DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am writing to you on behalf of my son-in-law. He has gout. I would like information on this disease. My son-in-law wonders if there is a doctor that specializes in gout. — J.W.  ANSWER: When the blood uric acid level rises, a gout attack is imminent. Uric acid comes from the […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My baby is 1 year and 1 week old. About two weeks ago, he refused to eat and felt hot. I took him to the doctor, and the doctor said he had roseola. He predicted that the baby would break out in a rash. The doctor was right. Two days later, he […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I remember reading something in your column about the rest interval between sets of lifting weights. I thought it was interesting then, but I wasn’t into weightlifting at that time. I forgot what you said.  Now I am lifting weights and ask you to repeat that advice. Thank you. — B.R.  ANSWER: […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: For more than a year I have felt so washed out that I barely can take care of my home and children. I have been to four doctors and have had all sorts of tests. No diagnosis has been given to me. The last doctor says I could have chronic fatigue syndrome, […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Our 14-year-old daughter was checked for scoliosis at her school, and they sent a note to us saying she has it. She is scheduled to see a doctor. We’re worried sick about this. Our daughter is a very active young woman and into many sports. Does this put an end to her […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: It’s only taken a full year and a half and three doctors to finally diagnose me as having Graves’ disease. I’m glad to know what I have, but I am upset at how long it took to find out. At one point, I was told my symptoms were all in my head. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a question about taking simvastatin for cholesterol. After about six weeks of taking it, my right heel began to hurt, as if I’d bruised it. In another week, my left heel began to hurt. My blood tests were OK. It turned out I had plantar fasciitis. Could the simvastatin have […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: For three weeks, I have suffered with hiccups. They stop for an hour and then they come right back. My wife says I hiccup during sleep. I am getting tired of this. It’s hard to eat. It’s hard to work. It’s hard to do anything.  I have tried hundreds of home remedies, […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 16 and play three sports: baseball, basketball and football. Right now, it’s baseball, and I am a pitcher. I’d like to increase my throwing speed, so I have taken up weightlifting. I’ve gotten two different opinions on this. One tells me that I will get muscle-bound and tight, and that […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you answer some questions about kidney problems in a 50-year-old male who has mild diabetes and high blood pressure? He just lost 30 pounds of fluid that caused severe breathing problems. His breathing problem subsided. His doctors struggle to lower his blood pressure. His doctors want him to think about dialysis. […]