Q My nails are brittle and de-shaped especially toe how can I deal with it?

Most common causes for the condition are- hypothyroidism, iron and vitamin deficiencies, inadequate protein intake, dehydration, etc. Here are some of the tips for you- Take well balanced nutritious diet. Include protein rich foods like lean meats, eggs, chicken, fish, legumes, pulses, milk and milk products in your meals. Keep your nails short. Get your blood tested for thyroid function.

Q Hi, I am suffering from itching at vaginal area. kindly advice me some medicine or ointments

There are many reasons for vaginal itching. The most common cause is fungal infection. Other causes include vaginal irritation, inflammation, allergy. Physical examination by a doctor is important to know the exact cause of vaginal itching without which medicine cannot be prescribed.

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.

Q How old are you when you have wet dreams?

Wet dreams also called as noctural emission are common during adolesence or early young adult years but they may start anytime after puberty. In males puberty is complete by the age of 15-17.

Q Does dietary fiber reduce the risk of cancer?

A few studies have shown that a high intake of dietary fibre reduces the risk of colon cancer and breast cancer.

Q Will doing swimming during winter days harm kids? and what about clorinated water exposure?

During winter, due to cold environment, children may get flu, cold and cough etc. Children are more sensitive and their immunity is also weak as compared to adults. So, it is advised not to go for swimming during winter. And remember, some children are allergic to chlorinated water. You must keep an eye on your childs health, to identify any symptoms if they do appear.

Q What tips do you have for someone with Social Anxiety?

At first, being social when youre feeling anxious is challenging. As difficult or painful as it may seem initially, dont avoid situations that trigger your symptoms. By regularly facing these kinds of situations, youll continue to build and reinforce your coping skills. The following techniques can help you begin to face situations that make you nervous: Prepare for conversation. For instance, read the newspaper to identify an interesting story you can talk about. 1. Focus on personal qualities you like about yourself. 2. Practice relaxation exercises. 3. Adopt stress management techniques. 4. Set realistic goals. 5. Pay attention to how often the embarrassing situations youre afraid of actually take place. You may notice that the scenarios you fear usually dont come to pass. 6. When embarrassing situations do happen, remind yourself that your feelings will pass, and you can handle them until they do. 7. Develop coping skills- Hang out with people whom with you feel comfortable, Joining a group that offers opportunities to improve communication and public speaking skills, remind yourself that you can get through anxious moments, that your anxiety is short-lived. 8. Take good sleep and healthy diet. Psychiatric counselling and medicine helps to deal with anxiety. Finally positive thinking and building self-confidence is the key to fight against your anxiety. Be confident. All the best.

Q What kind of diet is not advisable for when you have pain in neck and shoulder?

Unhealthy diet and lifestyle are on second rank when it come to pain in body like neck and shoulder pains. Modern food habits are actually producing harmful effect on body by promoting accumulation of toxins in body. These type of food include: chocolates, ice-creams, food containing caffeine, highly processed food, canned or preserved food specifically with MSG, junk food or fast food, food high in sodium and sugar, high fat dairy products, meat, cigarette, wine, beer or any other alcoholic drink etc. These type of food in diet put your body under constant metabolic stress and promote production and accumulation of unhealthy chemicals or toxins in your body. This combined stresses, irritate and spasms nerves and skeletal muscles resulting in pain. So, healthy way to avoid or reduce neck and shoulder pain is to eat healthy, well cooked, preferably home made and fresh food including lots of veges and fruits.

Q Body too thin...some diet tips

Weight gain depends upon your diet and exercise pattern. Include calorie and protein rich foods in your diet such as eggs, chicken, fish, milk and milk products, nuts, pulses etc. Every morning have a glass of milk with honey and 2 bananas. Consume handful of mixed nuts everyday. Weight gain should be healthy and hence you should limit your intake of junk food. Instead of 3 large meals have 5-7 small meals. Join a gym and practice weight training under supervision.

Q Can exercise trigger headache?

Yes. Exercise being a universal pathway of well being can trigger one of the common health problem-headache. Sometimes the type of activity youre doing or the way youre doing it can lessen the healing effects of exercise. Vigorous exercise is seen to cause headaches usually. This is because in exercise the blood vessels in brain becomes inflamed, these stretches the nerves within and sends shock waves causing pain. Such headaches are known as primary exertional headaches. Exertional headaches usually result in pulsating pain that lasts from five minutes to 48 hours.