Q After my break-up with my girlfriend, i started losing my hair and i am becoming bald day by day is this the reason or some other major problem with me. Please guide me & suggest me some remedy or therapy.

There are many factors that can cause hair loss. Stress, anxiety, and depression are surprisingly common causes of thinning scalp hair, and can be especially difficult to recognize and treat. But apart from these there can be several other causes like hereditary, infection, nutritional deficiency, thyroid imbalance etc.. Once you have noticed that you are losing your hair, the first step is to get a medical evaluation to determine the cause. Either your primary care or a dermatologist is a good place to start. Treatment can then be directed to any of the above underlying causes that are present. But meanwhile you can follow these advices: eat plenty of salads including green leafy vegetables like spinach lettuce, plateful of fruits, buttermilk, milk, curd, fish,egg, increase intake of peanuts and almond and walnut, have proper and sound sleep daily. Concentrating on future rather than dwelling on past can work.

Q Shall I give my baby rotavirus vaccination?

Rotavirus vaccination is included in Indian Immunization schedule. So it is safe to give it to your child. The recommended age for the vaccination is 2 months, 4 months and 6 months. It is contraindicated in cases where the child has allergic reaction to rotavirus vaccine, has intussuception or sever combined immunodeficiency.

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 local honey cure seasonal allergies?

Honey contains powerful antioxidants, antiseptic and antibacterial propertise. It is said to cure some allergies particularly localised honey to that area can cure seasonal allergy as the bees feed on pollens of that area which finally form honey. At the same time there are studies showing that its effect is nothing more than a placebo.

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 Split ends in my hair !! Any treatment?

Splint ends are caused due to dryness and damage to hairs. Factors that can cause dryness and damage to hair are over exposure to sun rays, poor nutrition, excessive use of chemical based hair products, use of hair dryers, etc. Here we are also listing some general tips to improve your hair health: Warm oil massage, regular trimming of hair, minimizing use of hair dryers or styling products, following a balanced and nutritious diet, covering your hair properly while going out in sun and avoid combing hair when they are wet.

Q I feel my testicle bag contracting, no pain, but it will not stop contracting day or night. I have seen many doctors and underwent an operation but helpless cau you please suggest some thing?

In order to produce sperms optimally, testicles need to maintain a lower temperature compared to the rest of the body. Hence, in cold climates, it is normal to testicles to shrink and move closer to the body in order to maintain an optimum temperature. However in hot climates, the testicles usually hang lower to cool off. This contraction and relaxation takes place due to the cremaster muscle and dartos fascia. Changes in the intraabdominal pressure, contraction of the abdominal muscles and most commonly, spasm of the cremaster muscle can cause contraction of the testicles. Try to keep a warm atmosphere at your home and office. Prefer boxers to briefs. See a surgeon to find out the exact cause and treat accordingly.

Q What is histrionic disorder?

Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by a long-standing pattern of attention seeking behavior and extreme emotionality. Someone with histrionic personality disorder wants to be the center of attention in any group of people, and feel uncomfortable when they are not. While often lively, interesting and sometimes dramatic, they have difficulty when people arent focused exclusively on them. People with this disorder may be perceived as being shallow, and may engage in sexually seductive or provocative behavior to draw attention to themselves.

Q When is herpes contagious? I have not had an outbreak of genital herpes in years but i do take valtrex if i feel an outbreak may be coming on. If i take valtrex as needed and i do not have an outbreak, am i still contagious?

Genital herpes is the most contagious when the lesions are active and a few days before that. However, an infected person can potentially be shedding the virus all his life. Since, the virus is spread by direct skin to skin contact, it is very easy to spread it through intercourse or oral sex. Thus, protect your partner by always using a condom.

Q What tips do you have for someone with Social Anxiety?

At first, being social when youre feeling anxious is challenging. As difficult or painful as it may seem initially, dont avoid situations that trigger your symptoms. By regularly facing these kinds of situations, youll continue to build and reinforce your coping skills. The following techniques can help you begin to face situations that make you nervous: Prepare for conversation. For instance, read the newspaper to identify an interesting story you can talk about. 1. Focus on personal qualities you like about yourself. 2. Practice relaxation exercises. 3. Adopt stress management techniques. 4. Set realistic goals. 5. Pay attention to how often the embarrassing situations youre afraid of actually take place. You may notice that the scenarios you fear usually dont come to pass. 6. When embarrassing situations do happen, remind yourself that your feelings will pass, and you can handle them until they do. 7. Develop coping skills- Hang out with people whom with you feel comfortable, Joining a group that offers opportunities to improve communication and public speaking skills, remind yourself that you can get through anxious moments, that your anxiety is short-lived. 8. Take good sleep and healthy diet. Psychiatric counselling and medicine helps to deal with anxiety. Finally positive thinking and building self-confidence is the key to fight against your anxiety. Be confident. All the best.