DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 84-year-old woman who was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus after an MRI scan. I understand that there isn’t any treatment besides a shunt. Do you have any recommendations? I do not want to go through this procedure. — R.R. ANSWER: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is an uncommon problem most commonly […]
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Compression of a nerve occurs after lifting too much weight
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 81-year-old male in good health. Four months ago, I was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica, a compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. I believe this occurred when I did a leg press on an exercise machine that had way too much weight for me. This resulted in a numb […]
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Cardiologists avoid prescribing colchicine for heart disease
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 78-year-old man with a stent and a blockage in one of the arteries to my heart. I am on a low-fat diet and take ramipril for cholesterol. My levels are very good (total cholesterol is 120 mg/dL, HDL is 44 mg/dL, and LDL is 60 mg/dL). However, my C-reactive protein […]
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Patient with a low heart rate doesn’t necessarily want treatment
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am almost 96 and in good health. In June, I went to see my oncologist for my 10-year follow-up after a left breast mastectomy. The doctor noted that my heart rate was 48 bpm, and she asked if that was normal. I said I had never heard of such a low […]
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Study claims to show an associated cancer risk with tattoos
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve read in several sources that tattoo ink contains known carcinogens and that getting tattooed can cause skin reactions years after. I also read that tattooing can lead to keloids. Recently, I came across a study noting that tattoos were associated with a 21% increased risk of malignant lymphoma. It said that […]
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Having surgery for a hernia could be riskier than living with it
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 85-year-old man. I am in good health, and I exercise and swim at the gym for 3 hours every other day. I am not overweight, and the only prescription I have is a nose spray. I do have mild idiopathic neuropathy, but I am still quite agile and mobile. […]
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For 80-year-old man, urinating is much easier after an orgasm
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m an 80-year-old man in generally good health, but I have trouble urinating. It comes out in dribs and drabs, and frequently, I cannot completely clear my bladder. But immediately after having an orgasm, things are completely different. I whiz like a teenage boy. What’s happening? — B.L.M. ANSWER: Like most 80-year-old […]
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Periods aren’t being regulated after stopping combination pills
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 47-year-old female who has suffered from an irregular period for the past 22 years. I was prescribed combination birth control pills, which did a good job of controlling and regulating my period for 20 years. At my annual checkup three years ago (at age 44), I told my OB-GYN […]
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Citrus bergamot significantly lowers cholesterol level
DEAR DR. ROACH: Please look into citrus bergamot. It is a beneficial supplement that lowers cholesterol very efficiently and effectively. It lowered my cholesterol by 70 points. — R.M. ANSWER: You are right. The early data suggest that bergamot may be effective at improving cholesterol results. This was found in people who are resistant to […]
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Hormone shots cause terrible hot flashes in 67-year-old man
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 67 years old and have a lot of medical issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, a previous heart attack, a small stroke, and a stent in one of the major arteries to my brain. I was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, as my PSA level was elevated. I underwent radiation […]