Your Skin and You

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. The skin, as a way to eliminate waste, releases as much as three gallons of sweat a day in hot or warm weather. Bacteria produced from sweating creates odor on the skin caused by eating and digesting fatty compounds and other food. Certain food may be a skin antagonist and they should be the things you should not include in your diet.

Food that shouldn’t be in your diet:

• White bread. These together with pasta and cakes may be high with glycemic. And mind you, this may cause acne.
• Salt. Too much salt may make you bloat, puffy and it is unhealthy. Acne may be aggravated by salt intake too.
• Candy. What’s with candies? Sugar of course! Too much sugar may dull your skin and cause wrinkles. So better watch out next time you put your hand inside that candy jar.
• Alcohol. This isn’t a food but always it is included in some of your not-so-healthy diet. Alcohol dehydrates; dehydration is bad for your skin not to mention to your whole system. So if you are contemplating whether you will accept that drinking match challenge, think again and think of your skin.

One way or another, you will need an excellent skin care in reducing the risk of skin damage and unhealthy skin and mainly in keeping your skin healthy and glowing. Diets won’t suffice. Some extreme steps should be taken to be able to get rid of skin conditions that are already there or to prevent what is there for a while.

Skin Treatments for A Healthier and More Glowing Skin

Here are my suggested treatments that may help you in your quest for a healthier skin. The following treatments may be a treatment to specific skin conditions too. We will mention some later.

• Ultrasound skin tightening. This is a procedure that is beneficial to those who seek a facial rejuvenation. It is non-invasive. The ultrasound has the ability to see through tissues thus making it much more effective in skin tightening and rejuvenation. It remedies wrinkles, uneven skin color and sin roughness.
• Microdermabrasion. You would probably be familiar with this one. This too is non-invasive and still, helps in rejuvenating skin. This treatment will also help in removing stretch marks, lighten scars and discoloration as well as remedy sun damaged skin.
• Laser skin tightening. This may be a non-ablative laser treatment wherein the skin will be tightened. It also helps in regeneration of collagen thus less wrinkles will be visible.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing— An introduction

So aside from the mentioned treatments above, the fractional laser resurfacing is also a much coveted treatment in the industry in treating medical and other skin conditions. The aside treatment can be a remedy to numerous skin problems such as damaged skin from the sun, wrinkles and fine lines, sun spots and freckles, acne scars, spider veins and stretch marks.

The treatment uses laser light by having some microthermal zones in the surface layer of the skin deeply. This way the skin is triggered to produce new collagen. New collagen production will help in production of new skin cells as well.

The treatment helps in delivering effective result for those who seek it. One may heal faster with the treatment too as it is non-surgical. But then the treatment might be limited if you have some other medical conditions such as cold sores, disorders in bleeding, breastfeeding and pregnant, skin type IV, V and VI. If you have taken any medications that will increase your photosensitivity then you are likely excluded as well. You are less likely a candidate again if you have isotretinoin in your system, used in some acne medicine.

Benefits, Benefits, Benefits of FLR

Aside from the clearer and much rejuvenated skin, you will be gaining not only its aesthetic benefits but its psychological benefits as well. Better looks then better self esteem. That would be for a price of $2500 and $4000 (AUD).

Beauty has a price, but do your research, again. This single article isn’t research. Good luck!

Author: Roselen works as a beauty blogger and a researcher for a cosmetic company. Her goal is to provide quality and informative content to all beauty-conscious men and women. Read more about fractional laser for skin conditions at Costhetics website

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Pilates Plus is one of the most popular exercise routines around the world. This is because it’s an adaptable method of exercising that everyone – from obese to extremely thin people, can manage to perform. This method of exercising came from a sickly person named Joseph Pilates. He was able to develop a routine that will let you work out your entire body by stretching and flexibility exercises. Until now, Pilates is still opted by most people especially with weight problems. The health benefits from Pilates are really great – this is why you can see lots of Pilates Plus gyms these days.

