My 7-year-old is a very active boy – extremely so, I would say. He cannot sit still for moment and is often in trouble at school. According to his teacher, his restlessness is disturbing the rest of the class. My neighbor says he may be suffering from something called ADHD, and medication will help him quiet down. I personally feel my son just happens to be more energetic than most boys of his age, and his boredom threshold may be lower. However the complaints from school make me anxious. How do I get my son to behave the way he’s expected to in the classroom? What distinguishes ADHD from regular naughtiness?
Children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often display inattention and impulsiveness besides hyperactivity. An expert must make the diagnosis before any medication is given to the child. Once the diagnosis of ADHD is made, these children can be helped with proper management and may do reasonably well in school and later in life. There are Pediatric Neurologists in the Child Trust Hospital in Chennai to whom you can show your son. They’ll help you decide whether your child has ADHD or “regular naughtiness”.

I was operated for prostatis seven years back, but since the last two years I’ m having difficulty in passing urine completely. The doctor found that there was a stricture, which was removed with an operation. I was prescribed “Contiflow” and “Uritone” for two months without much improvement. Then for three weeks I was put on catheter and after that I was advised to do self catherization, which I am still continuing. Now doctors say that I have a neurogenic bladder for which there is no treatment. Is there any treatment for this? Will Botox help?
Your neuropathic bladder can be corrected. You need to get a URODYNAMIC evaluation done and then consult your urologist. Botox is used for overactive bladder and not for your condition. Your bladder is probably hypotonic and you may need Tab Urotone 1 tablet three times a day.

I am a married woman, aged 29. My two pregnancies ended in miscarriages in the 20th and 2nd weeks.
After the 2nd miscarriage, the doctor found the problem to be an “incompetent cervix.” Now he says that in my next pregnancy, the mouth of the uterus will be closed with stitches at the 15th week and after that I will be advised complete bed rest. I would like to know:
1. Will everything be OK next time?
2. Will I be allowed to attend Nature’s call, or will that also have to done with a bed pan?
3. Will I be allowed to have a bath or not?
4. Will these stitches help me to pass my 9 months easily?

Despite the unfortunate results of your first two pregnancies, there’s no reason your next one shouldn’t have a happier outcome. Yes, your doctor’s advice is correct – you should have a cervical cerclage (to tie a ligature around the mouth of the uterus) by the 15 or 16th week, after checking the fetus for any congenital abnormality. Initially, after the stitch is taken, you will have to be on a strict bed rest for at least 1 month. After that period you can go to the toilet and also have a quick bath. Then a repeat sonography should be done to check how the stitch is holding and depending on that, your activity level will be decided. Most women do well and have a 36- or 37-week pregnancy uneventfully.

I’m 28 years old and unmarried. There is white fungus in the skin folds of my penis, which I have to clean every day. I’ve become frustrated having to do this daily, because it increases if I don’t. What is the problem?
The white “fungus” that you refer to, is a normal secretion that accumulates under the foreskin, called smegma. If the foreskin is not retracted and the smegma not washed off during the bath every day, the secretion will accumulate and develop a stony consistency over a period of time. You need to wash off this smegma daily.