WHAT'S YOUR GOAL

An Indiana couple completed their nearly 40-year mission of dining at every Cracker Barrel in the United States on Monday, enjoying pancakes while visiting the 645th location in Oregon. 

Ray and Wilma Yoder, 80, received a celebrity welcome to the Cracker Barrel in Tualatin, KOIN6 reported. Ray Yoder marked the special day by celebrating his 81st birthday at the restaurant. "Well, it's quite special," Yoder told the news station. "These little farm kids aren't used to all this hype.  The couple's journey started in 1970s when Yoder was a delivering RVs to dealerships across the country. He admitted he "wasn't too impressed" when he dined at his first Cracker Barrel in Nashville, but liked the atmosphere so much he decided to return. Soon he and his wife fell in love with the restaurant chain and started to visit a location every time they traveled. His wife joined him on the road trips when their children moved away from home and shortly later made it a mission to dine at every location. "I said to my wife, 'We have been to so many. Why don't we go to them all?' Ray recalled. The couple tackled all 645 locations in 44 states in the next few decades, ordering some of their favorite dishes such as potato casserole and pancakes with blueberry syrup and extra butter.  Officials at Cracker Barrel also took notice, occasionally sending them gift baskets and information about new openings. Their journey was also put on a brief halt two years ago when Yoder's wife suffered a brain aneurysm. But they were back on the road again about a year later. "Well, everybody does something, usually. So we thought we would do this and it would be fun. So, it worked  out.  

SOME THINGS TO LAUGH AT

Just Checking
"Pardon me, lady," said the man trying to get back to his seat in the darkened movie theater, "but did I step on your toes a few minutes ago?" "You certainly did!" said the woman in the aisle seat. "Good, then I'm in the right row," the man said as he went back to his seat.

Shorts

• What's the difference between an optimist and a pessimist? An optimist only wears a belt. A pessimist wears a belt, suspenders, and carries safety pins.
• The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.
• I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
• No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
• Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
• Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
• Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here, I'll go on a head.'
• I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
• A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'
• A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

Fake News

If Biblical headlines were written by today's media...

• On Red Sea crossing:
  Wetlands Trampled in Labor Strike
    Pursuing Environmentalists Killed
• On David vs. Goliath:
  Hate Crime Kills Beloved Champion
    Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock
• On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
  Fire Sends Religious Extremist into Frenzy
    400 Killed
• On the birth of Christ:
  Hotels Full, Animals Left Homeless
    Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple
• On feeding the 5,000:
  Preacher Takes Child's Lunch
    Disciples Mystified Over Behavior
• On healing the 10 lepers:
  Local Doctor's Practice Ruined
    "Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy
• On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
  Madman's Friend Causes Stampede
    Local Farmer's Investment Lost
• On raising Lazarus from the dead:
  Fundamentalist Preacher Raises a Stink
    Reading of Will Delayed

Kids' Science Exam Answers

• Q:  Name the four seasons.
  A:  Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.
• Q:  What does 'varicose' mean?
  A:  Nearby.
• Q:  Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarian Section.'
  A:  The Caesarian Section is a district in Rome.
• Q:  What does the word 'benign' mean?'
  A:  Benign is what you will be after you be eight.

Top 10 Reasons to Procrastinate:

1.

WHERE WE WILL BE

 

 

8/30/17 at 1PM – Barbara and Cindy will be at Church of Christ Activities Center, 380 North College Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653 (Mountain Home Low Vision Group)

 

                           9/16/17 at 11AM –WSB Fall Picnic in the                                    Courtyard (all local clients and OIB staff)

 

9/19/17 at 10AM – Brenda will be at Seventh & Mueller Church of Christ, 1000 S 7th St, Paragould, AR 72450 - hosted by Margaret Johnson’s Paragould Low-Vision group

 

DOLLAR GENERAL SPECIALS FOR THIS WEEK

Buying Groceries on a Budget

Dollar General Sale Dates Aug 27 – Sept 2, 2017

Special Sale Fri Sept 1- Sat Sept 2, 2017 ONLY

 

Special Sales Items 9/1 to 9/2 ONLY

Bulls Eye BBQ Sauce 17.5 oz or Clover Valley Ketchup 24 oz or Mustard 14 oz Regular .85 cents to $1.00 now $.75 cents; Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad 7.5-7.75 oz Assorted Varieties Buy 1 Get 1 free, Regular $2.00, Must buy 2 to get discount price; Kraft  4 pk Macaroni and Cheese Original Regular $3.85 now $3.00; Dollar General Foam Bowls 15 ct/20 oz , Plates 30 ct, Cups 20 ct/16 oz or Roll Paper Towels or Smart & Simple Napkins 150 ct, Cutlery 48 ct, or Red 14 ct/16 oz or Clear Plastic Cups 16 ct/16 oz Regular $1.00 now $.85 cents

 

Regular Sale Items Aug 27- Sept 2, 2017

Kellogg’s Cereal Raisin Bran Crunch 18.2 oz, Frosted Mini Wheat’s 18 oz, Special K Pastry Crisps Strawberry 12 ct or Nutri Grain Bars 8 ct 3/$6.00 (Mix and Match)Must buy 3 to get discounted price;

Planters Peanuts Dry Roasted, Salted or Lightly Salted or Honey Roasted 16-20 oz 2/$6.00 Must buy 2 to get discount price; Starkist Chunk Light Tuna 3 pk $2.50; Great American Quarter Pound Beef Burgers 80% Lean 6 ct /1.5 lb package $4.95; Nathan’s Beef Franks Bun Length 12 oz $3.00; Eckrich Bologna 14 oz  Assorted Varieties $1.50;  Eckrich Smoked Sausage or Links 14 oz or Kraft Velveeta Shreds 8 oz Assorted Varieties $2.50; Tyson All Natural Boneless Chicken Breast 32 oz $5.95; Libby’s Canned Vegetables 14.5-15.25 oz Regular .80 cents now 2/$1.00 Must buy 2 to get discount price; Clover Valley Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns 8 ct or Armour Hot Dogs 12 oz $1.00

NEW IPHONES-WHEN WILL THEY BE HERE

Latest rumored iPhone 8 launch date: September 12 The next batch of iPhones may come in the second week of September, according to a new rumor. / by Gordon Gottsegen August 24, 2017. 

Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 on September 12 2012, will the iPhone 8 come exactly five years later? Apple With September quickly approaching, the fate of Apple's next batch of iPhones, including the Phone 8 , is still up in the air. The latest rumor suggests that Apple may unveil its iPhones at a September 12 event, with the phones going on sale the following week on September 22, reports French site Mac4Ever (via 9to5 Mac ). Apple is said to be releasing the updated iPhone 7S and 7S Plus alongside a dramatically iPhone 8 (possibly called the iPhone X, Anniversary Edition or something else). The company will face stiff competition from Samsung's just-launched Galaxy Note 8 phone , LG's upcoming V30 and Google's Pixel 2 . Despite zero official confirmation from Apple, the iPhone rumor mill has been churning like crazy this year . Part of this is thanks to an Apple HomePod firmware leak, which contained several hints about the iPhone 8 like its all new screen design , facial recognition and AR capabilities . The exact date is still anyone's guess. For the past few years, Apple's iPhone event has happened in early to mid September on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Last year's iPhone 7 was announced on September 7, but event invites didn't go out until the week before. So there's a chance we won't hear about the exact date until days before the event. The iPhone 7S, 7S Plus, and 8 could then go on sale a week and a half later on Friday, September 22, Mac4Ever reported. It's also unofficial Apple tradition to release its new iPhones to the public on a Friday about a week or two after the announcement. While this seems like business as usual, several reports have claimed that the iPhone 8 sale date could be delayed until October or November . This latest rumor suggests that this won't happen, but it doesn't comment on availability of the iPhones at launch. In the meantime, all we can do is wait to hear more. Apple did not respond to a request for comment. . 

I GUESS GOOGLE CAN DO IT ALL

Feeling blue? You can now ask Google for help. 

The search giant wants people with depression to seek treatment and will prompt US users when they search for depression-related terms: "Check if you're clinically depressed. Users will then be directed to a clinically validated questionnaire, called a PHQ-9, to measure their level of depression, Google explained on its blog. The questionnaire is not meant to replace a mental health professional. PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL CITED IN BOY'S HEATING BLANKET DEATH Google - which partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to create the self-evaluation - hopes the confidential survey will spur more people to broach the subject with their doctor. One in five Americans experience depression but less than half seek help, according to NAMI. Google seeks to change that by spreading awareness in order to help sufferers get a diagnosis and timely care. "Statistics show that those who have symptoms of depression experience an average of a 6-8 year delay in getting treatment after the onset of symptoms," Google wrote in the blog posting. "We believe that awareness of depression can help empower and educate you, enabling quicker access to treatment," it continues. 

TWO ORTHOPEDIC CLINICS COMING TOGETHER

Merger of two orthopedic clinic You could say "the bones" are now all in place for a new Orthopaedic Center in Little Rock, as the last steel beam was put in place Thursday on the frame of the building.

The planned 80,000-square-foot facility just off off I-630 will serve as the new and expanded Midtown clinic for Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics (ASO) and OrthoArkansas (OA). The merger of these two groups is expected to be official on Jan. 1, 2018.

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola says this is also a great addition to part of Little Rock that is growing in significance and strength.

 

"You know, this intersection on 630 at University and Fair Park is a major midtown intersection of our city. It's a thriving hub and this will continue to make it thrive," Mayor Stodola says.

Located among UAMS, Saint Vincent Doctors Hospital, War Memorial, and more, the Mayor says this addition makes this a location rival anything many larger cities have to offer.

“This represents a fundamental change in the way orthopaedic care is presented to people in Little Rock and Arkansas. Together we will be able to provide an increased level of orthopaedic and musculoskeletal care,” said ASO’s president, Dr. Jimmy Tucker. “This additional state-of-the-art facility will be key in providing that care.”

The $22.5 million facility in Midtown will replace Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics’ current building on South McKinley, and will serve as one of two Little Rock locations for the merged group. Building completion is expected in spring 2018.

In addition to doctors and staff representing both groups, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola spoke at the event on the economic development of the I-630 medical corridor. “This state-of-the-art facility is an investment in Midtown. The merger of these two groups represents the best of the best coming together,” Stodola said.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Athletic Director Chase Conque and Director of Arkansas State Parks Grady Spann were also recognized from the podium. UALR continues to be an important partner in the economic development of the I-630 medical corridor and University District, and Spann oversees all 52 state parks in Arkansas, in addition to War Memorial Stadium.

Said Tucker, “From our current building on South McKinley, we have watched the tremendous growth this area has experienced, and were committed to staying here and being a partner. We are, in turn, fortunate to have a partner like OrthoArkansas, which is itself the result of four ortho groups merging together.”

           

The merged group is also combining their two locations in North Little Rock, and they will open the replacement facility early next year on Landers Road. The new North Little Rock facility will house an expanded clinic, but also some of the merged group’s business office functions, according to Sue Hibbs, who will serve as the new group’s Chief Operating Officer. 

The combined group of 42 physicians will provide musculoskeletal care across Arkansas through a total of nine clinic locations. “We believe the combination of our two organizations is required to not only further enhance the quality care and services we provide our patients, but to allow us to be an even better partner with hospitals, insurance carriers, employers and athletic programs,” said Dr. Tad Pruitt, president of OrthoArkansas. 

Each physician has completed specialized training, and combined they focus on the various areas of musculoskeletal care, including sports medicine, hand and upper extremity, total joint replacement, foot and ankle, orthopaedic trauma, rheumatology, orthopaedic spine, physical medicine and rehab, and certain neurosurgical procedures.

At the various offices, they will also offer outpatient surgery and pain management services, as well as urgent orthopaedic services through which patients can be evaluated and treated if surgery is not the answer or if they need to be fast-tracked to a surgeon.

This new building accommodates all of these orthopaedic specialties and provides large areas for physical and occupational therapy, as well as an imaging suite with MRI, CT and radiology capabilities.

The building itself is steel frame construction with glass curtain wall windows, exterior insulated synthetic stucco and stone veneer. The result is a highly energy-efficient and state-of-the-art facility.

The Cromwell Firm is the architect/engineer of record; Kinco Constructors, represented by Keith Jacks, vice president and principal, serves as general contractor; and Commercial Realty Development Services serves as development agent. Financing is provided by Bank of the Ozarks.

“For our two groups, the decision to merge started with casual conversations – commiseration really – about the challenges we faced and how divisions between the groups increased those challenges,” said Dr. Pruitt. “Both groups had success, growth, improving partnerships with health systems, quality providers, broad service lines, and a desire for organizational excellence. But both groups faced growing pressures and needs that sometimes exposed organizational limitations. Those made it harder to imagine an optimal future on our own. Casual conversations turned to philosophical and strategic ones, and we found ourselves more similar than different, especially when we focused on strategic goals and our visions for the future.

