DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an adult woman who somehow has gotten head lice. This has been a traumatic adventure, since I have been unsuccessful in ridding myself of it — and it has been a little over a month of diligent trying. I used a natural remedy made from chrysanthemums; it didn’t work. Now […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with collagenous colitis nearly three years ago. I was prescribed budesonide, which brought it under control. I have tried getting off the medication several times, but my condition returns within a week or so. One 3-mg capsule keeps it under control. I am concerned about long-term use. A recent […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I hope you can answer some questions about a disease called multiple system atrophy. What does it do to your body? Is the cause known? Is there a cure? — D.B. ANSWER: Multiple system atrophy is a group of related degenerative diseases of the nervous system. All of them can cause any […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 58-year-old female who was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura in July 2016. With HSP, I had the telltale broken blood vessels and swelling in my legs, ankles and feet. Ever since the swelling subsided, I have experienced a constant burning sensation, worse below my breastbone and my abdomen. Other burning […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been prescribed an inhaler for asthma, and recently have been developing thrush after using it. I rinse out my mouth after each use, brush my teeth like I am supposed to do and even have tried using a spacer to avoid thrush. I’ve been through two prescriptions for nystatin mouth […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been prescribed an inhaler for asthma, and recently have been developing thrush after using it. I rinse out my mouth after each use, brush my teeth like I am supposed to do and even have tried using a spacer to avoid thrush. I’ve been through two prescriptions for nystatin mouth […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: At 64, I was in very good health except for moderate hypertension, which was treated with lisinopril. I then had an incident lifting a heavy load, which injured my back. Long story short, three years of pain drove me to have an L4-L5 vertebrae back fusion. I am now 67, and in […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: There is an extensive history of ADHD in my family. My son, who was formally diagnosed at 8 and is now 14, has just started taking meds. His transition to high school was difficult to manage. In looking at my own history, I can see the same patterns in my behavior (poor […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife, age 67, has been under treatment for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis for 18 years now. The diagnosis was confirmed by antibody tests, and she has been taking some form of thyroid medication ever since. She has been treated by four different doctors, including two endocrinologists. She has tried both synthetic and natural […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I happened to come across your recent article on the placebo effect. As a professor of physiology, I understand perfectly your advice. And I sort of feel that the placebo effect can be a good one. If someone feels ”relief” from taking a harmless substance, what’s the matter with that? I’m talking […]