Q How fast are calories absorbed?

The calories absorption depends on the physical and mental well being of the person. It also depends on the age, sex, occupation, environmental factors etc. It varies from person to person. Some one doing heavy physical work spend the calories early than other one who does relax work in the office.

Q How can I tell when Im ovulating?

Ovulation usually occurs 12-15 days before your period starts. So if your periods are regular, you can easily determine your ovulation period by subtracting 14 days from the expected date of the next menstrual cycle. One in 5 women experience mild abdominal cramps when they are ovulating. You can also use a basal body thermometer to check your basal body temperature which shows the lowest reading followed by a sudden rise when you ovulate. During ovulation, your cervix becomes softer and gives out more discharge (mucus) than normal. You can also buy ovulation kit available in chemist to determine your ovulation.

Q is epilepsy treatable?

Rather to say curable, epilepsy is very well treatable with medication (anti-epileptic drugs). Epilepsy is the disorder of the brain and central nervous system where abnormal electrical impulse leads to uncontrolled, involuntary movement of the body. The balance between the factors that begin electrical activity and factors that restrict it is lost, resulting in the body jerking. Several reasons are cited for the cause of the disease like neurocysticercosis (worms from intestine reach brain), tuberculosis of brain, brain tumour, brain stroke and even genetic. In most of the cases, the cause of the fits remains unknown. Neurologist would be able to select the best medication depending on the type of epilepsy and also age and sex of patient. The medicines are required to be taken for long-term without any discontinuation. Avoid driving, swimming and hazardous activities, as occurrence of seizures during these activities can be dangerous. With all above simple management you can live normal life with Epilepsy.

Q What is lactational infertility? can I do unprotected intercourse with my wife if she is lactating?

Lactational amenorrhea is the temporary postnatal infertility that occurs when a woman is amenorrheic (not menstruating) and fully breastfeeding. If a woman is exclusively breastfeeding, then this period lasts for upto 14 months. This is a natural family planning method and you can have unprotected intercourse with your wife during the first 6 months after childbirth. After this, the risk of pregnancy increases and another contraception measure is preferable.

Q Diagnosis of high cholesterol

The diagnosis of high cholesterol levels is based on a simple blood test. Usually a complete Lipid profile is advised to test the levels of different components of cholesterol and triglycerides. Total cholesterol levels should be less than 200 mg/dl. LDL levels less than 100 mg/dL ( 2.6 mmol/L) are considered optimal. An acceptable HDL range is between 40- 60 mg/dL (1.04-1.56 mmol/L). Triglyceride levels should be maintained less than 150 mg/dl. High levels of HDL have a protective effect against heart disease whereas high levels of LDL and triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Q How to decrease fat over stomach?

Concentrate on loosing overall weight which in turn will help you reduce excess fat from your belly region also. You can do certain exercise like leg raises, crunches which will help you in losing fat over lower abdomen. Avoid outside food, junk food and deep fried foods. Increase your intake of green leafy vegetables. Drink a glass of warm water with 1tsp lemon juice and honey in it every morning on empty stomach. Healthy diet and regular exercise go hand in hand as far as weight loss is considered. Consult a dietitian to formulate a diet plan which is healthy for you.

Q My three-month-old baby has cradle cap. His head smells sour, is this normal? Does cradle cap have an odour?

It is very normal to have an odor to scalp of your baby. This is generally due to sweat glands and its secretions. This smell may become more intense due to use of cradle cap. There is nothing to worry about it.

Q what is fever? what are the signs and symptoms of fever?

Fever or pyrexia is an elevation of body temperature above the normal range of 36.5-37.5 °C (97.7-99.5 °F). Fever is a common symptom of many medical conditions. The signs and symptoms of fever are termed as sickness behaviour which include lethargy, depression, anorexia, sleepiness, hyperalgesia, and the inability to concentrate. Additionally, local symptoms arising due to the cause of fever are usually present.

Q Is it possible to raise your IQ?

Intelligence is mostly hereditary. Intellectual ability grows until about age 16, and after that changes very little. Practicing various skills which are tested on IQ tests will increase your IQ score some, but it is not likely to increase your intelligence. Intelligence is basically the abilities to learn, to reason, to remember, to think abstractly, to problem-solve, etc. These abilities are very difficult to improve once you are an adult, though you may improve specific skills. E.g. you can improve basic mathematical skills by practicing them often and learning certain mathematical shortcuts, or you can learn to read faster by pushing your reading speed and learning to scan for meaning. Generally, the best way to improve your performance in specific work tasks is to do those tasks a lot. When you do that, you gradually learn the best possible techniques to efficiently and accurately complete that work, in the minimum necessary amount of time.

Q is smoking effect sex life

Yes. Smoking causes erectile dysfunction. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it tightens blood vessels and restricts blood flow. The less blood supply to the penis causes less erection.