How mononucleosi spreads DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son, a college junior, tells us he has mononucleosis. He’s attending classes, and he’s not on any medicines. Shouldn’t he be resting, and shouldn’t he be isolated from other students to stop the spread of this illness? What medicine do you suggest for him? — R.T. ANSWER: Mononucleosis […]

Housework counts as exercise DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife and I are senior citizens. I am 89, and my wife is 86. Walking is becoming more difficult for us. Running or jogging is out of the question. When you write about exercise, you regularly speak about running and walking. As the population ages, the percentage […]

Leg pain, a sign of artery disease DEAR DR. DONOHUE: About four to six months ago, you wrote about pain in the calves. I suffer from this problem. Would you repeat the information for me? — V.G. ANSWER: The topic was peripheral artery disease, also called peripheral vascular disease. “Periphery,” when used here, refers to […]

Surgery available for heartburn if medicines fail DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband has gastric reflux very bad. He had tried many procedures and all the pills, but they don’t work for him. He is now on Nexium. Can surgery be done? — F.S. ANSWER: GERD — gastroesophageal reflux disease, popularly called heartburn — is the […]

Lack of saliva makes life miserable DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Let your readers hear about dry mouth. I have had it for two months. I’d never heard of it. Several doctors told me there is no cure. They suggested it could be a side effect of the antidepressant medicine I take. One doctor who has the […]

Persistant yeast infections are a problem for women DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have had a vaginal yeast infection for three years. I was retested, and it is a yeast infection. I tried over-the-counter stuff, and my doctor prescribed one thing after another. I have type 2 diabetes, and I know it makes me prone to […]

False gout creates true pain DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you please give some information on pseudogout? My husband has it, and not much has been written about it. He has suffered from it in his wrist, knee and ankle. Most people don’t realize there is a difference between gout and pseudogout. — A.S. ANSWER: Pseudogout […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have five grandchildren ranging in age from 7 to 16. All of them are involved in sports, including baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. In discussing physical fitness with my grandchildren, I was told that prior to participating in their sports, they often do not eat a properly balanced meal. They tend […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: About six months ago, I got a terrible pain in my left shoulder and arm. I saw a specialist, who had me take a CT scan. I have a torn rotator cuff and need a new shoulder. He said he would not advise me to have that done. I asked if it […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 77 and was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I take Sinemet and Azilect. I have NO tremors. However, I have stiffness in my legs, difficulty getting up from the seated position and loss of balance. I understand there is no cure. What is the recommended treatment? Can I expect a […]