DEAR DR. ROACH: I have recurring stomach ulcers, so I have been researching acid-alkaline diets to resolve the ulcer problem. I am frustrated, as some research indicates that a food is acid while another source indicates that it isalkaline. How do I know which is correct? — C.T. ANSWER: Nearly all ulcers either are caused by an infection with the bacteria Helicobacter […]
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Can stem cells help treat copd?
DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife has COPD. She is not coping very well. Her doctors are treating her with the standard medications. She has heard about an experimental treatment where they take her stem cells and make them into something that is inhaled. Can you tell me if you have heard about this treatment, and […]
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What is a healthy room temperature?
DEAR DR. ROACH: The senior center in my community is kept at a temperature that I and many other seniors find too cool for our comfort. After two hours of playing Scrabble or watching a film, we feel chilled to the bone. We have complained many times to the management, with no change. Recently, I […]
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Density of breast tissue may present added risk
DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had a screening mammogram, and received a letter from my doctor saying the results were normal. However, I also received a letter from the radiology department saying my breast tissue is dense, which “can make it harder to evaluate the results and also may be associated with an increased risk […]
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There are risks and rewards to estrogen use
DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently you wrote about estrogen. I starting taking Premarin when I was 50 years old, some 28 years ago. I was switched over to estradiol 0.5 mg when my insurance carrier no longer paid for Premarin, about three years ago. I received my last supply in April 2014 and reduced the dose […]
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Weakened immune system comes with vaccine rules
DEAR DR. ROACH: My rheumatologist wants me to start Arava for my newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. I have refused to start this medicine because the information sheet states to avoid contact with people who have recently received the oral polio vaccine. My 6-month-old grandson will be receiving his polio vaccines at ages 9 months, 12 […]
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Post-surgery heart meds are necessary
DEAR DR. ROACH: I just celebrated the one-year anniversary of my heart valve replacement surgery. The operation consisted of replacing my bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine valve. All went swimmingly, and I was back to work in two weeks. I recently ran a 5-mile road race. My problem is with my medications. I am […]
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Mental health doctors can be an important part of care
DEAR DR. ROACH: I just read your column regarding K.V.’s concerns about anxiety and sleep disturbance. I take issue with your advice that she go back to her primary doctor. If a patient had cancer, would you send him or her to a general practitioner or an oncologist? Anyone needing help with medication for issues […]
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Alzheimer’s debilitating in many ways
DEAR DR. ROACH: Our local newspaper just ran the obituary of a 59-year-old woman who died from Alzheimer’s disease. I didn’t know her, but I’ve known at least two other people with that illness. One has passed away; the other is in a memory-care unit. How does Alzheimer’s cause or contribute to death? — A. […]
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Was primary doc too quick to send patient to ER?
DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is 64 years old and recently was complaining of minor abdominal pain that was not going away. There were no other symptoms, like nausea or vomiting. He went to his primary care doctor, who gave him a blood test and told him to schedule a sonogram to see what was […]