7 Health Issues Faced By Pregnant Women And Simple Natural Remedies

Pregnancy comes with a pack full of problems. It is a joyous occasion for all expectant mothers. But there are many health issues, minor as well as major that can mar the spirits and dampen the enthusiasm of these very pregnant women.

Whilst most of these symptoms could be harmless, some cannot be neglected as they could be pointers to major catastrophes waiting to happen.?Symptoms like morning sickness, nausea, fatigue, heart burn and back pain are very common occurrences during pregnancy.

But there are other symptoms like bleeding during pregnancy, amniotic fluid leak, gestational diabetes, urinary tract infections that need medical attention and constant monitoring in order to prevent miscarriages and pre term labour.

Every mother would want a healthy baby and hence must do her best to keep herself and the baby safe and secure in the womb. Find out what is nagging you and make sure you address the problem to keep the baby perfectly healthy.

Pregnant women have an increased risk of contracting urinary tract infections. This is because the growing size of the uterus pushes the bladder down making it easy for the bacteria to enter the urinary tract. Uterus could also block the flow of urine resulting in an infection. Urinary tract infections during pregnancy have to be treated to avoid pre term labours and increase in blood pressure. Many safe antibiotics are available which can be taken with the advice of a doctor.

Symptoms include burning sensation while passing urine, lower abdominal pain, blood in urine, frequent and less urine and in severe cases, fever, chills, nausea and back pain when it spreads to the kidneys. Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice helps in clearing UTIs. You can also add lemon juice as part of your diet if you are prone to frequent UTIs.

Most women experience heart burn during the last trimester. Your baby in the womb could be exerting pressure on the stomach as she grows, pushing the stomach acids up into the esophagus, causing heart burn. Pregnant women who experience heart burn must avoid spicy, fatty and acidic food and juices which will aggravate the condition. Break down your meals into several small servings. You may also avoid lying flat on the bed. Try propping your head up to avoid the reflux action. Chewing raw almonds will help reduce or prevent heart burn during pregnancy.

Pregnant women experience leg cramps due to a variety of reasons. Calcium, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can trigger leg cramps during pregnancy. Constriction of blood vessels and nerves by the pressure exerted by the foetus is another factor that causes leg cramps in pregnant women.

All deficiencies must be addressed carefully during pregnancy. Massaging the muscles helps to relieve the pain. You may also try placing heat pads on the sore muscles. Taking hot showers too relieves the pain. If the problem persists even after trying simple remedies, there could be underlying causes which need medical attention.

Bleeding gums are mostly ignored by many pregnant women. But this is a very serious condition as you may be putting your baby’s life in jeopardy. The increased blood circulation in the body can lead to sensitive and swollen gums and bleeding. Bacteria can enter the mother’s blood stream through these bleeding gums, putting your baby at risk. Pregnancy related gingivitis occurs in many women, especially in the first and the third trimester.

Ensure that you use a gentle brush that does not hurt your sensitive gums. Frequent brushing of teeth and flossing will keep the bacteria at bay. You can massage essential oils like spearmint, peppermint, olive or almond oil onto your swollen and bleeding gums to sooth and ease the bruises. Practice saline rinses after every meal. Take a glass of warm water and add a pinch of salt into it. Rinse your moth several times using this solution to prevent swelling and increase blood circulation.

Leukorrhea or increase whitish discharge from the vagina is very common in women, pregnant or not. But during pregnancy, the secretions could increase due to the high production of estrogen in the body of pregnant women. While normal leukorrhea with a clear white discharge is not a cause for worry, there are other discharges which could be blood tinged, yellow, green or pink in colour.

These could be the results of cervical or vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, trichomonas etc. A vaginal swab can help in analysing the cause and treating the symptoms using safe antibiotic medications.

Gestational diabetes is a diabetic condition experienced during pregnancy. The condition is caused by insulin resistance that a pregnant mother experiences during her pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can be detected in the second trimester. If left untreated it can be disastrous for the mother and the baby. The baby will grow bigger than normal and develop hypoglycaemia after birth. Gestational diabetes can lead to high blood pressure in pregnant women and result in preeclampsia. They can also fall prey to type 2 diabetes afterwards.

Control the intake of sweets and sugar can be followed as general rule by all pregnant women. Ensure that you are on a well balanced diet. Natural sugars present in fruits and vegetables are a safe alternative to the sweetened products available in the market. Regular exercise helps in converting the excess glucose present in the body into energy.

Amniotic fluid is the fluid inside the womb which keeps the baby safe and floating. Low levels of amniotic fluid in a pregnant woman can cause complications and deformities in the foetus. Many women leak amniotic fluid during pregnancy. This must not be confused with regular leukorrhea.

