ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have recently begun seeing a new physician who dictates into a recorder during my entire exam. I find this very off-putting and don't know what to do. Here is an example:

Doctor: What brings you in today?

Me: I have a sore throat.

Doctor speaks into to the recorder: Patient presents a complaint of a sore throat today.

...Read more

In 2021, just over a third of men ages 55 to 69 had had a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test to check for prostate cancer in the past year. That may be because there's been a lot of confusion about the advantages and risks (of unnecessary treatment) that go along with getting the test. But data are adding up that indicate that it's a ...Read more

When 10 million people are brought together in one massive review of 14 studies, you're getting some pretty reliable health info. And that's what a 2024 meta-review did when it explored the association between eating ultra-processed foods and health problems. The result? The researchers identified 32 different conditions that can be linked to ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 65-year-old male. On my recent semiannual checkup, my labs showed an AST level of 53 U/L and an ALT level of 62 U/L. I am concerned about nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition to losing weight, is 800 IU of vitamin E potentially beneficial? -- H.C.

ANSWER: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease ...Read more

• Gelsemium: Gelsemium, derived from the yellow jasmine plant, is a homeopathic remedy that may help alleviate anxiety and panic associated with agoraphobia. It is often indicated for individuals who experience trembling, weakness, and fear in crowded or unfamiliar places.

• Argentum nitricum: Argentum nitricum, prepared from silver...Read more

Grabbing a cup of coffee at work is a time-honored tradition -- to boost your ability to concentrate on tasks at hand and to socialize for a couple of minutes with colleagues. In fact, one survey found that two-thirds of folks say they start their workday with a cup of coffee -- and most drink three cups at their desk or workstation.

I'm a huge...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you offer any general advice on how patients should weigh the risks versus benefits when they are prescribed a drug that lists many potentially serious side effects? I once had a specialist suggest that I do a trial of a drug for a noncardiac issue, but my cardiologist cautioned me not to chance it because both my heart ...Read more

• Belladonna: Belladonna, derived from the deadly nightshade plant, is a homeopathic remedy that may help regulate body temperature during exercise. It is often indicated for individuals who experience sudden and intense heat, redness, and throbbing sensations in the body.

• Natrum muriaticum: Natrum muriaticum, prepared from common...Read more

• Gelsemium: Gelsemium, derived from the yellow jasmine plant, is a homeopathic remedy that may help alleviate performance anxiety. It is often recommended for individuals who experience trembling, weakness, and stage fright before performances or public speaking.

• Argentum nitricum: Argentum nitricum, prepared from silver nitrate,...Read more

• Crataegus oxyacantha: Crataegus oxyacantha, also known as Hawthorn, is a homeopathic remedy that may assist in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels during exercise. It is often recommended for individuals with cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, and can help support the proper functioning of the heart.

• ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old man and have been taking finasteride for hair loss for about five years. I realized while reading your recent column that I have the sexual side effects the letter-writer described. I had been unable to obtain a satisfactory erection even when taking 150 mg of sildenafil, which is three times my prescribed ...Read more

Fatty liver disease, now called MASLD, which stands for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, is a silent epidemic affecting around 100 million Americans. That means, because of elevated lousy LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and/or obesity, a person's liver is laced with excess fat, interfering with its ...Read more

• Aconitum napellus: Aconitum napellus, also known as Aconite, is a homeopathic remedy that may help reduce the intensity and frequency of panic attacks. It is often indicated for sudden and intense fear, restlessness, and palpitations.

• Argentum nitricum: Argentum nitricum, prepared from silver nitrate, is a homeopathic remedy ...Read more