Wealth 4 The Healthy

Researchers have found that a mother’s nutrition during pregnancy can clearly impact her child’s risk of obesity years in the future.

The research has revealed that during pregnancy, a mother’s diet can change the function of her child’s DNA. The process, called epigenetic change, can result in her child tending to gain more fat. The research reveals that this effect happens independently of how fat or thin the mother is as well as child’s bodyweight at birth.

The study shows that susceptibility to obesity can’t just be due to a combination of our genes and our lifestyle, but could be caused by influences on a baby’s development inside the womb, which includes what the mother consumed. A mother’s nutrition during pregnancy can result in significant epigenetic changes that play a role in her child’s risk of obesity.

The scientists measured epigenetic changes in almost 300 children at birth and established that these strongly predicted the level of obesity at 6 or 9 years old. The thing that was surprising to the scientists was the size of the effect – children differ in how fat they are, but measurement of the epigenetic change at birth made it possible for the scientists to predict 25% of this variation.

The epigenetic changes, which change the function of our DNA without altering the actual DNA sequence inherited from the father and mother, can also impacts how an individual responds to lifestyle factors like diet or exercise for a long time in the future.

This research suggests that steps to avoid childhood obesity needs to be focused on improving a mother’s nutrition and her baby’s growth inside the womb. These powerful new epigenetic measurements could prove useful in keeping track of the health of the child.

The research presents convincing proof that epigenetic changes, at least in part, explain the connection between a poor start to life and later risk of disease. It strengthens the case for those women of reproductive age with better accessibility to education, nutritional and lifestyle support to further improve the health of the next generation, and also to lower the risk of illnesses like heart disease and diabetes which usually go along with obesity.

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10:57

Scientists know that vitamin D deficiency is unhealthy. However, a study now suggests that too much vitamin D isn’t healthy either. The research is based upon blood samples from 247,574 people.

Vitamin D is important in helping calcium get to our bones, and so reducing the risk from falls as well as the chance of broken hips. Studies suggest that vitamin D is also beneficial in preventing depression, cardiac disease and some kinds of cancers. The outcomes from research also support the benefits of vitamin D with regards to mortality risk. However, the study results also reveal higher mortality in those with too much vitamin D in their blood.

The researchers found higher mortality in individuals with a low level of vitamin D in their blood, but to their surprise, they also found it in those with a high level of vitamin D in their blood. A graph can be drawn showing that it could be harmful with too little as well as too much vitamin D.

Mortality is 2.31 times greater when the blood has under10 nmol of vitamin D for each litre of serum, and mortality is 1.42 times greater when the blood contains over 140 nmol of vitamin D for each litre of serum. Both of these values are in comparison to 50 nmol of vitamin D per liter of serum, the value where the lowest mortality rate was observed.

The data material was collected from a wide range of ages. Those who participated had approached their own medical practitioners for a number of reasons and had had vitamin D levels measured in that context.
The scientists emphasize that while they don’t know the reason for the higher mortality, they believe that the study results could be used to question the wisdom of those who maintain that you can’t ever get too much vitamin D.

Although the research can indicate an association between a high level of vitamin D and mortality, the higher risk cannot be explained.

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10:49

Whether they're pounding and throbbing or dull and aching, headaches are common in kids. Headaches can have a wide range of causes and many levels of severity. It's important to understand how to recognize when a headache is just a passing pain and when it's something more and requires medical attention.

Causes of Headaches

Headaches are thought to be caused by changes in chemicals, nerves, or blood vessels in the area. These changes send pain messages to the brain and bring on a headache.
In general, kids get the same types of headaches as adults. And headaches often are hereditary, so if a parent gets them, their kids might too.
Some of the many potential headache triggers include:

certain medications (headaches are a potential side effect of some)
too little sleep or sudden changes in sleep patterns
skipping meals
becoming dehydrated
being under a lot of stress
having a minor head injury
using the computer or watching TV for a long time
vision problems
menstruation
experiencing changes in hormone levels
taking a long trip in a car or bus
listening to really loud music
smoking
smelling strong odors such as perfume, smoke, fumes, or a new car or carpet
drinking or eating too much caffeine (in soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate)
consuming certain foods (such as alcohol, cheese, nuts, pizza, chocolate, ice cream, fatty or fried food, lunchmeats, hot dogs, yogurt, aspartame, or anything with the food additive MSG)

In some cases, headaches are caused by certain infections, such as:

ear infections
viral infections, like the flu or common cold
strep throat
sinus infections
Lyme disease

Most headaches aren't signs that something more is wrong, but occasionally headaches are caused by more serious medical conditions.

Common Types of Headaches

When kids get more than the occasional headache, two of the more common kinds they get are tension headaches and migraines.

Tension Headaches

Fairly common in kids, tension headaches can be brought on by a variety of emotional and physical stressors. The pain is often described as:

constant pressure around the front and sides of the head, which can feel like someone stretched a rubber band around it
constricting
dull
aching

A major distinction between tension headaches and migraines is that tension headaches typically are not accompanied by nausea or vomiting, and they're usually not made worse by physical activity — symptoms that do often occur with migraines.

Migraines

Often triggered by things like stress, sleep deprivation, and menstruation, migraine headaches can cause the following symptoms:

pounding, throbbing pain or dull, steady pain on one or both sides of the head
dizziness
stomachaches
nausea and/or vomiting
seeing spots or halos
sensitivity to light, noise, and/or smells

Most migraines last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Some can last as long as a couple of days. Some people with migraines:

just don't feel right. Light, smell, or sound may bother them or make them feel worse. Sometimes, if they try to continue with their usual routine after the migraine starts, they may become nauseated and vomit. Often the pain begins only on one side of the head. Trying to perform physical activities can make the pain worse.

get auras, a kind of warning that a migraine is on the way (usually about 10 to 30 minutes before the start of a migraine). The auras may only be seen in one eye. Common auras include blurred vision, seeing spots, jagged lines, or flashing lights, or smelling a certain odor.

experience a migraine premonition hours to days prior to the actual headache. This is slightly different from auras and may cause cravings for different foods, thirst, irritability, or feelings of intense energy.

have muscle weakness, lose their sense of coordination, or stumble.

Unfortunately, parents of an infant or toddler who are unable to say what hurts may not be able to tell if their little one is having migraines. Young kids with headaches may be cranky, less active, may vomit, or look pale or flushed.

Migraine variants that are thought to happen only to kids and are precursors to the more common migraines of adulthood include paroxysmal vertigo and cyclic vomiting.

Paroxysmal vertigo is described as a sensation of spinning or whirling that comes on suddenly and disappears in a matter of minutes. Kids who experience this may momentarily appear frightened and unsteady, or unable to walk. The vertigo typically goes away by the time a child is 5 years old.

Cyclic vomiting also occurs in young kids and involves repeated episodes of vomiting. The episodes can last for hours or days and are not usually associated with headache. Cyclic vomiting usually goes away by the time kids grow into teens.

