DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My granddaughter was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She soon will be 45. Can you please give me some insight into this disease? I understand that about 400,000 people in the U.S. are afflicted with it. What is happening to find a cure? Is there a national MS society? — R.R. ANSWER: […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Two years ago I had shingles, and I now suffer the aftereffects of it. The sores went away in a month, but the stinging, burning, throbbing pain is still with me. I cannot wear clothing over the affected shoulder. No medicines have eased the pain so far. Is there any help? — […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Third letter, same request. Please tell me how to get rid of fungus under a toenail. — B.K. ANSWER: Toenail fungus is prevalent among older people, and often, the infected person has no idea where he or she picked it up. The big toe’s nail is the one the fungus seems to […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please, sir, this is my second letter. Give me all the information possible about herpes. I am a carrier. — D.N. ANSWER: I take it you’re interested in genital herpes — herpes simplex virus-2, HSV-2. The first encounter with the virus leads to an outbreak of tiny, painful blisters on red patches […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Can you tell me what happened to me? I’m a guard on our high-school football team and am pretty big. I’m 6 feet 4 inches and weigh 240 pounds. When I went to block an even bigger guy, I was upended and got a terrific burning pain in my left arm. It […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Would you please provide information on a high platelet count? I am 84 and need to know if this is serious. — C.P. ANSWER: Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are small blood cells that initiate clot formation. They plug broken or cut blood vessels. Without platelets, we would bleed to death. An excess […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 60-year-old woman in very good health except for a constantly runny nose. This has been going on for about eight years and has worsened gradually through the years. In the winter, the dripping and sniffling is worse with the very cold weather we have in my state. I have […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have neuropathy in my feet, and it hurts real bad. It burns and stings. I went to the doctors’ clinic. They did not know what to do for it. I hope you can help me. — S.R. ANSWER: “Neuropathy” simply means “nerve disorder.” Some nerves are motor nerves, ones that bring […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 59 years and 9 months old, 5 feet 6 inches tall and weigh between 160 and 165 pounds, and I am not happy about my weight. It’s the reason for this letter. I had success with Weight Watchers, and also tried auricular therapy (massage or acupuncture of the ear), which […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please give me information on Cushing’s disease. What are its symptoms? How is it diagnosed? How is it treated? — T.D. ANSWER: A round face resembling a full moon, weight gain — especially in the trunk area, thin skin that’s easily traumatized, facial hair growth in women, loss of periods, erectile dysfunction, […]