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 is an ECG?

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a record of the electrical activity of the heart. It is recorded by means of an instrument known as the electrocardiograph. It is recorded in the form of waves on a graphic thermal paper. Interpretations are done to diagnose various heart conditions with the help of ECG.

Q My brother who is 8 year old having diabetes is there any option instead of taking insulin?

Juvenile diabetes (type 1) can definitely be stressful, however it is possible to live a normal life if proper care is taken. There is no alternative to insulin, he will have to keep taking it. Ensure that he always eats healthy, is physically active, takes his insulin shots on time and checks his blood sugar regularly. He needs to monitored by his physician at regular intervals. The sooner you accept and embrace the situation, the better support your brother will have to live his life normally.

Q How to make artificial vagina?

Hello. There are n number of techniques to make fake vagina at home. You can use any soft but firm material for this, like a glove inside towel roll, or two pillows on each other, or toilet paper roll and condom etc. Remember that you should use soft and non-hurtig material to make it at home. Though none of this home made techniques make you feel the actual goodness of having sexual intercourse with a female, but you can feel some closer to it. More better option we can suggest is to buy an artificial vagina from the shop of sex toy. The feel with these kind of sex toys is more realistic and more easier than making it at home. Hope this finds helpful for you.

Q How to deal with acute stress?

Relaxing or chilling out as they say is the easy and excellent way to deal with acute stress. The aim is to do something which would help you reorient yourself away from stress and get back to the normal state, similar to what you were before the stress hormones kicked in. You can do this by taking in some deep breaths and breathing the stress out. A quick warm bath can do the trick. Brisk walk or a small jog drains the stress. Speak the stress out to a friend. Count backwards from 10 to 1.This not only works in case of anger but also dissolves stress well. Figure out the acute stressors and incorporate meditation or yoga into routine to keep your calm through any stressful situation.

Q What kind of diet is not advisable for when you have pain in neck and shoulder?

Unhealthy diet and lifestyle are on second rank when it come to pain in body like neck and shoulder pains. Modern food habits are actually producing harmful effect on body by promoting accumulation of toxins in body. These type of food include: chocolates, ice-creams, food containing caffeine, highly processed food, canned or preserved food specifically with MSG, junk food or fast food, food high in sodium and sugar, high fat dairy products, meat, cigarette, wine, beer or any other alcoholic drink etc. These type of food in diet put your body under constant metabolic stress and promote production and accumulation of unhealthy chemicals or toxins in your body. This combined stresses, irritate and spasms nerves and skeletal muscles resulting in pain. So, healthy way to avoid or reduce neck and shoulder pain is to eat healthy, well cooked, preferably home made and fresh food including lots of veges and fruits.

Q My lips are very dry and occasionally bleeds what to do?

Lips have a thin coating of oil which prevents them from drying. However in some people this moisture is lost resulting in excessive drying. The main reasons behind this is defective hydration, excessive licking habit, in winters due to dry winds, side effect of medications. In most cases self care measures helps to resolve the issue. Self care measures include: Improving daily water intake because it is important to remain well hydrated to prevent drying of lips. Use a lip balm whenever you are outdoors. Rubbing a slice of cucumber or a milk cream on lips at night. Keep it for few minutes and then wash it of with plain water. This will help in healing of cracked lips. However a condition called as chelitis which is cracked skin at corner of lips needs medical care, as the cause is infection. In that case consultation with dermatologist is required.

Q Are there different types of memory loss?

Memory loss is called as amnesia in medical terms. There are several types of amnesia. Such as : Anterograde amnesia, retrograde, post traumatic amnesia, dissociative amnesia, childhood amnesia, lacunar amnesia, drug induced amnesia, global transient amnesia, source amnesia, korsakoffs syndrome.

Q Body too thin...some diet tips

Weight gain depends upon your diet and exercise pattern. Include calorie and protein rich foods in your diet such as eggs, chicken, fish, milk and milk products, nuts, pulses etc. Every morning have a glass of milk with honey and 2 bananas. Consume handful of mixed nuts everyday. Weight gain should be healthy and hence you should limit your intake of junk food. Instead of 3 large meals have 5-7 small meals. Join a gym and practice weight training under supervision.

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.