The Essence of Pilates Plus 

This Pilates Plus exercise method is not composed of rapid-fire movements that you usually see on aerobics and other cardiovascular routines. In fact, Pilates is more effective if you can do it in a slow and controlled movement. This lets you muscle work out to the fullest – you won’t be able to get the best results from Pilates just because you do the routines very fast.

When you go to Pilates Plus gyms, you won’t be told to target a specific part of your body in routines. Since this exercise method consists of Zen philosophy, you will be encouraged to view your body as a whole that works together as a team. When this happens, you will be able to work out all parts of your body in a specific and precise body movement.

In and Out With Pilates Plus

Pilates Plus does not only target the outside features of your body. In fact, Pilates Plus specializes in strengthening you core muscles – the deepest parts in your muscular system. As you develop your core strength, you will be able to notice changes such as lessened back pain and better stability. This is why dancers (like ballerinas) usually go to Pilates Plus – they will need to have more control over their body to move gracefully along with challenging dance routines.

If you’re injured, Pilates Plus is a great way to recover from it. On top of that, you will still be able to work out even if you’re badly injured – professional athletes often try Pilates to recover faster! Aside from the physical trauma, it will also allow you to relieve stress and anxiety because of the injury you had. If you’re like to do physical activities that are very prone to injuries, Pilates is one great way to prevent disasters in the future.

Low Stress

Although Pilates works great in building your core strength, it doesn’t allow you to stress out your body too much. In fact, experts say that Pilates is a low impact exercise method – you can do it even if you’re not used to the routines involved in it. From beginners to advanced, you can enjoy it with your friends and family who want to stay fit and healthy inside and out. If you’re having weight problems,  pilates plus will be able to help you a lot in keeping you fit and fabulous.

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There are a number of alternative teeth whitening methods you can try, which can help you to achieve a white smile, fast. And many of them are completely naturally…

Can orange peel really whiten my teeth?

It is hard to imagine that rubbing orange peel on your teeth can help to whiten your teeth, but this tried, tested and natural technique can help to remove staining and discolouration without the use of chemicals.

And it is not alone…

Baking soda, which is commonly used in toothpastes anyway, can also help to clean your teeth and make them sparkle. Simply mix it with a little water until it forms a paste, brush onto your teeth and then thoroughly rinse.

Are there any limitations to these quick teeth whitening methods?

As with any teeth whitening product there will be limitations, and this is no different of fast, natural remedies.

For instance, unlike teeth whitening kits which can help you to make your teeth 11 shades lighter over a series of weeks, natural remedies such as baking soda won’t be able to achieve the same kind of results.

In reality, all these quick teeth whitening methods will actually help you to do is remove any stains or plaque that is accumulating on your teeth, and instead limit the amount of discolouration your teeth experiences from tea, coffee or smoking.

What else can do?

Whilst quick teeth whitening methods might not be able to offer you the results you are looking for, this doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune going to your dentist.

In fact, there are a number of affordable techniques you can try, which can help to whiten your smile.

Home Teeth Whitening Kits – utilising the same 16% Carbamide Peroxide gel utilised by dentist – but at a fraction of the cost – home teeth whitening kits such as Dr George’s Dental White can help to lighten your teeth by up to 11 shades in 2 weeks and are incredibly simple to use.

Supplying you with your own teeth mould, apply drops of this gel to your teeth and after 30 minutes you will notice a significant improvement to the appearance of your teeth.

How does it work: containing 120ml/cc of 16% Carbamide Peroxide as this gel enters the pores on your teeth, this creates active oxygen which converts coloured compounds into colourless compounds.

Teeth Whitening Strips – using a weaker concentration of Carbamide Peroxide so it doesn’t irritate your teeth or gums, teeth whitening strips are applied directly to your teeth and are usually worn overnight, giving the strips time to bleach your teeth.

