Important Facts on Obstetric Anemia
Health

Important Facts on Obstetric Anemia

According to the World Health Organization, maternal anemia is a common condition that is experienced across the world. Anemia during pregnancy and postpartum anemia have numerous health risks to both mother and child. Thyroid and immune function may be affected. Iron is needed for many psychological processes in the human body. Studies indicate that an iron deficiency at the time of pregnancy may independently cause cognitive or behavioral abnormalities in the child. The most frequent type of obstetric anemia is Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA). It is important to know that: Maternal iron deficiency is by far known to be the most common type of obstetric anemia. Maternal anemia is still common despite the knowledge and guidelines available widely. The most frequent cause of maternal death is said to be due to maternal anemia. Maternal anemia increases the risk of induction of labor or caesarean section too. The risk of postpartum anemia is increased when the mother suffers from anemia during pregnancy. Irreversible damage linked to many harmful effects on the fetus like intrauterine growth restrictions, death in utero, infections, pre-termed delivery, and neurodevelopmental damage may be caused due to pregnancy with iron deficiency anemia. Maternal IDA should be treated, or it may carry over to the next pregnancy.
Read More
Symptoms and Risk Factors for Hepatitis
Health

Symptoms and Risk Factors for Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a condition of the liver that has a good possibility of turning chronic in a shorter time and causing severe symptoms. The condition could weigh heavily physically, mentally and financially on the individual and their families. Identifying the symptoms related to the condition at the earliest stage possible could save a lot of trouble. The following are the symptoms of various types of Hepatitis: 1. Hepatitis A The signs and symptoms of this type of Hepatitis are not exhibited until a few weeks after the virus enters the body. Every person who has contracted the virus doesn’t necessarily build the symptoms. However if they do, they would usually be: loss of appetite, joint pain, dark urine, fatigue, sudden nausea and vomiting, discomfort or pain in the abdomen on the upper right corner (by the liver), jaundice symptoms (yellowing of the white of the eyes and the skin), and intense itching. The symptoms are usually mild and should go away in a couple of weeks. The virus could in some cases build severe illnesses that could last a few months. 2. Hepatitis B These symptoms can be simply mild but also become severe in no time. They are exhibited in the time between one and four months since contracting the infection.
Read More
Symptoms and Treatments for Ulcers
Health

Symptoms and Treatments for Ulcers

The painful sores that occur on different types of the body are commonly known as ulcers. These ulcers can occur mostly on any part of the body. Common ulcers usually heal with ease within one to two weeks. However, if the ulcers take longer to heal, one should seek medical attention to understand the underlying causes. Different types of ulcers, their symptoms, and treatment options include the following: 1. Peptic ulcers These are the most common types of ulcers. These ulcers are further classified into gastric, esophageal, and duodenal ulcers based on where they occur (the stomach lining, esophagus, and the duodenum/small intestine). The symptoms of these ulcers are heartburn, vomiting, nausea, belching, bloating, chest pain, and unexpected loss of weight. The treatments for this condition would depend upon the underlying cause. Antibiotics could be prescribed if the ulcers are caused due to H.pylori infection. If the ulcers result from prolonged usage of painkillers, medication would be prescribed to either reduce the number of stomach acids produced or to provide a protective covering to the inner layers in order to avoid acid damage. 2. Arterial ulcers The symptoms of these ulcers include pain in the leg, red sores with black and yellow colors around it, hairless skin, and no bleeding from the affected area.
Read More
Treatments for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women
Health

Treatments for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women

Low libido in women is one of the most identifiable symptoms of HSDD or Hypoactive sexual desire disorder. When most people think of low sex drive, they think of older women who are currently experiencing menopause or elderly women. This is not necessarily true of women who are suffering from HSDD. Women who are as young as 20 years old have been diagnosed with HSDD. The other myth surrounding this condition is the fact that is so common and certainly treatable. Besides low libido in women, other symptoms can be problematic and will not only affect the woman’s body but her overall view of herself and significant other. Sexual activities and fantasies are significantly decreased. Some women even experience pain in intercourse as well. Female libido boosters have been recommended to enhance sexual desire in women. Long past is the day where only men were thought to have taken them. Female sex enhancers work very similarly to the way a male enhancer would work. the difference is, male sex enhancers increase blood flow while female sex enhancers do not. It stimulates arousal in the neurotransmitters in the brain. Luckily, HSDD is treatable: 1. Vyleesi (Bremelanotide) Vylessi is the only FDA-approved medication prescribed by doctors to women who are diagnosed with HSDD and have not gone through menopause (or who are in perimenopause).
Read More
Tips on How Prescription Discount Programs Work
Health

Tips on How Prescription Discount Programs Work

A prescription discount coupon, also called an RX savings card, is a program to help patients receive discounts on prescription medications. It’s easy to use, just by showing the card at a pharmacy and the pharmacist scans the card to see which discounts a patient can get. There are many drug companies, pharmacies, and other groups that sell these cards. The discount depends on the card and where it’s used: 1. Pros to having a pharmacy discount card A pharmacy card can save an uninsured person an average of 16 percent. This may not seem like a lot, but when you’re paying for prescriptions out of pocket, every little bit helps. There are some cases where the card has saved people up to 75 percent on their prescriptions. It is hard to track down savings as every card is different, and each pharmacy might have a different price for prescriptions. A 2014 study of patients taking drugs for multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases showed that half of them had discount cards. It reduced the prescription to around 250 a month. 2. Cons to having an RX savings card An Rx card will not save you a lot of money if you use insurance.
Read More
Top Early Warning Signs of Depression
Health

