DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am writing for an answer to my question about testosterone supplements. I am 58 years old with no health problems, and I take no medicines. I have one kidney due to a bicycle accident at age 13. I was treated for an undescended testicle in sixth grade. While the surgery was […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you write something about high blood potassium level? I received a call from my doctor regarding a high potassium reading from recent routine blood work. I am a relatively healthy, 72-year-old woman. I have gastroesophageal reflux disease. I take hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure. The doctor said he would do another […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please discuss polymyalgia rheumatica. My husband, age 71, was diagnosed with it. For two months, his muscle aches and pain were so bad that he could not get out of bed in the morning. It took four different doctors and three blood tests to find out what was wrong with him. The […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a friend who drinks too much. How much alcohol can the body handle? Does a person’s height make any difference? If someone drinks 15 shots of vodka, what can happen? What is the treatment of alcohol poisoning? Why do people become addicted to alcohol? How long does it take to […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: In regard to the 83-year-old man who worked out at the gym, walked the golf course, was 5 feet 9 inches and weighed 143 pounds but who saw his waist go from 29 to 35 inches: If he’s walking, he’s exercising his legs. I imagine at the gym, he is doing exercises […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife had a bout of pneumonia and came close to dying. The doctor said both she and I should have gotten the pneumonia shot. We are going to get it. I don’t understand pneumonia. I know the lungs are involved, but I didn’t believe it was such a serious thing. Please […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What causes seizures? My son has them, and his doctor says he doesn’t know what the cause is. He is being treated, and they’re controlled. My son works every day. How is the doctor going to cure my boy if he doesn’t know the cause? Can a person drink alcohol when on […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My 53-year-old son was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in September 2011. He functions quite well, has a small limp and goes to work in his office regularly. Recently, he had an MRI scan. His doctor told him: “There is one new lesion on your brain MRI. I wouldn’t change anything now, but […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Last March, my dad, age 75, died from a stroke. All his life, he had been quite active and had no major medical problems. My mother isn’t clear on the details. Apparently, he suddenly crumpled over and was dead before the paramedics arrived. My mother said his stroke was due to a […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have enclosed the results of my diabetes tests. I’ve gotten two different opinions on them. One says I am headed for diabetes. What does that mean? The other says my results are normal. How about a third opinion? Isn’t the urine test for diabetes done anymore? If not, why not? — […]