ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 69-year-old, very active male. My left Achilles tendon severed two years ago and was surgically repaired. I had an 8-inch incision that has totally healed, with the exception of one small area about the size of the lead of a pencil. It's 3 inches above my heel. This small area would close up for a few days, then reopen ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am writing to you about my 62-year-old wife, in the hope that you can provide an opinion on a question she has and also provide us with some advice in her quest for relief from constipation and her stomach problems. It is not unusual for her to go three to four days without a bowel movement. She has been told by two different...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My otherwise-healthy mother died at age 72 from the original COVID virus. Knowing that this could mean a severe outcome for me, I actively avoided COVID. Keeping up to date with vaccines, masking indoors at all times, and minimizing contact with others all kept me from getting COVID until this past July. I tested positive for ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Regarding your recent column about prostate cancer, could you please clarify a statement that has created some concern and confusion for me? The statement is: "Screening begins to have a net benefit after about 10 or 15 years." About 10 or 15 years after what exactly?

I had surgery about 18 months ago at the age of 65, and I'm...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 64-year-old man. I got a terrible rash from poison ivy and needed to be put on prednisone. After a few days, I started having terrible hiccups. They've been going on for two days, and they are constant. I've tried all the home treatments to get rid of them. They haven't stopped for more than 3 hours. I also have ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: About three months ago, I bled a bit while urinating. This was the first (and only) time in over 30 years since menopause that this happened. An ultrasound was performed, and they found a mildly thickened endometrium (6.1 mm) with scattered cystic change, but without focal lesion.

My gynecologist is suggesting an endometrial ...Read more

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