Sunday, February 9, 2014

Lactose Intolerance And Pregnancy: How To Deal


Health care providers typically motivate pregnant women to drink milk for the reason that it is a great source of calcium, which is necessary for the child's growth. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need between 1200 and 1500 mg of calcium every day. The baby needs ample calcium in order to build healthy bones and teeth. If the child's calcium needs are unmet, it could result to diminished maternal bone density.

Nevertheless, many women are not able to tolerate milk simply because they are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is the incapacity to digest lactose or the sugar found in milk. With the aid of the enzyme lactase, lactose is further broken down into glucose and galactose. Lactose intolerance happens when there is a lack of lactase and when symptoms come about that correlate to the stated condition.

Approximately 30 to 50 million people in America are lactose intolerant and it is most typical among African Americans, Native Americans, and Asians. Premature infants born in between the 28th and 32nd week of gestation, are at higher risk because lactase levels only develop throughout the third trimester of pregnancy. The symptoms of lactose intolerance may vary in severity. Typical indicators involve diarrhea, nausea, cramps, gas and bloating. They usually start 30 minutes to 2 hours soon after ingesting foods made up of lactose. The discomforts of lactose intolerance may hinder a woman from ingesting milk, but there are methods to get the necessary calcium in the body.

Instead of consuming a glass of milk in one sitting, try to consume small ounces of milk at intervals. Two to 4 ounces of milk for every single interval may be much less likely to trigger signs and symptoms. It is also a good idea to consume milk during meal times to slow the digestive process. That can lessen the likelihood of signs and symptoms to arise. Ingesting various non-dairy foods that are high in calcium may also be useful in meeting the suggested calcium requirement. Foods that consist of calcium include broccoli, salmon, oranges, almonds, soy-milk and sardines. It may also be beneficial if you choose breads and juices that are calcium-fortified. Women who cannot drink milk may be astonished that they can tolerate hard cheeses like cheddar and Swiss. That is due to the fact that the processing of that dairy product changes its lactose content. Some women may additionally be able to tolerate eating yogurt. Although it has high lactose content, the bacterial cultures utilized in producing it generates some of the enzyme lactase, which is essential for appropriate digestion.

Aside from choosing calcium rich meals, it is also necessary to possess sufficient Vitamin D in the body because without having it, calcium can not be absorbed by the bones. Resources of Vitamin D include eggs and liver. Sunlight is also a great supply of Vitamin D. It is uncommon for pregnant females to believe that they are not acquiring ample calcium from their diet. Talk to your health care provider to determine whether vitamin supplements are necessary. Pregnancy entails that a woman must pay attention to the vitamins that she is getting in. After all, the baby's growth and progress would primarily rely on the vitamins that they get while inside their mom's womb.

How Yoga Benefits Pregnant Women?


The art of yoga helps you stay fit, both psychologically and physiologically. Not only does yoga relieve the stress and improve your level of concentration, but it also confers many benefits on the health of the exercisers by improving blood circulation, decreasing cholesterol levels, improving cardio-vascular efficiency, normalizing blood pressure, and improving physical strength and stamina. Moreover, prenatal yoga has been shown to lead to a healthy pregnancy by many researchers.

1) Yoga builds strength which in turn helps women carry the added pregnancy weight.

2) Regular yoga sessions have been reported to relieve the low back pain associated with pregnancy. Prenatal yoga poses such as half-moon pose, cow face pose and pigeon pose strengthen the back muscles, which in turn help take the pressure off the lower back due to increased uterus size.

3) Yoga helps relieve the irritation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy.

4) The breathing and stretching techniques in yoga help relieve stress and keep the mind of a person fit by normalizing the production of hormones in the brain. This, in turn, positively affects the health of both mother and fetus.

5) Different poses of yoga help pregnant women open their hips for childbirth. Moreover, they also help them cope with pain and ease childbirth by strengthening the muscles used in delivery.

6) Stretching and breathing exercises promote circulation of blood throughout the body. This, in turn, increases the supply of oxygen to vital body organs including uterus, thus promoting general well-being for both mother and fetus.

