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2B Daily News – Wednesday, November 6, 2013 FEATURES Results mixed for glucosamine, chondroitin DEAR DOCTOR K: against placebo (dummy) pills in people sufWhat's the verdict fering from on glucosamine osteoarthritis of and chondroitin? the hip and knee. Do they help An analysis of 10 relieve osteoarthristudies that tis pain? included nearly DEAR READ4,000 patients did ER: Whether glunot find much evicosamine and dence of reduced chondroitin pills Dr. K pain from gluhelp osteoarthritis by Anthony L. and pain has been con- Komaroff, M.D. cosamine chondroitin. Some troversial. As with most medical controver- studies found only a temsies, there rarely is a ver- porary benefit, and only dict that everyone accepts. among patients with the So I'm not sure there is most pain. On the other a verdict yet in this con- hand, there also was no troversy. In fact, I'm evidence of side effects going to argue that the from these substances. And consider this: controversy may be misguided: It may not be a When a randomized trial question of whether these does not find that a treatpills help everyone with ment produces better symptom relief than a osteoarthritis or not. There's no doubt that placebo pill, that means we need good and better that the average person in treatments for osteoarthri- the study got no benefit tis. I speak as a sufferer from the treatment. Howwho had a hip replaced ever, it is possible that because osteoarthritis had some of the people in the destroyed it. Living with study really did benefit. Over the years, I've had arthritis can be challenging, as the pain and stiff- patients tell me they have ness make it difficult to less pain and stiffness perform daily tasks most when regularly taking these supplements. If they people take for granted. Glucosamine and chon- think it helps, I don't disdroitin are compounds courage them from taking found in healthy cartilage, these pills. If you're wondering which is the tough but flexible tissue in our whether you should take joints. Joints are the places them, the answer is, "It where two (or more) bones depends." If you have to severe meet, but bone doesn't rub moderate against bone. Instead, in osteoarthritis pain, it's most joints it is the carti- reasonable to try the glulage lining one bone "kiss- cosamine-chondroitin ing" the cartilage lining combination for two to three months. If you find the other. Osteoarthritis involves it eases your pain, it's reathe breakdown of normal sonable to keep using it. If cartilage. So it makes not, you might as well sense that taking supple- save your money. As ments of naturally occur- always, if you choose to ring compounds like glu- take these or any other cosamine and chondroitin alternative treatments, tell could help maintain carti- your physician. One caution: Avoid lage in people with the these supplements if you condition. Randomized clinical are allergic to shellfish. trials have compared each Some products use shellof these two supplements, fish as a source of glualone and in combination, cosamine. Floating dock to be removed In advance of the winter season, the Lassen National Forest will remove the courtesy boarding dock at the low water boat ramp at Eagle Lake. This move is intended to prevent ice, wind, and wave action from damaging the floating dock during the winter. Sometime prior to Nov. 18, the Forest Service Road Crew will use a loader to lift the upper end of the dock and roll it to high ground, where it will be secured for use again next year. While the courtesy dock will be removed, the boat ramp itself will continue to be available for launching. However, boaters need to be cautious and aware of rock hazards that are only a few inches beneath the water's surface. The ramp will remain available until the end of fishing season — Dec. 31 — or until such time as weather conditions prevent its safe use, whichever occurs first. At that time, the access gates to the ramp will be closed until spring. For more information about the low water boat ramp area, please contact the Eagle Lake Ranger District at 530-257-4188. Man frustrated by infrequency of sex your wife has other qualities Dear Annie: My wife that make her a good partner, and I have been happily try to concentrate on those. married for 27 years. We We know many folks — are both in our early 50s, male and female — would physically fit and active. be thrilled to have sex twice My wife looks the same a month. Intimacy is importoday as the day we martant, but it isn't everything. ried. She's extremely Dear Annie: As a selfattractive. The problem? She has no sex drive. She Annie's employed hairstylist facing the upcoming flu season, I never really has. But in the would like to speak on past few years, her cold shoulders seem much more by Kathy Mitchell behalf of all personal service and Marcy Sugar providers. Most of us work pronounced. on a commission basis and We currently have sex maybe once every two weeks. She do not have sick leave. If we are not seems to enjoy it once things get at work, we don't get paid. If we get rolling. But when I ask why she sick from clients, we miss work and prefers such infrequent encounters, run the risk of infecting our fellow she says ''it's too much work'' and employees and our families. Last year my Christmas holiday she ''doesn't have the need for it'' like I do. The two times per month was ruined when I became sick are great. But the other 28 days are because clients with fevers dragged frustrating. I would like more inti- themselves to the salon to get their macy in our marriage and have hair done. Several coughed right in asked her for it. But it doesn't seem my face. They've taken every overto be an issue with her, and she's not the-counter drug on the market and can hardly keep their eyes open, particularly sensitive to my needs. Any advice would be appreciat- but still think it's OK to sit in my chair. ed. — Frustrated in South Dakota If your child is too sick to go to Dear Frustrated: Since your wife started marriage with a dimin- school, please don't decide it's a ished libido, it's unlikely to have