DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband of 53 years passed away six years ago. Since that time, I have been unable to cry. I have always cried easily and found it a tremendous help in minimizing sadness, stress and pain. In the past six years, there have been many sad situations in which I could not […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: You recently wrote an article on the risk of heart disease with aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs. What about acetaminophen (Tylenol)? I have been taking this for many years of pain following spinal surgeries. — C.S. ANSWER: There have been some studies that have shown a mild increase in risk of heart disease […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 84-year-old woman, and have always been a good walker. Three months ago, I fell down and could not get up from the floor. I was not in pain, but I could not move my right leg. I went by ambulance to the hospital, where X-rays and many other tests […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on inflammatory bowel syndrome, which I have had for years. I could not go out to eat without having to go to the restroom before leaving. It got so bad that I couldn’t go to weddings, picnics, etc. I started using Metamucil, which did help and made […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Does a diuretic like Lasix (furosemide) have any negative effect on kidney function after being taken over a period of 16 years in connection with congestive heart failure? — E.T. ANSWER: Furosemide (Lasix) is a powerful drug. It prevents the kidney from being able to reabsorb water and salt, which are then […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Again and again, I read how vital quality sleep each night is. Well, for many years now, I have not gotten any. I have followed many suggestions, from supplements to acupuncture, without success. The only reasonable amount of sleep I get comes via a sleeping pill, which I take only when I […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve heard of people using hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) as an emetic. How dangerous is this practice, and is it effective? — B.G. ANSWER: Hydrogen peroxide taken internally is neither safe nor effective for any medical indication. An emetic is a substance that makes people vomit, and they are seldom if ever […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am having trouble controlling my warfarin intake to keep my blood test results within the 2-3 range that my pulmonologist recommends. I had an almost complete saddle blockage in my chest several years ago, and I don’t want it to happen again. I have cut broccoli, spinach and dark-green salad ingredients […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: For a year now, I have had such terrible pain in my pubic area and down my inner thighs. An X-ray (for another problem) showed that I have osteitis pubis. I have read about it online and found that there is no real treatment for it. My doctor prescribed hydrocodone with acetaminophen […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a male in overall good health. I am in my early 80s. I see an increasing number of health articles emphasizing the importance of getting a good six to eight hours of sleep per night. My question: Is this continuous, nonstop sleep for the six to eight hours, or is […]