Q How is jaggery different from sugar?

Jaggery is much more complex than sugar and takes longer time to digest and provides energy slowly for longer time. It does not have harmful effects on the body; but, this does not qualify jaggery to be safe for diabetics.

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 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 How can i overcome intrusive thoughts?

The person having anxiety has to cope with intrusive thoughts. To overcome intrusive thoughts, it is important to realise that you are in complete control of yourself. People with intrusive obsessive thoughts are gentle and non-violent. You have to believe in yourself. It is you, who can help yourself and no one else. Try to solve the thoughts "logically" by telling yourself some positive statements. You have to relax yourself and give out the negative energy stored in your body and mind. It is advised to have a change in the attitude. A change in attitude will quickly disarm the emotional reaction you are having to the fearful thoughts.

Q how to do anal sex? does it creat any problem?

Anal sex is practiced by many heterosexuals, as well as homosexual couples. The anal area has many erotic nerve endings in both men and women. Because of this, many couples (heterosexual or homosexual) can derive pleasure from some form of bottom stimulation. Anal sex should be avoided by couples in which one of the partners has been diagnosed with an STI until the treatment has proven to be effective. In order to make anal sex safer, the couple must ensure that the anal area is clean and the bowel empty and the partner on whom anal penetration occurs should be able to relax. Regardless of whether anal penetration occurs by using a finger or the penis, the condom is the best barrier method to prevent transmission of STI. Since the rectum can be easily damaged, the use of lubricants is highly recommended even when penetration occurs by using the finger. Especially for beginners, using a condom on the finger is both a protection measure against STI and a lubricant source. Most condoms are lubricated and they allow less painful and easier penetration. Anal stimulation with a sex toy requires similar safety measures to anal penetration with a penis, in this case using a condom on the sex toy in a similar way. It is important that the man washes and cleans his penis after anal intercourse if he intends to penetrate the vagina. Bacteria from the rectum are easily transferred to the vagina, which may cause vaginal infections. When anal-oral cos ntact occurs, protection is required since this is a risky sexual behavior in which illnesses as Hepatitis A or STIs can be easily transmitted, as well as enteric infections. The dental dam or the plastic wrap[citation needed] are effective protection means whenever anilingus is performed. Anal sex has a number of health risks. Anal intercourse is the riskiest form of sexual activity for several reasons, including the following: The anus lacks the natural lubrication the vagina has. Penetration can tear the tissue inside the anus, allowing bacteria and viruses to enter the bloodstream. This can result in the spread of sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV) may also lead to the development of anal warts and anal cancer. Using lubricants can help some, but doesnt completely prevent tearing. The tissue inside the anus is not as well protected as the skin outside theanus. Our external tissue has layers of dead cells that serve as a protective barrier against infection. The tissue inside the anus does not have this natural protection, which leaves it vulnerable to tearing and the spread of infection. The anus was designed to hold in feces. Repetitive anal sex may lead to weakening of the anal sphincter, making it difficult to hold in feces until you can get to the toilet. The anus is full of bacteria. Even if both partners do not have a sexually-transmitted infection or disease, bacteria normally in the anus can potentially infect the giving partner. Practicing vaginal sex after anal sex can also lead to vaginal and urinary tract infections.

Q How to control thyroid in pregnency

Thyroid control will require intake of thyroid medication. Medication will depend upon the type of thyroid disorder such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Hence you should consult your family physician at the earliest as uncontrolled thyroid disease can affect the fetus.

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 Are cigars less detrimental to health than cigarettes?

"No. Cigars arent less harmful than cigarettes in any way. Rather they contain more carcinogenic tars, which make them worse than cigarettes. Moreover, when one smokes stogy, excess nicotine and carcinogens are inhaled through the mouth, which could cause dental problems,lung diseases, and cancers.
The reason behind the false repute of cigar being less harmul might be that generally cigar smokers are "occasional" users, and while puffing, most of them don~t inhale the smoke into their lungs. Stay away from cigarettes, cigars, pipes etc if you want to live healthy."

Q Medicine for circinate balanitis (reactive arthritis)

The cardinal symptoms of reactive arthritis are arthritis, urethritis and conjunctivitis. Balanitis is also a frequently noted symptom. It is advisable to get examined by a physician and then start the required medication. In the meanwhile, do not use any soaps, shower gels, condom, lubricant, etc on your penis; so as to avoid further irritation.

Q I am feeling weekness from past 2-3 days

Excessive physical exertion, excessive mental stress, prolonged lack of sleep, viral infection are some of the probable causes of weakness. Take adequate rest, follow well balanced diet, stay well hydrated, if you are overly stressed, try and find the cause and work towards improving it. Consultation with your physician will be necessary if the weakness is not relieved in few days or you develop any other symptoms.