ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: At age 76, I was diagnosed with sinus node dysfunction last year after several episodes of what I'd call being "spaced out" (for lack of a better term). I couldn't explain these instances to myself, much less anyone else lest they think I was crazy, until I had one where I passed out. This scared me, and I told my husband, who ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My son is 32 years old and developed a superficial blood clot in his arm near the elbow. They tested him for the factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation, and he is positive and heterozygous. They put him on blood thinners. I went and got tested. I tested positive and am homozygous, which means that I inherited the gene from both my ...Read more

Dads have a big influence on the future happiness and accomplishments of their children. But we usually think that comes from their being involved in day-to-day parenting with joy, interest and interaction. Turns out there are also powerful biological influences that are passed from father to child through sperm at conception and play out for ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: After over 50 years of smoking, my wife has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bad scarring of her lungs, but fortunately she doesn't have cancer. She had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and no longer has nicotine cravings, but we aren't sure if it was RSV that killed her cravings.

She lies in bed day and night ...Read more

Around 10 million adults in the U.S. have osteoporosis (8 million women and 2 million men), putting them at risk for bone fractures caused by everyday motions like bending, coughing and lifting -- and they can even happen spontaneously.

Why is bone health such a challenge for around 17% of folks age 65 and older? Well, a new look at data on ...Read more

One underexplored phenomenon of menopause is how the voice of women can change during the process, the result of falling levels of estrogen and progesterone. These changes are typically unwanted hoarseness, roughness and loss of vocal stability.

Voice production is a complex physiological process requiring "the precise coordination of ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Several years ago, in my early 80s, my gynecologist told me (like all women who mainly stayed indoors) that I should be taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. Yet today, I read an article warning that many people are overdosing on vitamin D. Is this really a concern? -- L.M.

ANSWER: Overdosing on vitamin D is dangerous. Last month...Read more

It often turns out that nutrients have multiple benefits -- helping you stay healthy in ways you might not imagine. Take the carotenoid called zeaxanthin that's related to vitamin A. This nutrient has long been used, along with another carotenoid called lutein, to help improve vision in folks dealing with age-related macular degeneration. And ...Read more

"Drink to me only with thine eyes" is the first line in a 17th-century poem by Ben Jonson -- and he might have been on to something. A study in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine that looked at data on more than half a million folks ages 56 to 72 reveals that, while light alcohol consumption is associated with a low risk for dementia, there's no ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old woman who is in relatively good health. My primary exercise is walking my dogs anywhere from 2-5 miles per day. I have two Morton's neuromas in my left foot, and I've been receiving shots for them for at least the past eight to ten years, with the shots being more frequent in recent times.

Sadly, these shots...Read more

If you're one of the 25% to 30% of U.S. adults who are sedentary, not getting even the minimum recommended 30 minutes of daily motion, you're setting yourself up for a roster of chronic conditions, starting with heart disease -- and heading to dementia, cancer, and joint woes.

Well, if you would like to change your ways and improve your heart ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I just discontinued using metoprolol succinate extended release (ER) at a dosage of 6.25 mg. My heart rate is normally in the 70-80s, and my blood pressure is normal. My doctor prescribed metoprolol for palpitations, but it seems totally unnecessary. My issue is that I am experiencing tachycardia of over 100 beats every single ...Read more

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, in children seems anomalous. Indeed, it's relatively rare but not unheard of. In the U.S. roughly one in seven children and teens may have high blood pressure or be trending toward it.

That does not bode well for their future health. A new analysis of 37,000 people found that high blood pressure at age 7 ...Read more

Sciatica is a painful condition caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, resulting in radiating pain, tingling, and numbness along the lower back, buttocks, and legs. While conventional treatments are available, some individuals seek alternative approaches to manage their sciatica symptoms. Homeopathy, a holistic system ...Read more

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. While conventional treatments for RA exist, some individuals seek alternative approaches to complement their management plan. Homeopathy, a holistic system of medicine, offers potential remedies that may help...Read more

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, inflamed patches of skin covered with silvery scales. While there is no cure for psoriasis, many individuals seek alternative approaches to manage their symptoms and promote overall skin health. Homeopathy, a natural and holistic system of medicine, offers potential remedies that may...Read more