DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 82 years old and still very active. I have had an irregular heartbeat for four years, and sometimes I feel lightheaded, dizzy or tired. I worry about it getting worse. Would you please give a detailed explanation about irregular heartbeat, including how or why it happens? What I should do […]
Dr. Roach
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
Parkinson's disease meds not likely related to cirrhosis
DEAR DR. ROACH: My dad recently passed away as a result of cirrhosis of the liver. He also had Parkinson’s disease for 10 years. Several other people we know who have Parkinson’s also have cirrhosis. Is it possible that his Parkinson’s medication could have caused the cirrhosis? My dad was 78. He did drink beer […]
advertisement
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
International travelers still must be aware of the Zika virus
DEAR DR. ROACH: My son and his new wife went on a dream honeymoon that has since turned into a nightmare. They went to Costa Rica and of course were bitten by mosquitoes. Upon returning home, they were told about the Zika virus. One person told them to wait six months before trying to have […]
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
Shingles vaccine protocol while taking an antiviral suppressant
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 60-year-old woman who has been taking a 200-mg tablet of acyclovir (Zovirax) every day for HSV-2 suppression. I may have an outbreak every few years, and they are pretty mild. When I do have an outbreak, I increase my dosage to 1,000 mg per day. What is the procedure […]
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer of the bile ducts
DEAR DR. ROACH: A family friend has just been diagnosed with bile duct cancer. She is a breast cancer survivor and is 75 years old. The tumor is said to be the size of a quarter, and it was discovered after she complained of heartburn symptoms. Are there screening tests that could have detected the […]
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
The risks and myth of medical marijuana
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am absolutely convinced that marijuana is a serious health hazard. As the legalization of marijuana appears to be spreading, are you aware of any authoritative medical studies confirming the health hazards of marijuana and that it is a gateway drug to more-serious drug addictions? — A.D. ANSWER: This is an extremely […]
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
Twist in colon is a surgical emergency
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old male with a family history of colon cancer. I have a colonoscopy every five years. The results usually show some polyps, which are removed and biopsied. After my most recent procedure, the doctor said I have a twisted, spiral intestine and that he had never encountered that before. […]
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
Cause of cirrhosis
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 78-year-old woman who was diagnosed just one year ago with primary biliary cirrhosis, which is an autoimmune liver disease. It was determined that it took me many years to get to this stage, but I had no symptoms other than high liver enzymes from time to time (but not […]
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
Stomach inflammation
DEAR DR. ROACH: After a stomach probe two years ago, I was told that I have mesenteric panniculitis. I know it’s inflammation of the stomach lining and that there’s no known cause of it. So, what can I do for it? Are there special foods I should eat or stay away from? I wasn’t given […]
Posted inDr. Roach, sj-web
Hot flashes for years
DEAR DR. ROACH: I started going through natural menopause in my late 50s. I will be 65 in September. Should I still be having hot flashes? — B.G. ANSWER: Unfortunately, some women (perhaps 25 percent) will continue to have hot flashes 15 years out from the start of menopause. There are many treatments for hot […]