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2B – Daily News – Saturday, March 12, 2011 FEATURES Stammered salutation steams sweetie Dear Annie: I am 55 and have been in a relation- ship with ‘‘Don’’ for two years. Don was trying to fix up a friend, so he called this woman who used to be his neighbor 20 years ago. He told her he had a girlfriend, but said nothing about the fact that I was standing right there. She ended the telephone call with, ‘‘Love you,’’ and he mumbled softly back, ‘‘Love you.’’ He didn’t want me to hear. His defense was that he has known this woman for 25 years and she always ends her conversations this way and he just repeats it. He claims I am insecure. He says he only loves me and would never play mind games. He also claims this woman will always just be a friend and nothing more. I told him that out of respect for me, he shouldn’t have said ‘‘love you’’ back to her. At least he shouldn’t have tried to hide it from me. What do you think? — Doris Dear Doris: We think you should let this slide and forget about it. Don mumbled because he was embarrassed to have you overhear something he used to say to an old friend and knew you wouldn’t like. He isn’t trying to hide an affair or rekindle an old flame. You can choose to make a fuss over this and create a problem or show Don what an understanding gal you are and let him off the hook. Dear Annie: One of my person- Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar al goals this year is to become a more positive per- son. A suggestion I’ve come across repeatedly is to sur- round myself with happy, positive people. Unfortunately, the person I spend the most time with, my husband, is one of the most pessimistic people I know. There isn’t a single aspect of life in which he doesn’t see the negative. Even activities we used to enjoy have become a source of frustration when they don’t go exactly as planned. I have tried to discuss this with him and have even taken on the household chores that he despises in an attempt to lower his stress levels. Nothing helps, and now I am physi- cally and emotionally exhausted. It is difficult enough to keep myself energized and upbeat without hav- ing to constantly do the same for him. I love him and don’t want to see our marriage fall apart, but I fear that if something doesn’t change soon, he is going to sink into a deep level of unhappiness and drag me along with him. What else can I do? — Positively Unhappy Wife Dear Unhappy: Your husband sounds one step past curmudgeon. He may be depressed. Tell him he doesn’t seem to be enjoying his life, and ask him to make an appoint- ment to talk about it with his doctor. He could use some help. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Emotionally Drained,’’ whose mentally ill husband is emo- tionally abusive. I am still married to my husband, and I am convinced he is mentally ill. I stayed to raise the kids, who now rarely visit. It was not worth the emotional damage that was inflicted on them for the few posi- tive things their father offered. Maybe her husband is a narcissistic egomaniac like mine, who criticized his kids’ athletic skills until they both quit sports. Maybe he is bipo- lar like mine, with mood swings and spending sprees that left us broke. Maybe he is just cruel. But I guar- antee it is not going to get any easi- er if she stays. I used to love him, but now I simply tolerate him. — Still Here Doing This Dear Still Here: It’s never too late to change your circumstances. Please talk to a counselor and see what you can do. Dear Readers: Remember to set your clocks ahead before you go to sleep tonight. And please change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 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. Raptor Dome hike and early wildflowers Immerse yourself in breath-taking scenery by joining the Yuba Histori- cal Society’s first ever hike to Raptor Dome in the Sutter Buttes 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 20. This seven-hour excur- sion takes hikers up Bragg's Canyon to the Hoke Range, a high ridge near the center of the Buttes. Raptor Dome formed around 1.5 million years ago when sediments in the Sutter Buttes' central lake bed were thrust upward. Rising 1,700-feet above sea level, the smoothly eroded dome looms over Bragg's Canyon, a large canyon that cuts through the mid- dle of the Buttes. Once on top partici- pants will gaze upon all the major peaks in the Buttes as well as one of California's longest views. Besides breath- taking scenery in all directions, hikers will wit- ness early displays of wildflowers such as, baby blue eyes, popcorn flow- ers, and narrow-leafed golden bush, a native yel- low Margarete. The outing is lead by Daniel Barth, a life-long resident of the Sutter Buttes area. Barth will interpret the mountain's unique biology, geology, and history and tell sto- ries about the Maidu and Wintun Indians who con- sidered the Sutter Buttes a supreme religious site. Be sure to wear sturdy hiking boots, pack lunch, water, and wear clothing appropriate to weather conditions. This is one of our more challenging out- ings. Although we walk at a slow pace to take in the diverse wonders of the Buttes, the trip is about Alternative causes of chronic cough DEAR DR. GOTT: In January 2011, your column responded to a 19- year-old who had a chronic cough for 16 months. I, too, had a chronic cough whenever I sat, stood, laughed, was around smoke or after exercising. It lasted more than 15 months. My other symptom was hoarseness with a sen- sation of something in the back of my throat. I had been put on prescription cough syrups and pills. I had also tried some of the same medicines that were men- tioned in your column, including those for asthma, acid reflux and allergies. I was asked about