According to a study by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) women experience a slight rise in body temperature immediately after ovulation. One can monitor this temperature first thing in the morning to determine occurrence of ovulation. Sometimes temperature reading is affected due to fever, alcohol, restless sleep or exertion.
Other overt signs of Ovulation are tenderness of breasts, abdominal cramps or twinges, increased vaginal discharge or change in position or firmness of the cervix. Occasional discomfort and abdominal pain caused by irritation to the abdominal wall from blood and fluid escaping from ruptured follicles is a minor irritant. This pain can be mild or intense, lasting for a minute or couple of hours.
Sometimes you will experience alteration in chemical composition of cervical mucus resembling a raw egg white. The change projects that a woman is at her fertile best and that Ovulation is taking place. On day of Ovulation your body produces a wet and slippery vaginal discharge that gradually thickens and reduces in quantity. But throughout this cycle one needs to be careful about vaginal infection, sexually transmitted diseases, too much sexual excitement or use of lubricants during intercourse.
Body changes, including obesity or being underweight, has an effect on ovulation. Maintain a standard weight according to height by exercising regularly and eating moderately. Crash dieting, emotional stress, unbalanced food habits or too much physical activity affects ovulation. In a way these are signs to improve lifestyle if a woman wants to experience Ovulation and pregnancy. Recognize Ovulation signs and, to be doubly sure, take help of predictor tests. This way you can make optimal use of changes taking place in your body and you boost the odds by having sexual intercourse during this most favorable time.
Archive for January, 2010
A complete blood count, which includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, differential (what types of white blood cells are present), and platelet count, is one of the most common baseline tests ordered in an arthritis clinic. It is used for diagnosis and monitoring of medications and is also used to detect blood disorders such as anemia.
Understanding the cause of anemia in a patient with arthritis is important to providing appropriate treatment. For instance anemia can be due to abnormal destruction of red blood cells due to antibodies directed against the red blood cells. This phenomenon is occasionally seen in diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Low white blood cells counts and low platelet counts can also be seen in SLE.
Many types of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, etc., are associated with an anemia called the “anemia of chronic disease.” This type of anemia does not respond to iron. Red blood cells are normal size and normal color. The anemia is due to inflammation which “locks” the iron inside the bone marrow and prevents it from being used to make new red blood cells. The treatment for this anemia is better control of the arthritis.
Contrast that with the anemia from iron deficiency. This can be seen in patients treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) who develop gastrointestinal bleeding. The anemia is caused by loss of blood and will respond to iron therapy. Red blood cells are small and pale.
Therapy with drugs such as methotrexate can lead to a deficiency of folate. This folate deficiency also causes an anemia. The anemia in this case is associated with large red blood cells. It is a sign that the patient needs to be treated with folic acid. Azathioprine is another drug used for arthritis that causes an anemia with large red blood cells.
Anemia should be investigated to determine whether the anemia is due to drug toxicity, complications of the arthritis, or some other cause. For example, a patient with large red blood cells may have a vitamin B12 deficiency accounting for their anemia.
Patients with anemia may complain of being fatigued or of feeling weak.
Patients with low platelet counts may be an increased risk for developing severe bleeding.
Patients with low white blood cell counts may be at increased risk for infections.
The presence of anemia or other blood abnormality will be an important determinant of the course of action needed to treat the patient and their arthritis.
Patient receiving arthritis medicines are at increased risk for developing different side effects. As a result they need to be monitored carefully.
Herpes and pregnancy can occur at the same time. In fact 20% to 25% of pregnant women worldwide have genital herpes – some are active and some are asymptomatic.
Although the mothers-to-be are not at risk, the unborn baby may be in danger.
The degree of risk the baby faces is dependent on three major factors:
The herpes infection timeline. Whether antibodies are present in the mother-to-be. Whether there has been enough time for antibodies to develop in the baby before the onset of labor. Let me explain:
As a result of a herpes primary infection, the system produces antibodies to the particular type of virus involved.
If a woman contracts herpes, approximately six weeks after the primary outbreak the resultant antibodies in her system will prevent infection of an additional form of her particular HSV infection.
What’s more important regarding herpes and pregnancy, after six to nine weeks, the baby will acquire antibodies via the placenta.
Once that has happened, it is extremely difficult for cross infection to occur while the infant is still in the womb. It also makes it unlikely that the baby will become infected if the mother happens to be in the viral shedding stage during birth.
