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 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 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 Is dotted condoms give more pleasure than plain condom??

Sexual pleasure is every ones subjective feeling. Nothing is universal when it comes to sex or sexual pleasure. But to see an average, it is true that variation in sexual intercourse like using dotted condoms increase pleasure for many women. Dotted condoms are made for more pleasure as they have rough texture which may increase the sensations while intercourse. But it will vary with a women whether she enjoys it or not. Some women can still enjoy plain condoms than any other variety.

Q Is it normal for a 12-year-old boy to play and fondle with his penis?

Its normal for kids of of all age groups to play with genitals out of curiosity about their growing body. This is seen in both boys and girls. Younger kids do it because they feel good about the way it feels. It is not harmful or abnormal in anyway. Do not get angry or reprimand your child. Try and educate them that it might lead to infection sometimes. Some kids even do it to seek attention but this is rare.

Q What can i do if my child is overweight?

Overweight children are more likely to grow up into overweight adults, so your concern for raised weight of child is appropriate. It is usually better that the child maintains their current weight while they continue to grow in height. Making changes to your family~s lifestyle can make a real difference to your child~s weight. Eat regular meals, together as a first step towards a healthier diet. Use homemade food rather than relying on ready-made meals to help you to lower the fat and sugar content in your meals. Avoid the diet like snacks and meals that are high in fat or sugar, such as chocolate, biscuits, sweets and fizzy drinks, and aim to replace these with healthier alternatives such as fruits. Exercise is helpful to burn extra calories in your child. Kindly focus on light exercises done by your child like standing up, moving around, walking at a slow pace and less energetic play. Also active play (such as hide and seek and stuck in the mud), fast walking, riding a bike, dancing, swimming, climbing, skipping rope, gymnastics are helpful depending upon the age.

Q How to remove skin tan problem

Follow these simple measures : Cover your face when ever you go out in sun. Apply a sun screen block before going out and reapply after 2 hours if you are still out. You can apply a face pack made up of milk, turmeric and lemon juice mix together in equal quantity. Keep it till it gets dry and then wash it of with cold water. You can also apply a face scrub made up of walnut powder, milk and lemon juice. Give ice fomentation on your face it will lessen the effect of tan. Keep yourself well hydrated. Consume well balanced and nutritious diet. You can also consult a cosmetologist to know about different procedures to reduce skin tan.

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 Why do women experience post-delivery depression?

Depression in first few months after childbirth is called postpartum depression. It is due to hormonal changes that take place after pregnancy. The risk factors for postpartum depression can be history of depression, stress in life, poor support from the partner and family, and physical health of both baby and mother. In some cases, there are more disturbances with regards to thoughts, fears and behavior; this is termed as postpartum psychosis.

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.