Q hi, My husband underwent piles surgery on last tuesday and was there in hospital for 2 more days. He got discharged yesterday(thursday). but he is having great problem in passing the stools. He almost faints and become soo weak after going to bathroom. He is havings sitz bath, applying cream and taking tablets also. But still the problem exists. Please help and tell us how can he reduce pain while passing the stool.

He will have the pain and difficulty for more 3-4 days. You have to give him more liquid diet and water which will ease the stool formation and relieve the pain. Give him more fibre containing food to prevent the constipation. Take the medicines regularly as prescribed. Give him a glass of buttermilk or a small bowl of yogurt everyday proper digestion of the food. Let him do some exercise for about 30 min a day regularly like walking, cycling or swimming etc after the recovery. Avoid the alcohol and smoking. If the problem persists longer, then consult the surgeon.

Q Sir, what is severe eccentric mitral regurgitation which my wife has got in the recent echocardiogram...??

Human heart has four chambers. Between each chambers there are flaps which prevent back flow of blood. Mitral valve is one such flap that is present between left atrium and ventricle. Mitral regurgitation means that mitral valve is not functioning adequately and causing back flow or leakage of blood from left ventricle into the left atrium. Mitral valve prolapse is one the most common cause for this. You must get your wife examined by a cardiologist at the earliest.

Q Using woolen blanket during summer can cause hair fall?

There is no scientific evidence to prove that using woolen blanket in summer can lead to hair fall.

Q How to avoid dandfuff?

There are many reasons for dandruff - Stress, nutritional deficiencies, excessive dryness of the scalp, fungal infection, vitamin C deficiency, pregnancy, long illness, thyroid imbalance, as well as hair damage caused by procedures like hair coloring/dyeing, bleaching, straightening, perming, etc. You can do following things to prevent hair loss: Getting proper nutrition is essential for healthy hair. Water, protein, biotin (part of the vitamin B complex), vitamins A, B6, B12, C, copper, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium, folic acid, and magnesium all play a part in maintaining a healthy scalp, skin, and hair. Using your fingertips to massage your scalp will increase circulation in your scalp which is important for hair growth. Take 10-12 jaswand (hibiscus) flower +200gm methi (fig) seeds soaked in coconut oil for 7 days then boil it sleeve it and use it daily for head massage it prevent hair loss, promote new hair growth and hairs become thick and restrict dandruff formation. In a week massage your scalp with yoghurt(curd) or aloe-Vera pulp or neem leaves paste which has antibacterial properties which help to clear dandruff formation. Instead of using chemical shampoo, use rita to wash the hairs; take 7-8 rita soaked for whole night boil in the morning in water gently massage and wash the hairs with this mixture.Gentle combing or brushing of your hair will help break up hardened oils that clog your pores. It is recommended that you comb or brush 100-200 strokes in the morning and at night. Avoid excessive wind, sun, and heat (such as from hair dryers, hot showers, and curling irons) on your hair. Tight fitting caps and hats will cause poor circulation in your scalp and will also cause buildup of sweat and grime. Take plenty of water keep yourself hydrated. Take care.

Q For Depression, Phone Therapy May be an Answer?

Depression is a mental disorder in which the person may feel to be alone and dont want to see anyone around him. In this case, phone therapy can play a important role to consult with the patient without going to disturb him. No third person come to know about the disease and the treatment. The patient can feel comfortable at home and feel free to discuss the problem in private. The patient may feel comfortable by avoiding the dressing to go to the clinic, travelling and waiting for consultation etc. But, it should not be considered as a complete treatment. And one has to limit the time period during the call.

Q I have an undefined scratches in my both under arms

This itching underarm is medically known as pruritus. The symptoms experienced due to itchy armpits vary according to the underlying condition. You may experience itching accompanied with redness, soreness, swelling and scarring. Scratching the itch may temporarily relieve the symptoms, although it can cause an infection through the lacerations caused by scratching. Unclean hygeine, candida infections, inverse psoriasis, dermatitis may cause this. The deoderants and antiperspirants may cause the pruritus as it is directly applied over skin. Itching under the armpits is not natural and should not be ignored. As it is treatable, if you are suffering from this condition, it is best that you seek medical treatment to prevent discomfort associated with this irritation.

Q Is non-vegetarian food safe during pregnancy?

There is no harm in consuming non-vegetarian food during pregnancy. Infact eggs, chicken, fish etc are packed with nutrients which are beneficial for you as well as your baby. But care should be taken to maintain the highest standards of hygiene because non-vegetarian food is liable to become contaminated easily. Make sure you eat only well cooked non-veg food. Avoid anything that is raw or under cooked. Avoid fish which are high in mercury such as mackerel, swordfish, tuna, etc. As long as you follow these guidelines, you can safely consume non-vegetarian food.

Q My mother is 69 years, last year we accidntally came to know that she has polycystic kidney disease. She never had any symptoms of this disease. When she went for an ultra sound scan for porlonged cough, doctor deteced PKD, then a nephrologist suggested to go in for continuous dialysis and we have been doing the same twice a week. She is normal now. Should we continue doing dialysis? She is not BP or Sugar patient

Whether to continue with dialysis or not will depend upon how well is the kidney functioning. Frequency of dialysis can be decided only by nephrologist considering her response to the treatment. Do regular consultation with your doctor and follow his advises.

Q Can HIV spread from kissing?

In most cases HIV virus is not transmitted through saliva. The saliva of an infected person does contain HIV, but the virus is only present there in very small quantities making it next to impossible for the disease or virus to be passed on to another in that way. For instance in the case of two people kissing, if both partners were to have large open sores in their mouths, or if they had severely damaged or bleeding gums then they might transmit the virus through the act of mouth to mouth kissing.

Q What are low-glycemic index foods?

Foods that are very slowly absorbed are said to have low glycemic index. These don~t affect blood sugar levels much.