DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor recommended both pneumococcal vaccines for me. He recommended the PCV-13 (Prevnar) first, followed two months later by the PPSV-23 (Pneumovax). He also told me that if I had them in the reverse order, I would have had to wait a full year between the shots, not just two months. Why […]
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Dr Roach: Wine is not a health food
Wine is not a health food DEAR DR. ROACH: I have read about the benefits of having a glass of wine per day for women, or two glasses for men. Can you please tell me how your health will be affected if you have more? My husband often drinks a bottle of wine a night, […]
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Elevation, exercise and compression help fight swollen legs
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have chronic venous insufficiency. My doctor tells me there is nothing for it but compression socks, and I cannot put them on. — S.G. ANSWER: Chronic venous insufficiency is a disease of the veins, most commonly in the legs. It’s characterized by dilated (varicose) veins, tired or heavy legs, pain and […]
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Is there still a case for calcium supplements?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve been taking calcium supplements for many years to assist in strengthening my bones. I’m 74, weigh less than 95 pounds and stand 5 feet tall. I’m on the verge of osteoporosis, and have been getting Evenity injections for almost a year. Now I’m hearing that calcium supplements may have no value. […]
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Some hospitals do mandate COVID-19 vaccination for employees
DEAR DR. ROACH: Why aren’t the hospitals nationwide mandating all personnel be COVID vaccinated? I am getting conflicting information. Don’t you think the first-line people treating the ill, whether it is to check a patient in to the hospital or a nurse, should have their vaccine in order to work in the hospital? — K.W. […]
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Persistent aftereffects of COVID affect energy, senses and more
DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you address problems that may or may not be aftereffects of COVID-19? The problems seem to be common among people who have had COVID-19, but not acknowledged by all medical professionals. — A.C.S. ANSWER: Although the likelihood of dying from COVID-19 is “only” about 1.8% — meaning 938,000 deaths in the […]
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HIPAA is for insurance company, not employer or business
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am confused about how HIPAA applies to my medical information. Some people are saying they don’t have to tell people if they have been vaccinated or not or respond to an employer that is requiring the vaccine to go back to work or to businesses that may require vaccination for entry. […]
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Pain of shingles can linger, sometimes for months or years
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 78-year-old female, and I am in my 10th week of shingles. I have them on my left chest and back (at the bra line!) and on my upper arm. I can’t go anywhere because I can’t stand when my clothes or bra touches me. I now have severe shooting […]
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Where do COVID variants come from?
DEAR DR. ROACH: We know COVID-19 came from Wuhan, China. Where are the delta and other variants coming from? — D.B. ANSWER: COVID-19 was first described in Wuhan, China, although the exact mechanism of how the virus that causes COVID-19 (called SARS-CoV-2) came to infect humans is not known. Most authorities believe it evolved from […]
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Post-COVID natural immunity has its limits
DEAR DR. ROACH: How does one manage natural immunity to COVID-19 if one has an autoimmune disease? Does that person take vitamin D3, zinc, etc.? — J.K.S. ANSWER: “Natural immunity” refers to the protection that is conferred after a natural infection, as opposed to vaccination. Studies have shown that protection from infection following a case […]