The Saturday Evening Post articles from July 2005

The Saturday Evening Post archives from July 2005

Peripheral vascular disease.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I am 79 years young and have peripheral vascular disease. My internist tells me the pill that is on the market is not worth trying. If there is someone in northern Illinois who could be of help, I would like to contact that person. I know...

Thanks for the recipes.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Just wanted you to know how much I have enjoyed your magazine. It is informative, funny, and interesting. In the Jan./Feb. issue on page 60 and 62, I tried two recipes. The Italian Surprise, to which I also added a few carrots, some...

Cartoon correction.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I am offended by the cartoon on page 10 of your March/April issue that shows a gravestone with the words "What's his name who was riding with her." A larger gravestone beside it has the words "Here lies Amelia Earhart, beloved American...

Heart support.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Dr. Zipes' column (May/June 2005) interested me intensely because I have experienced irregular beats in the past. However, I did not accept the "woman thing" or "learn to live with it." The heart, as well as every muscle in the body, uses...

Dog deja vu.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... What a joy to see the Post cocker spaniel cover. Our Teddy was a black and white lookalike and we looked forward to the covers. Teddy was rescued by our great Aunt Gertrude Bright in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, but he had been blinded by abuse...

Acupuncture for osteoarthritis.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I enjoyed reading online the osteoarthritis article. Do you know if there are presently any clinical trials in which I could be a participant? I am 54 years old and last year had to have a total knee replacement. My other knee is starting to be...

Macular degeneration.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I have had macular degeneration for about 1 1/2 years, but the last three months, it has progressed rapidly. On my left eye I have had PDT with Kenalog, then another brief zap with laser. Last week I had Macugen injected in the other eye. I...

Searching for Fibrim.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Am looking for a fiber product called FIBRIM mentioned in your Jan./Feb. issue of the Post. Would appreciate your help. Mother's in her 80s and needs all the help she can get. Looking forward to your reply. Adelaide M. Ringdahl Rome,...

Diagnosing a manic society: an eminent bio-behavioral scientist explains what our hectic, work-and-spend American culture has done to us and what we can do about it.(American Mania: When More Is Not Enough)(Book Review)
July 1, 2005... American Mania: When More Is Not Enough by Peter C. Whybrow, M.D., 338 pages, W.W. Norton, $24.95 Americans sense that we have lost something in the last half century, a feeling of neighborliness and community, a sense of common values,...

Hagar the horrible.(Cartoon)
July 1, 2005... Sigh SOMETHING BOTHERING YOU, HELGA? OH, I GUESS I'M JUST FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT IT? I DON'T ASK FOR MUCH IN THIS LIFE... JUST A LITTLE LOVE AND AFFECTION... THE RESPECT OF MY FAMILY...

Cat stories for kids: a cat's day at the seashore and cat tales from around the world in new books from two of America's foremost children's authors.(Sneakers, The Seaside Cat)(Meow: Cat Stories from Around the World)(Book Review)(Children's Review)
July 1, 2005... Sneakers, the Seaside Cat by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Anne Mortimer, 32 pages, HarperCollins, $15.99 Once there was a cat named Sneakers. He had four white paws, but almost all the rest of him was inky black. Sneakers lived with...

Dear God: when kids address The Man Upstairs, they don't beat around the bush.
July 1, 2005... DEAR GOD, Please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter. There is nothing good in there now. Amanda DEAR GOD, Thank you for the baby brother, but what I asked for was a puppy. I never asked for anything before. You...

Tips for vibrant health and beauty at every age.(LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD)
July 1, 2005... Summer Skincare Basics Your skin needs extra care to ward off dangers from the summer sun as well as potentially harmful bites from mosquitoes and ticks. 1. To avoid mosquito-transmitted illness, CDC experts urge consumers to use...

John Elway: on the road to relief: no longer plagued by persistent heartburn, the former pro athlete shares a winning strategy to tackle the all-too-common, painful problem head on.
July 1, 2005... One of the top quarterbacks in National Football League history, John Elway was the driving force behind the Denver Broncos for 16 seasons, eventually leading the team to two consecutive victories at the "big game"--the Super Bowl in the 1990s....

