Q I want to know about fistula.

A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result of injury or surgery. It can also result from infection or inflammation. often occur in the area around the genitals and anus (known as the perineum). It is connection between two body cavities eg. rectum and vagina. The symptom vary with the location of fistula.

Q What can you tell me about Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a Mental Health disorder that generates significant emotional instability. This can lead to a variety of other stressful mental and behavioral problems. When you have borderline personality disorder, you often have an insecure sense of who you are. Your self-image, self-identity or sense of self often rapidly changes. You may view yourself as evil or bad, and sometimes you may feel as if you dont exist at all. An unstable self-image often leads to frequent changes in jobs, friendships, goals and values. This is because people with borderline personality disorder often have difficulty accepting gray areas; things seem to be either black or white. The common symptom of borderline personality disorder are overwhelming feelings of distress, anxiety, worthlessness or anger, difficulty managing such feelings without self-harming, for example by abusing drugs and alcohol or taking overdoses, difficulty maintaining stable and close relationships, sometimes, periods of loss of contact with reality, in some cases, threats of harm to others. Treatment may involve a range of individual and group psychological therapies (psychotherapy) carried out by trained professionals.

Q Where can I get help to stop smoking?

It is appreciated that you want to quit smoking. The best person to help you to quit any bad habit is YOURSELF. The inner voice is very important to do something which you think impossible. Nothing is impossible when YOU have decided to do it, rather someone else keeps you poking. If you think you need help, you can consult with your physician, friend, family member or any one to whom you believe the most. Dont quit suddenly because it may lead to some adverse effects; keep gradual decrease in the frequency and the number of smoke.

Q How much sleep does a 3 year old need?

The child aged 3 years need a sleep of 9 to 12 hours during night and 1 to 3 hours (1 nap) of sleep in the morning. The total time of sleep varies about 12 to 13 hours.

Q I want to do ivf and I am hiv ptv is it possble for me

If you are a male, you can go for IVF in which the sperms are washed using medical solution to remove the infected material. And, a single sperm from that pool is picked up for the fertilization. Still, you can not deny the chances of infection. But, if you are a female, then it is not possible for you to prevent the child from the infection as your blood contains the virus.

Q How to avoid dandfuff?

There are many reasons for dandruff - Stress, nutritional deficiencies, excessive dryness of the scalp, fungal infection, vitamin C deficiency, pregnancy, long illness, thyroid imbalance, as well as hair damage caused by procedures like hair coloring/dyeing, bleaching, straightening, perming, etc. You can do following things to prevent hair loss: Getting proper nutrition is essential for healthy hair. Water, protein, biotin (part of the vitamin B complex), vitamins A, B6, B12, C, copper, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium, folic acid, and magnesium all play a part in maintaining a healthy scalp, skin, and hair. Using your fingertips to massage your scalp will increase circulation in your scalp which is important for hair growth. Take 10-12 jaswand (hibiscus) flower +200gm methi (fig) seeds soaked in coconut oil for 7 days then boil it sleeve it and use it daily for head massage it prevent hair loss, promote new hair growth and hairs become thick and restrict dandruff formation. In a week massage your scalp with yoghurt(curd) or aloe-Vera pulp or neem leaves paste which has antibacterial properties which help to clear dandruff formation. Instead of using chemical shampoo, use rita to wash the hairs; take 7-8 rita soaked for whole night boil in the morning in water gently massage and wash the hairs with this mixture.Gentle combing or brushing of your hair will help break up hardened oils that clog your pores. It is recommended that you comb or brush 100-200 strokes in the morning and at night. Avoid excessive wind, sun, and heat (such as from hair dryers, hot showers, and curling irons) on your hair. Tight fitting caps and hats will cause poor circulation in your scalp and will also cause buildup of sweat and grime. Take plenty of water keep yourself hydrated. Take care.

Q Hi, My son is 5 years old. About a year ago he had adenoidectomy and insertion of grommet in his ear for ear infection. Now one of the grommet is coming out and he is complaining of ear pain. Can you advise if he needs repeat surgery?

If the grommet is coming out and he is complaining of ear pain, there is need of reinsertion of grommet. My advise to you is revisit your ENT surgeon, who have operated your son. Because he is in a better position to advise you and do further management.

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 Are all STDs link with HIV.

No. There are many other sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhoea, syphilis etc which are not related with HIV. The cause for each of them is different; just the mode of infestion is same the sexual mode of transmission.

Q How is jaggery different from sugar?

Jaggery is much more complex than sugar and takes longer time to digest and provides energy slowly for longer time. It does not have harmful effects on the body; but, this does not qualify jaggery to be safe for diabetics.