sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

What’s wrong with North Americans? Plenty! Long ago, immigrants landed on our hostile shores. They had no shelter, food or medical care. They hacked down forests and tried to survive. Many didn’t. They developed colds and sore backs.

Dear Dr. Roach: I sustained a ruptured disc from shovelling snow, then underwent a microdiscectomy, after which I developed severe nerve symptoms. It took me years to get a correct diagnosis.

Dear Dr. Roach: Last year, I had shingles. The shingles are gone, but I am still feeling the nerve pain. I have been taking 600 mg of gabapentin for it, but several doctors have told me that I need to get off of this medication.

Dear Dr. Roach: I had a transient ischemic attack in July 2016. I had lots of risk factors: morbidly obese, cholesterol of 255, elevated blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes (well-controlled, but still) and heavy drinking.

Dear Dr. Roach: I went to get a tattoo on my hand, but got dizzy and fainted. I have low blood pressure. I want to finish the tattoo, so what can I take or do so that I don’t pass out? M.Y. I certainly would recommend that you lie down.

Dear Dr. Roach: I have COPD and have been on oxygen for about 12 years now. I recently saw a cardiologist for the first time, and he found that I have atrial fibrillation. He added Xarelto and atenolol to my regimen.

Dear Dr. Roach: After I eat breakfast, I feel really tired and just want to lie down and take a nap. I am a 71-year-old woman in good health. Any ideas? D.M.

This week, would readers help me answer a perplexing question? Their answers could be helpful to millions of people. I’m sure that very few people in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ and the United States have not witnessed a friend or loved one develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Dear Dr. Roach: I had just about given up on controlling my sciatic nerve pain in my right leg. I also had no faith that physical therapy could help, but I was referred by my family doctor, so I went.

Dear Dr. Roach: I keep hearing that I should have my children tested for the MTHFR gene before vaccinating them. What is the MTHFR gene? Does something about it lead to more vaccine injuries? K.S.H.