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TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Diseases of liver differ in symptoms

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on primary sclerosing cholangitis. What is the difference between this condition and primary biliary cholangitis? Where can I find information on how to get on a waiting list for a liver transplant? — C.V. ANSWER: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are similar in some ways. They are both chronic and progressive liver diseases, whose initial symptoms can be vague (such as fatigue or skin itching) and can be found incidentally on laboratory testing. They are both largely thought to be autoimmune ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

All things considered, there is practically no such thing as a blind guess in bridge, for there is nearly always some clue a zealous player can uncover. Some of the clues he might lean on are, admittedly, very thin, but they are better than no clue at all. Take this deal from the Canada-France match in the 1968 World Bridge Olympiad. When the French held the North-South cards, they reached three notrump as shown, and West led the six of hearts. East took the ace and returned the jack, South (Gerard Bourchtoff) contributing the four and West the eight. East continued with the five, West ...

Mop, broom, calmer mind

NEW YORK — It’s spring cleaning season, and for some people that can mean drudgery or anxiety. But experts from Zen monks to psychologists say there are mental health benefits to be found in such manual chores as sweeping, mopping and clearing away clutter. These tasks can encourage ...

Teen’s cold shoulder leaves mom feeling shut out

DEAR ANNIE: My 15-year-old daughter and I used to be extremely close. She was the kind of child who would climb into the car after school and tell me everything before I even pulled out of the parking lot: who sat with whom at lunch, what her teacher said, which friend was mad at which friend and what song everyone was listening to that week. Now, I feel like I am living with a very fashionable attorney who cross-examines everything I say. If I ask how school was, she says, “Fine,” in a tone that makes it clear the conversation is over. If I ask whether she has homework, she says I ...

What to know about the Japanese-style scalp massages catching on in the US

SAN FRANCISCO — Getting a scalp or face massage is often a relaxing highlight of getting a haircut or a facial. Now, head spas are popping up across the country offering deep cranial and facial relaxation. “Typically, when you go get a massage, the focus is always like your back, and I ...