The Herpes Infection Timeline
There are three possible scenarios if herpes and pregnancy coincide:
If the woman had herpes before becoming pregnant, antibodies will be present in her system and she will transfer them to the fetus. If the mother is in the viral shedding stage during labor, there is less than a 1% chance of the baby becoming infected during vaginal birth. If primary infection occurred shortly before, or during the first trimester of pregnancy, the unborn baby is at risk. Since it takes approximately 6 weeks for antibodies to appear, there is a 3% chance of the infant becoming infected by viral shedding during vaginal birth. In rare cases, transmission could occur via the placenta. In this instance there is a 5% possibility of the baby being born with serious birth defects. If primary infection occurred during the second or third trimester of the pregnancy, this situation presents the highest risk of transferring the virus to the baby during vaginal birth. In this scenario, if the virus is shedding during labor, there is an up to 50% chance of the infant acquiring neonatal disease. Therefore a Caesarian section, rather than vaginal birth is essential. In the case of a first outbreak during pregnancy, the doctor should call for a “Western blot” blood test in order to:
a) Identify the type of virus.
b) To tell whether the outbreak was a non-primary first occurrence, or a primary outbreak.
Since the immune system is suppressed during pregnancy, 80% of herpes positive pregnant women will experience an average of 3 outbreaks during the gestation period.
Herpes Treatment During Pregnancy
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend daily suppressive antiviral therapy to be given to herpes positive women from the 36th week of pregnancy.
This limits HSV recurrence and shedding during childbirth, thereby reducing the need for caesarean section.
Since the drug ‘acyclovir’ was subjected to a clinical study of 1000 pregnant women in which there were no increases in birth defects, it remains the drug of choice during pregnancy.
For women infected during the second or third trimester, daily suppressive treatment with antiviral herpes medicine as described above, should be considered. For others, this antiviral therapy is recommended during the final 10 days prior to delivery.
This will all but eliminate the chances of viral shedding while giving birth.
Herpes and Pregnancy – Vaginal Delivery or Cesarean Section?
Vaginal birth presents the greatest risk of cross transmission between mother and child. If lesions are detected on either the cervix, inside walls of the vagina, urethra or on the vulva prior to delivery, a Cesarean section would be necessary. As a safety precaution, women infected during the second or third trimester of pregnancy should seriously consider opting for a Cesarean section. This would virtually eliminate the chances of the baby becoming infected by viral shedding. If a woman has oral herpes lesions, they should be covered with an occlusive dressing before vaginal delivery. In other cases there is less than a 1% chance of the baby suffering from neonatal disease, so a vaginal delivery would be the logical option for most women.
Herpes and Pregnancy – Precautions During Pregnancy
If both you and your partner appear to be herpes negative, the following is worth discussing:
Since 90% of herpes positive victims have never had a primary outbreak, both of you should consider having a herpes blood test.
This would be a sensible precaution against unwittingly transmitting the virus either way during the shedding process. Alternatively, you might both consider taking daily antiviral medication throughout your pregnancy.
A latex condom should be used during vaginal, anal or oral sex in order to reduce the chances of transmission. Skip all sexual contact if either you or your partner has a herpes outbreak or experiences prodromal symptoms (tingling, itching or pain in the area of an impending outbreak). If either of you has oral herpes, avoid skin-to-skin contact with the infected area. Abstain from sex altogether during the third trimester of your pregnancy.
Teen drug addiction treatment includes methadone maintenance, drug-free programs and psychological treatments. These drug addiction treatment facilities are offered to any kind of alcohol abuse in teens. Public and private sectors are offering various addiction treatment facilities for struggling teenagers, which is very helpful and supportive to recover from addictions.
All the treatments are professionally designed with years of experience in treating drug addicted teens. Specialists design a treatment approach for each individual based on the initial analysis of teen addiction. Majority of drug rehab centers provide various result oriented facilities such as boarding programs, day programs, individual support, good playgrounds, clinical facilities which bring a new change in teenagers.
The boarding facilities of these rehab centers are very attractive and helpful. Most of these boarding rehab centers offer twenty four hour helpline services to drug addicted teens. Drug addiction treatments offered by Christian rehab centers are flexible for any kind of alcohol abusers. These Christian rehabs offer price less services to affordable cost. Most of the alcohol rehabs are state funded and offer various flexible financial options to drug addicted teens. They provide some special facilities for families with low income and experiencing various types of addiction problems.
