The cold facts on colds DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When can I expect to catch my annual cold? Midwinter? How long is a person with a cold infectious to others? I want to be responsible about not spreading colds, but I’m not sure my boss is happy with me taking time off for having one. It […]

LDL cholesterol a risk for heart attack DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 79-year-old female, 5 feet 2 inches tall and weigh 127 pounds. All my numbers are fine except for cholesterol, which is 151. My diet is low fat to no fat. I have nonfat yogurt every day. The last time my cholesterol was […]

Heart valve changes don’t always warrant treatment DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I had been feeling slightly uncomfortable in my chest, especially in the morning after waking. I had an echocardiogram. The report reads: “a trace of mitral regurgitation; mild tricuspid regurgitation; pulmonic valve thin and pliable with normal motion; insignificant valvular hemodynamics; normal ejection fraction of […]

Medicine overuse can bring daily headaches DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Our 16-year-old daughter has been battling daily headaches for the past 18 months. She says the pain is at her temples and across her forehead, and the pain level is six out of 10 on a pain scale. A neurologist, an ear, nose and throat doctor, […]

Is my sore throat a strep throat? DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What makes a strep throat something special? Is it more serious than other sore throats? How do you tell if it is strep throat? — L.W. ANSWER: Almost half of all sore throats are caused by viruses. Treating those sore throats with antibiotics does no […]

Coffee a sports drink? Caffeine dulls muscle pain DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What’s your take on drinking caffeinated beverages, including coffee, before exercise or before a game? I have told my sons that drinking such beverages will dehydrate them. They claim they boost energy and are harmless. Who’s right? — D.M. ANSWER: Moderate amounts of caffeinated […]

Leg pain can indicate artery disease DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have tried to stay healthy by walking every day. I was doing two or more miles. Now I can barely get a mile done. After walking a short distance, I have to stop and rest and wait for the calf pain to leave before I […]

Retinal detachment requires prompt treatment DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have never seen you write about retinal detachment. It’s an important topic. I’d like to tell your readers what happened to me. Since I was in the eighth grade, I have worn glasses for nearsightedness. Through the years, the prescription got stronger and stronger, but I […]

Outlook for cystic fibrosis has greatly improved DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My daughter had her first baby (our first grandchild) three months ago. The baby wasn’t gaining weight, and he coughed at night. The pediatrician diagnosed him as having cystic fibrosis. We don’t understand where this came from. No one on our side of the family […]

Male breast enlargement common in older ages DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a healthy, 67-year-old man who has developed embarrassingly large breasts this past year. Why? They aren’t painful. I will not go swimming or do anything that requires taking off my shirt. I’m about 20 pounds overweight. — C.C. ANSWER: That’s called gynecomastia (GUY-nuh-coe-MASS-tee-uh), […]