Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/224151
Saturday, December 7, 2013 – Daily News 3B FEATURES Weight-loss drugs are not for the mildly overweight torK.com, to DEAR DOCTOR K: determine Should I take a weightyour BMI.) loss drug to help me lose You should weight? consider takDEAR READER: If ing a weightyou are only mildly loss drug only overweight or just want if you: to lose a few pounds to — Have a improve your appearance, then weight-loss Dr. K BMI ofor30 or higher, drugs are not for you. by Anthony L. — Have a On the other hand, if Komaroff, M.D. BMI of 27 or your health is at risk and you haven't been able to lose higher and also have one weight through diet and or more weight-related exercise, drug therapy may health problems, such as increase your chance of suc- Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. cess. Before you start a There are a handful of FDA-approved weight-loss weight-loss drug, consider drugs on the market today. why you overeat. For One is available over-the- example, do you overeat counter; the others are pre- because of stress, bad or emotional scription only. When I was a habits medical student, virtually issues? If so, you may none of them were available. benefit less from medicaThe growing epidemic of tion and more from psyobesity has led to the devel- chotherapy or behavioral opment of many drugs that therapy. On the other can be helpful. None is a hand, if you overeat "magic bullet"; none melts because of hunger, then the fat off of you while weight-loss drugs are more likely to help. you're watching TV. Over the years, several These drugs promote weight loss in different weight-loss drugs have ways. A drug called orlistat been taken off the market reduces the amount of fat because of safety conyour body absorbs from the cerns. It can take time, and food you eat. Other drugs lots of people taking a suppress your appetite, help new drug, before any safeyou feel full and ramp up ty issues become apparyour metabolism. The drugs ent. Most of the drugs that work this way have now available have not long, hard-to-pronounce been on the market very medical names: lorcaserin, long, so talk to your docphentermine, diethylpropi- tor about your individual on, benzphetamine, risks and benefits. Finally, bear in mind phendimetrazine, bupropion, topiramate, zonisamide. that you should use Several drugs for Type 2 weight-loss drugs only in diabetes appear to also help combination with diet and with weight loss, when com- physical activity. To lose bined with lifestyle changes: weight over the long term, metformin, pramlintide, exe- you need to recognize and change the behaviors that natide, liraglutide. It's ironic that the names led to your weight gain. of each of the drugs that can Otherwise, any weight help with weight loss are you lose is likely to return. themselves quite a mouthful. When deciding whether Dr. Komaroff is a physician to recommend weight-loss drugs to my patients, I and professor at Harvard consider their body mass Medical School. To send go to index (BMI). BMI esti- questions, AskDoctorK.com, or write: mates a healthy weight Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck based on height. (Refer to St., Second Floor, Boston, the BMI chart I've put on MA 02115. my website, AskDoc- Resource committee members sought Calling all interested members of the community, the Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) and Lassen National Forest are looking for local community members interested in becoming a part of the Lassen County RAC. RAC members vote on and recommend funding for projects that benefit national forest resources. Past projects have provided funding for Pine Creek Fish Trap improvements, archaeological digs, streamside restoration, eradication of and education about noxious weeds, and to support a local tribal youth crew. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act was extended again and will expire September 2014. This Act authorizes the RAC and outlines its responsibilities. Under the renewed 2013 legislation, members' roles have been expanded to include on-theground monitoring of projects. This provides opportunities for members to participate openly and meaningfully, beginning in the early stages of project implementation. New RAC members are needed to represent a variety of interests. The 15-member Committee is composed of a wide representation of National Forest and community interests, which are organized into three categories. Each category consists of five individuals who represent a variety of interests, such as: Category A Organized labor or non-timber forest products groups; Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities; Energy and mineral development; Commercial or recreational fishing interests; Commercial timber industry; Hold federal grazing permits, or other land use permits, or represent non-industrial private forest land owners within the committee area (Lassen County) Category B Nationally recognized environmental organizations; Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations; Archaeological and historical interests; Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups; Wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations Category C Hold state elected office or their designee; Hold county or local elected office; American Indian tribes within or adjacent to the committee area; School