Top 10 Pregnancy Problems

Having a child is such a gift for any parent especially to women because it’s a fruit of love and affection that parents have for each other. However, not all women are given the privilege of conceiving, and if they are given, some would meet complications, and worse it will not go through. I for one have been dreaming that I could also hold a baby of my own, and would experience the hardship, of conceiving and carrying it in my womb. Nonetheless, there is indeed a proper timing for all, and it may not come as the way you expect it, but if not, there are also other ways where we could help others who are looking and waiting for mothers’ care. To those who are already pregnant, and are not aware of these top 10 pregnancy problems, then you’ll have equip yourself with these information, and also ask advise from your attending OB who could guide you to have successful 9-month pregnancy period so you could hold your child, and show to him or her the world. Hence, before you reach that last period, you have to be conscious of these problems so you’ll avoid any risk associated during child-bearing.

10. Varicose Veins

Varicose Veins is one of the common problems that most pregnant women complain about since it’s painful and noticeable. It looks like a swollen bulge blue or purple color on the skin surface which commonly seen on legs and vulva areas. You may feel discomfort because you would experience a throbbing or burning feeling, achy, and heavy, but more so if you are walking barefooted often. It’s the same reason why a woman is advised to wear any footwear even at home. It does not matter if you are pregnant or not although pregnant women are much susceptible in getting varicose veins because while the uterus is growing, there is a lot pressure being put into it that affects the large vein found on the right side of the body. This will result to an increase pressure as well to the leg veins that will or may result to varicose veins. It becomes progressive to women who have conceived already especially those who are carrying twins or multiples. It is counseled to all women to don’t stand for longer periods, walk regularly, elevate feet or legs, and try wearing special hose.

9. Headaches / Back Ache

Since the body undergoes hormonal changes, most of the women who are pregnant experience and complain migraines, frequent headaches, and even back ache. In fact, this increased if women are expose or suffering from stress. It’s the same reason why we need more time to relax, to laugh, and to maintain a comfy surrounding that will be better for her and the baby. On the other hand backache happens at the lower back and pelvis, and it’s normally experience by pregnant women during the first trimester period since the ligaments are stretching and become softer which causes strain at the back part. Don’t worry because after giving birth, you will not experience these kinds of discomfort.

8. Urine Infections

It is popularly known as Urinary Tract Infection or UTI, and it happens when there is a series or frequent urination which is being accompanied by burning sensation. One should know that infections in urine happens because of bacteria found in vagina, skin, and in rectum area. The problem when that bacterium travels it often stops in bladder that will result to inflammation. At times, you will not notice that you have UTI already because a kind of bacteria that has entered your body is asymptomatic bacteriuria. The negative effects of it are low-birth-weight-baby, fetal risk, and worst new-born mortality. There are three kinds of urine infections, the most common for pregnant women is Cystitis (bladder infection), and the other two are asymptomatic bacteriuria, and kidney infection. Of course, all pregnant women are advised to have regular urine checks to avoid further complications.

7. Indigestion

Women who are pregnant are vulnerable to experience indigestion, and it happens while baby is growing especially when one arrives on its third trimester period, and they would also experience heart burn, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and regurgitation. It is also normal since baby is resting on stomach that causes force up to the esophagus that result to dysphasia or indigestion. One of the symptoms of it is chest pain or heartburn because of the increase of acid level. Other symptoms of it are throat burning that may result to reflux, and abdominal pain. An individual would normally experience it after drinking or eating, and indigestion happens more because hormone level increases that put pressure as well on the abdomen part of the body. Your midwife may advise or prescribe you an antacid that you may take, but you have to consult first before taking any medicines.

6. Constipation

You don’t have to worry if you feel that you frequently feel constipated, it’s normal since hormone releases increases that softens the muscle tissues in the intestines which cause lesser or slower movements of food. Hence, as baby grows inside, the womb itself becomes bigger which puts more pressure on the bowel which slows down the process even more. The only remedy for this is to eat high-fiber type of foods, drink sufficient amount of water, and of course do a regular exercises like brisk walking. Never try to buy over-the-counter medicines like laxatives. Those tips are the natural and safest ways that you can do in order to protect the baby and yourself.

