A: Hurry!! The Federal Tax Credit EXPIRES April 30! A first-time homebuyer (if you haven’t owned a home in 3 years) can obtain $8000. CURRENT homeowners (if you have owned and occupied a home for 5 consecutive of the last 8 years) can obtain a $6500 tax credit. The tax credit is NOT a loan you have to repay. All buyers MUST have a written contract in place by April 30, 2010 and then must purchase the home by June 30. Interest rates are still in the 5% range, homes are at excellent values, you get paid to purchase, so NOW is the time to invest in a home. Don’t miss out. Call your REALTOR today.

A: Sleep is a vital part of life and those who have problems sleeping or resting begin to experience the health consequences of not sleeping properly or sufficiently. Lack of sleep affects every system of the human body and, therefore, lack of sleep could be responsible for numerous health conditions experienced by those who do not sleep sufficiently. Insomnia, high blood pressure, hyperactivity (in children), alertness, mental performance, including memory and learning new tasks, obesity, insulin resistance, depression, loss of sex drive and weakened immune system can each be caused by lack of sufficient sleep. At what point do you catch up on compromised health or can you? Individuals that have sleep apnea or snoring problems are a health burden to themselves and to those around them to say nothing of the financial and social cost. For more info, call The TMJ Sleep Center concerning sleep apnea, TMJ pain, headaches, migraines, snoring or related subjects. Call 234-PAIN or drdwight@thetmjcenter.com.

A: TRUE – TOGETHER EVERYONE ACCOMPLISHES MORE (TEAM)!!!

A: Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes. Dogs that live in or travel to regions with higher mosquito populations (i.e. hiking, hunting, camping, or walking close to rivers, lakes or ponds) are at increased risk for contracting heartworm disease. However, several mosquito species carry heartworm disease and one of the most common carriers is the mosquito that prefers indoor environments. That’s right, those few mosquitoes that you catch loitering on the wall could be carrying heartworm disease. And it only takes one bite from a single infected mosquito to give your dog heartworm disease. The disease is deadly and difficult to treat. Even indoor dogs should be tested for heartworm disease regularly and should take preventative medication.

A: Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 29th from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.! For just $35 you’ll get TWO thyroid tests (TSH, T4), CBC (complete blood count), CMP (glucose, electrolytes, etc.) and a lipid profile. Plus, we’ll check your blood pressure and body fat/muscles mass! Several local businesses will also be there including: Time Labs, Dr. Rufus Van Dyke (orthodontist), Dr. Siemen (dentist), Surf’s Up (bikes) and Teri Whitworth (natural health consultant). And, of course, we’ll be serving our famous Idaho Preferred Flax-Bran Muffins! Call today for your appointment. No waiting in lines! 233-0593.

A: During their joint lifetime, many couples enter into a Pre-Nuptial Agreement that can address property, debt and income matters. Another important consideration is the federally mandated Medicaid reimbursement statutes which may provide claim to your estate assets for the benefits your new spouse receives irregardless of the Pre-Nuptial Agreement. Remember that a general informational series is not a substitute for actual legal representation.

A: Everyone encounters loss that brings sadness and despair. Often we don’t take time to acknowledge and process the cumulative effects of each loss. A helpful exercise used in support groups is to view past losses with a perspective identifying and categorizing primary, secondary and disenfranchised losses associated with each event. Bereavement recall helps find meaning in loss enabling us to overcome roadblocks in the grieving process. Primary loss is easiest to identify. Secondary losses are often overlooked although they strongly impacted us and are not always recognized or acknowledged. Disenfranchised loss is not validated and society is reluctant to provide grievers the opportunity to vent painful feelings. After people have completed this exercise they say, “I am amazed how the weight I felt has been lifted.” A wise quote from James Baldwin states, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it’s faced.” Alliance Hospice offers a series of bereavement classes open to the public at no cost. For more information, please contact Dona at 208-478-6677.

A: TRUE – TOGETHER EVERYONE ACCOMPLISHES MORE (TEAM)!!!

A: Approximately 50% of adults have at least an occasional click in their jaw joint. Most of these clicks are not a problem, but some individuals have more than an occasional click. The click may be accompanied by frequent headaches, ear stuffiness, or ear pain, limited ability to open the mouth or move sideways. Chewing may make the jaw tired. Morning headaches with an accompanying stiff or tired jaw could also be a sign of problems with the jaw joint. The sooner the problem is properly diagnosed and treated, the  better the outcome will be. Often the advice is, “don’t worry about the jaw joint, it is normal”. It may be common, but it certainly is not normal. Many people wear glasses to see well, but wearing glasses is not normal, although it is common. For answers to your questions or for more information call the TMJ Sleep Center concerning sleep apnea, pain, TMJ, headaches, migraines, snoring or related subjects call 234-PAIN or drdwight@thetmjcenter.com.

A: Heartworm disease, a deadly parasitic blood disease spread by mosquitoes, is a relatively new phenomenon in Southeast Idaho. While the incidents are low, the number of positive dogs reported increases every year. There were over 20 heartworm positive dogs reported in Idaho last year – 4 of those in the Pocatello/Idaho Falls area. The true number is not known, since testing for heartworm disease is still uncommon. Dogs that travel are at a higher risk, but they don’t have to travel very far to increase their risk of exposure -  heartworm disease is now endemic to Salt Lake City! And it is the dogs that travel without heartworm prevention that will increase the spread of disease at home. Even dogs that never leave home are at risk for contracting heartworm disease. The disease is much easier to prevent than to treat. Have your veterinarian test your dog for heartworm disease, and start on preventive medication!