the thigh. Typically, the pain ABI above 1.30 is usually starts only after a person a sign of stiff, calciumhas been exercising his or encrusted arteries. These her legs for a while. That's often occur in people with when the muscles sudden- diabetes or chronic kidney ly are being asked to work disease. The ABI also offers harder than they can, because of their reduced information about your blood supply. When a per- general cardiovascular son stops exercising, pain health. An ABI result caused by atherosclerosis under 0.90, for example, typically goes away over also indicates an increased risk of heart attack, stroke the next minute or two. Of course, many differ- or dying of heart disease. ent conditions can cause That's because people leg pain when we exer- with severe atherosclerocise. In particular, injuries sis of the arteries of the to leg muscles or to the leg usually also have athhip, knee, ankle or foot erosclerosis of the arteries can cause exercise pain. of the heart and brain. I Just from your symptoms hope your test goes well alone, it can be hard to be and that the result is reassure what is causing leg suring. pain when you exercise. Dr. Komaroff is a A key test for problems in peripheral arteries is the physician and professor Harvard Medical ankle-brachial index, or at To send ABI. An ABI compares School. questions, go to blood pressure readings or from the ankle and the AskDoctorK.com, brachial artery, which is write: Ask Doctor K, 10 the major blood vessel in Shattuck St., Second the upper arm. The test is Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Writers Forum to discuss Fish and Game book The Making of Badges, Bears, and Eagles will be the theme of the Writers Forum scheduled 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2150 Benton Drive, Redding. Retired Fish and Game Lieutenant Steven Callan has finally written the book he talked about for 30 years. Over his career as a wildlife protection officer for the California Department of Fish and Game, Callan and his longtime working partner, Dave Szody, conducted some of the most fascinating, complex and highly successful wildlife investigations in California history. They also collected a wealth of true stories — action-packed, suspenseful and often humorous. Steve's presentation will cove the writing process, initial editing, researching and finding a publisher, the excitement of being accepted by a publisher, the contract, expectations and Callan's new full-time job of book promotion. The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Shasta Historical Society and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Annual membership fees of $20 may be paid at the door. Want to lose some weight? Scared of the gym? Worried you won't like it? Never been to Tehama Family Fitness Center? If you have answered yes to any of these questions we've got your solution! Take advantage of a Free 2 week trial membership We're convinced you will enjoy yourself. Experience the abundant benefits of exercise, and enhance your quality of life for FREE. Pick up your pass at Tehama Family Fitness Center Must be 18, one pass per person, offer available through 10/31/13 Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St. Red Bluff • 528-8656 www.tehamafamilyfitness.com One nice guy left for the right woman ful to ask one of them to give Dear Annie: I am a 64you an honest critique of year-old male with decent why she left. Listen with an looks and of average open mind instead of a height. I'm a few pounds wounded heart, and you may overweight, but I am not learn something about yoursloppy. I was married self. It might help. before, but have not had Dear Annie: I never very much luck when it understood why my mother comes to the fairer sex. What sets me apart are two Annie's didn't like me. I did everything possible to get her to very obvious facts: One, I love me, but it never hapam disabled. When a woman looks at me, she by Kathy Mitchell pened. She even helped my focuses on my cane. Two, I and Marcy Sugar ex-husband kidnap my son. I forgave each hurt but live in a senior complex on a limited income from social securi- learned not to trust her. Finally, at the age of 56, I looked up her perty. It doesn't matter that I can offer a sonality traits on the Internet, and woman warmth, tenderness, kind- there she was: a ''narcissistic parness and love. Once more, I have ent.'' I recently was diagnosed with been used and dumped by another woman who promised the moon and terminal cancer. When I explained then shattered my lonely heart. I the bone pain, my mother suddenly have had enough. I am tired. I just complained of similar pain and wanted you to know that there is insisted on numerous tests that showed nothing. She could not tolone nice guy left out here. — Jay Dear Jay: We are certain you erate the attention I was receiving. aren't the only one, and we sympa- She even told me she ''had to'' put thize. It is hard to be alone when down her dog a month earlier than you crave intimacy. We are necessary because, of course, she undoubtedly going to be inundated ''needed'' to be with me. This is the with letters from equally lonely kind of love I get from her. When I was a child, she conwomen who want to meet you. They, too, are looking for compan- vinced everyone that I was evil. ionship, warmth, tenderness, kind- Now my mother has started forgetting her lies, and people have figness and love. However, even with your disabil- ured her out. Several family memity and your living situation, you bers have apologized to me for not apparently have been able to attract seeing through her. I don't blame women. Why they keep breaking them. She is very good at what she your