New thoughts on sleep, weight loss & diabetes: the good news: new studies are showing some fascinating associations between sleep and obesity.
July 1, 2005... Is starving yourself into a smaller you becoming a total bore? Are the pounds you lost for the third time dropping breadcrumbs finding their way back home? (I hate when that happens.) Are you ready for some new ideas about weight loss and...

Fatal impact: when seconds count.(treating commotio cordis when death looms)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... It can happen in 1/64 of a second. A fastball, lacrosse shot, or wayward elbow to the chest can be deadly. While injuries on the field and in the athletic arena are common, no one anticipates that a young athlete will die of a mysterious but...

Promising treatment for blocked leg arteries.(drug-coated stents to treat peripheral arterial disease patients)
July 1, 2005... In March, a landmark clinical trial evaluating a drug-coated stent for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) received its first patient. The disease, which affects more than 10 million Americans each year, often goes undiagnosed, according to the...

You have got to be kidding!(Cartoon)
July 1, 2005... "I can't believe this!" DO YOU THINK THE MAGIC AND ROMANCE HAVE GONE OUT OF OUR MARRIAGE? PLEASE!!! WAIT FOR THE NEXT COMMERCIAL! "The world was my oyster, then I found out I'm allergic to shellfish." "Focus group,' my good!"

Mood swings: a world-renowned expert on bipolar disorder discusses the latest research demonstrating that thyroid hormone can have a positive and profound effect on mood in bipolar patients.(Psychiatrist Peter Whybrow)(Interview)
July 1, 2005... An Interview with Peter Whybrow, M.D. The Post continues its series on mood disorders in an interview with Dr. Peter Whybrow, who published his recent findings in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The Post also spoke with his collaborators,...

A woman's work is never done.(Cartoon)
July 1, 2005... "I normally don't suggest this, but have you considered a makeunder?" "You're right, Henderson. It is smart to dress in layers this time of year. But I'm not wearing layers." OH, MY GOSH... I JUST REALIZED IM JEALOUS OF MY DOG... ...

Gene therapy for hearing loss.
July 1, 2005... Heard the joke about the older gentleman who--convinced that his wife was losing her hearing--repeatedly asks, "What's for dinner?" Frustrated by her lack of response, he moves closer and closer, each time repeating the question. Finally, he...

Turning the heat on lung cancer.(radiofrequency ablation for removing tumors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... After receiving treatment to "cook" and kill lung tumors, patients had a 91 percent cancer-specific survival rate at one and two years, according to results of a multicenter trial presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 30th...

Don't forget your "D".(Medical Update)(vitamin D)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A recent report lists vitamin D as an essential element to build strong, healthy bones. Unfortunately, a majority of Americans are not consuming enough of the key nutrient. The study estimated that over 70 percent of women age 51-70 and almost...

Colon cancer quiz.(Medical Update)
July 1, 2005... Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Are you at risk? Test your knowledge of colorectal cancer by taking this quiz. 1. All of the following are risk factors for colorectal cancer except: ...

Clean your keyboard--and wash your hands.(Medical Update)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Three types of potentially harmful bacteria can survive for hours on computer keyboards and keyboard covers, warn infection control experts. While the problem is especially important in hospitals and other healthcare settings, the findings may...

Alternative strategies for pain relief.(Medical Update)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The recent FDA withdrawals of Vioxx and Bextra are prompting many consumers to search out safe alternatives for coping with arthritis and chronic back pain. * Recent data presented at the American Pain Society meeting compares skin-patch...

When to pitch it.(medical update)
July 1, 2005... Someday, high-tech sensors may automatically track how long a chicken leg, a slice of pizza, or a bottle of milk has been idling in your refrigerator and sound an alarm when it goes bad. Until that time, however, homemakers will have to abide...

