Body Care Facts & Health Tips

The increasing hormonal changes soften the ligament that holds the uterus that is attached to the pelvic bones to the spine as the baby develops and grows. Back pains during pregnancy occurs as the uterus stretches out and decreases the strength of abdominal muscles, making  changes on your posture and strains on your back. Moreover, the extra weight you are carrying means an extra work for your muscles and increasing stress for your joints. This is the common reasons why your back feels pain and become worse at the end of the day. The hormonal changes during pregnancy makes you feel unstable and pain when walking, sitting and standing for long hours. You may also feel uncomfortable when rolling over the bed, bending, lifting things and getting out of a low chair.

Most often back pains during pregnancy occur in the later months and usually worsen as the pregnancy progresses. Professionals describe lumbar and posterior pelvic pains as the two common patterns of low back pains in pregnancy. Lumbar pains occur in the lower back where the lumbar vertebrate is located. This may also felt prior to pregnancy. You can feel it around the spine that levels your waist. Sometimes you can also feel a frequent pain that radiates to your legs when sitting or standing for longer periods of time. This situation tends to become worse at the end of the day.

More pregnant women are experiencing poster pelvic pain which comes in the back part of the pelvis. The pains may also occur in the deepest area of the buttocks or the back of the thighs. The pain may be triggered by normal activities such as climbing in the stairs, walking, twisting and lifting. There are other daily activities which may worsen poster pelvic pain that includes leaning forward sitting in a low chair and other positions in which the waist is bent.

The uncommon condition, sciatica is caused by bulging disk in the lower portion of the spine and is characterized by a radiating pain into the buttocks and thighs. If this condition becomes so severe, you might have difficulty in walking. Your legs will also feel weak where the sciatic pain is located. A non strenuous exercise and physical therapy can be the best solution to lessen your back pain, free the sciatic nerves and restore your strength to walk normally.

Persistent back pains during pregnancy accompanied by a pressure on the pelvic floor can be considered as a symptom of impending labor. You must be able to know and feel the occurrence of an actual contraction and if the pain persists contact your doctor. If you feel pain in your back with vaginal bleeding and severe cramping, you may need medical attention since these can be signs of impending miscarriage. In this condition, contact a hospital immediately.

In most pregnant women back pain doesn’t last forever. However, if you have chronic back pains prior to pregnancy, the pain will more likely to ease gradually only before labor. There are many safe exercises for pregnant women to treat your back pains and reduce its severity. You can consult your doctor and therapist for the appropriate exercises.

Sea food is very rich source of protein as well as other nutrients and even low in fat. So it is very good for pregnant women. There are some benefits as well as disadvantages of taking seafood. Some fish will contain high level of mercury called methyl mercury which will harm an unborn child’s developing nervous system in case it is eaten regularly by the pregnant women. Mercury will be released into the environment through industrial pollution and accumulated into the surface of water as well as oceans.

Bacteria which are present in the water will cause some chemical changes in the water which will convert mercury into methyl mercury which proves to be very dangerous. Fish will absorb the methyl mercury from water as they eat aquatic organisms. Almost all fishes contain some amount of methyl mercury which is not very harmful to the human beings. Big fishes are more dangerous for the human beings as they eat small fishes so they will contain large amount of methyl mercury present in it. So, pregnant women can protect their unborn child by not eating these large fishes. Some of the large fishes are shark, swordfish, tilefish etc. Even small children as well as nursing mothers should avoid eating the larger fish. There are varieties of fishes which pregnant women can eat which will prove to be healthy. Depending on the serving size one can eat fish more frequently.

Some of the healthy fishes are canned fish, shellfish or farm–raised fish. In one week you can eat more than 12 ounces of fish and it provides you no harm. One can get all the information regarding whether the fish is sold in your local area by contacting the food safety authority or local health department. Intake of fish is very unsafe for you and your family because there is lot of risk of contamination from mercury in water .The mercury contamination is possible through natural sources or may be through some industrial pollution. Approximately there are 35,000 fish farms in 23 states and it is according to the statistical record.

