Q Are condoms 100% effective?

No condom can be effective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) 100% of the times.n Condoms fail to provide protection sometimes from infections spreading from sores on the skin uncovered by a condom, for eg. at the base of the penis or scrotum. But a properly used condom can protect against STDs better than anything else. Some factors to consider in order to ensure the efficacy of condom are: check date of expiry, use latex, keep them away from heat, use water-based condoms, open carefully to avoid tearing, remove holding at the base of penis, choose condom with reservoir tip to hold semen after ejaculation. Consult a doctor if the condom breaks or slips off. Although not 100 % perfect, condoms are the best way of protection if one is going to have sex.

Q My doctor tells me my test results are normal, but I still have a few thyroid symptoms. Should I worry?

If the thyroid function test is done for the first time and the reports are normal, then there is nothing to worry about. However if you are taking the medicine for any thyroid disorder, then though your results are normal you may have the symptoms for few days.

Q How to deal with acute stress?

Relaxing or chilling out as they say is the easy and excellent way to deal with acute stress. The aim is to do something which would help you reorient yourself away from stress and get back to the normal state, similar to what you were before the stress hormones kicked in. You can do this by taking in some deep breaths and breathing the stress out. A quick warm bath can do the trick. Brisk walk or a small jog drains the stress. Speak the stress out to a friend. Count backwards from 10 to 1.This not only works in case of anger but also dissolves stress well. Figure out the acute stressors and incorporate meditation or yoga into routine to keep your calm through any stressful situation.

Q Need help related to phimosis

Treatment of phimosis are of two types surgical and non-surgical. The choice of treatment will depend upon the acuteness and severity of the problem. Consult an urologist to decide what is best for you.

Q Do children outgrow headaches?

Yes. Strawberries apart from being one of the good source of antioxidants, antineurodegenrative, antiinflammatory is also one of the most common allergens. Symptoms of strawbwrry allergies include: burning of cheeks, lips, gums and tongue; swelling, itching, tightness of throat, runny nose, sneezing etc. Antihistamines are used to tackle the symptoms.

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 How can I help my child avoid triggering migraine headache?

Following measures can help you to avoid migraine triggers in your child: Avoid known triggering factors. Give your child well balanced diet. Avoid too long gaps between meals. Make sure your child is well hydrated. See to it that your child gets 7-9 hours of quality sleep on regular basis. Cut down on your childs intake of junk foods and excessive sugary drinks. Talk to your child if something is bother him/her.rnrn 

Q What is natural family planning?

Natural Family Planning ( NFP) is the term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a womans menstrual cycle. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the fertile phase of the womans cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.

Q What do you mean by Social Phobia? How it is expressed?

Social phobia is a strong fear of being judged by others, and of being embarrassed. This fear can be so strong that person start worrying about the things he is going to do in front of others weeks before, or it may restrict him from going into public places/school/work etc. Person will have overwhelmed fear that others will judge him wrongly or make fun of him. He might be afraid of eating or drinking in front of others, using public restrooms, going in social functions, performing anything in front of a crowd etc. This may end up with staying away from such situations or completely avoiding them. For some, it is a problem only in few situations, but some may have this fear constantly. This fear can express itself in the form of difficulty in getting acknowledged with others, talking with other people, high level of self-consciousness when in public, worries excessively before weeks or days of any upcoming social function, difficulties in making friends and becoming friendly with others, physical symptoms of fear may appear like sweating, trembling, blushing, palpitations, nausea, etc.

Q What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(adhd)?

ADHD is a common neurobehavioral disorders diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. The primary cause behind ADHD is heredity. Symptoms include lack of attention, easy distraction, boredom, careless mistakes, daydreaming, non completion of tasks, forgetfullness, constant fidgeting, talking excessively, difficulty waiting for anything and physical restlesslessness- always moving about from 1 activity to another. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. It is usually treated with a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.