DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am in need of any information on how a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome can become pregnant. This information is for my 29-year-old niece, now living in Hungary, who is desperate to have a child. She is under the care of a gynecologist who is also a fertility specialist. She feels […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have what may be a lifesaving request. My great-grandson, 4 1/2 months old, became extremely dehydrated, constipated, limp and lethargic. He hadn’t nursed for a full day. My granddaughter’s doctor told her to take him to the emergency room. From there he was taken to a children’s hospital, where he was […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A bone density test showed that I have osteopenia. When I looked on the Internet, I found information that said walking would have no effect on osteoporosis or osteopenia. It said odd-impact exercises would be beneficial. What in the world are odd-impact exercises? I go to the gym three days a week, […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an 86-year-old female amputee. I drive my car, shop for groceries, play bingo and keep as active as possible. I have lost about 95 percent of my taste. My doctor says, “The golden years, my dear.” He’s probably right, because he usually is. However, I thought I’d get a second […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 68-year-old female. A little more than a year ago, I developed shingles on my midsection. The blisters and rash healed. I was left, however, with severe pain. My doctor prescribed Neurontin. I also am taking L-lysine and doses of vitamin B-13. I also took hydrocodone. Lidocaine patches worked for […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Since my knee-replacement operation in 2009, I have questions that doctors shy away from answering. Is there a possibility of temporary or lasting brain damage from an anesthetic? For a week after my operation, I had difficulty reading and pressure in the front of my head. Do painkillers damage the brain, like […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Do you have information on gout? I am 65, and my son-in-law is 32. We both have it. It is so painful. My doctor was pretty vague. He asked me to go on the computer to find which foods I should or should not eat. I found that you can’t eat meat […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My daughter, 37, has rheumatoid arthritis. Is it genetic or a diet/lifestyle illness? What can be done to alleviate her discomfort? I read somewhere that cod liver oil brings relief. — H.B. ANSWER: Arthritis comes in many guises. Osteoarthritis is the most common kind. Nearly everyone has a touch of it before […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I don’t have a sports-related injury. At least it didn’t happen while I was doing anything athletic. But it’s something that keeps me sidelined from jogging and distance walking. My left calf hurts when I walk — not a little, a whole lot. It’s a bit swollen, too. I’ve been icing it, […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 14-year-old boy with a really embarrassing problem. I have breasts as large as many of the girls in my class. I get a lot of kidding, and I don’t want to get undressed for gym class. What can I do about it? — J.P. ANSWER: You’re not alone. You […]