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Thursday, November 18, 2010 – Daily News – 3B FEATURES Can diverticulitis strike again? DEAR DR. GOTT: In Novem- ber 2006, I was diagnosed with diverticular dis- ease. In October 2009, I had surgery, and the diseased portion of my intestines was removed. Two abscesses were drained, one ovary was removed and a fistula was repaired. tion, diarrhea, fever, chills), diagnosis can be made through X- ray, CT, ultra- sound, sigmoi- doscopy or colonoscopy. Dr. Peter Gott I’ve been pain free since. My question is, could this happen again? I try to consume the recommend- ed amount of fiber, and I drink plenty of water. Your thoughts, please. DEAR READER: Diverticula are small sacs or pockets in one or more areas of the colon, more commonly in the sigmoid colon. People with diver- ticula present are diag- nosed with diverticulosis. Should bacteria or waste get trapped in these pouches, inflammation and infection can result. When this occurs, the con- dition is then known as diverticulitis. Both condi- tions together make up diverticular disease. A diet low in fiber appears to be the main cause of diverticular disease, which can lead to consti- pation and strain during evacuation. It’s the strain- ing that could cause diver- ticula to form in the colon. Even though you had surgical repair, you could conceivably get divertic- ulitis again had you not taken positive steps. By modifying your diet to include more fiber, you have gone a long way toward eliminating the problems you had in the past. Whole grains such as found in multigrain or whole wheat breads, fresh fruits such as apples, pears and peaches and vegeta- bles such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, squash, potatoes and legumes should provide adequate fiber. Between 20 and 35 grams of fiber per day are recommended for a healthful diet. Avoid con- stipation. Maintain good bowel habits. Drink ade- quate liquids. Exercise regularly. Obtain adequate sleep. Diverticulosis is com- mon as a person ages. By the time a person reaches the age of 60, it will occur in almost 50 percent of the population. People without symp- toms will probably not require treatment; howev- er, they should be on a high-fiber diet to ensure they are taking all possible precautions. When symp- toms do present (constipa- Complications of diverticulitis can include intestinal block- age, abscesses and peritonitis (infection of the abdominal cavity). You appear to have pre- sented with a classic case. Abscesses were discov- ered and drained. Surgery removed the damaged portion of the colon. You formed a fistula that was surgically removed. And you’re pain free. To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Diverticular Dis- ease.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order payable to Newslet- ter and forwarded to PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print out an order form from my website www.AskDr- GottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: I recently heard that taking ginger tablets will relieve aching joints. Is there any validity to this advice? DEAR READER: In answer to your question, I am unaware of any scien- tific studies to support its use; however, I’d defy anyone to go up against what the Roman Empire began using almost 2,000 years ago as a healing herb for countless mal- adies. Scientific studies aside, what is valid is what works. Ginger has been used with success to treat nausea during preg- nancy, to prevent car or motion sickness, as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis and joint pain and post imbibing too much alcohol. Even as a tea, its soothing qualities are well known. Give it a try. It won’t do you any harm, and, if you fail to improve, you can speak with your physician regarding what he or she might recommend instead. 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. Former fiance friendship foments furor Dear Annie: My hus- band and I have been mar- ried for 11 years. We both were married twice before, and both of my ex-hus- bands left me for other women. My husband recently re-established e-mail, text and phone contact with his former fiance, who broke off their relationship near- ly 20 years ago. She is get- ting divorced, and he tells me he is ‘‘concerned’’ about her and ‘‘cares what happens to her.’’ I was upset about this and have let him know I will not toler- ate it. He said he would stop, but I dis- covered that he opened another e- mail account and they have contin- ued to communicate rather tender- ly. She lives several states away, but I am convinced they are plan- ning to get together when her divorce is final. He assures me this isn’t so, but has lied quite a bit already. How can I believe what he says? How do I live with a man I love but no longer trust? — Worried Wife in Wisconsin Dear Wisconsin: Your husband is not behaving in a trustworthy manner, so it is natural that you find it difficult to believe what he says. You have reason to be wor- ried about the state of your mar- riage, and we recommend the two of you discuss this with the help of a professional. Your husband must Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar give up his friendship with the ex-fiance or, at the very least, make all contact transparent. Ask him to come with you to see a counselor, who will make it clear that he is undermining the marriage. We hope it matters to him. Dear Annie: My hus- band is fascinated by tech- nology. When the iPhone first came out, ‘‘Todd’’ got one right away and has been devoted to it ever since. The problem is that he is constantly checking his e-mail, Twitter and Facebook feeds. Whenever I’m driving, Todd is online in the passenger seat. He uses his iPhone while we watch TV. He eats breakfast with it, brings it out at restaurants and uses it when we’re visiting family. Every month, he goes out to dinner with some of his old friends, and one night I joined them. They said it was nice to have some adult con- versation, because Todd is con- stantly on his phone. Our eldest son has even told his father to stop ‘‘tap-tap-tapping’’ for a minute so he could talk to him. When I point out his excessive online activity, Todd gets defen- sive, saying he’s looking stuff up for work, or that this is his way of having fun. I knew when I married him that he loved technology, but his obsession has gotten worse as the phones have gotten better. I want my husband back. How do I get him to disengage from his phone and enjoy the time he spends in real life? — iPhone Widow Dear Widow: Tell Todd that his phone has become an addiction, and ask him to compromise. Make a list of activities, and indicate when it is OK to use the phone and when it is not. Let him choose which times are most important to him, and then you pick what is important to you (e.g., when you’re driving, he can play with his phone; when you are eating a meal, he must turn it off). If Todd feels the process is fair, he may be more inclined to cooperate. Dear Annie: Please tell ‘‘Don’t Know What To Believe’’ not to jump to the wrong conclusion. She was afraid her husband was cheating because his computer said ‘‘activat- ed his profile’’ and ‘‘come find your partner.’’ Those phrases show up on my computer all the time. It’s possible someone in my address book has activated his pro- file, and that information pops up in my inbox, but I just ignore it. If her husband said he has nothing to do with it, he is probably telling the truth. — K.G. 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, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. Noble named Student of the Quarter Daily News photo by Chip Thompson Students from Salisbury High School were recognized Wednesday by the Red Bluff Kiwanis Club as part of its Student of the Quarter recognition. Nominated, from left, were Garrett Smothers, Samantha Bable and Charlotte Noble,who was chosen as Student of the Quarter from Salisbury. Smothers is the son of John and Tracy Smothers, Bable the daughter of Cami Bable and Noble the daughter of William and Suzy Noble. On the far left is Kiwanian Cody Marshall. Community Clip? e-mail: clerk@redbluff- dailynews.com or Fax: 527-9251 The Butte County Farm Bureau presents the 6th Annual AgriBee, an agricultural spell and define competi- tion for area third- and fourth-graders that uses agricultural words. More than 40 students from Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, Sutter and Yuba counties elementary schools will participate in the competition, set for 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at the Patrick Ranch in Durham. Contestants will participate in a number of elimination rounds and are required to spell and define each agri- cultural word or risk being disquali- fied. Each participating student in the competition competed in a school wide competition to earn a place in the regional AgriBee. The winning student will be award- ed a lap top computer. The Electric Man For all your electrical needs • New Outlets / 220 • Fans / Fixtures • Pools / Spas • Code Corrections • Troubleshooting • Panel Upgrade • Telephone Wiring $10.00 Customer Discount FREE Estimates License# 826543 347-4441 AgriBee is scheduled for Friday Do you… “Tremendous emphasis is put on learning to spell in today’s class- rooms,” said Colleen Cecil, Butte County Farm Bureau executive direc- tor. “In the North State, it is impera- tive that our students understand the food production that makes up our entire landscape. The AgriBee makes learning and understanding about food and farming challenging and fun.” The event is supported by county farm bureaus in Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Tehama and Yuba/Sutter counties and the Nutrition Education program of the University of California Coopera- tive Extension. The event is open to the public. For more information, call the Butte County Farm Bureau at 533-1473 or visit www.agribee.org. 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