Brain tumour

My daughter (22) was diagnosed with malignant brain tumour in June 2005. Doctors at a renowned hospital, treated her with radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT). She was prescribed Dilentene capsules (200 mg) thrice daily (tds); there after she was put on Tegretol tablets (200 mg) tds. She is now taking Encorate tablets (200 mg) tds. Now she has no complaints except occasional restlessness. We are worried for her future. Please advise.

It’s really good that RT and CT have been able to arrest the size of your daughter’s brain tumour. Such patients often develop epilepsy. To prevent this, doctors prescribed anti-epileptic drugs like Tegretol and Encorate tablets (200 mg) thrice daily. If these drugs prevent convulsions, then she should continue with them. However, the dose may have to be increased or she may be given a new drug if the fits continue. Please consult a physician for detailed advice.

Migraine

I am suffering from chronic migraine. Are there any exercises that can reduce the occurrence of migraine? Please advise me about good medicines that can cure this ailment. I really need your help.

Migraine is a benign condition, usually manifested by recurrent headaches associated with gastrointestinal or visual disturbances. The headaches may be unilateral. Migraine is common around puberty and during pre-menstrual periods. Sometimes it subsides after 40 years. Precipitating factors may be physical and mental stress, alcohol, chocolate, cheese and oral contraceptives in women. One can avoid the attack by proper relaxation and avoiding alcohol, chocolate and cheese. Paracetamol along with Metaclopramide may terminate an acute attack. Ergotamine Tartrate is also helpful in some cases. Sumatriptan in injected form is recently being used to treat acute attacks of migraine. It’s very effective, but costly. Drugs like Amitriptyline, Propranolol and Cyproheptadine are prescribed when attacks occur very frequently. In cases of drug resistance, Methysergide and sodium valporate may be used. However, all these drugs should be taken only with the advice of a physician.

Hairless chest

I am 21 years old. It may sound amazing, but it’s a fact that I don’t have hair on my chest, legs and hands. The growth of moustache and beard, too, is abnormal. The hair growth is normal in the pubic area, but I am worried for the rest of my body. What should I do now?

I think you are normal and only suffering from unnecessary anxiety. To rule out any physical ailment, you should consult a good endocrinologist. He should be able to guide you properly.

underweight

I am 17 years old but very thin. I am very depressed for having such a weak physique. Do you think that the use of steroids will help me in building my body? If not, then please suggest some drug, which will increase my weight.

You should not use steroids to build your body. There are many side effects and sometimes these may prove fatal. You must take plenty of nutritious food that you like and engage yourself in normal physical work. Please consult a doctor for your weak appetite. He will be able to properly diagnose your problem and accordingly prescribe a treatment.

Need for calcium

I am 31 years old. I cannot tolerate milk, but I have no problem with drinking milk shake with mango. I also consume plenty of raw onions. I want to increase the intake of calcium. Please advise.

Many people who cannot tolerate milk may find non-liquid dairy products such as cheese agreeable. Leafy green vegetables and fish with bones also contain high concentration of calcium. One should know that recently additional intake of dietary calcium have been recommended for prevention of hypertension, colon cancer and in women, postmenopausal osteoporosis.