DEAR DR. ROACH: I am in my mid-80s and have arthritis in both knees and hips, as well as in my spine, neck and hands. My doctor and I agreed on six 500-mg tablets of Tylenol a day rather than a prescription drug. This has not done too well. A friend of mine suggested that […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a family member who thinks infants and older kids, like my 6-year-old son, don’t have bones but only cartilage. Can you explain about bones and cartilage, as well as anything else that has to do with bones growing? — M.P. ANSWER: Sharks have only cartilage, and no bones. Little children, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have taken Armour Thyroid for 57 years. My T4 and TFTI levels are normal, but my TSH level is low. Why is this? — M.P. ANSWER: Armour Thyroid is a mixture of two hormones: T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). A low TSH means the body is sensing too high a level […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My question is regarding my husband. We have argued several times about his drinking habits, so I have decided to enlist your help in determining if I am making a mountain out of a molehill or not. My husband’s job requires him to work for two to three days at a time. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have asthma. With the exception of ProAir, I am unable to use inhalers. Every time I do, I get thrush. Believe me when I say I gargle and rinse my mouth thoroughly after each use, but to no avail. I have tried every inhaler available and even have used extender tubes, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with costochondritis about 33 years ago. Up until last year, I had had little pain with it. But this year, the pain is really bad. I am 78 years old. Does age matter? What, if anything, triggers the pain, and what can help my pain? Is heat or cold […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mom is 77 years old. Three years ago, she developed a blood clot in her leg and needed surgery. This year, she developed an ulcer in that leg. How do you develop ulcers on your leg or other part of your body? I thought ulcers were only in the stomach. Is […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had my ears pierced when I was about 10, developed pea-size keloids, which I had removed from behind both lobes, and discontinued wearing earrings. I’m 60 now, and have been thinking about trying ear-piercing again. Might it have been the piercing, the 10-karat-gold earrings or a combination of both that caused […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you please explain water intoxication, when a person consumes too much water? I teach swimming to young children in Florida. I tell their parents to watch closely for symptoms of water intoxication when they submerge under water. Please explain, so I can advise them. — C.C. ANSWER: Water intoxication is when […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your column on asthma regarding inhalers. I have tried Spiriva, Advair, Symbicort and an oral pill, which I cannot remember the name of. All of these caused the same side effects: extreme fatigue, difficulty urinating and tremors, so I do not take any of these at present and have talked […]