How to Help Your Child

Treatment for your child's headaches will depend on what the doctor determines is the likely cause. But most everyday headaches can be cared for at home with little medical intervention.
To help ease your child's pain, have him or her:

Lie down in a cool, dark, quiet room.
Put a cool, moist cloth across the forehead or eyes.
Relax.
Breathe easily and deeply.

Make sure your child has had something to eat and drink. Kids with migraines may just want to sleep and may feel better when they wake up. A big part of treating migraines is avoiding the triggers that may have caused them. That's where a headache diary can be especially helpful.

You also can give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Read the label, though, to make sure that you give the right dosage at the right intervals. If you have any questions about how much to give, check with the doctor. And if your child is under age 2 or has other medical problems, call your doctor before giving your little one any pain reliever. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether you should give it and, if so, how much (based on weight and age).

Never give aspirin to kids or teens unless specifically directed to by a doctor. Aspirin can cause Reye syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.

If your child has chronic migraine headaches, the doctor may prescribe a medication to be taken when the headaches come on or daily as a preventive measure. In deciding whether to put your child on medication, the doctor will consider the frequency of the migraines and discuss the potential benefit of the medication versus its possible side effects.

Discuss pain management with your doctor, who will develop a treatment plan that may include approaches that don't involve medicine, such as relaxation, stress reduction techniques, and avoiding possible triggers.
Tracking your child's headaches and their symptoms and following the doctor's recommendations are the keys to finding relief for painful headaches.

KIDSHEALTH.ORG

11:56

Description

The kidneys play a critical role in the body: Acting as the body's filtering system, they help control water levels and eliminate wastes through urine (pee). They also help regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production, and the levels of calcium and minerals.

But sometimes the kidneys don't develop properly and, as a result, don't function as they should. Often these problems are genetic and not due to anything a parent did or didn't do.

Many of these problems can be diagnosed before a baby is born through routine prenatal testing and treated with medication or surgery while the child is still young. Other problems may appear later, with symptoms such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), growth problems, or high blood pressure (hypertension).
In some cases, the problems can be severe and require surgical treatment.

How the Kidneys Work

The kidneys are like the body's garbage collection and disposal system. Through microscopic units called nephrons, the kidneys remove waste products and extra water from the food a person eats, returning chemicals the body needs (such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium) back into the bloodstream. The extra water combines with other waste to become urine, which flows through thin tubes called ureters to the bladder, where it stays until it exits through the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder) when someone goes to the bathroom.

The kidneys also produce three important hormones: erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells; renin, which helps regulate blood pressure; and the active form of vitamin D, which helps control the calcium balance in the body and maintain healthy bones.

Kidney failure, which is also called renal failure, is when the kidneys slow down or stop properly filtering wastes from the body, which can cause buildups of waste products and toxic substances in the blood. Kidney failure can be acute (sudden) or chronic (occurring over time and usually long lasting or permanent).

Acute kidney injury (sometimes called acute kidney failure) may be due to bacterial infection, injury, shock, heart failure, poisoning, or drug overdose. Treatment includes correcting the problem that led to the kidney injury and, in some cases, dialysis.
Chronic kidney failure involves a deterioration of kidney function over time. In kids and teens, it can result from acute kidney failure that fails to improve, birth defects, chronic kidney diseases, or chronic severe high blood pressure. If diagnosed early, chronic kidney failure can be treated. The goal of treatment usually is to slow the decline of kidney function with medication, blood pressure control, and diet. At some point, a kidney transplant may be needed.

Childhood Kidney Diseases

The most common kidney diseases in children are present at birth. They include:

Posterior urethral valve obstruction: This narrowing or obstruction of the urethra affects only boys. It can be diagnosed before the baby is born or just after and is treated with surgery.

Fetal hydronephrosis: This enlargement of one or both of the kidneys is caused by either an obstruction in the developing urinary tract or a condition called vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in which urine abnormally flows backward (or refluxes) from the bladder into the ureters. Fetal hydronephrosis is usually diagnosed before the child is born and treatment varies widely. In some cases the condition only requires ongoing monitoring; in others, surgery must be done to clear the obstruction from the urinary tract.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): This is a condition in which many fluid-filled cysts develop in both kidneys. The cysts can multiply so much and grow so large that they lead to kidney failure. Most forms of PKD are inherited. Doctors can diagnose it before or after the child is born. In some cases, there are no symptoms; in others, PKD can lead to UTIs, kidney stones, and high blood pressure. Treatment for PKD varies — some cases can be managed with dietary changes; others require a kidney transplant or dialysis.

Multicystic kidney disease (MKD): This is when large cysts develop in a kidney that hasn't developed properly, eventually causing it to stop working. (While PKD always affects both kidneys, MKD usually affects just one kidney.) Fortunately, the unaffected kidney takes over and most people with MKD will have normal kidney function. MKD usually is diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound before birth. Doctors manage it by monitoring blood pressure and screening for UTIs when needed. Very rarely, surgical removal of the kidney might be necessary.

Renal tubular acidosis: This is when the kidneys do not properly control the amount of acid in the body. It can cause kidney stones and affect a child's growth, but usually can be treated with medications.

Wilms tumor: This type of childhood cancer involves the kidney, and usually is diagnosed within the first 2 years of life. It can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

Glomerulonephritis: This is an inflammation or infection of the glomeruli, which are parts of the nephrons that contain tiny blood vessels. It can affect the kidney's ability to filter waste and can lead to swelling, blood in the urine, and a reduction in urine production. Some cases can be treated with medication, while others require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Nephrotic syndrome: This is when the body loses large amounts of protein through the urine, usually because of a change in the nephrons. Most cases are diagnosed after a child is a year old. Swelling of the face, abdomen, and extremities are among the main symptoms, and are often relieved with medication.

Congenital problems with the urinary tract: As a baby develops in the womb, part of the urinary tract can grow to an abnormal size or in an abnormal shape or position. These problems include:

duplication of the ureters, in which a kidney has two ureters instead of one. This can lead to urinary tract infections over time and can be treated with medication or, in some cases, with surgery.
horseshoe kidney, where the two kidneys are fused (connected) into one arched kidney that usually functions normally, but is more prone to develop problems later in life. An uncomplicated horseshoe kidney does not need medical or surgical treatment, but it does need to be checked regularly by doctors.

Symptoms of Kidney Problems

The signs and symptoms of urinary tract or kidney problems vary and include:

fever
swelling around the eyes, face, feet, and ankles (called edema)
burning or pain during peeing
significant increase in the frequency of urination
difficulty in controlling urination in kids who are mature enough to use the toilet
recurrence of nighttime bedwetting (in kids who have been dry for several months)
blood in the urine
high blood pressure

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on a child's age and what caused the pneumonia, but can include:

fever
shaking chills
cough
stuffy nose
very fast breathing (in some cases, this is the only symptom)
breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds
working hard to breathe; this can include flaring of the nostrils, belly breathing, or movement of the muscles between the ribs
vomiting
chest pain
abdominal pain, which often happens because a child is coughing and working hard to breathe
less activity
loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in infants), which may lead to dehydration
in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails

If the pneumonia is in the lower part of the lungs near the abdomen, a child might have a fever and abdominal pain or vomiting but no breathing problems.