Prescription drug dos and don'ts.(Medical Update)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Modern medicines cure disease, ease pain, and extend lives. Be an active partner in your healthcare by learning the dos and don'ts about your prescription medicines. Read labels carefully and ask your pharmacist to explain any potential food...

Bacteria linked to heart risk.(medical update)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Recent data indicate that ulcer-causing bacteria may play a role in cases of heart disease not explained by well-known risk factors. Findings of the preliminary Japanese study show that chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori is linked...

Choose to move.(Medical Update)(health aspects for american women)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A recent survey of American women shows that only 28 percent of respondents say they get the recommended amount of physical activity each week. In addition, the need to plan ahead prevents many from adopting healthy eating habits. Now, a new...

Cream of tomato basil soup.(Health Recipe of the Month)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Serves 6 2 pounds ripe fresh tomatoes (or 1/4 A cup canola oil 56 oz. of canned, diced tomatoes 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour with juice) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 medium onion, chopped ...

Raising awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and early defibrillation.(neighborhood heart watch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Neighborhood Heart Watch is joining forces with leading AED manufacturer Medtronic, Inc., to launch Keep the Beat, a nationwide campaign designed to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and lifesaving early defibrillation. Keep the...

Healing hearts with gene therapy.(neighborhood heart watch)
July 1, 2005... After years of research, we may soon have the "biological bypass" that gene therapy pioneer Dr. Jeffrey Isner envisioned. The first double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene injections...

New stent helps women's hearts, too.(neighborhood heart watch)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Women with blocked heart arteries benefited as much as men in the first trial of its type comparing a wire-mesh stent that slowly releases a drug to inhibit tissue growth to the bare-metal version of the same device. The gradual release of the...

Gauge your risk of SCA: check your pulse.(sudden cardiac arrest)
July 1, 2005... For one of every four victims, sudden death is the first symptom of cardiovascular problems. Could a simple test help identify seemingly healthy but high-risk individuals before tragedy strikes? Scientists say the answer may be at our...

Drug safety concern.(heart health: ask DR. Zipes: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Reader: I am 52 years old and have episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. I am taking amiodarone, initially 1,600 mg daily and now 200 mg, along with diltiazem and aspirin. Is amiodarone a safe drug to use long term? Dr. Zipes:...

Stopping tachycardia.(heart health: ask DR. Zipes: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Reader: I have had two catheter ablation attempts at excellent teaching hospitals, but I go into heart block each time they tried to ablate. I am very athletic and am now taking Sotalol. It seems to be working better than my other medications,...

Grapefruit and statins.(heart health: ask DR. Zipes: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Reader: I have taken Lipitor for a number of years and just learned that grapefruit juice is contraindicated when taking it. I have also eaten grapefruit while taking Lipitor with no adverse effects. Have I just been lucky? Dr. Zipes:...

Seek maximal care.(heart health: ask DR. Zipes: A noted cardiologist answers your questions)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Reader: My doctors determined that my heart was damaged by radiation, which I received for seven weeks in 2001 to treat lung cancer. My doctor says that I now have atrial fibrillation, a leaky right-sided heart valve, elevated pressures in my...

Something to purr about! Cats claw their way to the top in this special cat-lovers' edition.(The American Illustrators Hall Of Fame)
July 1, 2005... Albert Schweitzer said, "There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." Not everyone feels that way, of course. With cats there is no middle ground. Either one loves them or one does not. But it's all academic to our...

Getting back in full swing: former pro athletes team up to launch a campaign to help others get back on track after a heart attack.(heart beat: healthy heart report)
July 1, 2005... "I always thought of myself as 'bullet-proof because of my generally healthy lifestyle and athletic career," Ray Knight, former third baseman for the Mets and 1986 World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP), says. "When I found out that I had...

Tecumseh and Rebekah.(read-aloud for children)(Short Story)
July 1, 2005... "Rebekah! Rebekah! send your visitor home. It's suppertime." Her mother's cheerful yet persistent tone startled 16-year-old Kebekah Galloway, lost as she was in conversation with the handsome Shawnee chief, Tecumseh. Tecumseh was a...

