Q How to reduce indigestion problem i am not getting free motion in morning how to reduce this please reply to me...

Take smaller bites. Get Enough Water during the day. Increase your Dietary Fiber. Try to have salad in your food. Salad is high source of fibres which helps in digestion. Taking the fermented food like curd which helps in proper digestion of food. Star taking the food in natural state like carrot. Take fresh carrot and eat it whole. This is the most important of the natural digestion. Dont try to put strees on your weight. Dont over-eat. Divide your meals into well-spaced nutritionally balanced meals with plenty of fibre and fresh fruit and vegetables. Stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, sugar and cigarettes can adversely affect the digestive system. Increase fresh fruits (organic where possible) e.g. apples, berries, pineapple, papaya. Yoghurt containing live probiotics such as acidophilus and bifidus is also a valuable addition to the diet. Increase fresh vegetables (organic where possible) e.g. green leafy vegies, carrots. Choose lean protein sources Tofu, legumes, unsalted raw nuts and seeds and nut butters and fish Hydration - drink at least 2 litres of filtered water daily and fresh vegetable juices. Consume more whole grains such as brown rice, rye, oats, millet and breads free of yeast and wheat.

Q How to treat an oat allergy?

In an acute episode use of over the counter antihistamines are beneficial. As far as prevention is considered the best way is to avoid eating oats. Cereals, cereal bars, cookies and other similar foods are main sources of oats and hence should be avoided. Rice, potatoes, fruits contain many of the same health benefits as oats and can be substituted for oats.

Q Do men suffer from menopause like women?

The phase of life similar to menopause is called as andropause in men. It is marked by lethargy, sadness, weariness, lack of drive, irritability, poor concentration and sometimes loss of sexual desire in middle-aged men. This leads to boredom, lack of fitness, heavy drinking and lack of self-esteem.n Though, male menopause is controversial, as there isn~t any calculable fall in the levels of male hormones in middle age like females have fall in sex hormones drastically, yet it is advised that men experiencing the symptoms should exercise regularly and eat healthy, nurture a hobby, and have a peaceful mind and renew interest in life.

Q Why do kids suck thumb? Does it mean that they are hungry?

Babies suck thumb because thumb sucking has a soothing and calming effect on them. No, it does not always suggest that the kid is hungry. Thumb sucking around the feeding time could indicate that the kid is hungry, but not otherwise.n Babies may suck thumb when they are lonely, bored, or sleepy too! This habit usually stops by the age of 3 to 6 years.n Some babies develop habit of thumb sucking right in the womb!

Q I have been suffering from hyper-acidity as a result of antibiotics. Please advice.

Hyper-acidity is a common side effect of most antibiotics. Most physicians will prescribe an antacid or a H2 blocker along with antibiotics to circumvent this side-effect. If your physician hasnt done so, please visit him and ask him to prescribe the same. If you are on long term antibiotics, a multivitamin will help. As a home measure, include plenty of cold milk and yogurt in your diet to counteract hyper-acidity.

Q Can stress cause weigh gain? How is stress related to weight gain? How to prevent it?

Yes stress is the major cause for weight gain! People turn to food for comfort whenever they feel stressed and tend to overeat. To make it worse, often we choose junk food. So, one, we eat unnecessarily without being hungry and two, junk food means much more added calories than needed.n Over a period, the caloric imbalance leads to weight gain and eventually elevates risk of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.n Now that you know, choose healthy alternatives like an apple or roasted almonds next time you feel stressed and are tempted to eat!n Moreover, try alternate ways like going for a walk or dancing to the tunes of some soothing music. This will not only relieve stress but will give bonus benefit by burning excess calories.

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 I want to know about fistula.

A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result of injury or surgery. It can also result from infection or inflammation. often occur in the area around the genitals and anus (known as the perineum). It is connection between two body cavities eg. rectum and vagina. The symptom vary with the location of fistula.

Q Though it takes lots of courage to commit suicide why suicidal people are called coward?

Committing suicide is considered wrong and unjustifiable. Suicide gives up all your future, everything you could have done, because you cant put up with the past or the present. People usually commit suicide when they lack the courage to go on. Its like giving up on the hope that things will ever get better. Under the influence of emotional despair, a suicidal person kills himself in total disregard for those who care for him, those who would have helped him. However at the same time, it is not right to call suicidal people cowards. In fact, they need maximum help and support from those around them. One should lend them a helping hand until they start feeling better about themselves and the situations in their life. There is light at the end of the tunnel. It is important for suicidal people to remember, "this too, shall pass."

Q Are growing pains real?

Growing pains are seen in children of the age group 5 to 12 years. Thses always concentrate in the muscles, rather than the joints. Most kids have pains in the front of their thighs, in the calves, or behind the knees. The children with growing pains can be helped by massaging the area, stretching or by placing a heating pad on the area.