The counseling services offered by the alcohol rehabs help teen addicts and families to understand the importance of alcohol addiction treatments in a specialized drug rehabs. Most of the addiction treatment centers offer same kind of facilities for boys and girls experiencing addictions. There are some single gender addiction treatment centers are also available for the disordered teenagers.
These single gender centers are very helpful for girls. They provide all necessary and modern addiction treatment facilities to teens with the help of drug addiction treatment specialists. The staff members of these centers are very caring, helpful and experienced in changing most of the addicted teens to responsible individuals.
Most of the drug treatment schools are very old and have good experience in helping addicted teens. Number of addiction treatment centers is increasing day by day as the addicts are increasing rapidly. At this crucial time choosing a recognized and experienced drug rehab is essential to come out of these drug addictions in a professional approach.
The flu shot is always a hot topic of discussion this time of year. There is always such a sense of panic and fear that sends people running to get their flu shot. I’m always the “odd man out”, for I go running in the opposite direction. The toxins in the vaccines create side effects for some that are as bad as or worse than the flu such as muscle aches, sore throat, fever, chills, congestion, sneezing and headache. There are many undesirable ingredients in the flu vaccine that we don’t hear much about such as Triton X-100 (a detergent); Polysorbate 80 (a potential carcinogen); formaldehyde (a known carcinogen); Aluminum (linked to Alzheimer’s disease) and Thimerosal, (a mercury based preservative) which is being investigated for its link to brain injury, memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmune diseases. Hugh Fundenberg, MD an immuno- geneticist and biologist with nearly 850 papers published in peer review journals, has reported that if an individual had 5 consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied), his or her chances of getting Alzheimer’s Disease is 10 times higher than if they had 1 or 2 flu shots due to the mercury content. Autism is also being linked to vaccinations due to the mercury. Many doctors of natural medicine believe that and vaccines are “quick fixes” that suppress and or destroy our own immunity leaving humanity as sitting ducks for new strains of pathogens which mutate faster than the vaccines are produced. By the time one gets the flu shot, there will be newly mutated strains that will not be covered with the current shot. It will be covered in next years shot, but the same cycle will occur.
Whether one chooses the flu shot or not, there are safe and effective ways to build immunity and ward off the flu as well as other respiratory problems. The obvious is to eat a healthy diet eliminating or greatly reducing; soda’s, refined flour, sugar and artificial sweeteners (including sucralose), alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Exercise regularly, obtain adequate sleep and drink plenty of purified water. The Center of Disease Control states that dirty hands are the leading cause of spreading disease and advises that all adults and children wash their hands with soap and water many times throughout the day.
There are nutritional supplements that specifically support the immune system. There are popular homeopathic flu remedies such as Oscillococcinum by Boiron that can be taken as a preventative; just a few pellets under the tongue 3 times a week. Silver water in the form of colloidal or ionized silver has been used for centuries and has anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. A teaspoon a day may be used as prevention during flu season. My favorite brand is Silver Biotics Concentrated oil of Mediterranean wild oregano has been proven to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and may be consumed at 5-10 drops a few times a day with food. Elderberry is a popular anti-viral herb that is sometimes traded under the name of Sambucol. There are many effective immune enhancing formulas which contain many vitamins, minerals, herbs and homeopathics that target immune system support. Some of these nutrients include; colostrum, goldenseal, echinacea, elderberry, zinc, astragalus, garlic, olive leaf, silver, vitamins A,B,C, E, and so on.
Nourishing the immune system is like building a second line of defense. It’s simple… If you are healthy…you won’t get sick.
This Article provided by Mike Comeau, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Always consult your doctor when seeking medical advice.
Please feel free to read more of this article by visiting my link in the resource box below. I always enjoy getting emails pertaining to my articles or my site. Your feedback is important to me.
Smoking has a lot of serious effects on your health and so if you are a smoker there are a number of reasons why you should stop now and save yourself from its ill effects. There are around 4000 chemicals in cigarettes that are deadly to the body and they severely affect the internal functioning of the body. These toxics also affect the immune system of the human body too. The effects of cigarette smoking are destructive and they result in many fatal ailments like lung cancer. The nicotine in cigarette smoke reaches the brain and after 10 seconds of consumption. The smoke is so deadly that it spreads to every part of the body rapidly. The carbon monoxide blends with the hemoglobin in the red blood cells and affects oxygen circulation.
