Evening star., 1963-02-05
STOP KILLING
YOURSELF
By Dr.. Peter }. Steinerohn

- - y WI OAA AAOAoS WAAO WANAA
three happy children and a
contented husband. Here is
my problem: It seems diff
cult for me to comprehend.
absorb and remember what
I read or hear, even though
it is interesting to me. I
have trouble expressing my
views or repeating the idea
or thought given, can't
seem to concentrate on one
thing but seem to play mental
leap frog. 1t worries me.
l can't remember things /
learned in elementary school
to help my children with
homework. Could it be I
never developed the power to
concentrate or that / haven't
used my head except for
domestic work during the
past II years? Could 1t be
hardening of the arteries or
some other disease?-Mrs. d.
l DOUBT that arterioscle-
rosis is At the bottom of 1t.
I guess you had better charge
1t up to a lazy mind. That
doesn't mean an inferior
mentality. Just that you
aren't the type who wants to
or can-take the trouble
to concentrate.
But the real assessment Of
your position lies in your
statement that you have
three happy children and a
contented husband. I know
many women with high los
(who can quote authorities,
review books. and discuss the
international situation INTEL
ligently) who would swap any
mental attainments for your
kind of attainment: A happy
home. So forget about arte-
riosclerosis and all the rest.
and be thankful that you are
a successful homemaker. An
IBM machine or Univac can
easily do the work you think
is so important-but they
can never take your place as
a good mother and wife.
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: l am
81 years old and am 5 feet
7 inches tall. Except for the
fact that l have been feeling
unexplainahly nervous lately
Il really have nothing to be
worried about I am in good
health. What I can't under
stand. though, is that !
weighed 165 less than a year
ago and now weigh only 1870.
My appetite is good. in fact
very good. l can't understand
it. Would you go to a doctor2
Mrs D.
I'D NOT ONLY GO, but not
put 1t off more than a day or
two. Many people think that
because they don't have pain
or bleeding. or some other
major symptoms, that they
are healthy. What you should
know is that loss of weight is
a symptom just as important.
When a person has not been
dieting. there is usually q good
underlying reason for the loss
Of much weight within a rela-
lively short time. In your case
two things come to mind
although there may be many
others. If you go to your
doctor-and there should be
no ifs In your case-I am
sure he will want to rule out
hyperthyroidism and diabetes.
Simple tests will inform him
Of the presence or absence Of
these conditions. Loss Of
weight and nervousness (of
which you complaint are COM
mon symptoms and signs in
these diseases. Once your
diabetes or overactive thyroid
is brought under control you
will regain much Of the lost
poundage.
II neither hyperthyroidism
or diabetes mellitus is present
your doctor win probably
order X-rays. and other tests
to rule out any other chronic
conditions that cause weight
loss. You say you are In good
health. I hope so. But you're
only guessing. Better get the
medical advice I have been
talking about.
CBell Syndicate Feature)
Or. Steincrohn's ledtIet,
"HintS on HON. TO Overcome
Headaches" tDill be mailed
on receipt OF a stamped. SELF
addressed enUelope and 10
cents in coin for handling.
Address DR.. Steincrohn In
coro ~ The Esoy,{s90 cfnr