Q What are the symptoms of kidney failure?

Symptoms may vary form person to person. Usually kidney failure is asymptomatic in early stage but as disease progresses symptoms become prominent. Sign and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, changes in urine output, fluid retention, swelling over ankles and feet, shortness of breath, persistent itching, hiccups, high blood pressure, difficult concentration, abnormal heart rhythms, sleep problems. If left untreated life threatening circumstances may develop.

Q How often should I have an eye test?

Adults and children are normally advised to have a sight test every two years. However, in some circumstances, your ophthalmic practitioner may recommend more frequent sight tests. Such conditions include- n1) If you are wearing glassesn2) If you have diabetesn3) If are aged 40 or over and have a family history of glaucoman4) If you are aged 70 or over

Q How do drugs affect driving?

Driving requires skills, such as information processing and psychomotor skills, which may be impaired by the use of drugs. The effect of drugs vary according to the individual, drug type, dosage, the length of time the drugs stays in your body, or if the drug has been taken with other drugs or alcohol. Drugs affect your ability to drive in different ways like - poor concentration and coordination, blurred vision, nausea, hallucinations, decrease the reaction time etc. A driver who is impaired through any drug is at risk of having an accident which may be life threatening in rare cases. And note that, driving under the influence of a drug is illegal.

Q My 10 year old daughter continues to wet the bed. Not every night, but i thought it would stop as she grows but still hasnt. I wonder if there is something medically wrong.

If you daughter has nocturnal enuresis sometimes, it may need further evaluation, as this is not so common in teenagers. There are some factors that may affect urine control in teens. These include excessive intake of caffeine drinks like tea or coffee, deep sleep pattern which can be a normal for growing teen, excessive emotional stress or fear of something, inconsistent sleep timings etc. These things can be corrected in order to fix the problem. Other things to give consideration are certain medications, diabetes of other medical diseases, family history of parents having the same problem, urinary tract infection, etc. If she is having this problem since her childhood, then this can be considered as primary nocturnal enuresis and she can be out of 2% of girls who continues with this till they reach their teen. This thing can be improved with proper counselling to her. Making her to use bathroom before going to bed. Limiting her fluid intake before going to bed. She can be effectively treated with moisture alarms while asleep. It will be less likely that she will need medications for this. Proper counselling and educating her may motivate her to take initiation to cure herself. You may take her to physician to rule out underlying disease if any.

Q Is it normal for a 12-year-old boy to play and fondle with his penis?

Its normal for kids of of all age groups to play with genitals out of curiosity about their growing body. This is seen in both boys and girls. Younger kids do it because they feel good about the way it feels. It is not harmful or abnormal in anyway. Do not get angry or reprimand your child. Try and educate them that it might lead to infection sometimes. Some kids even do it to seek attention but this is rare.

Q I am a 24 yr old female who is always tired and "out of it". No matter how much sleep I get, energy drinks/vitamins I take I am always exhausted, have no motivation, distracted, cranky and not myself. I am limited in the foods I can eat because of food allergies and have been feeling these effects since the 2 years since I was diagnosed with allergies. Can you suggest anything to help? I want to feel like a normal human being again.

The cause of your condition may be due to excess intake of caffeine or alcohol, excess physical activities etc. Irregular food habits, some medical conditions related with liver, lungs, anaemia, diabetes are associated with these. Psychological conditions as anxiety, stress may cause your symptoms many times. As you have got food allergy try to cope up with your diet first. May be due to the allergy you are unable to take sufficient and proper diet. Consultation with a dietitian may be helpful. Regular exercise may help you better. If sleeping is not causing comfort for you learn better ways to relax. Try yoga or meditation. Maintain a reasonable work and personal schedule.

Q hi i having a white substance formation in my penis. my age is 26

You are probably referring to smegma- which are normal secretions of the penis, which when not cleaned accumulate as a white substance under the foreskin. The solution is very simple- everyday ehile bathing or otherwise, retract your foreskin and gently clean the penis underneath. It should disappear in a few days.

Q My two year daughter fell from the slide this morning. In evening she passed white stool with bad smell.

Episode of fall and the white stool does not seem to be connected. But at the same time white coloured stool can not be ignored. Stool gets its normal yellow- brown colour due to bile. White colour stool indicate that either the bile is not produced or it is obstructed. Hence it should be evaluated by the doctor. Consult your family physician at the earliest.

Q can sugar causes depression?

Studies suggest diet high in refined sugar can cause depression. Lots of refined sugar is linked with depression because it not only supply very little in the way of nutrients but they also use up the mood enhancing vitamin B. In fact, a study published in British Journal of Psychiatry found that those who had a diet which contained a lot of processed foods had a 58% increased risk for depression, whereas those whose diet could be described as containing more whole foods had a 26% reduced risk for depression.

Q I am having chest pains every day multiple times. Should I be worried? I am 17 years old. They hurt a lot and last from 20 to 45 seconds. I cant move or do anything or it ll hurt.

Having chest pain multiple times may be something you should take it seriously, whatever is the cause. It is advised to consult the physician as early as you can, to rule out the cause. Some of the causes for repeated chest pain include- muscular pain, any injury or trauma, heart burn etc. It is less common to have any underlying heart disease at this age but, the probability is there.