Q: I am an 18-year old girl. My father is a business tycoon and also into politics, so whenever there is a political party or business gathering, he always takes me with him, and I have to sit with oldies. I am just sick of it now. I tried a lot to convince him but he doesn't listen and keeps insisting that I go with him because he thinks it is beneficial for me. How can I avoid these parties without hurting my dad's feelings? Please help.
Meharavar
A: Don't get too stressed out Meharavar. Your father is only asking you to accompany him because he feels that it will be a great learning experience for you. If you think from his point of view, attending these parties will be a different kind of education for you, one that will prepare you for practical life ahead. But if you feel that striking a conversation with oldies is not your cup of tea, then you can convey this to your dad in a peaceful manner without creating any tantrums. Tell him that every individual has the right to spend his/her time doing what they like to do. Convince him that you could spend your time pursuing your studies or doing something constructive rather than socialising with people who are beyond your age bracket. I am sure your dad will eventually realise that business and politics are not your field of interest.

Q: I am 19 years old and I have fallen in love with a celebrity. At the young and impressionable age of 15, I gave away my heart to him. Initially I thought it was a crush, but with the passage of time I realised it was more than just an infatuation. I know he cannot be mine, but I love him so dearly and want him to be a part of my life. Please help me out of this dilemma. Celebrity Fan
A: Whoops! You gave your heart to the wrong person! But don't worry dear; there are tons of teenage girls and boys riding the same boat. We've all grown up idolising rock stars and pop sensations. I know you must be feeling that you are drowning in the sea of love and that life seems meaningless. But believe me! This is just a momentary phase, and sooner or later you will learn to move on. Let's accept it girl! You and I know the reality. You can't wait for him to stumble upon you one day and fall in love with you at first sight. Miracles like that occur only in fairytales. Life is anything but a fairytale and the sooner we realise it, the better it is. Falling in love with a celebrity is natural, but expecting him to reciprocate your love is mere folly. You just need to divert your attention to other aspects of life. Concentrate on your studies since this is the time to focus on your future so you can become something in life. Believe me, love is a delusion and wasting away your adolescence whining over a total stranger will lead you nowhere.

Q: My boyfriend and best friend hate each other. I don't want to lose either of them. What should I do? Please help me. Kiran
A: Your best friend is your confidante and a mirror to your thoughts. Naturally, your boyfriend is jealous and is looking for a privileged space that's solely his in your life. Tell him he is only causing stress by his attitude and that instead of being selfish (which will take a toll on the relationship) by trying to cut her out, he should be happy you're surrounded by those who care for you. Tell him the friendship is non-threatening and non-negotiable. Conversely, your friend is probably fighting for your affections. You need to firmly tell her that while you appreciate her concern, the dynamic has to change. He's not there to replace her, but to fill a void in your life that she can't. She should be happy at knowing that he makes you happy.
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Dermatologist
Dr Shah Hussain

Q: I'm 21 and I have been dealing with a severe dandruff problem for the past three years. I wash my hair every alternate day. I have even tried hair spas and different home-made packs, but nothing has helped me get rid of the dandruff completely. It vanishes for a while but always returns. Currently, I am using a scalp solution, as prescribed by a doctor. Will these help me with my dandruff problem or do I need to use other products? Beenish
A: Dandruff could occur due to a hormonal imbalance or even stress. Infections, scalp injuries, faulty diet and excessive use of hair cosmetics like sprays and gels can also cause dandruff. Wash your hair and scalp frequently – daily or every other day – depending on how stubborn your dandruff is. Use a shampoo with zinc pyrythione and ketoconazole. Do not take hot showers. Apply a solution containing salicylic acid to release the scales. Don't apply oil frequently. For persistent dandruff, you may have to consult a dermatologist, as you could be suffering from seborrhoeic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis.

Q: My heels often crack despite the use of several creams. Please suggest a remedy. Misha
A: You need to give your feet daily care. Soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes at bedtime. You may add some oil-free cleansing lotion or salt to the water. Scrub with a mild loofah and apply thick moisturising cream containing super fatty acids, squalene and urea. If possible, wear cotton socks all the time. Frequent washing of feet will rip the moisture away from the skin. Try and avoid detergents and harsh soaps. Moisturise well every time you wash your feet.

Q: I have a lot of blackheads on my nose. I used to use strips, but stopped when I heard that they aggravate the problem. Now I get them removed during monthly cleanups, but they keep coming back. Is there a permanent or long-lasting solution to this? Urooj
A: Blackheads are a secretion of the sebaceous glands present in the skin. There may not be a permanent cure, but you can reduce them by application of creams such as a 2.5 per cent benzoyl peroxide or adapalene gel on alternate nights. Use a facewash with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a good exfoliant and will remove the excess skin cells on the surface of the pore, so that they don't build up in the pores. Do not try to remove them on your own, as you may end up either with marks or an infection. You could get the blackheads removed once in a month at a cosmetic clinic. Another option is a monthly session of microdermabrasion.
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General Physician
Dr Sadqa Gul

Q: My doctor recently diagnosed me with irritable bowel syndrome. Do I have a risk of developing colon cancer? Mujtaba
A: The short answer is no. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disease signified by chronic diarrhoea, chronic constipation or both, and abdominal pain. It does not bring a risk of colon cancer. If you're concerned, however, a gastroenterologist may advise colonoscopy. This helps rule out colon cancer and conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which cause inflammation of the colon and slightly raise the risk of developing colon cancer. People with IBS and chronic diarrhoea should ask their doctors about microscopic colitis, an inflammation of the lining of the colon caused by the buildup of either collagen or white blood cells. The chief symptom of microscopic colitis is chronic diarrhea, because inflammation associated with microscopic colitis is not recognisable during routine colonoscopy, it's not uncommon for it to be misdiagnosed as IBS with chronic diarrhoea. The only way to diagnose microscopic colitis, which is treated differently than IBS, is to view samples of colon tissue under a microscope.

Q: Is it true that eating certain foods can trigger migraines? I find that I often get severe migraines (with nausea and vomiting) when I eat foods that leave me gassy, like channa dal, potato, etc. Since I like these foods a lot, is there a way to have them without incurring these ill effects, specifically migraines? Dilawar
A: Yes, certain foods do trigger migraine headaches in some patients. If you're keen to keep eating the food that triggers this, then you can try regular migraine preventive medication on a long-term basis and use emergency drugs to terminate an attack quickly. But do remember in a clear cause-and-effect situation, you may not be able to prevent a migraine attack completely.