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Explaining the significance of Z- and T-scores in DEXA scans

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a woman of 54 with somewhat limited mobility due to back pain. Perhaps for this reason, my primary care physician ordered a DEXA scan in 2023 and again in 2026. I was alarmed when the recent scan showed osteopenia in five of the six areas that were tested. I thought the ...

Opiate prescriptions for pain don’t provide relief to patient

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have horrible neck, shoulder, back and hip pain, which are all from different traumas. I’ve been seeing a pain doctor for the past 14 years. I started out taking 5 mg of Vicodin and 4 mg of trazodone. Over the years, my prescriptions have been raised to 7.5 mg of oxycodone ...

How to recognize mental fatigue

Everyone feels tired at some point. The signs of physical fatigue are often easily recognizable. Slower movements, heavy eyes, achy muscles, and even frequent yawning are some telltales signs that a body is tired. But what about mental fatigue? Mental fatigue affects the mind instead of the ...

Once a luxury for moms, doula care is going mainstream

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Shaquoiya Stewart held one of her 6-month-old twins on her lap while Shanille Bowens held the other. As the women caught up and the babies stared at each other quietly, Bowens came around to the key question she asks all the mothers she works for: “Do you think ...

Sixty-year-old woman is mysteriously unable to gain weight

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a sister who is in her mid 60s and has a very low weight. She cooks a lot but doesn’t eat much. Is there something to suggest to make her gain some weight? She weighs 80 pounds and is 5 feet, 2 inches tall. By contrast, I’m 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weigh 150 pounds. ...