DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 60 years old, with high blood pressure and history of TIA. I stopped smoking five years ago and gained 50 pounds. I eat healthy and am on the treadmill 30 minutes five times per week. I am fairly active otherwise, but am not losing weight. My doctor says vigorous cardio […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been told that I have COPD. The lung doctor said that he’s pleased with my X-ray and will see me next year. My concern is whether this will get worse. I’m scared to death. I have difficulty catching my breath. I quit smoking about four years ago. I know I […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia at stage I, and I am experiencing swelling in my lymph nodes under my arms and in my neck. I was wondering what are the best natural treatment options, such as green tea extract, and what are the latest clinical trials or research studies […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please discuss low sodium? My last blood sodium shows 129 on a scale of 136 to 146. I have been on a 50-mg hydrochlorothiazide water tab once a day for 15 years, along with two benazepril 40-mg tabs each day. My sodium has been running 129 to 133 for five years. I […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a male, 84 years old and in pretty good health. The only problems I have are high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are under control. I see my primary doctor every six months, at which time he has me do a blood draw, and during the visits he discusses the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a partial thyroidectomy over 40 years ago due to an enlarged thyroid, which was benign. I have been on varying amounts of thyroid hormone replacement ever since — initially Armour, then Synthroid, and now levothyroxine 88 mcg. Until recently, the cost of levothyroxine was under $20 for 90 tablets; however, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I do not understand the hysteria over the measles outbreak. In my day, every kid had the measles and other childhood diseases, and all survived with strengthened immune systems. Today, young people have no natural defenses against diseases because their immune systems have been compromised by drugs. With the exception of smallpox […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My sister has spina bifida. She is 72, on heavy-duty pain meds and is very discouraged, as no doctors have been able to help her. Some have even hurt her in their efforts to assist. My inquiries online have been useless, as they only refer to infants with the disease. She tries […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I just read your column about ulcerative colitis. Many years ago, I read about a possible relief: nicotine. I had a friend who was in dire straits for years, and he was ready to get a colostomy. He had not responded to all kinds of steroids and expensive meds. He was treated […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Awhile back, I read in your column that if a person who has dementia is taken off of statins, the effects of dementia could be reversed. My wife has been diagnosed with dementia, and I was wondering if the blood pressure medicine she is on could be a contributor, along with other […]