DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 65 and in good health. I’m only on a low-dose cholesterol medication and a blood pressure medication. I also have laryngopharyngeal (LPR) reflux. I went to a functional doctor and was sold $350 worth of supplements to do a 21-day cleanse/clean-eating/vegan-type diet. She said I would then need to go get […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently lost a brother to non-small cell carcinoma in his lungs. He was 82 years old. He was a heavy smoker in his younger years, but quit smoking 31 years ago. He worked many years in the construction trade as a union carpenter and also worked with roofing materials. He had […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a woman who had terrible experiences with menstruation. I’ve probably seen two dozen different gynecologists, and I complained to every one of them about my painful periods and …. nothing. Not even a painkiller was prescribed. Most of them seemed to think debilitating pain is part of being female. This pain […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 80 years old. My doctor ordered a fasting blood test, which showed that my LDL cholesterol is 119 mg/dL; my HDL is 68 mg/dL; my cholesterol/HDL ratio is 3-to-1; my total cholesterol is 208 mg/dL; and my triglyceride level is 104 mg/dL. A recent CT scan of my neck that was […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband recently passed away one week after his 80th birthday. According to his death certificate, he died of lung cancer (not a surprise) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), which was a total surprise. He was always a very healthy and vital man; he never had surgery or other medical problems. He […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year-old male who has been exercising regularly and eating much better these past few years after my doctor warned me that I was prediabetic. Still, after initial success, my A1C levels have been creeping upward again. I’ve hit 5.8% and now 5.9% during these past two years. I’ve been […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 65-year-old man. In May 2023, I had a major heart attack. Three stents were installed. I have been doing well since the heart attack, except I now get bone and joint pain and aches. I have lost 85 pounds. My blood pressure is very good now, as is my […]

DEAR DR ROACH: I am a 75-year-old male who has had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for about 20 years and have taken tamsulosin during this time. I have always had to urinate at least once per night and up to three to four times per night periodically. Two weeks ago, I had a chocolate craving […]

DEAR DR ROACH: I’m a 68-year-old female with osteopenia. My doctor wants me to take a bone medication such as Boniva or Fosamax. I’ve read that folks with esophageal issues may be harmed by taking these. Can you explain why? — C.M.C. ANSWER: First off, we don’t usually treat isolated low bone mass (osteopenia) with […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was recently diagnosed with grade 1 spondylolisthesis. I had been a runner for most of my life and had lifted weights for a number of years. Could these two activities have been the culprits? I have a little numbness at times down my left leg and around my ankles. As long […]