good day to get their hair cut improved at this point. Please ask because they're home anyway. If you are sick (sore throat, her to discuss this with her doctor in order to strengthen your marriage. coughing, fever), please respect us She should be willing to make the and stay home. If you come in anyeffort, but if she refuses to address way, and we can see that you are this, we hope you will not make sex sick, do not get insulted and storm the focus of your relationship. If off when we say we will not be able Mailbox to perform your service that day. We'll be happy to do it when you are better. — Stylist Trying To Stay Well Dear Stylist: Thank you for reminding people that we each have a responsibility to take our health and that of others seriously. If you have a fever, cough, sniffles or other indication that you may be contagious, please stay home. You'll feel better — and so will everyone else. Dear Annie: I'd suggest to ''Any Name in Any City'' that whatever is going on between her and her husband probably has nothing to do with her weight. I agree with you, Annie, that he is a bully and a verbal abuser. My husband, an alcoholic, was both verbally and physically abusive to me when I was a petite 127 pounds after two children. I finally got him into treatment and myself out of the marriage. He dated 13 women in a year and then married a woman twice my size. Something else is going on, and you may never know what it is. Life is short. Get out. — California 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. Cut flowers 101 Whether your cut flowers come through the back door (from your garden) or the front (supermarket, Costco, florist-delivered), you want them to last as long as possible. With just a modicum of effort, as opposed to just sticking them into a vase of water, you can double the time you can enjoy your flowers. Quick cut. The sooner you put your flowers into water, the longer they will last. The flowers should be re-cut at the stems, at an angle, while submerged in water. This is important for hollow-stemmed flowers to prevent an airlock from forming in the stem that may prevent the flowers from taking water. Feed 'em! Flowers will last longer if cut-flower food is added to the water. If you don't have a little packet of food (typically this comes with florist arranged flowers), don't worry. You have all kinds of cut flower food in your kitchen. Select one of these flower food alternatives depending on what you have on hand: 1/4 cup clear carbonated beverage to 1 quart of water One cap of hydrogen peroxide over a radiator. This will cause added to 1 quart of water One part lemon-lime soda excess water loss from the flow(not diet) to 3 parts of water ers, and they will wilt very quick2 tablespoons lemon ly. For a maximum life span, the juice, 1 tablespoon sugar best place for your flowers is in a cool room. and 1/4 teaspoon GET MISTY. Once or bleach in one twice a day lightly spray vase of water. your finished arrangement 2 tablespoons of with clear water to create white vinegar plus 2 a humid atmosphere tablespoons of sugar to around the flowers. 1 quart of water. One last thing. The Mix 2 cups warm Society of American water, 2 cups Sprite or Florists says under normal 7UP (not diet) plus 1 1/2 circumstances, flower teaspoons liquid bleach. delivery people do not Clean vase. Always Mary expect a tip. However, if use clean vases or conthat driver had to make tainers. This will premultiple attempts to find vent any bacteria from you at home, had to climb ruining the quality of over a busted gate or in the flowers. some other way was STRIP LOW required to go the extra LEAVES. Remove all of mile to make the delivery, the leaves which will be under the water while in the vase. then a gratuity would certainly be Leaves that are submerged will in order. rot, creating bacteria and shortenWould you like to send a tip to ing the life span of your flowers. Refreshen. Change the water Mary? You can email her at and flower food every three to four mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, days. Cool spot. Never place your P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA floral arrangements in full sun or 90630. Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Type 1 diabetes symposium Mercy Medical Center Redding's Wound Healing Center and the Northern California Type 1 Diabetes support group are sponsoring a Free Type 1 Diabetes Symposium 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Satur- day, Nov. 9, at the Gaia Hotel, Anderson Dr. Prakasam, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Diabetes Specialist, will discuss self management of children with diabetes, the importance of social media in diabetes management, as well as insulin pumps and glucose sensors. Beverly Thomassian, RN, Diabetes Educator, will discuss new findings in diabetes and prevention and treatment as well as Type 3 diabetes. Learn about the relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer's. A panel of medical insurance experts will talk about changes in healthcare and how to be better prepared when choosing your health insurance policy to make sure you have the coverage you need. Jay Hewitt, Type 1 diabetic, attorney and three time member of the US National Triatholon Team, will share with you how he has chosen to live a healthy and very active life and how he has overcome many obstacles by reaching for his dreams and achieving "Finish Line Vision." Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with health and wellness ven- dors. There will also be free gifts, food and opportunity drawings for all attendees. The event is free, but space is limited and preregistration is preferred by calling 888 628-1948 or visiting http://redding.mercy.org. This event is produced by a collaborative partnership between Mercy Medical Center Redding Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center and the Northern California Type 1 Diabetes Support Group for Adults and Children. The event is sponsored in part by Dignity Health Medical Group North State and Mercy Foundation North. 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