5. Miscarriage

It is also known as spontaneous abortion that may create negative feeling to women who have experienced it themselves. It is pregnancy loss which normally happens on the 13^th week of conceiving. Everyone must understand that the blame must not be place to women who were carrying the child. The first trimester periods are very critical, and people around should be there to assist and support the pregnancy period. There are different reasons and causes of miscarriage and one of the common reasons are the abnormal chromosomes like damaged found on sperm or egg cell. Other common causes of miscarriage are lifestyle, hormonal problems, and the wrong implantation of egg into uterine lining, maternal trauma, and maternal age. There are also other provoking situations that might trigger lost of baby like sex, and working too much that happens to working mothers. Some of the things that you have to observe if you are near miscarriage are weight loss, mild to severe back pain, white-pink mucus, red or brown bleeding, contractions, and tissue clots. Of course in order to avoid it, you have to visit your OB regularly for check-up, eat healthy, do regular exercises, avoid unhealthy lifestyles or habits like smoking, take vitamins, and keep yourself away from stress.

4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you are experiencing numbness and tingling sensations on your hands, it is because you have carpal tunnel syndrome. It is true that it also happens to those people who are not pregnant who are in the environment that they tend to move their hands often like those whose work are to use computers often like computer programmers, encoders, data processors, and so forth. In fact, you may feel the pain more at night where you would have dull ache on fingers, wrist, and specifically on hands. In fact, it could even be extended up to the upper and forearms. It strikes during the second half of pregnancy period since women tend to retain more fluid in the body although those tingling sensations will gradually go away only after giving birth. Try to identify the causes that may trigger Carpal Tunnel Syndrome like your work habit, the activities that you do, and your sleeping position. These things will contribute to the development or progress of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

3. Ectopic Pregnancy

Not all women who are pregnant would experience this certain problem, but those who have reached the age 35 and over are prone to have an ectopic pregnancy. This kind of state explains that there is a slow movement of a fertilized egg inside fallopian tube travelling to the uterus. Some of the reasons of probability of having an ectopic pregnancy if one had experience it previously, if birth defect happened within the fallopian tubes, scarring because of the previous infections, and other complications that may trigger ectopic pregnancy. Nonetheless some of the symptoms that you have to observe are low back pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, no periods, pain in pelvic area, mild cramps, and fainting. It is one of the life-threatening problems if woman is pregnant, so you have to make sure that fluids are given to them, and oxygen. In order to avoid this problem, again you have to stop smoking, and make an early check-up or diagnosis.

2. Bleeding Gums

It happens since there is an increased blood flow, wherein some pregnant women also suffer high blood pressure or becomes hypertensive. Make sure that you keep your gum healthy by regularly brushing your teeth, and brushing the gum line twice a day. Hence, if you feel the bleeding continues you have to consult your dentist or doctor.      Again you should not over react not until you have it checked by your doctor since its part of the pregnancy hormones that cause your gums to swell even more, inflame, and lastly bleed. These hormones make women’s mouth to become more susceptible to plaque and bacteria since gums become tender during this period. Some of the symptoms that you are near to experience this problem if your gums are very sore, bright red and it bleed easily whenever you brush your teeth. In order to treat it, you have to avoid eating sweets, take vitamin C and brush your tongue regularly.

1. Sleeping Problems

It is really difficult for women to get by on the symptoms and the kind of travails that they have to go through when they are pregnant, aside from unexplained morning sickness, they also have sleeping problems not just on the last 3 months of pregnancy period, but even during the first trimester periods. They can’t even figure out themselves what they want, what kind of sleeping positions they need to do at night, and other uncomfortable things that they are experiencing like leg cramps, anxiousness, and because of frequent urinations. Nonetheless, you can still have a good night sleep especially if your hubby is not around or anyone to help you out. Drink 8 glasses of water every day, take a light snack before midnight, have a warmth bath, and exercise regularly.

