DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year-old female with degenerative disk disease. I have had two spinal fusions. One at age 44, at the L-5 S-1 level, and the other at age 64, at the L-4 L-5 level. I am being X-rayed yearly for signs of degeneration at the L-3 L-4 level. I am doing […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an active 72-year-old male, who is in pretty good physical condition. I do understand that as you age, your skin thins out and is prone to bruising and blood spots during normal activity. However, I am concerned that the skin on my arms is especially sensitive. My skin tears easily […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My friend has severe morning sickness. She just found out that she is pregnant with her first child, and can’t keep anything down. Do you have any advice? — J.B.F. ANSWER: Nausea and vomiting are very common in pregnancy, and symptoms can range from mild to severe, requiring hospitalization with intravenous fluids […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband retired from the police force three years ago at the young age of 56. At that time, he had no issues with his hearing. Throughout his career as a police officer, he always wore earmuffs when he practiced at the shooting range. He always wears earmuffs when he cuts the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been diagnosed as being prediabetic, with fasting blood glucose labs of 102 to 108. My primary doctor sent me to an endocrinologist, who confirmed the diagnosis. The doctor recommended that I have protein (e.g., egg) and a slice of multigrain toast for breakfast. She also gave me a prescription for […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: When I was 55, my doctor recommended that I have the pneumonia vaccination, and a booster a couple of years ago. I am 72 now. Is it likely Hillary Clinton would have gotten one? Can you get pneumonia after having the vaccination? If so, why would it be recommended, and are they […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor put me on Norvasc 10 mg to keep my blood pressure normal. Since Norvasc is a calcium-channel-blocking medicine, can I still take my calcium and vitamin D-3 supplements? I was advised by my gynecologist that I should take calcium every day for my bones and D-3 by my general practitioner. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has been diagnosed with a lipoma that is located between his heart and esophagus. It is approximately 4 inches by 6 inches in size. The surgeon said he has never seen one in this location in all of his 50 years of practice. It is not currently a health issue […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year-old male in good health who was just informed by my doctor that the diameter of my aortic root has increased to 4.3 centimeters. Last year, the echocardiogram showed a number of 4.1. I have heard that running, which makes the heart rate go up, can contribute to the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My brother-in-law is 57 and has pancreatic cancer the size of a golf ball. He is on his second chemo treatment. The doctors first want to shrink the tumor. They eventually want to take out the tumor. Do you think this is wise? He does not have cancer anyplace else in his […]