Archive for October, 2008

Childbirth Philosophers

Friday, October 10th, 2008

Over the last few decades, a number of people have influenced the way women and their caregivers approach childbirth. Their teaching and ideas have changed women’s attitudes to prenatal and postnatal care and led to alterations in the atmosphere and procedures surrounding childbirth in the Western world. Most of these theories seek to help a woman to follow the lead of her body, in a loving and intimate environment.

DR. GRANT LEY DICK-READ

Dr. Dick-Read was the first obstetrician to realize that fear of giving birth was a main cause of pain in labor. He introduced the idea of natural childbirth, not only to the medical world but also to mothers. He recognized the need for proper education of mothers through prenatal classes and careful teaching, and also for emotional support, in the hope of eliminating fear and tension. His teaching was so basic that it’s now taken for granted by all centers, and there’s no method of childbirth that doesn’t rely on his teaching, including breathing exercises, breathing control, and complete relaxation. Dick-Read’s watchword was preparation-not only with information, but also by seeking help, reassurance, and sympathy.

FREDERICK LEBOYER

Leboyer was influenced by the psychiatrists Reich, Rank, and Janov, who shared the belief that later problems in life stem from the trauma of birth. His concerns are less with the mother and more to do with the baby’s experience of labor and delivery, and how this affects that baby once grown up. The Leboyer method of delivery works best if seen as an attempt to help people understand what a newborn baby sees, hears, and feels.

In his book Birth Without Violence, Leboyer suggests that the birthing room should have soft lighting, and there should be as little noise and movement as possible to lessen birth’s trauma. Leboyer also believes that immediate skin-to-skin contact is essential to calm the baby, and that she should be laid on her mother’s stomach as soon as she’s born. He also says that the newborn should then be bathed in warm water, since this is the closest she can get to the nurturing environment of the uterus.

Not all of this fits in with the physiology of what actually happens at birth. A baby needs to feel air on her face to stimulate her lungs to breathe for the first time: placing her in warm liquid may not be sufficiently stimulating for her to continue breathing. Many professionals say that there is no proof that Lebover’s theories work. However, it’s only right that every baby be welcomed into the world with reverence, so even if you don’t agree with all of Leboyer’s ideas, it’s still interesting to read about his suggestions for a gentler birth.

DR. MICHEL ODENT

When he worked as a general surgeon, Dr. Odent was extremely shocked when he first saw women pushing their babies uphill against the force of gravity because their feet were held in stirrups. He realized this meant that stronger, and therefore more painful, contractions were needed; that labor was much slower and more exhausting; and there were more complications because mothers were in a position where the baby was held back from being delivered.

His initial shock led him to develop his own methods of childbirth, broadly based on traditional midwifery, at Pithiviers in France. Odent believes that, given the opportunity, women in labor return to a primitive biological state, where they function at a new level of animal awareness, lose their inhibitions, and enter a state of consciousness in which they will follow their basic instincts. He believes that the natural pain relievers released by the body, endorphins, are responsible for this.

Pithiviers has the lowest rate in France for episiotomies, forceps deliveries, and cesarean sections, and all medical interference is kept to a minimum. By no means all of the mothers giving birth there have been low-risk. Many were expecting complications (a breech baby, for example), but went on to have successful natural births at Pithiviers.

SHEILA KITZINGER

A very highly respected birth practitioner, who has enormous influence in the West, Kitzinger believes that birth is a very personal experience, and that a laboring mother should be an active “birth-giver,” rather than a passive patient.

She likens the modern, managed birth in a modern, managed hospital to giving birth in captivity; in essence, to being in a zoo. She says that the zoo may be humanely and scientifically managed; the keepers may be kind and considerate, and pride themselves on a low mortality rate and the good condition of their charges; the visiting times may be frequent and the premises friendly and welcoming; there may be space to move around in the cage; those in charge may have tried to recreate the natural habitat, but the zoo still dictates the behavior of the captives.

She believes that the aim of maternity services should be first to allow parents a real choice, whether for a totally managed birth, a totally natural birth, or somewhere in between, and to respect their wishes about where and how their child is born. Second, she believes that birth is not an illness, and that a laboring mother and her partner should be treated not as patients, but as Intelligent adults with a right to have the final say in decisions about the birth of their baby.

