DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Our teenager has asthma. It’s causing him great unhappiness. He wants to play school sports, and he is talented at them. We’re hesitant to allow him. It’s been a tough battle to get his asthma controlled, and now that it is, we don’t want to upset that. Are we being overly cautious? […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a 26-year-old, beautiful and intelligent daughter who washes her hands constantly. The skin on her hands is red and raw. She says she knows it’s ridiculous, but she keeps on doing it. What’s wrong with her? Can she be helped? I have no idea who can help her. Is this […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My daughter’s best friend has a noticeable mustache and chin hair if she doesn’t shave frequently. My daughter says the girl told her she has hirsutism. Both girls are 17. The girl is popular, well-adjusted and very funny. Does this have any implications for her health? — A.L. ANSWER: Hirsutism is something […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband, age 51, has extremely shaky hands that are a source of embarrassment to him. He won’t eat out. On top of this, he refuses to see a doctor. I think he’s afraid he has Parkinson’s disease. I try to get him to relax, and that drives him wild. He says […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you please answer a couple of exercise questions I’m having a hard time finding answers to? Even the instructors at my gym don’t agree with each other. How do I know if I’m exercising as hard as I should? Do you burn more fat when you exercise less hard? — J.W. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please discuss aneurysms. My wife, age 62, died of a chest aneurysm three years ago. She had a yearly exam, but the doctor failed to detect it. She died in her sleep at an age that I consider too young. An autopsy showed that the aneurysm had broken, and she died from […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: You mentioned that there are medicines to help those with COPD. Would you please name them? — E.K. ANSWER: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, includes two common lung illnesses: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both almost always occur with each other. The number of medicines used to improve COPD and to improve the […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Of interest to all men are PSA numbers. I am 90, and my number went from 4.6 to 5.1 in three months. My doctor insists I see a urologist. I have no symptoms of prostate trouble, and this really has me upset. I am at a breaking point. — H.L. ANSWER: PSA, […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read your article regarding pseudogout. My husband has suffered from gout for more than 25 years. I thought you would like to know that the medicine you mentioned, colchicine, is no longer available. The Food and Drug Administration took it off the market. Colchicine was a godsend for my husband. It […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My grandson, who is 26 years old, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He evidently has had this for some time, which would explain his mood swings and erratic behavior. He is now getting medication and therapy, which are helpful. Please tell us something about this disease and what the future outlook […]