Lifestyle

DEAR DR. ROACH: I disagree with your recent column about the glucosamine/ chondroitin supplements. I have arthritis in my lower back. I am taking this supplement each day, and my lower back pain is completely gone. I can now bend down from the waist. I was very skeptical about this or any other supplement and was surprised when it worked. Give it another look. -- R.G.

Every day in the clinic or hospital I meet extraordinary caregivers. They are the ones who have gone above and beyond the call of duty; sometimes for years at a time. When you ask them how they do it, they shrug and smile. I am not talking about any doctor, nurse, or therapist. I am referring to those who care for and look after their elderly friends and family members. This can be a spouse, adult child, adult grandchild, neighbor, or even a good friend.

Dear Amy: My ex-husband’s 38-year-old niece, “Clare” is getting married next month and has chosen not to invite me to her wedding. During our 30-year marriage we lived three to four hours from his family and visited at major holidays.

Dear Amy: I’m a financially independent 27-year-old woman. I work in the beauty industry.

I love sports. I have enjoyed playing and watching sports for as long as I can remember. And as someone who participated in a sport yearround in high school and continued in athletics (golf) in college, I am constantly grateful for the large impact being able to play competitive sports has had in my life.

We all have stress. Did you know there are different kinds of stress? There are good kinds of stress that help us meet deadlines or get where we need to be. It is typically short term and subsides after the event. There is also stress that lasts for long periods of time or is severe, such as a divorce or a move. This is called chronic or toxic stress. Toxic stress can affect not only our mental health but also our physical health because that stress response stays elevated and wears out the body. This may leave a person feeling overwhelmed and affect their bodily systems.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a friend with multiple health problems, mostly digestive and throat, who has recently discovered the supplement astaxanthin through his treatment with a nutritionist. He is extremely optimistic that this supplement is his ticket to better health. He said it was developed by a biochemical engineer. As a doctor, would you recommend this for your patients? He says it is a powerful antioxidant and reduces inflammation. He also believes it will destroy any cancer cells. -- N.H.

Dear Readers, Every boy dropped his crayon and leapt out of his seat when I popped the question, “What are you going to be for Halloween?” I could not help but chuckle as a five and six year old gaggle broke loose. They reminded me of baby birds trying to fly as they hopped and bobbed in place. And the more I laughed, the louder they cried.