Baby Acid Reflux

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

You might be surprised to learn that babies too suffer from acid reflux. Normally this is not a chronic illness and it disappears after one year of age. If it persists after one year the problem should be addressed fully by a pediatrician. By this time the baby acid reflux is termed as Gerd. The cause is a digestive system that is not fully developed. This can be left to develop fully with time or can be medicated. Sometimes the problem needs surgical intervention.

How do you know that your baby has acid reflux? The following are
some of the Baby Acid Reflux symptoms.

Uncontrolled crying
Nausea and vomiting
Lack of appetite
Drastic Loss of weight
Sleepless nights if the reflux is during bedtime.

These symptoms alone should not be an indicator of the reflux. An acid test should be done to verify the condition. This should be followed by a doctor’s approval. Please don’t go asking for medical advise from your friends or relatives. The causes may be due to wrong eating positions, or overeating. Wrong sleeping positions can also be a cause of baby acid reflux. The baby should be fed small portions of food more often throughout the day. Burping should be done after every meal to avoid a reflux. Try feeding a few hours before bedtime or very small portions of food at this time. An acid reflux pillow may also be used to minimize the problem at night. Normal pillows worsen the problem of acid reflux.

In case of vomiting, the baby should be given a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration. Sometimes the problem may be chronic and may require medication. You should first consult a doctor before administering any medication. Over the counter drugs are discouraged. These can cause other side effects.

Look for The Free Trial Pack before Buying

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

Today all the best and top diet pills are very easily available on the online and offline stores, which means that one can reduce weight without getting embarrassed of purchasing bad quality diet control pill or the local diet control pill. There are so many people who are very eager to take diet pills but they are very shy in nature and they cannot go to the chemist and ask for them, for such people the online stores or internet markets are open as they are very much worried that their neighbor may see them buying such health supplements.

Luckily we have online shops which fulfill our needs of health supplements just sitting at home and they can even get lots of discount on the online shopping if they compare it with the store prices. Also, if one buys diet pills from online store he or she can get lot of variety of pills to choose from as there are number of formulas and based on them numbers of different diet pills are available in the market.

Another the most beneficial way of buying health supplements online because you may get free trial pack.

First of all you have to search for the diet pill company which is offering the free sample for the trial, and then you have to register their on their website. Provide them your address and contact so that they can deliver you your free sample.

This is what weight loss industry is all about one has to become very careful while consuming any diet pill.

Ways to Stop Snoring During The Hours of Darkness

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

It is not exceptional for citizens to speculate regarding how to bring to an end snoring during the hours of darkness. At the same time as snoring is a practically uncomfortable trouble, it can be efficiently ended away by means of merely accepting of what roots the snoring & subsequently taking ladder towards easing these reasons.

Snoring is on the whole originated by a hindrance of the airway inside the opening, muzzle & esophagus owing to which air is not capable to gush liberally as a consequence bringing on sound all through its channel. Therefore, doing exercises & bringing down the weight is a specific method of dragging the plug on - or no less than dropping - the snoring difficulty. Giving up the habit of smoking is an additional way of eradicating the snoring disorder.

On the other hand, almost certainly the simplest obsession you can do in your pursuit towards finding the ways to stop snoring during the hours of darkness can be to immediately re-change your resting position. Aim resting on your side as an alternative to your back. Formulate a routine out of it & you will notice it assists.

There is as well the trouble of cushions. Making use of a cushion roots a twist in your neckline which will additionally obstruct the airway. As an alternative try with a lofty cot that will raise the entire upper segment upbeat by a small number of inches.

Yeast Infection Causes

Monday, October 6th, 2008

Yeast infections called Candidiasis are infections caused by different varieties of the Candida yeast. They are normal inhabitants of the digestive tract and the vagina. Yeast infections are experienced by both male and female adults and in children. When an infection occurs it is usually caused by an overgrowth of the yeast due to environmental conditions such as warm , humid weather or by one taking an antibiotic for an extended period. Sometimes if the proper conditions exist the infection can invade deeper tissues, or the blood, causing a life-threatening condition.

Common areas of the body infected by the Candida yeast are:

1. Vagina, infections occur more commonly in women who are pregnant or are taking antibiotics. Infections of this area also occur more frequently in women who are diabetic. Symptoms include a white or yellowish discharge, burning, itching internally and externally with a redness of the internal and external parts of the vagina.