The most popular seafood product is catfish. Mississippi is the largest producer of the catfish. Majority of the fish which Americans are eating are through man-made aqua farms. Catfish being ugly is also a scavenger. There is inbuilt cycle present in the catfish which will help to clean all the toxins from its body which it will consume from the environment. Mercury proves to be very dangerous toxic metal which can damage the whole nervous system of the small children and even the unborn child .On the other hand elder people will experience headaches, numbness in hands as well as feet, poor concentration power etc.

Through research studies it is suggested that the men is more prone to heart attack if consumed lots of sea food. According to the investigation done by the tribune governments as well as seafood industry are not caring for the public health. Through various industrial processes mercury is released into the air as a bi-product and from there it will accumulate into lakes, oceans etc.

You may have heard about it, but do you know, what is endometriosis? Well, it is basically a condition which results from the abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus. These cells attach themselves to the exterior of the uterus and are commonly known as endometriosis implants. The main problem with these implants is that they carry a cancer-risk. These endometrial implants can also cause problems if they occur on the fallopian tubes, ovaries or intestines.

It may be worthwhile mentioning here that all women capable of reproduction are at risk of endometriosis, with the greatest incidence being observed in women aged between 25-35 years.

Common causes of endometriosis are yet to be pinpointed, despite continuous research in this area. However there are some reasons which have come to light:

• Endometrial cells may reach unusual locations due to the reverse flow of menstrual blood during periods. But then again, not all women who suffer from this retrograde menstruation problem, contract endometriosis.
• The pelvic organs may be surrounded by primitive cells which can warp into other forms such as endometrial cells.
• Transfer of endometrial tissue can also occur during surgeries, particularly a Cesarean Section.
• The growth of endometrial implants in the brain (as noted rarely) can only be attributed to carriage of the tissue by the blood stream.

What about the symptoms of endometriosis? Well, here too there are no specific signs to go by. Actually most women suffering from endometriosis do not have any symptoms at all. And the few who have them suffer from pelvic pain of varying degree. This pain occurs during menstruation and fades away after the period gets over.

Painful sexual intercourse or cramping during sex can also be taken as warning signs for endometriosis. If you are experiencing pelvic pain quite constantly, for months, you may have developed endometrial implants.

Problems in conceiving despite being healthy otherwise, may also be considered as a symptom of endometriosis. This is because; implants in ovaries can actually hamper the process of fertilization of the egg cell.

What happens when you have endometriosis? You can consult a doctor who them prescribes one of several types of available treatments. They are:

• Using painkillers to suppress the pelvic-pain associated with this condition. Simple analgesics such as aspirin and paracetamol or a combination of both are the most commonly prescribed painkillers. However, mild narcotics or narco-analgesics may also be used.
• Hormonal therapy usually involves the reduction of estrogen in the body, because this hormone aggravates endometriosis. Use of oral contraceptive pills is the treatment suggested by most doctors. However, in some serious cases, even direct injections of progestin are used.
• Laparoscopic surgery is used for diagnosing endometriosis. However once diagnosed, the cysts, lesions and adhesions can be removed in the same operation.
• Hysterectomy is seen as a definitive way to end all problems once endometriosis takes threatening proportions.

A proper diet is also helpful in dealing with the exertions on your health while undergoing treatment for endometriosis. You have no reason to be afraid of endometriosis because you now know what it is.

Ovarian cysts are a common problem for women, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is the most discussed variety of this condition. PCOS happens when the ovaries produce more androgen than what is considered as a normal level for women. The increased presence of androgens leads to the growth of hair and can also cause acne. This is a common problem for pre-menopausal women an can sometimes take severe proportions.

PCOS occurs in 5-10% of women worldwide, yet there is no single cause of this problem, which has been identified yet. In fact, it is actually a combination of genetic and environmental factors which cause PCOS. The most commonly noted ones are:

• Genetics, because often it is seen that if the mother has polycystic ovarian syndrome, the daughter has it too. Researchers are still trying to pinpoint the link between genes and PCOS.
• Problems in the blood sugar control system or insulin imbalance. A high percentage of women who have insulin resistance and abnormal levels of insulin in blood, tend to develop PCOS syndrome.

Other factors such as presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries, fetal exposure to male hormones and imbalance in the levels of the hormone LH are also cited as possible reasons for this condition.

So, what are the symptoms which tell you whether you are suffering from PCOS?

