DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married more than 20 years. Once in a while, he’ll stop being affectionate and ceases talking to me. Obviously, he is upset. He holds it together for our children, but I get the serious cold shoulder. He won’t tell me why he is unhappy. He simply expects […]
Advice
For most accurate BP readings, follow procedure
DEAR DR. ROACH: I monitor my blood pressure at home as part of my regular wellness routine. The instructions for the BP monitor say to sit upright, keep my feet on the floor and to not place the cuff over clothing. In addition, directions indicate that the cuff should be placed at the level of […]
Parents declare their freedom from ungrateful adult kids
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I raised two children — a son who is a successful doctor and a daughter who is a multipost-grad botanist. We are 72 now, in moderately failing health and very successful ourselves. Our children were raised properly. We gave them all they would ever need to succeed and be happy. […]
Does cow's milk make strong bones — or weak ones?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I read that cow’s milk weakens the bones. Is that true? — A.H. ANSWER: The preponderance of the evidence is that dairy intake — like cow’s milk, yogurt and cheese — increases bone strength and reduces fracture risk. However, there is not the highest level of evidence to support this. In absence […]
Virgo: Get out and enjoy some company
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Dave Grohl, 50; Jason Bateman, 50; LL Cool J, 51; Holland Taylor, 76. Happy Birthday: Take your time, research, source out the best deal or move, and put your plans into motion with intelligence. A calculated approach to the changes you want to make this year will save you from […]
Pisces: Volunteer to help others in the community
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Liam Hemsworth, 29; Orlando Bloom, 42; Patrick Dempsey, 53; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 58. Happy Birthday: Listen carefully and be willing to work with others, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Being smart, astute and open about the way you feel and what you are willing to take on will […]
Tell colleagues you don’t wish to go
DEAR ABBY: I started working in engineering in the late 1980s and thought it was “cute” that we all wore Hawaiian shirts when the guys went out for Friday lunches. Now we’re in our 50s, and many of my peers still honor that tradition. I no longer find it cute. In fact, I’m finding it […]
Leo: Take time to pamper yourself
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Zayn Malik, 26; Naya Rivera, 32; Oliver Platt, 59; Kirstie Alley, 68. Happy Birthday: Stop being so hard on yourself. Make positive life choices that are geared toward better health, good relationships and spending more time with the people who make a difference in your life. Evaluate what’s important to […]
Best friend doesn't share woman's desire for intimacy
DEAR ABBY: I have been best friends with “Mickey” for about five years. We spend every day together and go out to dinner/movies/events, etc. He sleeps over at my house, and I cook for him almost every night. When our friendship started we were intimate a couple of times but have been strictly platonic ever […]
Recovering addict faces unceasing withdrawal symptoms
DEAR DR ROACH: I’m in recovery from addiction to opioids, benzodiazepines and cocaine, which I used for up to three years. I have been clean and sober for almost a year now, yet I continue to suffer from headaches, muscle aches, insomnia, excessive fatigue and worsening anxiety and depression. Oftentimes I feel worse now than […]