Ask the Doctors

Dear Doctor: I was having a panic attack and thought I might faint. My dad had me breathe into a paper bag, and it helped me calm down. I’ve only ever seen that on TV. Why did it work? Was it because I ended up doing deep breathing?

Dear Reader: It’s [...]

Dear Doctor: Would you please write about the risks of falls for the elderly, which can be fatal? The colonial houses in my area are dangerous and lead to many serious injuries and deaths. Now that so many of us are home alone more than ever, calling attention to this [...]

Dear Doctor: I’ve tried all the toenail fungus cures in our drug store, and so far nothing works. Why not? What can I do? I really miss wearing sandals.

Dear Reader: You are one of the estimated 6 million people in the United States struggling with toenail fungus. It’s not only [...]

Dear Doctor: I was treated for pelvic cancer earlier this year, and ever since finishing chemo, I’ve had problems with balance and movement. My doctor thinks it could be parkinsonism. Is that the same as Parkinson’s disease? Did the chemo cause it?

Dear Reader: Although the two conditions share a similar [...]

Dear Doctor: When does a person require parathyroid surgery? I’ve heard it discussed but don’t know much about it.    As their name implies, the parathyroid glands are located next to the thyroid gland.  You have four of them, two on [...]

Dear Doctor: When does a person require parathyroid surgery? I’ve heard it discussed but don’t know much about it.    As their name implies, the parathyroid glands are located next to the thyroid gland.  You have four of them, two on [...]

Dear Doctors: How do I get the most out of my relationship with my primary care physician? The appointments are so short these days and I want to be smart about the way I use the time. [...]

Dear Doctor: I have heard that turmeric supplements work quite well as an anti-inflammatory agent, with less risk than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. What are your thoughts on turmeric as an anti-inflammatory supplement? The turmeric powder found in spice racks – and [...]

Dear Doctors: What’s the best type of exercise? I’ve been reading that high-intensity interval training can actually slow down the aging process. Really? Why? I'm not too keen on this approach but I do walk at least a mile every day. Dr. Elizabeth Ko and [...]

Dear Doctor: Can you explain probiotics? Who should take them and are they harmful in any way? They seem helpful to me in calming my stomach. For many generations, society feared bacteria, seeing only the devastation that bacterial disease created. Today, [...]