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Wednesday, May 16, 2012 – Daily News FEATURES Gal needs to grow up, cut ties Dear Annie: My husband and I have been happily married for eight years, and we have two beautiful children. Recent- ly, an ex- boyfriend called to let me know that his father had died. I hadn't heard from him in 12 years. "Matt'' and I Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar began speaking regularly and even spent some time together. My husband knew all of this and was OK with it. One night, however, things went fur- ther than they should have, and we kissed sever- al times. I don't know whether I should confess this to my husband or not. Other than getting it off my chest, what good would it do? My husband would no longer trust me, and I'd lose my friendship with Matt, and frankly, I don't want that to happen. The kissing isn't going to happen again. Do I fol- low the ''honesty is always the best policy'' philosophy, or the ''what you don't know can't hurt you'' philosophy? — A Confused Wife have betrayed your hus- band and should stop all contact with Matt imme- diately. No matter what you say about not kissing him again, your excuses to maintain the friendship indicate that your resolve is paper thin. You are playing with fire, risking your marriage and family for the thrill of feeling young and desired again. It's time to grow up and end this nonsense. Use all that sexual tension and energy to revitalize your marriage. Sounds as if it Dear Confused: You We understand your pref- erences, but you'd find an equal number of older graduates telling you how grateful they were to dis- cover a fully matured bond when they were out of school, struggling to pay for baby food and car repairs. We know many graduates would like something they can use in the here and now. But those who give gifts do so out of generosity and thoughtfulness, not because they are obligated to feed you. If you receive government bonds, con- sider them an investment in your future, and put them in a safe place. In 10 years, they'll be worth more, and you'll be thrilled to rediscover them. I'd like to make a suggestion to peo- ple who give gifts to high school and college graduates. While a savings bond is a generous and patriotic ges- ture, it is of little value to a college freshman who needs to buy $500 worth of textbooks and supplies, or to a grad- uating senior with thou- sands of dollars in student loans. Very little compares to the look of despair when a graduate opens a card to find a $100 savings bond that can't be cashed in for full value for several years. I realize budgets are tight, but a $50 check might mean the difference between a college fresh- man buying dinner or going hungry. — Cash Strapped for College Dear Cash Strapped: could use a boost. Dear Annie: Dear Annie: I must respond to ''Need Anoth- er Opinion,'' who doesn't want to be burdened with caring for his wife's dis- abled stepsiblings. As the parent of bio- logical children and an adopted daughter, I would like to point out that there should be no distinction between the two. I love all my children the same. We are a family, blood or no blood. 3B Those with Down syn- drome and other develop- mental and emotional issues deserve to be cared for and respected in our communities. It is not always easy, but there are many resources available to help. If I were this man's wife, I would be wary of spending my life with him. Did he really think he married someone who would turn her back on her family because it was challenging and difficult? Tragedy can happen at any time. How would he feel if one of their future children had a catastroph- ic injury or illness? I suggest ''Another Opinion'' take a good look in the mirror to see what kind of man he is willing to be. Hopefully, they can find a way to build a life together and still care for their family members. — Mom of Three Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.n et, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Keep blood sugar controlled DEAR DOCTOR K: I have diabetes. Lately I've had some new, unpleasant symptoms. My doctor says they're due to dia- betic neuropathy. What is this? And what can I do about it? DEAR READER: Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that results from diabetes. The most common symptoms of neuropathy are tingling, burn- ing, other unpleasant sensa- tions or a loss of sensation. The most common type of nerve damage from diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. It affects the peripheral nerves that extend from your spine to your arms and legs. This condition lowers your sensitivity to touch and pain, especially in your feet. It increases your risk of serious foot injury because if you develop sores on your feet, you may not feel any pain. Pain is a warning sign. Without it, you may not notice the sore, and as a result it may get worse. People with diabetes have a hard time healing sores because their circulation is poor. With diabetic neuropathy, a simple cut or blister on the bottom of the foot can become so severely infected that it won't heal. If the sore won't heal on its own, the only solution may be an amputation. That's why it is so important for people with diabetes to take care of their feet. You must carefully check your feet every day and treat any foot injury immediately. See your doctor about any wound that doesn't heal. People with diabetes also can suffer from neuropathy in parts of the body other than the feet. Nerve damage can lead to problems with digestive, bladder, bowel or sex- ual function. This is from damage to the autonomic nerves, which control such things as heart rate, blood pres- sure, digestion, sweating and erec- tions. Such damage can cause a vari- ety of unpleasant effects: Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. BANCES. Eating more fiber may correct bowel distur- bances. If your stomach emp- ties too slowly, a medication such as metoclopramide (Reglan) may help. For diar- rhea, try an antidiarrheal drug such as loperamide (Imodi- um). — BOWEL DISTUR- (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra) may help. Vacuum devices or surgical implants are also options. — BLADDER PROBLEMS. Go to the bathroom every few hours rather than waiting until you feel the urge. If this doesn't help, ask your doctor about drugs or surgery. — ERECTILE DYSFUNC- TION. Drugs such as silde- nafil (Viagra), tadalafil — DIZZINESS. If standing up quickly brings on lightheadedness, take more time to change positions. Cutting out alcohol, wearing support stockings and increasing your dietary salt intake may also help. — TINGLING, BURNING, UNPLEASANT SENSATIONS. Sev- eral types of medicine can greatly reduce these symptoms, including tri- cyclic drugs and certain anticonvul- sants. Most of my patients with dia- betic neuropathy have gotten good relief from them. We have more information on dia- betic neuropathy in our Special Health Report, "Diabetes." Learn more about this report at AskDoctorK.com, or call 877-649-9457 toll-free to order it. Unfortunately, we don't have treat- ments to prevent diabetic neuropathy. But it can be slowed by keeping your blood sugar under control. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. To send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Teen arrested after homework left at crime scene OREM, Utah (AP) — An 18-year-old Utah man was arrested on suspicion of burglary after police say he left his homework at the crime scene. they tracked a USB drive found at the burglarized home to Dallas Naljahih. Police in Orem say They say the computer hard drive contained his homework and was in a backpack abandoned in the backyard. A 75-year-old man and his wife reported their home had been bur- glarized early Saturday. The husband says he was woken up by a light in his office, and found a man who was looking through a desk. The suspect punched the man and fled on foot. jahih was found asleep at his house along with evidence connecting him with the burglary. Police say that Nal-