ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old man with an arthritic back, urinary tract problems and, worst of all, highly sensitive skin! There are few items of clothing that I can tolerate. I turn tank top shirts inside out, preventing seams from irritating my skin. This has been a progressive problem since birth, worsening significantly over time. I've ...Read more

Ludwig von Beethoven declared, "Only the pure of heart can make a good soup." Da-da-da-daaaa! Unfortunately, many soups you're exposed to (we're not talking chicken noodle or split pea) are made from chemicals found in personal beauty and hygiene products.

Parabens, used as antimicrobial preservatives in personal care products, fragrances, ...Read more

Health insurance deductibles pushed higher once again this year, according to a new report, contributing to a 10-year trend where out-of-pocket spending in employer health plans is causing financial anxiety for those with medical problems.

The California-based Kaiser Family Foundation on Wednesday issued its annual report on trends in employer-...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My local news outlet here in Saskatchewan published a story on mutated strains of HIV present in my province being a concern to the medical community. As a sexually active adult, but not a user of injectable recreational drugs, what does this mean for me and other citizens in my area? How are these strains different from regular ...Read more

Voltar was a Viking comic-book character in an award-winning comic-book series by the same name. It first appeared in 1963. He was the precursor of Conan the Barbarian, who, when brought to the silver screen in 1982, launched Arnold Schwarzenegger's movie career.

Voltaren, on the other hand, is a U.S. brand name for a strong-armed NSAID (non-...Read more

WASHINGTON -- American workers' health insurance premiums and deductibles continued to tick upward in 2018, outpacing wage growth and inflation, according to a new national survey of employers.

The increases extend a long-running trend that is pinching workers and their families, and fueling widespread anxiety about medical costs.

More than a ...Read more

A new large study suggests that a daily dose of aspirin does not lower risk of having a heart attack or stroke for the first time. A randomized trial of more than 12,500 people considered to be at moderate risk for cardiovascular disease found that the rate of heart problems didn't differ between those who took a preventive aspirin pill daily ...Read more

Chris Evert and Andy Mills met at the top of a black diamond ski slope in Aspen, Colorado, over New Year's 1986. There was just one problem. Although Ms. Evert was closing in on her 18th Grand Slam tennis singles victory, she wasn't that great at skiing. Fortunately, Mr. Mills -- America's top downhill racer at the time -- came to her rescue. He...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 65-year-old male. I've had scoliosis since childhood. I experience stiffness, discomfort and some soreness. What is the best treatment for my scoliosis? Chiropractic was not helpful, and although I had only mixed results with physical therapy, I still do those exercises. What other treatments are available? I would like to ...Read more

Anger is a negative emotion that crushes well-being and leads to depression, dysfunction and way too many Krispy Kremes. And, yet, we all lead complicated lives, and anger is unavoidable.

How do you deal with your anger?

That's the question for today, when so many Americans are furious about the unfolding drama surrounding the nominee for the ...Read more

Last May, 27-year-old Icelander Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, renowned for his role as "The Mountain" Gregor Clegane, in "Game of Thrones," won the World's Strongest Man competition. At 6 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing over 390 pounds, Bjornsson eats eight meals a day, while lifting tons of weights.

His meals consist of lean meats, grains, ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 65-year-old woman, very active and in good health, my only medication being a daily 5-mg tablet of Exforge to control high blood pressure. My mother had systemic lupus erythematosus and passed away when I was 13 years old.

For the past three weeks I have had a smooth, bright-red butterfly-shaped blush over my upper cheeks...Read more

Betty White turned 96 this year and claims that her long-term good health is the result of hot dogs and vodka, not necessarily in that order!

Well, some people's genes are programmed to defy the odds (never worth betting on) -- either that or Betty's just a great comic who's not afraid of a politically incorrect joke (that's the smart bet)!

...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My grandson, age 26, was diagnosed with aortic stenosis at birth. He has had two surgeries to temporarily fix the problem.

He recently saw his doctor and was told that he must reduce his weight (311 pounds) within a few months in order to undergo his final surgery (valve replacement). He was told how to do this -- more exercise ...Read more

I tend to have a pumpkin obsession this time of year. And it's fueled by all the products from pumpkin bagels to body cream that are marketed in autumn. Nutritionally, pumpkin is a seasonal vegetable; it reaches its peak ripeness for harvest in these cooler days. Other produce abundant in the fall includes apples, beets and sweet potatoes.

Some...Read more

Roast beef, shiitake mushrooms and fresh thyme transform a '50s-style hash to a modern version that takes only 20 minutes to make. This hash keeps well. Make double, if you have time.

Helpful Hints:

-- Ask deli to cut roast beef into a 1/2-inch thick slice. It can then easily be cut into cubes.

-- Any type of canned beans can be used in the ...Read more

Dear Mayo Clinic: Is it common to only have a partial thyroidectomy to remove Hurthle cells? My doctor is recommending this procedure, but I wonder if I should have my entire thyroid removed instead to eliminate the risk of the cancer coming back. Would it be better to have a total thyroidectomy?

A: A partial thyroidectomy can be an appropriate...Read more

I went on a cleaning spree last weekend and cleaned my kitchen -- refrigerator, cabinets, all of it. I pitched the cans that were out of date and organized what was left to make it more accessible.

I'm amazed at the ease in preparing food now that I've organized. September just happens to be National Family Meals Month, but don't let the start ...Read more