2. Penis, infections occur in males who are diabetic or had sexual contact with a partner with a yeast infection. The symptoms will include a reddish, painful rash on the underside of the penis.

3. Mouth, infection called thrush can also be attributed to the Candida yeast. Whitish or cream colored areas occur on the tongue or on the sides of the mouth. Thrush can be caused by diabetes or AIDS in adults or by those taking antibiotics.

4. Nails, candida infections of the nail beds can also occur which results in painful swelling of the area with sometimes a secretion of pus. Nails that are infected may turn yellow or white and separate from the surrounding skin.

5. Skin yeast infections sometimes occur in skin folds that are moist. Skin yeast infection treatment include antifungal creams and lotions.

If you know that you have a Candida yeast infection either by the above symptoms or a diagnosis from your physician, what can you do about this condition?

Treatment will depend on where the infection is located. If it is on the skin, say in a skin fold or the penis or external vaginal areas the treatment is often anti-fungal creams to kill off the infection and hydrocortisone for the pain and itching.

Treatment for thrush is usually a slow dissolving lozenge or a liquid medication that is swished about in the mouth. Treatment for yeast infections of the vagina include suppositories with anti-fungal creams or lotions for the external areas.

One of the things that can reduce the risk of getting a yeast infection is the reduction of sugars in the diet. Adding yogurt to the diet that has live cultures in it will help prevent Candida from developing by adding beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract and the vagina. Yogurt also helps in getting the internal areas back to normal with bacteria that is helpful in controlling this environment such as bifida and acidophilus.

Some of the dietary additions and supplements that can help control yeast infections include: garlic, biotin, goldenseal and oregano oil. These items can be obtained at your local health food store or grocer.

Flat Warts

Sunday, October 5th, 2008

Flat warts are a particular type of warts which is caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV. This virus enters our system through tiny cracks or breaks in the skin. It is very easy for the virus to enter the body and after entering they take some time to settle down. Depending on the person’s immune system, the virus shows itself on the skin sooner or later. Warts appear on the face, neck, foot soles and even in the genital areas. These warts differ from each other according to the place where they appear. HPV likes places where it is warm, moist and where the skin is thick. It infects the skin and causes overgrowth of the skin cells.

Flat warts are also called verruca plana. In this situation the virus causes the skin to thicken but it doesn’t make the warts rise above the normal skin. The flat warts are small and spreaded. Flat warts are also smoother than the other types of warts. There will be a large number of flat warts and they can also easily spread to other areas. Flat warts mostly occur in the face but they may also appear in the arms, knees and hands. They are especially common among children and are very contagious. They can be transmitted from simple things such as sharing towels and other objects.

Flat warts do not pain but they can be irritated if touched continuously. They are ugly to look at and can cause disturbances in the mind of the person having them. Low self esteem and depression are possibilities. It is important therefore to remove them without waiting for them to go away on their own. There are several treatments available. The person may either choose to go to the doctor or experiment with traditional remedies at home. Treatments such as peeling the dead cells using acid and chemicals, cryotherapy or freezing of the warts, electrocautery or burning the warts using electricity, laser therapy, surgery, etc are available for removal of flat warts.

Over-the-counter medicines are also effective. These medicines will contain chemicals like salicylic acid, isotretinoin, silver nitrate, retinoids, etc. The warts will be removed but the bad news is that they may reappear again because the virus will remain in the body.

Total Fitness Bodybuilding

Saturday, October 4th, 2008

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase ‘body building’? Body building is a form of sports that people engage in to develop muscular, toned bodies through the use of controlled nutrition and diet plus intensive targeted physical training; this is mainly done for the purpose of developing a strong and muscular physique to look good or to compete in various body building competitions. It is very difficult to resist the appeal of professional and amateur bodybuilders who have developed strong solid muscles through persistent effort and hard work. Is there a way that bodybuilding standards can be realized and how do you ensure the best way to achieve it? To begin the discussion on this interesting topic, you would need to realize that there are two parts to an effective body building program, exercise and proper nutrition. For most professional bodybuilders, the colon cleansing technique is an automatic part of the morning-of-show preparations.

Weight lifting is the first element of a successful body building program. It is important to possess physical strength and endurance to perform weight lifting exercises, which often involve the use of machines and equipments that are specially designed to stimulate the necessary body parts. Body building is a form of sport, but there are many who adhere to a strict body building routine for aesthetic purposes. The effect of weight lifting on the entire body has attracted many to start their own program, especially those who need to recover from a recent serious injury. If strict observations can be exercised, weight lifting may be useful to assist those who are recovering from illnesses or introduced as part of a rehabilitation program.