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Top 10 Causes of Mental Illness

Everyone is invited to take part on the World Mental Health Day that will be held on October 10, 2012. This is the day, where everyone will be informed, oriented, and could participate in an open discussions about concerns and other issues with regards to mental condition. Aside from physical diseases that most of the people are experiencing, another critical health dilemma these days are the increasing numbers of mental problems, and with the right investments, treatment services, and proper promotion, we could alleviate the worst conditions that may happen to our loved ones. It affects families and communities in general. In fact, there are countries in the world that are still looking for permanent remedies, and not just temporary administration of medicines, and other mental facilities in order to help people who are diagnosed of mental disorders. In fact, there are largest institutions and organizations that promote better awareness to all so they could identify early symptoms of it, and give timely support to the concerned individuals. Nonetheless, be a health advocate, by spreading these top 10 causes of mental illness to the people that you know so it can be avoided. This one of a kind event is a channel to send an indirect message to everyone to be mindful and receptive about our loved ones’ mental status despite that there are no obvious symptoms of it.

10. Poor Nutrition

You may not believe it, but poor nutrition leads or affects not just physical health, but mental condition. In fact, whatever we take-in to our body, the brain responses in to it that would results to the kind of behavior that we show, the moods that we have, and the overall function of our brain. In order for you to understand this cause, imagine, or recall the time that you’ve felt that you were hungry and you can’t eat anything. Of course, the irritation and annoyance of wanting to eat is expected at its high rate since that is an immediate need. It is expected that mood and responses are not unlikely if you are placed in that situation. Hence, if we have sufficiently take food that have required amount of energy, it creates positive mood, and it is evident on the level of interaction of anyone to people. It becomes possible because of the neurotransmitter because it stores levels of chemicals which are dependent on the amount of food that we take.

9. Exposure to Toxins

When you hear the word toxins, it actually refers to heavy metals which are typically presents in air, food supply, soil, and water. Environment these days are not guaranteed safe to human especially to kids because of the widespread contamination, there is a higher risk of diseases especially unlikely effects to human brains. In fact, if one is regularly expose to any heavy metals it could lead to poisoning. It does not matter if one of these materials would give minimal effects to individuals, but gradually, it destroys the ability for communication and comprehension. Some of the disturbing effects of it are more of neuropsychiatric disturbances that may start from simple irritation, memory loss, and fatigue. Other extreme results of too much exposure to toxins are headache, hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and aggressive behavior.

8. Brain Chemistry    

It is also called brain wiring by most of the health experts. In fact, there have been serious and long studies about the link or relevance of brain chemistry when it comes to different kind of behavior that individuals manifest which becomes a personality of the person. This specific item is still debatable because there are still on-going studies on this. Hence, according to one of the known researchers and professors, Professor Valenstein who has been researching about the biochemistry of mental illness that there are numerous theories about the relative linking of mental illness to the brain chemistry, but it’s still weak. It could be possible if there are chemicals that did affect the formation of the brain that have caused or resulted to biochemical imbalance in the brain. However, there is a strong scientific foundation which is based on examination and other theories conducted, yet it still needs to be proven.

        

7. Personal Problems/Negative Experiences

People have different level of tolerance whether it’s physical pain or not. It does not mean that if a person overcomes successfully certain problems in life that he or she is already strong. In fact, they need an outlet where they can release that negative thought to them. You may not notice it, but at times it still dwells or lingers in them. It is really up to the person’s positivity and outlook in life as to how he or she will be influenced by it. Nonetheless, there are various stories of people who were not able to cope-up to the ill-fated situations that come to their life. It affects not just social state of the person, but most importantly it may result to destructive patterns or behaviors that may harm himself or herself, but more so people around him or her. Some of the common causes of it are divorce, abusive situations, and even bereavement.

