Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/32136
Saturday, May 21, 2011 – Daily News 5A FEATURES Posted passing promts protest Burning mouth a hot topic Dear Annie: I’m 20 years old, and lately, I’ve been catching a lot of criticism about my Facebook page. My grandfather passed away, and I updated my status to say that he is loved and deeply missed. People offered condo- lences and support. My father thought it was wrong for people to find out on Facebook. But, Annie, people read obituar- ies in the local newspaper and find out that way, too. I feel I should be Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar my friends are los- ing their spouses. Recently, a friend’s husband died, and I felt the need to help her. So I wrote the follow- ing letter. If you think it might help others, please print it. — Norbert Tackman Dear Norbert: We think you have put some wise allowed to post whatever I want. I know this is a gen- erational difference, but it’s causing a lot of problems. Please help. — Trying To Keep the Peace Dear Trying: We think your father is objecting less to Facebook and more to the fact that his father died. Online postings from fami- ly members strike him as impersonal and too public, and therefore disrespectful. Assure him that you loved your grandfather and find it comforting to share your grief with your friends. Perhaps it would help if you showed him some of the words of condolence that others have posted. As long as your posts are not vulgar or inappropriately intimate, we see no reason to make an issue of this. Dear Annie: My wife died 11 years ago, after 49 wonderful years together. I am now 81, and many of thoughts down on paper, and we know they will bring comfort to many. Thank you. A Time To Grieve What could have been is gone. What was is still in your memories. You’ll always think there must have been more you could have done, more times you could have said, ‘‘I love you.’’ Times you think, ‘‘Why didn’t I hold him more? Why didn’t I do this or that?’’ You did all those things. You just need to remember them. Remember the times when you held hands as you walked, when you held one another and kissed, when you shared a sunset or a walk through a garden. Remember that great vacation you had together. Remember when you made love and shared that special time. Remem- ber how your love never dimmed but got stronger over the years. Remember when you first met and fell in love. Then go through your life remembering the special moments, one after anoth- From now through June 14, Liberty Mutual Insurance is hosting Bring Back the 4th, an online contest that Red Bluff community members can enter er. When you had chil- dren. When you laughed or cried. That trip to get away. Visiting friends. A party. Going to church. When you redecorated the house. Little things only you and he shared. Push out of your mind the memories that make you sad, and replace them immediately with good memories. Something that makes you smile. In the weeks after his passing, the relatives go on with their lives, your friends don’t call as often and you’re left alone. This is the time to be more involved with your favorite organizations, your church, your friends. In other words, keep busy. Be with other people. Push yourself to do things, no matter how small. Don’t feel sorry for yourself — you have much to offer to others and your fellowship will give back twice as much to you. There is nothing wrong with crying. It’s part of the loss. It’s part of the grief. Accept the aching need to have him back, the need to hold him and tell him you love him. But always remember to say, ‘‘What a good life we had.’’ He knew you loved him and cared about him. Just as you know he loved you and cared about you. Remember, he is watching over you. He doesn’t want you to suffer. He wants you to be happy for all the time you had together. God bless you. for a chance to win one of 10 $10,000 grants to support the town’s official Fourth of July celebration. Visit BringBackThe4th.com DEAR DR. GOTT: I have recently been diagnosed with burning-mouth syndrome. What can you tell me about the cause and treatment? I’ve found Brene- ton on the Internet. Is this a good treatment to try? DEAR READER: Unfortu- nately, the cause of this condition can’t always be easily deter- mined. It is thought to be related to problems with taste and senso- ry nerves of the peripheral or cen- tral nervous system; or it might be caused by a nutritional deficiency such as vitamin B, folate, iron or zinc. Direct links for the disorder can include an oral yeast infection, anxiety, depression, some medications, an underactive thy- roid, reflux, hormonal imbalance or irri- tation to the mouth. Whatever the cause, the pain can affect your lips, tongue, gums, inside of your cheeks, roof of your mouth or all of the above. Symptoms include numbness or tin- gling of the affected portion of your mouth, pain that worsens as the day pro- gresses, a loss of taste and dry mouth. You may notice an unpleasant metallic taste. Whatever symptom or symptoms you have can occur every day or may come and go. This condition can last for years or may disappear without treat- ment. Your doctor may choose to order blood tests, cultures to rule out viral/bac- terial/yeast infection, allergy testing or even an MRI or CT to rule out other pos- sible but unidentified health issues. If you suffer from dry mouth, a salivary test can confirm or rule out a reduction in salivary flow. Treatment will depend on your specif- ic symptoms. Mouthwashes, specific antidepressants, B vitamins, capsaicin as a pain reliever or behavioral therapy might be considered. On the home front, experiment with different toothpastes, drink additional fluids, refrain from using tobacco, and avoid foods with cin- namon or mint, as well as those high in acid, such as tomatoes and orange juice. on or before June 14 and take a brief multiple choice quiz on “Responsible Moments in U.S. History.” Each completed quiz counts as one credit towards a Above all, make an effort to reduce the stress in your life, if appropriate. This might be accomplished with yoga or tai chi. Dr. Peter Gott Breneton is a combination of rheum rhabarbarum, Indian olibanum tree, torchwood tree, ginger, operculina turpethum and scammony. My guess is as good as yours whether this will work or not. My guess? No. DEAR DR. GOTT: Can you tell me something about a product called ASEA? It is supposed to be a cure-all for pain when you take two ounces twice a day. Is this a fad or does it work? The cost is about $1 per ounce. DEAR READER: ASEA is not pro- moted as a juice, antioxidant or vitamin but as redox-signaling molecules in a bottle. Redox-signaling molecules are what your body creates in order to sup- port the vital functions of the immune system. Pardon me, but what in the heck does that really mean? The ingredients are sodium and chlo- ride (salt and water)! The product is sold in 32-ounce bottles and promoted as an immune booster. The recommendation is that a person drinks between four and eight ounces about 20 minutes before exercising on an empty stomach. There is no need for a daily dose to keep your redox level high. You can’t overdose on it, and only need to use it when you know you will exercise strenuously. I’m not sure about the pain-relief connection. As long as you asked, I think this is a fad. Stick with a healthful diet, drink adequate fluids to remain hydrated, exer- cise in an appropriate manner, and save your money. 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. Help win $10,000 for Red Bluff’s Fourth of July Celebration town’s total score. Towns with the highest quiz participation will be eligible to win one of 10 Bring Back the 4th grants, distributed via three population-based categories: small (4 grants), medium (3 grants) and large (3 grants). Winners will be announced the week of June 20.