Q Is ensure a safe drink to have while on both chemo and radiation for metastasized stomach cancer? I have read articles stating that ensure is filled with sugar, which can actually be counterproductive in cancer patients

Ensure drink can be had as a supplement to regular meals but not as a replacement. It is best to stick to actual food in order to get energy and necessary nutrition. As long as you have a small quantity (1 serving a day), you shouldnt face any problems. However, there is a possibility of Ensure interacting with certain medications, so it is imminent to discuss this issue with your treating physician.

Q What is the golden hour in treatment of heart attack?

The available oppurtunity (first 60 minutes to 120 minutes) after the onset of a heart attack is considered as the golden hour. In this time period, maximum fatality and damage to the heart muscles occur. Thus, an available oppurtunity in offering a logical treatment reduces the after-effects and impact of heart attack, increases the survival rate and lessens complications to an individual. Thrombolysis with clot buster " medications" during this hour when the patient is able to recieve emergency care give excellent results. Nowadays it has been substitued with PAMI i.e., Primary Angioplasty Myocardial Infaction after heart attack in a cardiac care centre. Thus immediate hospitalisation of the patient in a cardiac health care centre is important for his chances of recovery are very high.

Q Can stress cause weigh gain? How is stress related to weight gain? How to prevent it?

Yes stress is the major cause for weight gain! People turn to food for comfort whenever they feel stressed and tend to overeat. To make it worse, often we choose junk food. So, one, we eat unnecessarily without being hungry and two, junk food means much more added calories than needed.n Over a period, the caloric imbalance leads to weight gain and eventually elevates risk of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.n Now that you know, choose healthy alternatives like an apple or roasted almonds next time you feel stressed and are tempted to eat!n Moreover, try alternate ways like going for a walk or dancing to the tunes of some soothing music. This will not only relieve stress but will give bonus benefit by burning excess calories.

Q Will cystoscopy cause impotency??

Cystoscopy simply consists of viewing the urinary bladder through a scope. It is a very safe procedure with no major side effects. There is no evidence regarding cystoscopy causing impotency.

Q Reason for pain in uterus

The pain in uterus has many causes like- an infection or inflammation, trauma, an ovarian cyst, any menstrual pain, pain due to intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), infection of any other organ leading to referred pain, any cancerous condition, pain as a result of adverse effect of some medication. Detailed medical history along with physical examination will help to find out the exact cause. Consult your gynecologist.

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.

Q can inhale not exhale,cough only during night feeling lack of energy

The symptom you have descrirbed may be due to pathologies related with respiratory system and the organ involved is trachea, lung or diaphragm. It may be due to an infection with bacteria or virus and it may acute or chronic. You require physical examination by a consultant to rule out the cause. A diet lacking certain nutrients can also contribute to a chronic cough. If your body has deficiency of iron, swelling and irritation in the back of your throat could be a symptom, which can lead to coughing at night. The condition is also associated with weakness many times. An iron supplement may be all you need in this case.

Q Does stress affect lutenizing hormone?

Stress such as excessive physical or metabolic stress causes release of corticotropin releasing hormone. This hormone inhibits the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone. Suppression of gondotropin releasing hormone causes reduce levels of leutenizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in women.

Q Can kissing catch thrush from a female partner?

Yes. You can catch oral thrush by kissing from a female partner. The fungus causing the disease is present in the oral cavity of the patient and can easily spread to other during kissing.

Q Are condoms 100% effective?

No condom can be effective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) 100% of the times.n Condoms fail to provide protection sometimes from infections spreading from sores on the skin uncovered by a condom, for eg. at the base of the penis or scrotum. But a properly used condom can protect against STDs better than anything else. Some factors to consider in order to ensure the efficacy of condom are: check date of expiry, use latex, keep them away from heat, use water-based condoms, open carefully to avoid tearing, remove holding at the base of penis, choose condom with reservoir tip to hold semen after ejaculation. Consult a doctor if the condom breaks or slips off. Although not 100 % perfect, condoms are the best way of protection if one is going to have sex.