DEAR DR. ROACH: Apparently, it is common for older people to have balance issues. Do these balance problems usually stem more from muscular issues or inner ear issues? — E.M. ANSWER: It is often a combination of issues that lead to balance problems in older adults. Inner ear problems, where the organs of balance are […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been following with great interest the recent measles outbreak. Back when I was a child, if little Johnny got the measles I remember every mom in the neighborhood would take their child to little Johnny’s house so their kids could contract the measles. This was the case for every childhood […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: This past weekend, during my son’s wedding festivities, I experienced a sigmoid volvulus. Doctors recommended surgery, but I opted for a colonoscopy, which was performed successfully. Thank goodness. I was immediately a new woman, and no one would have dreamed I went through this emergency. The surgeons recommended I have my sigmoid […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was recently worked up for an autoimmune disease that now seems to be osteoarthritis. I was placed on 10 mg of prednisone for 14 days with amazing relief from my painful shoulder and arms. I am severely allergic to aspirin and do not want to take opioids. The physician has ordered […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently read that a large percentage of orthopedic injury to the elderly is directly related to their falling while walking large animals, specifically dogs over 20 pounds. Can you shed light on this please? — M.F. ANSWER: A March 2019 study in JAMA Surgery did identify dog walking as an increasing […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: A friend was given a test to see how long food stayed in her stomach after eating. She was told that it stayed only a short time before continuing its journey, a much shorter time than the average person. This was given as a reason for her obesity, that she experienced hunger […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 65-year-old woman who was recently diagnosed with iron deficiency and sent to a hematologist for two sessions of iron infusion. After completing this procedure, I found out from a home genetics testing company that I have two of the genes for hemochromatosis. My doctor ordered a clinical genetics test […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Doctors tried an electrical cardioversion, but it came back after a few days. She is taking metoprolol and Eliquis. We have read about the supplements red clover, turmeric, omega-3 and hawthorn. Should she discontinue the pharmaceuticals and take supplements instead? — J.C. ANSWER: Please […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Short of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, why hasn’t the Food and Drug Administration approved sildenafil in a set dosage for blood pressure medication? I saw a decrease from 150/90 to 115/70 in a reading about an hour after taking a 20-mg tablet. That’s a far superior result compared with the medications […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My nephew has foot odor. Even after showering, his feet have a bad odor. His shoes smell bad and have to be replaced often. What is the remedy for this problem? — B.C. ANSWER: Foot odor is caused mostly by bacteria living on your feet. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments, […]