ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother died of lung cancer at 62. For 12-18 months afterward, a sibling passed of a cancer or an unusual disease. Here's the list: lung cancer, uterine cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and Lou Gehrig's disease. All but the last sibling drank and smoked. Two sisters (nonsmokers) lived to the age of 90. So, I'm ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old woman in generally good health. A couple of weeks ago, I woke up with an awful pain in my hand. Then I noticed hard bumps on my knuckles. Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with a UTI. Just as my antibiotics were finished, I came down with some kind of infection that caused a fever, headaches and body aches....Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm 71 years old. In 2021, lymphocytosis was found during my pre-op workup for breast cancer. I had a successful lumpectomy and radiation, and I am on a five-year course of anastrozole.

After reviewing my prior complete blood counts, lymphocytosis was found leading back to 2018. It was thought to be due to an infection, so no ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I received the pneumonia vaccination (Pneumovax 23) two weeks ago, and I was OK immediately afterward, apart from having a sore arm for a day. But I have felt extremely tired in the past couple of days. Could this be a delayed reaction to the vaccine?

I am due to have the second Shingrix vaccination tomorrow, but I'm wondering...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have just retired from working the graveyard shift for 40 years. I am hoping you can share some information on how to safely learn to sleep at night once again. -- E.H.

ANSWER: Changing your body's circadian rhythm isn't always easy, and after such a long time, it will take longer for you. But it shouldn't be as difficult as...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism many years ago and have since been put on Synthroid. Since I am extremely healthy other than this issue, is there any chance I can go off Synthroid ever? Are there any changes I can make on my own or holistically? -- R.P.

ANSWER: Most cases of hypothyroidism that are diagnosed during ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother's blood test has a sodium level of 130 mEq/L. She is not on diuretics, and she does not have heart or kidney problems. She is on thyroid medication and omeprazole. Do I need to be concerned? Due to the heat, I was encouraging her to drink more water. Should I have her add more salt to her diet and drink less water? I ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is 77, and I am 68. Our health deteriorated during the pandemic. When should we switch to a gerontologist for our general care? -- A.M.P.

ANSWER: Nearly all adult primary care doctors, including family medicine doctors and internists, have expertise in taking care of older adults, as older people tend to see doctors...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there a research group studying the aftereffects of COVID? My husband has been exhausted since his second bout of COVID in June 2023. This is not simply being tired; it is exhaustion. Our physician has ordered multiple tests (for his heart, lungs, etc.), and nothing else turns up.

When speaking with friends who have had COVID...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Can someone have diffuse multiple myeloma with serious symptoms (like bone pain, pale skin, amber-colored urine, constipation, fatigue, insomnia, excessive sweating, and dizziness) and still be alive after four years? -- J.O.

ANSWER: Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer of the bone marrow. The cells in the bone marrow (called ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 65 and have been taking 5 mg of finasteride for over one year to address benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). My PSA score has lowered from 11.4 ng/mL (before finasteride) to 7.9 ng/mL, but I understand that this score should be doubled when taking finasteride. So, I think my PSA score has risen overall.

I have had two ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My sister has a real problem with alcohol. I have tried to get her into a rehab program, but she is resistant. I have read that medications like Ozempic might have some benefit in getting people to stop drinking alcohol. Is there an answer? -- W.A.

ANSWER: Alcohol use disorder is a huge problem worldwide, and basic and ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had a urinalysis done for pain that I usually get from urinary tract infections (UTIs). The results showed that some of the tests were high. My epithelial cell count was 11; my hyaline cast count was 10; and there were both red and white blood cells. There wasn't any bacteria, and the doctor never contacted me. So, I...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been confused about what normal blood pressure is for me (or anyone). I know there are some issues on what normal is today, but let us say that normal is 120/80 mm Hg. Does this mean that 110/90 mm Hg, 130/70 mm Hg, or 150/50 mm Hg is also normal? Is there any significance of the ratio of systolic/diastolic blood ...Read more

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 found in ...Read more