Tag Archives: women’s health

The Hypoactive Thyroid And Pregnancy

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by Barb Hicks

When the thyroid gland is not responding to the pituitary glands release of thyroid stimulating hormone, the result is a hypoactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, and insufficient levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. This condition affects more women than men, and requires lifelong treatment to replace the hormones not being produced by the thyroid.

Thyroid hormones

A list of hormones secreted by the thyroid includes:

Thyroxine (T4), which contains four atoms of iodine. Triiodothyronine (T3) has three atoms of iodine attached.

The livers job is to transform thyroxine to its active form called Triiodothyronine. The variation of these levels determines which thyroid disease is present. Both of these hormones work together to determine how much energy your body burns. A fluctuation of these hormones can affect both men and women in the areas of sleep, weight, menstrual changes and erectile dysfunction.

Another hormone involved in this process is thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), manufactured by the pituitary gland. When thyroid hormone levels in the blood are low, the pituitary gland releases TSH, which stimulates the thyroid to produce and secrete more hormones.

Symptoms:

Subclinical hypothyroidism is the term that describes the initial symptoms of hypothyroidism that can be overlooked and mimic other conditions. Symptoms include:

Fatigue Intolerance to cold Dry and/or pale skin Hair loss and brittle nails sore muscles, slow movements and weakness Hoarse voice a change in facial expression Depression Memory deficits and difficulty in concentrating Increased weight Constipation fertility problems and increased risk of miscarriage heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods Bradycardia (slow heart rate)

A goiter is described as a swelling of one or both lobes on either side of the thyroid gland. These are generally located on the lower aspect of the neck and appear as an enlargement.

Causes:

Hypothyroidism is more common in older people. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Autoimmune conditions such as diabetes, vitiligo, and Addison’s disease. Certain medications, such as lithium carbonate (psychotropic med) and amiodarone (for the heart) Inefficient amount of iodine Autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis Problems with hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

Hypothyroidism is tested by analyzing the levels of TSH and thyroid hormone levels in the blood. In most cases, a diagnosis of Autoimmune Hypothyroidism is determined by a certain amount of antibodies which affect the autoimmune system.

Treatment:

The treatment for hypothyroidism is fairly easy as it only requires replacing the missing hormones with an oral medication called levothyroxine. As with any medication, the patient will need to be monitored and the dosage adjusted until the correct amount is discovered. This can be accomplished by performing regular blood tests. Once the optimum dosage has been reached, yearly blood tests will need to be taken in order to ensure the correct amount of hormone levels is being maintained.

Since fetal thyroid development does not occur until the twelfth week of development, the fetus is fully dependant on the mothers thyroid to develop the nervous system. Any mother taking medication for hypothyroidism can feel confident in continuing her medication during pregnancy as she needs it for her health as well as the health of her baby.

Anyone who is planning on having a baby and is diagnosed with hypoactive thyroid should let their doctor know of their future plans. This will allow for her health to be at optimum performance.

About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who is passionate about writing and sharing her knowledge. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where she contributes more articles about Thyroid Disease Medication and Diet Tips for Hypoactive Thyroid.

Oily Skin Care

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by Suzi Sorenson

Alot of skin care products offer alternative products depending on your skin type, however, very often there exists little difference between the formulas for combination or oily skin and their dry skin alterntives.

Because of hormonal changes that occur during puberty, it is very common to have an oily skin type as a teenager, but it can also be quite common in our 30?s and 40?s as well. The skin generally tends to dry out as we get older, since the production of sebum reaches its peak during adolescence and then slowly starts to decrease with age. This latter point means that for people who suffer oily skin, your skin may start to improve as you get older because of the reduction in oil production. During pregnancy and the menopause, hormonal imbalances also usually trigger activity in the skin’s sebaceous glands, which can in some women result in an increase in the level of sebum oil produced.

Many people have skin that is oily in certain regions of the face, generally the facial area we refer to as the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), and dry or normal in others. This skin type is generally referred to as combination skin.

The main factors influencing oily and combination skin types are: Heredity skin type factors Levels of hormones that influence the skin Cosmetics and skin care lotions Pregnancy Birth control Weather and Humidity

Cleansing your Oily Skin Try and avoid cleansing creams since they are often too harsh and dry out the skin. Choose pure soaps that have few or no artificial additives, or try a lightly medicated lotion. Oil-based products, although seemingly a bit ironic to use on oily skin, do actually prove to be quite effective in reducing and removing excess sebum from the skin.

