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Honolulu Star-Bulletin from Honolulu, Hawaii • 21

Location:
Honolulu, Hawaii
Issue Date:
Page:
21
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

TV: Tisti Police' washed up 'Critters' B-2 TOBiffi "is B-3 THE WHOLE TOOTH By Dr. Martin Nweeia Health: Help elderly with nutrition Food: Hermes scarfs up the seafood B-6 Star-Bulletin Section Wednesday, February 26, 1992 Alzheimer's patients suffer oral problems QUESTION: Our tutu has Alzheimer's Disease and among other concerns, we worry about her teeth. She is getting more cavities now. What can we do to help her? AnSWER: An estimated 4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's Disease, the most common form of dementia in the elderly. Both the incapacitating nature of their disease and the decreased function of their salivary glands cause oral problems such as gum disease and an increased number of cavities in Alzheimer's patients.

If your tutu has difficulty brushing and flossing, you may want to help her. In addition, mechanical brushes and sprays and rinses containing the compound chlorhexidine are helpful. Because those with Alzheimer's have decreased salivary flow, they are more prone to tooth decay. Saliva helps wash away plaque, bacteria and buffers acids, which, if not controlled, can make a tooth more susceptible to decay. Frequent rinsing with water or use of a dental irrigator such as a Water Pik can help wash away food debris.

Application of fluoride gels on the outer exposed surfaces by the gumline of the teeth can also help prevent ongoing decay. There are simple tests that can help you and your tutu monitor how well you are cleaning the teeth. Disclosing tablets sold at many of the pharmacies in Hawaii locate sites where plaque collects. Seeing these areas can help you focus on keeping them clean and free of bacteria that cause tooth decay. Dr.

Martin Mweeia is a Honolulu dentist in private practice. His Column runs Wednesday in Toddy. Address questions to the Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. dC A ft I 1 I Associated Press Natalie Cole poses with the producers of her album, 'Unforgettable, from left, Tommy LiPuma, Andre Fischer and Dovia hosier (ss sr'r CHECKUP ON HEALTH ByDr.Wes Young Natalie Cole's Theresa Yoshida draws the top prize in our first contest Asthmatics can breathe easy over inhaler scare The only danger is related to overuse By Marry Engle Star-Bulletin Whoa, you asthmatics who use Proventil or Ventolin inhalers to get relief from asthma attacks.

Despite what recent news stories have said: Don't throw your inhalers away. Don't stop using them exactly as your doctor has prescribed. "We don't want people showing up in hospital emergency rooms just because they have stopped using their inhalers," said Dr. John McDonnell, an asthmaallergyimmunology specialist. He is an asthmatic who uses the inhalers, which distribute albuterol-be-ta blocker to the lungs.

The inhalers are perfectly safe when used according to directions, McDonnell said. It's when people overuse the inhalers that they get into trouble. "If you overdose on medicine you can have side effects," McDonnell said. "That's not news." A recent New England Journal of Medicine article on a Canadian study reported that asthmatics who use the albuterol inhalers are increasing the risk of death with every canister used per month. But McDonnell said the information is misleading and that the medication has been used safely in the United States since 1981.

The American Lung Association of Hawaii last week asked McDonnell's help in reassuring asthmatics and young asthmatics' parents, after being inundated with calls from people who were alarmed about the news stories and said they were going to throw away their inhalers. McDonnell also is medical director of Kokua na Keiki, or Help the Children, the association's program to help child asthmatics. McDonnell said the New England Journal article merely showed that patients who had died overused their inhalers. "And they may very well have overused their inhalers because their asthma was much worse, and they should have done something in addition like tell their doctor they had a problem, and it could have been fixed." People who believe they have to use their inhalers more than the prescribed amount should see a doctor for a re-evaluation and perhaps another treatment. The albuterol inhalers are much safer than many other methods available before they came along, McDonnell said.

The inhalers even have advantages, he said. "The inhalers deliver the medication right to the lungs, with far less side effects than by using oral tablets." The inhalers have a good track record, McDonnell says. "We have not had problems with people in Hawaii who are using the inhalers correctly." Hawaii has 42,363 asthmatics, of whom 16,796 are younger than 17, according to the state Department of Health. "The rates go down as people get older," said Kimberly Mikami, spokeswoman at the American Lung Association of Hawaii. Hawaiians and part Hawaiians have the highest rate of asthma.

