Category: Health Problems & Solutions

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Health Problems & Solutions

Some Health Quaries & Answers

Ouch! My back hurts:

Q: I am 69 years old and have a pain in my lower back which, when I stand, radiates down both my legs. I am a housewife and the pain makes it very difficult for me to do housework. The orthopaedic I consulted said I have spondylolisthesis but none of the tablets I was prescribed seem to work.
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A: Spondylolisthesis can be congenital but usually, especially if it occurs after the age of 50, is due to degeneration of the spinal vertebrae. One vertebra then tends to slip over the other and presses on the nerves (in your case the ones going to the legs) causing the pain.

This condition can usually be managed without surgery. A few days of bed rest should be followed by physiotherapy, concentrating on exercises that help with flexion of the spine and strengthening of the “core” muscles. You should also walk or take up a similar aerobic activity for 40 minutes every day. A lumbosacral brace should be worn at all times, except when lying down or exercising. If you are overweight, you will need to reduce.

Warts and all:

Q: I have had a wart on my finger for some time. Now another one has appeared near it. Both have a repulsive cauliflower like appearance.
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A: Warts are a viral infection spread by contact from person to person. They are more likely to occur in children and young adults. They are harmless and not cancerous. They usually disappear on their own without treatment in six months to two years.

Dermatologists also remove them with cryotherapy (freezing), laser and cauterisation. Sometimes they may advise repeated application of medication.

Tread right:

Q: I want to buy a treadmill but do not know how effective exercise on it will be. Also I do not know what type of treadmill to buy.


A: Manual treadmills do not use a motor and move only when the person moves. Electric treadmills use a conveyor belt and motor. There is no wind resistance in a treadmill so unless the incline of the platform is set at 1 per cent, the calorie consumption is 10-15 per cent less than running the same distance on the road. The gait on the treadmill is also more bouncy because of the platform. This leads to bad running form and difficulty when returning to running on the road. Using the treadmill also tends to get repetitive and monotonous so that more mental effort is needed to persist. In short treadmill is expensive, occupies space and is less efficient and interesting than running on the road.

Life after work :

Q: I looked forward to retiring for 30 years, but once I did retire, I feel more stressed and depressed. My wife, who is a housewife, seems to have more to do than me. Also she is stressed because I am around all the time and in her way.

A: The retirement age in India is 58-60 and that is really too early! Most people are healthy, active and still in their prime. If you just sit around the house watching television, eating and sleeping, you will soon deteriorate mentally and physically. To ward this off, try getting a part-time job, starting a small business, joining socially relevant political peoples movements or doing volunteer work. You will feel needed and everyone (including your wife) will be happy.

Salt control :

Q: I have high blood pressure and am on enalapril to control it. My doctor told me to “control salt intake” but was not very specific about how exactly that is done. What should I do?

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A: You need around 2.5gm (half a teaspoon) of salt a day if you are less than 50 years old and 1.5gm (quarter teaspoon) if older. This includes hidden salt intake from pickles, pappads, chips and other salty snacks. A rule of thumb is to take half a teaspoon of salt per day per person in the household and use it for cooking. People in the family who do not have high blood pressure can add extra salt if needed.

Down at heel :

Q: A severe pain shoots up my leg whenever I put my foot down in the morning. The doctor took an X-ray and said I have a calcaneal spur. He said I need surgery but I am not really willing to go for it. Is there any other remedy?
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A: A calcaneal spur is an extra growth of bone under the heel. It can cause agonising pain. Before you consider surgery, try a few simple measures.

Soak your feet in salted hot water morning and evening. Rock your feet gently in the water.

• Always wear soft footwear. Do not go bare foot even in the house.

• Go to a physiotherapy centre. Ultrasound treatment often helps.

• Lose weight if you are obese.

Light therapy:

Q: What should you do if an insect enters your ear?


A: Immediately place your ear near a bright light and turn off all other lights. The insect will usually fly back out again.