acid reflux but hadn’t had the usual symptoms for it. I saw an allergist and a pulmonolo- gist. I had a chest X-ray, allergy tests, CT scans of my sinuses, breathing tests and a bronchial scope. While awaiting an appointment with yet anoth- er doctor about the cough, I had my yearly pap test, and blood was also found in my stool. I was set up to have a colonoscopy with the new physician. Before the test- ing, I told him about my other symptoms, and he told me he would do an EGD (esophagogastroduo- denoscopy) at the same time. The results of the EGD Courtesy photo seven mile in length, much of it cross-country, with a 1,500-foot eleva- tion gain. Price is $35 for Yuba Historical Society mem- bers and $45 for non- members, with discounts for children 12 and under. Membership price begins at $15 for individuals. To receive more infor- mation or to register for this outing, phone 530- 846-3024 or email daniel@yubahistory.com. Group extends love to pit bulls CHICO — The second annual Luv-a-Bull: Pit Bull Appreciation Day will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on March 26 at Butte Humane Society, 2579 Fair St. The entire community is invited to come learn about Strawberry Class Blueberry Class March 19th @ 10am March 26th @ 10am Red Bluff Garden Center 527-0886 766 Antelope Blvd. (next to the fairgrounds) these fascinating animals, get information about local businesses that provide products and services for pets, enjoy games and maybe even bring home a new family member. This event’s mission is to bring awareness about pit bulls and break the negative stereotypes asso- ciated with the breed. Tehama Family Fitness Center wants to inspire you to get Healthy • Fit • Strong • and Happy! Compete, support or just attend one, or all four of these events this March. Shape Up Tehama March 5th Free Nutrition Open House & Shape up Registration 11:00-2:00 Free tasting provided by the Riverside Healthy Side Program at TFFC Free Lecture on Happiness March 12th 3:00-4:30 at TFFC Dave Mobilio Bench Press Championships March 19th 5:00pm at TFFC Dog Island 5K Run March 26th 8:30am at Dog Island Park Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St • Red Bluff 528-8656 www.tehamafamilyfitness.com showed that I have Barrett’s esophagus, resulting from acid reflux. It was also found that the blood in my stool was coming from my esophagus. I underwent a laparoscopic fundoplication, with a full wrap of the stom- ach around the lower- esophageal sphincter. My first EGD was done in 2008, the surgery was in 2009; a second EGD was done in 2010, and I now won’t need another one until 2012. I just thought I would send this information so you could possibly pass it on to the person in your column. DEAR READER: Since that article appeared, I have received several letters regarding readers’ experi- ences. Yours was not the only to suggest Barrett’s esophagus and acid reflux as a possible cause. Barrett’s esophagus is a relatively uncommon condi- tion affecting about 1 per- cent of American adults. It is most commonly diagnosed in those age 50 or older and in those who have acid reflux. Men are twice as likely to develop the condi- tion as are women, with Caucasian men most affect- ed. It causes the lining of the esophagus to change so that it resembles the lining of the intestine. It is most com- monly associated with reflux symptoms but by itself does not cause signs. Rarely, sufferers may devel- op a fatal type of esophageal cancer. Barrett’s may be pre- sent for many years before this cancer, known as esophageal adenocarcino- ma, develops. Unfortunate- Dr. Peter Gott ly, it often isn’t detected until late stages, when treat- ment is not very effective. Barrett’s esoph- agus doesn’t typi- cally require treat- ment unless severe changes or cancer are detected. Treat- ment can include photodynamic ther- apy to destroy precancerous and cancerous cells, endo- scopic mucosal resection to removed the affected por- tions of the esophageal lin- ing, and surgical removal of most of the esophagus. Other readers also related their experiences. One found it was caused by cer- tain cholesterol medications. Another determined it was caused by ingesting gluten. Someone else discovered that toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate (which I have written about in regards to mouth sores/ulcers) caused hers. One reader experienced a chronic cough for well over 15 years before it was dis- covered that she had thyroid nodules that were found to be cancerous. Thyroid enlargement can cause a choking feeling and hoarse- ness, which may lead to coughing. Treatment depends on the cause. An overactive thyroid may require anti-thyroid medica- tion. An underactive thyroid requires supplemental thy- roid hormones. Cancer often requires surgical removal of the thyroid, followed by supplemental hormones to replace those the gland pre- viously made. Someone else suggested Alpha-1 antitrypsin defi- ciency. This is a genetic con- dition that results in emphy- sema. It is rare, affecting only about 1 percent or 2 percent of all emphysema sufferers. People who have the condition are at high risk of developing emphysema. Smoking increases that risk and often causes emphyse- ma to occur at an early age (30 to 40). A final suggestion was cardiac abnormalities. Heart-rhythm abnormali- ties, congestive heart failure and more can all result in coughing. If, after appropri- ate pulmonary and blood tests fail to identify a cause for chronic cough, cardiac evaluation becomes a logi- cal next step. If there is a strong family history of car- diac problems, this should rise up the list of possible causes. As you can see, cough is a fairly broad symptom and can be the result of a wide range of health issues. 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.