DEAR DR. ROACH: In January 2014, I was bitten by a mosquito in the Caribbean and came down with the Chikungunya virus, which I still have. I took naproxen for about three months for the Chikungunya from April to July 2014. In August, I started having chronic diarrhea, which continues to this day. I have […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been diagnosed with prediabetes (A1c 5.8) and kidney failure (eGFR 58, creatinine 0.97). I am confused about which problem to address through diet. I was advised to eat wheat bread and oatmeal for breakfast, and now I am told that wheat and oatmeal are not good for my kidneys. I […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I get all of my medicine by mail. Since the manufacturers stress keeping the pills at cool room temperatures, I wonder what the excessive heat does to them. The medicine must cook all day in the mailbox — way over 100 degrees here in Florida. I wonder how much the pills or […]

Are genes responible for reader’s AMD? DEAR DR. ROACH: When my daughter was pregnant, she was tested for blood abnormalities and was told she has factor V Leiden and PAI-1 4G/5G. She suggested that I be tested, because with my firstborn I had an emergency C-section for hemorrhaging due to placenta abruption, and with her […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: What effect, if any, does alcohol consumption have on swelling in the legs, ankles and feet? I drink only when I go out for dinner or have guests, typically a cocktail and a glass of wine; no swelling in those instances. However, I noticed that after a few days on vacation, when […]

Tips for reducing eye strain DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you mind providing some guidelines for preventing eye strain? I’m a graduate student, so I spend a lot of time reading, both from computer screens and from books. I will always need to read to get things done, but I’d also like my eyes to last […]