6. Psychological Trauma

This specific reason for mental illness may be related to number 7 item of this list, but it has a deeper, and emotional roots. In fact the patients or people who are suffering psychological trauma are most likely to develop a severe state of hallucination, and mental disturbance caused by specific experience that they cannot shun away from their system, and keeps coming back in their minds. Some of which are the result of disrespectful behavior of others towards the right of individuals especially those who are victims of rape, child abuse, incest, and even environmental factors which are vague to name. The focus is more on what the person feels, and what his or her mind dictates where he or she becomes the prison of that negative experience that may cause to paranoia because of strong manifestation of fear. Psychological trauma only happens if its unexpected, if there is a repetition of the situation, if one is not prepared for it, and under the powerless state. Some of its symptoms are anxiety, isolation from others, mood swings, insomnia, and numbness.

5. Substance Abuse

This is one of the common causes of mental illness these days due to influence of associations outside home, and if there are current issues with any members of the family. Everyone must understand, majority of the people who have been using prohibited drugs or have taken drugs in its excessive dosage have problems at home, and in relationship with loved ones. There is a high impact of substance abuse on cocaine, inhalants, alcohol, and other forms of drug. The misuse of it will result to severe            behavioral patterns like compulsiveness, paranoia, hallucination, depression, and aggression. This is risky to the society because it can harm people, and worst it may result to suicidal tendencies.

4. Infections

There specific infections that would affect the mental state of someone and they are categorically classified under the chronic mental illness. In fact, it could create psychiatric symptoms in following infections like urinary tract infection, pneumonia, diphtheria, typhoid, herpes, malaria, sepsis, and worst HIV. The clear explanation to this is because of direct parasitic infections. It is a common knowledge that microbes are one of the enemies of the human body. If infections will not be detected at its earlier stage, it may result to relapsing illness. It could injure the cells during the process, and it depends on the level of infection from low-grade to chronic infections.

3. Brain Injury/Defects

There have been a number of queries if indeed brain injury will result to mental illness. The answer is definitely yes especially if there is a developed head trauma that might result to schizophrenia or better known as psychotic disorder. Nonetheless, it is not always the same case because according to mental health experts, a history must be recalled in order to establish a diagnosis or conclusion that an individual has also a manifested habits or behaviors that will lead to mental disorder. There is indeed a change or effect to people who experienced head trauma especially if it’s a severe type that could affect as to how someone’s think, understands things, and even feels. Moreover, according to their reports, majority of the people who have had or have current conditions had experience head trauma. It is important that kind of patient must be brought immediately to hospital for immediate tests, and don’t ignore a simple head injury.

2. Prenatal Damage

This 2^nd reason of mental illness is a wake-up call to all mothers who are currently pregnant, and who are planning to conceive to take necessary measurements to take care of the tiny being inside their tummy. The development of their body is critical especially their brain. The necessary intake of vitamins, healthy food, and avoidance of beverages that might harm the baby must be kept proactively and religiously. In fact it may result to premature birth, low birth weight, cognitive problems, and worst miscarriage. This is the reason why pregnant women are advised to have a regular prenatal check-up and care. The disruptions that occur during the development of fetus inside the mother’s womb is critical which may results to brain trauma, loss of oxygen in the brain and could result to autism.

1. Genetics

Going into scientific explanation and details about the hereditary or genetics cause of mental illness have been identified with the observation of genes disorder which is related to schizophrenia, and manic depression.    Medically speaking mental problem is always associated with more than one gene which actually happens because of different genes found in various chromosomes in its widest populations. In fact, a study conducted in 1980 proved this fact, because of their discovery of two genes in some individuals who were diagnosed of manic depression. It is true that in a family who has history of mental disorder, that certain genes could be passed on, but it could only be triggered if one is exposed in chemicals or medications which are susceptible to boost mental illness. The identification of it needs series of tests for one to be proven that he or she might be susceptible to it.

