DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, I had anal cancer and was treated with chemo and radiation. The radiation burned my insides, severely damaging most of my internal organs. One of the aftereffects was occasional blood and small clots in my urine. A few months ago, both the frequency and the amount of blood, especially the clots, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 79-year-old woman who weighs 123 pounds and exercises with Zumba, yoga and cardio drumming. I feel well and have plenty of energy, friends, support and family. I have been on a low-salt eating program to treat Meniere’s disease for 25 years. My blood pressure is 115/69 mm Hg. My […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother-in-law died at age 73 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). There was no family history of the disease. My sister-in-law, age 72, is now experiencing occasional problems with lisping. Could this be the first sign of her developing familial ALS? She is in great physical condition otherwise, and she has no […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 79 and can move around without any problem. However, it seems that many people — some younger than I am — have mobility problems. I wonder what causes this problem: lack of exercise, genes, weight, etc.? I walk five days a week, and my weight is normal. — E.G. ANSWER: Be […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an ex-medical/surgical nurse. I have a daughter-in-law who was treated for depression with magnetic therapy. My psychiatric exposure in the 1950s was with electroshock therapy and insulin shock therapy. Can you explain how the new magnetic therapy works for depression, compared with the other two treatments? P.S. Is electroshock therapy […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 103-year-old woman with a medical problem that I hope you can help me with. I cough up a lot of mucus every day, which is clear with no discoloration. The cough can start at anytime, but it is more prevalent at night. The mucus starts with the cough and […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question regarding the transmission rate of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). I had a sexual encounter with exposure to HSV-1. Despite being careful, there was some contact. I explained my fear of contracting HSV-1, and my partner admitted that they had the virus but had been on antiviral medication for […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband and I both came down with COVID. We had all of the usual symptoms and have since recovered. We have been in isolation and are even wearing masks around the house to keep our (so far) uninfected son safe. However, after 15 days for me and 17 days for my […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year old post-menopausal woman who is scheduled next month for a hysterectomy to correct a pelvic organ prolapse. There is no history of ovarian cancer in my family. My first period was at age 12, and menopause happened for me at age 51. I used birth control pills. My […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old retired mail carrier. I have a growth on my palm that continues to grow. It’s not hurting me, but it is annoying and puts pressure on my hand. My hand surgeon called it “palmar fibromatosis” and said to just leave it alone, since it’s no big deal. But […]