Health Advice
/Health
Jardiance Prescription Comes With Too Many Urinary Issues
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 64-year-old male, and my A1C level has been averaging around 7.4% for a number of years. I was diagnosed diabetic at age 54. My doctor has been trying several combinations of drugs over the last couple years to get my A1C below 7%.
I currently am maxed out on 25 mg of Jardiance, 2,000 mg of metformin ER and 14 mg of ...Read more
Eliminating Dairy Products Helps With Eosinophilic Esophagitis
DEAR DR. ROACH: After reading your recent column on difficulty swallowing, I wanted to write in about my experience with dysphagia. An endoscopy with dilation and biopsies confirmed that I had eosinophilic esophagitis. My gastroenterologist suggested a one-food elimination diet. I am allergic to the protein in milk, so no dairy products for me...Read more
Patient Seems Unsure Of ALS Diagnosis
DEAR DR. ROACH: My question is about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I have been diagnosed with this horrible, debilitating disease and don't know where I am headed. I went to a hospital for a second opinion and additional testing to rule out other possible causes of this numbness. Nary a test was done; the neurologist looked at the ...Read more
Low Blood Pressure Prompts Concern About Blood Levels, Iron
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 23-year-old woman. Recently, my friend experienced a problem with high blood pressure, and for about five days, I followed her diet, which consisted of no added salt or sugar. While taking care of her, I checked my blood pressure once or twice, and it was normal. However, after almost five days, I measured it again and ...Read more
MRI Not Recommended For Patient With Shrapnel Lodged In Skull
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a 3 mm piece of shrapnel lodged in my skull bone. This is a result of military action back in 1967. A recent X-ray continues to show the shrapnel after all these years. I would say that the piece is half in and half out of the skull bone.
At age 77, I am unable to have an MRI. I currently have Type 2 diabetes and a ...Read more
Inguinal Hernia Grows In Size, Prompting A Surgical Repair
DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm an 83-year-old healthy woman. In 2019, I became aware of a little bulge in my groin and suspected an inguinal hernia. It was confirmed by my family doctor. Given its small size and the fact that it gets reduced easily, we decided to wait and watch it.
An ultrasound revealed that the only contents of the hernia were ...Read more
Low Iron Levels Might Affect Blood Donor's Depression
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am wondering if there is any link between low iron and depression/anxiety. I am a 37-year-old woman, and I started taking Lexapro a few years ago. I upped my dose last year because I wasn't feeling great, and my doctor and I decided that it was a good step to take.
During the years that I have been taking Lexapro, I have ...Read more
Lymphedema In Both Legs Requires Continuous Drainage
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have lymphedema in both legs, and I'm undergoing drainage every day for two hours for the next two weeks. They wrap my legs with four to five different wraps and lightly massage them in an upward motion. I sleep in a recliner, and I sit in my wheelchair most of the day due to other surgeries.
I have been to three doctors, ...Read more
Use Reliable Literature Sources For Information About Vitamins
DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you recommend the most reliable literature source(s) for vitamin and supplement information and interactions? For instance, health magazines give these examples of supplement information:
-- Take magnesium with vitamin D3 for best absorption.
-- Do not take magnesium with zinc or iron supplements. Take it hours apart to...Read more
Ibuprofen Needs To Be Used In Caution After Hernia Operation
DEAR DR. ROACH: My second inguinal hernia operation resulted in pain and a lot of blood in my groin area. I can understand why I was prescribed acetaminophen, but I am confused about ibuprofen. It's a blood thinner, and I am not sure if my blood needed thinning, since there was plenty of blood in the groin and surrounding area. -- M.I.
ANSWER...Read more
Patient Gets Diagnosed With Covid Without Getting Tested For It
DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 71-year-old male in excellent health, and I don't take any medications. Recently, after experiencing mild headaches, mild muscle aches, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and a sore throat, I went to an urgent care facility near me to find out which of the viruses I had been infected with. After listening to my lungs and ...Read more
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Causes Stiff Heart
DEAR DR. ROACH: A friend of mine has been diagnosed with "stiff heart" and has kind of given up because there is no treatment. With all the advances in medicine, isn't there something that can be done? -- C.L.
ANSWER: It's not always easy to guess what a medical diagnosis might be from a simplified description like this, but my best guess is ...Read more
Immunotherapy For Peanut Allergies Is Still A Work In Progress
DEAR DR. ROACH: Why aren't people able to see an allergist to be desensitized to a peanut allergy? As a child, I was allergic to dust, pet hair, milk and other things, but I received treatments. I am not bothered by any of these now. It would seem prudent to desensitize people who have allergies that are life-threatening, like peanut allergies...Read more
The Course Of Rare Van Der Knaap Disease Is Somewhat Unclear
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question that I hope you can help me with. My 1-year-old grandniece (my brother's granddaughter) was recently diagnosed with Van der Knaap disease after suffering seizures and getting an MRI. An internet search described it as a rare inherited disorder with walking difficulties and a progressive decline in brain ...Read more