DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently was diagnosed as being prediabetic and told to watch my sugar intake. So I now read the nutrition facts on packages. However, I am confused about the listed sugars. Sometimes the label includes both “sugar” and “sugar alcohols.” For instance, a package can read “sugars 1 g” and “sugar alcohols […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife is 76 and diabetic. She has been taking meds for a long time, and has a hard time managing her blood sugars. I saw an ad recently for a natural formula that, according to the ad, will help lower blood levels substantially, without injections, and apparently is free of other […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Last year, I told my doctor that I no longer wanted to take a statin drug. I had read so much about statins and am on meds for cholesterol and high blood pressure. I will be 74 this July, and other than having arthritis in my knees, I am not having problems. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: About two years ago, my husband, who will turn 79 in June, developed a balance/gait problem. This has affected so many of his interests: golf, hiking, photography and some social events. His walking has deteriorated even further, to an extremely slow, shuffle-type walk. Parkinson’s and MS have been ruled out. He had […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had a chronic cough for over 30 years. As you can imagine, I have seen numerous specialists through the years, and none of the prescribed treatments has worked. A friend suggested I might have laryngeal neuropathy. My doctor didn’t know anything about it. What is the solution for this condition? […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: You recently wrote that antihistamines used for sleep can increase risk of falls. Are there any sleep aids that don’t increase fall risk? — C.A.L. ANSWER: Since almost all medications are associated with fall risk, reducing the overall number of medications should be a goal for all of us who prescribe medication […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Isn’t age-related “snap, crackle and pop” likely chondromalacia? How is chondromalacia different from osteoarthritis of the knee? — B.P. ANSWER: Both chondromalacia and osteoarthritis are causes of knee pain. Both can cause crunching noises and sensations. Chondromalacia refers to irreversible damage to the cartilage of the patella, most frequently as a complication […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent letter to you, I saw hemochromatosis mentioned. I was diagnosed in 1992 (at age 32). My liver was 90 percent saturated with iron. I had lost 40 pounds (down from 170 pounds) and was very anemic. The prescription was weekly phlebotomies (a pint per week) to drain the iron […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a generally healthy 81-year-old lady. I retired from teaching two years ago. I had a very strange situation about a month ago. I was sitting on the toilet and suddenly had pain in both my legs, and I could not move my feet, toes or any other parts. My husband […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: How can I find the most successful, experienced kidney doctor? Would I be better off with a doctor who has his or her own practice, or one who works in a hospital? My kidney function is at 32 percent, down from 44 percent four years ago due to hypertension. — J.A. ANSWER: […]