DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m female, 68 years old with hypothyroidism but no other medical problems. I exercise about 10 hours a week and try to eat healthy. During one of my physical checkups, my TSH was 0.002, so I saw an endocrinologist. After three months of blood tests, everything became normal even without medicine. My […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 36 and have had Crohn’s disease for years. I’m having a mild Crohn’s flare. My specialist is leaning toward biologicals (Remicade, Humira, etc.), but I’m not game for that. I’ve been hearing more and more about ozone therapy, pioneered in Germany. Do you have any experience with that? — P.G. ANSWER: […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My son had an ultrasound the other day for a hernia. I have had six hernias. His results showed an inguinal hernia, 2.2 centimeters and “reducible.” Will he need surgery? Can he wear a truss? What does “reducible” mean? Is this a risk for strangulation of the bowel? — B.E. ANSWER: A […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Are there any medical conditions that can lead to loss of fingerprints? — Anon. ANSWER: There are several skin conditions that can lead to loss of fingerprints, with nonspecific dermatitis leading the list, according to a recent study. Other causes identified were primary hyperhidrosis, irritant contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, psoriasis […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please discuss Brugada syndrome. Three members of my family died from it before we finally got a diagnosis. Where does it come from? — V.K. ANSWER: Brugada syndrome is an inherited, genetic condition. It seems to be caused by an abnormality in the genes that code for sodium channel proteins in the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is a smoker. I have begged him to quit, but he won’t. He sleeps sitting up, with his legs hanging, because he has trouble breathing. This way of sleeping causes his feet and ankles to swell. His doctor ordered diuretics and urged him to quit smoking. He also recommended that […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I hope you can shed some light on an issue that I have not seen you address: the dawn phenomenon. I am having trouble controlling my diabetes. I am 67 years old, and my mother was a “brittle” Type 2 diabetic who ultimately needed insulin twice a day. I have been on […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column about “flesh-eating bacteria.” Is it in any way related to Mycobacterium marinum? My son is having multiple surgeries due to this, which was finally and correctly diagnosed after many weeks. It came on slowly over months, and has caused his hand to swell up greatly. He remembered […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Over the past year, I have taken three different statins, all with disastrous side effects. I am currently getting a month off before my doctor tries another one. I have talked to everyone I know or meet about these drugs. My decidedly unscientific survey results are that about a third of the […]