Take Two on Life

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Here are a couple of interesting scenes from one of Bollywood8217;s most interesting actress8217;s life. Neetu Singh shot 60 films in her seven-year-long acting career and then happily retired into domesticity in the Raj Kapoor khandaan.

Act 1, Scene I At the height of her acting career, be it Chorni or Priyatama, she is pleasantly plump at 64 kgs and vastly admired for her completely disarming charm. For her, life is a yoyo of diets and figuring out which exercise regime to follow.

Act 2, Scene II I see her at her husband Rishi Kapoor8217;s 50th birthday party and I am dumbstruck. In a black sequinned Abu Jani salwar-kameez, the 45-year-old mother of the athletic Ranbir, 20, and the lovely Riddhima, 22, is slim and toned and looks stunning. As I find out later, Neetu Singh weighs 58 kg and looks better than she ever did before. How did she do it?

8216;8216;It8217;s quite simple really,8217;8217; she says matter-of-factly. 8216;8216;I made a commitment to myself to keep myself healthy and fit.8217;8217; That8217;s the first step. And she gives priority to her exercise and takes great pains over what she eats.

8216;8216;How you look and how you feel is really all due to what you put into your mouth,8217;8217; Neetu points out. I listen carefully, because she practises what she preaches. So, her diet consists of more raw vegetables and fruits and less of sweets and oily foods. She kickstarts her day with fresh vegetable juices beetroot, carrot, tomato, parsley, enjoys a lot of fat-free idlis and dhoklas 8216;8216;they are fermented and good for digestion8217;8217; and adds soya in all forms to her food.

However, the secret to her toned, svelte shape lies in the fact that Neetu lifts weights at least four times a week. Light, free-hand weights. She gets into her tights and T-shirt, leaves the doors to her garden open and works out on her own. She sips water in between and ends her hourly work-out with 10 minutes of deep breathing and yogic exercises.

Twice a week, she makes sure that she walks or jogs on the treadmill or in Joggers8217; Park, Bandra. 8216;8216;I am terrified of growing old and having knee and back problems, so I do everything to ensure that I stay fit,8217;8217; she says.

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Finally, it is her optimistic and sunny outlook that sees her through. She always sees the glass as half full, always learns from everybody around her.

Thank you Neetu! I have learnt a lot from you!

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Once again, thanks to all our wonderful doctors for taking
time off to answer our queries.

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ALLERGY
Dr Vipla Puri, Consultant RIA Radio-Immuno Assay Services,
P D Hinduja National Hospital 038; Medical Research Centre, answers:

Q Jam wants a solution for an allergy, which is caused by an irritation when something enters her nose.

To detect and identify the offending allergen, all we need is a blood sample for analysis. Measuring individual Immunoglobulin IgE will provide us the information about the possible allergens responsible for the allergic reaction. The most common allergens include dust, pollens, foods, animal danders, insect venoms, molds, drugs, heat, cold, sunlight and even emotions.

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Whatever be the cause, allergens affect the body in one way: The antigen-antibody reaction releases the chemical histamine from cell tissues, triggering a series of dramatic reactions. The reaction depends on where it takes place. If it occurs in the nose as in your case, it may cause sneezing and a running or stuffy nose, puffy or red eyes or hay fever. In air passages it may cause contraction, leading to wheezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing as in asthma, in skin it may produce itching, hives or urticaria. If the reaction takes place in the circulation system, due to insect bite etc, severe serum sickness can ensue. On rare occasions, it can result in anaphylactic shock and a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Once the specific offending allergens are identified, therapy can be instituted, be it avoidance pharmacotherapy or desensitisation.

GENERAL
Dr Hemant Thacker, leading consulting physician and cardiologist at Jaslok, Breach Candy and Bhatia Hospital, answers:

FREE TIPS
For Free tips on health and fitness problems, yoga, aerobic and stretching exercises, ayurvedic remedies, sexual problems, books, fitnessware, visit http://www.fitslimtrim.com.

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Q A 38-year-old from Pune has been getting a warm sensation in his stomach and also in the thighs, legs and neck just after waking up. He drinks tea and alcohol regularly. All tests are normal. Please advise.

While this appears to be a vague symptom, the high consumption of tea and alcohol makes it necessary to rule out hyperacidity. The sensation in the belly and back could be due to increased stimulation of gastric acids. He should cut down on these intoxicants and avoid chillis and spices. A glass of milk or curd at bedtime would help. Antacids and other drugs taken under medical supervision could help.

Readers can call 022-2161313 or write to PO Box no 19946,
Colaba, Mumbai-5 or e-mail at rashmiudaysinghhotmail.com with their queries.

PLASTIC SURGERY
Dr Bimal Mody, plastic surgeon, P D Hinduja National Hospital, answers:

Q Twenty-year-old Arpita8217;s breasts have not grown properly and seem to hanging despite her youth.

Arpita, you will need surgery for breast uplift.