Emphasis on one sport not advised for children DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What is your opinion on starting a young child to train for one sport? My husband is determined that our 4-year-old son become a professional tennis player. He has him practicing every day for more than an hour at a time. The boy doesn’t […]

Dandruff sometimes calls for prescriptions DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am writing to inquire about the mite that invades one’s body and causes dandruff on the head. I have used Selsun Blue shampoo, but it is taking so long to see an effect. I wonder if there is an antibiotic that I could take to get […]

Genetic condition targets the aorta DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Recently you addressed a question on aortic aneurysms. The writer’s sister passed away from one, and she wondered what caused it. I hope you will comment on the possibility of Marfan’s syndrome. It would be important for the family to consider if it was present. My 3-year-old […]

Strep skin infections may be worse than strep throat DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please help me. My healthy 9-year-old was just released from the hospital. She had a strep skin infection. It ate her tissues. She also had scarlet fever. This baffles me, since she didn’t have strep throat. The skin infection was in the same […]

Alzheimer’s disease is only one cause of dementia DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Three women who were in high school at the same time I was have died of Lewy body dementia. Do only women have it? No one I have talked to knows anything about it. I would appreciate any information you can provide. — L.P. […]

Low sodium level causes symptoms DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What can you tell me about a low sodium level? My visiting friend (from England) was refused embarkation on his cruise because he was acting belligerent and confused. The ship’s doctor sent him to a hospital. He had scans, an EEG and numerous blood and urine tests. […]

Throwing breaks pitcher’s arm DEAR DR. DONOHUE: This week, while pitching for his high-school baseball team, my 15-year-old grandson broke a forearm bone. It was the ulna at or near the growth plate of the bone. The doctor said it might interfere with further growth of his arm. Our grandson has had a very rapid […]

Preventive treatment for prostate cancer? DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I just learned of a new feature of finasteride (Proscar). It is likely that it is a deterrent for prostate cancer. It has been used for enlarged prostate glands. I have had an enlarged gland for three decades, but two biopsies found no cancer. I urinate more […]

Rosacea attacks eyes as well as skin DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a severe case of rosacea on the right side of my nose, which is red and swollen. My dermatologist has given me MetroGel and tetracycline. I have used these for more than a year, but the problem is getting worse. Two years ago, […]

Save surgery till the last for back pain DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would like to know more about low backache, especially the kind due to a disk that deteriorates at older ages. I am 76. Is there anything I can take, other than Advil? Should I have an operation if the pain gets worse? — […]