Kids with pneumonia caused by bacteria usually become sick fairly quickly, starting with a sudden high fever and unusually fast breathing.

Kids with pneumonia caused by viruses probably will have symptoms that appear more gradually and are less severe, though wheezing can be more common.

Some symptoms give important clues about which germ is causing the pneumonia. For example, in older kids and teens, pneumonia due to Mycoplasma (also called walking pneumonia) is notorious for causing a sore throat, headache, and rash in addition to the usual symptoms of pneumonia.

In babies, pneumonia due to chlamydia may cause conjunctivitis (pinkeye) with only mild illness and no fever. When pneumonia is due to whooping cough (pertussis), a child may have long coughing spells, turn blue from lack of air, or make the classic "whoop" sound when trying to take a breath.

Start of Symptoms

The length of time between exposure to the germ and when someone starts feeling sick varies, depending on which virus or bacteria is causing the pneumonia (for instance, 4 to 6 days for RSV, but just 18 to 72 hours for the flu).

Duration

With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia can be cured within 1 to 2 weeks, although walking pneumonia may take 4 to 6 weeks to go away completely. Viral pneumonia may last longer.

Contagiousness

The viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia are contagious. They're usually found in fluid from the mouth or nose of someone who's infected, so that person can spread the illness by coughing or sneezing. Sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and touching the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person also can spread pneumonia.

Prevention

Some types of pneumonia can be prevented by vaccines. Kids usually get routine immunizations against Haemophilus influenzae and whooping cough (pertussis) beginning at 2 months of age. Vaccines are now also given against the pneumococcus, a common cause of bacterial pneumonia.

Children with chronic illnesses can be at special risk for certain types of pneumonia, so they might need additional vaccines or protective immune medication. ("Chronic" means an ongoing illness or one that goes away and keeps coming back.) The flu vaccine is recommended for all healthy kids ages 6 months through 19 years, but especially for kids with chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disorders or asthma.

Because they're at higher risk for serious complications, babies born prematurely may get treatments that temporarily protect against RSV because it can lead to pneumonia in younger kids.

Doctors may give antibiotics to prevent pneumonia in kids who have been exposed to someone with certain types of pneumonia, such as pertussis. Those with HIV infection might be given antibiotics to prevent pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Antiviral medicine is now available, too, and can be used to prevent some types of viral pneumonia or to make symptoms less severe.

In general, pneumonia is not contagious, but the upper respiratory viruses and bacteria that lead to it are. So it's best to keep kids away from anyone with symptoms (stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, etc.) of a respiratory infection.

If someone in your home has a respiratory infection or throat infection, keep his or her drinking glasses and eating utensils separate from those of other family members, and wash your hands often, especially if you are handling used tissues or dirty handkerchiefs.

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11:39

Description
Jaundice, a common condition in newborns, refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes that happens when there is too much bilirubin in the blood.

Bilirubin (bill-uh-ROO-bin) is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, it passes through the liver, which releases it into the intestines as bile (a liquid that helps with digestion).

Jaundice happens when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Here are some reasons why:

Newborns make more bilirubin than adults do since they have more turnover of red blood cells.
A newborn baby's still-developing liver might not be able to remove enough bilirubin from the blood.
A baby's intestines absorb bilirubin that would normally leave the body in the stool (poop).

Severe jaundice (when levels of bilirubin are high, usually above 25 mg) that is not treated can cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or other forms of brain damage. In rare cases, jaundice may be a sign of of another condition, such as an infection or a thyroid problem.

Doctors recommend that all infants be checked for jaundice within a few days of birth.

Types

The most common types of jaundice are:
Physiological (normal) jaundice: Most newborns have this mild jaundice because their liver is still maturing. It often appears when a baby 2 to 4 days old and disappears by 1 to 2 weeks of age.

Jaundice of prematurity: This is common in premature babies since their bodies are even less ready to excrete bilirubin effectively. To avoid complications, they'll be treated even when their bilirubin levels are lower than those of full-term babies with normal jaundice.

Breastfeeding jaundice: Jaundice can happen when breastfeeding babies don't get enough breast milk due to difficulty with breastfeeding or because the mother's milk isn't in yet. This is not caused by a problem with the breast milk itself, but by the baby not getting enough of it. If a baby has this type of jaundice, it's important to involve a lactation (breastfeeding) consultant.

Breast milk jaundice: In 1% to 2% of breastfed babies, jaundice is caused by substances in breast milk that can make the bilirubin level rise. These can prevent the excretion of bilirubin through the intestines. It starts after the first 3 to 5 days and slowly improves over 3 to 12 weeks.

Blood group incompatibility (Rh or ABO problems): If a mother and baby have different blood types, the mother's body might produce antibodies that destroy the infant's red blood cells. This creates a sudden buildup of bilirubin in the baby's blood. Incompatibility jaundice can begin as early as the first day of life. Rh problems once caused the most severe form of jaundice, but now can be prevented by giving the mother Rh immune-globulin injections.

Signs & Symptoms

Jaundice usually appears around the second or third day of life. A jaundiced baby's skin usually will appear yellow first on the face, then the chest and stomach, and finally, the legs. It can also make the whites of a baby's eyes look yellow.
Most newborns now go home from the hospital 1 or 2 days after birth, so it's important for their doctors to check them for jaundice 1 to 2 days later.
Parents also should watch their baby for jaundice. Jaundice can be hard to see, especially in babies with dark skin. If you're unsure, gently press the skin on your baby's nose or forehead — if jaundice is present, the skin will appear yellow when you lift your finger.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor know if you think your baby might have jaundice. The doctor might take a small blood sample to measure your baby's bilirubin level. Some offices use a light meter to get an approximate measurement, and then if it's high, take a blood sample.

Also call your doctor immediately if:

your baby has jaundice during the first 24 hours of life
the jaundice is spreading or getting darker or more intense
your baby has a fever over 100°F (37.8°C) rectally
your baby starts to look or act sick
your baby is not feeding well
you feel your baby is sleepier than usual

It is difficult to tell how significant jaundice is just by looking at a baby, so any baby with yellow eyes or skin should be checked by a doctor.

Treatment

Most cases of newborn jaundice don't require treatment. Mild or moderate jaundice will go away after 1 or 2 weeks as the baby's body becomes able to get rid of the excess bilirubin on its own.

More frequent feedings of breast milk or supplementing with formula to help infants pass the bilirubin in their stools also might be recommended. In some cases, the doctor may ask a mother to temporarily stop breastfeeding. If this happens, pump often to keep producing breast milk, then start nursing again once the jaundice has cleared.

For high levels of jaundice, phototherapy — treatment with a special light that helps rid the body of the bilirubin — may be used.

If a baby has severe jaundice that hasn't responded to other treatments, a blood transfusion may be done.

