HOW TO DEAL WITH ASTHMA DURING PREGNANCY

PREGNANCY is a very important stage.  This is a stage when a woman is emotionally as well as physically very weak.  There are new changes taking place every day inside a woman’s body during pregnancy.  Emotional stress is a part of the pregnant woman and as such one feels tired mentally.  A woman may feel energized at a particular time but may feel tired a few minutes later.  These changes are quite sudden and frequent. 

All these changes make a woman susceptible to many outside environmental factor.  One of the main causes of concern during these times is an Asthma attack.  Many a times, a woman who is prone to allergies or has a previous history of asthma, is the perfect candidate for an asthma attack during pregnancy.   Asthma in pregnancy is a common condition all over the world and for this care and precautions are to be taken to prevent it from causing complexities during pregnancy.

Asthma is a very serious disorder during pregnancy as it affects the overall development of the fetus.  An asthma attack deals with shortage of breath in a woman and this in turn possess great danger to the unborn child as it too gets short supply of oxygen through its mother.  This can lead to some serious disorders and complications. Asthma may lead to such disorders as hypertension and preeclampsia which are very difficult to treat at times of pregnancy.   A more serious and acute asthma attack can, at times, lead to the death of the fetus.

How to deal with Asthma during Pregnancy:

·    If you are an asthmatic person, the first thing after knowing you are pregnant, is to have a discussion with your family physician or health-provider. Take planned steps in order to see to it that your asthma attack does not prove to be a hurdle with your pregnancy.  Plan out your pregnancy with him. Give the doctor a thorough knowledge about your asthmatic history as well as the medications you take.

·    If you are into smoking, stop it the moment you know about your pregnancy.  Smoking has some harmful effects on the unborn child.  Smoking and asthma is the most dangerous potion for a child’s health as well as for the mother’s health. Even passive smoking i.e. standing or speaking to a person who is actually smoking can create problems for the child.  As such quit smoking altogether as well as stay away from smoking partners or friends.

·    A woman who is pregnant should stay away from people who have been infected by cold or flu.  If she is dealing with asthma, then it is safe to get as far away from people who are suffering from viral or chronic cold symptoms.

·    Always stay away from things or articles you are allergic to.  See to it that you do not get near or in contact with these allergic materials.  They may give rise to asthma attack which is very difficult to control during pregnancy.

·    Another trigger for asthma is that of having gastroesophageal reflux (i.e. heartburn).  In this, it is absolutely essential not to lie down immediately after a meal or at times do not eat large meal, but try to eat smaller meals with short frequencies.

·    Try to avoid going out during winter season.  If required to do so, wrap yourself in warm clothing as well as take precautions to cover your nose and face with warm coverings.  

·    Also, see to it that you don’t get emotionally disturbed during the times of pregnancy as this may lead to increase in stress.  Stress results in spate of asthma attack which can be avoided by staying stress-free and enjoying your pregnancy stage.

These are some methods for preventing asthma attack during pregnancy. 

The treatments for asthma during pregnancies are not different from those during the normal course of asthma attack.  Only care has to be taken that the medications prescribed for asthma do not cause any complexities with the pregnancy and its reaction to the fetus. 

This article is Republished from my blog : http://health-medium.blogspot.in/

BEST DIET DURING GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Gestational Diabetes is the diabetes that is found in pregnant women who doesn’t have any previous history of diabetes.  This is a type of diabetes which occurs in almost 5% of all pregnancies and according to surveys it is found that Gestational Diabetes affects 2,00,000 patients every year in the United States alone.

In Gestational diabetes the blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy coming back to normalcy after birth.  This is due to the fact that sometimes during pregnancy, the spread of hormones block the action of insulin which is needed for the production of that extra glucose needed for the baby’s growth.  This shortage in insulin gives way to Gestational Diabetes.  This disease normally occurs during the 2^nd half of the pregnancy period and stays till the mother has given birth to the child.

Testing for Gestational Diabetes:

There are two methods for testing of Gestational Diabetes.  The first is called as Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in which the woman is told to fast for 6-8 hours and then tested for blood sugar, after which a sugar drink is given and test is performed again.

The second type of testing is blood sugar levels after an hour of sugar drink intake.  If found that the blood sugar levels are high, than a tolerance test is conducted to diagnose the diabetes.

