Stretch marks during pregnancy- Causes & solutions

Very rapid weight gain is to be avoided. Excess weight gain & higher levels of hormones causes Stretch marks appear on the abdomen, breasts and thighs. Gentle exercise during pregnancy can reduce formation of Stretch marks. Its all related with skin elasticity
Stretch marks will fade slowly. It may leave behind a silvery white color. Marks while healing cause scar formation. Natural collagen production gets affected
Don't touch frequently. Apply soothening creams & moisturisers.
. Add nuts and seeds in your diet. Both are rich in zinc and are known to reduce stretch marks
. Don't use any over-the-counter anti-stretch mark creams without consulting your doctor as most are ineffective and often costly.
Read -
Common problems & their solution during pregnancy
I will suggest simple home remedies for pregnancy related stretch mark
1. Apply egg white on stretch marks. Allow it to dry. Wash it with cold water.
2. Use fresh cream of milk, gram flour (besan), and turmeric powder. Apply this mixture. Wash it after 10 minutes
Radio Frequency and Laser ( pulse dye laser, excimer laser treatments ) are tried as new method.
Use tanning lotion or cream is suggested for silvery white color marks.
Aloe vera, Sandalwood or cucumber Gel is also recommended. Vitamin E creams are useful.
Include foods high in vitamins A and C, zinc in diet.
Dermabrasion, chemical peels -Dermatologist will decide about this.
Dermabrasion has been used predominantly to treat acne scars, small pox /chicken pox marks with promising results
Sagging skin & severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels.
Chemical solutions used are -
. Trichloroacetic acid

. Glycolic acid,
. Carbolic acid (phenol)

Family planning methods to enjoy sex life

Family planning operation in male is called as vasectomy & in female as tubectomy. Tubectomy can be done either by opening abdomen or laparoscopic method. Laparoscopic method is preferred now. Both, vasectomy & tubectomy are safe. Couple has to discuss & decide. One myth about vasectomy is that man's sexual potency may decrease after surgery. This is totally wrong. Vasectomy doesn't make a man impotent or it doesn't affect sperm count. Man can start working after a few ( within 1 week) days. Both these surgeries are included in national Family planning programme & available free of cost in Govt recognized centres. These are very safe & done under sedation & local anaesthesia. One can start work after a few days. Rarely one can develop complication like skin infection. One more rare possibility is risk of peritonitis in ladies. After completing family, couple should undergo Family planning operation to prevent longterm side effects of oral contraceptive pills. Also use of condom will take away the pleasure in sex.
Both surgeries are irreversible. In rare instances, doctor can try reopening of fallopian tubes foe special cases like couple who lost their only child & is not ready for adoption.
Another advantage of Family planning operation is that chances of failure are very less. So couple can enjoy sex life without fear & stress of getting pregnant

Pregnancy diet

Eat bananas daily. It has a lot of Calcium and Potassium which prevents muscle cramps in the legs. During pregnancy due to fluctuating hormones, cramps in the legs can occur.
Eat rich fiber food content like green vegetables, fresh fruits, green salads, whole grains etc.
Folate comes from citrus fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. Enough of this vitamin may even prevent neural tube related birth defects like spina bifida in the first trimester

Hair loss - Baldness

1. Water impurities cause hair fall. Impurities come through industrial waste. certain elements like mercury, selenium, lead cause hair fall. this is about people in cities. What about village people? Wells contain water with heavy metals. Find out if your area of residence is very close to the industrial area. If you think water is the culprit, use filtered water to wash hair.
2. Control dandruff if you have. You can use medicated shampoo like -
a. Containing fluconazole - Nizral, scalpe,
b. Selsun
c. ZPTO
3. Don;t rub hair very forcefully while cleaning
4. Do you have a family history of hair fall? Whether your father lost hair at younger age? Heredity also has a role.
5. Excess stress can cause hair fall.
6. Excess male hormone testosterone can cause hair fall.
7. Use jasmine, hibiscus oil
8. Use shikakai
9. Include food containing biotin, pantothenic acid in diet. Take vitamin supplements.
Its better if you consult a dermatologist / physician.
Read -
Healthy, shiny, silky hair- Prevent hair loss

Prevent hair fall

Sickle cell anaemia, piles

In Sickle cell anaemia ,RBC's (red blood cells) are fragile & become sickle shaped.Their oxygen carrying capacity is poor.The disease has variants like
1)Sickle cell trait
For worms drugs like mebendazole ,albendazole are useful.
For correction of piles,surgical consultation should be made.This is an important cause of blood loss.
Read -

Sitz bath for piles

One should eat nonveg diet adequate so that he gets vit B12 as veg diet contains very less amounts of vit B12.
Certain drugs like primaquine which is used in Rx of malaria can cause bone marrow toxicity.