Category: Health Problems & Solutions

Wrinkle  on face

Q. I feel that my face is sagging and developing wrinkles. I think face-lifts are expensive and the side effects of Botox are frightening. Is there anything else I can do?

A . A recent scientific study has shown that facial exercises can delay sagging of the cheeks, reduce wrinkles and make you look up to three years younger. The exercises are available on the Internet and also taught as part of yoga. The face has muscles too, so like exercise gives your body overall fitness, your face can also get “fitter”.

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Fight flu :

Q. My neighbor died of pneumonia after flu and I am scared.

A. The flu season started in September and is expected to continue till March. This year the strain is quite virulent. The flu vaccine, which needs to be taken every year, offers some degree of protection and also reduces the virulence of attacks. Antibiotics do not help in flu unless there is secondary infection. The antiviral oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) reduces the severity of symptoms and the duration of illness by 2-3 days. It has to be started within 48 hours of infection. It has side effects like nausea and vomiting. Recovery can be hastened with rest, with the head end of the bed elevated, steam inhalations, gargling and hydration with plenty of liquids.

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Red eye:

Q. My eyes are suddenly red, itchy, puffed and watery. I find light disturbing.

A. Red eye can be caused by viruses, bacteria or irritants such as shampoos, dirt and smoke. The diagnosis is made clinically. Soothing eye drops are usually all that is needed unless the infection is bacterial when antibiotic drops and ointment may be needed. The condition is very infectious, so wash your hands frequently.

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Resources: The Telegraph ( India, Kolkata)

Excessive Sweating:

Q:I suffer from hyperhidrosis; my underarms as well as palms and soles sweat excessively.

Ans: :Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating affects 3 per cent of the population. It usually starts in the teenage years and can affect the underarms, whole body, palms or soles. Investigations are needed to rule out diseases and endocrine problems. Treatment of the specific disorder cures the condition. If no reason is found, then bathing twice a day and applying anti-perspirants may help. Other alternative treatments are anticholinergic medication, iontophoresis (an electrical procedure), injections of botox, lasers or surgery.

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Stroke recovery:-

Q:My mother had a stroke, following which she has weakness of the left side of her body. Will she recover?

Ans: :Recovery from a stroke can start quickly during the first few months and then continue for two to three years. It is best to have proper physiotherapy in the initial days as qualified therapists can electrically stimulate muscles and nerves. This helps prevent stiffness and contractures. In addition, exercises for strength, mobility training, range of motion and balance are important. Any factors responsible for the stroke should also be aggressively treated.

It is important to maintain a positive attitude and encourage your mother.

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Patella move:-

Q: I was dancing when I developed a sudden pain in the right knee. I could not walk. The doctor took an X-ray and said my patella is dislocated. Is it serious?

Ans: The patella is a small bone in front of the knee, which lies in a groove on the thigh bone (femur). Dislocation can be complete or partial. It occurs when the patella shifts from this position.

As soon as the injury occurs, rest the knee, and apply ice every 10-15 minutes till the pain reduces. After that you may need a knee brace to hold the patella in position. The quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh are probably weak. Physical therapy is needed to strengthen these and hold the patella in position, otherwise the chance of recurrence is high.

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Phone pain:-

Q: I have neck pain a lot of the time but never on Sundays, my weekly off. I spend a lot of time on the cellphone at work.

Ans: :Sometimes, when you need to multitask, you may bend your neck and balance the cellphone at a very awkward angle. Also, people often look downwards at the cell phone. Take a two-minute break every half hour to stretch the neck and shoulder. Jog for 30 minutes in the fresh air every morning. Apply a capsaicin containing ointment to the neck when it hurts and then apply ice. Take a mild painkiller such as metacin to relieve the pain.

Craving sweets:-

Q:I crave chocolate, ladoos and sometimes chips. Once I start eating them, I cannot stop till I feel sick.

Ans:Don’t buy those snacks. If they are not there in your fridge, you are unlikely to actually go out and purchase them. Drink a glass of water when you feel the craving. Check if the cravings occur when you are anxious or depressed. That is the body’s way of building up mood elevating chemicals. Talk to a friend or relative instead.

Resources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

Hair Loosing Problem:-
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Q: I am a 23-year-old man and I am losing hair from the top of my head. I can already glimpse my scalp between the hairs. I need help!

A: Most men lose their hair because of male pattern baldness. It is inherited and can set in at any age. A plethora of medical conditions such as thyroid disease, mineral and vitamin deficiency as well as heart disease can also cause this. It is important to consult a dermatologist to rule out these conditions. If no treatable cause is found, you are left with the option of regular use of minoxidil solution (if stopped the hair may fall out again), hair transplant surgery or wearing a wig.