“It is a real honor to serve our patients and communities, and we are looking forward to the future with much enthusiasm – for many years to come.”

SOMETHING TO BRING A SMILE

Advance Payment
Business professor: "Who can give me an example of a system where you are billed before you actually receive your goods?"
Student: "Tuition!"

Shorts

• Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation toward the local swimming pool. So I gave him a glass of water.
• When I was a child I thought Nap Time was a punishment. Now, as a grownup, it just feels like a small vacation!
• At any given time, the urge to sing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is just a whim away, a whim away, a whim away, a whim away...

Gone Fishin'

Roger came to Sunday School late. His teacher knew that he was usually very prompt and asked him if anything was wrong. The boy replied no, nothing was wrong, that he was going fishing but his dad told him that he needed to go to church. The teacher was very impressed and asked Roger if his dad had explained to him why it was more important to go to church than to go fishing. "Yes he did. Dad said he didn't have enough bait for both of us."

On Her Knees

A guy was telling his friend that he and his wife had a serious argument the night before. "But it ended," he said, "when she came crawling to me on her hands and knees." "Wow. What did she say?" asked the friend. The husband replied, "She shouted, 'Come out from under that bed, you coward!'"

Actual (We're Told) Newspaper Headlines

• Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
• Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
• Miners Refuse to Work after Death
• Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
• War Dims Hope for Peace
• If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
• Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
• London Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
• Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
• Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
• New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
• Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
• Hospitals Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
• Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

INTERESTING MEDICAL INFORMATION

News from the World of Medicine By Samantha Rideout. 

Eat Less Salt to Sleep Better Many people get up multiple times during the night to pee, which can lead to stress, irritability, and fatigue. A study in Japan found that eating less salt during the day may help. Of the 321 people in the study, 223 reduced their average daily salt intake from 1.8 teaspoons to 1.4 teaspoons and found that they urinated 1.4 times per night, on average, down from 2.3 times. When you eat less salt, you drink less and your body tends to retain less water.

A Downside of Gluten-Free In a small University of Illinois study, people on gluten-free diets had almost twice the level of arsenic in their urine and 70 percent more mercury in their blood compared with those who weren't. That's probably because gluten-­free products often use rice flour, and rice tends to absorb more metals from soil, water, and fertilizers than other cereal crops. It's unclear exactly how much of these substances our bodies can tolerate, but long-term exposure to arsenic has been tied to skin, bladder, and lung cancers; mercury can harm the brain and nervous system. To minimize potential issues, diversify your grain intake by eating quinoa, millet, and amaranth. 

Fight Phobias in a Flash The standard advice for overcoming a fear is to face it. In a recent experiment, two groups of women-one with arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and one without-watched a computer program that flashed tarantula ­photos for a few micro­seconds. Brain scans of the arachnophobic women showed that the ­areas that process fear were active, indicating that they had indeed faced their fear, even though they didn't consciously re­member seeing the ­image. In fact, their fear-­processing regions were even more active than when the women knowingly approached a live tarantula, suggesting that this brief exposure might combat phobias better than traditional exposure therapy.

 Avoiding Carpal Tunnel Surgery Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve (running from the forearm through the wrist to the hand) is compressed, resulting in pain, numbness, tingling-and 400,000 to 500,000 operations a year in the United States. However, in the first study of its kind, women who were randomly assigned to three weeks of physical therapy (supplemented by stretching exercises at home) experienced better pain reduction and hand functioning than those who went under the knife. The researchers suggest trying therapy­-which, surprisingly, is not currently an established carpal tunnel treatment-before committing to surgery.

 When the Shoe Doesn't Fit Feet tend to get wider, longer, and flatter as we age, as a result of supporting our body weight for all those years. A study from the University of A Coruña in Spain found that 83 percent of participants (adults in their 70s and 80s) were wearing the wrong shoe size. A second study found that a poor fit can lead to bunions and toenail malformations, which can affect walking and balance. The researchers recommended that seniors get their feet remeasured and choose shoes with Velcro straps so they can easily adjust the width. 

Keeping Hair After Chemo One major concern for the hundreds of thousands of Americans under­going chemotherapy each year: hair loss. Now a new scalp-cooling device recently approved by the FDA has been shown to reduce the problem in at least half of chemo ­patients-safely and without interfering with the effectiveness of the treatment. Worn like a shower cap during chemo sessions and for a few hours before and after, the device circulates coolants between its two layers to lower scalp temperature. This constricts blood vessels, which reduces the amount of toxins that make it into the hair. Always ... ... Remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.  

HOW DO YOU SAY IT

You Say Tomato ... By Josh Katz.   

Some words are like out-of-state license plates-they're dead giveaways that you're not from around here. Just try rhyming aunt with can't in parts of the Northeast or Upper Midwest (you cahn't) or ordering a sub in Philadelphia, the epicenter of hoagie country. In recent years, linguists have pondered whether the homogenizing effects of TV, film, and the Internet have begun to eliminate many so-called regionalisms. To find out, I surveyed Americans about how we talk. The good news, based on the 350,000 responses received: American English shows no sign of disappearing. So slip off your sneakers (more on that later), grab a soft drink (ditto), and let's take a tour of Americanisms. What we call insects that glow at night Fireflies, increasingly popular with younger Americans, have been encroaching on lightning bugs' territory in recent years. New York City disagrees with itself. Manhattan seems to prefer fireflies; on Staten Island, it's lightning bugs. lightning bugs What we call a sale of household items rummage sale garage sale tag sale yard sale how we address a group of people Many people in the Pittsburgh area say yinz. you guys In parts of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, you still hear youse. y'all Some folks in Kentucky use you all. What we call carbonated beverages pop soda Soft drink is also popular around here. coke It's Cocola in pockets of this region. Where we throw our trash garbage can trash can What we haul freight in tractor trailer Semi/semitruck eighteen-wheeler What we drink from in public places Bubbler Drinking fountain Water fountain.  What we call athletic footwear In Chicago and Cincinnati, you might lace up your gym shoes. tennis shoes Sneakers Hawaiians just say shoes. how many syllables in caramel? two three Excerpted from Speaking American: How Y'all, Youse, and You Guys Talk. 

