Knowing when to go to the emergency room can be tricky

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had an episode of food poisoning with vomiting and diarrhea. It lasted four hours. I live alone. I’m 84, and in good health except for chronic atrial fibrillation and well-controlled high blood pressure. My question is, When does it become serious enough to call a doctor, and how do I […]

PHOTO: Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus to sing in Norway

Assessing the risks of secondhand cigarette smoke

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mom recently passed from COPD. She smoked for 50 years, while pregnant and all through our childhood. Riding in the car was the worst. My question is, How will the secondhand smoke we were subjected to impact our health in the long term? Is there anything we should do or mention […]

Virgo: Find the willpower to say no to temptation

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jesse Eisenberg, 36; Scott Weinger, 44; Kate Winslet, 44; Guy Pearce, 52. Happy Birthday: Work hard, and get everything in order. The time to forge into new territory is just around the corner, but first you have to be ready. Don’t divulge what you are up to or give anyone […]

Dad finally writes his will and names surprise executor

DEAR ABBY: I am 30 years old, the only child of divorced parents in their late 60s. Neither of them has remarried. Because of certain family events, I encouraged Dad to create a will four years ago. He never had one because he doesn’t have much money or any property to bequeath, but my understanding […]

Looking Back on Oct. 5

100 years ago: 1919 Training in salesmanship started at the B. Peck Company, an instructional course lasting one year, it was announced at a supper Thursday night at Dan Long’s, when the system was explained by J.G. Patteo of the Dry Goods Economist to the employees of the store. Four groups will study the game […]

Looking Back on Oct. 4

100 years ago: 1919 Work will begin Monday upon an additional development at the Deer Rips power station at the Androscoggin Electric Co. which will increase the available horsepower at this plant by 2,500, then making the total power there 8,500, enough for the needs of Lewiston and Auburn. The cost of the development will […]

Using a CPAP machine won’t trigger vertigo

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was recently prescribed a CPAP machine for mild-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. I have a history of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and wondered if the pressure of the CPAP might cause the vertigo to kick in. — L.B. ANSWER: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is believed to be caused by calcium crystals in […]

Leo: Involve yourself in activities that will expand your outlook

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Alicia Silverstone, 43; Liev Schreiber, 52; Christoph Waltz, 63; Susan Sarandon, 73. Happy Birthday: Look over your current situation and consider your dreams, and you’ll come up with the right balance to help you reach your objectives this year. Use your charm to get others on board with your plans, […]

Daughter remains withdrawn after coming out to parents

DEAR ABBY: Our college-age daughter has been withdrawn and depressed for some time. During a recent visit, after asking her several times what was wrong, encouraging her to continue counseling and expressing general concern for her, I finally asked her (again) if she was gay. She broke down and said she was. She seems conflicted […]