Source: The Telegraph ( Kolkata, India)

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Some Health Quaries & Answers

‘My child is too thin’ :

Q: My daughter is two years old and very thin. She is picky about her food and I feel she does not eat enough. Her weight is only 9kg. Is it a good idea to give her appetite stimulating tonics?
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A: Normally, a child weighs triple its birth weight at the end of the first year and adds 2kg the next year. So your daughter may be in the normal range. It is better to try to discover why she does not eat and treat the cause rather than use tonics. Appetite stimulants can have severe side effects. Some of them contain large amounts of iodine, steroids or cyproheptadine (a banned chemical). They are best avoided.

What you can do is reduce her milk intake to 400ml a day. Give half after breakfast and the rest at tea time. Figure out what she likes to eat.

Also, get her dewormed; your paediatrician will tell you how. And remember, some children are just difficult when it comes to food.

Digital spasms :

Q: I get sudden painful spasms in my fingers and toes, especially at night. I am 34 years old.

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A: Calcium deficiency can cause this. If you are not on calcium supplements, starting them may help. Consult a physician to help with the diagnosis and dosage of calcium.

Pressure pills :

Q: Is there a natural way to reduce blood pressure? Currently I am on a lot of medication for it.

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A: You can reduce your dependence on tablets by achieving ideal body weight (height in metre squared multiplied by 23), walking an hour a day, reducing salt intake to 2.5gm a day, avoiding salted snacks, sleeping at regular hours and reducing stress with yoga and meditation.

Fit and fine :

Q: My son is one and a half years old and has had fits twice. The doctor says it is “fever fits”. I am worried that he may become epileptic. What is a fever fit?

A: A febrile seizure (fever fit) usually occurs in children under the age of 5 during an episode of fever. Only one third of the affected children have a second seizure. A certain percentage of children will develop epilepsy but the incidence is not greater in those who have had febrile seizures. Also, these children do not develop mental retardation nor is their intelligence affected. But a febrile fit can be frightening to watch. To prevent such seizures, fever has to be tackled immediately. Buy a digital thermometer and check the temperature by placing it in the child’s armpit (remember, your hand is not a thermometer). If the temperature is greater than 100°F, give the child 10mg/kg of paracetemol. Remove the child’s clothes and sponge him down with tap water. Turn the fan on full speed. After four hours check the temperature again. If it has risen, repeat the above process. Contact your doctor.

Feet first

Q: I have cracked feet. Not only does it look ugly, when water enters the cracks they become painful and inflamed.

 

A: You could try soaking your feet in hot water to which rock salt and liquid soap have been added. After 10 minutes, scrub the foot gently with a small plastic brush. Then apply baby oil. After a few weeks, you will see a vast improvement.

Source : The Telegraph ( kolkata, India)

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Go back to nature



Q: I use a treadmill to exercise regularly. I always get a pain in my calves and thighs afterwards. It is very discouraging and makes me want to stop.

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A: Treadmills are excellent machines to use for exercise. Unfortunately, the movements are different from natural movement on the ground because the surface you are running on moves along with you. This results in slightly different groups of muscles in the leg being used and a different running style from the natural form. This may account for the pain you develop. The pain can be tackled by doing warm-up exercises before you hit the treadmill and cool down exercises such as flexion and stretching afterwards. Alternatively, you can go back to the natural form and run on the road.

Cosmetic cure?


Q: Although I am only 30 years old I look much older. My face is wrinkled and pimply and I have a prominent jawline. I am ashamed of the way I look. Should I go in for cosmetic surgery?

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A: You are very young and I do not think cosmetic surgery or Botox is the answer. In another 10 years the same things will recur, making the cosmetic surgery a waste of time and money.

You need to jog, cycle or at least walk for an hour a day. Then do 20 minutes of yoga. Stress levels will decrease and you will be able to cope with the demands of your work. The exercise will also improve the muscle tone of your face and the rest of your body. Also, practise smiling whenever you are sitting and do not let your mouth and face droop down.

Ovarian cancer

Q: I get an itchy white discharge soon after my periods. I am afraid it may be a sign of cancer. My mother died of ovarian cancer.

