The cause for most hives remains mystery DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have something my physician calls urticaria. I woke up one morning with lots of itching all over my body. The skin was inflamed and covered with hives. I wonder if it’s an allergy. I have eaten the same foods all my life without any […]

Shin-splint diagnosis should be retired DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My 15-year-old son returned from three weeks at a basketball camp with a sore leg. He says they told him it was shin splints and that all that was needed is rest. I would like to hear from a more official source about shin splints. What are […]

Adhesions can obstruct the intestine DEAR DR. DONOHUE: This past spring, I suddenly became sick with stomach pains that doubled me over. Then I started vomiting. I couldn’t hold even a few sips of water. My wife got me to the hospital, and I was seen by a doctor almost immediately. The doctor thought I […]

Prevention and care of bed sores DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My mother had a stroke about a year ago. She’s confined mostly to bed, but she’s alert and wants to do as much as she can for herself. She lives with my husband, me and our children. Fortunately, I have a large family of brothers and […]

Meningitis demands respect; grave implications for the brain DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son completed his freshman year in college. He stayed for summer school because he plans to graduate in three years. At the beginning of the summer term, one student in his dormitory came down with meningitis. I thought he should immediately come home. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A close friend is hospitalized with cirrhosis. I am shocked. I have known her for many years, and I have never seen her drink alcohol, other than a rare glass of wine. Exactly what is cirrhosis? What are her chances for survival? — S.P. ANSWER: Everyone makes the unwarranted presumption that cirrhosis […]

In myasthenia, nerve-muscle connection is lost DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would be most grateful if you would explain myasthenia gravis. My cousin has it. I grew up with her. She lived next door to us, and we were and still are like sisters. Her husband called to tell me about her and this illness. He […]

Sprinting, distance running depend on energy systems DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have been running for at least five years and run five or more miles almost daily. Yesterday, I played basketball with my two teenage sons. I was out of breath, and they weren’t breathing hard. Has all my running been in vain? I thought […]

Gallstones can trigger pancreatitis DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Last month, I got a sudden, severe attack of stomach pain that doubled me over. My wife drove me to the hospital, and the emergency-room doctor thought I was having a gallbladder attack. He called for a surgeon. After much thought and many tests, the surgeon said I […]

Many new techniques for correcting varicose veins DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have varicose veins on both of my legs. I wear only long dresses and slacks to hide them. My legs don’t hurt, but I would like to be rid of these veins. What can I do for them? At this point, I am not […]