DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Leg cramps ruin my sleep. When they come on, they wake me with a start, and they come on almost every night. My doctor told me to take warm baths before going to bed. I did that for a week, but I still cramped up. Have you any suggestions? — B.W. ANSWER: […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Having dealt with diabetes for 15 years, I thought I knew everything about it. I am a type 2 diabetic, and I am on an oral medicine for it. I am very strict about what I eat. Someone asked me if I pay attention to the glycemic index of foods. I never […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: This year I retired, at age 66. Since retirement I’ve been tormented with drenching sweats nightly. I mention the retirement because it’s the only thing in my life that has changed. Could there be a connection? I have to change my pajamas every night, and sometimes the bed linens. Now that summer […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I started having menstrual periods when I was 12. I am now 16. My periods have always been painful with cramps. I have had to stay home from school a few times because of them, and that’s not helping my grades. My friends tell me they don’t have this problem. What can […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: During my one-hour drive from work to home, I heard a radio doc talk about restless leg syndrome. I tried to pull over to give it all my attention, but I didn’t make it until it was almost over. Can you expand on it for me? I think I have it. What’s […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 73 and overweight. I’ve been overweight most of my life. My doctor insists that I lose weight, but he’s silent about how to do so. Can you tell me with a straight face that weight loss at my age is possible? If you say it is, how do I go […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My grandson, my only grandchild, has had a constipation problem since his birth. He is 6 months old now. My daughter has spoken to his pediatrician about this on many occasions. The doctor suggested mineral oil. On her last visit, he told her he wanted to check the baby for megacolon. I […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Yesterday I had a red blotch on my leg just above the ankle. It didn’t hurt. Today the redness has spread upward on my leg to the calf, and the skin is tender and feels warm. Would soaking it help? I live alone and have a hard time getting to a doctor. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Since my 59th birthday six months ago, I have had heartburn. My mother also had it and was forever taking Tums, milk of magnesia or sodium bicarb. I am following in her footsteps. I frequently wake up during the night with heartburn. What are today’s medicines? What foods are bad for me? […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: For the past five years, I have suffered from diarrhea and stomach pain. At times, the diarrhea was so bad that I couldn’t leave my house. I was told I had irritable bowel syndrome and would have to learn how to live with it. In the past year, my weight dropped by […]