My Wife's Lymphocyte Count Is High: Should I Be Worried?

Ans: So, the Febustat is useful for reducing uric acid. However, since you have symptoms of Gout as well, you need additional medication to address the Gout.
However, it is equally important to understand the underlying pathology of why you have high Uric Acid. Alongside medicines, please adopt lifestyle and discuss with a dietitian to understand what dietary modifications need to be done.

Medicine and lifestyle modifications together will ensure better treatment outcomes.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice
New Delhi, India

Ans: Hello;

It is recommended to have separate health care insurance apart from that offered by the Govt health schemes.

If you are using old regime for income tax filing then you are eligible to claim deduction upto 25 K under Section 80 D.

Here's wishing your daughter a speedy recovery.

Best wishes!!

Ans: To control glucose levels and manage diabetes, yoga can be highly beneficial, as it helps improve insulin sensitivity, balance blood sugar levels, and enhance overall well-being.

Specific Yoga Poses for Glucose Control:
Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose): Stimulates the pancreas and improves blood circulation.
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose): Strengthens the abdominal muscles and improves insulin production.
Vrikshasana (Tree Pose): Enhances balance and reduces stress, which is important for controlling blood sugar levels.
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend): Stretches the pancreas and aids in glucose metabolism.
Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation): A sequence of poses that enhances overall body function and improves glucose utilization.
In addition to these, Pranayama (breathing exercises) like Anulom Vilom and Bhastrika are excellent for managing stress and improving lung and heart function, which indirectly helps control blood sugar levels.

Incorporating these practices into a daily routine, along with dietary and lifestyle changes, can support better glucose control and overall health.

R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/

Ans: Yes, snoring can sometimes be reduced through yoga, as it helps improve breathing and strengthen muscles around the throat and nasal passages. Here are some yoga practices that can help alleviate snoring:

1. Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breathing)
How to do: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and place your index fingers on your ears. Inhale deeply, and while exhaling, produce a humming sound like a bee.
Benefits: Calms the mind, reduces stress, and improves airflow in the nasal passages.
2. Simhasana (Lion Pose)
How to do: Kneel on the floor, place your hands on your knees, open your mouth wide, stick your tongue out, and roar like a lion while exhaling.
Benefits: Tones throat muscles, reduces snoring caused by throat relaxation.
3. Ujjayi Pranayama (Ocean Breath)
How to do: Inhale deeply through both nostrils, slightly constricting the throat to create a soft "ocean-like" sound as you breathe.
Benefits: Strengthens throat muscles and improves breathing control.
4. Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
How to do: Sit in a comfortable position. Close one nostril with your thumb, inhale through the open nostril, then switch and exhale through the opposite nostril.
Benefits: Clears nasal passages and promotes balanced airflow.
5. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
How to do: Lie on your stomach, place your hands under your shoulders, and lift your chest while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
Benefits: Strengthens respiratory muscles and opens the chest, improving airflow.
6. Kapalbhati Pranayama
How to do: Sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine. Inhale deeply, then exhale forcefully, focusing on contracting your abdominal muscles with each exhalation. The inhalation happens passively.
Benefits: Clears nasal passages, detoxifies the respiratory system, and improves lung function.
Important Note:
These practices should ideally be learned and performed under the guidance of a qualified yoga instructor or guru, especially Kapalbhati, which involves forceful breathing. Proper guidance ensures you practice safely and effectively.

Incorporating these yoga practices into your daily routine, along with lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight and sleeping on your side, can help reduce snoring over time.

R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/

Ans: Hello;

Assuming monthly expenses of around 60 K, I recommend you the following:

1. PPF investment 12.5 K per month for 10 years for elder child education needs.

2. Begin a 10 K monthly sip into flexicap type mutual fund say for eg PPFAS flexicap fund for 15 years for education needs of younger child.

3. Increase per month NPS investment to 50 K for ensuring decent corpus and pension at retirement (60 age).

Happy Investing!!

You may follow us on X at @mars_invest for updates.

*Investments in mutual funds are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.

Ans: Hello;

Firstly if you are the guardian for the PPF account in the name of your minor child then the yearly contribution to your own PPF account and the minor account of your child for which you are the guardian cannot exceed 1.5 L in a financial year cumulatively (75 K each max).