There are many cancer causing agents that are called carcinogens present in tobacco smoke that damage important genes that are related to the growth of cells. These cells grow abnormally and reproduce rapidly. These cancerous cells multiply in the body and the person falls prey to cancer. A regular smoker also has the risks of respiratory and other infections also. Another damage that is caused by cancer is oxidative stress that harms DNA and promotes atherosclerosis that in turns leads to chronic lung disorder and injury. The oxidative process is said to be the major factor behind the aging process. It also leads to the development of cardiovascular disease. The body needs antioxidants to repair the damaged cells and smoking reduces the levels of antioxidants in the body. Oxidative stress also results in damaging chronic inflammation.
When you stop smoking you reduce the risks of so many disorders. Smoking over the years put you into a lot of pain and discomfort. There are many people who smoke for fad or just to be in vogue. What they do not realize is that they are putting themselves into the hands of death. Gradually smoking takes over their bodies and it becomes difficult for them to kick the habit even if they want to. Quitting smoking is not impossible if you are ready and strong enough mentally to face the challenge. Smokers can quit with commitment and discipline. They have to be prepared and not give in to cravings. The results are wonderful as you regain a healthy and natural balance. Moreover, it also gives you the mental boost that you are ready to face hard challenges in life. Breaking the smoking habit is indeed tough however, there are people who have done it successfully and are proud to be achievers. They are a constant source of inspiration for those who are trying to kick the habit. You can get in touch with so many people who have tried giving up smoking but it is hard to find people who have been successful.
You can be an achiever and break the habit of smoking by being strong. There are many ways by which you can start off but the most important way is self motivation. Use this inherent weapon to combat the urge of smoking and emerge as a winner with pride!
If you suffer from Avocado Allergy then you suffer from allergies Type 1 or contact allergy. The proteins found in avocado trigger the immune system to reaction. Antibodies and histamines are releases into the blood stream in an attempt to neutralize the protein. These chemicals trigger the allergic symptoms. In sever cases Epinephrine, also call Adrenaline, is administered to control the anaphylaxis reaction.
Reactions usually begin within a couple of minutes to several hours after exposure to avocado. Mild symptoms involve skin redness, hives, or itching. In more sever cases the respiratory system is involved. Wheezing, coughing or difficulty in breathing may be noted. If any of the breathing symptoms occur or if the other symptoms are pronounced then prompt emergency treatment is needed.
Sensitivity can develop over time and may not appear when you are expose to the irritant the first several times. A good example of this is the growing number of healthcare workers that are becoming allergic to latex after regular and prolonged exposure to latex examination gloves.
Diagnosis of avocado allergies is usually performed by appropriate laboratory skin prick test. Self-diagnosis of avocado allergies can be done if a person has the same reaction every time after eating avocado.
Another test that can be performed is commonly called The Food Challenge. You are told to avoid all avocados for several weeks. The doctor will then have you eat only avocado under close supervision. If symptoms appear after eating the avocado then you are allergic to avocado and will need to avoid eating avocado in the future.
Since allergies to a single food are uncommon if you are allergic to avocado then the possibility of you developing a cross-reaction to other foods is increased. Because of the similarity between the allergens of latex and avocado if you are allergic to one then there is a good chance you may develop an allergy to the other. Other foods to be on the lookout for are banana, bay leaf, cantaloupe, chestnuts, cinnamon kiwi, and mango.
No mater what type of allergy you are suffering from their is a good chance that you can find relief from the allergy symptoms. Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Allergies such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and M.S.M.
Vitamin A is a known antioxidant and can assist the human body in the healing process. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.
Vitamin C is nature’s protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system.
Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.
M.S.M maintains the development of the body’s protein by forming flexible disulfide bonds between certain amino acids and in maintaining the strength of connective tissue. This allows water and nutrients to flow freely into cells and allows toxins to flow freely out of the cells. M.S.M increases athletic stamina and helps eliminate muscle soreness. M.S.M is a natural supplement that is getting a lot of attention due to its role in tissue healing at the cellular level. It is a natural organic sulfur that comes from rain fall and is found naturally in the human body.
If you are Allergic To Avocado then find a good health care professional prior to starting any type of home treatment.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.
Asthma, a disease of the human respiratory system, which narrows the airways, commonly in response to a “trigger” such as an exposure to an allergen, exercise, cold air, or emotional stress. This narrowing can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Between asthmatic episodes, most people with the condition feel fine.
