Q: My one-month-old baby is constipated and I have been using suppositories.

A: We need to figure out if your baby really is constipated as bowel habits vary from child to child. Some have a bowel movement after every feeding, other normal breast-fed babies may have a motion only once in three to four days. More than the number of stools a day, a change in bowel habits, colour, consistency or dry, hard stools need to be evaluated by a physician, especially if it is also accompanied by bloating.

Do not self-medicate with over-the-counter suppositories or other medications.
 

Ear hole

Q: My four-month-old baby has a small opening in front of his left ear. Is it dangerous?

A: The external ear folds on itself several times as it is formed. This opening is due to a fusion defect during the process. It is called a pre-auricular sinus. It is usually an isolated defect. It can be associated with hearing loss and other defects or sinuses in the neck area. Most children with pre-auricular sinuses are asymptomatic. The defect is noticed by accident. Sometimes, infection can occur, with pain and swelling. This needs prompt treatment and excision of the sinus.

Lazy legs

Q: I develop pain in my legs when I walk. After a few minutes of rest, the pain disappears and I am able to walk again.

A: This happens when the arteries that supply blood to the legs become narrowed or blocked. This is unlike the pain of sciatica which does not improve with rest. This arterial pain is likely to occur with diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated lipids, or obesity. Smokers are more prone to develop this. A Doppler test will help to determine the blood flow to the legs.

The first line of treatment is to control any reversible factors like lifestyle diseases. If there is a block or narrowing, if required, a vascular surgeon or interventional cardiologist can place a stent.
 

Weight line

Q: I am 18 years old, and I recently noticed some black and white marks on my belly. I have seen this only in pregnant women.

A: Those lines are probably stretch marks. They occur during pregnancy as the result of rapid growth in the size of the abdomen. They can also occur during puberty because of sudden weight gain, especially on the hips and belly. The skin cannot keep up with the rate of growth. This causes tears in the deeper layers. A streaky appearance occurs on the skin. It is not possible to completely remove stretch marks, but they can fade over time. Try to maintain a steady body weight, and exercise to tone the belly with crunches and planks.

You can also apply baby oil every night to the stomach area.
 

Exercise pill

Q: I have PCOS and I was prescribed a regimen of exercise. My periods became regular. I was off tablets. I discontinued the exercise regimen and the PCOS returned. I tried doing yoga but it did not help.

A: Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, lowers cholesterol, and changes the body composition with muscle being substituted for fat. These effects are independent of any weight loss. The minimum requirement is around 30 minutes of running, jogging, cycling, swimming or 10 minutes of continuous stair climbing (aerobic activity) and then 15 minutes of light weight training (baby dumbbells) and 10 minutes of stretching or yoga. This needs to be done at least 5 days a week. If you aim for 7 days, you will surely manage 5!

You will soon not only be off tablets but also feel a lot better.

 

The writer is a paediatrician with a family practice at Vellore and author of Staying Healthy in Modern India. If you have any questions on health issues please write to yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in