DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please answer my question. My doctor said he doesn’t recommend mammograms for older women. I am in my mid-80s. I haven’t had a mammogram for a few years. What are your thoughts on this matter? — L.B. ANSWER: Your question is one that stirs up a lot of controversy. I’ll give you […]

Overtraining as bad as undertraining DEAR DR. DONOHUE: How do I tell if I am overtraining? I maintain a steady schedule of vigorous weight and cardio training. I periodically take weeklong mountain biking trips where I may average riding 85 miles a day on consecutive days. Following my last trip and for the first time, […]

Gout now an illness of the common man DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please write something about gout. I’m new to it. I had my first attack a month ago, and it was the worse pain I ever had. It’s in my big toe. I got treatment that helped immensely, but I live in fear that it […]

When to discontinue pap smears? DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 63 and have had a Pap smear every year for as long as I can remember. How long do I have to continue? I am embarrassed to admit it, but I don’t really know why this test is done. I do know that it has […]

Back pain treatments without medicines, surgery DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have heard of many people with severe back pain, and the diagnosis has been that the padding between the vertebrae is worn thin. Are there any steps one can take to prevent this wearing down? I am 76 and have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis. […]

Mom chooses not to have baby immunized DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My daughter had a baby recently, a beautiful baby girl. Now I have found out that she does not want her baby immunized against all the common childhood diseases. I discussed it with her, but she said she feels they are not necessary. I am […]

No cure but many treatments for canker sores DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ve been bothered with canker sores of the mouth for almost a year. And I’m talking about having five or six at a time. Is there a cure? — N.N. ANSWER: A cure? No. Treatments? Yes. Canker sores are painful, shallow ulcers that appear […]

Running takes a toll on the digestive tract DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ve been preparing for a 10K (6-mile) run, and my digestive tract is rebelling. A couple of times I felt like throwing up. On two other occasions, I started to get diarrhea, and it’s a good thing there were public restrooms nearby. Is there […]

What causes leg and ankle swelling? DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My legs, ankles and feet get really swollen, and I mean really. During the day, if I slip my shoes off, I can’t get them back on. What can I do to take down the swelling? I’m not on any medicine, and my health is good. […]

‘Prolapse’ means an organ has fallen DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I recently developed a prolapsed bladder. While I know it is not life-threatening, I want to take care of it ASAP. I am 74 and very active. My gynecologist wants me to do Kegel exercises and be fitted with a pessary. He doesn’t want to do […]