This disease is a chronic inflammatory condition wherin the airways develop an increased responsiveness to certain stimuli, shown by bronchial hyper-responsiveness, increased mucus production, inflammation, and intermittent airway obstruction. asthma [http://www.asthmaarea.com] can be anywhere from mild to life threatening, but can generally be controlled with a combination of drugs, inhalers and changes in lifestyle. People have focused on asthma recently because of its rapidly increasing number of patients, affecting up to one in four urban children. Genetic factors can contribute to cases of asthma, but there is no clear pattern of inheritance found. It is a very complex disease which is influenced by many various developmental, genetic, and environmental factors, which work togetherto create the widespread condition.
Breast-fed babies have proved to be less susceptible to asthma. Current research indicates that the prevalence of asthma in children has been increasing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Surveys, around 9.2% of US children under 18 years old had asthma in 2001, in comparison with just 4% in 1980. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 8% of the population of Switzerland suffer from asthma today, compared to 1.9% in 1983. Asthma is more common in countries outside North America, but is by no means a problem restricted to location. “WHO” estimates that there are between 15.3 and 20.1 million asthmatics in India. In the U.S., urban residents, African Americans and Hispanics are affected moreso than the population as a whole.
Around the globe, asthma is the cause of approximately 175,000 deaths per year. Asthma and AthleticsAsthma appear to be more common in athletes than in the general population. One particular survey of participants in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games revealed that 16% had asthma, and 10% were on medication for asthma. There seems to be a high number of asthmatics in sports like mountain biking, cycling, and long-distance running, and a somewhat low percentage in weightlifting. It is not clear how much of these cases are results of the effects of training in the sport.
Whilst there are numerous pills and remedies available to treat the discomfort associated with STDs, some people prefer a more homeopathic approach. Pagans, Wiccans and aroma therapists alike are all convinced that STDs can be treated with herbs. I read up on the net about some of the alternative treatments out there and this is what I found.
Chlamydia
Cat’s claw is apparently recommended for those diagnosed with Chlamydia. This is because it both enhances the immune system and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Those who have been diagnosed with Chlamydia through STD testing are encouraged to take 500mg three times a day. However, cat’s claw should never be taken if you are pregnant or nursing and warned not to use it with blood thinners, such as aspirin.
Garlic is another prescribed remedy with some herbalists as it has strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Although if you have a hot date lined up or just want to avoid halitosis, you should ask for alternative remedies at the time of your STD testing.
Herpes
Although there is no cure for herpes, it seems that sufferers can help treat their symptoms with a range of different herbs. Echinacea is recommended for its strong antiviral and astringent properties. The herb not only helps to stimulate the immune system but it has been known to soothe irritated mucous membranes. During a herpes outbreak sufferers should take Echinacea orally as recommended on the packaging. The herb is also available in liquid form and this liquid can be painted onto the lesions to help dry them out.
Syphilis
If during STD testing, you have been diagnosed with the incurable syphilis, you may want to look towards ancient China for a cure. The herb tufuling has been used in Chinese medicine to treat syphilis since 5 AD and it seems that modern medicine is finally beginning to take notice. If you can find a Chinese herbalist in your area then the recommended treatment is usually 250g of tufuling decocted and drunk warm 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner. In a study of 30 patients, 27 of them were cured after two years of tufuling treatment. However, the acrid mixture is hard to stomach and many people find penicillin a welcome alternative.
Gonorrhoea
Country Mallow is often used by herbalists to treat gonorrhoea. Patients are offered an infusion of the roots in 0.5 to 2 drachma dosages, which it is believed can help treat the vaginal imbalance with results in gonorrhoea. An alternative herb to treat the imbalance is tinospora cordifolia, a parasite which grows on the neem tree. This may be a preferential alternative as it also has antistrigent, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Hepatitis
According to herbalists, milk thistle is ideal for treating the post-acute and chronic stages of hepatitis. Milk thistle not only helps with fatty degeneration and cirrhosis of the liver, but hepatitis sufferers believe that it brings about an improvement in appetite and general wellbeing. Sufferers may also want to tuck into an artichoke pizza as the vegetable is known to be reliable in treating liver problems. The Australian vegetable is in the same family as the milk thistle and the dandelion and when taken together all are believed to help with the symptoms of hepatitis. However, if the disease is detected during STD testing then a more conventional prescription of interferon is recommended.
While we cannot endorse any of the treatment ideas above, for those who prefer looking for alternative solutions to their STD’s, we recommend talking to a suitable and licensed practitioner in order to get more information and advice before beginning any treatments.








