Q What is spermicide?

Spermicide is a contraceptive substance that destroys sperm, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy. The common active ingredient of spermicides is nonoxynol-9. This used in the form of jelly.

Q Entamoeba histolytica infection

Entamoeba histolytica is a parasite and you must start anti parasitic drugs under care of a physician. Here are a few guidelines to avoid reinfection as well as to avoid spraeding infection to others. 1. Wash your hands before eating and after using the washroom. 2.Wash fresh vegetables carefully. Many people get E. histolytica by eating contaminated raw fruit and vegetables. 3.Wear gloves when gardening or working with soil or sand, because it is contaminated with the eggs of the parasites. 4.If you have pet, deworm him regularly.

Q Why do kids suck thumb? Does it mean that they are hungry?

Babies suck thumb because thumb sucking has a soothing and calming effect on them. No, it does not always suggest that the kid is hungry. Thumb sucking around the feeding time could indicate that the kid is hungry, but not otherwise.n Babies may suck thumb when they are lonely, bored, or sleepy too! This habit usually stops by the age of 3 to 6 years.n Some babies develop habit of thumb sucking right in the womb!

Q Pericarditis develops after what?

In most the cases the cause of pericarditis is unkown. In some cases it may develop due to viral infection or after a major heart attack. Other causes include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, trauma to heart region, side effect of medications such as blood thinning medicines, etc.

Q Biotin and vitamin e for hair?

Both the biotin and vit E are helpful for the growth of hair.

Q What can trigger headache in children?

Headache in children can be caused due to several factors. Day to day cold and flu, viral infection, infection in the ear or of the sinus are common causes. Trauma or injury to the head can also cause headache. If the child is predispose to migraine than even that can cause headache. Some child may complain of headache from food items such as ice cream, cold drink, preservative and additives used in the food. Disorders like meningitis, abscess or tumor in the head can present with headache.rnrn 

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.

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 Hairfall after delivery is it common how can i deal with it?

A hair cycle consists of 3 phases: anagen (growing), catogen (stoppage of growth and blood supply) and telogen(resting) phases. Normally upto 90% of hair are in the growing phase, 10-14% in the resting phase and 1-2% in the falling phase. Pregnancy and childbirth are stressful events for the body which pushes a lot of hair prematurely in the resting phase (telogen effluvium). This results in a large quantity of sudden hairfall. However, dont worry, this condition is temporary. In six months, the hair reverts back to its normal growth cycle. In the meanwhile, make sure you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and remain stress free.

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.