Diet during Gestational Diabetes:

Proper Diet is the most important factor while dealing with Gestational Diabetes.  Choosing the right foods that provide proper nutrition to the mother and the baby is required.  It is required for the overall development of the baby.  This diet can improve the cholesterol levels, the blood pressure as well as the blood glucose. 

The first step in this direction should be to choose the right dietician.  Speaking with your Obstetrician for recommending the right person should be the perfect choice. 

The best diet for a Gestational Diabetic patient should include green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, skimmed milk and low fat foods.  These foods include the proper amount of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and calories.  Raw food is the best food for this disorder but one can use light cooking. 

There are some precautions that have to be followed during the diet:

·        Keep your carbohydrate levels balanced as they may bring about a spurt in your blood sugar levels.

·        Excessive amount of Meat and Dairy products should be avoided.

·        Processed food like sweets, sodas or bread should be cancelled off the list.

Green vegetables can be eaten by way of smoothies made of spinach, parsley, kale or lettuce.  Along with these, whole grains, nuts, seeds or beans can make up your everyday diet.  Excessive amount of dairy products or meat should be avoided as it may raise the calories which can affect the blood sugar levels.

The Ideal Daily Diet may consists of –

·        Breakfast – A fresh fruit (gapes can do), 1 boiled egg, a slice of bread (wheat) with low fat margarine.

·        In-between – A glassful of skimmed milk along with whole grain bread topped with peanut butter.

·        Lunch – Black beans (cooked), tomatoes, some low-fat cheddar cheese along with salsa.

·        In-between – A fresh fruit (Apple can do) along with skimmed milk.

·        Dinner – Grilled or boiled chicken (skinless), a fruit (Pineapple), cooked beans and some sesame seeds.

This is just a sample of the diet and one can make the necessary alterations keeping in mind the nutrients collected from the diet.

Complications:

Always see to it that your control you diet during the period.  Gestational diabetes normally does not create any complications during pregnancy.  But some disorders may arise.

·        A disorder known as hypoglycemia whereas the baby’s blood sugar level is low.

·        Macrosomia in which the baby’s body is larger than normal size.

·        Jaundice is a normal phenomenon in some babies.

·        Respiratory Distress Syndrome which occurs due to respiratory disorders.

·        Low mineral levels in blood.

This article is taken from my blog : http://health-medium.blogspot.in/

AM I REALLY PREGNANT?

Pregnancy is said to be the most delicate and important phase of a woman’s life.  It is an experience that each woman loves to have.  A new being that is brought up in a mother’s womb is truly an exciting feeling. 

But how can one know if she is truly pregnant or if she has one of those unnecessary troublesome disorders.  There are certain symptoms and indications that can point out to you becoming pregnant.  The most common among these are listed below.

·        The monthly missed period – This is the most common and the first signs that one suspect that you are going to be pregnant.  If you have regular cycles and if you miss one of them, then it can be a sign of your pregnancy.  The scientific cause for this is that there is no stoppage of progesterone hormone which is the cause of cycle.  A period is the cycle in which this hormone is stopped temporarily.  In case of pregnancy the body needs the progesterone hormone to sustain the baby’s need and as such there is no stopping in the cycle.

·        Increase in Food intake – This is another indication of a pregnancy.  This may not be a reliable source of indication but it could just be one of the symptoms.  Your food carvings goes on increasing each day as you always feel hungry no matter how much you consume.

·        Tender and Swollen Breasts – Your breasts may become swollen and tender and you can feel the pain in them.  They become more sensitive to the touch and this soreness may subside when your body gets used to this new concept.  This swelling and soreness is due to the surge in the hormonal activity during pregnancy.

·        Morning Sickness – Frequent morning sickness is another symptom of pregnancy.  You may get the feelings of nausea and dry vomiting not only in the morning, but throughout the day.  During this time certain odors become repulsive and are triggered by meals.  These symptoms are sometimes not felt in women and as such this cannot be the perfect sign of pregnancy.

·        Vaginal Bleeding – Some women experience this type of symptoms during start of pregnancy.  Small amount of vaginal bleeding can be experienced.  It mostly happens as the fetus implants itself to the uterus wall.  This bleeding may be extremely small and can last for a few days only. 

·        Greater Frequency in Urination – During the initial stages, one can experience the feeling and the need to go to the bathroom quite often.  This can also be associated with urine infections and as such has to be checked by an obstetrician.  This normally happens after six weeks of being pregnant and is normally due to pregnancy hormones as well as large blood circulation in your body. 