WHERE WE WILL BE

8/22/17 at 2PM – All OIB Staff will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2840 South Caraway Rd., Jonesboro, AR 72401 (Dr. Myer’s patients)

 

8/25/17 at 1PM – Barbara and Cindy will be at Country Club Village Retirement Community, 1925 Malvern Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901

 

8/30/17 at 1PM – Barbara and Cindy will be at Church of Christ Activities Center, 380 North College Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653 (Mountain Home Low Vision Group)

 

                           9/16/17 at 11AM –WSB Fall Picnic in the                                    Courtyard (all local clients and OIB staff)

 

9/19/17 at 10AM – Brenda will be at Seventh& Mueller Church of Christ, 1000 S 7th St, Paragould, AR 72450 - hosted by Margaret Johnson’s Paragould Low-Vision group

OH THOSE SWEET PUPPIES

Labor of love. Family welcomes newest member .  There's a new baby in the Rockwood house. Born on May 20t he weighs in at 6 1/2 pounds and is 18 inches long. He's got two big ears, four short legs and 20 toenails that make a rapid clicking sound when he trots across the kitchen floor. His name is Cooper, and he's a Corgi puppy. It's funny how quickly my "protect the baby" instincts have returned -- even though it has been a decade since we had a newborn in the house. I find myself shushing Tom and the kids, so they won't wake the puppy. "He's cranky when he doesn't get a good nap," I whisper as I tiptoe around the crate where he's sleeping. And I don't even mind too much when he wakes me up early in the morning because I'm happy to scoop him up and snuggle him under my chin. Puppy love -- much like that gushy feeling we get about newborns -- must have been designed by God. He knew babies and puppies would need to be extra adorable, so we'd persevere through these first few months, when taking care of them feels like a full-time job. When we adopted Charlie the beagle five years ago, he was already over a year old and was full-grown. So I'd forgotten how challenging the puppy phase can be. With house-training as our top priority, we're taking Cooper outside for potty breaks about once every two hours or whenever he does any suspicious sniffing. He's a discriminating dog, which means he inspects each blade of grass before deciding which one to pee on. Sometimes, just when I think he's finally picked a suitable spot, a bird chirps nearby or a neighbor's garage door goes up, and the distracting sound sends Cooper into a barking frenzy, making him forget the reason we came out there. I suppose I should be thankful he's so interested in protecting me from strange bird sounds and nearby garage doors. What he lacks in physical size, he more than makes up for in puppy bravado and a willingness to sound the alarm at anything he deems a threat. For the past few days, I've been taking him with me when I go out to check the mail. When I open the mailbox, Cooper dances around my ankles barking wildly, certain the black beast is about to devour my arm with its strange metal jaws. Speaking of jaws, did you know that the only thing sharper than those infomercial Ginsu knives are the teeth of a 12-week-old puppy? I'd bet good money that Cooper could bite through a tin can, if we let him. He's got the fur of a soft, brown bunny, but the teeth of a ticked-off piranha. Our daughter Kate, who is an excellent puppy wrangler, sometimes calls him "Count Pupula" when he chomps down on her hand instead of his dog toys. Even though it's normal puppy behavior, "play biting" is only fun if you're the puppy. We've been watching a lot of dog training videos about how to teach Cooper not to use hands as chew toys. Meanwhile, our beagle Charlie has taken this whole "new puppy" thing in stride. He mostly ignored Cooper the first few days after his arrival, but has slowly begun to take an interest. He did snap at him once, but only when Cooper was acting a little too big for his puppy britches. "Settle down, kid," Charlie seems to be saying when he stands authoritatively over the playful newcomer. I predict the two will be buddies before long. In the meantime, we're taking turns making trips outside for puppy potty breaks, and we're doing our best to protect our shoes, rolls of toilet paper and anything below knee-level from meeting its fate beneath those razor-sharp puppy teeth. But when Cooper falls asleep and dreams his puppy dreams and then wakes up and covers us in kisses, all the extra work feels like a labor of love. 

A TOUCHING DOG STORY

An 8-year-old dog named Cesar who was permanently paralyzed by a disc injury has been given a new lease on life, after his Army veteran owner reached out to the Lifeline Animal Project Pets for Life Program for help. Malcom Stafford said he noticed Cesar was injuring himself and struggling to keep up with him by dragging his hind legs.  Stafford said the Chihuahua mix used to like to accompany him in the garden, and that he tried buying him an inexpensive wheelchair but the dog didn't like it.  "It was devastating, I was devastated.”  "Because he's a good dog. Andrea Peterson, director of outreach at the Lifeline Animal Project, visited with Stafford and Cesar to assess the dog's needs. Peterson said the program works with low-income pet owners in Atlanta who have limited or no access to veterinary care.  "The pets are happier in their homes.”  "A lot of people don't have the means to take care of their pets as well as they would like. But it doesn't mean they love them any less.  Cesar was outfitted with a $200 wheelchair through donations in the program and quickly took to his newfound freedom. "It's like Cesar is re-loaded, it's a new dog.  "It's a great day.  

SOME THINGS TO MAKE YOU LAUGH

The Solution
My husband Joe is a police officer in a small town. He receives many phone calls at home about his work and decided to get an answering machine to screen them, especially the threatening or harassing ones. This is the greeting he prepared: "You have reached the home of a police officer. You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to give up this right, leave your message after the beep. Anything you say can, and probably will, be held against you." The phone calls became much friendlier.

The Real Reason

After weeks of getting the cold shoulder from his wife, the unhappy husband finally confronted her: "Admit it, Linda. The only reason you married me is because my grandfather left me $10 million." "Don't be ridiculous," she replied. "I don't care who left it to you."

Big Prize

Sally goes into a coffee shop and notices there's a "peel and win" sticker on her coffee cup. So she peels it off and starts screaming, "I've won a motorhome! I've won a motorhome!" The waitress says, "That's impossible. The biggest prize is a free Lunch." But Sally keeps on screaming, "I've won a motorhome! I've won a motorhome!" Finally, the manager comes over and says, "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but you're mistaken. You couldn't have possibly won a motorhome because we didn't have that as a prize." Sally insists, "No, it's not a mistake. I've won a motorhome!" And she hands the ticket to the manager and HE reads... "WIN A BAGEL."

Shorts

• Time takes its toll; please have exact change.
• They say, "Wisdom comes with age," but sometimes age comes alone.
• I believe five out of four people have trouble with fractions.
• I can tell people are judgmental just by looking at them.
• A blue ship crashed with a red ship. The survivors were marooned.

