DEAR DR. ROACH: I talked to a person who said they’d eaten a cigarette and it cured all of their symptoms of parasite infection, because tobacco is an “ancient cure” or something like that. I looked up the topic on poison control and was shocked to see cases of children who’ve been hospitalized, etc., for […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: For the past two years, my husband has been taking Eliquis twice a day as prescribed by his cardiologist for atrial fibrillation. He’s having serious problems with bleeding, especially on his legs when he bumps into furniture or corners. The skin tears so easily, along with a lot of bruising around the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a severe vitamin D deficiency. My blood test indicates a level of 21. I have severe cramps in my hands, feet and legs caused by this deficiency. I know because when it is normal, I don’t have the cramps. These numbers are after I have been taking megadose vitamin D2 […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with stage 1 bladder cancer in April. My urologist advised me to have BCG therapy for it. I just completed six weeks of the therapy. I also have macular degeneration in both eyes and have had Avastin injections in my left eye for almost two years. I have had […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has been on metoprolol for about eight years. He was prescribed that medication right after he had a stent put in due to a clogged heart vessel. He is doing very well. His recent stress test was normal. The metoprolol took his heart rate down to a pulse of between […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I quit smoking about six months ago and was able to resist the temptation to smoke again because I took up vaping immediately afterward. Thanks to vaping, I think this time I will be able to stay off of cigarette smoking permanently after unsuccessfully quitting a half dozen times over the years. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, a reader questioned the advice of their doctor to use Vaseline rather than an antibiotic ointment on a surgical incision following removal of skin cancer. The doctor stated concern about antibiotic resistance, and you added that antibiotic creams could cause skin irritations. I have had eight surgical procedures […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a medical oncologist, specializing in breast cancer, at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. In regard to your recent column on side effects of aromatase inhibitors, there are other approaches to helping women stay on potentially life-saving anti-estrogen therapies in addition to “regular exercise and anti-inflammatory drugs.” The first […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: A few years ago, I developed visible fat between my naval and my rib cage. My doctor told me that it’s a ventral hernia, which is nothing serious. I was told surgery is an option but not necessary. I am a female, 75 years old. Should I be concerned? — A.M. ANSWER: […]

DR. ROACH WRITES: If you haven’t gotten your influenza vaccine yet, it’s time to think about it. This year’s vaccine is similar to last year’s, but two of the components have been updated to match the strains that are circulating worldwide and expected to be epidemic in North America. In fact, this year’s decision on […]