NOTE: Should you try this option, be careful to apply these strips evenly so there is no streaking.

Teeth Whitening Pen – similar to teeth whitening strips, this is weaker in concentration and applied directly to each tooth.

Patience is needed with this one though, otherwise you risk applying the pen to one tooth more than another.

As you can see, teeth whitening is no longer something you have to go to your dentist for in order to achieve a brighter smile. However it is still important that you choose your teeth whitener carefully and don’t simply go for the cheapest option.

Invest in the wrong product, with the wrong concentration levels and you may find that it either irritates your gums or doesn’t produce any results at all (because it is too weak).

For this reason, make sure you research the product first; check to see its effectiveness and ensure it contains around 16% Carbamide Peroxide. Only then can you feel confident that you’ll achieve a whiter smile fast.

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Well new research has revealed that your favourite make-up accessory may actually be unleashing a host of harmful chemicals into your body that might be damaging your health.

So far linked to muscle problems, hormone disruptions and poisoning from its heavy metals, lipstick is now also believed to increase your risks of allergies and some forms of arthritis.

How can lipstick damage my health?

The main problem is the chemicals your lipstick contains. 

Parabens, methacrylate, lead, cadmium and triclosan are all amongst the substances commonly hidden in your makeup.

Triclosan – this substance in particular has caused a lot of alarm amongst professionals due to its connections with muscle and heart problems. Known to help bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, within 20 minutes of mice being exposed to triclosan, they experienced a 25% reduction in heart function – a drop which could be replicated in people.

But this is not all…

Alongside affecting your muscles, triclosan has also been linked to thyroid and fertility problems. Believed to increase the number of androgens (male hormones) you produce, this increase can trigger acne, weight gain, excess hair and menstrual dysfunction.

Cadmium and Chromium – both of these heavy metals have been linked to dermatitis, skin inflammation and possible kidney damage. This combined with the fact that it takes your body 40 years to extract them, means absorbing these metals too often can damage your health.

Methacrylate – can irritate your skin.

Lead – left to build up in your body over time, over exposure to this metal can lead to lead poisoning which can damage your brain and nerves.

Most worrying about these revelations is the theory that wearing lipstick at least 3 times a week can increase your chances of developing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a form of chronic arthritis, where your body produces antibodies that attack healthy tissue.

What can be done?

Currently these health claims have been dismissed by The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, as these results are based on research performed on mice, not people.

However, if you’re concerned for your health, then simply ensuring you wear lipstick less than 3 times a week can reduce your risks of developing SLE, nerve damage, infertility problems and lead poisoning, and keep your body safe.

Keith Payne is interested in natural remedies for all issues but has spent the best part of a year researching natural arthritis pain relief as well as the causes of arthritis.

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It really doesn’t have to be like this, though.

Those who properly manage their symptoms and take extra precautions prior to engaging in strenuous exercise activities soon learn that they can enjoy the same results as anyone else.  It’s just a matter of planning and properly managing symptoms.

The planning part is selecting the right exercise activities.  While it is notionally possible for asthma sufferers to incorporate, let’s say, cross-country running into their fitness routine, this may not be ideal.  Running is an activity that often precipitates asthma attacks, so it behooves asthmatics to be a bit choosier about which fitness activities they undertake.

On the other hand, there are a number of exercises that respiratory health experts believe are best suited towards those with asthma, and these activities are not only great at improving and maintaining your overall fitness level, but can also be beneficial towards improving asthma symptoms!

Swimming

On first glance, swimming would seem to bring some of the same problems for asthma as running, in that it is a heavy-breathing activity, which often leaves the participant short of breath.  But the pool atmosphere offers some conditions that are ideal for asthmatics: the warm, moist environment eases breathing troubles and is comforting on the lungs.  And of course, swimming is a great exercise for general fitness, working so much of your body from head to toe.