·        Fatigue and Tiredness – These are also supposed to be reliable symptoms of pregnancy.  You can feel your body getting tired at the slightest workout or even during the normal routine which you practice.  This feeling is mostly attributed to the high levels of progesterone in the body.

·        Areola Darkening – As you feel the other signs of pregnancy starting to creep up, yet another sign is the darkening of the skin around the nipples.  This is mostly being confused as a hormonal imbalance but it can again be a symptom of pregnancy. 

·        A change in taste – Some women experience a change in their taste buds.  The most common experience is that of a metallic taste in the mouth.  Such women feel nausea at the taste of coffee or tea which they normally consume. 

·        Going for a Pregnancy Test – This is the last and most reliable course of confirmation of a pregnancy.  The blue line seen in the home pregnancy test is the sure indication for your pregnancy.  For further confirmation, you can always go to your local lab for testing or arrange a meet with your obstetrician. 

Just remember that the above symptoms are only indicative of your pregnancy and can always be negative indications too.  As such if you experience a combination of these symptoms, only then it can be said that you are on your way to a family life.   

HARMFUL FOODS DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is said to be a very delicate stage in the woman’s life.  What a mother eats is very important as it is directly connected with the development of the child within.  The overall growth of the baby depends on what his mother eats.  A diet which is rich in vitamins and minerals is the best diet for a pregnant woman.

There is certain confusion on which foods should not be consumed during pregnancy. Along with the list of foods to be eaten by the woman, there are certain foods that have to be avoided.  These foods are harmful for the birth of the child as well as for the mother. 

·        Fish – If you are a fish lover, then eating fish during pregnancy should be avoided.  This is due to the fact that fish may contain industrial pollutants which may cause complications during pregnancy.  Fish may contain proteins which can be useful in some cases but it is always advisable to avoid fish during pregnancy.  Also canned fishes should not be consumed as they contain high amount of salt which can increased the blood pressure. Also, certain seafood such as Swordfish or Shark contains mercury which should be avoided during pregnancy. At times, it has been found that raw fishes contain listeria, poisonous bacteria which are harmful to the human body.  Fish such as Oysters are the most dangerous during this period.

·        Dairy Products – Unpasteurized milk contains the listeria bacteria in it which is poisonous.  As such unpasteurized milk should be avoided as it may affect the digestive system.  Similarly blue cheese should not be consumed.

·        Fruits during pregnancy – There are certain fruits that may prove harmful during pregnancy.  Raw or semi-ripe papaya is rich in latex which can cause uterine contractions.  On the other hand, ripe papayas are rich in Vitamin C which can be useful during pregnancy.  It helps in prevention of such symptoms as heartburn and constipation.  Also Papaya mixed with honey and milk is also useful during lactation.  Pineapple is the most unwanted fruit during pregnancy.  This is due to the fact that Pineapple contains bromelain which can soften the cervix leading to complications such as early labor.  Pineapple juice, if consumed in excessive quantities, can lead to diarrhea.   

Another fruit that is considered avoidable during pregnancy is Grapes.  This is due to the fact that Grapes generate heat that is not good during the delicate stages of pregnancy, especially during final stages.

·        Caffeine-based Drinks:  It is safer to avoid caffeine-based drinks such as tea or coffee or for those matter even colas during pregnancy.  This is because these drinks affect the overall growth of the baby and the result may well be an underweight child. 

·        Raw Eggs – Raw eggs contains salmonella bacteria which can create complications during pregnancy leading to abnormal growth of the baby. 

Raw Meat – Along with raw eggs, even raw meat should be avoided by a pregnant woman.  Raw meat, again, may contain the poisonous bacteria listeria which can harm the growth of the baby.  Always cook your meat while eating as well as take proper hygienic care while washing the raw meat. 

 

·        White flour - White flour and its products should be avoided at all cost. These may include such foods as white bread, pizzas, burgers and pastry products.  These contain various oils and Trans fat substances which are harmful during pregnancy.  Also the sugar based pastry may lead to such complications as high blood pressure and diabetes problems. 

These are some of the common foods that should be avoided during pregnancy.  These foods may cause serious complications during this delicate stage and lead to unwanted disorders such as miscarriages.

Along with these foods, there is certain habit formations such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption which should be avoided at all cost.  Also daily exercises, under a trained guidance should be followed to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy.