Q I have been suffering from hyper-acidity as a result of antibiotics. Please advice.

Hyper-acidity is a common side effect of most antibiotics. Most physicians will prescribe an antacid or a H2 blocker along with antibiotics to circumvent this side-effect. If your physician hasnt done so, please visit him and ask him to prescribe the same. If you are on long term antibiotics, a multivitamin will help. As a home measure, include plenty of cold milk and yogurt in your diet to counteract hyper-acidity.

Q What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(adhd)?

ADHD is a common neurobehavioral disorders diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. The primary cause behind ADHD is heredity. Symptoms include lack of attention, easy distraction, boredom, careless mistakes, daydreaming, non completion of tasks, forgetfullness, constant fidgeting, talking excessively, difficulty waiting for anything and physical restlesslessness- always moving about from 1 activity to another. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. It is usually treated with a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.

Q Can people get infections from animals?

Yes. Diseases passed from animals to man are called zoonoses or zoonotic illnesses. The animals can pass some bacterial, viral and fungal infection either by direct contact or by the contamination of the food and water. They may also lead to allergic reaction in some cases. Infections from animals can be particularly dangerous to babies and young kids, pregnant women, elderly people, and people whose immune systems have been weakened by illness or disease

Q can sugar causes depression?

Studies suggest diet high in refined sugar can cause depression. Lots of refined sugar is linked with depression because it not only supply very little in the way of nutrients but they also use up the mood enhancing vitamin B. In fact, a study published in British Journal of Psychiatry found that those who had a diet which contained a lot of processed foods had a 58% increased risk for depression, whereas those whose diet could be described as containing more whole foods had a 26% reduced risk for depression.

Q I am 43 year old man and my wife 41 year we have 4 year and 6 month daughter. We are very confused whether to go for second child as my only daughter feels very lonely. Can you advice?

First, determine whether you and your wife are physically, mentally and financially ready to have a second child. It is definitely possible to conceive at this age; however there are many factors that you should take into account before arriving at a decision. A womans fertility decreases drastically in her forties so there is a major possibility that your wife may have to use donor eggs to achieve pregnancy. The risk of complications during pregnancy such as diabetes and high blood pressure increases. Moreover, there are higher chances of premature and still births. You may need to use assisted reproductive techniques thus escalating costs. I am not trying to discourage you, but giving you the facts. On the other hand, some women do get pregnant well into their 40s, and many of them have complication-free pregnancies and healthy babies. Both of you should make an informed decision after knowing all the pros and cons. For any further clarification, visit a gynaecologist who will brief you about all available options. Do consider the possibility of adoption too.

Q After what age children can drink coffee?

Children under 12 are generally recommended to avoid caffeine or to limit its intake. Because, Caffeine is absorbed very quickly into the body and then passes into the central nervous system. In low doses caffeine can affect the body causing decreased appetite, increased urination, hyperactive behaviour and difficulty sleeping. The harmful effects may occur when a child consumes more than 4.5 mg of caffeine per pound of body weight.

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 I have sagging breast, since 2 years. I m very concerned about my sagging breast.

There is not much you can do about sagging other than gym exercise which will tone up the muscles and make breasts firm. Wear well fitting bra and sports bra during any strenuous physical activity. Breast lift surgery may help you to recover the condition to some extent.

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 Can stress and anxiety cause rash?

Yes. Corelation between the mind and the skin has long been established. Stress and anxiety can cause skin rashes (urticaria/hives) in some people. Additionally, stress can also worsen certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.