Amniotic fluid leaks can be the cause of bacterial infections or a tear or trauma in the amniotic sac. While small tears repair on its own, bigger tears, especially during the early months, can tamper the development of the foetus and result in other complications like low amniotic fluid which is dangerous for the baby.

Amniotic fluid is thinner and flows out in excess. If you see worrying leakages, immediately consult the doctor.Pregnancy is the time when you face many such small symptoms. However, there is no need to stress yourself at every single issue. You could assess things yourself and consult a gynaecologist if you feel that things are getting out of hand.

View the original article here

Urinary Tract Infection In Pregnancy – Some Effective Home Remedies

Urinary tract infection is a universal problem faced by men as well as women.? However, it affects women more than men. Pregnant women are even more susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTI) due to a number of conducive factors. The most common factor leading to UTI in pregnancy is the fact that pregnant women undergo a number of physical changes that push their bladder closer to the opening if the vagina.

This makes way for easy entry of bacteria into a pregnant woman’s bladder. Pregnant women also find it difficult to expel urine as effectively as they used to before.? This results in urine getting accumulated in the bladder and leading to bacterial infection. Gestational diabetes is another factor that leads to UTI in pregnant women. The presence of excess sugar in the body helps in the multiplication of bacteria inside the bladder of a pregnant woman.

While UTI in itself is not a threatening infection, when pregnant, there are many risk factors associated with it. Urinary tract infection during pregnancy can lead to kidney infection if left untreated and can also result in high blood pressure and premature labour. If you suspect a UTI during pregnancy, it is very important to visit the doctor and undergo medical treatment to prevent complications. Urinary tract infection normally presents itself with a burning sensation while urinating, pain in the lower abdominal area and frequent and low amounts of urine.

Sever cases may present itself with fever, chills and blood in urine. Urine would turn very cloudy and would have a foul smell to it when you have urinary tract infection. The good news is that there are many home remedies for preventing as well as treating urinary tract infections. During pregnancy, preventing is more important than treating and hence one must strive to do what one can in order to prevent urinary tract infections.

Cranberry juice is known to be one of the best natural treatment methods for urinary tract infections. Since this is a purely natural juice, pregnant women can take it without having to worry about side effects and risks. Cranberry juice can prevent as well as retract urinary tract infections to a great extent. For infections, intake of seven ounces of pure cranberry juice is sufficient for complete cure.

Cranberry juice must be consumed without any sweetening agents. Cocktails too are not recommended as they reduce the amount of cranberry juice required for recovery. It is a good practice to drink a glass of cranberry juice every day to avoid urinary tract infections.

Consumption of vitamin C will immediately reduce the symptoms associated with urinary tract infection. Vitamin C increases the acidity of the urine. Bacteria associated with urinary infection cannot thrive well in acidic conditions and hence one gets immediate relief and cure with Vitamin C. Talk to the doctor about the adequate amount of vitamin C that can be consumed safely during pregnancy. You may add plenty of foods that are rich in vitamin C in order to combat urinary tract infections during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is the time when you need to keep a toxin free body to ensure the health and well being of your foetus. For this drinking plenty of water is a must. Drinking water will also keep urinary tract infections at bay. If you have fallen prey to urinary tract infections, make sure that you drink 3-4 litres of water to flush out the bacteria that have planted themselves inside the bladder. Drinking water will also prevent the multiplication of bacteria in the bladder.

Most pregnant women get urinary tract infection as they try to control the urge to urinate. This will result in build up of bacteria in the bladder and resultant UTI. Pregnant women especially should not suppress the urge to urinate as their body is a great breeding ground for bacteria due to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. You must respond to every urge to urinate in order to keep the bladder empty and prevent bacteria from multiplying.

Personal hygiene is advisable at all times. During pregnancy it takes on a whole new meaning. You are responsible for your life as well as the life of the baby. While bathing, it is a good practice to avoid bath tubs as they allow easy passage of bacteria into the bladder through the water that is filled inside the tub. Showers are better and hygienic during the pregnant months.

Pregnant women must also avoid using public toilets which are again treasure houses of all kinds of bacteria. Always ensure that you clean your genitals after urination. Keep them dry and clean to prevent bacterial infections of all kinds. It is also important to wipe your genitals from the front to the back to prevent bacteria from the anal region from spreading into the perineum and subsequently into the vagina and urinary bladder.

During pregnancy, women feel increasingly hot that would lead them to sweat more than usual. So wearing cotton clothes that can absorb the sweat well is a must in order to prevent infections. Loose fitting clothes will ensure good air circulation that will keep your genital areas free from bacterial and fungal infections.

In spite of all precautions, you could still be prone to urinary tract infections. If the infection persists after basic home remedies have been administered, you must immediately consult the doctor for advice. There are many safe antibiotics that can be taken during pregnancy. Your doctor may prescribe a course depending on the severity of the infection.

