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2B – Daily News – Monday, April 11, 2011 FEATURES Is MCS for real? Doting dad douses dating desires DEAR DR. GOTT: Mul- tiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a crip- pling problem for those who suffer from it. I would like to educate people about the problem because most peo- ple think that I’m crazy or that “just getting fresh air” will resolve the problem. The effects of chemicals used in personal and laundry products act as neurotoxins on my system, resulting in neurological difficulties — diminished cognitive function, loss of equilibrium, fogging vision, etc. Local drugstores and laundry-detergent aisles are lethal vats of poison for MCS sufferers. I am a mas- sage therapist and have asked clients to refrain from wearing fragrance, but I have found their use of fra- grant laundry products more dangerous than cologne. In particular, dryer sheets are extremely poiso- nous and cannot be purged from the room just by airing it out. I urge people to investigate the toxicity of their laundry products. I react violently to these products, but I have to feel that the poisons are affect- ing people in ways they may not know. Clothes are in constant contact with people’s skin, which absorbs chemicals into the body. Many people com- plain of chronic sinus prob- lems and headaches. Per- haps it is the environment they are creating for them- selves. Clothes dryers vent- ing the fumes outdoors pol- lute the air for everyone. I am becoming a hermit and a “crazy old lady” because of MCS. I know the world can’t change because of my affliction, but maybe if people would investigate the problem of “fragrance” in their products, they might begin to search for alternatives for their own health. Ever wonder what all of those wonderful air fresheners that puff at you as you walk by are doing to your health? Please ask your readers to check the health risks of all those chemical ingredi- ents and follow the web- sites regarding MCS. There are millions of sufferers. I am constantly vigilant for detoxing products just to be able to go out in public. I can’t go to movies, friends’ homes, most stores or out- door activities with crowds. Having people come to my home and making it inhos- pitable is a nightmare. Dr. Peter Gott DEAR READ- ER: Multiple chemical sensitivi- ty (MCS) is a somewhat contro- versial topic. There are some who believe it is a true disease, while others argue that the immense vari- ety of symptoms can often be explained by other, well-established disorders. From what I was able to find, there has not been much research done since the late 1990s. I did note that in a 1999 position statement by the American Academy of Allergy, Asth- ma and Immunology, the condition received a new name — idiopathic envi- ronmental intolerance. This is just the newest in a long history of name changes, including multi- ple chemical sensitivity, chemical injury, chemical sensitivity, environmental illness, sick-building syn- drome and more. Being unfamiliar with MCS before your letter and knowing only what I was able to learn from research, I am on the fence about this condition. The condition might be real, but not enough research has been done regarding symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. There are plenty of online sources for information, but most refer to informa- tion more than 10 years old. I invite readers to send me personal experiences and any recent research that has been done. Readers who are inter- ested in learning more about allergies can order my Health Report “Aller- gies” by sending a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to men- tion the title or print an order form off my web- site’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.AskDrGottMD.com. Dear Annie: I am a junior in high school. I have been with my wonder- ful girlfriend, ‘‘Maria,’’ since our freshman year. Her parents won’t let her officially date until she is 16, which will be soon. Last year, at her 15th birthday party, I gave Maria a ticket to a formal dance. She was flattered, but her dad got angry, ques- tioned me about my inten- tions and asked why I did- n’t first get his permission to take her. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar I apologized and said I thought you only had to ask the father about marriage. Now when I see him, he refuses to shake my hand and acts insulted. Worse, because he won’t let Maria date, I only spend time with her at school. And if I go to a party without her, she gets mad. I don’t think I have done any- thing wrong. Is there anything I can do to bring her dad around and pos- sibly be able to take Maria out? — Lovesick Teen Dear Teen: If Maria cannot date until she is 16, you will gain more points with Dad if you respect that and stop pushing his boundaries. See her at school until her birthday. Then talk to her father and ask if you can take Maria out, preferably with a group of friends. Dad needs to feel that his little girl is safe with you. See that she is. Dear Annie: When I was preg- nant with my second son, my mother and others said it was ‘‘too bad’’ because girls stay close to their families and boys don’t. My boys are now 6 and 9, and I think of those com- ments every day. I have a very loving home, and I kiss my kids all the time and tell them I love them and am proud of them. We have dinners at home, and my husband and I talk to them about their lives and keep on top of schooling, friends, etc. Right now, they are sweet, affectionate kids, but I’m so worried that they will disappear when they grow older and marry. I have a co-worker who never sees her son and knows little about his daily life. While she is fine with that, it horrifies me. My husband isn’t concerned because he is close to his mom (me, too), but it still itches at my brain. I don’t want ‘‘mama’s boys,’’ but what can I do to keep a close relationship with my boys as they grow up? — Michigan Dear Michigan: The old adage, ‘‘A son is a son until he takes a wife; a daughter is a daughter the rest of her life,’’ has some basis in fact. Girls identify with their mothers, and since women tend to maintain the social structure of the home, their family preferences win out. We recommend you maintain an open and honest relationship with your boys, and when they are teens, it’s OK to tell them you hope they will stay close even after they marry. And then make friends with their wives and treat them with respect. Those women need to know you accept them without judging and will love them as if they were your own. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Help, Please,’’ and was impressed by how much this family is trying to do for their elderly par- ents. Here are a few suggestions: They can contact the local agency on aging or senior center for advice and assistance. Many states have a 211 resource and referral hotline. Local hospitals usually have a social services office that could advise them. The parents’ pri- mary care doctor can make a refer- ral to a visiting nurse agency to assess their home-care needs and safety. They may qualify for home care services through their Medicare insurance. Finally, if the family fears that the parents are unable to make safe decisions and are at risk of harm, they may need to call Adult Protec- tive Services. — MSW 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. Volunteer opportunities at Lassen Park Outdoor adventure awaits you this summer. The park currently has opportunities for camp- ground hosts, visitor center assistants, and interpretive interns. “Volunteers can enjoy the park’s cool summer temperatures, miles of hiking trails, mountain lakes, and vol- canic landscapes while assisting park staff and visitors,” said Superin- tendent Darlene M. Koontz. Campground hosts walk the campgrounds, answer visitor ques- tions, distribute infor- mation, check regula- tion compliance, check in campers with camp- site reservations, keep statistics, and assist with fee collection. Positions are avail- able at the Summit Lake and Butte Lake Camp- grounds. Commitments vary from two to four months, May through September. have a self-contained recreation vehicle. Applicants should A campsite with genera- tor,water, and sewer is provided. Visitor Center Assis- tants help at the infor- mation desk and book- store May through October in the park’s beautiful new Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. A RV site with full hookups is provided in Mineral. Students who are high school juniors or older can assist with interpretation projects through the Interpretive Intern program. Interns attend one week of training and then work 80 or more hours during the sum- mer while camping at Manzanita Lake. Volunteers through- out the country will be honored during National Volunteer Week, April 10 to 16. “Lassen Volcanic National Park values its volunteers. We would like to thank the many wonderful individuals and groups who con- tribute their time, ener- gy, and talents to pre- serve the park and assist the staff and visitors. Our volunteers are one of our most valuable resources and we are fortunate to have them here,” said Superinten- dent Koontz. For more information about volunteering, con- tact the Park Volunteer Program Coordinator at (530) 595-6133. Applications are on the volunteer.gov/gov website. Park information is available at www.nps.gov/lavo or by calling (530) 595-4480. Easter Week Services Let your parishioners know your Easter weekend service schedule, and invite others to join your congregation for Worship. Information boxes will be published together on a full color page, with copy you provide. Artwork available. Publishes: Wednesday, April 20 Deadline: Friday, April 15 at 5pm To place an ad please call Suzy Noble at (530) 527-2151 ext 103