Well, this polycystic ovarian problem manifests itself in different ways, some of the most common among which are:

• Excessive hair growth, which is a direct result of the increased secretion of androgen (the male sex hormone). Hair grows in area such as the face, chest, toes etc. At the same time, the opposite effect or hair loss, can also occur in some cases.
• Infertility is a common symptom, which you may not relate to PCOS initially, but later find out.
• Irregular or absent periods can also indicate that you are suffering from PCOS.
• Then there is the outbreak of acne, which is usually something which affects teens. So if you are in your thirties and have a bout of acne, you may suspect PCOS.

Effective PCOS treatment can help you recover well from this problem. The basic objective of most treatments is not only getting rid of polycystic ovaries, but also making sure that the cysts do not become malignant (cancerous). Birth control pills or progesterone hormone injections can help regularize periods and thus reduce the risk of uterine cancer.

For treating acne or excess hair growth, diuretics are used. If the hair growth is really strong, hair-removal creams or processes such as electrolysis can be employed too. To help prevent infertility, medicines are provided to induce ovulation.

A PCOS diet can also help you deal successfully with the condition. This is because losing weight is really effective for neutralizing several threats and complications associated with PCOS. Low glycemic-index foods and vitamin and mineral supplements feature prominently in these diets.

So, if you are diagnosed with PCOS, do not panic and remember what you have just read through.

A woman’s life is full of health issues which require her to take a lot of care. Ovarian cysts are a common problem, during the years when a woman is capable of childbirth. These cysts are basically fluid filled sacs, not too different from blisters, which form on either side of the uterus. Thankfully though, most types of ovarian cysts are pretty harmless and fade away on their own.

Having said this, you should also know the various categories into which ovarian cysts have been classified. They are:

• Functional cysts, which are naturally formed during the process of ovulation. They tend to shrink in size and gradually disappear within three menstrual cycles. Menopausal women cannot suffer from functional cysts because ovulation does not happen in them.
• Dermoid cysts are those that are filled with different types of tissues and sometimes even skin and hair.
• Cystadenoma cysts develop on the outer surface of ovaries.
• Endometrioma cysts are related to endometriosis and form when tissue attaches to the ovaries.
• Polycystic ovarian disease is a result of the buildup of follicles. The ovaries enlarge and become thicker from the outside. This can prevent ovulation and thus cause fertility issues.

But what it is that causes ovarian cysts? Well, formation of cysts is a part of the monthly process of ovulation (production of the egg cell) within a woman’s body. A follicle is formed within the ovary when this process occurs. From the follicle a structure called the corpus luteum is formed, which normally gets dissolved if the egg cell is not fertilized.

However, at times, the dissolution does not take place and cysts are formed. The more serious types of cysts, such as those in the polycystic ovarian disease usually occur as a result of hormonal imbalance.

This brings us to the symptoms of ovarian cyst or how you can know whether you have a problem. Well, unfortunately cysts do not produce any symptoms. What they do however, in some cases, is cause a dull pain in the abdomen.

This pain may be heightened during intercourse. You can treat this as a warning sign that the cyst may have burst or is bleeding. The pain may also be caused due to twisting of the cyst, which prevents the flow of blood.

Occasionally you may also have extremely painful or delayed periods and must consult your doctor immediately, to make sure that it is not a cyst.

And what if it is a cyst? Well, fret not because ovarian cysts can be treated. However, the success of the treatment depends on the size and type of the cyst, your age and your pregnancy plans. Here are a few ways in which doctors treat these cysts:

• If it is a functional cyst, you are asked to wait for two or three months, to allow it to disappear on its own.
• In case this does not work, you may be prescribed oral contraceptives or hormonal injections to help reduce the size of the cysts.
• When the above step fails, surgery may be required. If the cysts are discovered early the surgery is less invasive. Delayed surgery may require the removal of the ovary to remove a potential threat to life.

Well, that’s everything you need to know about ovarian cysts.

Giving birth to a child is an experience of a lifetime. But there can be many complications even when you are on the verge of becoming a mother. And if you are obese, you are right in the firing line. Yes, a fat woman runs a very high risk of developing complications while giving birth. Not only that, the child too may be born with certain birth abnormalities. So, if you are too fat, your child will automatically inherit the risk of potential health hazards during or after birth.

