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 What is "Selective Mutism"?

Selective mutism is a condition in which a person who is normally capable of speech is unable to speak in given situations or to specific people. Selective mutism usually begins in childhood. It usually co-exists with shyness or social anxiety. Its important to understand that when the mutism happens, the child is not voluntarily refusing to speak but is literally unable to speak, feeling frozen. In time, they learn to anticipate the situations that provoke mutism and do all they can to avoid them. Example: selective mutism while interacting with the opposite sex. Other attributes of children or adults with selective mutism are nervousness, socially awkward, clingy, excessively shy or withdrawn, stubborn or aggressive. Behavioral therapy forms the mainstay of treatment with medications used in a few older patients. Most children will work their way through SM with sympathetic support, although they may remain reserved and anxious in social situations.

Q My underarms have become dark. I wax regularly and don~t use any hair removal creams. Can you please suggest something?

Excessive sweating is the main cause of dark underarms. Make sure not to keep the underarm hair too long. Wax your underarms every 15 days. Tight clothes may cause excess sweating and affect the area. Friction can darken the underarm skin too. So, avoid wearing tight clothes as far as possible.n Gently exfoliate the underarm skin every week to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, which can cause darkening. To reduce darkening, scrub underarms daily with pumice stone while taking shower. Waxing removes hair from the roots and dead cells from armpits. Thus usually it does not darken underarms.

Q My WBC count is increased up to 16000, 5 days back. I had some antibiotics prescribed by doctor. Today I checked still the count is same or increased. Why is this? Is it a symptom of cancer?

The normal count of WBC is 4000-11000. Raised WBC count is not the only sign of cancer. There are other causes as well, of which infection is the most commonest cause. You should finish the course of antibiotic given by your doctor an then check the count. If it is still raised than it is necessary that you consult your doctor again.

Q What are the incubation periods for infections?

Incubation period is the time between exposure to an infectious disease and the appearance of the first signs or symptoms of the same. Different infections have different incubation period.

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 Whats causing my palpitations and how can I get rid of them?

The causes for palpitations are - strong emotions such as anxiety, fear, or stress; palpitations often occur during panic attacks; caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or illegal street drugs such as cocaine; some medical conditions, including thyroid disease, a low blood sugar level, anemia, low blood pressure, fever, and dehydration; hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause etc. In most cases, palpitations are found to be harmless and often go away on their own. Treatment depends on the cause of your palpitations. Some lifestyle changes like exercise and yoga and quitting smoking and alcohol help a lot.

Q I want to know about fistula.

A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result of injury or surgery. It can also result from infection or inflammation. often occur in the area around the genitals and anus (known as the perineum). It is connection between two body cavities eg. rectum and vagina. The symptom vary with the location of fistula.

Q Tips to remove unwanted hair on chest ?

Hair removing has several options. You can remove the unwanted hairs by gently shaving or using hair removing creams. Wax like Cold wax, warm wax, hot wax can be used sometimes. You can also go for laser reduction of hairs by an expert. Electrolysis or thermolysis (short wave) is used on fine or blonde hairs.

Q Very severe spasms in calf muscles every night. I am 35 year old woman always remain over worked

Excessive physical exertion, dehydration, deficiency of potassium, magnesium or calcium, poor blood circulation are some of the causes of cramps in calf region. However excessive physical exertion seems to be the probable cause in your case. Following tips may help: follow a well balanced diet, include foods like banana, coconut water regularly in your meals, stay well hydrated, include some stretching exercise in your routine, give hot fomentation over the calf muscle. If all these measures do not help consult your physician to prescribe you medications.rnrn