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11:28

Pregnancy is an ideal time to start taking really good care of yourself both physically and emotionally. If you follow the few simple guidelines below, you should give yourself the best chance of having a problem-free pregnancy and a healthy baby.

1. See your doctor or midwife as soon as possible

As soon as you find out you're pregnant, get in touch with your GP or a midwife to organise your antenatal care. Organising your care early means you'll get good advice for a healthy pregnancy right from the start. You'll also have plenty of time to organise any ultrasound scans and tests that you may need.

2. Eat well

Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet whenever you can. Try to have:

At least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily.
Plenty of carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta and rice, as the basis of your meals. Choose wholegrain carbohydrates rather than white, so you get plenty of fibre.
Daily servings of protein, such as fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts or pulses, and some milk and dairy foods.
Two portions of fish a week, at least one of which should be oily. Fish is packed with protein, vitamin D, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the development of your baby's nervous system.

You don't need to eat for two when you're pregnant. You don't need extra calories for the first six months of pregnancy. In the last three months you'll need about an extra 200 calories a day. You can keep up your energy levels with healthy snacks.

See our pregnancy meal planners for each trimester.

3. Be careful about food hygiene

There are some foods it's safest not to eat in pregnancy. This is because they can carry a health risk for your baby.

Listeriosis is an infection caused by listeria bacteria. It's rare and doesn't usually pose a threat to your health. However, it can cause pregnancy or birth complications. Listeriosis can even lead to miscarriage.

The following foods may harbour listeria and so are best avoided:

pate of any type
unpasteurised milk
undercooked ready meals
soft, mould-ripened cheeses, such as brie
blue-veined cheeses, such as roquefort

As listeria bacteria are destroyed by heat, make sure you heat ready meals thoroughly.

Salmonella can cause food poisoning. You can catch it from eating:

undercooked poultry
Is it safe to eat soft-boiled or raw eggs during pregnancy?

Cook eggs until the white and yolk are solid. Thoroughly wash utensils, boards and your hands after handling raw poultry. Food hygiene is especially important now you're pregnant. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite. It's also rare, but it can affect your unborn baby. You can cut down your risk of catching it by:

cooking meat and ready meals thoroughly
washing fruit and vegetables well to remove soil or dirt
wearing gloves when handling cat litter and garden soil

4. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise has many benefits for mums-to-be. It can:

Build your strength and endurance. This may help you to cope better with the extra weight of pregnancy and the hard work of labour.
Make it easier for you to get back into shape after your baby is born.
Boost your spirits and even help to ward off depression.

If you play sport, you can continue as long as it feels comfortable for you. However, if your particular sport carries a risk of falls or knocks, or extra stress on your joints, it's best to stop. Talk to your GP if you're unsure.

5. Cut down on or cut out alcohol

Any alcohol you drink rapidly reaches your baby via your blood stream and placenta.

No one knows for sure how much alcohol it's safe to drink while you're pregnant. That's why many experts advise you to cut out alcohol completely throughout pregnancy, or at least for the first three months.

If you do decide to drink, stick to no more than one or two units of alcohol, no more than once or twice a week, and never get drunk.

Drinking heavily or binge drinking during pregnancy is dangerous for your baby. Mums-to-be who drink heavily on a regular basis are more likely to give birth to a baby with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These are problems ranging from learning difficulties to more serious birth defects.

6. Get some rest

The fatigue you feel in the first few months is due to high levels of pregnancy hormones circulating in your body. Later on, it's your body's way of telling you to slow down.

If you can't sleep at night, try to take a quick nap in the middle of the day to catch up. If that's impossible, at least put your feet up and try to relax for 30 minutes.

If backache is disturbing your sleep, try lying on your left-hand side with your knees bent. Placing a wedge-shaped pillow under your bump may help ease the strain on your back.

Exercise may also give you some relief from backache. It can help with sleep problems, too, as long as you don't exercise too close to bedtime.

07:09

Causes

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. Typhoid fever is rare in industrialized countries. However, it remains a serious health threat in the developing world, especially for children.
Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water or through close contact with someone who's infected. Signs and symptoms usually include high fever, headache, abdominal pain, and either constipation or diarrhea.

When treated with antibiotics, most people with typhoid fever feel better within a few days, although a small percentage of them may die of complications.

Vaccines against typhoid fever are available, but they're only partially effective. Vaccines usually are reserved for those who may be exposed to the disease or are traveling to areas where typhoid fever is common.

Symptoms

Although children with typhoid fever sometimes become sick suddenly, signs and symptoms are more likely to develop gradually — often appearing one to three weeks after exposure to the disease.

1st week of illness

Once signs and symptoms do appear, you're likely to experience:

Fever, that starts low and increases daily, often to as high as 103 or 104 F (39.4 or 40 C)
Headache
Weakness and fatigue
Dry cough
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea or constipation
Rash

2nd week of illness

If you don't receive treatment for typhoid fever, you may enter a second stage during which you become very ill and experience:

Continuing high fever
Either diarrhea or severe constipation
Considerable weight loss
Extremely distended abdomen

3rd week of illness

By the third week, you may:

Become delirious
Lie motionless and exhausted with your eyes half-closed in what's known as the typhoid state

Life-threatening complications often develop at this time.

4th week of illness

Improvement may come slowly during the fourth week. Your fever is likely to decrease gradually until your temperature returns to normal in another week to 10 days. But signs and symptoms can return up to two weeks after your fever has subsided.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor immediately if you suspect you have typhoid fever.
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18:23

Keep getting negative results every time you pee on a stick? Here are five fertility saboteurs that could be the reasons you’re not getting pregnant.

Whether you’re a few months into trying or are thinking about starting a family soon, you know doubt have babies on the brain. By now you likely know that many of us don’t get pregnant the first time we try. But what might be surprising news is that there are fertility saboteurs that can wreak havoc on your chances of conceiving. Here’s how to deal with five that could be obstructing your road to baby bliss.

1. Stress
When you mention to friends and family that you’re “trying,” you’ll almost guaranteed to hear someone say, “Just relax and it will happen.” Easier said than done. Stress, good or bad, is going to take its toll on you both physically and mentally. According to naturopathic doctor Via Bitidis, co-director of the North Toronto Naturopathic Clinic, balance and calm are a crucial part of trying to conceive. “When you’re stressed your adrenal system takes a hit. Your body isn’t going to say, ‘Okay, let’s get pregnant.’ Learning to say no and to take time for yourself is important for improving your chances of having a baby.” Megan Karnis, medical director of The ONE Fertility Clinic in Burlington, Ont., agrees with a word of caution: “A lot of women think the best thing to do when you’re stressed is to take time off work. In my experience, that doesn’t help, because it makes a woman feel she has to get pregnant in that time and then the stress to get pregnant is so much higher,” she says. Instead of altering your day-to-day routine entirely, Karnis recommends counselling, art therapy, meditation and exercise to reduce stress levels.