WHERE WE WILL BE

 

8/22/17 at 2PM – All OIB Staff will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2840 South Caraway Rd., Jonesboro, AR 72401 (Dr. Myer’s patients)

 

8/25/17 at 1PM – Barbara and Cindy will be at Country Club Village Retirement Community, 1925 Malvern Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901

 

8/30/17 at 1PM – Barbara and Cindy will be at Church of Christ Activities Center, 380 North College Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653 (Mountain Home Low Vision Group)

 

                           9/16/17 at 11AM –WSB Fall Picnic in the                                    Courtyard (all local clients and OIB staff)

 

9/19/17 at 10AM – Brenda will be at Seventh & Mueller Church of Christ, 1000 S 7th St, Paragould, AR 72450 - hosted by Margaret Johnson’s Paragould Low-Vision group

DECORATING YOUR HOME WITH YOUR PET IN MIND

Critter-compatible decor Technology, pet-proof furnishings help create clean, scratch-free home we can all live with. 

It has gotten easier to have a house full of pets without sacrificing the home decor you want. Interior designer Vern Yip, a judge on HGTV's Design Star and a dog person, says new technology has led to a variety of stylish and pet-friendly home-furnishing options. "The furniture and home-decor industry has really rounded the corner and come to realize that this is a way of life for a lot of people," Yip says. Durable, easy-to-clean paints, antimicrobial stain-resistant rugs and more mean that a beautiful home and a furry pet are no longer incompatible. Here, Yip and two other interior-design experts -- Betsy Burnham, founder of Los Angeles' Burnham Design, and small-space expert Kathryn Bechen -- offer some tips: PET PLANNING Many pet owners today "are designing a space around their animals," Burnham says. "Most of the time, I hear, 'Oh, we've got dogs and a couple of cats and three kids, so please be mindful that we can't have anything too precious. Then there are these really specific requests, like, 'I'd like a built-in dog bed in my island in my kitchen.' Often, the planning starts with the biggest elements: walls and floors. Paints have become much more pet-friendly (and kid-friendly) in recent years: "There are a lot of paint companies now that have flat paints that are wipeable," a feature previously offered only with glossy paints, Burnham says. Flooring options have also expanded: Wood flooring companies have developed finishes that resist scratching, Yip says. Ceramic tile designed to look like stone flooring is another practical option. "It used to be, a few decades ago, that if you put down a ceramic tile floor, it just looked like ceramic," Yip says. This tile "looks like stone, but unlike stone it doesn't absorb urine or other things if your dog has an accident. And don't forget the little things: If your pets are very active, minimize the number of items on tabletops and put more fragile things on higher shelves, especially in small rooms, Bechen says. Add a lidded basket or storage ottoman to stash pet toys when guests come over. FABRIC STRATEGIES Fabrics that can withstand life with pets used to be rough and often unappealing to touch, Yip says. Now, you can find stain-resistant and antimicrobial fibers in a range of styles and soft textures. Burnham suggests looking for textiles made with a finish called Nanotex, which makes the fibers stain-resistant and waterproof. If you have cats, it's also helpful to choose fabrics that are smooth. "We sort of embrace leathers and flatter weaves so that the cat can't get their claws into it," Burnham says. Leather is also a good choice because it's durable, and it can look even more attractive with a bit of time and wear. Bechen suggests avoiding very light-colored fabrics if dark pet hair will frustrate you (or very dark fabrics if your pets have light hair). Print patterns are less likely to show pet hair than solids are, she says. And it helps to keep an attractive throw blanket on your pet's favorite furniture, and then remove it when guests come over. "You'll notice a lot more hair and cleaning with animals in a small space," Bechen says. "It's all condensed. SEPARATE SPACE It's a luxury to have a room devoted to pets, or to have a large enough mudroom to create a sort of pet bedroom. But Yip says that's becoming more common. When guests who aren't comfortable with animals come to visit, a dedicated room gives pets "a space that's theirs, that they can retreat to that doesn't feel like punishment," Yip says. Even if the space does double-duty as an office or laundry room, you can create a secure area for a pet by keeping their bed, food dishes and familiar toys all in one place. Get creative by adding something to entertain your pet (Yip's dogs have an aquarium to look at), and create a sleeping space they'll love. "Cats love to climb," says Bechen, so cat owners can add a shelf around the perimeter of a laundry room or mudroom and put their cat's bed up there. It creates a perfect perch for the pet to feel safe while surveying the room. Litter boxes can also be creatively upgraded: Bechen suggests choosing one with a decorative cover. Her favorites are designed to resemble tiny, painted houses. 

HELP FROM UNEXPECTED SOURCES

A new ingredient that's making its way into high-end skin care products is full of beneficial compounds that moisturize, reduce inflammation and minimize acne scars. But you'll need to keep an open mind if you want the benefits. Helix aspersa muller glycoconjugates is the technical name for the slimy mucus secreted by snails to protect their undersides from cuts, bacteria and sun damage. This protective goo that snails produce is filled with beauty-enhancers like hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, glycolic acid, antimicrobial and copper peptides, proteoglycans and elastin. All of these compounds are known skin enhancers that are already added to beauty products. PREVENTING CANCER THROUGH ORAL HYGIENE Using snail mucus, also called snail cream, is new to the modern beauty industry, but its benefits have been recognized for thousands of years. The use of snails to promote skin healing goes back to ancient Greece and is attributed to Hippocrates. Pliny later recommended applying crushed snails to wounds and burns in order to speed healing. (The snail cream you see in beauty products is harvested from live snails in captivity, not made from crushed snails.) More recently, Chilean farmers who harvested snails for the French escargot market noticed that the skin of their hands looked smoother and younger. Snail mucus first caught the attention of skin care companies in Korea, a country known for being on the cutting edge of skin care. Its popularity spread to the US several years ago, but some companies didn't advertise the odd new ingredient. At first, they chose to let it get lost in products' long ingredients lists, worried that the "ick factor" might scare customers off, but today most manufacturers openly advertise their snail cream products, relying on consumers' sense of adventure and willingness to try anything that might work. EYE MAKEUP DANGEROUS FOR YOUR VISION? There's limited research to support the ancient idea that snail cream restores the skin. Snail slime seems to boost the production of elastin and collagen in cell cultures, but there haven't been any long-term trials or research on skin cells that aren't in petri dishes. And there's no high-quality research on any specific snail-based beauty products. But the lack of research doesn't necessarily mean that snail cream products don't work. Consumers are drawn to the number of beneficial compounds in snail cream, and it continues to rise in popularity, bolstered by smart marketing and glowing customer reviews. According to anecdotal evidence, snail cream products are particularly effective at minimizing the appearance of dark spots and scars, making the products popular among young adults with acne scars, which are notoriously difficult to treat. Customers also claim that their skin looks plumper and less wrinkled after using snail cream products, but dermatologists warn that these effects may be short-term, offering temporary smoothing without true, long-term anti-aging properties. VITAMIN B3 COULD PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS, MISCARRIAGES, SCIENTISTS SAY If you want to get snail cream straight from the slimy source, you can visit a spa in Thailand or Japan and pay over $200 for a snail facial. This is exactly what it sounds like - letting snails crawl all over your face. If you want to save on airfare, you can check out the many snail-based beauty products that have exploded into the American market. You can find the ingredient in moisturizers, eye creams, anti-wrinkle creams, cleansers and soothing gels. But don't fall prey to deceptive advertising - look for products that advertise the percentage of snail mucus filtrate to make sure that you're really getting the benefits of snail cream. Whenever trying a new product, apply it to a small, less sensitive patch of skin before using it on your face. Just because a product is naturally-derived doesn't mean it's necessarily safe for you. In fact, it's more common to have allergies to natural ingredients than to synthetic ingredients, and both natural and synthetic ingredients can cause irritation even if no allergy is present. Rashes and irritation have been reported from the use of snail cream products, and it's not usually recommended for sensitive skin. 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

