YOUR HEALTH
Rh incompatibility not the problem it once was
DR. DONOHUE

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My mother had her first child, a boy, in 1914. I was born in 1918. My youngest brother was born in 1928, and my mother died when he was born. My youngest brother's children are all Rh negative. Where did the Rh negative come from? Did my mother's death have anything to do with it? It was said that she had many miscarriages. -- B.H.

ANSWER: I can explain the Rh negative question, but I can't explain your mother's death and I can't implicate being Rh negative in her death -- if she was Rh negative.

All red blood cells have identification tags. The most important tags are the AB blood tags, which determine if a person has type A, type B, type AB or type O blood. AB typing permits safe blood transfusion.

Rh is another red blood cell tag. Most people -- about 85 percent -- are Rh positive. Their red blood cells have the Rh tag. Rh negative people don't have this identity tag. If an Rh negative woman marries an Rh positive man, there's a strong chance that their children will be Rh positive. Blood from an Rh positive fetus might enter the mother's circulation and cause her to make antibodies against Rh positive cells. This isn't a problem with the first pregnancy, but in subsequent pregnancies those antibodies can cross over into the fetus and destroy its red blood cells. That can cause serious problems for the fetus and even death. Miscarriages are common in such situations.

The Rh factor is not such a problem these days. RhoGAM is a shot given to Rh negative mothers who have an Rh positive baby to prevent them from making antibodies that could harm future children.

Your brother's children are Rh negative, because they didn't inherit the Rh positive gene. Being Rh negative doesn't affect health except for fetal health in the situation I described.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read your column every day in our local paper. A while back, there was a letter about an 80-year-old, in good health, who had been experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath.

I am 74 and in good health, but I have some problems. I am an active rancher. My chest hurts when I walk, and I need to stop and rest. This problem showed up in the past two weeks. I don't have a doctor and have never been sick. -- D.K.

ANSWER: I hope you haven't waited for an answer from me before finding a doctor. If you haven't found one, find one today or go to the emergency department of your local hospital.

You describe angina pectoris, chest pain that comes with activity and goes with rest. It's a sign that your heart isn't getting enough blood when you're moving around. Angina is a sign that a heart attack might not be far off. You must see about this quickly.

The booklet on heart attacks explains what happens when the heart is deprived of blood. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 102, Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853- 6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com. 2006 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved