DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 71 and have had aortic stenosis for 10 years. I have echocardiograms every year. I do not take medicines. 1. What echocardiogram measurements evaluate this condition? 2. What changes require valve replacement? 3. What amount of change is a normal rate of progression? 4. At what measurement is the problem […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What causes nosebleeds? For the past month or so, the right side of my nose bleeds for a short time about once a week. If I lie down with my head held back for a few minutes, it stops. — C.P. ANSWER: The largest number of nosebleeds originate from the nasal lining […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am concerned about serious or long-lasting injuries associated with wrestling. My middle-school grandson mentioned blurry vision for a few moments after hitting his head on the mat in a takedown move. He also had a very sore neck as a result of a hold with his opponent’s weight pressing on him. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have osteoporosis. I was never told to take Fosamax. Why have my doctors prescribed Miacalcin? Do you think Fosamax would be better? I have taken Miacalcin for many years without much success. My bone density tests always say I have osteoporosis and to continue taking Miacalcin. I have recently been getting […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My 26-year-old grandson has been diagnosed with torticollis. Please share information about his condition and its treatment. — E.S.  ANSWER: Torticollis is a twisting of the neck. The head is bent to the side, the front or the back. It’s one of the dystonia illnesses. Dystonias are a group of illnesses where […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please say something about lupus. What are the symptoms? What causes it? Is it fatal? — D.F.  ANSWER: When illnesses are classified, lupus is put in the same group of conditions to which rheumatoid arthritis is assigned. It’s a multisystem disease, one that affects many organs and many tissues. Among them are […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I was born with a mild case of osteogenesis imperfecta and have had at least 32 broken bones in my 68 years of life. One time, when I went to the emergency room, a 2-month-old baby was there who had had 20 broken bones already. When I was young, this was called […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would like information on diverticulosis. — Anon.  ANSWER: Anon, you are a paragon of brevity.  “Osis” means “full of.” A diverticulum is a pea-size bulge. Diverticulosis, therefore, is a bunch of diverticula protruding from the outer wall of the colon. The diverticulum is actually the lining of the colon that has […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’d appreciate any direction you can give me about reducing the size of my stomach. It sticks out. I have been trying for more than a year to reduce it with exercise, but I am getting nowhere fast. I do 20 sit-ups, three times a day. My belt is the same size […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My doctor had me get an echocardiogram (report enclosed). He said I have an enlarged heart, but he didn’t explain it. Will you please give me more information? — L.R.  ANSWER: Your main heart problem is a leaky aortic valve, one of the four heart valves. The enlarged heart is a result […]