Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/28774
Thursday, April 7, 2011 – Daily News – 3B FEATURES Alzheimer’s link concerns daughter DEAR DR. GOTT: I recently had an MRI that showed some brain atrophy. A few days ago, I read a report that people whose mothers had Alzheimer’s show more rapid progres- sion of brain atro- phy. I’m 67, and my sent. There are also support groups for the patient and caregivers. Dr. Peter Gott mother had what I believe was the Alzheimer’s/vascu- lar combo dementia. No autopsy was performed. She showed symptoms in her early 70s, died at 85, and had two sisters who also had dementia. The recent MRI will have to be my “base.” How soon should I have another to monitor possible deterio- ration? What is the proba- bility of me getting Alzheimer’s? DEAR READER: Atro- phy of any tissue translates to a loss of cells. In the case of the brain, this can mean either the entire brain or a limited focal area has shrunk. When both cerebral hemispheres are affected, thought and behavioral function may be impaired. Atrophy is not the same as Alzheimer’s. As we age, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s increases. A family history will further increase that risk. Other factors include being female, long-stand- ing hypertension and trau- ma to the head. Early- onset Alzheimer’s is defined as appearing before the age of 65, is rel- atively uncommon, may be hereditary, and advances rather rapidly. Late-onset Alzheimer’s can affect those 65 or older. As symptoms become apparent, a person may be confused, forgetful, unable to find the way home, have hallucinations, use incorrect words when speaking or speak in unintelligible sen- tences, may misplace things, suffer from depres- sion, experience a change in sleep patterns and a great deal more. Most of us lose our car keys on occasion, repeat ourselves or forget an important appointment. It’s a situation I refer to as hav- ing “overloaded circuits.” It happens. However, with the presence of Alzheimer’s, the situation worsens and symptoms become more pronounced. Treatment is initially provided in the form of medication aimed at slow- ing progression of the dis- ease. There are a number of medications available on the market to do just that and to control aggressive behavior that might be pre- Weblink for driver license processing A web link www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dlid- status.htm specifically designed to provide cus- tomers with regular updates on the processing of their driver licenses has been launched, the California Department of Motor Vehi- cles announced. The link is on the front page of the department’s website in the Important DMV Alerts section and will be updated on a regular basis. The department took action to mitigate the issuance delays by extend- ing temporary licenses to 90 days and ensuring that all new and renewal applicants automatically receive the extension. In addition, the depart- ment set up a special email, LODDLIDSP@dmv.ca.gov , for those customers who have not received their dri- ver license or identification card after eight weeks. Customers can also call 800-777-0133. The only true means of diagnos- ing Alzheimer’s is through brain-tis- sue samples after death, which will likely reveal twist- ed protein frag- ments within nerve cells that clog those cells, areas of dying nerve cells around protein and abnor- mal clusters of dead and dying nerve cells. Prior to death, a physician will base his thoughts on the results of a physical and mental examination to include test- ing of coordination, bal- ance, muscle strength and tone, in-depth memory test- ing, asking the date, the name of the president, remembering three key words presented and more. Laboratory testing might be ordered to rule out thyroid abnormalities. Radiologic testing to include a PET scan, CT or MRI might be appropriate. Be sure to ask your neurologist when he or she recommends follow-up testing. Herbs and alternative medications have been pro- moted to delay or even pre- vent Alzheimer’s; however, an expert panel convened by the National Institutes of Health determined there is insufficient evidence to jus- tify taking vitamins B, C, E, folic acid or beta carotene. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids hold more promise; however, there is still inade- quate evidence. Currently, the strongest evidence sug- gests that reducing your risk of heart disease may also decrease your risk of devel- oping Alzheimer’s. You can’t control your gene pool but you can control your lifestyle. Readers who would like additional information should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website’s direct link at www.AskDrGottMD.com/ order_form.pdf. 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.AskDr- GottMD.com. Copycat confidant creating consternation Dear Annie: I’ve been close friends with ‘‘Lucy’’ since high school. In the past few years, I’ve noticed that she is imitating every- thing I do, and I mean everything. I recently dyed my hair red, and she did the same, even using the same stylist. She bought the same carpet, painted her house the same color as ours and last year acquired the same breed of dog. She buys her grand- kids the same gifts we buy ours. I just purchased a jacket, and when Lucy saw it, she bought the same one and flipped out because she could not get it in the same color. I know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but this is scary. It’s as if Lucy is trying to live my life. Last week, I bought a set of new sheets. Lucy stopped by as I was making the bed and asked her usual questions — where did I buy them, how much did they cost, etc. But then she asked what my husband was like in bed. She confided that her sex life is not so good and once thought her husband was having an affair. I was flabbergasted and final- ly said it was personal and nobody’s business, and I refuse to discuss my sex life with anyone. Lucy became agitated, said I should be willing