Dr. Anthony Komaroff
-
Tuberculosis is still a killer diseaseAug 15, 2015 7:00 am - Q: Why does my doctor want to test me for tuberculosis? I thought that was eradicated a long time ago. A: It would be wonderful if tuberculosis (TB) had been eradicated ...
-
No drug yet found offers protection against Alzheimer'sAug 08, 2015 5:55 am - Q: I've heard that certain common medicines used for other purposes may also protect against Alzheimer's disease. Is there any truth to this? A: You've raised an importa...
-
Weight-loss drugs come with many caveatsAug 01, 2015 7:00 am - Q: I take medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am also obese, which is another risk factor for heart disease. Should I be on a weight-loss drug? ...
-
Take ibuprofen and baby aspirin at different timesJul 27, 2015 7:00 am - Q: I take ibuprofen every morning for my arthritis. My doctor wants me to take low-dose aspirin every day to reduce my heart attack risk. Ibuprofen and aspirin are both ...
-
Try physical therapy instead of surgery for stenosis painJul 18, 2015 7:00 am - Q: I have painful spinal stenosis in my lower back. My doctor wants me to have surgery, but that seems extreme. Is surgery really my best option? A: Lumbar (low back) sp...
-
Removal of gallbladder often best treatment for gallstonesJul 11, 2015 7:00 am - Q: I was recently diagnosed with gallstones, and my doctor recommended surgery. Is this the best option, or can I consider other treatments? A: Gallstones are pebble-lik...
-
Arch supports are usually enough to treat flat feetJul 04, 2015 7:00 am - Q: At my son's 12-year well-child visit, his doctor said that he may have flexible flat feet. What does that mean? Is it something that needs to be treated? A: A person ...
-
Simple sore throat may not really be simple at allJun 27, 2015 5:00 am - Q: I saw my doctor last week, who said I had acute pharyngitis, but didn't say what that was. It sounds serious. What is it? A: Good news: It's rarely serious. I know t...
-
Why vitamin D is controversialJun 20, 2015 7:00 am - Q: My doctor advised me to take a vitamin D supplement. Why do I need vitamin D? Also, my pharmacy sells vitamin D in two forms: D2 and D3. What is the difference, and w...
-
You can reduce your risk of developing atherosclerosisJun 13, 2015 7:00 am - Q: You mention atherosclerosis in many of your columns. Could you explain what this word means? A: My readers ask me many questions about atherosclerosis, and for good r...