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 I got ulcer and swelling on inner cheek. I quit chewing tobacco few weeks before. I started eating 8 months before, it happened one time before as well when i quit before. please help?

Tobacco contains nicotine which is added in blood through chewing. It acts as a stimulant,so the person feels good under the effect. But the effect does not last for longer time. Hence it is consumed again. The mucosal area inside the cheek is sensitive; produces ulceration on continuous contact with harsh & dry substance like tobacco. The ulceration is not due to quitting but due to the chewed tobacco. Kindly consult a physician for further treatment.

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 Sir, My dad has HIV positive..What is the treatment for me? What are the precautions should be taken for family members to be free from HIV?

Just because your father is HIV positive, it doesnt mean that you too are. Yet, you must get tested once to confirm. The only precaution to be taken by you and your family members is to avoid sharing razors with him. The biggest risk is to your mother due to sexual intercourse. It can be prevented if they always use condoms. The rule of thumb is that there should be blood to blood contact with him. All other activities such as sharing food, hugging, kissing, sleeping or any other family activity with your father is absolutely safe.

Q Can Sexually transmitted diseases like AIDs and Herpes be contracted just by kissing?

Kissing on mouth can transmit herpes. It is believed that the risk of catching HIV by kissing is relatively low but there is a chance of infection if a person has cut or sore in the mouth. Sexually transmitted diseases can spread from almost all types of sex including oral sex.

Q My 10 year old daughter continues to wet the bed. Not every night, but i thought it would stop as she grows but still hasnt. I wonder if there is something medically wrong.

If you daughter has nocturnal enuresis sometimes, it may need further evaluation, as this is not so common in teenagers. There are some factors that may affect urine control in teens. These include excessive intake of caffeine drinks like tea or coffee, deep sleep pattern which can be a normal for growing teen, excessive emotional stress or fear of something, inconsistent sleep timings etc. These things can be corrected in order to fix the problem. Other things to give consideration are certain medications, diabetes of other medical diseases, family history of parents having the same problem, urinary tract infection, etc. If she is having this problem since her childhood, then this can be considered as primary nocturnal enuresis and she can be out of 2% of girls who continues with this till they reach their teen. This thing can be improved with proper counselling to her. Making her to use bathroom before going to bed. Limiting her fluid intake before going to bed. She can be effectively treated with moisture alarms while asleep. It will be less likely that she will need medications for this. Proper counselling and educating her may motivate her to take initiation to cure herself. You may take her to physician to rule out underlying disease if any.

Q My first marriage broke up because of my snoring, Im in another relationship now and I dont want it to happen again.please guide me for treatment of my snoring habit

It must be quite frustrating when your snoring affect your relationship. But the good news is, snoring can be controlled or eliminated by various devices and lifestyle changes. Snoring sound occur when there is any problem in smooth passage of air through airway. This can happen due to several reasons like more throat and nasal tissue, being fatty or overweight causing more fat at throat, tongue blocking airway while asleep, wrongly adapted sleeping posture, etc. You can seek help of any snoring device that will minimize the sound or your snoring. It will be bit difficult and time consuming to find the best suitable for you as many of such devices in the market are not well proven. You can take help of your physician to find the best one and to find the cause behind your snoring. Also rule out any underlying medical problem making you snore, with your doctors help. We are suggesting here some general guidelines about how you can reduce your problem: 1. Loose those extra pounds if your are overweight. Loosing even little fat can prove helpful in great way to reduce snoring. 2. Exercise regularly. Specially working for abs, arms and legs muscles will increase the tome of muscles in throat and neck, reducing snoring. 3. Quit smoking if you smoke. It will further narrow your air passage making your problem worse. 4. Established well planned sleeping schedule. 5. Elevating your head few inches while sleeping can help keeping airways intact. You can use specially designed pillow that help to prevent snoring. 6. Avoid sleeping on your back. Prefer side way position. 7. You can do several throat exercises to strengthen your throat muscles. 8. If these things does not prove helpful, think of medical treatments like CPAP, oral or dental devices, surgery to clear the airway etc.

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 High lymphocytes means what.

An increase in lymphocyte concentration is usually a sign of a viral infection (in some rare case, leukemias are found through an abnormally raised lymphocyte count in an otherwise normal person).

Q Hi, My son is 5 years old. About a year ago he had adenoidectomy and insertion of grommet in his ear for ear infection. Now one of the grommet is coming out and he is complaining of ear pain. Can you advise if he needs repeat surgery?

If the grommet is coming out and he is complaining of ear pain, there is need of reinsertion of grommet. My advise to you is revisit your ENT surgeon, who have operated your son. Because he is in a better position to advise you and do further management.