Hawaii has an overall high rate of asthma, partly because of the heavy amount of pollen, and other causes such as weather inversions. In November, two high school students, one on Maui and another on Lanai, died of asthma. "It's much more commonplace than people realize," Mikami said. tribute to her dad wins seven awards Stor-Bulletirttiewsiiservioes NEW YORK Forget all newfangled, songs. "Un-V forgettable, the 1951 classic i revived by Natalie Cole's htgh- tech duet with her late dad, Nat King Cole, is Grammy's song of the year.

In all, it, won seven awards, -three technical ,1, awards. Cole received a stand- inc ovation as she approached Stor-Bulletirr staff There were three people lied for first place in the Guess-A-Gram contest last night. And' Theresa Yoshida of Honolulu had, as Bonnie Raitt would say, the "Luck of the Draw." Yoshida correctly named those tunes in five of six catego-; nes in the Star-Bulletin's fust Grammy Awards contest, just like Seung-Hwan Yoon and wil-. 'i ham H. Mclntyre.

All three also answered two of the three tiebreaker categories, thus setting up the draw for the grand prize Bonnie Raitt rejoices as she collects one of; her three awards. 4 eight CDs or cassettes of his ''owl or her choice. Yoshida didn't end up sing-' lng the blues. Misuse of even safest drug may be injurious QUESTION: I thought Tylenol was safe, but someone from school took a bunch and almost died. Is that possible? AnSWER: The main ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen, which is also packaged as Tempra, Anacin-3, Datril, Panadol and in many other preparations.

Acetaminophen is effective for pain and fever and is a safe drug when used as directed. However, every medication has risks, especially if used improperly. Acetaminophen is a common cause of accidental poisoning in toddlers and frequently is taken by people who are emotionally upset and acting out a suicide attempt. They are often surprised tQ learn that a relatively small number of extra-strength acetaminophen tablets taken at one time may cause liver damage. Rapidly absorbed from the intestinal tract, acetaminophen is removed from the body by liver enzymes.

During this process, small amounts of a poisonous byproduct are formed but quickly neutralized by a substance in liver cells known as glutathione. An overdose depletes the glutathione supply, causing buildup of toxic byproducts. An antidote known as N-acetyleysteine, or NAC, can replenish glutathione and prevent liver damage. Treatment is more effective the sooner it starts, preferably within eight to 16 hours. Without therapy, there are three phases of poisoning.

On the first day, symptoms include nausea, sweating and generalized discomfort. Symptoms may improve the second day, giving a false sense of confidence. Finally, there may be liver pain, jaundice, abnormal bleeding, coma and even death. Follow directions for use of any medication and keep all medications away from children and emotionally upset individuals. Call the Hawaii Poison Center at 9414411 or 1-800-362-3585 from the neighbor islands if you suspect a drug overdose.

Dr. Wes Young is a specialist in emergency medicine in Honolulu. His column runs Wednesday in Today. Address questions to the Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.

-1 the podium to accept the award 1 for Record of the Year, "I'm more happy for the peo- pie who supported this from the word 'go' than I am for myself," she said. "I'd like to I thank my dad for leaving me such an incredible heritage," Composer- Irving Gordon didn't mind the long wait. "In a youth-oriented culture it's nice to have a middle "age song do something," said. "It's nice to have a song accepted that you don't get a hernia when you sing it." "Unforgettable" also took best traditional pop perfor-, mance. At Radio City Music Hall, host Whoopi Goldberg whooped it up, making her en-v, trance behind a courtroom-TV -r blue dot, "I'm too sexy for this show," she declared, referring to the current novelty hit "I'm Too Sexy." 1 She also got down and topical, giving jabs to the likes of Hillary jClinton, Mike Tyson, Clarence Thomas and Gennif er Other A woman among men: While 1 Bonnie Raitt should used to collecting little statues by now she triumphed, with four VT See C01E, Page B-4 The three were among 856 ballots, including 21 from Su- san Higuchl's Pearl City High School class (thank you for 1 your support), the Star-Bulletin received.

Yoon won five CDs or cassettes while Mclntyre collected three for their efforts. "I was thinking of how the judges would vote, not my favorites," said Yoshida of her calculated choices. "In fact; my favorites weren't even nomi-nated. I like Neil Diamond. My newest CD is Rod Stewart's 'Vagabond I just guessed on the rap singers I don't like rap at all." Yoon's choices were mostly educated guesses of his friends at Midweek, where he's a graphic artist.

