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Friday, March 19, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Stay warm if you have Raynaud’s DEAR DR. GOTT: Do you have any infor- mation on Ray- naud’s disease? Is there anything that can help? This is in my fin- gers and toes. DEAR READ- ER: Raynaud’s phenomenon is a disorder of the small blood vessels within the body that supply the skin with oxygenated blood. It commonly affects women between the ages of 15 and 50. When the condition is present, the arteries involved con- tract briefly. This, in turn, limits blood flow. When the skin is deprived of blood, it turns white, then blue, and skin temperature is affected. As a general rule, there is no pain, but numbing or prickly sen- sations can occur. As the arteries relax, blood flow returns and the skin turns pink again. The condition is temporary. Raynaud’s can attack the nose, ears, hands and feet. There are two forms of Raynaud’s, pri- mary and secondary. When caused by another disease or risk factor because of lifestyle such as smoking, it is referred to as secondary. With exposure to cold temperatures, the hands and feet can lose heat rapidly. As a means of heat conservation, the body reduces blood flow to the extremities by narrowing the arteries that supply them with blood, shunting it back to more strategic areas. Thus, people diagnosed with Raynaud’s are overly susceptible to cold temperatures because of the body’s natural pattern for main- taining heat. Triggers are stress, some migraine medica- tions, scleroderma, sys- temic lupus, pulmonary hypertension, rheuma- toid arthritis, injury and more. Attacks can be pre- vented by maintaining body heat, discontinuing smoking, biofeedback and through prevention of cuts, bruises and other injuries. Those exposed to cold outdoor temperatures should wear warm socks and gloves or mittens, a hat and scarf or other face covering to protect the nose. Even when indoors, floors and tem- peratures can be cooler. Wear slippers or socks, and keep your hands warm through move- ment. Exercise, stretch- ing, card shuffling, working on a jigsaw puzzle and food prepara- tion are but a few possi- ble ways of maintaining good blood flow. In severe cases, a person might even choose to DW PLUMBING INC. Local Plumbers Serving all Your Plumbing Needs Since 1993 530 527-6403 Major Credit Cards Accepted Lic. No 679492 & Gardening 10-25% OFF MSRP HYDROPONICS Indoor Lighting ADVANCED 1417 SOLANO ST., CORNING 824-1100 NOW OPEN SUNDAYS CITRUS TREES Have Arrived We also have a large selection of Veggie Plants 766 Antelope Blvd. (next to the fairgrounds) 527-0886 wear gloves when removing food from the refrigerator to stave off an Dr. Peter Gott attack. Since each person has specific triggers because of lifestyle, it is important to identify what brings on an attack and to learn ways to keep appendages warm. Your physician should be consulted for his or her input on other methods of prevention. DEAR DR. GOTT: I am experiencing dry mouth. What are the causes and what can I do to overcome it? My doc- tor did blood work, and I don’t have Sjogren’s syndrome. DEAR READER: There are countless causes for dry mouth. I will review a few of the more common possibili- ties. Medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, are often to blame. Are you on any decongestant, antihista- mine, antihypertensive, anxiety or anti-diarrheal medication? Are you elderly? Do you have a history of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer or stroke? Do you smoke, snore or are you a mouth breather? Review my list of possibilities to deter- mine if you fall into any of the categories. If medication might be to blame, speak with your physician regarding switching or discontinu- ing for a period of time. Limit your caffeine intake, discontinue any mouthwash that contains alcohol, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, sip water throughout the day, chew sugar-free gum, and consider putting a humidifier in your sleeping area. To provide related information, I am send- ing you a copy of my Health Report “Con- sumer Tips on Medi- cine.” Other readers who would like a copy should send 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 at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet,” available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook.” Worried about family’s different diet Dear Annie: My son and his wife have been mar- ried 12 years and have two beautiful daughters. But I am terribly concerned about their eating habits. This is doubly difficult, as my daughter-in-law is the boss in this family and thinks she knows every- thing. My son is no better. He never ate properly when he lived at home, even though we tried. I hoped he would marry someone with better common sense about food. I have never said anything out- Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar right, but I have often