An insider's guide to the body: a new book by two prominent physicians challenges our preconceived notions about how the human body works.(YOU: The Owner's Manual)
July 1, 2005... YOU: The Owner's Manual by Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., 432 pages, HarperResource, $24.95 For their new book. You: The Owner's Manual, eminent doctors Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz have thrown their Gray's...

The wit and wisdom of Benjamin Franklin: his enduring wisdom leads us to a higher appreciation of his genius.(Poor Richard Speaks)
July 1, 2005... He is ill clothed that is bare of virtue. In Rivers and bad Governments, the lightest things swim at top. Good Death, said a Woman, for once be so kind To take me, and leave my dear Husband behind; But when Death appear'd with a sour...

Eat those greens!(food in the news )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Scientists at Wageningeu University in The Netherlands have been studying how heme, the iron carrier in red meat, may be involved in colon cancer. They have found that heme, which is abundant in red meat but negligible in white meats such as...

Cereal effects.(food in the news)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... We've already written a lot about the virtues of cold breakfast cereals, but recent studies have come up with even more good reasons to chow down on those "grrrrrreat!" grains, not only in the morning but for late-night snacks as well. One...

Tips from the kitchen.(food in the news)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Microwave garlic cloves for 15 seconds; the skin will slip off easily Microwave a lemon for 15 seconds and you will get double the juice. Celery will keep for weeks in the refrigerator if wrapped in aluminum foil. To remove the...

Benefits from tea ...(food in the news)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Soothing Chamomile For centuries tea drinkers have sipped chamomile for relief from problems ranging from colds to menstrual cramps to jet lag. Now, scientists are beginning to investigate how chamomile works. A study at Imperial College...

Where in the world.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The world's religions have been maintained not only by faith but also some astounding architecture. Below are four different forms. Each edifice symbolizes the devotion of its worshipers to their god. Can you guess their locations? The answers...

Piano blues: piano lessons at 70? How hard could it be? After all, she still had those yellowing music books she had used as a child.
July 1, 2005... If a woman of 70 goes back to college to get her degree and makes the cheerleading squad as well, the world applauds her ambition and vitality. If a grandmother of five takes up skydiving, everyone envies her youthful verve. However, if you...

You be the judge.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Weatherbees complained to their landlord that they were always soaked because the tenant in the apartment above never drew his shower curtains. The landlord collected damages from the tenant. He did not, however, halt the care less...

Vinegar can be used for what?
July 1, 2005... CHICAGO (Special) -- Research from centers around the world report what ancient healers knew thousands of years ago--that vinegar is the wonder elixir for a healthier life. Since ancient times a daily dose of apple cider vinegar has been...

Spots & stains: how to lead a stainless life.
July 1, 2005... Brass tarnish: Clean and polish with Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser and Polish. Makes your antique brass articles glisten and gleam like new. Do not use on lacquered surfaces. Chocolate (also cocoa and candy): Rub Just 'N Time into fabric and...

Stroke victims require fast care: neighborhood stroke watch to the rescue.
July 1, 2005... Today, stroke care is provided in much the same way as trauma care was in the mid-1970s. About that time, surgeons realized that not all hospitals were equipped to treat victims of car crashes and other major accidents. So physicians led the...

Essential tremor is common.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas: My hands tremble when I hold a cup of coffee or carry a plate of food. The tremors seem to worsen when I'm with a group of people, and I am embarrassed when others notice. Can you offer me any advice? Earl...

Readers share remedies for halitosis.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas: In the March/April Medical Mailbox there was a letter from L. G. Matusek about bad breath. I suffered for many years from the same problem. I went to a naturopathic doctor who, after a comprehensive blood test, said...

Latex allergy alert.
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas: I have a question about latex allergies. Why do so few doctors seem alert to this serious problem and provide care for it? My gynecologist seems to be the only one who is aware that an examining room has many latex...