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Top 10 Foods for Living Longer

Believe it or not, there are foods that will allow you to live longer. A lot of people wonder whether or not there is a simple route towards longer living and eating right is definitely a step in the right direction. The best part is that you don’t need to look any further than your local stores for the top 10 foods that we are about to cover.

10. Broccoli

Broccoli has more Vitamin C in it than most fruits. It contains a larger percentage of calcium than milk and has more fiber than bread. To put it simply, it is the best of all three worlds and will help you live longer. Broccoli is made up of a very powerful anti-carcinogen, which is basically a chemical that helps fight cancer and cancer-related substances. It doesn’t stop there. Broccoli can also help prevent heart disease, ulcers, and various other viruses.

9. Chamomile

Another food that you could take in order to live longer is chamomile. This food is a member of the dairy family and it contains many healing properties. For one, it is similar to a muscle relaxant and it will decrease a lot of physical tension in your body. This reduces the chance of having a heart attack induced by stress. To top it all off, chamomile will allow your body to detoxify as it removes harmful waste products from building up.

8. Cranberries

Eating cranberries can provide your body with a high amount of vitamin C as well as chemicals that are designed to defend your body against bacteria. Aside from the fact that cranberries taste good, they can also fight cancer as well as urinary tract infections. You can eat cranberries with oatmeal, muffins or simply drink it as a juice for the best results.

7. Oily Fish

When people search for foods that are going to help them live longer, they hardly ever think that fish or fish-related products would make it onto the list. The reality is though that these foods are actually the healthiest for you. More specifically, oily fish (like trout and salmon) are all very loaded with omega-3 and fatty acids. Because of this, they can successfully lower your cholesterol level as well as prevent you from having blood clot or stroke. The best way to eat oily fish is grilled, baked, or raw.

6. Lemons

Lemons are extremely rich in vitamin C. Because of this, they can help ward off infections as well as prevent sore throats and mouth ulcers. The best part is that lemons can go well with most foods and drinks and they don’t contain many calories. You can try squeezing a fresh lemon over some fish or into an empty glass or you can eat it raw if you are feeling up to it. In some cases, lemons even go well with certain sauces and salad dressings.

5. Onions

Okay, while onions may not be the best tasting food on the list, they happen to be quite healthy. They contain high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants. Ironically though, even though onions may cause your breath to smell bad, they actually lessen the chance of you experiencing a disease that is breathing-related. Onions can protect your body from asthma as well as various other inflammatory diseases. Above all, they help prevent the production of cancer cells within your body.

4. Oats

Oats contain a lot of calcium as well as fiber. If you plan on living forever, then you should heavily consider adding this nutritious food into your diet. Oats will prevent your teeth from falling out and they will keep your bones from becoming brittle as you get older. Finally, eating oats will reduce blood pressure and lessen the chance of colon cancer. Oats typically come in the form of oatmeal and taste good.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are good because they contain an antioxidant called “lycopene”. Basically, eating this food on a regular basis will strengthen your immune system as well as reduce the risk of various cancers from forming in your body. Plus, degenerative diseases will dramatically be slowed down. A lot of people enjoy eating tomatoes when they are hot. However, you can eat them raw as well. They go good on sandwiches and you can even drink them as a juice.

2. Green Tea

It really doesn’t get much better than green tea. This is an ancient Asian drink that contains three vitamins (A, E, and C) as well as a few important antioxidants. Green tea will lessen the chance of getting cancer, since it prevents the oxidation of cells and it can even fortify your immune system as you get older. It will fight heart disease and can even lower blood pressure. While green tea is capable of all these things, it is also a great tasting beverage that goes good with most foods and occasions.

1. Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are a food that is relatively rich in fiber and that will lower your cholesterol. They can accomplish wonders and will even discourage the spread of various cancer cells throughout the body. Flaxseeds also contain omega-3 fatty acids that will help keep your heart strong and prevent heart disease. Above all, flaxseeds taste fairly good and should be stored in a fridge until you are ready to eat them.

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