Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/9735
6A – Daily News – Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Doctor has patient’s number DEAR DR. GOTT: I was wonder- ing, after years of seeing my general practitioner, why he changed his policy to now demand my driver’s-license number for his files. I feel this is an invasion of my privacy. With that last bit of informa- tion, I am now not in charge of the protection of my privacy. He is subject to office break- ins, unhappy employees, theft, loss of disks or whatever forms the information is stored on to hackers. Why do they need anything more than an address and Social Security number? DEAR READER: Sadly, people Dr. Peter Gott assume false identities for a variety of reasons, a common practice in the medical profession. People without health insurance assume the names and insurance numbers of another. Until a person gets caught, this allows him or her to feel important, visit medical centers, and receive testing and ser- vices without paying one penny. I’ve yet to determine why anyone would want to appear to take on the medical issues of another, but it happens. I feel I have enough issues of my own; I cer- tainly don’t need those of others. I guess there’s always the chance some- one could obtain drugs for personal use or to be sold on the street for profit. He or she likely never considers the fact that a medication might have a severe adverse effect or could interact with other drugs. The practice is dangerous and outright stupid. The implications and complications are overwhelming. It is sometimes said that going to a ★★ ★ large medical facility is like taking a number at the deli counter of your local supermarket. If you are shuttled along without someone making sure that you are you, problems can occur. You can receive incorrect med- ication, be treated for a condi- tion you don’t have, or be given an incorrect diagnosis. If your chart contains photo iden- tification, whether it’s your dri- ver’s license or some other form of photo ID, the likeli- hood of this is lessened. The practice protects your physician, but, more importantly, it protects you. It’s actually in your best interests to pro- vide a copy for your physician’s records. While he may have known you for many years, it is difficult to let some charts slide without photo ID and demand it only of new patients. The simplest way is to set a hard rule across-the-board. Without offering my likely explana- tion, ask for the reason on your next visit to his office. I could be way off base. Then you can make a determina- tion whether or not to protect this last bit of privacy or find another physi- cian, unless you have already provided him your number. You already trust him with your life. I guess you can simply hope his records will not be stolen or misused. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Choosing a Physician.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money AMERICAN SELF-STORAGE 64 Mulberry Ave., Red Bluff • 527-1755 • Fully Fenced • Onsite Manager • Well Lit Property website: www.americanselfstorage.biz • RV & Vehicle parking now available $ $ $25 1ST COUPON THREE MONTHS 8x10 units only Special rates on all unit sizes per month $ $ PRESENTS order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 51-year- old female. I have a yellowish film on my tongue. I use a tongue cleaner along with a toothbrush with a tongue cleaner twice each day. What works best is scraping it with a toothpick. The film looks like cottage cheese. Please help me. DEAR READER: There are several reasons for the tongue to turn yellow. Tobacco use, some medications, the ingestion of certain foods, geographic tongue (discolored regions of taste buds), yeast infection and bacteria on the tongue are a few reasons. Speak with your dentist, and prac- tice good oral hygiene. Continue to brush your tongue when you brush your teeth. Use warm water and salt gargles once or twice a day. Then make an appointment with your physi- cian to determine whether any medica- tions you might be on could cause the problem. Knowing the cause for the unpleasant condition will help you deal with it better, and you will have a good idea how to keep it under con- trol. 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. ATTENTION LICENSED CONTRACTORS! The Daily News is publishing the 2010 Contractors Guide Tehama County Information provided by the State of California. To confirm your state information or inquire about enhanced or duplicate listings, contact Nadine Souza at 527-2151 x132 or nsouza@redbluffdailynews.com before Monday, May 3, 2010 We have a factsheet that we’ll be happy to email to you. D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY Last day to donate is May 4th D NEWSAILY Exclusive Print Media Partner RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY Stocks pull back on Europe’s debt woes NEW YORK (AP) — Investors are once again worried that debt problems in Greece and Portugal could threaten the global economic recovery. Stocks plunged in the U.S. and Europe Tues- day after Standard & Poor’s downgraded the debt of the two European countries. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 213 points, its worst loss in almost three months. All the major market indexes were down about 2 percent. The ratings downgrades also sent the dollar up more than 1.1 percent against the euro, hit- ting its highest level in about a year. At the same time, gold and Treasury prices also rose as investors sought safer investments. The three often do not trade in the same direction. According to preliminary calculations, the Dow fell 213.04, or 1.9 percent, to 10,991.99. It was the biggest drop for the average since it fell 268.37 on Feb. 4, also amid concerns about European debt problems. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 28.34, or 2.3 percent, to 1,183.71, while the Nasdaq composite index dropped 51.48, or 2 percent, to 2,471.47. Only 498 stocks rose on the New York Stock Exchange, while 2,592 fell. Volume came to a heavy 1.68 billion shares, compared with 1.2 billion Monday. It picked up markedly when news of the ratings downgrades came out. Portugal’s main stock index dropped 5.4 per- cent, while Greece’s plummeted 6 percent. Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 2.6 percent, Germany’s DAX index dropped 2.7 percent, and France’s CAC-40 tumbled 2.8 percent. Bond prices surged as investors sought safe- ty in U.S. government-backed debt. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite to its price, fell to 3.70 percent from 3.81 percent late Monday. The Russell 2000 index of smaller compa- nies fell 17.59, or 2.4 percent, to 721.27. We are still Don’t Forget! collecting socks, towels & blankets to help the homeless. Bring your items to the Daily News, 545 Diamond Ave or call 527-2151x129 for more information or other drop-off locations. April 30 - May 1 & 2 The Southtown Strummers MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Wow! What a Weekend!! Fri. 12-6 • Sat. 10-6 • Sun. 10-5 Shasta-Tehama Home & Garden Show is coming.... Joining 5 other major events Same Weekend - Same Fairgrounds ❁ 2nd Annual Shasta-Tehama Home & Garden Show (Fri-Sat-Sun) ❁ 39th Annual Arabian Horse Show (Fri-Sat-Sun) ❁ 49th Annual Flower Show (Sat-Sun) ❁ 8th Annual Alpaca Show (Sat-Sun) ❁ 11th Annual 4-H Fair (Sat) ❁ 6th Annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration (Sat) “It’s May Magic” NEW FOR THIS YEAR... Arts & Craft Exhibitors Free admission to all for the Home Show!!!!! Thanks to our friends at Sunday May 2 2:00pm State Theatre ★ ONE SHOW ONLY! ★ Sing-Along Songsheets Provided ★ Banjo Band Instrumentals ★ Tin Pan Alley Tunes Benefiting St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Auxiliary Sponsored by: St. Elizabeth Community Hospital A member of CHW MCGLYNN MCGLYNN & BOTTKE Attorneys at Law D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY E License #759609 Comfort Inn 90 Sale Lane , Red Bluff Embroidery Mart American Dennis & Jeannie Garton State Theatre For The Arts Red Bluff Katrina Perdue D.M.D. General Dentistry Red Bluff C M R O J T A V L E E C I