Q Stool test report. Color - brown, Consistency - soft, Reaction - acidic, Pus celss - 1-2/ hpf. Kindly advice as soon as possible. I have pain and lubricant stuff without stool

Presence of pus cells and acidic nature of the stool is an abnormal finding. The most probable cause for this is poor absorption of foods. Kindly consult with your doctor to co-relate the report clinically.

Q When is herpes contagious? I have not had an outbreak of genital herpes in years but i do take valtrex if i feel an outbreak may be coming on. If i take valtrex as needed and i do not have an outbreak, am i still contagious?

Genital herpes is the most contagious when the lesions are active and a few days before that. However, an infected person can potentially be shedding the virus all his life. Since, the virus is spread by direct skin to skin contact, it is very easy to spread it through intercourse or oral sex. Thus, protect your partner by always using a condom.

Q How can I enlarge my breast

Regular exercise is the only natural option to get your breast size increased. Push ups and pectoral muscle exercise may help you to gain the breast muscles. Plunge bras, water bras, and push-up bras can be used and these usually add a cup size to what you already have. Silicone pads can be bought to be put inside a bra as well. Breast implant surgery is one option to help you in this regard.

Q My hair is very curly. I want to straighten it. What should I do?

Temporary straightening can be obtain by using straightening irons. However if you wish to permanently straighten your hair then you need to consult a hair stylist. Even though it may make your hair look great, straightening brings with it a host of other problems such as breakage, thinning, dryness, split ends etc. Make a final decision after considering all the pros and cons.

Q What about soy and thyroid health?

The available research suggests that soy may not affect thyroid function, especially in those who have a normal thyroid. Those who have an existing thyroid problem and take medications for their thyroid must avoid it or consume after an interval. The reason being, soy may affects the absorption rate of the medicine is the GI tract.

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 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 Hello doctor, my grandfather was diagnosed with an alzheimers dementia; could u give me more info about this disease? What is the cause? Is it hereditary? Any treatment for the same?

Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia, a serious brain disorder that impacts daily living through memory loss and cognitive changes. Alzheimers is a degenerative disease, progressing from mild forgetfulness to widespread neurological impairment and ultimately death. nAlthough a direct cause of Alzheimers is not known certain common factors are found in the clinical picture of sufferers. These include; prior personality organisation of the individual and stressfulness of their life situation. You are at higher risk, if family history of this disease is there.nAlthough there is no cure for Alzheimers, and various psychotherapies appear to be ineffective, there are ways to treat some of the symptoms of the disease: Use of medications to treat cognitive decline and memory loss. Also appropriate activities such as exercise, recreation, and adult day care services appear to assist in the management of the patient.

Q What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world. People with schizophrenia have an altered perception of reality, often a significant loss of contact with reality. They may see or hear things that dont exist, speak in strange or confusing ways, believe that others are trying to harm them, or feel like theyre being constantly watched. With such a blurred line between the real and the imaginary, schizophrenia makes it difficult even frightening to negotiate the activities of daily life. In response, people with schizophrenia may withdraw from the outside world or act out in confusion and fear.

Q Please guide me proper veg diet chart for gain weight

In order to make a proper vegetarian diet chart more details are required such as your age, gender, height, current weight and physical activity level. Following is a general vegetarian diet chart to gain weight: Meal 1-8 am: Whole wheat bread and paneer sandwich and 1 cup milk. Meal 2-11 am: 1 Banana. Meal 3-2 pm: Roti, sabji and curd. Meal 4- 5 pm: Handful of roasted nuts and 1 cup milk. Meal 5- 8 pm: Roti, Sabji and dal or Rice, Sabji and dal.