DEAR DR. ROACH: My son is studying aviation maintenance, and the instructors tell the students to expect random urine tests for drugs when they are employed. Drinking alcohol is fine, but using marijuana and other drugs are cause for losing your license and thus your career. Recently we were walking around Boston for a day […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My question is in regard to prostate cancer diagnosis. I’m a 65-year-old man. Several years ago, I was placed on testosterone. At that time, my PSA reading was normal (2.5), but after being on the testosterone for two years, my PSA steadily started to increase — to the point where my PSA […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 30-year-old son recently was diagnosed with gastroparesis. This occurred a few months after having a norovirus infection. Is there a cure? Are there medications to help? What can be done to reduce the symptoms of nausea and belching? — C.R. ANSWER: Gastroparesis (from the Greek roots for “stomach paralysis”) is when […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a “burning tongue.” I’ve had it since my 40s. I’m now 84 years old. I could cook an egg on my tongue. It never goes away. I once mentioned this to my doctor, but she just shook her head and didn’t have a clue. I’m convinced I’ll never know what […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: For the past 50 years I have been bothered by occasional indigestion or heartburn after eating a greasy or spicy meal. This might occur several times per month, but not more than once a week. I have always gotten instant relief through either calcium carbonate tablets (Tums) or a teaspoon of sodium […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m asking this question for my sister. Is it safe to use a nasal rinse solution when one has a sinus infection with green phlegm? She also sufferers from a deviated septum, dysfunctional Eustachian tubes and vestibular disorder with vertigo and tinnitus. — K.C.H. ANSWER: Sinus infections are common. Most are caused […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have an enlarged prostate. My urologist has recommended that I take 5 mg of finasteride daily for this. I’m hesitant to take this medication because of potential side effects, particularly the sexual side effects that can go along with it. What is your opinion of this medication? Also, my urologist says […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Here’s something I’ve wondered about for a long time: Years ago, I was told that I lost 5 pints of blood in childbirth. How did they come up with that number? Obviously, they weren’t scooping up blood off the floor to measure it! — L.K. ANSWER: During surgery, there is always some […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 84-year-old man in reasonably good health. I have taken blood pressure medicine for about 30 years. For the past six months, I have been taking trospium tablets to treat frequent urination. I have prostate cancer treated with radioactive seeds, not surgery. About two months ago, I began noticing swelling […]