Following a good diet and nutrition program is important for a successful body building program. Ideally the suggested best ratio of protein, carbohydrate and fat would be 2:2:1. The energy you need for those exercises comes from carbohydrate, and mostly from complex carbohydrates. When selecting your carbohydrate foods, brown rice, sweet potato and oatmeal are excellent choice to include. Include a healthy portion of dietary fiber for that healthy digestive system.

Remember to consume enough water to avoid the reduction in your muscle mass because of dehydration. Start a healthy habit by drinking plenty of water just before you embark in a vigorous routine at the gym and pamper yourself by indulging in more refreshing water after a tiring session. You can even drink between exercises! Often, the presence of a good instructor would be necessary to teach you the way to lift weights and how to perform proper stimulation for the body parts without creating any damage to the ligaments and tendons.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery and Morbid Obesity

Saturday, October 4th, 2008

Gastric bypass surgery, as conducted by laparoscopy hospitals, is considered as one of the most common and safe method of treating morbid obesity. Trained surgeons who have undergone laparoscopic training programs perform these surgeries.

? The Advantages

Apart from healthy adults, children and senior citizens are also suitable for this surgery. This form of treatment is also suitable for patients who are overweight and have a BMI of 60 or more. A lot of doctors emphasize this piece of information and recommends this surgery for patients of all types. For morbid obesity, this is the best form of treatment. When all the findings of different research and study groups are considered, it can be concluded that this method is the safest as it does not require more than a few incisions to perform the surgery.

During the process of surgery, the surgeon will make use of a little camera that is inserted inside the body through the incisions. This use of camera ensures that the surgeon sees the process in a magnified way and work better with increased precision.

? The Results of this surgery

The effects of this surgery will invariably differ from one person to another. Some may begin to experience, almost immediately, the effects while others might need more time for the effects to show. Proven results of this treatment include a record weight loss of approximately 75% of the total body weight. However, some complications might arise as an outcome of the surgery and therefore it would be wise to understand the risks which are involved.

Teen Weight Loss Useful Information

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Teens who have weight issues can no longer be excused by saying they have puppy fat as all too quite a few end up with serious health issues. Parents are aware they need to answer this weight issue before their child grows older and it touches their whole life. Adolescents more than adults require that self confidence which normally comes with years and it does not take much to undermine what little self-pride they do have. Although a number of individuals see education as the way ahead, some people have set up training camps strictly for teen weight loss purposes. Health conscious consumers seeking superior taste from fresh, imported green tea and reliable, objective health benefit and weight loss research.

Regrettably, many young individuals suffer with ill health, physical and emotional owing to their overweight condition. It is a well-known fact that being overweight is the cause of a number of health conditions, some of which are brought up below.

Heart issuesCirculatory conditionsHigh/low blood sugar levelsAching joints

In most cases a teen weight loss program can help to prevent these situations taking place. There are also emotional issues to take into consideration as quite a few overweight teens suffer at school from name calling which does not help them at all.

Often, these names follow them around for quite a few years into adulthood and do nothing to help the self image of the individual concerned. Some individuals just blame the large number of overweight teenagers as a sign of the times and although this is now a big issue, a number of parents do not know how to approach this subject and do not feel that there is much support. Still, this is not just a problem in the USA as most of the world now has this situation to a greater or lesser degree, and as a consequence a plethora of diet plans exist, although not all of them work as well as they claim. The most essential facet of teen weight loss is to keep them centered on losing fat from their body, not merely weight as this will help them maintain their weight as they grow older. Weight isn’t accumulated overnight, as it takes a sustained period to acquire so any form of weight decrease plan should be looked upon as a long term arrangement. The initial thing to do is speak to a specialist who specializes in teen weight loss and go through some research on your own. Always be mindful where you throw your money as not all the diets are worth pursuing and they may also make your child incredibly sad as well.

One important point to bear in mind is that strict teen weight loss programs can be dangerous. Some of these call for starvation methods which can reduce body fat, however are not healthy for the person involved and in some cases, very dangerous. A parent has to look at ways of reducing body fat of their youngster, while simultaneously not accelerating the problems associated with some of the weight loss programs that promise this quickly.