DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 77 years old and recently have been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. I do not drink and never have! Apparently this has been caused by a buildup of fat. I am now watching everything I eat and have cut out fried foods completely. Is there any hope for me […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: In the past year and a half, I have experienced several changes in my health. My hands and feet are increasing in size. I am lightheaded, fainting on occasion. I am gaining weight. My hormone levels are falling outside the normal ranges. After numerous blood tests, MRIs and CT scans, my endocrinologist […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a very scary situation. About six weeks ago, I was sent to a heart specialist because of a lot of heart palpitations. After a short visit, the doctor told us that he was quite sure I had a leaking valve, so he ordered a cardiac catheterization, and I found that […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: To filter or not to filter — that is the question. I recently survived a Saddle Pulmonary Embolism. One pulmonologist recommended that a vena cava filter be put in place to help prevent damage from a future embolism. This recommendation was made since I am at high risk with a genetic disposition […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: A follow-up to your newspaper response about radiation in dental X-rays: I am concerned about the amount of radiation that I have had in the past three years. In 2010, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts. Following surgery, I had 33 rounds of radiation on each breast. Last year, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 85-year-old woman, and I’ve been incredibly healthy all my life, until a couple of years ago. Recently, my complaints of breathlessness and fatigue took me to a pulmonologist, who diagnosed pulmonary hypertension. What can you tell me about this condition? How is it diagnosed? What treatment can be prescribed? […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a woman, 52 years young, and my nipples are itchy. I would like to know what I can use to put a stop to the itching. Is this a sign of menopause? Can it be due to the dry weather? — S.V. ANSWER: Itchy nipples are common — especially for […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 20-year-old son is intelligent, handsome and popular. However, he has just confided in me that he has contracted herpes. He and I are devastated, since we understand that he will have it forever. I’m worried about the effects on his self-esteem. He wants to be truthful with women, so he feels […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband started having falls, and ended up in the emergency room twice. The second time, the doctor figured out what had happened. He was dehydrated and was fainting because of it. The doctor ordered a liter of fluid intravenously before allowing him to get out of bed. He was told to […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 71, and about two weeks ago, I came down with shingles in my right lower back, and it also affected my bladder. My doctor put me on Valtrex, which I have now finished, and my bladder function is gradually returning. My questions: 1. Are there any long-term problems with shingles […]