The trickle down of postnasal drip DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have the worst case of postnasal drip, and it’s driving me crazy. I have a neverending “ahem, ahem, ahem” throat-clearing. Phlegm is constantly in the back of my throat. Sometimes I clear my throat a thousand times a day. Two-thirds of my garbage is used […]

Hard-skin illness can affect internal organs DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please explain the disease scleroderma. I have never heard of it before. I have a granddaughter who has been told she has it. What are the symptoms and the treatments? The news given to us has been devastating. — E.W. ANSWER: Scleroderma (SKLARE-uh-DUR-muh) is an apt […]

One step at a time soon ads up to 10,000 DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I hear that taking 10,000 steps a day is all that a person needs to stay healthy. Is this so? How much time does that take? Do you count all the steps you take in a day, or are these 10,000 steps […]

Popular asthma drugs carry frightening warning DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I started treatment for asthma for the first time at age 80. At first I took prednisone and albuterol. Then I had a Pulmicort inhaler. Now I am on Symbicort. The material that comes with this medicine advises that this LABA (long-acting beta agonist) may increase […]

What to do for painless bladder infections DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please write something about bladder infections. Can you have a bladder infection with no symptoms? — A. ANSWER: The signs and symptoms of bladder infections are the same for men and women. The irritated, infected bladder demands frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom so it […]

Anxiety, panic attacks and phobias have much in common DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What is the difference between anxiety and panic attack? I am claustrophobic, and I need to fly from the West Coast to the East Coast and back. I can’t do so because of my problem. I have tried therapy several times, but it […]

In excess, vitamins can be troublemakers DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My adult daughter is unable to take vitamins without upsetting her stomach. She has taken them with and without food, and at different times of the day, to no avail. She takes no medicine except for thyroid. She has no gastrointestinal problems. Should I send you […]

Neuropathy brings pain, weakness or both DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’m a person with peripheral neuropathy. I have tolerated this condition for two years, but now it’s getting worse. I have a hard time walking without pain. If you can provide any advice and information, I would appreciate it. — M.K. ANSWER: The literal meaning of […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: During summers, I am very active. I play softball, swim and enter many competitive sailboat races. I am sitting things out now. I can’t move my right shoulder because it hurts and is stiff. I am right-handed. This came on overnight. I don’t remember injuring the shoulder. What do you think it […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I had 1.5 liters (about 1.5 quarts) of fluid withdrawn from my right pleural cavity. Thirty-one days later, I had another 2 liters drained. I asked my doctor what caused it, and he said he didn’t know. I am on a diuretic to remove excess body water. Where does the fluid come […]