DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband was diagnosed with COPD. He has never smoked, but he did work around asbestos. He is 79, and his doctor said his age and the asbestos may be what caused it. We have tried to find information on COPD but haven’t been very lucky. Would you explain what this is […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I live in an area of small towns. In the town nearest me, a young boy suddenly died after a basketball game. How could that happen? Aren’t the players medically screened before the season starts? It’s said he died of a large heart. What does that mean? — A.L. ANSWER: The death […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I had a bladder stone three years ago. It was lasered and removed. The following year, I had two stones, and they were removed. It’s now been three years, and again I have a single stone. My doctor doesn’t submit these stones for analysis. I asked what causes them, so I can […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have noticed several articles in the paper about the risks of radiation from medical procedures. One said to limit your exposure to no more than 50 millisieverts in one year. In the past year I have had a spine and hip X-ray, two CT scans and an MRI on my neck. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I recently tested positive for lupus, about which I know nothing. Please furnish me with some information. — E.L. ANSWER: Men, children and the elderly can come down with lupus, but the main target group is young women between the ages of 15 and 45. Lupus causes a staggering number of signs […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 70 years old (10 in dog years) and in reasonably good health if you overlook arthritis and the other problems that befall us oldies but goodies. My most serious problem is what I have determined to be, but not had diagnosed, bursitis in my left shoulder. It feels like a […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 67-year-old female with osteopenia. I get the recommended amounts of vitamin D and calcium through foods and supplements. I do weight-bearing exercise four to six hours a week, and I walk regularly. During this decade of my life, I have lost 3/4 inch in height. Apparently, osteoporosis medicines are […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please settle an argument between my mom and me. She insists I eat a “hearty” breakfast before I leave for cross-country running early in the morning. We have to practice before school begins. Practice is at 6:30 a.m. I eat breakfast around 6 a.m. I find it hard to run when my […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I need information about aspergillosis. Your help will be greatly appreciated. — E.W. ANSWER: Aspergillus  is a fungus. Aspergillosis is the illness it causes. The aspergillus fungus is found everywhere in the world — in soil, water, food and decaying vegetation. Every one of us has breathed in aspergillus spores, the embryo […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I had my annual PSA test, and it came back 3.5 ng/ml. My doctor said anything below 4 is good. My past scores have never exceeded 0.5. I am concerned with the rate of increase from last year. Need I be? Should I get checked in six months to ease my mind? […]