DEAR DR. ROACH: My brother is 74 and has edema in his legs and feet. He doesn’t exercise; he basically just sleeps and plays games on his computer. His bedroom is upstairs, and he struggles going up and down the stairs. He takes a water pill (furosemide). Is he doing more harm than good taking […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My friends do not believe in the COVID vaccines and take ivermectin instead. They seem to have frequent colds. Shouldn’t ivermectin help prevent these colds? — Anon. ANSWER: You should not listen to those friends about the COVID vaccine or ivermectin. The COVID vaccine is the major reason that the number of […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 62. My mother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 57. My glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) antibody results came in at greater than 25,000 U/mL and was confirmed twice by the lab. My C-peptide level is below 1 ng/mL. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question about a resting heart rate, specifically when it is considered too slow for one’s health. I am a 67-year-old male who, from an early age to the present time, has always been physically active every day. Now retired, I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I work […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband tried two drugs for his enlarged prostate — finasteride and tamsulosin — prior to having prostate surgery in 2016. Since then, his libido has dropped, and his urologist suggested Viagra or a similar medication. But we were concerned about a heart issue, since he has a stent in the “widowmaker” […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 34-year-old disabled daughter has polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type 2, along with several other autoimmune diseases. Since her ovaries have never worked, she has been on hormone replacement therapy since she was 16 to protect her bones. She has had a menstrual period once every three months when the pills allow it. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: What do you recommend to reduce healing time for cold sores on the lip? These flare-ups are so frustrating because they can take so long to heal. Is anything available that is better than oral acyclovir? Is there any difference between topical and oral meds? Are there any supplements that help? — […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: While most aspects of modern medical care don’t bother me, I despise blood draws from either arm. I always faint when it’s done, and I feel awful afterward for what seems like a long time. It’s a visceral response I can’t control. There are many noninvasive medical technologies now, so why are […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was recently diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). I live in the country, but I do not remember having a tick on me. My husband and I are very cautious and always check for them. I am struggling to understand what exactly are my symptoms and what I can and cannot eat. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother is 86 years old. She is in relatively good health. She recently saw her primary care physician for her routine checkup. Prior to her visit, she had developed cold symptoms. When her physician listened to her lungs, she heard some mild crackles at the base of her lungs. As a […]