Yoga

Yoga is thought by many to be the most ideal exercise for asthmatics because it has so many health benefits while putting only the mildest strains on the lungs.  Moreover, yoga’s emphasis on each breathe is thought to be very advantageous to those who have breathing difficulties.  As if that wasn’t enough, yoga’s benefits to the mind-body connection provide wondrous effects to every region of the body, including the lungs!

Team Sports

Team sports are a mixed bag for those with respiratory ailments, as some require consistent and prolonged energy that can be less than ideal for those with breathing issues – for instance soccer or basketball.  And others that take place in colder climates – such as hockey – are not perfect either, as the cold weather is known to exacerbate asthma symptoms.  Now this isn’t to say that these activities are off limits to asthmatics, but they would take more preparation and extra caution to ensure that an attack doesn’t come up and bite you as you are competing.  However, there are a handful of less strenuous team sports that require energy in shorter bursts – volleyball, baseball and gymnastics, for instance – that are thought to be ideal for those with asthma.

Conclusion

There are many other fitness activities well-suited for asthmatics such as short aerobic stints, weight lifting, walking (an underrated exercise) and martial arts.  The biggest takeaway from all of this is that exercise regimens are just as important – or perhaps more important – for those with asthma than the average person, and those who suffer from the ailment can do most of the same activities provided that they plan well, have the blessing of their doctor, and utilize the asthma aids available to them which run the gamut from simple inhalers to more intensive nebulizers.

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It is very easy to get into the mindset of just looking for cheaper e-cigs as a way to cut down on costs, but that isn’t always the best idea. You truly do get what you pay for, and sometimes that means cheaper electronic cigarettes won’t last as long as their more expensive counterparts. Of course there are good e-cigarettes out there that don’t cost very much, but buying and testing every cheap electronic cigarette simply isn’t an option. Instead of buying the first cheap one that you see, you need to find a source you trust to judge which cheap electronic cigarette is the best bang for your buck. Or, maybe you can spend a little extra on a higher quality e-cig that will last longer.

Before you buy an e-cigarette, take a look at what its replacement parts cost. There are a lot of models that have parts that don’t fit into other e-cigs. Sometimes, companies will sell you an e-cig for very cheap, but then have parts that are rather expensive. The costs of batteries, cartridges, atomizers, different flavored liquids, and everything else you might need can really add up. When you are hunting down a cheap e-cigarette to buy, you can’t just look at the price. Add up every single expense it will have, and try to project how much you will be spending monthly or yearly.

Buying disposable e-cigarettes can also help cut down costs, especially when you buy them in bulk. For instance, a disposable electronic cigarette that would cost seven dollars when bought one at time can be purchased in a pack of 100 for just 375 dollars. That brings the cost of each disposable electronic cigarette down to $3.75. That is almost a fifty percent reduction in cost. Each one of these disposable e-cigs will last for approximately the same length of time that two packs of cigarettes would last. So, if you would use it at a rate of half a pack a day, then these 100 disposable electronic cigarettes would last you for about 400 days. A whole year’s worth of e vaping would only cost you $375, or about a dollar a day. It doesn’t get much cheaper than that! So, if you are looking to cut costs on e-cigarettes, then consider buying disposable ones in bulk.

Keep in mind that you don’t need all the bells and whistles like a portable recharger. Sure it can be useful to have, but you can save yourself some money by charging them at home. Also, keep your eye out for sales and e cig coupons. If you can’t find them, then consider emailing the company or website about a possible deal. You might be surprised by what you can get if you just ask someone for it, especially when you explain to them that you will take your business elsewhere without it.

George is an e-cig enthusiast that loves to share tips to help people make the best decision when it comes to buying e-cigarettes. You can have a look at his GreenSmoke review here.

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There are two ways people approach the issue of death. One is acceptance and the other is denial. There are people who accept death as an inevitable part of a human being’s journey on earth, while there are others who don’t want to face the reality of death.  For those who accept death, the necessary preparations, specifically spiritual and emotional, are taken care of as early as possible. One such preparation is making arrangements for hospice care if diagnosed with a terminal illness. While not every terminally-ill patient wants to face the fact that they are dying, hospice care will make the situation easier for the dying patient and the surviving family.

