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Youngstown reader writes to Heloise

Lifestyles

DEAR HELOISE: I just read your column that discussed using plastic bags. They shouldn’t end up in a landfill no matter what they contain. Our local grocer recycles plastic bags, so I save the bags and return them. I’m grateful that we have this service. Your readers should check to see if this resource is available in their area. — Donna B., in Youngstown, Ohio DEAR HELOISE: To drop your utility bill, close your closets. Keep the doors shut and unplug as many appliances as you can. If the coffeepot turns itself off, unplug it. You don’t need to heat or air-condition ...

Does glucosamine for arthritis accelerate dementia?

Lifestyles

Q. What can you tell me about the connection between glucosamine and dementia? I have taken glucosamine for a few years and just ran across one of these studies. I am in relatively good health with rheumatoid arthritis well-controlled with Cimzia. I also have osteoarthritis. While I don’t have cognitive deficits now, my mother had vascular dementia probably due to uncontrolled high blood pressure. A few years ago, I started lisinopril to keep my own blood pressure well-controlled and normal. When I heard this news several weeks ago, I stopped taking glucosamine. What is your ...

CMV infection in woman causes developmental issues for baby

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you please inform and educate us, especially pregnant women, about the effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV)? This is the No. 1 reason why children are born deaf to parents that aren’t deaf. My niece was pregnant and evidently caught a bad cold, but it was CMV. She remembers her ears being very stuffy, and she had a hard time hearing. Her doctor noticed that the baby had a smaller head size than normal and calcification in the ventricles of his brain. He had extensive treatments for a number of months. He has problems, including throwing up every time after drinking. ...

Busy job cutting into family time with sister

Lifestyles

DEAR ANNIE: My sister, who is also my roommate, started a new job that is keeping her super busy. She doesn’t come home from the office before 10 p.m. most nights, and she’s gone again early in the morning. Her last job was remote, as is mine, so I’m used to having her around all the time. Now I can’t even get her to respond to a text. I know it’s nothing personal. She just needs to be focused on work right now. But still, I’m left feeling like I lost my best friend. I can barely get any time or attention out of her these days. Should I say something, or should I just wait ...

Warren Italian-American Festival makes 41st appearance

Ticket

The 41st Warren Italian-American Festival opens today at Courthouse Square. The festival founded by Lou Metter has been a downtown Warren tradition since 1985. Pageants and competitions are a big part of the event. The bocce tournament runs all four days, and the Main Stage on opening night will host the Junior Princess, Junior Miss Italian and Miss Italian pageants starting at 6 p.m. A wine tasting competition starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at the gazebo, and the morra tournament begins at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Main Stage will host the meatball eating contest at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, ...

To Your Good Health: Woman believes husband is dead

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mom has Capgras syndrome and firmly believes that her husband (my dad) is dead. She thinks that there’s someone whom I snuck in and built a lie around, and she tells everyone that this man is the same man. It’s really difficult for us, especially my dad. I understand that Capgras cannot be cured, but there are medications that help with the situation. She won’t go see any medical professionals (since they believe that she has Capgras and her husband isn’t dead). There are some other wild stories she tells/believes that absolutely aren’t true. What can a ...