Q I am 69 year old, my hands start trembling whenever I am writing any thing which medicine should I take? what is parkinsons disease?

Trembling or shaking of hands is called as tremors. There are variety of tremors found and so variety of causes are there for its occurance. If you are suufering from tremors only when you write something, then these can be: Intentional tremors that occur at the end of any purposeful movements, Cerebellar tremors represented as intetional tremors, postural tremor that occur in particular posture of hand or leg against gravity, benign essential tremors occuring at older age and are inherited from family, tremors due to increased thyroid functioning, tremors due to reduced blood sugar levels, tremors as a result of alohol withdrawal or due to alcohol consumption, it can be a side effect of certain medicines, or it can be a task specific tremors. To prescribe you any medicines, it is necessary to evaluate your symptoms in more detailed way including evaluation by physical examination, which will be best achieved if you see your physician or a neurologist. Perkinsons disease is a degenerative disorder of central nervous system, where brain cells and nervous tissue undergo degeneration, resulting in dopamine deficiency in a patient. If you are trying to link your tremors with parkinsons, then the main differentiating point is parkinsons tremors are observed at rest and not at the time of movements. Further evaluation is needed for proper management.

Q can sugar causes depression?

Studies suggest diet high in refined sugar can cause depression. Lots of refined sugar is linked with depression because it not only supply very little in the way of nutrients but they also use up the mood enhancing vitamin B. In fact, a study published in British Journal of Psychiatry found that those who had a diet which contained a lot of processed foods had a 58% increased risk for depression, whereas those whose diet could be described as containing more whole foods had a 26% reduced risk for depression.

Q What is the true cause of trichotillomania aslo known as severe obsessive compulsive hair pulling?

The cause of trichotillomania is unclear. But like many complex disorders, trichotillomania probably results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Also, abnormalities in the natural brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine may play a role in trichotillomania. While the underlying biology is not clearly understood at this time, we do know that people with trichotillomania generally have a neurologically based predisposition to pull their hair as a self-soothing mechanism. The pulling behavior serves as a coping mechanism for anxiety and other difficult emotions. It does not hurt and they are not trying to damage themselves. While the average age of onset is 11, trich can be found in children as young as one year old. Onset of trich can be triggered by simple sensory events, such as itchy eyelashes, or by stressful life events, and it can occur quite suddenly. For example, it may be a tingling feeling that can only be relieved by pulling. ny relief that comes with hair pulling usually only lasts for a moment. The urge almost always returns. Thats because when the mind becomes used to giving in to the powerful urges that go with compulsive behaviors, the behavior is reinforced, and then becomes a habit. The mind gets trapped in a cycle of expecting to have the urge satisfied. The longer this goes on, the harder it can become to resist the urge.

Q Is it advisable to go for cosmetic plastic surgery during pregnancy ?

Pregnancy usually brings in major alterations in overall body weight including the face which in turn changes the appearance of wrinkles. She should wait for at least 3 to 4 months after delivery in order to regain her pre pregnancy weight. Later on, she can opt for the plastic surgery.

Q Does chewing tobacco affect arteries the same way smoking does?

Yes. The tobacco contains nicotine. And it is going to be in the blood whether you smoke or chew it. The effects of nicotine are same in both situation.

Q What is juvenile diabetes?

Type-I diabetes in children is called as juvenile diabetes. Here pancrease fails to produce insulin needed for digesting sugar and thus insulin replacement is required.

Q How can I improve my chances of becoming a father?

You must follow a regular exercise and diet plan in order to be fit and fine, and to increase the chances of being a father. It is necessary to have the intercourse during the ovulation phase of the female. Normally, ovulation takes place at 14th day after the last menses counting from the starting of the bleeding as Day 1. In irregular cycle, one can use the ovulation kit to get the ovulation period. If you are quite young and unmarried, avoid excessive masturbation and other things which make you feel arousal. Because, it may lead to less erection and early ejaculation which will affect your sexual life and some other problems related with general physical and mental health. Avoid multi-partner sex which may gives you any sexually transmitted disease.

Q My daughter has a perforated eardrum identified by our doctor today.Can she fly with this?

Yes, absolutely. There are no restrictions on flying with perforated ear drum. Rather, person with perforated ear drum may experience less discomfort and will get adjusted to air pressure changes more easily than a person with intact eardrums. Strange but true!! But if she has undergone any surgery for eardrum repair, then you should not proceed till her doctor permit to do so.

Q I have been seeing faces on walls doors etc. Sometimes they are scary looking, and look like they are in pain. Sometimes they are peaceful looking. Ill see them in clusters, male, female, even babies faces.

Can you relate to any experience or incident after which you started seeing these faces? How long has it been since they started and how frequently does it happen? Are you suffering from or are on treatment for any other disease/disorder? Any addictions to smoking, alcohol, drugs etc? If these faces have been appearing recently, just ignore them for a while. Try to divert your attention and keep yourself busy. Theyll probably go away on their own. However, if you have been seeing these faces consistently, it would be wise to see a Mental Health practitioner who will be able to help you out.

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.