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Pain During Period:-
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Q: I have terrible pain during my periods and am unable to go to work for two days. Taking that much leave is really bad for my career.

A: Anecdotally, avoiding caffeine (coffee, tea and cola drinks), alcohol (for those crucial days) drinking at least three litres of water daily, avoiding both refined carbohydrates and calorie dense comfort food (chocolates) and increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables reduces pain in the long run. Certain yoga poses done regularly as well as aerobic exercise for 30-40 minutes a day also helps. For immediate relief of the painful cramp, try a hot water bottle placed on the abdomen and analgesics like ibuprofen or paracetamol.

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Urinary   Tract Infection:-
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Q: I had a hysterectomy several months ago. Following that, I develop urinary tract infection frequently. I have chills, high fever and burning while passing urine. I take antibiotics for a day or two. The fever usually subsides only to recur a week or ten days later.

A: Urinary tract infection is difficult to eradicate, especially if it hospital acquired, follows catheterisation and is recurrent. A culture and sensitivity test of the urine will help to determine the organism and help choose the appropriate antibiotic. It usually needs to be taken for 7-10 days.

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Exercise  Wise:-
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Q: Following all your advice in the newspaper I started yoga and running. Every part of my body of my body hurts and I waddle when I walk because of pain.

A: Exercise has to be increased gradually. Start with just 10 minutes a day six days a week. Then increase by 5 minutes a day every week until you reach 40 minutes a day. You need to do stretching and flexion daily as well. It is better to learn yoga with an instructor so that you do the asanas properly and avoid the ones unsuitable for you. Try applying ice to the painful areas. It will provide some temporary relief.

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Psoriasis  Gene:-  
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Q: My marriage is being arranged with a man who has a skin condition. I found that it is psoriasis. Is it contagious?

A: Psoriasis is a common skin condition where a faulty immune system makes the skin cells grow so fast that they cannot be shed in a timely manner. They pile up making the skin flaky and itchy. It is not contagious, but certain inherited genes make you more likely to develop it. Your children have a 10 per cent chance of eventually developing psoriasis if you marry this man.

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Resources: The Telegrapg (Kolkata, India)

DON’T IGNORE  SNORING:

Q: My husband snores loudly. Is this a sign of heart disease?

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A:There are several subtle signs that can signal heart disease. Snoring and repeated episodes of sleep apnoea is one of them. The others are acanthosis nigricans (dark patches of velvety skin in the neck, armpit and groin), swelling of feet and giddiness or breathlessness on exertion such as walking. It is better to evaluate your BMI (weight divided by height in metre squared), check your blood pressure, blood sugars and lipid profile, and start a regular exercise regimen.

SWEET SLEEP:

Q: I feel tired and sleepy after meals, particularly after breakfast.

A:You may be suffering from post-prandial hypogylcaemia, a condition where the sugar levels in the body drop after eating. You may not be a diabetic and when tested, your blood sugars may be in the normal range. This condition is precipitated by eating foods high in carbohydrates. It also occurs after stomach surgery and in kidney disease. Symptoms will improve if you limit your intake of starchy foods, eat small frequent meals and add plenty of fruits and vegetables.

MUSCLE POWER:

Q: My mother broke her femur. It has been surgically fixed with screws, but she walks with the help of a walker. How long does this have to continue?

A:Take her for regular physiotherapy so that her leg muscles get strengthened with scientific exercise. Then, once the muscles are strong enough, (usually the physiotherapist works towards grade 4-5 power) she can dispense with the walker. If she tries to walk with weak muscles and no support, her leg can buckle, she can fall and injure herself again.

BLACK LIPS:

Q:My lips are black in colour. I wear lipstick to hide this, but they are getting darker.

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A: Lips can darken because of photosensitivity, as a reaction to the chemicals in the lipstick used, or if you are inadvertently consuming heavy metals (which are ingredients in certain ayurvedic preparations. To lighten the lips naturally, add a few drops of lemon juice to plain paraffin wax and apply every night before sleeping.

DRY PALMS :

Q: My palms are dry and chapped. The corners of a few of my nails are red and painful.

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A: This can happen if you wash dishes and clothes with detergent powder. Invest in a pair of rubber gloves and use them whenever you have to immerse your hands in water. Moisturise your hands for 15 minutes before a bath with coconut oil. Apply paraffin oil to your hands at night.

CANCER PUZZLE

Q: My mother developed lung cancer and died. I cannot understand why as she never smoked.

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A: Lung cancer can also affect people who have never smoked. That is because they may have been exposed to second hand cigarette smoke from other members of the family, live in areas with high levels of pollution, are exposed to asbestos dust or do not exercise regularly. Avoid these risk factors, and hope for the best.

Resources:  The Telegraph (India, Kolkata)