q Cellphones are considered harmful for children. At what age do I give my children a phone?

This should be a well-thought-out parental decision. Sometimes, people use cell phones as pacifiers or proxy babysitters. This is not healthy. Some countries have restricted screen time for children, and some have banned exposure under the age of two. Also, cell phones are carried everywhere and seldom wiped down. They can transmit bacteria and viruses and cause diseases in children.

Lung cancer

q My wife has lung cancer. She does not smoke, I do. But I don’t have cancer.

Women do get lung cancer, but it is rare. It has been associated with passive smoking (in her case, probably from you), industrial pollution and asbestos exposure. Prompt diagnosis and adherence to treatment have greatly improved prognosis and lifespan.

Mosquito bites

q I am scared of being bitten by mosquitoes as they transmit a lot of diseases.

Sleeping inside a mosquito net will help but remember, dengue-spreading mosquitoes bite in the daytime. Do not use vapourising mosquito coils and repellents. They cause respiratory allergies and cough. Wear long-sleeved shirts and full pants. Drain any standing water in which mosquitoes can breed. Apply oil of lemon or eucalyptus to clothes. It is safe and mosquitoes don’t like the smell.

Psychiatric medication

q I take prescribed psychiatric medication after dinner (10pm). I am unable to wake up till 11am. I need to leave for work at 8am.

Psychiatric medication does not have to be taken after dinner but at a fixed time every day. Try taking it at 6pm after eating a biscuit or fruit. It takes about two hours to work, so you can sleep by 8pm and get up by 6-7am.

Calf muscle pain

q I am 25 years old, and my calf muscle hurts.

If the pain is present only on one side and there is swelling, consult a physician to check for deep vein thrombosis. If everything is normal, rest with the leg elevated. Avoid walking or running. Use an ice pack or cold compress for 20 minutes every two hours.

Vitamin time

q What is the best time to take my daily multivitamin?

You can take your multivitamin at any convenient time — after breakfast, lunch, dinner or with snacks. Some vitamins are better absorbed with food. Also, your stomach may get irritated by the tablets if it is empty. Remember, iron, zinc and calcium should not be taken at the same time.

Sore throat

q I have had a sore throat with a weak voice but no fever for a month. What shall I do?

Since your symptoms have lasted more than three weeks, it falls under the spectrum of chronic laryngitis. This may be due to vaping or smoking, overuse of the voice, allergies, sinusitis, thyroid disease or constant exposure to toxic chemicals. Avoid irritants. Take steam inhalations, gargle and suck on throat lozenges.

Gym too far

q The gym is very far from my house, so I can’t go regularly. I also can’t buy a lot of equipment as I have no place to store it.

You can do many exercises in a limited space like pilates and yoga, using your body weight for strength training. Also, jog in place for 10-15 minutes at the rate of 60 steps a minute.

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