ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column where you said that ivermectin has not been proven to be an effective treatment for cancer. I feel that you need to be further informed on the positive aspects of Ivermectin. I have on file dozens of testimonials about the cancer-curing properties of ivermectin. -- J.A.

ANSWER: Testimonials are not ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife and I are both healthy and in our 70s. At 5 feet, 9 inches tall, we are both at a reasonable weight. Our yearly blood panels always come back with good results. We both take Lipitor. We play pickleball, walk and ride bikes on a regular basis. We don't smoke and enjoy wine in moderation. There is no history on either ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 69-year-old female. I walk every day and belong to an exercise group that I attend twice a week. I'm writing because during a routine dental cleaning, my dentist noticed a spot on the left side of my tongue that turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma.

I've never smoked, and I drink less than one alcoholic ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: What is the difference between a cold and the flu? -- A.T.R.

ANSWER: Both colds and influenza (the "flu") are respiratory illnesses that are caused by viruses. Influenza is caused specifically by the influenza viruses, which come in two main types (A and B). Influenza A is further broken down into different subtypes based on ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Would it be risky to take a low dose (20 mg) of over-the-counter lithium orotate to treat cognitive decline? The recent study in the journal Nature recommended waiting for further studies to look at the benefits and risks of taking this compound. Given the promising findings in mice/rats and the anecdotal evidence of reversing ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 64-year-old male who is a lifelong endurance athlete. For the past 15 years, my primary activities are cycling and swimming. I work out around 10 hours a week now, so it's nothing really excessive. But I always push myself to the edge of what's a comfortable pace.

My lifelong cardio exercise enthusiasm has resulted in ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year-old male who often experiences achiness in my lower joints (hip arthritis and occasional knee pain). A good friend of mine who is also a doctor recommended that I consider taking a daily supplement of glucosamine and chondroitin.

Do you recommend it for the purpose of reducing inflammation and joint pain? Does ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 78-year-old male with a history of high blood pressure, and I had a bovine aortic valve replacement in 2009. I had a negative colonoscopy in 2003, but in 2013, my colonoscopy required a polypectomy of a 3-mm tubular adenoma. In 2019, my colonoscopy was negative again. I'm concerned with the risks involved in repeat ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife believed she had lactose intolerance. After some tests, it was found that she was sensitive to casein rather than lactose. Are there other things in cow's milk besides lactose and casein that people are sensitive to? -- K.A.

ANSWER: There are three main components of cow's milk that can lead people to having a bad ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have noticed that I gain weight after eating salted foods. Last night, I had a pasta dish that was salty. Upon awakening, all my fingers were swollen to a point of not bending. Besides drinking a lot of water to flush it out, I'm concerned that there could be potential for an undetected cause.

I'm an 82-year-old woman, and ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently turned 65 and changed primary doctors because my previous doctor did not accept Medicare patients. I very much liked my new doctor. He ordered a vitamin D test. However, when I got to the lab, they gave me something to sign because Medicare might not cover the test. (It was about a $250 cost.) I declined the test.

...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 83-year-old lady, and I have done many adventurous things in my life (skydiving, race car driving, zip-lining, etc.) -- all fearlessly. But I have always been terrified of going to the dentist. My blood pressure skyrockets, and after even a simple cleaning, I have to sit in my car a while to calm down enough to drive ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm an 83-year-old man in good health who exercises regularly. I came down with a common cold and was prescribed a five-day course of prednisone (50 mg). I've taken two so far. I've had tinnitus for as long as I can remember, but at around 3 a.m. this morning, I had the loudest tinnitus by far that I've ever had. It has quieted...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Nine days ago, I had a medical procedure under general anesthesia. One of the lines was put in the artery in my left wrist. Aside from deep bruising that went halfway up my forearm, it seems that there is some nerve damage. I have constant pain from my thumb, through my wrist, and up to about 3 inches on my arm. Overnight, the ...Read more