As part of your oily skin care routine, wash oily skin gently in warm water and avoid products that leave the skin feeling overly dry since this can result in a reaction known as reactive seborrhoea, where the sebaceous glands increase oil production in response to the reduction in the level of oil. Alcohol-based products since be avoided since they can take away too much oil and you should reduce the number of times you wash daily since this can cause reactive seborrhoea. Products that dry the skin out too much sometimes cause the upper layers of the skin to shrink, restricting oil flow through the pores which can exacerbate pore blockage.

Oily skin treatment When cleansing, massage your face with your fingertips, using an outward and upward motion, and take care not to rub soap into the skin since this can increase the risk of clogging. If your skin is also scaly as well as oily, then you might want to try a deep-cleaning exfolient a couple of times a week. Choose an oil-free moisturizer for a shine-free complexion.

Use an antiseptic day cream before applying makeup and use a foundation for oily skin. Look for those oily skin care products that have active ingredients such as benzyl peroxide that help reduce sebaceous secretions.

About the Author:
Suzi is a skin care professional and advises people on moisturizer for oily skin. You can read more about oily skin treatment at the skin care products guide where suzi writes.

Challenges During Pregnancy

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by Julie Xillion

Hundreds of resources are available address problems with pregnancy. Like you, women all over the planet become frightened when they become pregnant. After challenges and problems are discovered when pregnant, you may lose sleep about your well being and the well being of your child. These worries are common, and it is also highly likely that the pregnancy challenges that you are experiencing are routine as well.

Pregnancy Risks

The first months of pregnancy provides the largest risk for pregnancy complications. Many expecting mothers are aware of this detail and as a result over analyze all challenges that arise during this period. However, a lot of these pregnancy challenges are in fact natural and must not be cause for excessive concern. However, any of your worries should be discussed by your doctor.

Minor and Common Challenges

Vomiting and morning sickness is found in almost every pregnancy, especially through the first months. Morning sickness is objectionable, but generally not terrible. Unfortunately a number of women face more challenges with morning sickness and can’t even stomach liquids. If your morning sickness is too extreme, you may want to deal with your challenges with your doctor.

Spotting While Pregnant

Spotting may be another conundrum throughout the first months of pregnancy. For Many women spotting can be exceptionally concerning, but during the first few months of pregnancy is actually normal. Spotting while pregnant is ordinarily seen as a small bit of brown or pink that are eliminated during pregnancy. However, if you see red blood, heavy bleeding, or are passing tissues or clots, you should see your physician immediately.

Later in the pregnancy multiple more and challenges are generally developed that contribute to anxiety. Heartburn, tiredness, lower back soreness may cause hours of distress. In spite of the fact that this is normal, it can still be highly uncomfortable.

If your symptoms or problems become too uncomfortable, you should speak to your physician. You may also consider chatting to your doctor if your pregnancy challenges require drugs to help you handle pregnancy. Continual discomfort during late pregnancy may also be an indication that there are challenges with the baby. Your doctor may want to perform a sonogram to make sure everything is okay.

You should also know that elevated blood pressure in the course of pregnancy or insulin and blood sugar problems during the later stage of pregnancy may present other problems. For most women, these difficulties can be addressed through proper diet and controlled medication. However, if left unchecked high blood sugar or gestational diabetes can seriously impact the health of the baby.

In spite of the challenges that you feel, know that you are not alone. Most women experience pregnancy problems and for the large part they are normal. Remember however, that if you have doubt or something feels wrong, let your doctor know immediately.

About the Author:
Visit us a Bloom’en Nutrition Chewable Prenatal Vitamins to learn more today!

Best 5 Tips for an Easy Way to Get Pregnant

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by Alicia Wilkins

Newly wed couples are always looking for an easy way to get pregnant. There is the belief that the younger you conceive, the easier it will be and the healthier the baby will be. Plus, there are some couples who would like to have many children and would like to start early.

Here are some simple to follow tips for an easy way to get pregnant:

1. Make the Choice Not Give Up

Have sex as much as three times a week. This way you can be fairly certain that you are hitting days when you are ovulating. Many women do not really know when they are ovulating and it is true that sex that happens outside the ovulating period will not result in pregnancy. So having sex regularly will raise your chances in conceiving.

