Fibromyalgia, the ache-all-over illness DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have the symptoms for fibromyalgia as they were listed in a monthly medical letter from a highly respected medical school. I am taking water therapy for it. The person evaluating me says I probably have it. I was checked by a gastroenterologist, who found no problems. My […]

Most recover from frightening attack of unknown cause DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have not seen you write anything on sarcoidosis. My 42-year-old son was recently diagnosed with it. — J.G. ANSWER: Few readers are familiar with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory illness that attacks many tissues and organs. Granulomas are one of its hallmarks. They are heaps […]

Permanently bent finger can be surgically freed DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have Dupuytren’s contracture, as did my father. Although less severe in my left hand, it has severely affected my right ring and little fingers. It hampers some of my activities, especially typing. Is there any medication or treatment that can reverse this ailment? — […]

How to raise good cholesterol and lower bad DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a healthy male in my 50s. A recent blood test showed my total cholesterol to be 173 (4.5). But my HDL cholesterol is too low, and my LDL cholesterol is not low enough. How do I take care of these two items? […]

Most back pain resolves on its own DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 78-year-old, semiretired man. I am very active and look a lot younger. I work part-time as a truck driver delivering auto parts to garages. Now I am out of work because of pain in my lower back. The pain runs down to […]

Uncommon chest-pain symptoms can be heart related DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 64-year-old male, 6 feet tall and 215 pounds. I have never been an elite athlete, but I always have participated in sports and exercise. Currently I walk, bike and rollerblade. Since I move slower than I used to, I spend more time […]

Cholesterol: How low should it go? DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please inform me if my cholesterol is too low at 106 mg/dL (2.7 mmol/L). Everything else is normal. I am taking cholesterol-lowering medicine, and I have lost weight and am exercising. Should I stay on the medication or what? — L.B. ANSWER: For most of us, […]

Sepsis has high fatality rate DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My brother recently died from sepsis. He went to the hospital with a simple stomach ailment. Since his death, I have heard of more than 20 people contracting sepsis in a hospital and dying. Why does this deadly infection occur in hospitals, and what is being done […]

Celiac disease often mistaken for IBS DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband has celiac disease. We are very much aware of how often it is ignored, misdiagnosed and mistreated by the medical profession. You recently discussed irritable bowel syndrome, which has symptoms similar to celiac disease. Please mention celiac disease so the possibility will be investigated. […]

Enzyme deficiency gives rise to emphysema DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would like to call your attention to a question you answered about emphysema. I think you should have mentioned alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. It would have been a good opportunity to bring this condition to the public’s attention. I have it and was diagnosed at age […]