"I like Natalie Cole, I have her CD, but I don't know much about hard rock and rap," said Yoon, who prefers Beethoven to Bolton or Bonnie. 'I asked around, people who know this music. When I drive, I listen to soft rock, or to my tapes. The See GUESS-A-GRAM, Page B-4 Cleaning up Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable" won seven awards last night. Here are the categories -and award recipients: Record of the Year: Cole and producer David Foster Album of the Year: Cole and producers Foster, Andre Fischer and Tommy LiPuma Best Traditional Pop Performance: Cole Best Song: To songwriter Irving Gordon II Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals: To Johnny Mandel 1 Best Engineered Album: To Al Schmitt, Woody Woodruff and Armin Steiner Producer of the Year: To David Foster INSIDE: A list of all the winners.

1 Page B-4. I FYI Workshops in community education Register by tomorrow for a daylong community gathering offering 30 workshops in topics such as ho'oponopono, the traditional Hawaiian way to resolve conflict. The ninth annual 'Ahakukakuka unfolds from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 7 at the Kamehameha Schools.

The $20 fee includes lectures, luncheon and networking. Call 396-7559. Inside Edition' news anchor is just a regular Joe THE FAR SIDE By Gary Larson PIIIJM.I 1 11 11 iniiiiiiintiiiMMi Bill O'Reilly: 'If the ratings slip, I'm gone, I'm history, I'm a coconut, man." best markets," he said. "I heard we did fantastic in November. A 40-share? Actually, 'Inside Edition' regularly crushes Koppel and 'Nightline' in at least 10 cities and the ratings for 'Inside Edition' are better than the three network morning shows combined." He gloated the way a kid does when he goes home with all the marbles.

Later, O'Reilly pointed out that, "If the ratings slip, I'm gone, I'm history, I'm a coconut, man. That's what we live with in the TV business. Jennings, Koppel, Rather, Brokaw they're not only extremely intelligent, good reporters, they're tough enough to ride the ratings." "Inside Edition" was created by a couple of producers fleeing the gloss of "A Current Affair," the seminal show that created the concept of tab-TV. Linking his show to tabloid journalism irks O'Reilly, though he understands the connection. "'Inside, Edition' actually falls into a niche between the just-the-f acts network news and local news," he said.

"Our show is more concerned with real news than any of these others. 'Current Affair' or 'Hard Copy' wouldn't have sent anyone to Japan to do trade-balance stories, for example." O'Reilly is closely Identified with the popular show, but the original anchor was actually David Frost "David lasted about three weeks, maybe because he was British. I was brought over from ABC News, and I jumped at the chance to do stories where I could show emotion. Americans want to know more about their country and our show taps into that. Most news is about events, and we're about people." A key element to "Inside Edition's" success is O'Reilly's all-too-human reactions to stories.

How he feels is never in doubt. "The people at '60 Minutes' take themselves extremely seriously, and yet you never know what they're thinking. There's a place for unemotional network newscasting Jennings is just the best and I hope it never goes away. But I could never do something like he shuddered. With "Edition" in the top-six of syndicated shows, O'Reilly finds himself, at 40, the youngest widely known news anchor.

With an undergraduate degree from Harvard and a master's degree from Boston University, he's "way over-qualified for the job! And I'm blue-collar, from Levittown, N.Y. Am I recognized? Only if I stop moving! Then people tell me I'm both taller and younger than they expected." Then, in true TV-news style, he turned the conversation to the really important stuff. "How much does Joe Moore make?" he wondered aloud. a year and he's happy?" Ho ho! Let's try cracking a simpler mystery, like quantum mechanics. Bill O'Reilly and his syndicated show have Moore success in Hawaii By Burl Burllngame Star-Bulletin' Bill O'Reilly "one of the last few all-Irishmen in the United States, me and folded his long, long frame into a chair and tried not to look wasted.

"Fourteen-hour flight to Hong Kong, went along on a police raid, then to Japan, three shows there, then here to do the Lisa Au story," he said, referring to tomorrow's 10 p.m. show. "They told me I looked pretty good from Tokyo last night, but He blinked, and put on shades. O'Reilly, obviously, is a travelin' man. The anchor for the independent magazine show "Inside Edition," spends much of his time inside airliners, prepping for the next big investigative piece.

The show follows the 10 p.m. KHON news here, and O'Reilly shares many of the qualities that make Joe Moore a ratings success; he's personable, peppy, exudes a regular-guy outlook and is earnest to the point of almost-goofiness. No surprise, then, that "Inside Edition" is a ratings success here. "Hawaii is one of our INSIDE: The Lisa Au case remains open 10 years after it happened. See story, Page B-3.

"Good heavens! Pablo got an in art! Well, I'm just going to go down to that school myself and meet this teacher face to lace!" 1.

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About Honolulu Star-Bulletin Archive

Pages Available:
1,993,314
Years Available:
1912-2010