7) Yoga makes a great way for prenatal women to avoid the weight gain during pregnancy. Numerous yoga poses have been shown to lower the amount of cortisol in the body. This aids in fat burning and weight loss.

8) Breathing exercises such as Victorious Breath help improve the function of lungs and improve cardio-vascular efficiency in the pregnant women. Breathing also relaxes mind and body in high-stress situations.

9) Some types of pranayama, meditative practices and restorative asana have been shown to reduce inflammation, promote quality sleep, tone the muscles and improve strength of the musculoskeletal system.

10) Prenatal yoga reduces blood pressure and benefits the endocrine and excretory systems. It increases endorphin production in the brain which helps the body naturally reduce the sensation of pain.

11) Some yoga postures stimulate the pituitary gland to increase the production of prolactin, which is a hormone that aids in the production of milk in breast feeding mothers.

How to Pamper an Expectant Mum


No two women will have the same experience of pregnancy. For some it is wonderful, whereas others find it much more difficult. Even so, one thing is consistent -- it is a special time in a woman's life. She is doing the most important job there is: preparing to bring a child into the world. As such she deserves to be pampered a little. This is your opportunity to show your pregnant wife, sister or friend that you understand this, and that you care for and support her. There are lots of things you can do to make her feel special, from buying her presents such as maternity wear to taking more care of her around the home. Here are few of our ideas to help you pamper the mum-to-be in your life.

1) Gentle Exercise

Intense strenuous exercise may not be a good idea during pregnancy, but it is still important to stay fit. Light exercise will keep the expectant mother's body supple and will encourage good circulation. Taking her out for a gentle stroll to a cafe or a park will help her keep fit and provides a great opportunity for you to talk with her about the challenges and joys that await. Later in the pregnancy, as she gets bigger, she is likely to become increasingly tired. She may appreciate being taken to a local swimming pool, where she can relax and take the weight off her feet.

2) Massage

Massage is a wonderful way to alleviate the stresses and strains that are placed on a woman's body when she is carrying a child. If you have a close relationship with the mum-to-be (maybe she is your partner or sister) you could offer to massage her shoulders or her feet. The feet are particularly vulnerable during pregnancy due to the extra weight they have to support. A foot scrub and massage with essential oils is a wonderful way to show how much you care. If your relationship is not sufficiently intimate or you would feel uncomfortable doing this, you might consider paying for the mum-to-be to have a session with a specialist in pregnancy massage instead.

3) Pedicure

Why not take your pregnant friend or sister to a beauty salon where you can both enjoy a pedicure together? For an expectant mother, looking after the feet and toes is a way to maintain some control over the appearance of her body while it is changing all the time. A pedicure will make her feel beautiful, she will enjoy being pampered and you will both have the opportunity to spend some quality time together.

4) Shoes

Health and safety considerations dictate that an expectant mum must be sensible about her footwear, so shoe shopping is a necessity for any pregnant woman. But there are plenty of stylish and practical options, so there is no reason why she can't remain fashionable. Take her out shopping and buy her a pair of pretty sandals or ballet flats. It's always great to have an excuse for shoe shopping!

5) Maternity Wear

Pampering a mum-to-be is about making her feel special and confident in her appearance. It can be hard for a woman to feel elegant when her body is changing by the day. There is a huge range of fashionable and affordable maternity dresses, jeans and tops available nowadays. Spend time shopping with her, finding outfits that make her look and feel beautiful.

Some People Have Asked - What is the Purpose of Omega3 - Learn About That Purpose Here


There have been many persons asking, what is the purpose of Omega3? Well, Omega3 has quite a few purposes. Among them are the benefits to our mental health. And the way these oils help to prevent us from having a heart attack...

And especially the fact that these oils have anti-inflammatory properties. And the way these oils help our hair, skin and nails. The purposes of Omega3 are many.

The purpose of Omega3 shows itself especially when we find that it plays a role in our mental health. Omega3 supplements give us the benefit of the DHA fatty acids, these fats help to keep our brain working properly.