to answer her question since we’re good friends and then left in a big huff. I haven’t seen her since, although she lives Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar down the block. Should I have answered her? I think I need to end the friendship, but how? — Feeling Uneasy Dear Uneasy: No one needs to answer such per- sonal questions. Imitation is usually a sign of insecurity in one’s own taste. It often helps to offer to shop with the person and help them develop their own style. Lucy, however, seems to be looking for more than style. She wants a life upgrade, and she’s chosen yours. We suggest you put gradual limits on the amount of contact you have. Con- tinue to be friendly, but find a way to be busier. When you go out, alter your schedule so you have less of a chance of running into her. And if she ever asks for help, urge her to seek professional counseling. Dear Annie: I have sent thank- you notes for various gifts through- out my life. No matter what I wrote, at least one person was unhappy with it. One thank-you was followed by a reprimand from an elderly rela- tive, saying I should have written more. Another was fussed over by an aunt who said I wrote too much and it sounded contrived. When I sent a thank-you e-mail, I was chas- tised because it wasn’t handwritten. I think people should be happy their gift was acknowledged. Most etiquette rules were formed prior to the invention of electronic mail. What is the real difference between an e-mail and a hastily hand- scratched note? — B.S.C. Dear B.S.C.: Handwritten notes are considered more personal and show greater effort. E-mail thank- you notes are perfectly fine for those who are more casual and don’t mind receiving thanks in this manner. However, unless you are still a child, no one should be chastising you. You have difficult relatives, dear. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Burning Up in Vermont’’ and laughed out loud when you said, ‘‘And now he can take the bus.’’ Vermont is a very rural state. The likelihood of bus service where this person lives is remote to none. You should have suggested he carpool with someone he works with, although that might be equally diffi- cult. — B.B. Dear B.B.: We admit we are not familiar with rural Vermont, and it’s possible ‘‘Burning’’ lives in an area where there is no bus service. In which case, we hope carpooling is a feasible alternative. 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. Black Butte Lake campgrounds now open ORLAND – Black Butte Lake opened for the sum- mer camping season on April 1. Day use fees will remain the same at $4. Fees for individual campsites at Black Butte Lake will increase to $18 per night, the first increase since 2006. Orland Buttes group campground fees will increase from $90 to $100, and Buckhorn group camp- ground fees will increase from $120 to $150. The boat ramp at the Buckhorn group site remains under construction and is expected to open in mid-April. "Our visitors will really enjoy all the improvements we’ve made to the park over the past year, like new restrooms and new play- grounds," said Mary Ann Deeming, park ranger at Black Butte Lake. "Even with this increase in fees, our lake remains one of the best value camping spots in the area." Individual and group campsites in both areas can be reserved in advance for dates after April 1 by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service at 877- 444-6777, or online at www.Recreation.gov. Questions about Black Butte Lake may be directed to the park office at 530- 865-4781. IRS seeks volunteers for taxpayer advocacy panel The Internal Revenue Service seeks civic-minded volunteers to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), a federal advisory committee that listens to tax- payers, identifies key issues and makes recommenda- tions for improving IRS service. "TAP members are a voice for the nation’s taxpayers and provide valuable insights that are important to effective tax administration," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. The TAP provides a forum for taxpayers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to raise concerns about IRS service and offer suggestions for improvement. The TAP reports annually to the Secre- tary of the Treasury, the IRS Commissioner and the National Taxpayer Advocate. The Office of the Tax- payer Advocate, an independent organization within the IRS, provides oversight and funding for the TAP. "In trying to comply with an increasingly complex tax system, taxpayers may find they need different ser- vices than the IRS is currently providing," said Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate. "The TAP is vital because it provides the IRS with the taxpayers’ per- spective as well as recommendations for improvement that will help the IRS deliver the best possible service to assist taxpayers in meeting their tax obligations." To be a member of the TAP you must be a U.S. cit- izen, current with your federal tax obligations, able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year and able to pass an FBI criminal background check. New TAP members will serve a three-year term starting in December 2011. Anyone chosen as an alternate mem- ber will be considered to fill any vacancies that open in their area during the next three years. The TAP is seeking members in California. Appli- cations for the TAP will be accepted through April 29. Applications are available online at www.improveirs.org. For more information about the TAP or the application process, call toll-free 888-912- 1227. Local Business Folks: The Daily News’ Sue Hubbard is RETIRING! Come join us at the offices of the newspaper to wish Sue Hubbard a happy retirement. Sue has served the advertising needs of local businesses at the Daily News for 10 years, and for a local shopper before she joined the team at the newspaper. 4:30-6:00 PM Thursday, April 7 The Daily News 545 Diamond Ave. Tehama County Spring Spread Will Be Served Hope to see you here!