2. Sleep deprivation
You already know that catching an adequate number of zzz’s makes that morning department meeting more bearable, but here’s another reason to get yourself to bed before the wee hours. Sleep deprivation puts stress on the body (there’s that pesky s-word again) and when you’re tired, you don’t run on all cylinders. “For people who don’t get enough sleep, their immune systems are down a little bit and they’re more likely to get infections, which will affect the reproductive cycle,” Karnis says. “This applies to men as well. Infections can cause fever and that excess heat can damage the sperm temporarily,” she says. “Women who don’t get enough sleep can also start to feel anxious, which may cause missed periods.” Keeping yourself healthy is the baby bottom line, so set the PVR to record Mad Men and enforce a new bedtime.

3. Weight issues
A woman who is underweight or overweight may have some difficulty conceiving a baby. “An undernourished body may not ovulate properly,” says Bitidis. On the other hand, excess weight can have a significant effect on fertility. “Just being over your ideal weight decreases your chance of getting pregnant even if you are ovulating regularly,” says Karnis. “The further you stray above 25 on the Body Mass Index, the worse it gets.” Maintaining a healthy diet and developing a reasonable exercise routine will do wonders for your mind and body,” Bitidis adds.

4. Cycle confusion
“A lot of women don’t understand their own cycles,” says Bitidis. Most of us were taught the typical 28-day cycle in health class back in high school, but every woman is different and cycles vary in length. “The biggest thing is timing,” Karnis says. “We teach women that ovulation is two weeks before your period. Most people think that it’s two weeks after, but that’s only if you have a four-week cycle,” she says. You’ll have better luck conceiving if you monitor ovulation and start having sex at the right time. “We also teach people about sperm life—they can live for three days in the cervix, so you don’t have to have sex on the day of ovulation, it could be the day before. We also find that a lot of people don’t know that lubricant decreases sperm motility and transfer, so you shouldn’t use lubricant when you’re trying to get pregnant,” says Karnis.

5. Biofeedback
“Keeping a positive attitude is incredibly important. There is a huge mind-body connection. Try not to listen to the negative stories and try to be patient,” Bitidis advises. Preparing for pregnancy up to a year in advance may be a good idea if you’re planning to start a family in the near future, that way you can focus on making lifestyle changes. If you’re trying now, remember that it can take time—experts say up to a year— to conceive. If you’re concerned that it has taken too long, speak to your healthcare provider about your options for fertility counselling and treatment.

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17:55

Watermelon is by far, one of the most powerful, body-healing fruits out there! The amazing health benefits of watermelon cover everything from your brain all the way to the cells in your feet.

The best time to indulge in this fresh, succulent, juicy melon, is summertime, when they are in season and deliver an array of nutrients, vitamin and minerals.

Watermelon is incredibly hydrating (up to 92% water!) and is naturally low-fat. Make this melon a part of your daily diet and you will reap amazing benefits that range from improving cardiovascular health to nourishing your eyes and revving up your immune system! Read below and see for yourself!

1. Cardiovascular & Bone Health

The lycopene in watermelon is especially important for our cardiovascular health and is now being recognized as an important factor in promoting bone health. Consuming large amounts of watermelon has also been correlated with improved cardiovascular function because it improves blood flow via vasodilation (relaxation of blood pressure). Dietary lycopene (from foods like watermelon or tomatoes) reduces oxidative stress which normally reduces the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts (the two major bone cells involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis) – this means stronger bones for those consuming lycopene-rich foods. Watermelon is also rich in potassium which helps to retain calcium in your body, resulting in stronger bones and joints.

2. Reduces Body Fat

The citrulline in watermelon has been shown to reduce the accumulation of fat in our fat cells. Citrulline is an amino acid which converts into arginine with help from the kidneys. When our bodies absorb citrulline it can take the step of converting into arginine if so required. Citrulline, when consumed, has the ability to (through a series of steps) block the activity of TNAP (tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase) which makes our fat cells create less fat, and thus helps prevent over-accumulation of body fat.

3. Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant Support

Watermelon is rich in phenolic compounds like flavonoids, carotenoids, and triterpenoids. The carotenoid lycopene in watermelon is particularly beneficial in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals. The tripterpenoid cucurbitacin E is also present in watermelon, which provides anti-inflammatory support by blocking activity of cyclo-oxygenase enzymes which normally lead to increased inflammatory support. Make sure you pick ripe watermelons, because they contain higher amounts of these beneficial phenolic compounds.

4. Diuretic & Kidney Support

Watermelon is a natural diuretic which helps increase the flow of urine, but does not strain the kidneys (unlike alcohol and caffeine). Watermelons helps the liver process ammonia (waste from protein digestion) which eases strain on the kidneys while getting rid of excess fluids.

5. Muscle & Nerve Support

Rich in potassium, watermelon is a great natural electrolyte and thus helps regulate the action of nerves and muscles in our body. Potassium determines the degree and frequency with which our muscles contract, and controls the excitation of nerves in our body.

6. Alkaline-forming

Watermelons have an alkaline-forming effect in the body when fully ripe. Eating lots of alkaline-forming foods (fresh, ripe, fruit and vegetables) can help reduce your risk of developing disease and illness caused by a high-acid diet (namely, meat, eggs and dairy).

7. Improves Eye Health

Watermelon is a wonderful source of beta-carotene (that rich red hue of watermelon = beta carotene) which is converted in the body to vitamin A. It helps produce the pigments in the retina of the eye and protects against age-related macular degeneration as well as prevents night blindness. Vitamin A also maintains healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, and mucus membranes.

8. Immune Support, Wound Healing & Prevents Cell Damage

The vitamin C content in watermelon is astoundingly high. Vitamin C is great at improving our immune system by maintaining the redox integrity of cells and thereby protecting them from reactive oxygen species (which damages our cells and DNA). The role of vitamin C in healing wounds has also been observed in numerous studies because it is essential to the formation of new connective tissue. The enzymes involved in forming collagen (the main component of wound healing) cannot function without vitamin C. If you are suffering from any slow-healing wounds, up your intake of vitamin C heavy fruit.

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17:39

Long working hours and tight schedules may not allow you to stick to your fitness goals. Most of us skip meals and eat unhealthy food. It also becomes difficult to make time for exercise due to office deadlines and commuting. Due to our sedentary lifestyle, we slowly tend to get out of shape. However, with a little discipline you can easily manage both work and weight loss.

Exercise in the morning: Dietician Sunaina Khetarpal suggests motivating yourself and going for a brisk walk for an hour in the morning. You can also choose to exercise at home or hit the gym. An hour of exercise is a must to help you burn your calories.

Schedule your workouts: If you want to make sure that you don’t miss out on your exercises, you have to schedule it. Utilise your lunch break to go for short walk or the gym, or even do office exercises sitting at your desk.

Workout for short durations: Try short workouts and find simple ways to exercise to save your time. For example, the 7-minute workout is a high intensity workout which works on different body parts.

Take the stairs: Take the stairs whenever you can to burn those calories. Walking up and down the stairs is a great cardio workout and will give you a good leg workout as well.

