ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an active senior and have started to feel symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS). I'm wondering how and why this started. In the evenings, I use an athletic foam roller, drink water, and take magnesium supplements. I'd like to hear how to remedy this so that I can get some much-needed sleep. -- J.L.

ANSWER: We don't ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My future son-in-law was diagnosed with hemicrania continua several weeks ago by a neurologist and is responding to indomethacin. Could you provide a prognosis for this illness? The internet says that it can take anywhere from weeks to months to years. Is this likely the case? -- M.I.L.

ANSWER: Hemicrania continua is an ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm always saddened when a young person dies of an old person's calling. I read about an actor dying of a heart attack at age 57. Apparently, he was athletic and in otherwise good health. Why do healthy young people suffer from unexpected heart attacks? -- A.C.G.

ANSWER: A heart attack is very rare under the age of 30 -- in ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm 70 years old, and my whole family is prone to edema, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis due to venous insufficiency. I've been wearing support pantyhose for 45 years whenever I get dressed, and I recently increased the compression. While I'm sitting, I elevate my legs. I am otherwise healthy and not overweight, and I ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on primary sclerosing cholangitis. What is the difference between this condition and primary biliary cholangitis? Where can I find information on how to get on a waiting list for a liver transplant? -- C.V.

ANSWER: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are similar ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read about a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease called NeuralCIM from Cuba. Do you think this is real? -- J.B.

ANSWER: NeuralCIM, aka NeuroEPO, is derived from erythropoietin -- the hormone that stimulates red blood cell precursors to make more blood cells. However, this intranasal form doesn't stimulate blood cells; it ...Read more

DEAR DR ROACH: My brother-in-law is a lovely man, but for years, he's suffered from obesity. He also gambles and drinks alcohol too much. I hesitate to get too involved, but I recently read that the new weight-loss drugs based on GLP-1 agonists are also helpful in reducing alcohol and gambling addictions. This sounds too good to be true. Is it? ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm 67 and in decent shape. I run 3-4 miles three times a week and lift weights three days a week. I take 20 mg of rosuvastatin daily. My LDL cholestrol is 85 mg/dL, and my HDL is over 80 mg/dL. I have controlled blood pressure at 125-130/80 mmHg with an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).

Seven years ago, my provider asked ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife is suffering from a failed back surgery that was caused by a neurosurgeon. The operation was four years ago, and she also had a spine stimulator that was implanted three years ago. Her pain management doctor said that she'll get progressively worse as current medical care hasn't improved for this condition. She's ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: What's better for your health: beer (light or full) or soft drinks (sugar or sugarless)? And why? -- W.C.G.

ANSWER: Neither alcoholic drinks nor sweetened beverages are on my list of recommended beverages. Alcohol has many toxicities, whether it's short-term or long-term use, and is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has neuropathy in his feet. He is otherwise healthy, exercises daily, maintains his weight, and eats healthy. My concern is that he uses chewing tobacco. He insists that it doesn't have a negative influence on his condition, but I disagree. What's your medical opinion? He is fully aware of other health complications ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have horrible neck, shoulder, back and hip pain, which are all from different traumas. I've been seeing a pain doctor for the past 14 years. I started out taking 5 mg of Vicodin and 4 mg of trazodone. Over the years, my prescriptions have been raised to 7.5 mg of oxycodone four times a day and 800 mg of ibuprofen three times ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I've seen a number of stories lately about people who've been arrested for behavior that doesn't seem to be criminal, but the behavior is odd. Some of these people are homeless, and I wonder if they are mentally ill and aren't taking prescribed medication. -- P.L.P.

ANSWER: Mental illness often leads to behaviors that ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you please explain the percentages that are given when a study indicates an increase for a particular risk? For example, say a person with mild coronary artery disease is at an increased risk of having a heart attack when taking certain drugs like meloxicam. It is confusing and possibly frightens a person away from ...Read more