subtly tried to let them know how I feel. They eat nothing but pasta. They cook fresh vegetables, but don’t insist that the kids eat them. At Christmas, the 6- year-old wasn’t allowed to have a second dinner roll because it would- n’t leave room for dessert. The 2- year-old ate olives, pickles and some pie, but wouldn’t touch the ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, or carrot sticks. Our little grandchildren are often sick and on antibiotics. I can’t count the number of times they have had viruses, colds and ear infections. I don’t even want to go to their home because it upsets me so. What can I do? — Worried Mother Dear Mother: Believe it or not, your grandchildren are eating just fine. Having an extra roll or mashed potatoes with gravy is no healthier than pickles and olives and has no bearing on their colds and ear infec- tions. A lot of adult eating disorders can be traced back to parents who turned the dinner table into a battlefield. Please trust your son and his wife to care appropriately for their children, and turn a blind eye to the food issues. You can’t win — and you could lose a great deal. Dear Annie: Next year, I am getting married to a very supportive man with a won- derful family and am excited to become a part of that fam- ily. However, over the past couple of years, his family has made me realize how unsupportive my own is. His family remembers birthdays and holidays and cele- brates life’s events, while mine can’t be bothered to let you know Grandma’s new address. I’d never met my fiance’s aunt, but she sent us a card when we bought our first house. It took six months for my own mother to drive 10 minutes to visit us. Here is my question: How do I enjoy my wedding with his wonder- ful family, when I don’t really want my own family there? — Drama Free is the Way To Be Dear Drama Free: You are for- tunate to have found a second fami- ly that provides the warmth and support that is lacking in your own. While you are walking down the aisle, keep that happy thought in mind. You also might consider that by adopting your in-laws’ practices as your own, you could, over time, influence your family to do the same and be the catalyst that changes the way things are done. Your wedding is an opportunity to improve the lives of everyone you love. Our congratulations and best wishes. Dear Annie: C’mon, ladies, give us a break! ‘‘Trusting Girlfriend’’ said her 60-year-old boyfriend, ‘‘George,’’ noticed a 14-year-old girl who was dressed provocatively. You said he was behaving like a ‘‘dirty old man.’’ Women, regardless of their age, are choosing to show more cleav- age. I’ve seen ads for pushup bras for young teens. If a teenager wears outfits that expose part of her breasts, people of all ages will judge her accordingly. Don’t call us ‘‘dirty old men’’ because we pay attention. We may be middle-aged, but we aren’t blind. As any pet shop owner will attest, if you want to draw a crowd, put pup- pies in your store window. — CC Dear CC: We didn’t label George because he ‘‘noticed.’’ It was because he took photographs — and only from the neck down — of a young woman he didn’t know. We don’t care how old he is. 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. Corning Healthcare District elects officers Corning Healthcare District elected new offi- cers Patricia R. Ras- mussen, president; Charles Rouse, vice presi- dent; and Marlene Mason, secretary treasurer, to serve for the coming year. “I needed to take a break in my many respon- sibilities,” said Mason, who has served as presi- dent for the past two years during the first stages of the new construction of the Meuser Memorial Health Center. “There are many times the president has to make special trips into the office to sign contracts and review the process,” said District Manager Shirley Fay. “(Mason’s) help has been greatly appreciated.” Rasmussen is not new to the office of president, having served in that capacity during the plan- ning stages of the Meuser project. She was instru- mental in contacting George Meuser to obtain permission to name the new facility after his late father, Dr. Meuser, who donated the land for Corning Healthcare Dis- trict in 1945. “She is always willing to be of assistance,” Fay said. Rouse has served on the board since November 2008, when he ran for the position of director. “He is dedicated to benefiting the communi- Red Bluff Garden Center Courtesy photo Pictured, from left, are President Patricia Rasmussen, Vice President Charles Rouse and Secretary/Treasurer Marlene Mason, the new elected officers of the Corning Healthcare District. ty,” Fay said. “He will make an excellent vice president.” The health center is scheduled to be complet- ed in August. It is an 11,400-square-foot build- ing that will house Coun- ty Social Services, Coun- ty Health Services, Quest Bartlett & Spence Corning Calif. 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