Health Advice
/Health
Vaccination, Paxlovid And Metformin Can Help With Long Covid
DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there anything a person can do to make it less likely that a COVID infection leads to long COVID symptoms? Does activity help or harm a person in this case? -- L.B.
ANSWER: Before getting COVID in the first place, being vaccinated helps prevent a COVID infection, and even if you get infected, it probably reduces the ...Read more
Man With Pacemaker Must Be Careful With Induction Stovetop
DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has a pacemaker. We have an induction stove, and his cardiologist was uncertain if it was safe for him to use it. So, he does not cook on the stovetop and stays clear when I am cooking.
Is it safe for him to use at least the back burners? When I am out of town or just not home, he is afraid to use the cooktop. I ...Read more
Man Who Had Cancer Takes Vitamins That Increase Cancer Risk
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old male who weighs 130 pounds and is 5 feet, 7 inches tall. I am in good shape and work out regularly. I had my prostate removed in 2023 after about six years of active surveillance, and I just finished radiation treatment.
I've taken vitamins for as long as I can remember. I take Centrum Silver multivitamins, ...Read more
Neurosurgeon Refuses To Put In A Shunt For Person With NPH
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and had a spinal tap a few months ago. It helped my brain fog, but my neurosurgeon didn't want to put in a shunt. I am 96. Can repeated taps help me? -- M.G.
ANSWER: NPH is a condition where the fluid inside the brain has a high pressure. It is unknown why this happens, but symptoms ...Read more
Sufficient Vitamin D And Calcium Is Crucial For Bone Growth
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am considering a new supplement to help my bones. My recent DEXA scan shows osteopenia with a T-score of 1.1 in my lumbar spine. My hips have a T-score of -1.5, and my FRAX 10-year risk score for hip fracture is 3.4%. The supplement contains plant-based calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, vitamin K3, boron, selenium, and other ...Read more
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Causes Loads Of Urinary Issues
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 71 and began having urinary issues due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) many years ago. I took alpha blockers (Flomax, double Flomax and tadalifil), which didn't provide any improvement. I was never offered finasteride or dutasteride. I managed my urinary issues well by double-voiding before leaving the house and not ...Read more
Woman Shouldn't Take Niacin To Prevent The Risk Of Heart Attack
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a woman in my late 60s with a family history that includes an older brother who had a heart attack at a young age. My total cholesterol has hovered around 200 mg/dL for many years, but my HDL and LDL numbers are good.
A few years ago, I had a highly elevated level of lipoprotein(a), about 164 nmol/L. My doctor prescribed ...Read more
Chikungunya Disease Leaves Woman In Immense Pain For Years
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a friend who lives in Paraguay and had been diagnosed with chikungunya. It has been extremely painful for her for several years. Her doctor prescribed 90 mg of etoricoxib daily and a shot of duodecadron once a month.
I've never heard of chikungunya, and the medical care she is getting seems sketchy. I wish there was a ...Read more
Grandparent Asks For New Updates About Type 1 Diabetes
DEAR DR. ROACH: My grandson has just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I'm wondering which new therapies are out there for consideration in treating this. Are there any new discoveries involving gene-altering, pancreas transplants or something else? I am willing to join any study group that is looking at this or any other group that helps ...Read more
Being Put On So Many Meds Causes Concern For A Liver Issue
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 52-year-old woman who was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia in October 2024. I went through a cardiac workup for pain in my left arm and found this out.
My cardiologist put me on a statin (rosuvastatin), baby aspirin and telmisartan. Then, for my cholesterol, I was put on Repatha injections twice a month as ...Read more
Multivitamins Have Been Shown To Be Contaminated With Metals
DEAR DR. ROACH: My family doctor said to stay away from multivitamins because they contain metal contaminants. Is this true, and is it good advice? -- J.K.
ANSWER: Your doctor is correct that many multivitamins have been shown to be contaminated with heavy metals. For example, in a recent article on prenatal vitamin and folic acid supplements...Read more
Eligard Injections Cause Man To Develop Breast Tissue
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been treated for prostate cancer and stopped my semiannual Eligard injections three years ago. I'm 75 years old and about 5 feet, 9 inches tall. Before treatment, I weighed 227 pounds; I currently weigh 209 pounds. My testosterone level is 49.6 ng/dL. My breasts have become somewhat feminine.
My question is: Will they ...Read more
Head Constantly Leans Forward After A Compression Fracture
DEAR DR. ROACH: My mom had a compression fracture to her L2 vertebrae due to osteoporosis. Her head leans forward constantly. It has created difficulty for her when looking forward while walking and sleeping. Do you have anything that you can suggest for her to do? -- J.F.
ANSWER: Compression fractures of the neck, chest and lower spine are ...Read more
Platelet-Rich Plasma Isn't Yet Approved Due To Lack Of Evidence
DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm planning on getting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for my knee (due to arthritis and years of previous steroid/gel injections) as well as my large toe joint (due to a bone spur removal three years ago).
The most recent bone spur removal left very rough bone, causing periodic pain plus hyperesthesia in my toe. I am a 76-year-...Read more