official or teacher; Affected public at large RAC applicants must be able to show a demonstrated ability to work constructively with others of differing viewpoints to achieve goals in the best interest of the community. Applications for membership should be submitted by Jan. 30, 2014, to Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee, Attn: Esther Miranda-Cole, Lassen National Forest, 2550 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA 96130. Application forms may be obtained by calling Esther at (530) 252-6605 or emailing her at emirandacole@fs.fed.us. Nephew hurt own son Dear Annie: Since childhood, my mother has told me she never wanted me. I now have two children of my own. At one point, I became homeless, and my parents took me in. But I became Annie's ill and needed major surgery. While recovering, my by Kathy Mitchell brother's son came and Marcy Sugar over often and would constantly pick on my sons. My parents did nothing. One day, I heard my youngest son screaming, and when I checked, I saw my 10-year-old nephew hurting him and trying to molest him. I confronted my parents and my brother about allowing this behavior to go on, and Mom said to forget about it. Dad said nothing. Now my mother has disowned me and will have nothing to do with my children. I have no other family, and this hurts. How can I get my parents to admit that my bully of a nephew has a serious problem? — On the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown Dear Edge: Your nephew does indeed have a problem, but you cannot force your parents to address it. Your job is to protect your children. If that means keeping them away from your brother, your parents, your nephew or anyone else, then that is what you do. If the nephew molested your son, you Mailbox could report the situation to the authorities. Please look for ''family'' in your community and church. There are plenty of older adults who would love to be surrogate grandparents for your sons and would treat them with the caring and consideration they deserve. Dear Annie: I taught in the Maryland public school system for many years before retiring 10 years ago. Every year at Christmastime, the students gave me Christmas ornaments. Some were homemade from individual students, and others were large and from the whole class. Of course, I thanked each of them. But as the years went on, my appreciation grew as I took them out each season to decorate my tree. I wrote their names on the ornaments, so each year I am able to think lovingly of those children. They continue to make my Christmas special. To their parents, I thank you for allowing me to teach your children. Hopefully, those children will have fond memories about some way in which I made them feel special. They were certainly special to me. They were one of the reasons I loved to teach. I still think of them and wonder what kind of young adults they've become. It was a privilege to help shape their young minds and whet their appetites for learning. I wish them all well and hope they enjoy much success in life. Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah! With much love from their 5th grade teacher — Mrs. Helen Gro- madzki, The Villages, Fla. Dear Helen: Your letter was so sweet, we had to print it. We hope all of your former students have a chance to see it and possibly reconnect to let you know how their lives have turned out. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ''Hurting in Miami,'' who said her friend of 20 years married some wealthy young man and then cut off contact. You mentioned in your response that her new husband may be controlling and trying to isolate his new bride. I want to emphasize this point, especially because the woman is young and may have no experience with this type of controlling person. Please tell ''Miami'' to try to keep in touch with her friend by email or phone and let her know she is there for her. This same thing happened to a dear friend. Her new husband was wonderful to her before marriage, but afterward turned into a control freak who isolated her from her family and friends. We were trying to get her out of this toxic situation, but before we could do anything, he threatened her with a gun, and it accidentally went off, and she died. — Cautious in Michigan 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. Social Security Q&A GENERAL Question: How can I get proof of my benefits to apply for a loan? Answer: If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online through your my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov /myaccount. This letter is sometimes called a "budget letter," a "benefits letter," a "proof of income letter," or a "proof of award letter." You even can select the information you want included in your online benefit verification letter. Question: I'm getting married soon. How can I get my name changed on my Social Security card? Answer: After the wedding, gather your marriage document and other papers proving your: • identity; and • United States (if you have not yet established your citizenship with us) or immigration status (including Department of Homeland Security permission to work in the United States). Then, complete an application for a Social Security card, which you can find at www.socialsecurity.gov . Finally, mail your completed application and documents or take this information to your local Social Security office. You can find