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Lactose intolerance likely cause of cramps, spasms

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 74-year-old woman who’s quite healthy (I am active and don’t take any medications), but I have a history of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Recently, I experienced bad-smelling gas, leg cramps, and finger and toe spasms. I quit eating milk products, and my symptoms almost immediately disappeared. My question is: Do food intolerances increase with age? Also, can leg cramps and digit spasms be attributed to a food intolerance? — H.W. ANSWER: The most likely diagnosis is lactose intolerance. This is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme lactase, which is ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Some deals from the annual world championship receive only passing notice because the outcome at both tables is exactly the same. But this one from the Italy-U.S. match in 1973 deserved more publicity than it got. Nothing much happened at the first table, where the U.S. pair bid and made four spades. West led the K-Q-2 of diamonds. South ruffed, drew trump, lost a club finesse to East’s queen and eventually discarded his heart loser on dummy’s fourth club to score 620 points. At the second table, where Giorgio Belladonna was declarer for Italy, West led the K-Q of diamonds and ...

Keeping bugs at bay

DEAR HELOISE: I keep a clean house, but I still have an ant and roach problem. What will help me stop attracting these filthy pests? I’ve used commercial companies that come in and sort of bomb the house with a mist of chemicals. I hated the smell that lingered for weeks, and the expense was nightmarish. Can you offer some advice to keep these bugs out of my house? You always know what to do, and I appreciate all your hints. — Leilani M., in Oahu, Hawaii Leilani, having lived in Hawaii, I know how difficult it is to completely seal off a home from ants and roaches. Here are some ...

Diocese receives national Catholic Media awards

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and The Catholic Echo Magazine earned 10 awards at the 2026 Catholic Media Conference June 16 to 19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Bishop David J. Bonnar won second place for Best Regular Column in a Diocesan Magazine, “Walking by Faith Together” and third place for Best Diocesan Pastoral Message for “Take Heart! Do Not Lose Heart! Behold the Sacred Heart!” with graphic design by Michael Houy, social media and development specialist. The letter is also available in Spanish and audiobook formats. Bonnar’s regular column appears in English ...

Religion news

102 YEARS: The 102nd anniversary of New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., Youngstown, where the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon has served as pastor for more than 30 years, will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. GOSPEL CONCERT: First Baptist Church of Niles will host a gospel concert with Wes Hamptom at 7 p.m. July 10. FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown will meet at noon July 9 with a luncheon and program with Steven Kramer, who will present “Evangelization: Encouraging an Encounter with Jesus Christ” at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western ...

When your new internet romance turns into fraud — or worse

The FBI publishes an annual report of internet crimes with an emphasis on scams targeting older adults. In the most recent report, romance scams continue to show continuous growth over the past few years, with seniors over 65-years old reporting losses of more than $131 million. That is a ...