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 I feel my testicle bag contracting, no pain, but it will not stop contracting day or night. I have seen many doctors and underwent an operation but helpless cau you please suggest some thing?

In order to produce sperms optimally, testicles need to maintain a lower temperature compared to the rest of the body. Hence, in cold climates, it is normal to testicles to shrink and move closer to the body in order to maintain an optimum temperature. However in hot climates, the testicles usually hang lower to cool off. This contraction and relaxation takes place due to the cremaster muscle and dartos fascia. Changes in the intraabdominal pressure, contraction of the abdominal muscles and most commonly, spasm of the cremaster muscle can cause contraction of the testicles. Try to keep a warm atmosphere at your home and office. Prefer boxers to briefs. See a surgeon to find out the exact cause and treat accordingly.

Q What can you tell me about Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a Mental Health disorder that generates significant emotional instability. This can lead to a variety of other stressful mental and behavioral problems. When you have borderline personality disorder, you often have an insecure sense of who you are. Your self-image, self-identity or sense of self often rapidly changes. You may view yourself as evil or bad, and sometimes you may feel as if you dont exist at all. An unstable self-image often leads to frequent changes in jobs, friendships, goals and values. This is because people with borderline personality disorder often have difficulty accepting gray areas; things seem to be either black or white. The common symptom of borderline personality disorder are overwhelming feelings of distress, anxiety, worthlessness or anger, difficulty managing such feelings without self-harming, for example by abusing drugs and alcohol or taking overdoses, difficulty maintaining stable and close relationships, sometimes, periods of loss of contact with reality, in some cases, threats of harm to others. Treatment may involve a range of individual and group psychological therapies (psychotherapy) carried out by trained professionals.

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 My mother is 69 years, last year we accidntally came to know that she has polycystic kidney disease. She never had any symptoms of this disease. When she went for an ultra sound scan for porlonged cough, doctor deteced PKD, then a nephrologist suggested to go in for continuous dialysis and we have been doing the same twice a week. She is normal now. Should we continue doing dialysis? She is not BP or Sugar patient

Whether to continue with dialysis or not will depend upon how well is the kidney functioning. Frequency of dialysis can be decided only by nephrologist considering her response to the treatment. Do regular consultation with your doctor and follow his advises.

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 Is non-vegetarian food safe during pregnancy?

There is no harm in consuming non-vegetarian food during pregnancy. Infact eggs, chicken, fish etc are packed with nutrients which are beneficial for you as well as your baby. But care should be taken to maintain the highest standards of hygiene because non-vegetarian food is liable to become contaminated easily. Make sure you eat only well cooked non-veg food. Avoid anything that is raw or under cooked. Avoid fish which are high in mercury such as mackerel, swordfish, tuna, etc. As long as you follow these guidelines, you can safely consume non-vegetarian food.

Q Why do my vagina pain when penis is inserted ?

Pain during sex is called as dyspareunia. Most women experience some degree of pain when they have sex for first few times. The main reason for it is fear of sex. This pain subsides with the number of acts. However if the complaint remains even after repeated number of sex then one needs to find the specific cause behind it. The causes can be an infection, lack of proper lubrication before intercourse, due to dryness of vagina, allergy to latex condom, etc. In such cases it is necessary that you consult a gynaecologist for proper treatment.

Q hi, My husband underwent piles surgery on last tuesday and was there in hospital for 2 more days. He got discharged yesterday(thursday). but he is having great problem in passing the stools. He almost faints and become soo weak after going to bathroom. He is havings sitz bath, applying cream and taking tablets also. But still the problem exists. Please help and tell us how can he reduce pain while passing the stool.

He will have the pain and difficulty for more 3-4 days. You have to give him more liquid diet and water which will ease the stool formation and relieve the pain. Give him more fibre containing food to prevent the constipation. Take the medicines regularly as prescribed. Give him a glass of buttermilk or a small bowl of yogurt everyday proper digestion of the food. Let him do some exercise for about 30 min a day regularly like walking, cycling or swimming etc after the recovery. Avoid the alcohol and smoking. If the problem persists longer, then consult the surgeon.

Q My son fears animals a lot and continuously cries. What can I do?

The fear for large animals is obvious but if the child has got it for smaller pets you need to put some positive efforts. You can help your child to overcome the fear of animals by gradually introducing your child to small animals. Show your child pictures of animals in which they are playful. Take small steps at a time and do not rush things or it may back fire.