DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 72-year-old male in good health who was told this week that my eyes have shown the beginning of glaucoma. There is no change in my 20/20 vision yet. In 2014, I had cataract surgery in both eyes. Is there any evidence that AREDS 2 vitamins (special eye vitamins) will […]
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Nitric oxide nasal spray might be effective for avoiding COVID
DEAR DR. ROACH: A doctor friend suggested I purchase a nitric oxide nasal spray from Israel. She suggested using it when eating out or hanging out with friends maskless. Do you have an opinion about its efficacy? I got the most recent booster and a flu shot. The reason I’m concerned is that I see […]
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Blood thinner used during surgery causes a fatal reaction
DEAR DR. ROACH: A good friend of mine experienced what appeared to be a mild heart attack and went to his physician to have it checked out immediately. The tests found acute blockages in the arteries around his heart, and his doctors performed a triple-bypass heart surgery two days later. My friend came through the […]
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Cholesterol medications produce rare side effect of nightmares
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 64. I started taking statins to lower my cholesterol about two years ago. My cholesterol level sometimes went over 200, and after seesawing results, my doctor advised that I was unable to maintain a low cholesterol by diet alone and prescribed a statin. I took 10 mg of atorvastatin. I […]
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Supplements taken at lower doses won’t adversely affect health
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 46-year-old woman who exercises daily for health, strength and stress relief. I also want to stay relatively lean. In order to maintain muscle mass and control fat, I’ve been advised consistently (by a Ph.D. nutritionist and a couple of “nutrition coach” trainers) to take one gram of protein […]
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Osteoporosis meds must be paused before oral surgery
DEAR DR. ROACH: Help! I am caught in a feud between my primary care doctor and my oral surgeon. For a number of years, I have been on Prolia for osteopenia. About a year ago, I had to have a tooth pulled; my oral surgeon said I must be off Prolia for at least four […]
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Price of Restasis eye drops jumps 200% in just one year
DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife, who’s 72, has had very dry eyes for a long time, so she uses Restasis (cyclosporine emulsion 0.05%) eye drops. Her co-pay (after meeting the deductible) last year was around $150 for a three-month supply. This year, it is around $450 (only a small change in the deductible with the […]
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Boogie boarding is OK in moderation after knee surgery
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have arthritis in both knees, but otherwise, I’m in good health (I’m 5’6″ and weigh 130 pounds). My Fitbit indicates I get about 9,000 steps per day. I am ready for knee replacement, but I’m concerned about one activity I do. We usually spend two consecutive weeks at the beach, and […]
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Radiofrequency ablation considerably lessens back pain
DEAR DR. ROACH: I suffered a lower back injury in 2001, with crushed and bulging discs in the L2, L3, L4 and L5 vertebras. After over a year of physical therapy and drugs, my pain doctor tried an epidural injection, which did not work, and then suggested I try something new at that time called […]
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TURP procedure, as with all surgeries, can bring complications —
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m an 80-year-old male who learned from a much younger male about the tremendous improvement he’s had in his life since undergoing a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) procedure. I hadn’t know he was having a problem and had been through the drug routine that was providing him with limited improvement. […]