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A: Ovarian cancer is rare and accounts for only 1.5 per cent of cancers in women. The incidence increases to 6 per cent if there is a first degree relative with the disease. What you have described sounds more like a yeast (monilia) infection, which is common and can be easily treated with both topical applications, pessaries and /or oral tablets. Consult a gynaecologist. Get an ultrasound scan of the pelvis done to reassure yourself about the size, position and function of the ovaries.

Black mark

Q: The skin of my neck, armpit and elbow are black in colour. It does not itch nor is it painful. It just looks as though I have not had a proper bath.

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A: That is probably Acanthosis Nigricans, velvety black, non-itchy lesions which can occur in the neck, arm pit, groin and elbow. It is associated with obesity and diabetes . Get yourself tested for diabetes. If you are overweight, try to exercise and lose weight. Avoid using powder or cream . It will get aggravated.

Period problem

Q: I do not get my periods even after a year unless I take tablets. Recently I noticed a milky white discharge from both breasts as well. My parents want me to get married. My grandmother says everything will become alright if I have a baby.

A: You obviously have a problem and that is why your menstruation is not spontaneous and there is discharge from the nipple. You need to consult a gynaecologist and / endocrinologist. They will check your hormone levels — LH, FSH, prolactin and thyroid.

Shampoo right


Q: I have oily hair. I shampoo it every day but now the hair has become very brittle and is breaking off. It seems to be coming out by the handful.

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A: Oil on the scalp protects it from injury. If you use harsh shampoos the hair will get damaged. There is a right way and a wrong way of shampooing. A small quantity of a mild shampoo should be taken in the palm of the hand. The two palms should be rubbed together and the shampoo applied on the surface of the head. It should be washed off immediately and a conditioner for greasy hair should be applied on the surface of the hair. The conditioner should be left in for about five minutes before being washed off.

Hair loss can occur owing to hormone imbalance, iron, zinc or calcium deficiency.

Source : The Telegraph ( kolkata, India)

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Walking Shoes:

Q: I bought a new sports shoe, even though it was a little tight. The salesperson told me that it would loosen with use. Now I have a pain in the second toe and the nail has become black in colour.

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A: The shoe salesman reinforced a common misconception that a tight shoe will eventually become loose. By the time that occurs though, you may have corns and calluses on your feet. If the shoe is tight, there may not be enough space for the second toe. After wearing the shoe, press down with your finger and see. If the toe is jammed up against the front of the shoe, the nail may be damaged during exercise.

Always buy shoes in the evening as your feet are then slightly swollen from the day’s activity. The shoes should be comfortable the minute you try to walk.

Hepatitis attack

Q: I had jaundice last month. I am worried since my wife is pregnant. Do I need to take any precautions?

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A: Jaundice is a generic term, which means that the yellow pigment (bilirubin) in your blood has increased and is probably being excreted in your urine, discolouring that too. From your letter I think you meant that you had infective viral hepatitis. This too is of several types A, B, E etc. Hepatitis E is dangerous for pregnant women while hepatitis B can be passed on to the baby. You can prevent hepatitis A and B with immunisation. Consult your physician and your wife’s obstetrician so that steps can be taken to safeguard her health and that of your baby.

In mom mode

Q: I delivered a baby three months ago and have not had my periods as yet. When can I expect to start menstruating again?

A: Menstruation can start one and a half months after delivery or be delayed for a year. Mothers who breastfeed their children tend to start menstruation later. However, ovulation can occur even without it. If you do not wish to become pregnant, use contraception regularly even if you are feeding the baby and have not yet had your periods.

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Sugar swings

Q: I have diabetes and am on medication. Sometimes my blood sugar is very low and on other days it is very high. Is there a way to control this?

A: Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes and started medication, it is important that you make a few lifestyle changes. You should not abandon your prescribed diet. You need to avoid fasting even on auspicious days. The tablets will work provided your food intake is regular and according to the diet chart provided by your doctor. You need to exercise for 40 minutes a day to increase your body’s efficiency in reducing blood sugar.

Chew   tobacco?

Q: Is it safer to chew tobacco instead of smoking it?

