2013 Column YOU Docs Archive Stories

Q: My husband had gastric bypass surgery, and his Type 2 diabetes has been gone for four years now. Will it stay gone for the rest of his life? — Marianne Z., Little Falls, NY A: In one bariatric surgery study at Dr. Mike's Cleveland Clinic, about 50 percent of the patients saw complete remission of Type 2 diab

Q: Is it true there are foods that are designed to be addictive? — Joy D., Annapolis, Md. A: It's true, some food manufacturers engineer products to contain (from their point of view) the optimal balance of sugar and high fructose corn syrup. Then you feel maximum "crave" and keep eating, drinking and buying mo

Q: Everyone is on the gluten-free bandwagon these days, but I can't figure out if gluten is something I should avoid or not. What's the story? — Daisy F., Durham, NC A: Gluten-free diets are more popular now because we've developed ways — some based in science and some using trial and error — to ide

Q: This is really embarrassing, but I'm obsessed with hooking up. I'm out on the town night after night. I'm miserable if I have to go home alone, and miserable when I don't. How do I stop? — Evelyn Q., Syracuse, NY. A: It sounds as though you may be struggling with what's popularly called sex addiction. (Charlie Sheen, Russell Bra

I have a 75-year-old mother and a 5-year-old son — and both of them are wetting the bed. Double help! — Jean F., Boise, Idaho Bed-wetting and incontinence are challenging problems for both those experiencing the trouble and the caretaker — YOU. Fortunately, with a little work, both conditions can be managed pretty well.

Q: It seems like half the kids in my son's fourth-grade class are diagnosed with ADHD. What's going on? Am I imagining things? — Gail F., Columbia, Mo. A: Well, no, you are not imagining things. A recent report states that between 2000 and 2010 there was a 90 percent increase in the number of black girls diagno

Q: I just read that America, the richest country in the world, is ranked 17th in overall health. How is this possible? Is it our health-care system? — Paul H., Chicago A: Actually, our health-care system recently was ranked 37th in the world (even though we spend more per capita on health care than any other na

Q: My family loves to go to the local all-you-can-eat buffet for dinner. But I am really trying to eat better and lose weight. Any tips for how to survive this massive temptation to overeat all the wrong stuff? — Mary S., Kokomo, Ind. A: Congratulations for asking this question — and for realizing that yo

Q: It seems like everyone is talking about how dangerous concussions are for football players. I don't actually see that many guys getting knocked out, so what's really going on? — Todd D., Springfield, Mass. A: Concussions happen frequently in the NFL, even if you don't see 'em all on TV. And we're just beginn

Q: I'm 38, a wife and a working mom with three kids. My days are jammed. I'm worried about taxes; my boss wants me to take on more responsibility at work; the cellphone is always ringing. Sometimes I can't remember what I am supposed to be doing. It's scary to think I might have Alzheimer's disease already. — Glenda H., Tallahass

Q: I'm in California, and my folks live in Massachusetts. Mom had a stroke that paralyzed her left side, but now I'm concerned about Dad. He's 78 and insists he can handle everything, but I can tell that caring for her is hard on him. What can I do from here to help? — Crystal C., Riverside A: Most of us, at so

Q: My doctor suggested I take anti-seizure medication for my migraines, but it's not approved for that. He says it's safe and effective. What's your take? — Evelyn P., Council Bluffs, Iowa A: In the United States, 4.02 billion prescriptions are written annually, and more than 20 percent are to treat diseases or

Q: My husband recently had a heart attack followed by bypass surgery. Before he was released from the hospital, I asked the cardiologist about my husband's diet. The doctor said he could have anything he wants — in moderation. I don't want him eating steak and ice-cream sundaes! But now how will I convince him that he should