Ask the Doctors
Vocal changes common during aging process
Dear Doctors: My chorus has started meeting again — outdoors and vaccinated — to practice and sing. We’ve had a year off, and I’m upset that my voice is getting to be hoarse, and even cracking on low notes. I’m 67 years old and have always been a good singer. Is this happening from disuse?…
Read MoreAsk the Doctors by Eve Glazier, M.D. & Elizabeth Ko, M.D.
Safe holidays are all about being prepared Dear Doctors: My husband and I are hosting a family holiday party this year. It will include one set of grandparents, our three adult children and the grandchildren. Everyone except the youngest is vaccinated. What can we do to make sure everyone stays safe? Dear Reader: Larger holiday gatherings…
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Incorporate music in visits with Alzheimer’s patients Dear Doctors: My uncle has Alzheimer’s disease. He goes through these awful phases where he’s agitated and afraid. We’ve noticed that music calms him down, especially when it’s something from when he was young. Why would that be? Maybe music should be part of Alzheimer’s therapy. Dear Reader:…
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Parasitic tapeworms cause unusual neurological symptoms Dear Doctors: There was a story in the news recently about a man who had a tapeworm living in his brain. Our two teenage boys also saw it and are now obsessed. They’re grossed out and fascinated, and they are asking lots of questions. An explanation would be welcome. Dear Reader: You’re…
Read MoreKetosis, Ketoacidosis sound similar but not the same thing
Dear Doctors: I mentioned to a friend that I’m starting a low-carb diet that puts your body into ketosis. She said not to because ketosis is one of the dangerous complications that can happen to people with diabetes. Is that right? If so, how can low-carb diets ever be safe? Dear Reader: Your friend made…
Read MoreCoronavirus vaccine boosters available for all adults
Hello, dear readers, and welcome back to the monthly letters column. With holiday gatherings in full swing, we’ve focused today on your coronavirus vaccine and booster questions. — We’ve received a lot of mail asking about eligibility for coronavirus vaccine booster shots. The guidelines had been in flux, so we held off on an answer.…
Read MorePICS occures after lengthy ICU stays
Dear Doctors: Our dad had Legionnaires’ disease 16 years ago. He was on a ventilator for a month, and after that, he was always frail. We figured it was from being so sick, but I just read about something called ICU syndrome. It sounds like what happened to our dad. Can you explain what that…
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Dear Doctors: My husband wants to see if he qualifies to be a liver donor for his cousin. They’re both 44 years old and have been best friends their whole lives. I’m trying to be supportive, but to be honest, I’m very worried. What happens in a liver donation? Dear Reader: A liver transplant becomes…
Read MoreOnset of OCD commonly takes place in childhood
Dear Doctors: Can you please talk about OCD in kids? We’ve noticed that our youngest daughter, who is 6, is developing some rituals with numbers and bedtime and mealtimes. She gets pretty worked up if one of her brothers keeps her from finishing. Should we be worried? Dear Reader: You’re asking about obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly…
Read MoreImmune system causes difference in UTI symptoms
Dear Doctors: A friend who is 74 years old had an episode recently where she suddenly sounded as though she had dementia. Her physician diagnosed it as an effect of a UTI. Can you talk about how UTIs in older people can mimic dementia? Also, why do they affect more women than men? Dear Reader:…
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