Lysine works wonders.(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas: I was happy to see the article on lysine in the May/ June 2005 issue. I've told everyone who has or had fever sores, canker sores, or a sore mouth to use lysine. Where did I learn about that miracle medicine? From The...

Gluten-free dessert options.
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas: I have friends who play bridge at our club who enjoy the food I serve. I found out recently that some of these bridge players suffer from celiac. I went on a discovery trip to find gluten-free flour and discovered rice...

Exercise for depression.
July 1, 2005... Promising developments offer hope to those struggling with depression. Researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have found that exercise helps reduce symptoms of mood disorders. The first study to look at exercise...

Diabetes drug may aid fertility.
July 1, 2005... In the March/April "Medical Mailbox," Nancy Eagy asked us for information about prescribing the diabetes drug Glucophage to help achieve pregnancy. In her email, she said that her niece had been married 17 years with no children. The niece's...

How do you do the omega balance?(balancing omega fatty acids in the diet)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas, Regarding your response to a question about omega-3 and omega-6 in the March/April 2005 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, your answer noted the importance of "balancing" these two nutrients. However, there was no...

Go deep.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas, While I was being treated by a sports injury doctor, he commented that it is a good idea for everyone to take several very deep breaths upon arising in the morning and just before retiring at night. He said this opens...

What are P vitamins?(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas: I have heard about P vitamins. What are they and what is their purpose? Kimberly Harr Milan, Tennessee Vitamin P (bioflavonoid) is the water-soluble companion of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Vitamin P was...

Hearing helper.(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I am wondering if anybody among your readers can give me the address of a hearing helper called "The Wizard." When I was in the hospital, a woman from the office came in with this article--a black box with earphones....

MatchingDonors.com.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... People willing to be living donors of bone marrow, a kidney, lung, partial liver, or intestine can register at MatchingDonors.com. Donors receive no financial compensation; those needing lifesaving transplants join MatchingDonors for...

Drug approved for restless leg syndrome.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The FDA recently approved the first drug therapy available in the U.S. for moderate to severe symptoms of restless leg syndrome. People with RLS experience a compelling urge to move the legs and often have difficulty falling and staying...

Diabetes healing secret.
July 1, 2005... Here's important news for anyone with diabetes. A remarkable book is now available that reveals medically tested principles that can help normalize blood sugar naturally... and greatly improve the complications associated with diabetes. People...

You're Done, Already!(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... You're Done, Already! Though I admire a great tan, I have to admit I'm not a fan, For any excessive rays May shorten your days!

You snooze, you lose.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Two robins were sitting in a tree. "I'm really hungry," said the first one. "Me, too," said the second. "Let's go find some lunch." So they flew down and found a nicely plowed field full of worms. They ate and ate until they could stand no...

We're All Programmed.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... We're All Programmed Computerized programming life has in store Before we arrive on the scene. Much of our blueprint is already sketched, Determined by psyches and genes.

Dare to Be Bear!(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dare to Be Bear! Sparkling streams to provide a catch Shady woods with a blueberry patch Production from industrious bees: These are the bear necessities

Looking Good.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Looking Good An optimistic Point of view Will always look Much better on you.

A curmudgeon's affirmation.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Every day, in every way, I'm getting bitter and bitter.

Tie me kangaroo down, sport.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A Texas rancher vacationing in Australia met a farmer who was showing off his wheat field. "We've got wheat fields three times as big back home," boasted the Texan. They kept walking, and the Aussie showed off his heard of cattle. ...

Sponging off the neighbors.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Grandpa lived through the Depression. He claimed to be so poor that his family's idea of a sponge cake was one made from borrowed ingredients.

One run, one hit, one air bag.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... My wife got home this afternoon and said, "I have good news and bad news for you." "Just skip the bad news and give me the good news." "Okay. The air bag in your new Lexus worked fine."

All that's missing.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... My grandfather was a pretty adventurous person in his earlier years. He lost two fingers and several toes to frostbite during the Alaska gold rush. Poor diet habits cost him most of his teeth, and he became bald as an egg. He even lost an eye...