“How are you doing?” “O.K.” That kind of exchange, which takes place at all too many medical checkups, may sound harmless. But for patients with chronic health problems — arthritis, heart disease, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, attention deficit disorder…

The Unseen Problem With Drugs Judith Graves developed a rare medical condition called jawbone death after taking Fosamax, a drug used by millions of American women with thinning bones. The F.D.A. said the optimal period for using drugs like Fosamax…