Researchers have not been able to establish yet whether obesity has a direct negative impact on the mother and/or child during birth. However, there has been enough evidence to conclude that certain other health conditions (that follow obesity) have a telling impact on the mother and/or child at the time of birth. One such condition, Type 2 diabetes, which is related to obesity, can heighten the risk of birth defects.

Type 2 diabetes (in which blood sugar levels in the body are beyond normal) disrupts the delicate embryo to a large extent. The excess blood sugar is transferred to the embryo from the mother. This stimulates the production (or rather overproduction) of free radicals which are toxic for both mother and baby. Excess sugar can also trigger the formation of metabolic byproducts that derail the signaling mechanisms, essential for embryonic development.

While obesity is certainly not the only reason behind diabetes, it cannot be ruled out a potential cause of birth defects. So, if you are overweight, you need to understand that shedding a few kilos can curtail blood sugar levels in the body, if not absolutely cure diabetes. In fact, research says that women suffering from pre-gestational diabetes but with controlled blood sugar levels in the pre-conception period face a lower risk of transferring congenital abnormalities to the newborn child.

Being overweight can also have other serious repercussions on the child. You surely must be aware that extra fat deposited in blood vessels impedes blood flow to vital organs in the body. Well, you may contract heart disease as a result, but have you ever wondered that it affects your child as well? Your baby (scientifically an embryo) depends on you for life. While the baby is in your womb, important nutrients, body fluids and blood are conferred from your body to your baby. Due to extra fat in your blood vessels, even your baby will not receive regular inflow of blood. This can adversely affect the health of your baby.

Studies claim that obesity heightens the odds of birth anomalies such as cleft palate, spina bifida, heart abnormalities and hormonal defects. On many occasions, parents are left wondering about the reasons for their child’s health problems. One reason could be the mother’s obesity during pregnancy.

If you are too fat, your child’s delivery could also be complicated and complex. Most obese mothers have to undergo Cesarean sections to deliver their children. So, if you want to experience a normal, hassle free delivery and your child to be fit, lose weight FAST!

Since the seventies the available variety of contraception has exploded. The explosion hasn’t been completely without risk. There are many benefits to the widespread availability of birth control but there are some risks to it as well. This is a basic guide to the main types of birth control available along with the risks and benefits associated with each.

The Birth Control Pill

There are a variety of different birth control pills on the market today. Some like Yaz offer extra benefits like help with PMS. Others like the minipill are better for mothers who breastfeed because of the low dose of hormones that they offer.

There are some birth control pills now that allow women to have fewer periods throughout the year. For most birth control pills the system works by providing three continuous weeks of a hormone based pill and one week of placebo. During the placebo week the user will experience something like a period.  Some women skip the placebo week in order to continuously avoid having a period.  This should not be done for more than three consecutive months however.

Benefits

The birth control pill is about 99% effective with perfect use. Average use is probably closer to 95%. Even with average use the birth control pill is far more effective than simply using a condom to prevent pregnancy.

Risks

Most birth control pills come with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism which can be fatal. This risk is especially high in women who smoke. The same goes for cardiovascular disease. Women over 35 and women who smoke appear to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease while using birth control pills.

Birth control pills that are used for long periods of time have also been linked to cancers such as cancer of the cervix, though the link is not entirely clear.

Birth control pills may cause a rise in blood pressure and for this reason they should be avoided by some women who already have issues with high blood pressure.

Condoms

Condoms are one of the oldest forms of birth control and they should be used in conjunction with birth control among those who are in non-monogamous relationships since other forms of birth control do not offer protection against HIV or other STDs. Condoms are generally made of latex though there are some condoms that are made out of other materials like lambskin and plastic for people who are allergic to latex.

Benefits

One benefit of the condom is that this highly effective against STDs. Condoms are pretty much the only form of birth control that offers protection against major STDs. They are also cheap, easy to find, and hormone free.

Condoms give men the opportunity to take part in the prevention of pregnancy. There are no side effects to condoms except when they are used by people who have latex allergies.

Disadvantages

Though they are relatively effective against STDs and pregnancy prevention through perfect use, most people do not use them perfectly.  Some people feel that condoms dull the sensation of sex, though there are a variety of different styles of condom to help with this issue.

