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Monday, February 14, 2011 – Daily News – 3B FEATURES Uncommon condition has many causes DEAR DR. GOTT: My 26- year-old son has been diagnosed with homocysteine- mia. It seems that physicians don’t know a great deal about this. I know it is a genetic disease that has something to do with amino acids in his blood. The neurologist who con- firmed the disease has told us that he has Marfan-like features (my son is 6 feet 7 inches, 160 pounds and has long limbs). He has had an irregular heart rate for many years that fluctuates from 40 into the hundreds. (His cardiologist said a lot of people have this.) His level was 16 at his last blood test. My research states that a normal level is between 3 and 7, but his family doctor (who admits not knowing much about the disease) said 12 could be normal. The neurologist said his count was high. What is this disease and what complications can it cause? He has already had two hospital admissions with severe pain and no feeling in one leg, which is associated with the disease, but no one seems to be able to give us clear answers as to what to do. What, if any, precautions should he take? What impact will this dis- ease have on him? The neurologist warned us that he is at a high risk for stroke, but my research shows many more compli- cations to other organs and ligaments. Can you please provide some information about this disease? DEAR READER: Homocysteinemia is an ele- vation of homocysteine (an amino acid) in the blood. In some cases, genetic muta- tions may cause it. It can also be the result of, or worsened by, certain med- ical conditions or medica- tions, as well as nutritional and environmental factors, such as vitamin B or folic- acid deficiency, smoking, coffee consumption and more. People with elevated homocysteine levels are at increased risk of develop- ing blood clots, which can lead to stroke, heart attack, deep-vein thrombosis, pul- monary embolism and more. I urge that your son be seen by a geneticist for test- ing to determine whether his homocysteinemia is caused by a genetic muta- Dr. Peter Gott tion. He may also wish to undergo testing for Marfan syndrome while there. (You can read more about this condition in my previous article online at www.AskDr- GottMD.com/fam- ily-should-be-test- ed-for-marfan-syn- drome.) He should be test- ed for kidney disease, hypothyroidism, clotting abnormalities and abnor- mal cholesterol levels. If his blood is clotting abnormal- ly, he may benefit from daily aspirin or a prescrip- tion anticoagulant medica- tion, such as warfarin, to reduce the possibility of developing an errant clot. If his cholesterol is elevated, he may require treatment. Niacin, flaxseed oil, omega-3 oils, and plant sterols and stanols are good over-the-counter options. Prescriptions include statins, selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors and others. In the meantime, he should be on a low-fat diet, reduce his coffee consump- tion, stop smoking (if he does), and consider taking a vitamin B complex supple- ment. To provide related infor- mation, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Blood — Dona- tions and Disorders,” “Understanding Choles- terol,” “Coronary Artery Disease” and “Stroke.” Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order per report to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print an order form off my web- site at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Because I continue to receive inquiries regarding the location of the order form, I will include a brief tutorial. First, visit my website as listed above. At the top of the page, there are links (Home, Browse by Topic, Health Reports, Books, Ask Dr. Gott). Click on Health Reports. On this page, there is a small gray box with a postal address. Immediate- ly below this is a single sentence. The last word of this sentence is in blue. Click it. Simply print out the form, enclose it with your payment, and mail it. Beau bothered by babe’s brazen background Dear Readers: Happy Valentine’s Day to one and all, along with our special good wishes to the veterans in VA hospitals around the country. And our particular thanks to those readers who have taken the time to send valentines, visit the vets and volunteer at VA facili- ties. Bless each and every one of you. Annie’s Mailbox Dear Annie: I am in my mid-20s and am engaged to my wonderful fiancee, ‘‘Bella,’’ who is the same age. I love and trust her with all my heart. Bella has been my only sexual by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar partner. The problem is, before we met, she had been somewhat inti- mate with other men, including hav- ing oral sex. Even though she told me about it a year ago, it still both- ers me. I feel jealous, as well as angry with the guys because I know that during some of these