Q: I am on fluoxetine and other psychiatric medications. I wish to start a family so I stopped taking the pills. I could not sleep. I started getting strange thoughts. I am worried my child may also develop depression and other psychiatric illnesses like me.

A:There is a 0.5 per cent chance of psychiatric illness in a child born of normal parents, which increases to 1-2 per cent if either parent is affected. These are statistics, but remember a great deal depends on the environment in which the child is raised. If you provide a safe, secure and loving environment there is a good chance your child will be normal.

Before you become pregnant, ask your psychiatrist if it is possible to decrease or stop the medications. Do not do this on your own. These medications cannot be stopped abruptly. They need to be tapered gradually under expert supervision. Also, if you are planning to start a family begin taking a daily dose (5mg) of folic acid right away. This will prevent neurological damage and defects in the baby.

Memory aids

Q: My daughter does not do too well at school. Her marks are lower than average, but what worries me is that her memory is not good. She cannot remember what she has studied the previous day. She remembers the plots of television serials very accurately though! I saw some products advertised on television to improve memory and I wondered if I should use them.

A:You can help your daughter improve her memory or retention power by asking her to learn tables, poetry or speeches of famous people by heart. She can also revise the portions learnt the previous day in the morning before going to school. Her memory may also be affected by watching too much television. The rapidly flashing images from television deplete the brain chemicals required to form memories. Studies have shown that memory and IQ improve with regular exercise. These simple remedies may be a better and safer bet than chemicals.

Ooh, aah, ouch

Q: I developed low back pain during my first pregnancy. I was told that it would disappear after the baby was born. I had a normal delivery. My daughter is three years old now and I still have the pain.

A:Pregnancy in itself places strain on the back muscles.

A prominent tummy (if you gained weight after the baby) also pushes the backbone inwards pacing strain on the ligaments of the back similar to pregnancy.

nYou need to get down to your ideal body weight.

nDo back and core strengthening exercises.

nWalk an hour a day.

For the pain, apply a gel containing capsaicin to the back and then place ice on it. Do this every four hours. You can also wear a supportive belt for a couple of months till the exercises make your muscles strong.

Dr Gita Mathai is a paediatrician with a family practice at Vellore. Questions on health issues may be emailed to her at yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in