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Monday, April 12, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Husband exercises nude in front of our daughter Dear Annie: My husband, ‘‘Joe,’’ turned 40 last summer. His cholesterol, blood pres- sure and weight are higher than they should be, and his doctor suggested he lose 20 pounds. I try to feed him well, but I know he stops for the occasional doughnut. Joe has never been much right and has no intention of dressing. into exercise, but I gave him a rather expensive multifunc- tion machine for Christmas and installed it in the family room so he could watch the big-screen TV while working out. He gave me a reluctant 10 minutes a day on his new ‘‘toy.’’ Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar I’m torn. If I make him wear clothes, I worry he’ll stop exercising. Is naked exercise common? Is it dangerous? Is he some sort of closet pervert? Would some busybody consider this child abuse and have him arrested? — Confused in Illinois Dear Confused: Exer- cising in the nude is not that uncommon and When he complained that his jeans were too tight, I made a note to buy him some loose workout clothes. When he continued to mut- ter about having ‘‘nothing to wear,’’ I frustratingly retorted that he could exercise naked for all I cared. Before I realized it, he did just that — on the machine in his birthday suit and gym shoes. And he exer- cised for another 30 minutes. He’s now using the machine, stark naked, each day for 45 min- utes without any prodding, and he’s lost some weight. I think part of it is that our 12-year-old daughter has begun to ‘‘coach’’ his sessions, counting his reps and urging him on. Annie, we’re not prudes. Our daughter has seen both her parents naked and insists it doesn’t bother her to watch Dad exercise in the buff. In fact, they joke about it. She started calling him a ‘‘Greek ath- lete.’’ Joe does have Greek ancestry, and he now insists the Greeks had it shouldn’t be dangerous unless sen- sitive body parts are in close prox- imity to dropped weights or snapped pulleys. We can’t tell you whether Joe is overly enjoying his daughter’s assistance with his work- out. We are not in favor of it and would insist he wear shorts. But nudity within one’s own home is not considered child abuse or inde- cent exposure. If you are worried about the neighbors, keep the blinds closed. Dear Annie: My husband and I currently have custody of my 8- year-old grandson, who has a mild form of autism and mental issues. My father tells me all the time what a wonderful job my husband does with him. Why can’t he just tell him himself? What should I do? — Frustrated Grandmother Dear Frustrated: Parents and in-laws often feel awkward compli- menting a child to his face, and we suspect that’s why your father says these things to you instead. You can sweetly suggest he give the direct approach a try, but please don’t make a big deal out of it. And by all means, tell your husband how much his father-in-law admires him. He should know. Dear Annie: I was happy that ‘‘A Mom in Murrieta’’ pointed out that parenting is different from babysitting. I am a happily married father of three. My wife enjoys nights out with her girlfriends, and I enjoy nights out with my guy friends. I am offended when someone praises me for ‘‘babysitting’’ my own children so my wife can go out for the evening. I am not their babysitter. I am their dad. No one ever thanks a woman for ‘‘babysitting’’ her chil- dren so her husband can enjoy a night out. Many people misinterpret men spending time with their kids as babysitting, and you didn’t help matters. — Love My Kids in South Dakota Dear South Dakota: What we have here is a failure to communi- cate. We are using the word ‘‘babysit’’ to mean ‘‘take care of the children.’’ (Many readers mistaken- ly believe it refers solely to a paid position held by teenagers.) Just as we would expect a husband to ask his wife to please watch the kids before running out of the house, we expect his wife to do the same. 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. Garden tour planned in Chico The Mt. Lassen Chapter of the Califor- nia Native Plant Society will sponsor a Native Plant Garden Tour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 25. Tickets are $8 donation for adults; children free with adults. Five residential gar- dens, two public native plant gardens and two native plant nurseries will be featured. Three of the residential gar- dens are in Chico, one is in Paradise, and one is in Durham. Native plant interpreters will be at each site. The tour will offer the opportunity to view California native plants in a variety of garden settings and to learn how to incorporate and maintain native plants in home gardens. In addi- tion, native plants, books and other items will be available for purchase. The garden of Emilie and Ken White begun in the summer of 1984, has a great variety of mature California and North American natives, grown without pesti- cides. Jennifer Jewell’s garden features a dry- land native berm/border providing privacy from the adjacent common area and also plantings integrated in an existing habitat of native blue oaks. Phil Butler in Par- adise began with a large collection of natives growing in pots. While