DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a reasonably healthy 62-year-old male. During a recent checkup, my doctor observed that I have “abnormal breast development” and suggested that I see an endocrinologist. Besides being embarrassed to take my shirt off in public, are there other reasons I should be concerned about this? What treatment would an endocrinologist […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am taking an angiotensin receptor blocker and a calcium channel blocker for my blood pressure, which work very well to control my hypertension. However, I have a history of breast cancer, and I have heard that calcium channel blockers are associated with new cases of breast cancer. My daughter also takes […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a torn meniscus and it has been recommended that I have arthroscopic surgery. I scheduled the surgery after the orthopedic surgeon stated that I would be up and resuming my life three to five days after the surgery. It sounded so matter of fact and relatively easy that I didn’t […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been hearing a steady hissing sound in my left ear since 1990. I saw on TV that lipoflavonoid would work for it. Have you ever heard of this? — N.N. ANSWER: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any external source. It can sound like ringing, hissing, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 82 years old, and for the past several months, I have been experiencing numbness in the fingers of my left hand. The fingers on my right hand have some numbness, but not to the extent of the left hand. I am concerned that perhaps it might be heart-related, because it […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a white male, age 72, 200 pounds and in good health. I spin and lift weights three days a week. Approximately four years ago, I had blood clots in my lungs, and the cause was Factor V Leiden. I have been on warfarin since then, and have had no problem keeping […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you please explain the medical purpose of a primary care doctor? My expensive insurance permits me to go wherever and to whomever I wish. However, I am told invariably that the doctor I wish to see will not see me unless my primary doctor refers me. Do those physicians get a […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Cataract surgery resulted in edema in my eye, which has not healed after six months. I now require a DSAEK corneal transplant. I’ve been instructed that after the operation I must lie on my back, looking up at the ceiling for three days, getting up only to eat or go to the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I suffered from ischemic colitis in September 2011, and was hospitalized for five days but did not require surgery. I came home from the hospital and started having hot flashes a week later, accompanied by tingly arms and neck, palpitations, nausea and sweating. I had been taking estrogen regularly (for 10 years) […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have evidently gotten acid reflux from using verapamil for many years. I understand that calcium channel blockers can cause this over time. I had my blood pressure medicine changed three months ago, but this problem just doesn’t go away. Since I get very nauseated taking H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors, […]