Dear Dr. Roach: I have spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, along with scoliosis from childhood polio. A few weeks ago, I developed sciatica and started a course of physical therapy, but quit halfway through because it seemed to make the pain much worse. The therapist recommended I ...

Dear Annie: I am writing in response to the letter from “Concerned Care-Daughter,” who said she was approaching caregiver burnout. It sounds to me like she is very empathic, and her older sister may have some narcissist traits. Narcissistic traits include being dismissive of other ...

Dear Dr. Roach: I was wondering if you could explain why some vaccinations seem to completely protect against a disease, while others do not. For example, smallpox was completely eradicated by vaccination, and the hepatitis B vaccine is good for life and 98% to 100% effective, according to the ...

Dear Annie: I love your column and the advice you give. I never thought I’d be sending a letter to you. My oldest daughter has given me a nudge, and I’m writing this while at her house. The problem is with “Alice,” the middle of my three daughters. She has always been difficult and ...

Dear Dr. Roach: At a recent visit with my ear, nose and throat doctor, he commented that frequent use of antihistamines with decongestants can lead to blocked eustachian tubes. Is that statement correct? I live where the humidity is often above 75%, and I use over-the-counter antihistamines ...

Winter is a pretty season, but I long for color in my life, so I was glad to see that the Finnish American Folk School at Finlandia was offering a snow dyeing class offered by Emeritus Professor Phyllis Fredendall and instructor Hannah Smith-Grannis. You may have seen the cute photos of flowers ...