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TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Major heart devices differ

DEAR DR. ROACH: What’s the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? — T.S.B. ANSWER: Both are implantable devices to treat electrical problems of the heart. A pacemaker is a much older device; the first implantable pacemaker was made in 1958. The heart has an electrical system, which coordinates the mechanical activity of the heart so that blood is pumped out efficiently. Each cardiac muscle cell has an intrinsic rhythm, but specialized cells in the right atrium normally act as a pacemaker to the heart. They respond to nerve stimulation from the sympathetic and vagus ...

Dear Annie: Other sister going for gold in grief over sibling

DEAR ANNIE: I have two sisters, and one of them, “Joanie,” tragically passed away from cancer last year. It’s obviously been hard, but what’s making it harder is my remaining sister. She has always been competitive. And she has somehow turned even grief into a competition. For example, a few weeks ago I mentioned I hadn’t slept the night before out of sadness, and she shot back, “I haven’t slept at all since Joanie died.” I know she’s sad, but I also know this isn’t true. It was the same at the funeral. She insisted on speaking longest and loudest, then collapsed ...

Hints from Heloise: Warming small animal quickly in cold weather

DEAR HELOISE: I have two options to suggest for warming up a cold, small animal: • Run a towel through the dryer and wrap them in this along with a space blanket to hold the warmth in. • If you’re comfortable with it, wrap the animal in a soft, thin cloth (like an old flannel sheet) and put the animal on your chest. Body heat works well. — Kate D., in Portland, Oregon Kate, the transfer of body heat also works for humans. So many people forget that in very cold weather, while they’re shoveling snow or skiing, they may start to perspire because they’ve worked up their ...

To Your Good Health: Pinched ulnar nerve causes pain, tingling

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m an active 76-year-old retired accountant who likely spent too many hours at a computer. Now I’m paying for it with a painful condition. My general physician says that I have a pinched or compressed ulnar nerve, which likely starts in the neck shoulder area but shoots pain down my right arm and elbow, all the way to my pinkie and ring fingers. These fingers tingle and, at times, prickle so intensely that it feels like my hand’s on fire. I use ice on my shoulder, neck and elbow. I take 25 mg of pregabalin on a prolonged step-up process that I augment with ...