AARP Applauds Senate Passage of Financial Reform.

The U.S. Senate on July 15 passed the "Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act" that will protect consumers from hidden fees and investment scams and require the financial industry to provide clear information so consumers can make the best financial decisions for their families. The bill will now be signed by President Obama.

AARP sent a letter to each Senate office advising them that the Association designated today’s vote as an "AARP Key Vote." AARP will inform members and the public of how their Senator votes on this legislation.

Voted Yes on Financial Reform McCaskill, Claire.

Voted No on Financial Reform Bond, Christopher "Kit".

"We are extremely pleased that Senator McCaskill sided with consumers when she cast her vote for this bill.

"We’re extremely disappointed that Senator Bond voted against important financial reforms," said Norma Collins, AARP advocacy director.

If you haven’t been on the Square in the last few days, ya oughta take a spin. The new street lights are installed and add a little class to the place.

I don’t think all the electrical work is completed yet, but they must be gettin’ close. All the wiring is under the street and from what I’m told, all the new poles are wired so they can be plugged into for special events.

Although there has been some disruption to the shoppin’ area, the CW&EP and City Street crews did a pretty good job of gettin’ in and cleared out. The rain slowed progress on a couple a days, but overall it appears that the construction went pretty well.

I am anxious to see ‘em all lit up. Adds one more aspect of interest to the historic Carthage square.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Weekly Columns

To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Many Women Can Regain Bladder Control

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I, like the letter-writer P.G., had to run to the bathroom constantly in order not to have an accident. I wanted to see my grandson graduate from college, so I consulted a urologist. He sent me to a place where treatments with an electrical probe were given. I went for six weeks and also did Kegel exercises. The quality of my life changed for the better, and now I square dance and do aerobics. Incontinence is no longer a problem. -- E.M.

ANSWER: Electrical stimulation of the pelvic muscles has successfully allowed many women to regain bladder control. It doesn’t work for all, however. The stimulation strengthens muscles that keep the bladder closed, and controls overactive bladder wall muscles that contract forcefully and frequently.

Another technique is a device that delivers electric current to spinal nerves in the lower back. If those nerves respond to the current and keep the bladder closed, then a small unit is implanted under the skin for a permanent solution to this problem. One such device is called the InterStim.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have an EKG done every year. I also have worn a monitor that records heart activity for three days. Everything is fine.

When I fall asleep most nights, I wake after about 10 minutes with a rapid heartbeat, and sometimes it takes quite a time before it settles down and I can get back to sleep. I rarely have such a rapid beat at any other time of the day. Do you know what causes this, or what it might be? I am 57. -- S.B.

ANSWER: If I had to make a guess, it would be paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, a sudden heart speedup for no reason. It’s usually not a serious condition, and it doesn’t indicate heart disease. If the rate is really fast or if the episode lasts for a prolonged period, then treatment would be needed.

No one can be sure unless the rhythm comes on when a doctor is present or when you are hooked up to an EKG machine. That monitor you wore for three days can be left on for longer stretches of time. Or you could have someone take you to the emergency department of a hospital if you can reach it somewhat quickly. You can’t obtain a diagnosis without such information.