DEAR DR. ROACH: Can you shed light on how vestibular migraines are diagnosed and the best treatment? — J.H. ANSWER: The vestibule of the ear is where the organ of balance is located, so vestibular symptoms relate to balance issues in general, but most commonly, it means vertigo. The term “vestibular migraine” means vestibular symptoms […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: We are very fond of our family doctor. I was in to see him the other day, and it came up in conversation that he was going to be getting married this summer. We would like to acknowledge this event in his life with either a lovely card or a small gift. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Your recent column featured polymyalgia rheumatica and prednisone. Would you please elaborate on how polymyalgia rheumatica can be linked to giant cell arteritis, and the consequences of not having a proper diagnosis in this regard? I had polymyalgia rheumatica two years ago with giant cell arteritis following almost immediately. This was promptly […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your column on vaccinations and was bothered about one issue that has not been addressed. Who are “anti-vaxxers” — those who oppose scheduled vaccinations — putting at risk by not having their kids vaccinated? Primarily others of like minds, it seems to me. Those who are vaccinated are not at […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve had low-grade prostate cancer for several years and am presently on “active surveillance.” My PSAs have been high but steady, running around 7.8 to 9.2. I have a greatly enlarged prostate, which I believe contributes to the high PSA numbers. I would like your opinion regarding finasteride (Proscar), as I am […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 70-year-old woman. The only prescription medication I take is for dry eyes. I recently visited my new primary physician for the first time, and she had me do a breathing test, where I exhaled into a tube to measure airflow. I was told to breathe deeply and exhale […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have scleroderma with Raynaud’s phenomenon, and friends and family members have told me that I might get help from Viagra. Frankly, I hadn’t read or heard that from either my rheumatologists or dermatologists. I already tried a short course of nifedipine over a decade ago (it just gave me a headache), […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have always read that when you are having your blood pressure taken, your arm should be elevated above your heart. When mine is taken this way, it is normal, around 120/70. When I go to the doctor, my blood pressure is taken with my arm hanging at my side. I often […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a friend whose daughter has an egg allergy. She said her daughter will break out in a rash if she eats anything that even has trace amounts of egg in it. Another friend of hers told her to use CBD oil to prevent reactions, but I am skeptical. I cannot […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an avid hiker, and I live in an area with lots of Lyme disease. I recently developed some fever, headache, shaking chills and dark urine, and just felt awful. My doctor did some blood tests and said I had Babesia and/or Anaplasma. Are these related to Lyme disease? — I.J.M. […]