Ask the Doctor

Not all heart valve problems need immediate attention

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 89 years old and in good health. I do not have high blood pressure, and I do not have diabetes. The only big problem I have had for a long time is aortic stenosis. I am still pretty active, but this concerns me. Will you inform... Full story

Polio the second time around

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 78 and had polio when I was 17. I have lived with weakness on my left side. About a year ago, I started feeling a lot of fatigue. I saw an endocrinologist, who tested for low testosterone and thyroid. I took medicines that fixe... Full story

COPD: No cure, many treatments

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife was diagnosed with COPD. She is on medicines and has been given lung tests that confirm COPD. Is there a cure? -- C.F.    ANSWER: About 24 million Americans suffer from COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary dise... Full story

Patient cannot tolerate sleep apnea mask

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: On my own, I went to a sleep clinic to be assessed for sleep apnea. After two nights there, I was told I need a CPAP machine. They decided I needed a full face mask because I am a mouth-breather. After the first night, I knew I coul... Full story

Hibernating TB calls for treatment

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son had blood work done for employment at a hospital. He tested positive for latent TB, so now he has to take isoniazid for nine months. Is this a normal treatment for this kind of infection? What is the prognosis once he is done... Full story

What value is stretching exercises?

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My basketball coach is gung-ho for stretching exercises. We spend at least 15 minutes of every practice doing all sorts of stretches. Some of us wonder what this is doing for us. Our coach claims that it keeps us from injuries. Does... Full story

The gift of organ donation is priceless

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would like to take organ donation a step further and donate my body to science. If any part of me can help find a cure for a disease or help someone live longer, I will have been of some use to my fellow human beings. Furthermore,... Full story

Downside of marijuana

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: As marijuana smoking is quite popular, I would like to know what effect its smoke has on the lungs of the user. Having been part of the police department and being aware that users inhale and keep the smoke in their lungs for quite ... Full story

Laryngitis not the cause of all voice troubles

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: One doesn't hear or read often about my problem, which was diagnosed by a speech therapist. It's spasmodic dysphonia. It started about a year ago. Sometimes it worsens in the evening hours or when I get upset. It's quite annoying an... Full story

Treating health threats without medicines sometimes possible

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 69-year-old woman and take simvastatin and alendronate. I was feeling really tired. My muscles and joints hurt. I told my doctor, and he cut the dose of simvastatin. I was still tired and hurting, so I stopped all meds. I now... Full story

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