DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son died 10 years ago. He was 41. The death certificate from the autopsy said the cause of death was “benign pituitary adenoma.” In the 10 years since he died, no one has asked me or my other son, the two people closest to my dead son, any questions about his […]

DR. DONOHUE: Will you give me information on the low-purine diet for gout? — C.J. ANSWER: Years ago, before effective gout medicines were available, diet was the major treatment for gout. Now, with modern medicines, diet doesn’t play such a big role. Elevated blood uric acid sets the stage for a gout attack. Uric acid […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ve been plagued by recurrent, common, garden-variety warts for many years. Although I know they’re not a serious health problem, they’re a nuisance. I also know they’re caused by papillomaviruses. Once I treat with OTC preparations, they disappear, but why do they come back in a matter of months or years? I […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My 83-year-old mother was told she has hydrocephalus. She has a hard time walking. Her doctor wants her to have fluid drained from her head. Will you please tell me your thoughts on hydrocephalus? — K. ANSWER: The word hydrocephalus (water on the brain) turns people’s thoughts to the infant condition where […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a question. My wife is a diabetic, and she has little strength in her arms. She has been to rehab twice. She also has had training at home, but she doesn’t follow through. What I would like to know is, If she does her exercises, will she regain her strength? […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have been diagnosed with thalassemia. My mother was diagnosed with it, too. I understand that it is hereditary, but I do not quite comprehend all that it means. To the best of my knowledge, I think it makes us appear to be anemic. I feel tired all the time. I was […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a rash that has lasted for six months. It’s very itchy. The itchy spots are both large and small, and the itching lasts 15 to 20 minutes. I get them all over my body at different times, 24 hours a day. I have been on Zyrtec for three months, but […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A little more than a month ago, I was hospitalized for pneumonia. I spent a full week in the hospital, taking antibiotics. I was still taking them when I went home. That’s when I developed diarrhea. My doctor told me to stop the antibiotics, and I did. The diarrhea continued, and I […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What is trigeminal neuralgia, and what can be done to relieve its stabbing, excruciating pain? My daughter, 54 years old, suddenly experienced this unbearable pain on the right side of her jaw. The doctor gave her very strong pain pills. She’s been put on Tegretol (carbamazepine). It helps her tolerate the pain, […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an 82-year-old woman. My body cannot tolerate antibiotics, vitamins or painkillers. I am told I have macular degeneration and was advised to take Ocuvite once a day. My sister suggested I write to you to see if you have an idea of how to take Ocuvite in some other manner […]