For many years in the past, hospices were strictly associated with providing care for cancer patients only. Hospice care in today’s setting serves patients diagnosed to be in the final stages of heart, liver or lung disease, Multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, AIDS and stroke. Hospice care service is available to anyone with a life-limiting illness. It is the hospice’s and the caring individuals working at the hospice care facility, goal to give the dying patient and their family the comfort and support they need to get through this difficult time. 

Four Levels of Hospice Care

Depending on the patient’s current needs, a hospice care facility provides the four levels of care, which are all covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

• Routine or in-home care. This is care given to dying patients who wish to spend their remaining days at their own home.
• Uninterrupted care for management of severe symptoms. This is care given for terminally-ill patients to avoid the uncalled for hospitalization of the patient.
• Respite care. This provides relief to family and caregivers.
• In-patient care. Care is given in elected hospice facility for management of uncontrolled symptom which cannot be provided at home.

In the event of a patient’s death, a year of continued support is available for the grieving family. And depending on the grief counselor’s evaluation on the family’s coping skills, the level of bereavement support needed by the family will be provided in that first year after their loss. 

Two of the most preferred and availed service levels are in-home hospice and in-patient care. The services offered by various hospice facilities differ from facility to facility. Some hospice offer extensive programs while others offer a limited scope.

In-home Hospice

In-home hospice is ideal for elderly people in Louisiana who want to receive care in their own home. Dying people almost always have the same wish of being able to spend their remaining days with loved ones during such a difficult time. The advantage of in-home hospice is not having designated visiting hours and other guidelines like in some hospice facility. With in-home service, the following are included:

• 24/7 Care. Family members serve as the primary caregivers and round the clock support is available from the different groups providing the service. Available to assist 24/7 are registered nurses. The in-home team helps manage pain of terminally-ill patients. They can also assist in simple things like reading, talking or listening to the patient.
• Medical Attention. Hospice teams who visit the patients at home are also able to do most procedures usually done in a hospital. Primary care physicians may assign the registered nurses to set up IV systems and administer daily medications.

In-patient Care

Care is provided in designated facilities like a nursing home, hospice care center, or hospital, in case in-home care is not possible or advisable. The priority is to give relief to terminally-ill patients through pain and symptoms management. The goal, like in other set-up, is to provide comfort and maintain the best possible quality of life for the patient. The program addresses the patient’s spiritual and mental health needs, aside from ensuring their physical well-being and comfort. The following services are included:

• Nursing care. The necessary equipment available in the facility allows caregivers to monitor the condition of a patient to better control their pain and other discomforts.
• Counseling. This is another component of this service available through in-house psychiatrists and therapists.
• Bereavement. This service includes support to the grieving family even after the patient’s death. Help with the coping process is provided to the family in grief.

The challenges and needs of the present generation of seniors are gradually being met and satisfied in most in-home hospice care facilities. In-home care is less expensive and therefore preferred by many families. In-home care offers the patient more solace and comfort in the end.

A family-centered approach, hospice care includes a team of professional: the physician, the registered nurses, hospice medical director, social workers, therapists, dietician, chaplains, hospice-trained volunteers, counselors, and home health aides. The hospice team works together in focusing on the patient’s needs including physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects, as well as providing needed medical equipment, supplies and medications.

Attached Images:

License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/116366

Cedric Loiselle is a highly talented writer providing quality articles for a wide range of niches including health, fitness, and hospice services. If you are looking for a good Louisiana hospice, check out his articles for tips and advice.

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One of the best ways to begin the recovery process after being operated on is by building muscles. Slowly working on the areas around your stitches will allow your body to heal, while you build supportive muscles at the same time. This is especially important if you have any kind of abdominal surgery, where the core muscles that keep you upright and allow you to catch yourself if you slip and fall, can become atrophied rather easily.

