DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a medical condition that currently requires me to take 60 mg of prednisone per day, resulting in insomnia. I get approximately five hours of sleep per night. Sometimes I’m able to take a one-hour nap in the afternoon. Is there anything I can do to reduce the insomnia? — M.H.S. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am sensitive to blood pressure machines. Whether on my wrist, arm or leg, they hurt, and my blood pressure goes up. This has resulted recently in a dentist not wishing to extract a tooth because her machine measured my pressure at 190/98. A few years ago, prior to minor surgery, the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had many bouts of diverticulitis, and was recommended for surgery. However, one gastroenterologist recommended treating my chronic constipation with Miralax, and since then I haven’t had one bout of diverticulitis. Is this something you have seen? — S.V. ANSWER: Diverticula are small pouches in the wall of the colon. They […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband had prostate cancer in 2013. He was treated with radiation, and was thought to be cured. Well, one year later, he found out he had cancer in his liver. He lived eight months before going into hospice for his last 15 days. Do you think the radiation of the prostate […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have arthritis in my hands and knees. For at least three years, I took ibuprofen (about 1,200 mg daily). Then two years ago, I switched to a natural health-care product derived from turmeric. It works just as well for me as the ibuprofen, and no side effects (I think). What are […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I learned from the American Heart Association’s website that when exercising, one should stay between 50 percent and 85 percent of his or her maximum heart rate. But my cardiologist just shrugged off this warning and said that as long as one is not out of breath, he or she doesn’t have […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: For the 2015-2016 flu season, we find a trivalent vaccine (three influenza virus), quadrivalent vaccine (four influenza virus) and high-dose trivalent recommended for seniors 65 and older. As a member of the senior group, I would like your opinion on the best choice. Why do they still supply the trivalent when the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am inquiring about low cortisol. My son recently was told that his cortisol level is 0.39 and that it should be above 1.8. The result was from a saliva test. He has a very high pulse, low blood pressure, is somewhat fatigued and has a very poor appetite. He has an […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 48-year-old female in good health, minus high blood pressure, which is under control with regular medication. Growing up, every day after school, my mother treated us to some type of sweets, whether it be something she baked or made, or candy and sugary drinks from the local convenience store. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My son started having gastrointestinal problems in high school. Approximately three years ago, they became so intense that he couldn’t work. Last May, he finally had surgery for gastric reflux. This helped with the persistent vomiting, but he is still experiencing intractable nausea. After a year of tests and trials of every […]