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 What can cause orgasm problems in men?

Orgasm is release of sexual tension characterised by sense of sexual pleasure. The length of a mans orgasm is estimated to be in between 10-15 seconds on an average although they may last upto 30 seconds. In men it is denoted by ejaculaton of semen. However problems associated with ejaculation can affect a mans ability to achieve orgasm. They include : Anejaculation, premature ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, delayed ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

Q I am 14 and I get chest pains whats wrong with me ?

To evaluate whats wrong with you, we need further details about nature of your pain, your gender and lifestyle. Some of the common causes of chest pain at your age could be due to acidity, stress, anxiety, prolonged cough, trauma to the chest region, etc. Chest pain due to heart disease is less likely at your age. If it is recurrent and very sever, get yourself examined.

Q What is pelvic floor muscle dysfunction?

Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is a condition in which the muscles of the pelvic floor shows disability to work as they should be. Factors such as being over weight, pregnancy, menopause, disorder of the nerves in the pelvic region can lead to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Treatment will be determined by the underlying cause.

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.

Q Can high SGOT and SGPT levels affect pregnancy?

Raised SGOT and SGPT levels indicate that there is some disorder associated with the liver. However whether it will have any effect on the pregnancy or not will be determined by the underlying cause for raised SGOT and SGPT levels. So it is necessary that your wife consult her gynecologist.

Q Is ensure a safe drink to have while on both chemo and radiation for metastasized stomach cancer? I have read articles stating that ensure is filled with sugar, which can actually be counterproductive in cancer patients

Ensure drink can be had as a supplement to regular meals but not as a replacement. It is best to stick to actual food in order to get energy and necessary nutrition. As long as you have a small quantity (1 serving a day), you shouldnt face any problems. However, there is a possibility of Ensure interacting with certain medications, so it is imminent to discuss this issue with your treating physician.

Q Is any side effect of masturbatiion?

Masturbation is the self-stimulation of the genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure. It is a natural and harmless expression of sexuality for both men and women. It does not cause any physical injury or harm to the body, and can be performed in moderation throughout a persons lifetime as a part of normal sexual behavior. Masturbation is only considered a problem when it inhibits sexual activity with a partner, is done in public, or if it is done compulsively and/or interferes with daily life and activities. Hence, it is advisable to indulge in masturbation only when you are sexually excited and not as a daily habit.

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 Sir, My dad has HIV positive..What is the treatment for me? What are the precautions should be taken for family members to be free from HIV?

Just because your father is HIV positive, it doesnt mean that you too are. Yet, you must get tested once to confirm. The only precaution to be taken by you and your family members is to avoid sharing razors with him. The biggest risk is to your mother due to sexual intercourse. It can be prevented if they always use condoms. The rule of thumb is that there should be blood to blood contact with him. All other activities such as sharing food, hugging, kissing, sleeping or any other family activity with your father is absolutely safe.