DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My grandson, age 20, has had a serious problem with acne since the age of 17. He has seen a dermatologist and tried prescription drugs. He also has tried products advertised on television. Nothing has helped. I fear his face will be badly scarred. Can you suggest anything? — J.K. ANSWER: A […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My greatest wish is to become a major league baseball player. I’m not such a great hitter. Everything else I do well. My dad said he would practice with me by throwing tennis balls, which I try to hit. Do you think this will make my reflexes faster? — M.M. ANSWER: I […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband and I have been married for two years and are planning to start a family. My father-in-law died when my husband was 8 years old. We didn’t know what he died of. My mother-in-law never talked about it. Now she tells us that he had Huntington’s disease. We both were […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My doctor of 50 years retired, and I had to find a new one. I did, and he made a huge fuss about a groin hernia that I’ve had for as long as I can remember. I am 83. It’s never bothered me. My former doctor never made a big deal of […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My legs are covered by ugly varicose veins, and my ankles are swollen in the evening. I think the swelling comes from the veins. I am only 44. My mother had them, so I guess I should have expected to have them, too. How can I keep them from getting worse? What […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 24-year-old man with a persistent and aggravating skin itch. I’m told it’s eczema. Can you tell me how to control it? I’ve had it in more than one place, but right now my forearms are the most bothersome area. I wake up to find dried blood on my arms […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I need information on genital herpes. Is there a medicine that gets rid of it? I hear there is none. Will I infect all partners from now on? Does it affect my ability to have children? I am quite upset about all this and quite confused. I deeply appreciate you giving me […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 58-year-old male, and I’ve been taking atenolol to control my blood pressure for about five years. I notice that when I work out on a stationary bike less than 12 hours after taking my medicine, I can reach a difficulty level of only six, and I can get my […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I had prostate cancer two years ago and went through 42 radiation treatments. The result of this is colon and rectum damage. I passed lots of blood, and still do. I am told there isn’t much treatment to help this problem. What is your opinion? Is there any medicine that could help? […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have been diagnosed with too little iron and a low hemoglobin count. I am taking iron daily. I had a colonoscopy and a scope exam of my stomach. They were normal. I don’t smoke or drink any alcohol. If it’s not iron deficiency, what causes the anemia? I think low iron […]