Make workouts fun: Do what you love and you will stick to it. If you do not like the gym, sign up for a yoga, Pilates, martial arts or dance class after your office. You will enjoy your workout sessions while getting in shape. You may also be interested in reading how to fit exercise to your busy schedule. These five fat burning yoga poses you can do at office might also be of help to you.

Healthy eating tips for busy people

Do not skip breakfast: Never skip your breakfast if you want to stay fit and healthy. According to dietician Sunaina, eating a protein-rich breakfast will help you in maintaining your weight and keeping hunger pangs at bay.

Eat whole grains: Sunaina suggests consuming whole grains like whole wheat, oats, bajra, ragi, barley, brown rice, instead of breads made from refined wheat, refined corns and white rice.

Eat frequently: Fill up gaps between major meals with fruits, roasted chana, murmure rather than biscuits, chips and namkeens. Sprouts, boiled or roasted chana eaten as a snack will help you maintain your weight.

Avoid salt: Try to have one salt-free and fat-free meal like sweet dalia, or any porridge. Sunaina says, ‘Excessive use of salt in your diet can cause fluid retention in your body. You can use cinnamon, fruits, or other complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes or sweet corns to provide sweetness to your porridge.’

Avoid colas: Avoid drinking high-calorie sodas, cold drinks, and juices as they are loaded with sugar. Instead try to drink home-made lemonade with less sugar and less salt, fruit shake, lassi or buttermilk, jaljeera and coconut water.

Choose your food wisely: Whenever possible, eat home-made food. But if you cannot always cook, make sure what you eat out is healthy. Don’t opt for calorie-laden dishes. Have a side salad and customise your order with less oil or butter.

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10:46

Available in the market all round the year, oranges are the most common citrus fruits consumed in India. They are not only popular for their raww pulpy slices, juicy nature, and tangy and sweet flavour but also for their goodness of vitamin C. Also called the golden apple, oranges offer numerous benefits covering health as well as beauty aspects. Here are the top 10 health benefits you can derive by eating oranges.

#1 Boosts immunity
Oranges is an excellent source of vitamin C. A single medium-sized orange can fulfil about 72% of your daily requirement for vitamin C. Since vitamin C plays a crucial role as an antioxidant by protecting your body against the damage caused by free radicals generated in the body. It therefore reduces inflammation in immune related conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Although debatable, researchers suggest that vitamin C also plays an important role in strengthening immune responses of the body, protecting against recurring cold and cough or any other common infections.

#2 Helps prevent ageing of skin
There’s a reason why oranges are popularly used in the beauty industry. Several beauty products including face packs, masks and creams that are available contain orange extract as a key ingredient. That’s because vitamin C present in oranges also helps prevent skin damage, by eliminating free radicals. Vitamin C, being involved in synthesis of collagen, an important component to maintain skin’s overall appearance and texture, prevents premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. Apart from vitamin C, oranges are packed with vitamin A that help keep the skin membranes healthy.

#3 Protects the eyes
Vitamin A in oranges helps keep mucus membranes in the eyes healthy. Available in the form of carotenoid compounds like lutein, beta carotene and zeaxanthin, vitamin A is protective against age-related macular degeneration, a vision-related condition that causes blindness. Besides, it also plays an important role in allowing your eyes to absorb the light.

#4 Help prevents heart disease
This is yet another health benefit of oranges which is attributed to its vitamin C level. Free radicals generated during various reactions taking place in the cells can trigger oxidation of cholesterol, causing the oxidised molecules to aggregate and stick to the walls of the arteries. This leads to build up of plaques that eventually block the arteries, causing heart attack, coronary artery disease or even stroke. Vitamin C in oranges takes care of these free radicals and neutralises them, thus playing a role in preventing heart disease. Besides they also contain flavonoids like hesperidin that lowers cholesterol level and prevents the arteries from getting blocked.

#5 Helps brain development
Folate/folic acid or vitamin B9 present in oranges promote brain development and keep the vital organ in mint condition. In fact, these nutrients also make orange a healthy fruit for pregnant woman as it prevents the baby from having neurological disorders later. Oranges also contain phytonutrients called polyphenols that play a role in development of learning and memory functions of the brain.

#6 Helps prevent cancer
Oranges contain a compound called D – limonene that has been shown to play an important role in preventing various types of cancer like lung cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, etc. Additionally, the antioxidants and Vitamin C help promote the body’s immunity which helps in fighting cancer cells. Oranges are highly fibrous fruits, which contributes to its cancer-protecting effect. A study revealed that about 10 to 15 per cent of colon cancer cases are caused by mutations in the DNA. These mutations can prevented by consuming vitamin C rich sources like oranges.

#7 Prevents constipation
Oranges are a very good source of soluble and insoluble fibre, which helps keep your stomach and intestines healthy by preventing problems like irritable bowel syndrome. The fibre content in them adds bulk to the digested food and reduces transit time of feces, preventing constipation and straining.

#8 Improves sperm quality
Death is inevitable, but our legacy may live on through our offspring. The antioxidants and Vitamin C present in most fruits, including oranges improves the quality and motility of your sperm thus keeping you fertile. Another vitamin called folic acid also is an essential nutrient for maintaining healthy sperms that you can obtain from oranges. It also protects the sperm from genetic damage, which might lead to birth defects.

#9 Great for diabetics
The rich fibre content of oranges has the ability to keep a track of sugar levels in the body, preventing diabetes. It is also a good option for those who are diabetic. Also worth mentioning is that good oranges have a sweet taste, and since diabetics aren’t allowed to eat sweets or other sugary foods, they can eat oranges to tingle their taste buds.

#10 Prevents hair loss
Orange has high Vitamin C content which is required for producing collagen which, in turn, is responsible for keeping the tissues in your hair together. Nobody likes bald patches on their head, and eating oranges can ensure that you do not have to part with your lovely hair as you grow older.

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10:38

Green World Ganoderma has the most significant medical efficacy. Pharmacological researches have proved that ganoderma can significantly enhance immunity, regulate blood sugar, control blood pressure, assist the chemo-radiotherapy of tumor, protect liver and improve sleep.

Characteristics of the product
First class coffee: low caffeine content which can help slimming.
Ganoderma has the best medical efficacy for promoting better health.
Temperate, good taste and full –bodied flavor.

Effect of Ganoderma Coffee:
1. Balances blood sugar levels and pancreatic functions.
2. Protects against skin cell degeneration, improving skins texture and reducing appearance of aging
3. Eliminates toxins accumulated in the body
4. Increases metabolism
5. Reduces fatigue
6. Contains anti-oxidants that inhibit damaging free radicals
7. Helps unclog arteries and supports liver function
8. Boosts energy
9. Improves the digestive system
10. Relieves sinus congestion and other respiratory problems
11. Rejuvenates body tissues and cells
12. Boost all body functions
13. Beautifies the skin by improving vitality
14. Effectively aids in the healing of skin wounds, scrapes, psoriasis, mouth ulcers, external bleeding, bug bits and stings.