2. Maintain Proper Weight and Diet

Studies have shown that there are some foods that promote fertility and in turn will make it easier to get pregnant. This tip mostly tells you to substitute some food with their healthier alternative.

- Using more mono-saturated fats like olive oil in your cooking rather than trans fat – Increase the intake of vegetable protein and lessen the intake of animal protein – Eating more foods with good fiber like whole grains and wheat. – Consuming moderate amounts of high-fat dairy products

These foods will help you maintain a healthy weight because they respond well to your body. Studies have shown that having a very low or very high body mass index can be a disruption to the ovulation process.

Women who are overweight have a 43% less chance in conceiving and underweight women sometimes do not get regular menstrual cycles which makes the ovulation period more elusive.

3. Use a Fertility Monitor Kit

Kits like these will guide you in picking the right time to conceive. Ovulation prediction kits work by reading LH surges prior to ovulation. These are easy to use and are available in most pharmacies. It will tell you when is the best time for you and your husband to try and conceive.

4. Do Not Engage in Unhealthy Vices When Trying to Get Pregnant

This is common knowledge and it should be taken seriously. Smoking, drinking and drug abuse can definitely affect a woman’s fertility. And it is best to stop way before you are trying to get pregnant. Do not wait to find out if you are pregnant before you stop these vices because they are very dangerous to the unborn child.

5. Perform Sexual Positions That Keep the Sperm in the Vagina Longer

Positions matter. The missionary position is the best position to use when you are trying to get pregnant. Other positions may allow sperm to leak from the vagina, thus reducing chances of conception. It is advisable not to get up right after sex, relax a little to allow the sperm to stay longer in the vagina.

There is no such thing as trying too hard to conceive. And with these tips, you will find that there is an easy way to get pregnant without having to pay a lot of money. If you find that you are still having difficulty conceiving, then consult your doctor for fertility exams.

About the Author:
What’s the smartest way to get pregnant? Learn the effective secrets on how to get her pregnant the natural way.

Going Home After Tubal Reversal

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by Sandra Wilson

After tubal reversal surgery, many women find they have several questions. Those who travel to their surgeon especially have questions regarding their return trip and after they get home. We will provide answers to four of the most common in this article about tubal reanastomosis.

If you have decided to have your tubal reanastomosis done by a premiere surgeon such as Dr. Gary Berger of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, your first question will be about the flight home. How soon after the surgery can you leave? Now, if you are questioning why you would fly somewhere else to get this operation done, you should check out the author’s other articles on selecting a tubal reversal doctor or check the resources listed below.

If you live within the continental US, you can usually fly back the day after tubal reversal surgery, after being checked out in the morning by the doctor or one of the nurses. However, if you live further away, you should wait at least one extra day before traveling. It might even be better if you wait a couple extra days after surgery and look on it as your last chance for a little time away.

Another question about travel after tubal reversal has to do with comfort on the flight. There are three things that are suggested to make your trip more comfortable. One is to have a small pillow that you can lay over your incision area to help provide support.

Be sure to take your pain medication along with a couple ibuprofen just before the flight to help take the edge off the pain. Most women have little pain after a tubal reanastomosis but the effort and bumpiness of a flight or car trip could aggravate things for you. Of course, you should check with your own surgeon to learn what he suggests. Also, if you do get a little motion sick, you might want to check into some medication to help with that. Discuss this with your surgeon.

If it is available, a direct flight is the best way to go. Tell the gate attendant that you just had surgery and need to board before the other passengers. Contact the appropriate person to have a wheel chair or cart waiting to get you around the airport. If you must change flights en route, this will be very helpful.

Seeing your doctor at home is usually the next question asked after tubal reversal. You want to know if you need to make an appointment to see him. If he is the one that sent you to the surgeon, it might be a good idea to go see him when you get home. But, otherwise, it is up to you and whether or not it would make you more comfortable to do so.

The last question for right after the tubal reversal is usually about how you contact your tubal reversal surgeon. In these days, not only should you have a phone number that you can use day or night, there should be other ways as well though there’s nothing like a phone for an emergency. Email could be one way to get more questions or concerns answered. A moderated message board is an even better way that also allows you to contact other women who have had or are considering tubal reanastomosis.

About the Author:
To answer any queries that come to mind after tubal reversal surgery, please browse the website http://www.tubal-reversal.net/ and review the information. Check out the message board or the available frequently asked questions.