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Saturday, April 16, 2011 – Daily News – 5B FEATURES Covert caucus causing concern Amesothlioma update Dear Annie: My husband and I are in our 60s. An old girlfriend of his recently phoned and left her number. While traveling near her area, he called and invited her to meet him for lunch. He told me all about it when he returned. He thinks he was honest, but I disagree. He did not inform the ex-girl- friend that we were mar- ried, and he didn’t tell me ahead of time that he was meeting her. We have a good rela- tionship. But, Annie, most women don’t contact an old boyfriend unless they have something on their mind, and I think she does. And by not telling her he is attached to someone else, he is giving her the wrong message. What do you say? — Curious in N.C. Dear Curious: Of course he should have told you he was planning to call this woman and see her. And you are right that, deliberately or not, he may have given her the impression that he is available. If you trust him, put this behind you, but make it clear that you expect genuine honesty in the future. Dear Annie: You told ‘‘Upset,’’ whose husband has no interest in sex, to have his testosterone level checked. Because ‘‘Upset’’ specifically mentioned their sleeping apart was due to his seri- ous snoring, I suspect a much more likely cause of the problem is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is an insidious and treacherous health condition. The American Academy of Sleep Medi- cine estimates that at least Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar 20 percent of adults are affect- ed. Sleep apnea is now known to be linked to cardio- vascular disease, heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, ED, depression and numerous other health prob- lems. The fatigue from poor sleep increases the risk of traffic and work-related accidents by 300 percent or more. It makes sense that if one’s breathing is being choked off hundreds of times a night by an obstructed air- way, bad things happen. Common signs and symptoms of airway obstruction affecting breathing and sleep include: excessive day- time sleepiness (EDS), snoring, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, per- sonality changes, memory problems, a history of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular dis- ease, and a history of dia- betes. New research shows that more than 80 percent of diabetic patients may have sleep apnea. Risk factors for sleep apnea include: age, gen- der (men are more likely to have sleep apnea, but women, especially after menopause, are at risk as well), neck size (more than 16.5 inches in men, greater than 15 inches in women), and BMI (Body Mass Index) over 30. (There are, however, many skinny people with sleep apnea.) ‘‘Upset’’ should get her husband to a knowl- edgeable physician for appropriate testing. The best is a polysomnogram, which requires an overnight stay in a sleep clinic. Your readers can find out more by going to the American Sleep Apnea Association web- site (sleepapnea.org), the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (aadsm.org) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (aasm- net.org). — Thomas F. Armstrong, DDS, Bakers- field Dental Sleep Medi- cine-New Solutions for Snoring/Sleep Apnea/CPAP Intolerance, Bakersfield Dear Dr. Armstrong: We know our readers will benefit from your exper- tise on this common, but often undiagnosed condi- tion. Thank you. Dear Annie: This is in response to ‘‘Following in His Footsteps.’’ My wife takes forever to get out of the car and then takes her sweet time walking the short distance to our desti- nation. I think it’s rude and inconsiderate not to proceed at a reasonable pace. If my wife were old or disabled, that would be a different story. Rather than calling him the king of England, maybe she needs to put some pep in her step. — Normal Pace Walker Dear Normal: In your case, it sounds like the two of you may have a control issue. But we thank you for informing us that, apparently, chival- ry is dead. 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.n et, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Free Medicare workshop offered Passages Health Insurance Coun- seling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) is presenting a Welcome to Medicare workshop for boomers 2-4 p.m., April 21 at the Red Bluff Senior Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Registration is required by calling 898-6716. This free workshop is designed for people who are new to Medicare and who want to understand how their Medicare benefits work. Family members or caregivers are also welcome to attend. Important questions that will be answered include: • What is Medicare? • Do I really need a Medicare Part D prescription plan? • What is a Medi-Gap policy? • Are there programs available to lower my Medicare health and pre- scription costs? • What happens if I miss my initial Medicare enrollment period? • How will Healthcare Reform affect my new Medicare Benefits in 2011? For more information, call HICAP at PASSAGES at 1-800-434-0222. WINNING ENTRIES ROUND-UP CHILI COOKOFF 1st Place: Peoples Choice - Rolling Hills Casino (Fiery Chipotle) 1st Place: Booth/Shownmanship - Impressive Lawn Care 1st Place: Red Chili (advances to world) John Jepson 2nd Place: Harry Robinson 3rd Place: Larry Jantzen (Local) 1st Place: Green Verde Ron Boiserranc 2nd Place: Sonny Allen 3rd Place: Chris Culver (Local) The event sponsors would like to thank the following sponsors for making the ICS Chili Cook-off a very successful event: ROUND-UP SALOON Thank you for the no-host ICS meet and greet dinner and inviting the ICS judging and scorekeeping venue. ROLLING HILLS CASINO WALMART DISTRIBUTION CENTER RED BLUFF DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF ROUND-UP ASSOCIATION CORNERSTONE BANK BLUNKALL AND NAPIER INSURANCE BROKERS RICHARD SCHEULER DOLLING INSURANCE COMFORT INN RED BLUFF DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MIKE METHERD SIGNS BUDWEISER BEER ROTARIANS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS Red Bluff Rotary Club D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY Round-Up Saloon 1st Place: Salsa Skip Cooley DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you stated that “seven W.R. Grace executives and man- agers were