DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My daughter-in-law has dry mouth syndrome. She has had it for seven months. She has had numerous tests, with no results. She has constant burning in her mouth. She can’t eat anything except mashed potatoes and baked fish. She has lost a lot of weight and is getting very depressed. Do you […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have heard that married couples who have children later in life are more likely to have a child with Down syndrome. Do you think that the highly advertised Viagra and other such potency enhancers could add to this problem? — J.B. ANSWER: We have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 chromosomes in […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When I return home after jogging 3 or 4 miles, I often have diarrhea. Do you know what may be causing this, and how I can prevent it? — A.D. ANSWER: You’re not alone. In marathon races, a high percentage of runners have to stop to relieve themselves. Even at the distance […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read your article on complex regional pain syndrome. My son has it. He was in a motorcycle accident and injured his right shoulder. After several surgeries and the insertion of seven titanium studs, he is still in extreme pain. This was done in Manhattan, N.Y. He has had all sorts of […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please advise about the Gardasil vaccine. My granddaughter just turned 18 (to date, no sexual activity — really) and begins college this year. Her doctor is pushing the vaccine for her and for her just-turned-14 sister. I value your common-sense approach to medical issues. — S.B. ANSWER: Without any hesitation, I recommend […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 68-year-old woman in excellent health. I recently had standard blood tests done. My doctor said my liver enzymes were high. He said he finds this only in people who drink. I do not drink, and never have. He said the only other reason he knew was high fat intake. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 17 years old. I have pimples all over my face. The only thing that helped was an antibiotic, but it made me sensitive to sunlight. My parents don’t want me to continue to use an antibiotic. Can you help? — G.G. ANSWER: Let’s start with a couple of mistakes made […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I don’t remember you ever discussing high-fructose corn syrup and condensed corn syrup. Almost every product includes these ingredients. Please let us know the dangers and why the government allows it. — T.L. ANSWER: Fructose is the sugar found in fruits. Table sugar is sucrose, a combination of fructose and glucose. Up […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Last school term, before summer vacation, I asked my coach what I could do to improve the distance I throw a football. I would be first-string quarterback if I could throw farther. He told me to lift weights during the summer. I did — all summer long. I can throw a bit […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 84 years old, and I have spinal stenosis, which is causing me pain. I would like to know more about it. Will you furnish more information? — T.P. ANSWER: Spinal stenosis is a common back problem of older people. It’s said that 20 percent of those older than 60 have […]