DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 77-year-old male who has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. It was discovered by chance. I have yearly exams, and part of the exam includes blood and urine tests. The test showed my urine had blood in it. My doctor sent me to a urologist, who, in turn, found the […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My dentist is having a fit because I take Boniva for osteoporosis. He talks about something called BON, which means degeneration of the jawbone. My arthritis specialist is, in turn, having a problem with my not taking it. Who do I listen to? — M.C. ANSWER: BON is bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis. Osteonecrosis is […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What am I supposed to drink when exercising in hot weather? I am totally confused by the conflicting information I get. Some say water is all you need. Then I’m told that drinking only water will make your brain flat-line. If water is all right, can it be cold water? They tell […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Dairy products are a problem for me. For breakfast, 1 percent milk is fine and yogurt isn’t troublesome. Other dairy foods bother me. I am 61 and more intolerant of dairy foods now than when I was younger. Why? — Anon. ANSWER: Lactase is an enzyme found in the small intestine. It […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a healthy, 68-year-old male. I have always had a yearly checkup. This always included blood work, urinalysis, blood stool test, listening to my heart, sometimes an EKG, a digital prostate check and a general touch and visual exam of my whole body. I have recently moved. My new doctor just […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A recent blood check showed that my potassium was high. I was told to stop eating bananas and drinking orange juice. I also was told to return to the doctor’s office the next week. I did. They took another blood sample. They told me nothing more. What happens when potassium is high? […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you answer some questions on atrial fibrillation? I have been electrically cardioverted twice. Is there a procedure, a medicine or a device that ensures my heart stays in normal rhythm? I know other people who have atrial fibrillation and have the same questions. — B.D. ANSWER: Atrial fibrillation is one of […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A little more than nine years ago, my husband had a prostatectomy for prostate cancer. He was a few days short of his 50th birthday. He was and is athletic, although now nearly 60. The surgery left him completely impotent. He has not seen a urologist in more than five years. The […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son, 13, is an avid tennis player. I was watching him play the other day and noticed he was moving awkwardly. Then I watched him when he was at home, and he walked kind of funny. I asked him about this, and he said his knee hurt. He didn’t bang it […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: For all practical purposes, I have gone underground. I am a recluse. I have scabies and don’t want anyone to know. I can’t imagine where I picked it up. I find all this immensely embarrassing. Please provide some details on this. I have taken the treatment, but I still itch. Itching is […]