indicted on 10 federal criminal counts of knowingly endangering the residents of the town of Libby, Mont., and of con- cealing information regarding the health effects of the company’s mining operations.” While your column mentions the indictment, there is no men- tion that all seven executives were found not guilty by a jury in Mon- tana. Can you print an update? DEAR READER: Yes, I certainly can. I wrote about mesothelioma based on information I received from a reputable television-network commentary and from newspaper articles on the subject. Because of your request, I reviewed the topic again and found through CNN, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and New York Times that W.R. Grace Company and three of its former execu- tives were acquitted of having knowing- ly exposed mineworkers and residents of Libby to asbestos. One former manager died in 2007, and charges were dropped against two other Grace defendants prior to the acquittal. The statute of limitations required the government to prove violations after 1999, which was within five years of the 2005 indictment. Grace closed the mine in 1990. That meant prosecutors had to prove in court that those company execu- tives knowingly endangered both their employees and the residents of the town before it was illegal to do so and that they continued to endanger everyone after the law was put into effect. It is apparent the aftereffects of this disastrous event for both prosecutors and defendants will be with us for many years to come. DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 61-year-old female who tries to eat healthy and exer- cise, and sometimes I do better than oth- ers. But in the past year, I have been suf- fering from the increasing embarrass- ment of noisy flatulence, and it doesn’t seem to matter what I eat. No pain, except that of embarrassment. I read that it is usually dietary, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Beano did nothing. A friend suggested taking acidophilus. Is this a good idea? If so, how much? I don’t want to go through unnecessary testing, but could this be a symptom of some other problem or is it something one should expect as we age? I guess you can’t die of embarrassment, but some- times I avoid going out with others. I am on what I call the “middle-age pack” of Lipitor, Caduet, a daily aspirin and Nexium for acid reflux, which some- times mimics angina. The Nexium has stopped this problem completely. I had a heart attack due to statin rebound, but that was five years ago. Could any of these medications be causing the prob- lem? DEAR READER: Initially, there are a few possible causes for your noisy flatu- lence. The first that comes to mind is Dr. Peter Gott swallowed air. It is normal to swallow air while eating and/or drinking. That air is composed of nitrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is absorbed appropriate- ly, but nitrogen can pass through into the intestine and cause the problem. Fortunately, a major portion of it is expelled back through the mouth via burping or belching. Gases such as carbon dioxide can be produced during the nor- mal digestive process because of an interaction between stomach acids and pancreatic juices. Those juices neutralize digestive acids; however, during the process, they may produce carbon diox- ide, methane and hydrogen that can cause flatulence. Then there is always the possibility that you are lactose or gluten intolerant or have irritable bowel syndrome. Foods such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, aspara- gus, cauliflower and others with a high starch or fiber content cannot be fully digested by enzymes. That undigested portion of the foods you eat passes into the intestine, where they are digested by bacteria — a process that can create gas. Some people may be intolerant of sugars in certain foods, such as dried fruit, honey, onions, artichokes and drinks that contain high-fructose corn syrup, as well as some sugar-free candies. Lipitor and Nexium have the side effect of flatulence. Caduet can cause gas. I am not aware of aspirin being a potential factor. Therefore, you might wish to speak with your physician regarding your medications and ask for his or her direction on the matter. Other considerations might be to con- sume ginger, miso or tempeh. Use cinna- mon in your cooking or on toast whenev- er possible, or try a pinch of baking soda in a four-ounce glass of water whenever flatulence presents. Try over-the-counter activated-charcoal tablets, digestive- enzyme supplements or probiotics such as acidophilus, most easily found in yogurt containing live L. acidophilus. Again, your physician has your com- plete medical history and is your best guide in the matter. Readers who would like other reme- dies can order my Health Report “Dr. Gott’s More Compelling Home Reme- dies” by sending a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Newslet- ter 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.pd f. 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. PATH ( Poor and the Homeless) would like to thank all of our sponsors for their contributions to our 10th Annual Dinner/Auction. It was a great success because of the generosity of the Red Bluff businesses and community. A “Big” Thank You to our Gold Sponsors: Premiere West Bank Moore and Pascarella Dental Group Thank You to our Silver Sponsors: Green Waste of Tehama County St. Elizabeth Hospital and one anonymous donor Thank you to all our table sponsors and all the businesses that donated gifts for our auction and drawings: Wilcox Oaks Golf Prime Cinemas Abbey’s Hair Works Brentwood Skilled Nursing Umpqua Bank Sparrow Fine Arts Plum Crazy Oak Creek Golf Course Crane Forest Products Furniture Depot Sugar Shack China Doll Olive Pit Tremont Cafe Hair Goddess We Shoot You The Big Picture Reflections ‘ O’Reilly Auto Parts Napa Auto Parts Grocery Outlet Tri Counties Bank The Good Books The Gold Exchange Crystal Art House of Design Gary Ramsay Jewelers Red Bluff Garden Center Montana Morrison Gallery Chico Quilters Guild Rolling Hills Casino Bell Carter Foods Cornerstone Bank Children’ First 2 Bud’s BBQ Lucero Olive Boyd’s Bears M&M Restaurant End of The Trail Di Salvage Sky River Music Denny’s Restaurant Wild Oak Crafter’s Boutique Tehama District Fair Cozy Diner Nick Hand The Loft La Corona Dr. Clark Northern Services