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MRIs are generally superior to CT scan

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a pacemaker that was installed in January 2024. This is a newer model that’s said to be safe for those who need an MRI. I have a neoplasm that was recently discovered in the parotid gland on the right side of my head. The doctors at a referral hospital attempted to do a biopsy on the mass in the center of the gland. But the biopsy failed as the tissue samples were only obtained from benign tissue surrounding the neoplasm, not from the mass. My doctor doesn’t want to attempt another biopsy, as the biopsy procedure that failed was very lengthy and lasted for ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Safety plays take many forms, but the underlying principle is always the same: In order to protect against an unfavorable distribution of the adverse cards, declarer risks losing a trick he might not have to lose. The large family of safety plays need not be memorized. They should suggest themselves automatically when a threatening set of circumstances arises. In this deal, South sees he has only seven tricks immediately available at three notrump, and that the best source of additional tricks lies in the diamond suit. The normal way of approaching the diamonds is to cash the king and ...

Always speak very clearly to older people

DEAR HELOISE: As people age, their speech starts to slur. Consonants soften; voices become monotone. The guttural parts of sound lessen. Speaking clearly to compensate for the loss of these vocal characteristics is very helpful to older folks with tinnitus and ordinary hearing loss. (This was explained to me by an acoustical engineer.) — Andy G., in Youngstown, New York DEAR HELOISE: I very much related to the reader who wrote about enunciation. I often get people who know that I’m partially deaf and feel like they have to talk really loud, and I often tell them it’s not ...

How to report that a patient’s license needs to be revoked

DEAR DR. ROACH: A former neighbor who's experiencing a gradual cognitive decline from dementia recently received a letter from our state's DMV saying that her driver's license was being revoked because of a letter she received from her neurologist. She steadfastly maintains that she's fine and there's nothing wrong with her, although those of us who know her are very aware of her diminished capacities. Fortunately, she reluctantly moved into assisted living a few months ago and will be able to get rides provided by the facility to doctor's appointments, for shopping, etc. Eight years ...

One shot or two?

NEW YORK — Preteens may soon have something to celebrate: Medical experts are discussing the possibility that one dose of a life-saving cancer vaccine, instead of two, may be enough to protect them. U.S. vaccination recommendations have become splintered in the past year, with federal ...

Stop-smoking drug can trigger behavior changes

Q. I noticed vile words coming out of my mouth after a week on the stop-smoking drug varenicline (Chantix). I had many “Did I really just say that?” moments. I turned into a mean, angry person on this drug. I decided to go cold turkey instead and went on anti-anxiety meds for three days. That worked for me, and I’ve been totally smoke-free for 18 years now. A. We have received more than a thousand comments about this medication. Some people have been very pleased with their results. For example, Steve said, “Took Chantix; quit smoking. No issues. Wonder drug.” Others, like ...