Weight Machines

Using a weight machine rather than free weights allows you more control over several aspects of the work out. For one, you will be able to lift a lighter amount with a weight machine than you would with free weights. Also, you have more support while you lift. With free weights, your posture is important to keeping you from getting injured. If you are using a weight machine and have to drop the lever, because the weight is too heavy, the odds of accidentally dropping it on yourself are very low.

Walking

One of the best low-impact exercises is walking. It allows you to slowly build the muscles in your legs back up, while at the same working out your core muscles (which keep you upright) and those in your shoulders as you swing your arms to match your strides. If you cannot walk a long distance after surgery, it is okay to start off with a series of short walks, complete with breaks in between, as you build your body back up.

Stepper Machines

A stair stepper is similar to an elliptical machine, only is does not work out your arms. With a stair stepper, you can adjust the resistance depending on the level of your recovery that you are in. If you are new to the muscle building process, then you obviously need the machine to be on a lower setting, and after that setting seems to get easier, you can set it to be tougher. The best part of a stair stepper machine is that it works out your legs and at the same time your back and abdominal muscles as you go through the motions.

Water Walking

Water walking is an excellent exercise for people who are trying to build muscles after surgery. The resistance provided by the water will work out your core muscles, as well as the ones in your legs. If you need to start out slowly, stick with shallower water (2 to 3 foot depths) and work your way up to the deeper water (the 4 foot depth.) This gives you more control over the exercise. On top of this, water walking is easier on the body than both swimming and water aerobics, making it a perfect exercise for those who are in post-surgical recovery mode.

There are many ways to safely build muscles after surgery without having to worry about re-injuring yourself. All of these will help you bounce back from surgery slightly quicker, as long as you follow your doctor’s orders. No matter what, your doctor and your surgeon know what it is best, and trying to work out too soon after surgery may lead to additional damage.

This post was composed by Terry Wood, a health insurance specialist with US Insurance.

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As you can imagine employers are feeling the brunt of thousands of dermatitis claims from employees that have suffered from contact dermatitis due to a lack of responsibility from their employer.

Although contact dermatitis can occur within any industry certain professionals find themselves at a much greater risk. Hairdressers and beauticians such as nail technicians are the frontrunners in developing dermatitis, being up to 17 times more likely than any other industry.

This is due to the different chemicals that they come into contact with throughout a working day. Mechanics and engineers also find themselves at risk due to the substances that they work with.

There are two types of contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.
Allergic contact dermatitis is the result of direct contact with a substance.

Once sensitized the person will more than likely develop a permanent allergy and any further interaction with this substance will generally cause an outbreak. Allergic contact dermatitis generally starts to show symptoms 12 – 72 hours after exposure.

Irritant contact dermatitis is generally caused by a repeated exposure to a substance which aggravates the skin. Such irritants include, soaps, detergents and solvents.

People who develop dermatitis will often experience a number of problems in relation to the area of skin affected, these symptoms generally include :

• Reddening – Weeping
• Flaking – Blistering
• Blistering – Swelling

These symptoms can often cause a large amount of pain and discomfort, which can even be serious enough to affect your working and home life. Even simple tasks such as washing the dishes or peeling potatoes can become incredibly painful.

As mentioned before dermatitis can occur within almost any industry. Working within any given industry carries risks, however a number of professions place employers at a greater risk due to the substances involved. An example of this would be a motor mechanic who on a daily basis works with oils, solvents, paints and vehicle fluids.

These chemicals often have an acidic or an alkaline Ph value. Substances with non-neutral Ph balances are known to cause discomfort to the body and can often be incredibly dangerous.

Due to the nature of dermatitis prevention is often relatively simple. Firstly you need to find the allergens or irritants responsible and avoid them as much as possible. Workers who wear the correct P.P.E (Personal protective equipment) find that although they have not completely negated the risk of dermatitis they have substantially reduced the chances of developing it.