Urine culture and blood test would also be conducted to rule out kidney infections and to check the response towards various antibiotic medicines. Urinary tract infection during pregnancy is a very common occurrence. There is no need to stress yourselves out if you have contracted the infection. With a little care and effort, things can very well be set right and brought under control.

Photo Credit: Askamum.co.uk

View the original article here

15 Effective Home Remedies for Oily Skin

Whether you have oily or dry skin depends greatly on a number of factors. Heredity is the number one factor that creates an oily skin. Everyone who has oily skin would agree that it is a difficult skin type to maintain and manage.

Oily skin can easily break out into black heads, pimples and acne more frequently than dry skinned people.?Birth control pills and sometimes the use of certain medications can cause oily skin. It would be interesting to know that oily skin is the aftermath of a male hormone, androgen present in our body.

This hormone is in charge of controlling the production of oil in our skin. This explains why some women experience more oiliness in their skin during their menstrual cycle and also during menopause.?While it is indeed difficult to maintain oily skin, a few home remedies can keep them very clear of blemishes and boils and render a glowing skin tone worthy of admiration.

The astringent qualities of apples help keep the oil under check in oily skinned people. Mash half of an apple alone with half a cup of oatmeal that is cooked. Add one egg white and three teaspoons of lemon juice and add it along with the mashed apple and oatmeal mix. Blend well and apply it all over the face and other oily areas of the skin. Leave it for fifteen minutes and wash with cool water.

For oily skin, removing the oil goes a long way in keeping it free from breaking into boils. Egg yolk can absorb the excess oil from the skin. Apply the yolk of an egg on the oily areas of your skin. Wait till it dries and was with cold water.

Application of lemon juice every day helps to keep the oil in check. Dilute the lemon juice with a little water and apply on the face. Wash with warm water after which you can give a cold water rinse for a fresh feel. You can do this before application of make up for preventing oily patches on the skin.

Citrus fruits are particularly good in absorbing oil from oily skin. Vegetables like cucumber too absorb oil from the skin. Mix lime and cucumber juice in equal amounts for the double benefit and leave it on till it dries. You can do this before using make up and also before showers every day.

Aloe Vera is probably the best natural remedy available for oily skin. It absorbs all skin oils naturally. Smear Aloe Vera gel on the face as much time as you want and allow it to dry. For better results cool it and use it.

Apple cider vinegar is also a great treatment for all sorts of skin eruptions and also for exfoliation and toning. Dilute apple cider vinegar with honey or water and apply on the oily areas. Leave it till it dries and rinse with cold water. Continue this application for 3-4 weeks for skin oiliness to subside greatly.

Salt is another great natural remedy that you can try to curtail oily skin. Add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. You can use a spray bottle for this purpose. Spray it on to your skin and pat dry.

Blackheads are a common occurrence in oily skin. Baking soda can help you prevent black heads. While you use a mild face wash or soap, add half a teaspoon of baking soda along with the solution and massage on the oily areas of your skin. The grains help in removing the black heads as well as the excess oil on your skin.

Almonds and honey work together as a team to sustain just enough oil for your skin and remove all the dead cells and black heads permanently. Grind just enough almonds and mix with honey to form a paste. You can now massage the paste gently on to the skin using a cotton cloth dipped in hot water and wringed dry. Wash with cold water after ten minutes of massaging.

Cornstarch is a good remedy for absorbing excess oil from the skin. Mix adequate quantities of cornstarch with enough water to form a smooth paste. Apply on the oily areas of the skin and allow it to dry completely. You can wash it off with warm water. Using cornstarch paste every day before you apply makeup helps in keeping the oil under control.

Masks can work wonder for removal of excess oil and dirt from oily skin. For making a mask, green clay is the best. Take green clay and mix it with honey to form a thick paste. Apply on the face with a brush and allow it to dry. Green paste is capable of absorbing large amounts of water and hence helps in keeping the skin free from oil and dirt accumulated over the days. Use it twice or thrice a week.

Fuller’s Earth is another ingredient that can be used for making a mask. It is easily available than green clay. Mix with water to form a paste and apply on the skin. Wait till it dries and wash it off with cold water. The skin will be left beautifully refreshed and clean.

Oatmeal and Aloe Vera can be mixed to form a gentle scrub for your oily face. Massage with this mixture to remove dead cells, blackheads and excess oil. Wash off with warm water.?Make a steam with licorice roots, rosebuds and lemongrass. Steam for ten minutes and wash with cold water. You can use this herbal water for toning your skin after it cools.

If you do not have time for any of these, you can just keep ice cubes in the refrigerator for everyday use. Wash your face with cold water and apply ice cubes on the face. Pat dry. Do this a couple of times to remove excess oil from the skin. Tending you oily skin with herbal and home made products will ensure that it remains beautiful and free from a sticky and greasy appearance.

View the original article here