The Plan "I'm prescribing these pills for you," said the doctor to the overweight patient who wanted to lose weight without exercising. "I don't want you to swallow them. Just spill them on the floor twice a day and pick them up slowly, one at a time...."

Mum's The Word

At a dinner party, several of the guests were arguing whether men or women were more trustworthy. "No woman," said one man, scornfully, "can keep a secret." "I don't know about that," answered a woman guest. "I have kept my age a secret since I was twenty-one." "You'll let it out some day," the man insisted. "I hardly think so!" responded the lady. "When a woman has kept a secret for twenty-seven years, she can keep it forever."

Oh

On my birthday I was cutting the lawn when my teenage son came home from a baseball game. Seeing me behind the mower, he exclaimed, "Oh, Dad, you shouldn't have to mow the lawn on your birthday." Touched, I was about to turn the mower over to him when he added, "You should wait until tomorrow!"

Shorts

• Ninety percent of being married is just shouting "What?" from other rooms.
• They say that inside each heavy person is a thin person struggling to get out. I've discovered that mine can be sedated with a piece of chocolate cake.
• I went out to buy some goose feather pillows, but I found they were so expensive I couldn't even afford the down payment.
• Why wish upon a star when you can pray to the One who created it?

YOU WON''T BELIEVE WHAT THESE TELEMARKETERS ARE UP TO NOW

Telemarketers Just Got Harder to Stop

New technology allows users to leave voicemail without phone ever ringing

by Brandon Gobel, AARP, June 19, 2017

We have all received them, on our home phone or cellphone — a telemarketer trying to sell us a product or service. Some of us simply ignore the call, others answer and quickly hang up, while some do listen to the telemarketer's message. Soon, however, we might not have any of those options; telemarketers have a direct way into our voicemail.  

Ringless voicemail is a new technology that allows users to leave you a voicemail through a back door, without the phone ever ringing. There is growing concern that this capability can allow telemarketers to flood your voicemail, causing you to miss important messages. 

The technology has been successfully used for hospitals, schools and churches, and developer Josh Justice, CEO of Stratics, says he believes it can be a success in other ways. Justice told NBC News: "Ringless voicemail drops are a non-nuisance form of messaging and are an alternative to robocalls. It really does put the power in that consumer's hand where they can essentially listen to the message or not listen to the message."

There are consumer protection laws that restrict some telemarketing, but it’s unclear if ringless voicemail falls under the restrictions. The providers of the technology and business groups contend that since the phone doesn’t ring, it’s not a call — and therefore exempt from the current laws, the New York Times reported.

A provider of the service has already filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission to officially allow it. The commission has been accepting public comments on the issue, but hasn’t given a timetable of when it would make a decision.

Politicians are divided on the issue, as it could also restrict their use of the service for campaign purposes. 

As of now there is no way to block the unwanted voicemails. Phones don’t yet have a spam feature comparable to those on emails, and developers of the backdoor voicemail argue that the “do not call list” does not apply. You can comment on the petition, or contact the FCC to file a complaint.

WHERE WE WILL BE

8/7/17 at 6PM –   Brenda and Barbara will be at Harding Place, 801 S. Benton Avenue, Searcy, AR 72143

8/7/17 at 10AM – Helen, Cindy & Dr. Boehm will be at White Hall Library, 300 Anderson Avenue, Pine Bluff, AR 71602

8/14/17 at 2PM – Barbara and Cindy will be at Garrett Woods Assisted Living, 142 Brighton Terrace, Hot Springs, AR 71913

8/15/17 at 5PM – Janet will be at the Lutheran Church, 314 E 8th St, Little Rock, AR 72202 

8/22/17 at 2PM – All OIB Staff will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2840 South Caraway Rd., Jonesboro, AR 72401 (Dr. Myer’s patients)

8/25/17 at 1PM – Barbara and Cindy will be at Country Club Village Retirement Community, 1925 Malvern Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901

8/30/17 at 1PM – Barbara and Cindy will be at Church of Christ Activities Center, 380 North College Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653 (Mountain Home Low Vision Group)

                           9/16/17 at 11AM –WSB Fall Picnic in the                                    Courtyard (all local clients and OIB staff)

9/19/17 at 10AM – Brenda will be at Seventh & Mueller Church of Christ, 1000 S 7th St, Paragould, AR 72450 - hosted by Margaret Johnson’s Paragould Low-Vision group

 

DOLLAR GENERAL DEALS FOR THE WEEK

Buying Groceries on a Budget

Dollar General Sale Dates August 6 – August 12, 2017

 

Peter Pan Peanut Butter or Skippy 16.3 oz 2/$4.00 Must buy 2 to get discount; Welch’s Grape Jelly squeeze 20 oz or Jar 30 oz $1.75; Clover Valley White Bread 20 oz $1.00; Clover Valley Peanut Butter 40 oz Regular  $4 each, 2/$7.00 Must buy 2 to get discount; Kraft Singles or Velveeta Slices 12 oz $2.75; Eckrich Deli Lunch Meat Turkey or Ham 8 oz $3.00; Barilla Pasta 16 oz $1.00; Ragu Pasta Sauce 24 oz 2/$3.00 Must buy 2 to get discount; Orange Juice 1/2 gallon Brands May Vary $2.25; Smithfield Bacon 12 oz $3.95; Smithfield Sausage Roll 16 oz $3.00

THE FINAL OUTCOME

An old farmer's prayer ...