Natural Family Planning

Natural family planning goes by a lot of names. Natural family planning, the rhythm method, and fertility awareness are some of the names that are used for natural family planning. This method is used for religious and political reasons.

Benefits

No hormones are chemicals are necessary for natural family planning. If used properly it can be very effective, average use is about 75-88% effective.

Disadvantages

There are several disadvantages to natural family planning. For one it will not work to prevent STDs and should only be used by committed couples. Also, NFP requires couples to abstain from sex around 10 days each month.

Participants must keep up with their natural fertility methods on a daily basis, which can be difficult for many. If you do not have a regular menstrual cycle it may not be possible for you to track your fertility properly.

References:  MayoClinic and Planned Parenthood.

A compound that is commonly found in red wine known as resveratrol has made quite a buzz lately as one of the new super foods.  The belief that red wine provides certain health qualities has been around for a long time.  It turns out that there is actually a component to red wine known as resveratrol that may be responsible for some of the amazing things that red wine has long been connected with.

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that is found in red wine and the skin of red grapes. Resveratrol occurs naturally in many plants when they are under attack from bacteria or fungus which may have some connection to its touted anti-aging capabilities.

Benefits of Resveratrol

Resveratrol has been connected to a variety of potential positive uses through preliminary scientific research.  For one thing resveratrol is likely the component in red wine that makes it so very good for your heart.  Scientists have known for a while that one glass of red wine a night can help to prevent and control heart disease.  This is what is considered the cause of the French paradox. French people eat tons of fatty foods but have a very low occurrence of heart disease. This is likely related to the fact that they also drink a lot of red wine.

Resveratrol has also been effective as anti-cancer and anti-aging treatment in many different animal tests. For this reason anti-aging creams that contain resveratrol have begun to crop up everywhere in recent years.

As if fighting cancer and making you look younger weren’t enough benefits to resveratrol it has also been linked to a variety of other positive benefits. For one resveratrol has proven to be effective as an anti-inflammatory and therefore may help to ease the aches and pains of arthritis.

Resveratrol has also proven to speed up the metabolic rate in mice.  If this can be repeated in human beings it would mean that resveratrol might serve as a powerful dieting supplement. Proof that this can be replicated in humans is still under investigation but many over the counter diet products are already cashing in by putting resveratrol in their products.

The Negative Side of Resveratrol

There have been conflicting studies about the long term use of resveratrol.  Though some studies indicate that because it is an estrogen compound it may increase the likelihood of breast cancer many other studies have found just the opposite.

Because of the high estrogen content of resveratrol and the fact that its side effects are not clearly known yet resveratrol is not recommended in high doses for women who want to become pregnant or those breastfeeding young children.  It is also not indicated for use in children under the age of 18. With that being said, this is referring to highly concentrated doses of resveratrol, much higher than what would naturally found to occur in grapes.  Therefore there is no known risk from natural consumption of resveratrol. There is also no categorically proven risk to high doses of resveratrol at this time, though it is always best to err on the side of caution.

You will probably never pay more attention to what you eat than when you are pregnant. Between trying to do the right thing and fight food cravings what you eat is a huge part of pregnancy. There are some things that should be a part of your pregnancy diet and some things that are better avoided. Use this handy guide to help you choose the best foods for you and baby.

Foods to Avoid

Caffeine

Though a little bit of caffeine probably isn’t all that bad, high doses of caffeine have been linked to miscarriages and preterm labor. That aside caffeine causes your body to not retain nutrients at the same level that it would in its absence.

Caffeine is also typically linked to sodas that are full of high fructose corn syrup which has been linked to mercury poisoning. In addition to this sodas, as well as many coffee drinks, are full of empty calories that offer no nutrition and do not adequately affect the “full tummy” sensors in your body and brain. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to gestational diabetes and diabetes in your unborn child.

Honey

Some forms of raw honey have been linked to botulism. Though this disease is fairly rare it can be pretty devastating on a developing fetus. There really is no need in taking the chance.  For this same reason most honey comes with a warning label that it should not be fed to infants under one.

