DEAR DR. ROACH: If two of the major veins in your leg were removed, what would happen to the blood flow? Would you get enough to your heart and brain? — Anon. ANSWER: The veins of the body return blood to the heart. There are many veins in the limbs, so blood has multiple routes […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I would appreciate learning what your thoughts are for overactive bladder treatments. Nights are especially troublesome. Some years ago, I was using Oxytrol patches and finding them very helpful, but then I was told I had glaucoma and that I should not use the Oxytrol patch because of that. I wonder if […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old woman in good health. For the past several days, I have had muscle twitches all over my body — subtle ones, but nevertheless almost constant. This odd event has me worried. It would seem neurological in nature. What could be going on? — B.P. ANSWER: Frequent muscle twitches […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had surgery three months ago to decompress my ulnar nerve. The entrapment was due to an injury from more than 30 years ago. There was extensive nerve damage and scar tissue. He also removed a neuroma and did a lot of scraping. I am still experiencing the burning/tingling/prickly sensation in my […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife and I have been taking glucosamine and chondroitin for several years for arthritis. We have found it to be very beneficial. Our ages are 80 and 82. In a recent consumer magazine, there is an article about pain, including a paragraph about glucosamine and chondroitin. The article is negative about […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My grandson, who will be 14 in a month and weighs 75 pounds, is about to start growth hormone therapy. His parents have taken him to an endocrinologist, and he has had tests done and an MRI. The endocrinologist recommends this therapy, but I and other family members do not feel good […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband, 70 years old, has had five heart attacks in the past 20 years. He has never had openheart surgery, but he does have four stents. His last heart attack was in October 2013. Of course, he has been on many medications — forever, it seems. In the past few years […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 86 years old. Nine years ago I overcame nonHodgkin’s lymphoma. Now, my oncologist tells me I have multiple myeloma. I read up about it, and asked about a procedure where the cancerous cells are removed in toto and replaced by healthy ones. I gather that because of my age, even […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a friend who has hepatitis C. While normally this doesn’t really have much effect on our relationship, the other day he forgot some basic health rules, which has left me, admittedly, upset with him. He accidentally cut his finger, which wouldn’t have been a big deal, but he was way […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year oldwoman, in generally good health, and am having trouble with my right hip. I have had both knees replaced (I spent 40- plus years as a floor nurse). I lost 40 pounds and have kept it off for the past three years by walking 10,000 steps per day. […]