They tend to stop us from falling into depression, as long as we take them every day. They have the added benefit of keeping our memory in tip top shape. As they improve our focus and our concentration.

Now, the purpose of Omega3. I mentioned that Omega3 supplements help to prevent us from having a heart attack. These oils also do other jobs for us.

Another thing these oils do for us, is to thin our blood and this actually reduces our blood pressure.

Another thing I mentioned was the anti-inflammatory properties of this oil. Well, the news gets even better.

There is a company in New Zealand that has developed an Omega3 supplement that has double the anti-inflammatory properties of other highly concentrated oils.

And it gets even better, they sell their products over the internet, their products go all around the world.

Women who are pregnant have been buying this oil in huge amounts. This is because they have discovered that the DHA helps to build the foetuses cerebral cortex.

And they also discovered that this is tied into the babies IQ. And even if the mother has a demanding baby, she will be unlikely to develop post natal depression.

Again, this is depending on taking an Omega3 supplement on a daily basis.

I really must warn you about buying Omega3 supplements that have not been through the process of molecular distillation to remove the heavy metals and the toxins.

The main dangers to watch out for are lead and mercury. When it comes to the toxins, you really do need to watch out for the PCBs. They have been known to cause cancer.

Nurse Practitioners - What Are Your Options?


Give an edge to you career by joining the fleet of nurse practitioners. Enjoy a highly rewarding career in healthcare where the responsibilities are similar to a doctor. Becoming a nurse practitioner does not require extensive training and education like physicians, but they are equally liable as a physician for patient care.

The main difference between a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner is that latter has completed master's degree and thus can write out scripts for medications whereas registered nurse cannot. Places where there is no availability of a physician or where patients require skilled and experienced care, nurse practitioners are in high demand.

Many hospitals hire their own fleet of practitioners as they are less expensive than physicians. Because of this reason, there is great opportunity for nurses in many hospitals and different healthcare settings. Furthermore, patients can get immediate care through a nurse practitioner as they do not have to wait for their primary care physician's appointment to get evaluated.

A nurse practitioner is able to evaluate and provide treatment for multiple branches of medicine. They can prescribe treatment for psychiatric patients as well as for general medicine. A practitioner can be consulted for physical exam, well-child visits, vaccination shots, etc. They assist physicians in minor surgeries and emergency procedures.

They provide can provide pre- and postnatal care. Like an internist, they can be consulted for any health problem whether chronic or acute. A practitioner conducts thorough physical exams and writes script for medications and/or for physical or occupational therapies.

These kind of nurses are in high demand in all patient care settings, e.g., hospitals, urgent clinics, emergency rooms, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, hospice care, etc. Their contribution to patient's recovery is crucial because of their vast experience as a registered nurse and extensive personal skills of counseling patients.

Since they are readily available and have concern for patient's recovery, patient receives focused, patient-oriented care by a nurse practitioner. If you want to become a practitioner, you have to become a registered nurse first. Therefore, you will need to do bachelor's program followed by a Master's of Science degree in Nursing.

This is a two-year program which includes treatment and patient care management. Study courses which are offered through this program are anatomy, medicolegal issues, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, and pharmacology. After completion of this program, a registered nurse becomes a nurse practitioner who is now capable of counseling patient, doing their physical examination, and writing prescriptions.

Like physicians, practitioners also have specialization. For this, you have to select your choice of specialization during your master's program. There are different specialization fields available to choose from like gynecology, pediatrics, family practice, psychiatry, pulmonary, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics, podiatry, etc. Selection of specialty allows your master's program to be oriented to the specialty of your choice.

Even newly graduates residents have to work and assist physicians and experienced nurse practitioners in various medical settings in order to gain practical experience. After completion of your master's degree, you can take up license nurse practitioner exam. In addition, there are many great opportunities after becoming a nurse practitioner, which you can grab and further advance your career.

You can also apply and take up national certifications and accreditation tests to outshine your presence in the healthcare field. Since physicians have shown their reluctance to provide primary care to patients, nurse practitioners have been extremely beneficial not only in providing primary care to the patients, but also in providing focused, patient-oriented care.