DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old male in good health with a 3.3-centimeter aneurysm in my internal iliac artery. I have no symptoms. It was 1.9 cm eight years ago. My physician says that an aneurysm measuring over 3 cm requires surgical intervention. I have looked at recent studies that say an aneurysm measuring […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently have been diagnosed with early prostate cancer. My Gleason score is 7. My urologist has informed me that he doesn’t think I am a good candidate for surgery, due to having atrial fibrillation. My radiation oncologist has recommended traditional radiation therapy. However, I am worried about the possible side effects. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My daughter has been dating a man who is diabetic but is not diligent about his diet. He is outwardly in good health, in that he runs competitively and bicycles in races, but sometimes he has blood sugar readings of 300 plus. He loves a diet of meat, sauces, and rich and […]

DEAR DR ROACH: I recently had my yearly physical with my primary care doctor of 10 years. I am a male, 75, who is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 152 pounds. He sent me my lab results and commented: “Your A1c (5.8) was in the prediabetic range of 5.8-6.4. Please remove all grains/breads/carbs/sugars […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My teens keep smoking all these flavored, ethereal wand vapors. They claim it tastes good and even try tricks with the vapor. I’m a concerned parent as I hear these are dangerous magic cigarettes. I would like to know more about them and get your advice on how to deal with these […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve read mixed reviews as to whether the flu shot can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. I’m anxious to see your input. — J.W. ANSWER: There is no reliable evidence, nor any good biological plausibility, that influenza vaccination increases the risk of either Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. In fact, there […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Should people with Lyme disease avoid the flu shot? — L.A. ANSWER: Lyme disease is a potentially serious infection caused by the bacteria Borrellia burgorferi, passed on by a tick bite. Lyme disease can go unrecognized for a period of time, especially when the classic rash is not present, which is not […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there such a thing as male menopause, with the associated hot flashes? My problem is hot flashes. I am a 93-year-old male in fairly good health; I am active, but not enough, though I maintain a year-round garden. I’ve beaten prostate cancer with a cryogenic procedure at the turn of the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I just read your column regarding concerns about taking tramadol long term for arthritis pain. I am a 74-year-old female, and I take one or two 50-mg tablets a day, depending on my pain level. Most days, my pain is controlled on that dose. I also take 1,300-mg acetaminophen twice daily. I […]