Q My two year daughter fell from the slide this morning. In evening she passed white stool with bad smell.

Episode of fall and the white stool does not seem to be connected. But at the same time white coloured stool can not be ignored. Stool gets its normal yellow- brown colour due to bile. White colour stool indicate that either the bile is not produced or it is obstructed. Hence it should be evaluated by the doctor. Consult your family physician at the earliest.

Q Suffering from fibromyalgia since last 12 years fade up of that now please suggest solution

We can understand your despair about your condition. Fibromyalgia syndrome is characterized by generalised pain, hypersensitive and painful response to pressure, joint stiffness, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbances. Also it is commonly associated with psychological disorders like depression. As it is a complex syndrome and has no specific cause, it is one of medically not fully understood syndromes, as a result there is no universally accepted permenant cure for this condition. The aim in management of it is to alleviate the pain and other associated symptoms of this condition. This include various methods that collectively will give relief from symptoms. The methods include cognitive behaviopural therapy, prescribed medicines, exercise(specially aerobic). FM is not a fatal condition and is not prograssive. So, if you maintain healthy lifestyle including exercise, eat healthy and balanced diet, get an adequate sleep, and stay away from stress and depression, it can get better over a time. Trying complemetary or alternative therapies is definitely a thing to consider. You can choose any from a variety, like Ayurveda, Homoeopathic, Accupressure or accupuncture, massage therapies, physiotherapy, herbs etc. These are proved to be effective in many such patients.

Q Can eating plain cornstarch be harmful?

Cornstarch is a commonly used cooking ingredient. It is safe to eat plain cornstarch. This is unlikely to cause significant health concerns.

Q Do men suffer from menopause like women?

The phase of life similar to menopause is called as andropause in men. It is marked by lethargy, sadness, weariness, lack of drive, irritability, poor concentration and sometimes loss of sexual desire in middle-aged men. This leads to boredom, lack of fitness, heavy drinking and lack of self-esteem.n Though, male menopause is controversial, as there isn~t any calculable fall in the levels of male hormones in middle age like females have fall in sex hormones drastically, yet it is advised that men experiencing the symptoms should exercise regularly and eat healthy, nurture a hobby, and have a peaceful mind and renew interest in life.

Q Where can I get help to stop smoking?

It is appreciated that you want to quit smoking. The best person to help you to quit any bad habit is YOURSELF. The inner voice is very important to do something which you think impossible. Nothing is impossible when YOU have decided to do it, rather someone else keeps you poking. If you think you need help, you can consult with your physician, friend, family member or any one to whom you believe the most. Dont quit suddenly because it may lead to some adverse effects; keep gradual decrease in the frequency and the number of smoke.

Q My child drank one full bottle of cough syrup. He has some reactions like swelling on body and face, please advise what to do .

Your child has had an overdose of medication. Rush to the hospital immediately along with the bottle. Any delay can compromise the health of the child.

Q Why is one pupil bigger than the other in a 2 month old baby boy?

1 in 5 babies can born with different sized pupils without any underlying disorder. If other family members also have similar pupils, then the pupil size difference is possibly genetic and nothing to worry about. However, certain underlying conditions such as Homers disease, aneurysm, tumor, increased intracranial pressure, meningitis can cause a difference in pupillary size. If your baby does not have any other sign and symptom and he is healthy otherwise, then there is nothing to worry about. But our advise will be to get him examined once to rule out any underlying disease.

Q What Psychological Factors Contribute to Mental Illness?

The reasons which cause mental illness- Significant interpersonal loss and family instability, such as death of loved one, misfortune, poor relationship with family, domestic partner violence, separation, and divorce, emotional detachment have all been identified as risk factors. Financial stress, unemployment, and a drop in socioeconomic status can also be triggers for mental illness. This is also the case for a range of acute and chronic health problems, such as pain syndromes, or diagnoses of conditions like HIV or cancer. Some mental illnesses have been linked to an abnormal balance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. If these chemicals are out of balance or are not working properly, messages may not make it through the brain correctly, leading to symptoms of mental illness. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain also have been linked to some mental conditions.

Q How to treat an oat allergy?

In an acute episode use of over the counter antihistamines are beneficial. As far as prevention is considered the best way is to avoid eating oats. Cereals, cereal bars, cookies and other similar foods are main sources of oats and hence should be avoided. Rice, potatoes, fruits contain many of the same health benefits as oats and can be substituted for oats.

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.