DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and prescribed 1,500 mg of metformin. My A1C is now 6.0, although even when it was 5.8, my endocrinologist kept the same dosage. My primary care physician suggested I cut the dosage down to 1,000 mg, but my endocrinologist told me that taking 1,000 mg […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 64-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease. Both of my parents had heart attacks and open-heart surgery. At ages 50, 55 and 60, I experienced what I thought were signs of a heart attack. With each experience, I ended up in the hospital and was given a […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My left thumb has been “clicking” and locking in position for the past five months. Moving it from one position (straight) to another position (bent) can be done with the help of my other hand. Trying to move it without the other hand’s assistance can be quite painful. It’s an acceptable level […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Back in late 2014, I noticed a dampness in my underwear — no coloration, only dampness. I consulted a gastroenterologist about a possible anal discharge. After obtaining a history, we took some conservative approaches to deal with this, including probiotics and exercises for the anal muscles. After there was no change, we […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you wrote that migraine of any kind starting in a person’s 60s is uncommon. I am a 66-year-old male in relatively decent health. I have controlled blood pressure and cholesterol. In the past six months I have started following a “plant-centric” diet and my blood pressure and cholesterol […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a male, 67 and I have difficulties urinating during the night. I get up three or four times from bed to do so, and the flow is very weak. I have no issues urinating during the day. Is there a reason to be concerned? — K.S. ANSWER: By far, the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have worked at the election polls in a school gym for years and know that presidential elections bring out close to 2,000 voters in my precinct. Most of my fellow workers are 70 and older. I am the youngest at 60. Is it safe for us to work over 15 hours […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: What can you tell me about cancer of the penis? I can’t seem to find information. — S.S. ANSWER: Cancer of the penis is quite rare in industrialized nations, accounting for less than 1% of all cancers in men. By contrast, it is quite common in parts of Africa, Asia and South […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 90-year-old father has been diagnosed with breast cancer. His doctor is recommending mastectomy, after which time they will determine a course of treatment. My father is fairly healthy for his age, although he does have high blood pressure, diabetes and spinal stenosis, for which he takes oral medications. He has a […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I lived in England in 1985-1986, during the mad cow disease outbreak. Since then, I have been ineligible to give blood. It is one of the few questions they ask. This has been 35 years and, obviously, I don’t have and have never had the disease itself. Is this still a valid […]