Fish

Fish from local sources that you know the mercury content of is usually fairly safe. Fish like shark and king mackerel have very high mercury contents on average and should always be avoided. You should also eat tuna in moderation.  Maintaining a low mercury level during pregnancy is more important than any other time in your life because high instances of mercury can lead to brain defects in your child. Mercury is one of the leading alleged culprits in the autism epidemic. It should be avoided as much as possible.

Cold Meat

It is generally best to avoid cold meat. This is because of the risk of listeria, a food borne illness that can have a detrimental effect on a fetus. Listeria is especially present in cheap processed meats like lunch meat and hot dogs.  Since these meats aren’t all that healthy and have also been linked to cancer they are probably best avoided. However, if you just have to have a hot dog or a ham sandwich, which is often the case in pregnancy heat it to steaming and you should be Ok.  Warm ham and cheese sandwiches can actually be quite comforting.

Raw Milk and Cheese

Here is the deal with raw milk and cheese.  It can give you toxoplasmosis which is very dangerous to developing babies. The thing is that if you have always had raw milk and cheese you have probably already contracted toxoplasmosis and developed immunity to it.

The same goes for cats, they often carry toxoplasmosis in their GI tract and so many women are afraid to change the litter box during pregnancy. If you’ve had cats for a long time, then you’ve probably already had toxoplasmosis.  Wearing gloves when changing the litter and gardening can offer protection from these sources of the disease.

The real threat is that toxoplasmosis can have terrible affects on a fetus and hardly any effect on the mother. The truth is that you likely have already gotten immunity especially if you fit into one of the categories above. So when it comes to these things use your best judgment.

Good Choices

The foods you should eat are a little bit less tricky than the foods you shouldn’t. You need about 300 extra calories a day during pregnancy. You want to get those calories from good sources of protein and vitamins. Make sure you include a variety of fruits and vegetables daily and drink 6-8 glasses of water. A balanced diet and a good vitamin regiment should be all you need to worry about when it comes to eating right during pregnancy.

Many women the world over have either decreased or eradicated meat from their diet.  Scientific evidence backs up the belief that the healthiest diet is one that is rich in fruits and vegetables. The most restrictive form of vegetarian diet is that of the vegan diet. Vegans do not consume any meat at all nor do they consume eggs, milk, dairy, or honey in most cases.  When these women become pregnant they may be concerned that they are not getting enough nutrients for their unborn child.  There is absolutely no reason to give up a vegan diet for pregnancy. It can be a great way to ensure your child is getting the often overlooked essential vitamins of pregnancy like folic acid and vitamin C.  There are a few things that you should take into consideration when it comes to meal planning.  These are the things that pregnant vegans need to pay attention to.

Protein

According to The Vegetarian Resource Group, vegan women get about 65 grams of protein each day prior to pregnancy. Pregnant women need about 71 grams of protein each day.  Adding the extra protein to your diet really isn’t that difficult. Most vegans will find that when they are pregnant they will get extra protein from the foods that they are eating more of. If you are gaining weight on time and everything seems to be going well with your pregnancy you are probably getting enough protein just from the extra food. If you feel you are not getting enough protein adding two cups of soy milk, or 1 ½ cups of lentils to your diet everyday can make up for the difference and even give you a little extra.  Other sources of vegan protein include chickpeas (which are also high in folic acid) and tofu.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is extremely important to pregnancy because it can help to prevent Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects in unborn children.  Folic Acid is mostly acquired from vegetable sources. Folic acid is usually more than accounted for in a healthy vegan diet.  Taking a prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement or adding some extra leafy greens to your daily diet can help to guarantee you are getting enough folic acid.

Calcium

Calcium tends to be one of the biggest worries for pregnant vegans.  There are plenty of ways to get calcium outside of dairy products and current research shows that calcium during pregnancy may not be as big of a deal as we once assumed.

Never the less it is important to get calcium during pregnancy. You can obtain calcium from a number of foods that you probably eat regularly as a part of you vegan diet.  Calcium rich vegan foods include bok choy, tofu, okra, grains, mustard greens, and many other vegetables.

For the most part vegan women who maintain a well balanced diet with a variety of different fruits and vegetables daily will have absolutely no problem with a healthy pregnancy. In fact vegans tend to have some of the healthiest pregnancies around.