I read somewhere that masks are of no use in preventing Covid-19.

Studies have shown that when a person coughs, particles such as viruses can be propelled in all directions up to four feet. If the person wears a mask, the distance is reduced to two feet. So, masks do help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. And, please behave responsibly and take the vaccine shots if you are eligible.

Borderline diabetes

My blood sugars are “borderline” elevated. My mother has diabetes. Is it enough to cut sugar from my diet and add jaggery?

If your blood sugars are borderline, you could tip over to frank diabetes at any time. You need to eat mindfully, concentrating on the food and not eating mindlessly, stuffing your mouth with food in front of the television. You also need to control your portion size by not taking second helpings even if the food is tasty. Restrict yourself to 1,500 calories a day. Avoid the empty calories in refined sugar and also in unrefined sugar like jaggery. Avoid snacks. Exercise aerobically by walking or jogging for 30 minutes a day.

Squatting

We have an Indian style toilet. I am increasingly finding it difficult to get up from the squatting position. Once I even slipped backwards. I am 67 years old.

You could fix handrails to act as a safety device and an aid to getting up. Or, get one of the steel chairs available with a hole in the centre — they can be placed over the toilet. You could learn and do exercises to strengthen your gluteal muscles (hips) and quadriceps too. This will aid in getting up and improving your balance.

Stiff fingers

My fingers are stiff, claw-like in the morning. They loosen out gradually and I can function.

Check if you have diabetes or thyroid problems. Correcting them can help. Even otherwise, soak your hand for 20 minutes in warm, salted water. Hold a rubber ball underwater and rhythmically compress and release it 20 times.

PCOS

I have irregular periods. A scan showed PCOS. The doctor gives me hormonal tablets every month. I am worried about their side effects.

A regular exercise regime of 40 minutes of aerobic activity (walking, running, cycling or swimming), 10 minutes of light weights (dumb-bells) and 10 minutes of flexing and stretching, and yoga help many young women attain regular cycles. Initially, this physical activity may have to be an adjuvant to tablets. Eventually, you may be weaned off the tablets. Consult your physician for this.

Itchy earlobe

I wear a lot of “fashion” earrings. I find that my earlobe is red and itchy and oozes liquid from it.

“Fashion” earrings may contain metals such as nickel that could cause contact allergy. Try not to wear them for prolonged periods or go to sleep wearing them — remove them as soon as you return home. Clean the earlobe with warm water and apply one per cent steroid cream with a bud till the area clears up.

Hunchback

I am hunchbacked. At times it causes pain in my back. I have a sedentary job and sit at a desk all day.

You may have osteoporosis or osteomalacia. Your doctor can diagnose it. If so, medications have to be taken. Prolonged poor posture at the desk may be the cause too. In any case, you need back and pectoral (chest) strengthening exercises. A physiotherapist can help you or you could learn them from YouTube.

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