heart is not explained by those does. But I am finally free of her. I also issues. It might be enormously help- Mailbox know I am a good person. I only wish I had had this information years ago. I hope this helps some other adult child learn how to deal with a nasty, vindictive parent. — Not an Evil Child Anymore Dear Not: We are so sorry that you've had such a stressful relationship with your difficult mother, and that at a time in your life when you could use the comfort of a loving parent, you cannot turn to her. Please know our thoughts are with you. Dear Annie: This is in response to ''Begging for Mummy and Daddy.'' I am a heroin addict who has been clean for 20 years. Going to Narcotics Anonymous meetings is the best thing he can do. I went to six meetings a week and met the nicest and most caring people. These people will help you get clean if you want it. Please don't give up because your parents don't understand. When you do get clean, look better and start to work, your parents will realize the mistake they made. Living clean has been nothing but a blessing. I have a great wife and two beautiful children, so anything is possible. — Twenty Years Clean Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Fire restrictions lifted on Lassen forest Due to recent changes in weather and conditions, Lassen National Forest officials are lifting fire restrictions as of midnight Thursday. This means that forest visitors may once again have campfires outside of developed campgrounds and recreation sites, although campfire permits will still be required. Fire officials remind forest visitors to keep campfires small and be sure they are dead out and cold to the touch before leaving camp. This action also rescinds the "hoot owl" provision, which means chainsaws no longer have a 1 p.m. shutdown time and may instead be used all day on Lassen National Forest lands. Woodcutters must have valid woodcutting permits, and their chainsaws must be equipped with spark arresters. Fire officials caution that although fire restrictions are being lifted, conditions remain dry in many areas and fire danger still exists. For more information, please go to "Alerts & Notices" from the Forest homepage located at www.fs.usda.gov/lassen or contact Forest Headquarters at (530) 2572151. Prescribed burns at Whiskeytown Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is planning to resume prescribed burning activities during the upcoming fall and winter months. With the recent change in weather, including several rain events, conditions have become appropriate for the safe implementation of prescribed fire projects within higher elevation areas of the park. The fall projects may begin, if weather conditions are favorable, today. The Brandy Creek and Coggins Park projects will take place in the upper Brandy Creek and Crystal Creek watersheds and total approximately 500 acres. Both project areas are located at relatively moist high elevation sites within the park. The project sites are in remote por- tions of the park that are distant from area communities. Based on the recent cool and moist conditions and the increasing seasonal transition toward fall conditions, which include shorter days, cooler temperatures and better night time humidity recovery, it is expected that planned projects will meet desired prescriptions and objectives. The overall safety of firefighters and the public are the primary goals and objectives of these projects. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is committed to reducing area wide hazardous fuels build up and protecting neighboring communities at risk while working toward longterm resource health and protection within the park. To help protect vis- itors and firefighters there may be temporary closures and controlled traffic along roads and trails during implementation within the various project areas. Fire crews will plan to ignite individual units within each project area on multiple days throughout the coming months as conditions become favorable. Temperature, humidity and winds will be monitored to ensure safe and effective burn conditions and favorable air quality. Smoke will be generally visible from the Redding and Anderson areas during active ignition operations. For additional information, call the Fire Management Office at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area at 530-242-3443. Ceramics classes being offered in Red Bluff Ceramics classes are now being offered at the newly renovated Green Room Studio in Downtown Red Bluff, next to the State Theatre running Oct. 22 through Dec. 19 on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-9 p.m. Classes will cover all phases of ceramics in lectures, demonstrations, lots of hands-on, and one-toone teaching techniques. Cost will be $225 with a $20 materials fee that will cover consumables such as clay, underglaze colorants, glaze chemicals, etc. These 9-week classes are being offered by Shasta College Community Education in partnership with Tehama County Arts Council. Classes are designed for students who have an interest in working with clay, and gives students experience in making functional as well as sculptural pieces, using a variety of techniques. Well thought out forms, designs, and functional uses along with good craftsmanship are emphasized. For additional course or registration information visit www.shastacollege.edu, click on the "Community" tab at the top, scroll down to Community Education. Under "Community Education Classes", Ceramics can be found under "Arts & Crafts." Or call the Community Education office at (530) 339-3662 or email Comm-ed@shastacollege.edu. Community Clip? e-mail: clerk@redbluffdailynews.com or Fax: 527-9251