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10:19

MyChoco Alkaline Drink

MyChoco is perfect on-the-go indulgence for people who enjoy treating themselves. It is a refreshing beverage, blended with real chocolate, a touch of fruity flavour and made available any time!

Ingredients: Premium Cocoa Blend, Milk, sugar, Complete Phyto-energizer, DHA Powder and Phyto-Alkaline Powder.

Enrich your health with a delicious, functional, chocolate fruit replacement beverage that can be beneficial for both kids and adults Fortified with DHA, essential to mental, visual and neurological acuities needed for memory, concentration and focus. Embrace your way to mega-nutritional and fun-drinking habits that support your dietary needs for a stronger body and sharper mind… Alive!!!

YOUR BENEFITS

Lowers cholesterol level
Protects against heart disease and complications
Helps prevent cancer of any origin
Controls high-blood pressure
Prevents degenerative diseases such as Arthritis and Rheumatism
Reduces the risk of developing Type II Diabetes
Prevents Parkinson’s Disease
Enhances, nourishes, strengthens and balances the Immune System
Detoxifies the Body
Offset damage of smoking and heavy alcohol intake
Enhances sexual vitality
Rejuvenates the skin
Improves performance and endurance during exercise
Enhances concentration
Reduces fatigue
Heightens alertness
Increases sperm motility
Relieves headache
Promotes healthy blood circulation and cell regeneration

MyChoco is added to hot or cold water to give it a malted chocolate flavor and extra texture.

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09:55

FertiliTea
FertiliTea is the natural, healthful - and delicious - herbal fertility tea designed to support the entire reproductive system and help increase your chances of conceiving. FertiliTea brings together scientifically-validated herbal ingredients (including vitex) to help restore female balance and promote reproductive wellness.

Designed by Amos Grunebaum (MD), an internationally recognized fertility expert, FertiliTea is the only herbal tea that offers a complete spectrum of fertility-enhancing ingredients, chasteberry (vitex) and red raspberry leaf which have been shown to help conception efforts. A tea for fertility health, FertiliTea offers a comprehensive blend of organic herbs that are both safe and effective.

Each bag of FertiliTea is vacuum-sealed for freshness and contains a 1 month supply of this nutritive herbal tonic. All ingredients are organic and wild crafted, and of the freshest and highest quality with no preservatives or additives. FertiliTea offers a zesty, refreshing aroma and delightful mint flavor - the perfect companion for anytime, every day.

Why a loose-leaf tea? A loose-leaf tea ensures maximum freshness, flavor and, most importantly, nutritional support. Herbal tea leaves need room to expand in order to properly transfer all their nutrients. Our airtight, light-proof bags keep tea fresh for up to two years and contain no glues or staples that are commonly used in teabags.

Highlights
• Directions for use: FertiliTea is a loose leaf tea, use 1 teaspoon to each cup of water. Bring water to a boil and add herbal tea directly or by using a tea ball or infuser. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes straining out any leaves before drinking.

• Drink 2-3 cups per day beginning right away, there is no need to wait for a particular time within your cycle to start.

• One bag is generally a 1-month supply.

• Intended for daily use by women trying to conceive.

• Manufactured in the U.S. in a GMP-certified facility; guaranteed quality and potency

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09:32

What is stress

Stress is usually believed to hinder one’s health and well-being in many ways. However, it can also come in the way of conception for couples trying for a baby. Hence, it is imperative for women to decrease their daily stress levels before planning for a pregnancy for smooth conception and a healthy pregnancy.

Here is how high stress levels can affect conception.

It can lead to decreased egg production:

Stress induces various hormonal secretions in the body that leads to imbalance in the system. Stress disrupts the functioning of the hypothalamus, the gland, responsible for proper functioning and secretion of various hormones of the endocrine system. This in turn also affects the hormones that help in the production of ovum or eggs. When stress comes in the way of ovulation, it is termed as stress-induced anovulation. This condition leads to late ovulation in a cycle or no ovulation at all, hence leading to problems with conception.

It affects male fertility:

Stress not only interferes with female reproductive functions, it also disrupts the functioning of the male reproductive system. Chronic stress both physically and mentally results in lower testosterone production, less sperm count and other problems like erectile dysfunction that can make it difficult for a couple to conceive despite their desires.

It disturbs the functioning of the endocrine system:

Stress doesn’t always result in reproductive issues directly. The various hormonal changes happening in the body that disturbs the normal functions like irregular sleep, digestion, fatigue, weight gain can indirectly affect the reproductive cycle in a woman and lower sperm count in the males. Apart from this thyroid troubles in women can affect pregnancy to a great extent.

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09:14

Living with Diabetes???

Here are few things you need to do to live with diabetes without falling prey to other complications:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day:

Diabetes and oral health are interlinked. High blood sugar can be a trigger for various gum diseases and infections. On the other hand, gum disease can make it harder to control diabetes. Over time plaque collects on the surface of your teeth, hardens to form tartar and settles on the gum line. It makes cleaning between the teeth difficult leading to painful, inflamed gums. Moreover, the glucose present in saliva also affects the health of your teeth and the tissues of your tongue, roof and the back of the mouth. So brush twice daily and floss at least once a day. Rinsing your mouth after every two hours will also help you keep your mouth healthy.

2. Opt for strength training:

Brisk walking, aerobic exercises and yoga can go a long way in managing diabetes, but strength training can do wonders. It improves insulin sensitivity of the body and helps to control blood sugar. When you exercise with weights or other forms of resistance you work on your muscles, tire them out and burn calories. The body then uses glucose from the bloodstream to power the muscles, reducing blood sugar level. Apart from this, strength training also aids weight loss that helps to manage diabetes. However, talk to your doctor before taking up a weight training program. Check your blood sugar level before and after exercising to know if there is a dip in your sugar level.

3. Eat fibre rich foods:

You know the basics of following a good diet if you are a diabetic – less sugar, more complex carbohydrates, etc. But giving importance to fibre is far more necessary than thinking about curbing sugar. There are studies that indicate high-fibre diets help to initiate carbohydrate metabolism, lower cholesterol level and help to control diabetes. However, it is essential to include fibre moderately in the diet along with other macro and micro nutrients. To improve your fibre intake, choose whole fruits over fruit juices. Eat more legumes like rajma, chickpeas and black-eyed peas over the split moong and masoor dals. Leafy green vegetables, oatmeal, multigrain bread, are few foods that are rich in fibre.

4. Choose shoes wisely:

One simple thing that you can do to save your feet from the perils of the condition is to get shoes with big toe boxes or the ones that fit you snugly and is comfortable. Blisters, sores or friction can be hard on your feet and make way for infections if you are bruised that would need a lot of attention and care. Remember with diabetes problems like gangrene and diabetic foot is common. Closed shoes can put more pressure on your feet and hurt them. Another way to protect your feet is to wear socks to reduce friction.

