DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you please do a column on dementia and address its various symptoms and treatments? — T.M. ANSWER: “Dementia” is a word that encompasses many conditions, all of which have in common a deterioration of mental functioning. Memory loss so profound that close relatives and friends become unrecognizable, an inability to perform […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: In October of last year, my husband, age 63, died of a brain hemorrhage (stroke). He was a youthful, health-conscious man, now sorely missed by his wife, family and friends. This tragedy was due to undiagnosed high blood pressure, since he, like many men, refused to visit the doctor. Please encourage people, […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Six years ago, my sister, 67 years old, was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, and it has affected her eyes. Has there been any advancement in research with it? Where is the best medical facility for it? — L.B. ANSWER: Chalk up another illness to an immune system that turns against its own […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: After months of increasing shoulder pain coupled with decreasing mobility, I was diagnosed with frozen shoulder. My doctor says that nothing I can do will help my shoulder heal, but it will heal after it runs its course of approximately two years. Most troublesome is the pain at night, which wakes me […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband talked me into walking with him. He calls it brisk walking. I call it running. I can’t keep up with him. He says my walking pace is so slow that it’s not doing me any good. Is he right? Can you help me resolve this conflict? — R.J. ANSWER: Moving, […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife and I are traveling to Australia. What are your suggestions for minimizing jet lag? We leave Los Angeles at 10:30 p.m. and arrive in Sydney at 8:30 a.m. local time. A suggestion was to keep our original time zone schedule until arrival. It was also suggested that we consider taking […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: If a person has a tapeworm, will it complete its cycle and disappear, or do I need medical attention? Twice I passed something that I thought was food. Several days later, I remembered I never ate anything that wide or flat. One piece was an inch long. Now I think it was […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please provide information on a disorder called syncope. In September of last year, I blacked out in the bathroom. Right before, I felt dizzy and lightheaded. I was given a CT scan, examined and had bloodwork done. All came back normal, including a 24-hour Holter monitor. Will you tell me more about […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son is being treated for Guillain-Barre, which affects the nervous system. However, there is a chance of paralysis. Please explain why it takes so long for recovery. I’ve been told it can come from the flu shot. He never had the shot. He is 64, and too young for this kind […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Can you help me? My nephew has what they call scleroderma. It’s very painful. Where does it come from? Any cure? — M.B. ANSWER: “Scleroderma” literally translated from Greek means “hard skin.” It’s due to an overproduction of collagen, one of the body’s main building materials. The excessive production appears to come […]