Keep this in mind to avoid refund without interest by the bank later.

The current monthly expenses of around 1 L will be 1.8 L after 10 years considering 6% inflation.

After getting rid of 70 K rent+ 70 K education loan EMI, I would recommend you to enhance monthly sip to 1.25 K per month. The bonus amount of 15 L also should go into MF investments to achieve retirement target in 10 years.

Any increase in income should have commensurate increase in monthly sip to ensure target fulfillment in 10 years.

The 12.5x3=37.5 K monthly investments in PPF and SSY should continue for kids higher education, marriage financial goals.

After 10 years your monthly sips+ lumpsum may reach a corpus of around 6 Cr. Also your existing MF corpus of 60 L may grow into a sum of around 2 Cr. So total corpus for retirement is 8 Cr. (A modest return of 13% is assumed from pure equity mutual fund schemes)

You should use 2 Cr + pf balance to pre close outstanding home loan. The balance 6 Cr corpus you may use to buy an immediate annuity from a life insurance company and you may expect monthly payment of 2.1 L(post tax).[ 6% annuity rate considered)

Hope you both have adequate term life insurance cover(upt 60 age) with suitable riders and adequate personal healthcare cover apart from any group health policy from the company.

Happy Investing!!

You may follow us on X at @mars_invest for updates.

*Investments in mutual funds are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.

Ans: Dear Aarti,

Thank you for your query. For increasing stamina, you don't need vitamin supplements, but rather a focus on strength, endurance, and protein. To improve stamina, it's important to engage in regular exercise, such as running, strength training, and cardio workouts. Additionally, a protein-rich diet is crucial as it helps with muscle recovery and growth.

Vitamins by themselves do not directly boost energy or stamina; instead, they support overall health. If you are following a balanced diet, you typically do not need extra vitamin supplements. However, if you have a specific deficiency, such as Vitamin D or B12, you can consider supplements after consulting a doctor.

For strength training and to ensure you’re doing the right exercises safely, it’s recommended to visit a physiotherapist. They can guide you through exercises tailored to your needs, helping you build strength and improve stamina effectively.

Ans: Dear Mr. Dilip Kumar . Thank you for your query. It sounds like you are experiencing intermittent knee pain that worsens after walking about 100 meters, intensifies for the next few hundred meters, and then gradually subsides as you continue. Pain associated with walking in the knee can occur for various reasons, and without knowing your age and medical history, it's essential to consider a few common possibilities. It could be due to osteoarthritis, especially in older adults, where the wear and tear of knee joint cartilage causes pain that may decrease after warming up. Another possibility is patellar tendinitis, involving inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone, which causes pain during walking. Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) might also be a factor, especially if the pain is on the outside of the knee. In some cases, pain that starts with walking and improves gradually could point to vascular issues, such as claudication, or a past meniscal injury or ligament strain affecting the knee's stability.

Given the variety of potential causes, it’s crucial to consult with a physiotherapist for a thorough assessment. They can perform a detailed physical examination, recommend appropriate imaging if necessary, and develop a targeted plan for managing the pain. This will help you address the root cause and ensure a quicker and safer recovery.

Ans: Hi Ajay. Thank you for your query. Both pursuing a Master's in Physiotherapy in India and abroad have unique advantages, depending on your career goals and interests. A Master's in India provides a strong focus on the clinical aspects of physiotherapy, allowing you to gain extensive hands-on experience with a high volume of patients in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers. This exposure can enhance your practical skills and clinical decision-making. Additionally, if you aim to build a career in teaching within Indian institutions, having a Master’s degree from India is often preferred, as colleges tend to recognize and value domestic qualifications.

On the other hand, pursuing a Master’s abroad, especially in countries like the UK, Australia, or the US, often emphasizes research and evidence-based practice. This approach helps build a strong foundation in scientific methodologies and research skills, which can be valuable if you're interested in contributing to academic research or pursuing a PhD later. International programs can also offer global exposure, advanced technology, and varied healthcare systems, which can be an asset if you aim to work in a multicultural environment or pursue international job opportunities.

Overall, both paths have their benefits. If your interest lies in practical experience and patient care, studying in India could be a better fit. But if you are inclined toward research and global opportunities, pursuing a Master’s abroad might align with your goals. Wishing you best for your future endeavors.