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.

My son is 19 years old. For almost 3 years now his height has not increased. He is 5’6″. There is no one in our family who is taller than that. I want to ask you
1. Are there any chances that his height can increase now?
2. If yes, at the most to what extent?
3. Are the products advertised on TV, like Yoko and other syrups, useful?
4. What are the exercises he should do to gain height and what should he eat (being a vegetarian)?

1. There are no chances of increase in height now, by natural process.
2. With surgical methods, viz., the Illizarow technique, height can be boosted, but the risks of complications are high, it is time consuming and also very costly. I would not advise it at all. This is only for your information.
3. The products promoted on TV are mere advertising hoaxes. They are not proven, non scientific and fraught with risks.
4. There are no exercises that can increase his height at this age. During the growth period, viz., up to 18 years in boys, participating in games and sports coupled with high protein intake helps add an inch or two.

My children are 46″ and 40″ in height respectively. My own is 5’1 “. I want their height to be more than mine at least. Kindly clarify:
1. Whether their growth is normal.
2. Is there any medicine to increase the height without causing any side effects/adverse effect?
3. I have heard of growth hormones, but do not know how to administer such drugs. Please advice on the above.
Your children’s height is less than the average of kids of that age. Though exceptions are seen, height of children is mainly dependent on that of parents. Tonics and vitamins are of no use in such cases. If you want to consider the growth hormone option, you must consult a pediatric endocrinologist, who will ask for certain tests and then decide whether these drugs should be given to your children or not.