If workers are unable to use P.P.E during the working day employers should think about changing the substances that employees are in contact with. On occasion P.P.E can account for the problem a few examples of this would be a mechanic having a reaction to the barrier cream that he is using on his hands. In this scenario a wise idea would be to stop the use of barrier cream immediately and switch to gloves. Another example of P.P.E causing a problem with employers would be the latex gloves used in hospitals. A large number of staff encountered problems due to an allergy to the latex in the gloves. This lead to multiple dermatitis claims pressed against the NHS and soon after a number of non latex gloves were available if needed.

The severity of the symptoms will often dictate the treatment needed. Emollients are creams and oils that help to soften/ smooth your skin these can be used when your symptoms are mild and include dry or cracked skin.

If symptoms persist or if your skin is inflamed and sore you may need to visit your local GP for a course of topical corticosteroids which can applied to the affected area and should show improvement within a few days. Employers should assist in this are they would be subject to dermatitis claims against them.

The post At Risk of Contacting Dermatitis? appeared first on Health Blog Spot.

Here are the most common pregnancy fears and why you should not worry about them:

1. What if I miscarry?

First, it this happens, it’s not your fault. Second, most miscarriages happen only during the early weeks of pregnancy and you are not aware of being pregnant. But after about 6 to 8 weeks, when the baby’s heartbeat can be detected already, the risk of miscarriage drops to a 1:20 ratio.

2. My morning sickness is terrible, is that normal?

The baby inside you consumes most of what you are eating. The constant craving for food makes you nauseous. So, take in a lot of fluids and eat frequent meals.

3. Can stress hurt the baby?

Some studies show that severe stress may lead to premature delivery. However, no matter what kind of stress you get into, for as long as you are able to manage it, then the baby’s just fine.

4. Can exercise and being overworked harm the baby?

There is no need to stop from your daily routine. In fact, you need the exercise to have the strength required during labor. However, as pregnancy matures, do only what you can still manage to do.

5. I have a spotting or bleeding, is that normal?

If it is not accompanied by any pain, then everything is just fine. Though this is experience by about 1 to 3 expectant mothers, it is still best and more reassuring to consult with your doctor.

6. Why do I have more vaginal discharge?

If the discharge has no smell and is not accompanied by any pain, then it could be just part of the hormonal change brought about by pregnancy.

7. Is there any food and drink that I should avoid?

Only the regular, excessive intake of alcohol can have a possible effect on the baby. Other than that, you can take in anything you want. Best of all, do not forget to take your vitamins, as well.

8. The baby has not moved for quite a while!

One, maybe you were just too busy to notice. Second, the baby is resting. Third, the baby is just well-surrounded with fluid so movement is not very noticeable. Fourth, check by lying down and feel if the baby moves. If you are not reassured, best to call your doctor.

9. What if the baby comes out with birth defects?

To reduce possible brain and spinal problems on the baby, before the pregnancy, take multivitamins with folic acid and take your prenatal vitamins regularly. Birth defects though may also root up from your family genes/history and your age at the time of pregnancy, so it is best to consult with your doctor. And one more thing, with the advent of modern technology, you can now have 3d/4d baby scans through ultrasound. This particular procedure enables you to get a picture of your baby for medical reasons. It will help in knowing the baby’s position, growth, and well being. It can also check signs of possible genetic problems.

10. Can I make it through labor?

If you are healthy, there is no way you can’t. Expectant mothers’ bodies are prepared for it. You may also enroll in a childbirth class to prepare yourself, both mind and body.

Author bio:

Maya is a writer and currently working on a project for Baby Glimpse, one of the leading and most known 3d and 4d ultrasound centers in Sydney, Australia. She’s a mother of two and the main reason why she decided to write this article is that she had same fears and worries and hopefully her answers will help women not to worry and enjoy their pregnancy.

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