many are still growing in their pots, others have since been established in the ground. Anne and Woody Elliot’s garden demonstrates an ongo- ing conversion of a tra- ditional tract home lawn to a native plant wildlife habitat. Nancy Schleiger’s home in Durham has a front yard with a variety of native shrubs grow- ing in the dry shade of two large valley oaks and a back yard with a sunny habitat area. Proceeds from this event go to the preserva- tion of California native plants in the four-coun- ty Mt. Lassen Chapter area. Tickets are available at Mendon’s Nursery in Paradise and in Chico at Floral Native Nursery, Little Red Hen Nursery, Plant Barn and Gift Shop and Lyon Books. Tickets available on the day of the tour after 10 a.m. at Chico Creek Nature Center, 1968 E. Eighth St. For more Courtesy photo A native plant garden tour is set for Sunday, April 25, in and around Chico. information call 893- 2886. The tour will take place rain or shine. Using Vicks for hemorrhoids? DEAR DR. GOTT: Seven or eight years ago, you suggested using Vicks VapoRub for relief of the discom- fort associated with anal hemorrhoids. It has worked really well for me. I have used both the Vicks and store-brand equivalents. I have no more pain from my two hemorrhoids but now wonder if I should keep using the product or have the hemorrhoids removed. I am a 67-year- old male. DEAR READER: I had all but forgotten this advice for the treatment of hemorrhoids, so thank you for writing to inform me of your positive results. Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins in the lower rectum and/or anus. They can be internal or external and are usually the result of straining during bowel movements, chronic diarrhea or constipation, or from increased pres- sure on the veins due to obesity, pregnancy and more. The condition is common, with an esti- mated 50 percent of adults over age 50 hav- ing had symptoms at least once in their life- times. Symptoms include painless bleeding during bowel movements (bright red blood on toi- let tissue or in the bowl), fecal leakage, pain or discomfort, a sensitive or painful lump near the anus, anal itching/irrita- tion or swelling and pro- truding veins. It is always advisable to see a physician if any of the above symptoms are present in order to rule out other, more seri- ous disorders, since col- orectal and anal cancers can cause similar symp- toms. After receiving a diagnosis from a medical doctor, he or she will likely recommend home treatment of the hemor- rhoids because most cases respond favorably and do not require med- ical treatment. Home therapy includes over-the- counter topical hemor- rhoid creams and/or sup- positories, ice packs to relieve swelling, taking several warm baths or sitz baths daily, using unscented, alcohol-free moist towelettes to pat the area clean after a bowel movement, and using OTC oral pain relievers. If these conservative measures don’t help, it’s time to return to your physician. He or she may Dr. Peter Gott recommend a minimally invasive pro- cedure, such as rubber- band ligation, which cuts off blood flow to the affected area; injecting a chemical solution into the tissue to shrink the hemorrhoid (may be less effective than banding); and using one of several methods to harden and shrivel smaller hemorrhoids (a procedure associated with a higher rate of recurrence). For large or resistant hemorrhoids, surgery may be recommended. Hemorrhoidectomy involves removing all the excessive tissue causing the bleeding. It is the most effective and com- plete way to remove the hemorrhoids but is also associated with the high- est rate of complications. Stapling blocks blood flow, causing the vein to dry. It is associated with less pain and faster heal- ing time but also has a greater risk of recurrence and for the development of a condition known as rectal prolapse, in which part of the rectum pro- trudes from the anus. It is possible to pre- vent hemorrhoids by increasing the amount of dietary fiber con- sumed or taking supple- ments and drinking plenty of fluids. Each can soften and add bulk to the stool, which makes it easier to pass. Be sure to relieve your- self as soon as you feel the urge to defecate. Don’t strain, and don’t stand or sit for too long, as each function can increase pressure on the lower rectal veins. Exer- cise reduces pressure and can also help with weight loss. My advice is, if you are not having a prob- lem, then stick with what you are doing. Even doctors recom- mend home treatment for hemorrhoids, since medical/surgical treat- ments may cause unwanted complications and cause hemorrhoids to recur. 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 China Buffet CHINESE RESTAURANT 10% OFF TOTAL BILL with coupon Expires 4-30-10 COUPON Open 7 Days A Week LUNCH Buffet Adult: $6.99 Mon-Sat. 10:30am-3:30pm DINNER Buffet Adult: $9.99 Mon-Thurs 3:30am-9:30pm Fri-Sat 3:30-10:30pm Carry-Out Buffet Lunch $3.50 / Lb. • Dinner $4.50 / Lb. All Seafood $6.50 / Lb. SUNDAY $ Buffet 10.99 All Day DRINKS with coupon FREE Expires 4-30-10 COUPON 343 S. Main St. Red Bluff 530-529-5888 (No Checks) GREGG COHEN Paid political advertisement TEHAMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY Paid for by Re-Elect Gregg Cohen District Attorney 2010 RE-ELECT