DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 83-year-old African American female who is contemplating having a neurostimulator implanted in my back. I am a noninsulin diabetic, and my last A1C was 6.7. I had a laminectomy with fusion 15 years ago. I have researched the procedure and found many cons as opposed to pros. What are […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: There are a lot of flu cases in my state, and people are very worried. My mom, a retired nurse, says that I should wash my hands several times a day for at least 20 seconds each time, including under my nails, between my fingers, and the backs of my hands, because […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: A friend told me that her husband, who is 80, is claiming that the French eat a lot of butter, cream, cheese, pastries and red meat, and have the lowest rate of heart disease in the world. That seems crazy to me, and I’m wondering if there’s any truth to it. She […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: On my mother’s side of the family, all four sisters out of seven children were diagnosed with cancer and have died from the disease. Their ages at the time they passed ranged between 60 and 70, and the type of cancer was different for each of them (lung, gallbladder, uterus and stomach). […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My brother is 65 years old and was spitting up when eating. He went for an endoscopy yesterday and was diagnosed with Grade 3 esophagitis. He has been drinking five glasses of wine daily for years. Did this cause his problem? He said he will stop drinking wine and drink some other, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: What are the known causes of leukemia? — B.B. ANSWER: “Leukemia” comes from the Greek roots for “white blood” because an excess of white blood cells can be seen even without a microscope in a test tube of spun whole blood. It’s not one disease, but several. White blood cells are the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have recently been diagnosed as having early stages of cataracts. Is there anything I can do to reverse the cataracts or reduce their progression? I am 67, don’t smoke, drink in moderation, and have a glucose level under 100. I hear lanosterol eyedrops show promise. Is there any harm in trying […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you wrote: “The acid reflux you have been treating might be something more concerning.” What else could it be? — C.P. ANSWER: The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease vary widely. Some people have heartburn and an acid taste in their mouth after eating a provocative meal, such as […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am approaching 70 years old and am in good health. I exercise by swimming and walking every day. I have decided to go to Egypt, as I have always wanted to see the amazing pyramids. I contracted hepatitis C through a transfusion many years ago. While I was being treated, my […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: What tests check for emphysema? Are they the same tests for COPD? My age is 80. — P.T. ANSWER: There are two main forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The main risk factor is cigarette smoking, but there are other risk factors, including a genetic condition, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. […]