your nearest Social Security office at www.socialsecurity.gov /locator. Remember: Your documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Any documents you mail to us will be returned to you along with a receipt. RETIREMENT Question: Is it true that ten thousand people are retiring each day? What is the best way for me to apply and avoid long lines in my Social Security office? Answer: Yes. The best way is to use our online retirement application at www.socialsecurity.gov . You can complete it in as little as 15 minutes. It's so easy. You can apply from the comfort of your home or office at a time most convenient for you. Once you've electronically submitted your application, you're done. In most cases, there's no need to submit any documents. There's also no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. Question: Does Social Security offer tools for retirement planning? Answer: Yes. Social Security offers several retirement planning tools to help you better understand your Social Security protection as you plan for your financial future. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov /planners to get started. Then choose a benefit calculator to estimate your monthly benefit amounts. DISABILITY Question: I have a 38-year-old son who has been disabled by cerebral palsy since birth. I plan to apply for retirement benefits. Will he be eligible for benefits as my disabled child? Answer: Yes. In general, an adult disabled before age 22 may be eligible for child's benefits if a parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We consider this a "child's" benefit because we pay it on the parent's Social Security earnings record. The "adult child"— including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild— must be unmarried, age 18 or older, and have a disability that started before age 22. Question: I just received my first disability payment. How long will I continue to get them? Answer: In most cases, you will continue to receive benefits as long as you are disabled. However, there are certain circumstances that may change your continuing eligibility for disability benefits. For example, • Your health may improve to the point where you are no longer disabled; or • Like many people, you would like to go back to work rather than depend on your disability benefits and you are successful in your attempt. Also, the law requires that we review your case from time to time to verify you are still disabled. We tell you if it is time to review your case, and we also keep you informed about your benefit status. You also should be aware that you are responsible for letting us know if your health improves or you go back to work. SSI Question: Who is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Answer: People who receive SSI are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled with limited income and resources. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov for income and resource limits. The general fund of the United States Treasury makes SSI payments. They do not come out of the Social Security Trust Fund. Question: What's the best way to find out if I might be eligible for SSI? Answer: Our online Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) will help you find out if you could get benefits that Social Security administers. Based on your answers to questions, this tool will list benefits for which you might be eligible and tell you more information about how to qualify and apply. Find best at www.benefits.gov/ssa . MEDICARE Question: How can I get a new Medicare card? Answer: If your red, white and blue Medicare card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a new one at www.socialsecurity.gov. However, you can use our online application only to request a Medicare card. If you need a Medicaid card, please contact your state Medicaid office. Hire veterans by Dec. 31 and save on taxes If you plan to hire soon, consider hiring veterans. If you do, you may be able to claim the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit worth thousands of dollars. You must act soon. The WOTC is available to employers that hire qualified veterans before the new year. Here are six key facts about the WOTC: 1 . H i r i n g Deadline. Employers hiring qualified veterans before Jan. 1, 2014, may be able to claim the WOTC. The credit was set to expire at the end of 2012. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended it for one year. 2. Maximum Credit. The tax credit limit is $9,600 per worker for employers that operate a taxable business. The limit for tax-exempt employers is $6,240 per worker. 3. Credit Factors. The credit amount depends on a number of factors. They include the length of time a veteran was unemployed, the number of hours worked and the amount of the wages paid during the first year of employment. 4 . D i s a b l e d Veterans. Employers hiring veterans with service-related disabilities may be eligible for the maximum tax credit. 5 . S t a t e Certification. Employers must file Form 8850, PreScreening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit, with their state workforce agency. They must file the form within 28 days after the qualified veteran starts work. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's WOTC website. 6. E-file. Some states accept Form 8850 electronically. For more about this topic, visit IRS.gov and enter 'WOTC' in the search box.