encoun- ters Bella was drunk. I know these things are in the past and can’t be changed. Talking about it sometimes helps, but Bella gets upset and tries to change the subject. I am working on it, and it’s a little better, but is it wrong for the thoughts to bother me? — Confused Fiance Dear Confused: It’s not wrong to be bothered, but it is not a good idea to keep conjuring up these thoughts in your head. By their mid- 20s, most girls (and guys) have had some degree of experience. You need to absolve Bella and forget about things she did before she met you. Don’t deliberately bring these thoughts to mind, and if they should surface anyway, immediately substitute the image of the ‘‘other guy’’ for images of you and Bella. If you still need to talk about it, see a professional. Bella is tired of feeling guilty for things she cannot change, and that should not be part of her life with you. If you can- not put this behind you, please rethink the marriage. Dear Annie: I am the events coordinator in my office of 12. One of my tasks is to remember all the staff birthdays, which I then post on our monthly office calendar so everyone knows whose birthday is next. I also collect money for a card and cake, and if the birthday cele- brant isn’t in that day, we do it when they return. I have done this task for the past two years. This year my birthday fell during my vacation. When I came back, no one remembered my birthday, and I received neither a card nor cake. I feel slighted. How am I supposed to cheerfully do this for the next per- son when I was totally ignored? I want to tell my co-workers to find someone else to do this job. Am I being childish? — Forgotten in Cal- ifornia Dear California: Since you do all the card buying and cake supply- ing, it is not surprising that no one did this for you. They don’t consid- er it their job. It isn’t personal. You are one of those rare folks who have a knack for taking care of their co- workers, but most people are not so conscientious. You have a few choices to deal with this: You can give up the position. You can assign yourself a ‘‘deputy coordinator’’ who will handle your birthday and those that fall during your vacation. Or you can demonstrate your sense of humor and buy yourself a card and cake. Dear Annie: Recently, a wife wrote that her husband would rather watch porn than have sex with her. I would like to explain why this may be happening. I am a married man, and my wife often tells me she is tired and can we wait. ‘‘Not tonight, dear.’’ Then, when she does want sex, she tells me not to take too long. After being rejected so often, a guy loses inter- est in having sex with his wife. At least the husband is still faithful, even if he prefers porn. — Lost in El Paso 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. Snow play and snowmo- bile parking areas on the Lassen are a lot more user- friendly this winter thanks to work completed this past summer with funding pro- vided by the Recovery Act. These funds made it possi- ble to catch up on mainte- nance projects that had pre- viously been underfunded. The funds paid for chip sealing of the parking lots, ridding the areas of large cracks and potholes that in past years had plagued visi- tors to the winter recreation facilities. “We are pleased to be able to improve the condi- tion of the most important winter recreation sites on the forest for our many vis- itors," said Lassen National Recovery Act funds help restore winter recreation More information Lassen National District Offices: Almanor Ranger District, 258-2141 Eagle Lake Ranger District, 257-4188 Hat Creek Ranger District, 336-5521 Forest Supervisor Jerry Bird of the projects. The refurbished parking areas are located at Swain Mountain, Morgan Sum- mit, and Eskimo Hill, which are all popular win- ter recreation areas on the forest. The first, a snowmo- bile park and the "hub" of the forest snowmobile trail system, offers 60 miles of groomed trails and three easy loops. The Swain Mountain Trailhead also provides direct access to other trail systems on the Lassen. Visitors departing from Morgan Summit, also a snowmobile area, are treated to 77 miles of groomed trails, including many easy loops for scenic winter fun. The third is a snow play area for sledders, tubing enthusiasts, and cross-country skiers. More information regarding winter recreation sites is available from the Lassen National District Offices: Almanor Ranger District, 258-2141; Eagle Lake Ranger District, 257- 4188; Hat Creek Ranger District, 336-5521. Support our classrooms, keep kids reading. DONATE YOUR VACATION newspaper dollars to the Newspaper In Education Program HELP OUR CHILDREN For more details call Circulation Department (530) 527-2151 D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 PHONE: (530) 527-2151 FAX: (530) 527-5774 545 Diamond Avenue • P.O. Box 220 • Red Bluff, CA 96080