DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on pulmonary fibrosis. I especially appreciate knowing that there are medications known to slow progression of lung disease, reduce exacerbations and reduce mortality. With a 20-year-old diagnosis of COPD and having been prescribed medications to reduce exacerbations, you might imagine my interest in your article. I’m wondering […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is tired all the time. He functions but frequently has to sit to recoup his energy, even after a shower. He is diabetic and has been for over 10 years. He does not take insulin and manages to keep his A1C within 7.1 to 6.9. He weighs 207 pounds, and […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column stating that the HPV vaccine is recommended up to age 45. Are people older than 45 years no longer susceptible to HPV? Asking for a 52-year-old friend (who thinks he’s Wolverine). — C.F. ANSWER: Wolverine has a mutant healing ability (that’s how he was able to survive […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Every year, I used to get a physical, which included a prostate exam as well as blood tests with PSA. When my doctor retired, I had a hard time finding a new one I liked. It has been three or four years since my prostate was checked, but my new doctor doesn’t […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: What is the difference between eccentric LVH and concentric LVH? Which one is more dangerous and needs more attention? My mother was diagnosed with severe eccentric LVH for body surface area with adequate systolic and diastolic functions. What does that mean? — C.F. ANSWER: The left ventricle is the chamber of the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a 67-year-old sister who has several medical issues. One of the more uncommon is called tardive dyskinesia. Most people have never heard of this, myself included, until my sister came down with it. I wonder if you could write about this and explain the different medications that would help. The […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column from the woman with vaginal atrophy. I am experiencing the same problem. The next problem is that a small tube of Premarin cream is $250. I’m wondering if progesterone cream applied topically can do any good. I’m currently using an OTC moisturizer. I can’t afford the $250 […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My son, who is 30 years old, was recently diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea and currently uses a CPAP machine. He says does not want to use this for the rest of his life, therefore, he has researched surgery to correct his OSA. Recently he consulted with a sleep expert, and […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old woman who takes no medications. I have had two cases of diverticulitis, neither of which required hospitalization. I tend toward constipation. For years I have taken psyllium capsules — five in the morning and five in the afternoon. This has helped me a lot. Do you feel there […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a female in my 60s and have always had trouble sustaining my weight. I have frequent thorough checkups because I had cancer in the past, but no problems have been identified. Since I have a history of cancer, I am very careful about what I eat — mostly whole grains, […]