A: The harmful chemicals in tobacco are released into the mouth when you chew it. In fact, the risk increases when tobacco combines with the acidic lime in paan. It causes cancer of the throat, mouth, esophagus and stomach. Tobacco in any form — chewed, smoked or as snuff — is harmful.

Source: The Telegraph ( Kolkata, India)

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To walk or not to walk:

Q: I am pregnant with my first child. My relatives tell me not to exercise but rest all day. The doctor, however, has advised walking, morning and evening.

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A: Exercise is important during pregnancy. It’s not harmful; on the contrary it has a positive impact on the health of the mother and baby. It enables both to withstand prolonged labour by increasing endurance. It boosts immunity, reduces stress and depression, and helps the mother to rapidly regain her pre-pregnancy physique.

Walking on level ground at a steady pace for 40 minutes in the morning and evening is safe and adequate. But be sure to wear good, supportive flat footwear and drink lots of water.

Abortion pills :

Q: I induced an abortion with tablets last year. After that my periods became irregular and I have not been able to conceive.

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A: Medical abortion is safe but must be done under a doctor’s supervision. A scan should be undertaken before taking the pills to ensure all the recommended criteria for a safe termination are met. The pregnancy should be less than 49 days, you can’t adopt this method if you’ve had a caesarian previously, the pregnancy should be in the uterus and not the tubes, and it should not be twins. The pills must be taken on two separate occasions, two days apart. After the abortion has occurred, a repeat scan must be done to ensure it has worked. If you have not followed these recommendations and had bought the tablets over the counter, consult a gynaecologist.

Blood in stools

Q: I have abdominal pain and diarrhoea with blood. The doctor did a stool test and said it is amoebic dysentery.

A: Amoebic dysentery occurs in tropical countries like India and causes diarrhoea with abdominal pain and blood in the stools. It can be distinguished from bacterial diarrhoea by the absence of fever. Treatment requires five to seven days of metronidazole. But consult your doctor for duration and dosage of the medicine. Failure to complete the course may result in chronic infection.

All diarrhoeas with blood and mucous are not due to dysentery. There are non-infective causes like polyps, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis as well as cancer. If the results of a complete course of medication isn’t satisfactory, consult a gastroenterologist.

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Hospital bug

Q: My son is admitted to the ICU with pneumonia. I am worried about the “superbug”. I noticed that a great deal of the time, simple hygienic measures like washing hands between patients is not followed by the medical staff. Neither do visiting relatives and friends follow the rules. What’s more, some of them sit on the patient’s bed.

A: Hand washing reduces the spread of infection (and possibly the superbug) in the community and in a hospital setting by 50 per cent. It is proven to be the single most effective method to reduce infection. A sanitising liquid can also be used.

Unfortunately, these simple methods are often not followed by lay people or even the medical fraternity. There is nothing much you can do except keep a bottle of sanitising liquid with you and request visitors to use it. You may offend some people, but at least it will reduce your son’s chances of infection.

Chicken pox :

Q: Is there any way to prevent chicken pox? Or is it one of the inevitable diseases of childhood?

A: Varicella vaccine to prevent chicken pox has been available since 1995. Immunised children do not get the disease. Although in most children, it may be mild and recovery complete in five to seven days, it isn’t possible to predict if your child will be one of the unfortunate 10 per cent that develop complications.

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Diabetic drug

Q: My doctor gives me metformin for diabetes, which I have to take three times a day. My grandmother too was on metformin. I wonder if there isn’t anything better and if I should change my doctor.

A: Metformin is one of the oldest diabetic drugs on the market, and the safest and mildest. It prevents low blood sugars from occurring accidentally and this protects against heart attacks and strokes. Also, since it is taken after food, you are unlikely to take a tablet and then forget to eat.

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If you do not like to take pills thrice a day, you may ask your doctor for the longer acting, sustained release formulations. This will increase your dosage intervals.

Leg cramps :

Q: My son complains of pain in the leg at night. We have tried iron tonics, zinc supplementation and calcium, but nothing works. He wakes up with pain every night.

A: Add a tablespoon of rock salt in a bucket of hot water. Ask your son to stand in it for 10 minutes every night before sleeping.

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Source : The Telegraph (kolkata, India)

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