Food, Health & Fitness
,p,all (]azett,Thursday,,uhry J 3, 199731
Meniere's Disease
Molly Williams, RN
Pahrump Valley Home Health
Between 5% and 10% of the general popula-
tion have a hearing impairment. One third of
people older than age 65 experience a hearing
loss. There are many diseases that do affect
hearing. Meniere's disease is but one example.
The ear is divided into three areas. The exter-
nal ear, middle ear and the inner ear. The exter-
nal and middle ear are involved with hearing and
the inner ear is involved with hearing and with
balance.
Meniere's disease is a chronic disease that
involves the inner ear and causes a triad of
symptoms such as vertigo
(dizzinessbr spinning sen-
sation), hearing loss and
tinnitus (ringing in the
. ear). Fullness or a
ease is still unclear. An
oral hours. Sudden attacks
may
a
p
S
During an attack avoid radin
lights and avoid sudden position changeg O!ber
interventions are:
• If a smoker, stop Smoking:
Stay al ...............
Skillet Barley Paella
Perk up mealtime
doldrums with this fla-
vorful one-pan entree
featuring chicken,
shrimp and pearl barley.
An economical meal -
stretcher, pearl barley
adds nutty flavor and
heart-healthy fiber to en-
trees, salads, soups and
side dishes.
For more fiber-rich
recipes featuring pearl
barley, send a SASE to
National Barley Foods
Council, Department
MR, W. 905 Riverside,
Suite 501, Spolane, WA
99201.
2
2 1/2
3/4
1/4
1
1/2
2
Skillet Barley Paella
tablespoons olive oil
pounds chicken parts (legs, thights, breasts)
cup pearl barley
pound chorizo sausages, sliced
each small green and red bell pepper, seeded
and diced
cup sliced green onion
teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 pound cooked shrimp
1 package (10 ounces) frozen green peas
1/4 cup chopped cilantro or parsley
Heat in oil in large skillet. Add chicken; cook 5
minutes or Until lightly browned, turning occasionally.
Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm. Add barley,
sausages, peppers, green onion, garlic and turmeric to
skillet. Cook 5 mintues or until barley is golden, stirring
often. Add bfOth, oregano and seasonings. Arrange
chicken over barley in skillet. Cover and cook over
meduim-low heat 35 to 40 minutes or until barley is
almost tender and mogt of liquid is absorbed. Add
shrimp, peas and cilantro; simmer 10 to 15 minutes
longer to finish cooking and blend flavors. Add more
liquid if mixture is dry. Makes 6 servings.
Per serving: 356 calories, 30g protein, 13g fat, 30 g
carbohydrate, 128mg cholesterol, 7g fiber, 651mg so-
dium.
Simple Tips May Save Your Life When CO Strikes
Carbon monoxide poisoning affects about 10,000 people
each year in thd United States and 800 to 1,000 die. Carbon
monoxide, a poisonous gas produced by incomplete com-
bustion of fuel, has no color, taste or odor.
According to the December issue of Mayo Clinic
Health Letter, following a few simple tips can often
prevent poisoning.
* Know the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide
poisoning. Signs and symptoms include headache, fever,
skin rashes, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomit-
ing, shortness of breath, chest pain and trouble thinking.
You also may lose consciousness.
* Be aware of possible sources of carbon monoxide.
These include gas and oil furnaces, wood stoves, gas
appliances, pool heaters and engine exhaust fumes, ciga-
rette smoke and paint removers containing methylene
chloride. Cracked heat exchangers on furnaces, blocked
chimneys or flues and disconnected or blocked appli-
ance vents can allow carbon monoxide to reach living
areas. Tight home construction may also increase your
risk.
* Get a detector. Detectors are available in plug-in
and battery-powered models and may cost between $35
and $80. Buy one that sounds an alarm. If the alarm
sounds, open dorrs and windows to allow fresh air in. If
anyone is having poisoning symptoms, leave that area
immediately and call 911 or your fire department from
a nearby phone. If no one is having symptoms, leave
doors and windows open, turn off all fuel-burning appli-
ances and have a qualified technician inspect your home.
Confused about your
You're not alone -
high blood pressure medicine?
Approximately 50 million Americans suffer from high
blood pressure,* making it one of the most common medi-
cal conditions affecting our society. As a result, there are
many different kinds of medication on the market that are
used to treat high blood pressure. My patients often ask me
questions about different drugs, wondering if the medica-
tion they're taking is right for them. In the following
paragraphs, I've answered a few of the most common
questions to help clear up some of the confusion high blood
pressure patients may be feeling.
I quit taking medicine because of a story I read in the
paper. What should l do now?
You should not stop taking your medicine without first
speaking to your doctor. High blood pressure is a very
serious condition. In addition to high blood pressure, your
blood pressure medication may have been prescribed for
other medical conditions like chest pain.
My advice is to call your doctor immediately to discuss
any concerns you may have. He or she can recommend
what you should do next.
Stories in the news media on medical studies usually
are simplified so a general audience can understand them,
and information that greatly affected the outcome of a
study often omitted in the process. In addition, all studies
eventually are evaluated by doctors who aren't directly
involved so that objective expert opinions about the study
data can be obtained. Sometimes the news media will run
stories on studies that have not yet received this kind of
review. In many cases, further studies are needed to verify
findings. Again, the best thing you can do is talk to your
doctor.
Dr. William Applegate is professor and chairman,
Department of preventive Medicine at the University of
Tennessee, Memphis. "Confused About Your High Blood
Pressure Medicine ? You're NoiAlone" is a public service
feature supported by Hoechst Marion Roussel, maker of
one of the broadest lines of cardiovascular products on the
market today.
*Heart and Stroke Facts: 1996 Statistical Supplement,
American Heart Association.