5. Manage stress:

We always talk about practising yoga, meditating, going for a run, walking with your pet, reading a book, cooking or doing whatever that helps you control daily stress. However, you can download apps that will help you keep a tab on your stress levels Hormonal imbalances that happen due to acute or chronic stress can affect your health in many ways. One way it increases the blood sugar level that is dangerous for a diabetic. It can also trigger obesity and increase blood pressure that can harm your heart. So close your eyes and breath to kill stress before it kills you.

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09:00

Overview

Garlic is one of the most common ingredients in Indian dishes but apart from imparting flavour to food, this tiny, white pod also has immense medicinal properties. Used since time immemorial to treat various ailments, garlic is one ingredient in your kitchen that has a number of uses. Here are the top 15 health benefits of garlic you should know about.

Internal Contents of Garlic

It has a variety of potent sulphur-containing compounds which are the reason for its characteristic pungent odour.

Allicin, the vital compound in the pod, is known to have great anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties. That is why garlic is best had when it’s finely chopped, minced or pureed and let sit for some time.

Garlic is also a reliable source of selenium.

Allicin, along with other compounds like ajoene, alliin, etc. also have a healing effect on your circulatory, digestive and immunological systems and help in lowering blood pressure, detoxification, healing, etc.

1. Helps keep bacterial and viral infections at bay

Due to its innate compounds, garlic can help keep both bacterial and viral infections at bay.

They help control bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections.
Fresh garlic is thought to play a role in preventing food poisoning by killing bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella enteritidis, etc.

2. Can help treat skin infections

Since it has both antibacterial and antiviral properties, garlic is great when it comes to treating skin infections.

The chemical ajoene found in garlic may help treat fungal skin infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot.

If you have a skin infection, you could apply the juice of come crushed garlic cloves on the area once or twice a day. Wash the juice off with some clean, room temperature water.

3. Helps prevent the formation of clots in the body

The anti-clotting properties of ajoene found in garlic help in preventing the formation of blood clots in the body. While this fact is great for people with heart ailments and those prone to suffering from a stroke and other clotting disorders, it may also increase the risk of bleeding after surgery.

To help stay healthy have one crushed garlic pod everyday on an empty stomach.

4. Can keep your blood pressure levels in check

Allicin in garlic blocks the activity of angiotensin II (a protein that is responsible for increase in blood pressure) and helps in reducing blood pressure.

The polysulphides present in garlic are converted into a gas called hydrogen sulphide by red blood cells that helps dilate your blood vessels and helps control blood pressure. If your blood pressure levels are of concern, there are natural alternatives to blood pressure medication that you could try after speaking to your doctor about the change.

To help control your blood pressure you could add garlic to your daily meals. Apart from that you could also eat one pod of raw garlic on an empty stomach to keep your blood pressure under control.

5. Helps protect your heart

With age, your arteries tend to lose their ability to stretch and garlic can help maintain their elasticity.

It also helps protect the heart from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals.

The sulphur-containing compounds of garlic also prevent our blood vessels from becoming blocked and slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

The anti-clotting properties of ajoene (a compound present in garlic) helps prevent the formation of clots inside your blood vessels.

6. Can reduce the levels of bad cholesterol

The allicin present in garlic helps moderately lower our blood triglycerides and total cholesterol.

This compound also helps reduce arterial plaque formation.

7. Combat allergies

The anti-arthritic property of garlic is due to diallyl sulphide and thiacremonone.

Garlic has also been show to improve allergic airway inflammation (allergic rhinitis).

Raw garlic juice may be used to immediately stop the itching due to rashes and bug bites.

8. Can protect you against frequent colds and bouts of sore throat

The daily use of garlic might reduce the frequency and number of colds.

Its antibacterial properties help in treating throat irritations.

Garlic may also reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections.

Its ability to promote expectoration makes it irreplaceable in chronic bronchitis.

9. Helps keep your blood sugar levels in check

Garlic increases insulin release and regulates blood sugar levels in your body, especially if you are a diabetic.

10. Can help keep cancer at bay

Garlic’s anti-cancer properties are due to the allyl sulphides it contains.

According to studies, diallyl sulphide found in garlic inhibits the transformation of PhIP (a type of compound that has been associated with increased incidence of breast cancer) into carcinogens.

11. Helps beat iron deficiency and anaemia

Diallyl sulphides present in garlic increase the production of ferroportin (a protein that helps in the absorption and release of iron) and improves iron metabolism — all of which helps prevent iron deficiency and associated diseases like anaemia.

12. Can give your sex life a much needed boost

Garlic’s aphrodisiac properties which is due to its ability to increase the circulation and intensifying an orgasm.

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13. Helps relieve pain caused due to a toothache

It can help relieve toothaches due to its antibacterial and analgesic properties. But be aware that it can be irritating to the gum

Simply put some crushed garlic clove directly on the affected tooth.

14. Can help you lose weight

According to recent research, garlic may help to regulate the formation of fat cells in our body by converting pre-adipocytes to fat cells (adipocytes) by preventing the conversion.

Additional Guide Here...

08:43

Description

Peptic ulcer disease refers to painful sores or ulcers in the lining of the stomach or first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.

Causes of Ulcer

No single cause has been found for ulcers. However, it is now clear that an ulcer is the end result of an imbalance between digestive fluids in the stomach and duodenum. Most ulcers are caused by an infection with a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Factors that can increase your risk for ulcers include:

Use of painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, and others), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, some types of Midol, and others), and many others available by prescription; even safety-coated aspirin and aspirin in powered form can frequently cause ulcers.
Excess acid production from gastrinomas, tumors of the acid producing cells of the stomach that increases acid output (seen in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
Excessive drinking of alcohol
Smoking or chewing tobacco
Serious illness
Radiation treatment to the area

General Symptoms of an Ulcer?

An ulcer may or may not have symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:

A gnawing or burning pain in the middle or upper stomach between meals or at night
Bloating
Heartburn
Nausea or vomiting

Special Symptoms

Dark or black stool (due to bleeding)
Vomiting blood (that can look like "coffee-grounds")
Weight loss
Severe pain in the mid to upper abdomen

Causes of Headaches

Common Types of Headaches

Tension Headaches

Migraines

How to Help Your Child

How the Kidneys Work

Symptoms of Kidney Problems

Signs and Symptoms

Start of Symptoms

Duration

Contagiousness

Prevention

Signs & Symptoms

When to Call the Doctor

Treatment

1. See your doctor or midwife as soon as possible

2. Eat well

3. Be careful about food hygiene

4. Exercise regularly

5. Cut down on or cut out alcohol

6. Get some rest

1st week of illness

2nd week of illness

3rd week of illness

4th week of illness

When to see a doctor

Keep getting negative results every time you pee on a stick? Here are five fertility saboteurs that could be the reasons you’re not getting pregnant.

1. Cardiovascular & Bone Health

2. Reduces Body Fat

3. Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant Support

4. Diuretic & Kidney Support

5. Muscle & Nerve Support

6. Alkaline-forming

7. Improves Eye Health

8. Immune Support, Wound Healing & Prevents Cell Damage

MyChoco Alkaline Drink

Causes of Ulcer

General Symptoms of an Ulcer?

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