Hospice of Chattanooga is seeking state approval to open two new locations, one in Cleveland, Tenn., and one at the Health Center at Standifer Place.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My goal is to increase bat speed with strength exercise. Should I simulate my swing with weights heavier than my bat or with bat-weight weights and a faster swing? — R.C.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My daughter, now 30, has a severe case of acne. I thought her acne would go away as she grew older. Could there be something medically wrong that’s causing it? — M.L.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ve been anemic for a long time, and my anemia grows worse. My family doctor sent me to a medical school’s hospital. The tests showed I have ample iron and vitamin B-12, but also showed I need a kidney specialist. The specialist says my kidneys are not putting out enough hormone to correct my anemia, and he wants to give me Procrit if my blood pressure can be controlled. I also have a slow pulse — 43-49. What can you tell me about Procrit? Is it a forever thing? Is it dangerous? — V.W.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would like to give my 10-year-old grandson some conditioning advice. He loves basketball. It has occurred to me that upper-body strength is helpful in shooting long shots and in positioning for rebounds.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am writing to ask if you would give me information on interstitial cystitis. I was told I had this after I had a polyp removed from my bladder. I know it has to do with the lining of the bladder wall. What causes it? What’s the treatment? Does it get worse? — J.M.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am writing to ask if you would give me information on interstitial cystitis. I was told I had this after I had a polyp removed from my bladder. I know it has to do with the lining of the bladder wall. What causes it? What’s the treatment? Does it get worse? — J.M.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My mother passed away a few years ago. On her death certificate, it stated that the cause of death was sepsis. Can you give me some information on it and what causes it? — P.R.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have three children, a boy 13, a girl 10 and a boy 7. None of them is interested in sports, and none is particularly gifted when it comes to athletics. I want them to be active. Their school doesn’t offer any physical-education programs, but it does have sports teams. I read plenty of information on what adults are supposed to be doing when it comes to exercise but nothing that I can use for my kids. Do you have any suggestions? — D.D. A: It is important for children to stay active. We face an obesity epidemic, and the seeds of obesity are sown in childhood, with inactivity being one of those seeds. Physical activity begun early in life becomes habitual and stays with children into adulthood. It’s a peculiar fact that many children younger than 11 are naturally quite active, but from 11 to 15, physical activity wanes.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please talk about Barrett’s esophagus. You see TV commercials talk about heartburn and acid reflux, but you don’t hear how, if left unattended, a more serious condition can arise. I have just been diagnosed with Barrett’s, and now I am at a crossroad with my health. Finding out that Barrett’s can be a precursor of esophageal cancer is not advertised. I am worried that I have a life-threatening condition. Would drinking aloe vera formulations help? — Anon.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would greatly appreciate it if you would discuss the fungal disease histoplasmosis. My son is being treated for it. From what I’ve heard, a cure takes a long time. His breathing is difficult, and he had to have a calcified lymph node removed. It was adjacent to his right lung. — M.C.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read your column about liver cirrhosis and wish you would expound on hemochromatosis, which you mentioned. Both my children have it. My son is bled once weekly. He had a liver biopsy, and his liver has been greatly damaged. My daughter has a positive test for it. Neither their father nor I have any problems. We informed our doctor, who had blood tests done, and we show no lab evidence of it. Should our siblings be tested? My husband had a bypass at 48. Could that be caused by hemochromatosis? — H.E.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I coach a small college’s lacrosse team. I have two questions for you. We are on the East Coast and play two games on the West Coast each season. We win when we play these teams at home, but we lose when we play them at their schools. Could it be jet lag? Or could it be a sleep thing? How much sleep is recommended for a collegiate athlete? — R.M.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: You have, as have others, discussed stroke symptoms and the importance of getting care ASAP. However, I have never seen any mention of the signs of TIAs and what precautions should be taken. — V.L.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: You have, as have others, discussed stroke symptoms and the importance of getting care ASAP. However, I have never seen any mention of the signs of TIAs and what precautions should be taken. — V.L.