A visiting pastor was attending a men’s breakfast in farm

county. He asked one of the impressive older farmers to say

grace that morning. After all were seated, the older farmer began:

“Lord, I hate buttermilk.”

The Priest opened one eye and wondered where this was going.

Then the farmer loudly proclaimed, “Lord, I hate lard.”

Now the Priest was really worried ... however without missing

a beat, the old farmer prayed on, “And Lord, you know I don’t

care much for raw white flour.”

Just as the pastor was about to stand up and stop everything,

the farmer continued:

“But Lord, when you mix ‘em all together and bake ‘em up,

I do love fresh biscuits. So Lord, when things come up we

don’t like ... when life gets hard ... when we just don’t

understand what you are sayin' to us, we just need to relax

and wait ‘til You are done mixin’ ... and probably it will

be somethin' even better than biscuits. Amen.”

FUNNY-HAPPY MEN

Men Are Just Happier People!

 

What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves.  Chocolate is just another snack.  You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

 

Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Wrinkles add character.  Wedding dress - $5,000. Tux rental - $100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks.

 

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Two pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

 

You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes - one color for all seasons.   You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.   You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

 

No wonder men are happier!

 

 

NICKNAMES

 

1. If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.
2. If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman.

 

 

EATING OUT

 

1. When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50.  None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.

 

When the girls get their bill, outcome the pocket calculators.

 

 

MONEY

 

1. A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
2. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.

 

 

BATHROOMS

 

1. A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel.
2. The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337 A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.

 

 

ARGUMENTS

 

1. A woman has the last word in any argument.
2. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

 

 

FUTURE

 

1. A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
2. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

 

 

MARRIAGE

 

1. A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t.
2. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.

 

 

DRESSING UP

 

1. A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
2. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

 

 

NATURAL

 

1. Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
2. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

 

 

OFFSPRING

 

1. Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
2. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

A married man should forget his mistakes.  There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

 

MEDICATIONS AND CHRONIC FATIGUE

Do you feel weak or tired — sometimes to the point of exhaustion — much of the time? If so, you’re not alone. Chronic fatigue accounts for more than 10 million visits to family doctors every year.

Chronic fatigue has many causes, including illnesses such as anemia and multiple sclerosis as well as depression and other psychiatric disorders. But it’s also often a side effect of drugs previously prescribed for other conditions. (I’m not talking here of the complicated disorder known as chronic fatigue syndrome, whose cause is unknown. This condition is characterized by extreme fatigue that can’t be explained by any underlying medical condition.)

Could one or more of the medications you’re taking be making you feel listless or lethargic? Read below to learn about the major classes of drugs that can cause chronic fatigue. If you suspect that your symptoms might be linked to a medication you’re taking, talk to your doctor or health care provider right away. It’s important that you do not discontinue them on your own.

1. Blood pressure medications

Why they’re prescribed: All blood pressure medications — and there are at least eight categories of them — are used to lower the pressure inside blood vessels, so the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood throughout the body.

Top-selling blood-pressure medications include lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), an ACE inhibitor; amlodipine (Norvasc), a calcium channel blocker; hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ and various other brand names), a thiazide diuretic; furosemide (Lasix), a loop diuretic; and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), a beta blocker. Fatigue is also one of the most common side effects that occurs with aliskiren (Tekturna, Tekturna HCT), which belongs to a newer class of drugs called renin inhibitors.

How they can cause fatigue: Blood-pressure medications may slow down the pumping action of the heart as well as depress the entire central nervous system, or, in the case of diuretics, deplete electrolytes that the body needs.

Check the safety information that comes with your blood pressure medications and you may well see “extreme tiredness” listed as a side effect. That’s an important sign that your fatigue could be drug-induced.

Alternatives: Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about switching to another type of blood pressure medication. For older patients, a benzothiazepine calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem), is often the best choice.

An omega-3 fish oil supplement may help to lower your blood pressure, too. Be aware, though, that omega-3s can slightly raise levels of LDL or bad cholesterol, and other research has shown these may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

A natural benefit: Omega-3 fatty acids are also thought to be natural fatigue fighters. One 2015 study shows that metabolism increased while resting and exercise heart rate dropped in older women who took omega-3 supplements that contain 2 g EPA, 1 g DHA for 12 weeks. However, whether omega-3 actually improves resting metabolism and exercise heart rate remains unclear because there are many conflicting studies.

2. Statins and fibrates

Why they’re prescribed: Statins and fibrates are used to treat high cholesterol. The top-selling statins are atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor); the top-selling fibrate is fenofibrate (Tricor).

How they can cause fatigue: Studies show that statins stop the production of satellite cells that give rise to muscle tissue, stopping muscle growth. Some researchers have also suggested that statins interfere with the production of energy in cells in the same way that they interfere with the production of cholesterol.

Muscle weakness and severe muscle aches throughout the body can be symptoms of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis, a rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle that causes muscle fibers to be released into the bloodstream. A substance called myoglobin within the muscle cells that is released can result in severe kidney damage and even kidney failure.

Alternatives: If you’re among the many millions of older Americans without known coronary disease who are taking these drugs, ask your doctor or other health care provider about treating your slightly elevated cholesterol with a combination of sublingual (under-the-tongue) vitamin B12 (1,000 mcg daily), folic acid (800 mcg daily) and vitamin B6 (200 mg daily). Also, red yeast rice, a supplement first used in traditional Chinese medicine, has been found to be almost as effective as some of the moderate statins when used for short periods of time. But it also may cause some of the same muscle problems as the pharmaceutical products.

3. Proton pump inhibitors

Why they’re prescribed: Proton pump inhibitors are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other similar disorders. More than 20 million Americans take prescription PPIs, including esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec) and pantoprazole (Protonix), some of which are available over the counter.

How they can cause fatigue: Patients who take PPIs for as little as three months are at risk of low blood levels of magnesium, which can cause loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness, among other symptoms.

