Breaking News

Servants’ hearts needed

Since January, Jenn Engle of Howland has spent much of her spare time with folks who are facing their final chapter. As a volunteer for Heartland Hospice, which is based in Boardman, she is paired with clients in the program, offering companionship as part of their end-of-life care. Hospice ...

School backpack overload: Heavy bags can strain kids’ bodies

Backpacks can be fashionable and functional, but they can also be too heavy — weighed down by digital devices, musical instruments, sports equipment and more. Some kids carry home a laptop or tablet and textbooks, too. It’s good to be prepared, but kids who walk to school or participate in extracurricular activities may be lugging more than their bodies can handle. Lockers and classroom storage aren’t available everywhere — and a child carrying too much weight might not be ready to learn. As families begin back-to-school shopping, here’s how to know if your child’s backpack ...

Health notes

To include or update items in the weekly Health News list, email information to tmunnell@tribtoday.com or dbigelow@tribtoday.com. The deadline for inclusion for next week’s list is noon Sunday. ST. JOE’S AT THE MALL Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Eastwood Mall. • EXERCISE CLASSES AVAILABLE — Call 330-652-7542 to inquire and register. • FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Thursdays. • DIETITIAN AVAILABLE: by appointment every first and third Friday; no cost — call ...

DEAR ANNIE: She can’t be her grieving mother’s caregiver

DEAR ANNIE: My father died two years ago after more than 50 years of marriage. Since then, my mother seems to have stopped living. She spent her entire adult life caring for my father and raising our family. She rarely did anything just for herself. My father handled the finances, made most of the decisions and was the more social one. Now my mother calls me several times a day. She asks me to make appointments, pay bills, arrange repairs and help with even small decisions. I love her and want to help. But I have a job and a family of my own. Lately, I feel more like her parent than ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Make your vitamins work well

DEAR HELOISE: People spend money on vitamins without knowing when and how to take them. Certain vitamins will do their job best when they are absorbed or ride along with certain foods. For example: ● Fat: Soluble vitamins A, E, D and K are best absorbed when they are taken with fat-rich foods such as whole milk, butter, oil and yogurt. If at all possible, take them with your largest meal of the day. ● Vitamins B and C are water-soluble and can be taken without food. When taken with food, they’re absorbed slower. What your body can’t use will be eliminated through your waste ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Metformin promising for skin rashes

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a skin rash (granuloma annulare), and my dermatologist said that there really isn’t a cure for it. It’s in various areas of my body — my upper back, my trunk and a few other places. The dermatologist recommended using metformin to see if this helps. All my labs are excellent, so metformin has never been something that any of my docs suggested. She even looked at my labs and said that they were great but wants to see if metformin might help. Have you ever heard of this? Should I find a different dermatologist? I’m a 67-year-old female who’s in excellent ...