Top Early Warning Signs of Depression

Depression can be debilitating and affects people of every race, age, and gender. It can be caused by genes, stress, and fluctuating hormones or any combination of these. There are things that can be done to lessen the severity and even stabilize the person struggling with depression, such as doctor-prescribed medications and therapies. Recognizing the early warning symptoms of depression and seeking out professional help can help manage the condition. Here are the early warning signs of depression: 1. Weight fluctuations Weight fluctuations often accompany depression. A change of greater than five percent in weight in one month’s time in either direction (weight gain or loss) can signal that depression might be at play. Significant weight gain can affect a person’s self esteem negatively; it can also cause a person to withdraw and isolate rather than getting help. 2. Loss of interest Another common sign of depression occurs when normal activities and relationships lose meaning in a person’s life. Withdrawal of time and energy into previous areas of passion, work or lifelong interests is a huge sign that depression is creeping in. This can also include the loss of joy in activities that were formerly pleasurable including social activities and sex.
Read More
Common Odors That Trigger Migraines
Health

Common Odors That Trigger Migraines

Migraines are severe headaches that usually present as intense throbbing pain in one or both sides of the head. Often debilitating, migraine sufferers when in a severe attack can often find themselves unable to perform basic tasks. The symptoms of migraines also include severe light sensitivity and nausea. There are many triggers for migraines including dehydration, fatigue and even certain smells. When sufferers know their own personal triggers they can take steps to avoid them: 1. Cigarette smoke The reason that smells can cause migraine flares is because of a condition called Osmophobia. Harsh acrid smells such as cigarette smoke can irritate this condition and induce severe migraine headaches. Osmophobia is a hypersensitivity to any smell which is caused by an undersized olfactory bulb. A number of studies have shown that migraine sufferers tend to have a smaller than average olfactory bulb. This means that an offensive smell such as smoke is even more intense than in people with a normal sized olfactory bulb. As a result, exposure to cigarette smoke can trigger a migraine. 2. Food odors Hypersensitivity in smell and vision are both symptoms of a migraine. When migraine attacks are frequent sufferers may find that a heightened sense of smell persists between attacks.
Read More
The Worst Cities for Asthma and Allergy Patients
Health

The Worst Cities for Asthma and Allergy Patients

If you suffer from asthma or allergies then you know have probably identified common triggers that exacerbate your symptoms. Common asthmatic and allergic triggers may include environmental factors such as air pollution, car exhaust, dust, or even pollen. Depending on the city, different laws can play a big role in your quality of living if you suffer from a breathing related condition. Here are the top U.S. cities with the highest cases of allergies, asthma rates, and pollution: 1. Dayton, OH Dayton, Ohio has a very unhealthy amount of PM2.5 pollution. Although it’s mainly caused by pollen that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Now that you know of PM10 you need to know what PM2.5 is. It’s the same as PM10 besides PM2.5 are particles no bigger than 2.5 nanometers. These are much smaller particles. They will stay in the air and are easier to breathe in. This will easily irritate your eyes and respiratory system. Long-term exposure can lead to heart and lung disease. A simple online search of Dayton, Ohio Air Quality Index shows there are warnings for those that are vulnerable to avoid outdoor exertion due to high levels of pollen. 2. Cleveland, OH Cleveland, Ohio is about 200 miles away from Dayton, Ohio, and isn’t any better.
Read More
Lifestyle Changes to Treat Overactive Bladder
Health

Lifestyle Changes to Treat Overactive Bladder

The bladder is an important part of the body that holds and expels urine. When functioning correctly, the bladder will fill with urine before the walls of the organ contract and push the liquid out of the body. The symptoms of overactive bladder (or OAB) are marked by a sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control, and may lead to accidents. The following lifestyle changes are effective to ease the symptoms of OAB: 1. Eliminate foods that irritate the bladder This is the first step advised by most physicians when you are diagnosed with an overactive bladder. Changing your diet is key because certain foods and drinks have been proven to increase the need to urinate on a regular basis. These include diuretics, such as caffeine-containing drinks including tea, coffee, and soda. Spicy and tomato-based foods should be avoided because these can have a negative effect on your need to urinate urgently when affected by OAB. 2. Increase fiber intake When you are looking to improve your diet, you can improve your risk of the symptoms of OAB increasing by improving your digestion with added fiber. This usually means adding more fiber to your diet with the inclusion of oatmeal, dried fruits, vegetables, and beans to your diet.
Read More
The Early Warning Signs of Dementia
Health

The Early Warning Signs of Dementia

Dementia is a term used to refer to the loss of cognitive abilities, problem solving skills, language and memory. In fact, dementia is a group of diseases that result due to abnormal changes in the brain. There are different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s dementia, mixed dementia, and vascular dementia. Damage to brain cells is the main cause of dementia. This damage causes communication issues from brain to body, affecting the majority of cognitive processes. Below are some of the early signs of dementia to watch out for: 1. Memory loss Memory loss is one of the most common signs and symptoms of dementia, especially during the early stages. A dementia patient forgets any information learnt irrespective of how recent it was taught or told. Memory loss may also present itself through the patient using reminder notes for references, asking the same questions over and over, or forgetting important events and dates. Forgetting appointments and names of people and places may also be related to the normal aging process, but these memory slips are usually just temporary. 2. Problem solving difficulties Some dementia patients may find it hard to work with numbers, for instance, keeping track of monthly bills or following recipe measurement.
Read More