Alternatives: The FDA has advised doctors and other health care providers to obtain serum magnesium levels before prescribing PPIs and then periodically thereafter.

If you need to discontinue a PPI, you must do it very slowly.  If you stop suddenly, you risk having GERD come back with more severe symptoms. Under your doctor’s guidance, you’ll gradually drop the dose in 20 mg increments, with 10 to 15 days between each taper, until you are completely off the drug. In some people the process takes even longer.

If you still have severe reflux problems, you and your doctor may want to consider the use of an H2 blocker such as ranitidine (75 mg every 12 hours as needed).

4. Benzodiazepines

Why they’re prescribed: Benzodiazepines, commonly known as tranquilizers, are used to treat a variety of anxiety disorders, agitation and muscle spasms, and to prevent seizures. Because benzodiazepines have a sedative/hypnotic effect, they are sometimes used to treat insomnia and the anxiety component of depression.

Commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and temazepam (Restoril).

How they can cause fatigue: Benzodiazepines can cause sedation and fatigue by dampening activity in key parts of the central nervous system (CNS).

People who take a benzodiazepine for more than two or three weeks may develop a tolerance to the drug, and over time may need to take increasing doses to achieve the same effect, only worsening their fatigue. Long-term effects also may include muscle weakness.

It’s important to remember that it takes older people up to three times longer than younger people to flush these drugs out of their bodies. The ensuing buildup of the drug in the body puts older people at a much higher risk for experiencing fatigue and for developing physical or psychological dependence.

Alternatives: Talk with your doctor or other health care provider. Many patients with mild anxiety or insomnia don’t need benzodiazepines at all, but stopping or reducing the dosage of a benzodiazepine should always be monitored by a professional, as serious withdrawal effects can occur.

For all the conditions listed above, there are alternative drugs and nondrug treatments. Melatonin, in doses from 3 to 10 mg before bedtime, for instance, sometimes helps to reestablish healthy sleep patterns.

5. Antihistamines

Why they’re prescribed: Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of allergic disorders (such as hay fever) or the common cold. Some antihistamines are also used to prevent motion sickness, nausea and vomiting, and to treat anxiety or insomnia.

How they can cause fatigue: Antihistamines are CNS depressants. Most list tiredness and drowsiness among the potential side effects; some list weakness.

Older people generally should not use diphenhydramine (Benadryl) — found in any sleep aid with a name ending in “PM” — because of its powerful sedative effects, which dramatically increase the risk of falls and bone fractures.

Fatigue is also a listed side effect of fexofenadine (Allegra), another popular antihistamine, though perhaps less than other such drugs. Older people generally should not use this drug because their renal systems are unable to efficiently clear it, allowing the drug to build up in the body.

Alternatives: Newer-generation antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are better tolerated by older patients and present a lower risk for fatigue.

6. Antidepressants

Why they’re prescribed: While antidepressants are typically used to treat depression, they’re also frequently prescribed for anxiety disorders, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, chronic pain, smoking cessation and some hormone-mediated disorders, such as severe menstrual cramps.

There are many different kinds of antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), dopamine antagonists and lithium, among others.

Commonly prescribed antidepressants include duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

How they can cause fatigue: Fatigue is a common side effect of antidepressant medications, especially during early weeks of treatment. Because antidepressants may also worsen fatigue brought on by another condition, teasing out causes is often difficult.

Researchers have suggested that antidepressants may cause fatigue through their effect on the brain chemicals called neurotransmitters — chiefly serotonin and norepinephrine — and on hormones. Disruptions in the body’s secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, for example, have been closely linked to fatigue symptoms.

Alternatives: Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about adjusting your antidepressant dose (side effects are often dose-related) or whether nondrug therapies might work just as well or better for you than a drug. You might also want to explore switching drugs, especially if you’re older and taking one of the tricyclic antidepressants, which are considered to be potentially inappropriate drugs for older people.

7. Antipsychotics

Why they’re prescribed: Antipsychotics are used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other serious psychiatric conditions. Antipsychotics also are often prescribed “off label” to treat agitation and depression, among other conditions.

Commonly prescribed antipsychotics include aripiprazole (Abilify), haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal) and ziprasidone (Geodon).

How they can cause fatigue: Antipsychotics are drugs that dull the activity of the central nervous system. In studies, the side effects include fatigue, lethargy and weakness. Many of these drugs also lower dopamine levels, which can lead to drowsiness and sleepiness as well.

Alternatives: Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about the possibility of reducing dosage or switching to another antipsychotic drug. And if you’ve been prescribed an antipsychotic to help you sleep or for some other off-label use, you’d be well-advised to seek out more proven, safer treatments for your symptoms. (For instance, in older patients, especially, these drugs increase the risk of heart failure.)

8. Antibiotics

Why they’re prescribed: Antibiotics are used to treat health conditions caused by bacteria, including ear and skin infections, urinary tract infections, food poisoning, pneumonia, meningitis and other serious illnesses. They’re also used to treat or prevent infections that can complicate surgery or other medical procedures.

Commonly prescribed antibiotics include amoxicillin (various brand names), azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin).

How they can cause fatigue: Researchers have long known that some people who take antibiotics experience feelings of tiredness and extreme fatigue, but it’s still not clear exactly why. Read the safety and prescribing information for sulfamethoxazole/trimethroprim (Bactrim DS), for example, and you’ll see unusual tiredness or weakness listed as a potential side effect. Similarly, the package insert for cephalexin (Keflex, Keftabs, Panixine, Biocef, Zartan) lists fatigue as a potential side effect.

Alternatives: I believe, as do many doctors and other health care professionals, that antibiotics are grossly overprescribed. If you have a minor bacterial infection, ask your physician if an antibiotic is really needed and if a natural alternative might do the trick.

9. Diuretics

Why they’re prescribed: Diuretics (sometimes called water pills) are used to treat high blood pressure, glaucoma, edema and other conditions.

How they can cause fatigue: Diuretics can interfere with the balance of electrolytes —including sodium, potassium and chloride — in your body. Electrolyte imbalances can cause serious health problems, including extreme fatigue, muscle weakness and achy joints, bones and muscles (along with many other symptoms not related to fatigue).
Alternatives: Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about cutting back on your use of salt, exercising more and limiting your fluid intake.

Ask the Pharmacist is written by Armon B. Neel Jr., PharmD, CGP, in collaboration with journalist Bill Hogan. They are coauthors of Are Your Prescriptions Killing You?, published by Atria Books.