How to Treat Asthma during Pregnancy

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the respiratory system where periodic inflammation occurs in the air passage and normal airflow into the body gets affected. It is triggered due to irritation of the lining of the air passage caused by allergens, irritants, infections, cold weather conditions, hormonal changes and so on. An asthma attack is identified with symptoms like breathing difficulty, wheezing, chest tightness, cough, etc. Asthma attacks during pregnancy are fairly common. Those women who have a medical history of asthma tend to get the attacks more frequently during pregnancy. On the other hand, some women develop asthma during pregnancy.

Treating asthma during pregnancy

Many women try to avoid asthma treatment during pregnancy as they feel that medicines can cause harm to their unborn baby. It is true that taking asthma medicines may not be good for the baby but an uncontrolled asthma attack during pregnancy is even worse. It decreases the amount of oxygen supply to the mother and the foetus. This can lead to serious complications like high blood pressure in the pregnant mother, pre-eclampsia, low birth weight of the infant, premature baby birth, etc.

For treatment during pregnancy, you have to involve both your pulmonologist and the obstetrician. Do not stop taking medicines on your own when you come to know about your pregnancy. Rather, you must inform your obstetrician about the medicines that you are taking. When you inform your pulmonologist that you are pregnant, then he or she may change the dosage of the medicine or give you new medicines. 

The most popular medicine used for treating asthma during pregnancy is steroid inhalers. It opens up the air passage and alleviates symptoms. It may be accompanied by oral steroid medicines or injections. The dosage of these medicines depends on the frequency of the asthma attack and severity of the symptoms. Do not worry as your doctor will select suitable medicines for you that have minimum side effects on you and your baby.

If asthma is triggered due to exposure to allergens, then doctors prescribe antihistamines for controlling the allergy symptoms. A nasal congestion due to upper respiratory tract infection is often treated with oral decongestants. Those who are prone to flu attack may be advised to take flu shots to prevent aggravation of the problem. Regular intake of medicines is not enough, you also have to visit your pulmonologist to monitor the lung function from time to time. Your gynaecologist will also recommend frequent ultrasounds to check foetal growth.

Treating an Asthma Attack at Home

Along with the medicinal treatment, you have to take a few remedial measures at home to control asthma symptoms. A few helpful tips in this regard are as follows:

• Strictly avoid tobacco smoke exposure. Those pregnant women who are smokers should quit the habit immediately. Smoking can lead to a severe asthma attack.
• Make sure that your home and office environment where you spend maximum time is free from environmental irritants like dirt, dust, pollen, mould, etc.
• Do not go outdoors in cold weather conditions. If you have to go, make sure you cover up your mouth and nose properly with a scarf.
• Mix some rock salt with mustard oil to prepare a thick paste. Massage this paste gently on your chest daily. This reduces the chances of an asthma attack to a great extent.
• Garlic can provide relief from asthma. Boil 8-10 garlic cloves in a glass of milk for 10 minutes. Let it cool down and then drink it. It should be taken daily for best results.

The main aim of this treatment is to keep the mother and the baby healthy. If you are one of those women who have pre-existing asthma problems, there is no need to assume that you are going to have a tough time during pregnancy. You can manage asthma with proper medical care, regular monitoring of the condition and some suitable precautionary measures.

DocPractice - Online patient records and appointment management software...

Symptoms of Gallbladder Problems in Women

Early symptoms of gallbladder problems are often left untreated; as they are usually considered as symptoms of simple stomach problems that might get cured on their own. In majority of the cases, no early symptoms are noticed and gallbladder diseases are detected when the situation becomes worse. It is necessary to create awareness regarding gallbladder disorder symptoms.

Gallbladder Problems in Women

Gallbladder is a pear shaped small organ that assists in the process of digestion. It stores bile pigments produced by the liver. Infection, mostly due to the presence of gallstones is one of the main causes of gallbladder problems. Gallstones create obstruction in the path of the bile, leading to infection and inflammation of the gallbladder. The condition is also known as cholecystitis. Overweight women, women who follow fad diets and lose weight drastically, women with thyroid problems, family history, high cholesterol, diabetes, and certain other diseases are more likely to suffer from gallbladder dysfunction. Wrong eating habits, certain drugs and ageing are also responsible for gallbladder disorders.

Gallbladder symptoms in men and women are almost the same; but in case of women, these symptoms are more often neglected because women usually think that the abdominal pain might be due to menstruation problems. In fact, more cases of gallbladder disease are noticed in women than in men; because women suffer more from hormonal imbalance as they take birth control pills and go through various stages like puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breast-feeding and menopause.

Symptoms of gallbladder problems in women

Since gallbladder is situated in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, 'upper right quadrant pain' is one of the main symptoms of dysfunction of gallbladder. Gallbladder attack symptoms include extreme abdominal pain. Gallbladder attacks may result in low blood pressure. Nausea, vomiting, gas, excessive burping, belching are some of the common symptoms of gallbladder problems in women. Symptoms of heartburn like bitter fluid coming up in the mouth are also experienced by some women. Women should consult their physician if they notice any change in the colour of stools and if problems like gas and bloating do not go away despite home remedies or medicines. Women may suffer from indigestion, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and fever, depending upon the severity of the gallbladder infection. The pain may spread upwards and right side chest pain might be experienced. Women might complain about back pain or shoulder-blade pain, which to their surprise, can be due to gallbladder infection. Abdominal pain especially after enjoying a heavy dinner (food rich in fat) indicates gallbladder dysfunction. The pain can be so extreme that the woman might find it difficult to walk, stand or even sit straight. Weight loss without any reason and symptoms of jaundice are noticed in case of gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder problems during pregnancy

Symptoms of gallbladder disorder during pregnancy need prompt medication. During pregnancy, a woman's body is overloaded with various hormones which can sometimes affect the process of digestion. Gallbladder contracts when pouring the bile and gallstones can cause sudden severe abdominal pain. Intake of fat rich foods may aggravate the problem as the gallbladder will have to work hard (more number of contractions) to release more bile. Other symptoms like nausea and vomiting can be misinterpreted as 'morning sickness'. Sometimes during pregnancy, women experience itchy skin without any skin rashes. Gallbladder symptoms in pregnant women need to be carefully treated; since two lives are at stake.

Treatment of gallbladder problems mainly involves management of pain with the help of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Antacids help relieve heartburn and nausea. Doctors prescribe medicines and see to it that gallstones are naturally dissolved. If nothing works, then only, gallbladder surgery for the removal of gallbladder is recommended. A low-fat diet is an essential part of the treatment designed for gallbladder dysfunction. Increased intake of vitamin C and restricted intake of coffee may help you to stay away from gallstones problems. Studies show that the risk of having gallstones and related problems is higher for women who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Physically active women are less likely to suffer from gallstones. Similarly, those who take statin drugs to control high cholesterol levels also are less likely to suffer from gallbladder diseases. In men and women, gallbladder problems, if detected earlier, can be cured with balanced diet and medications. Thus, gallbladder surgery and its side effects can be easily avoided.

Enlarged Prostate in Young Men

Prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common medical condition in older men. Its occurrence in men under 30 is a rarity. This prostate lies beneath the bladder, and it surrounds the urethra. In case you are unaware of the function of the prostate gland, it does the work of nourishing and protecting the sperm when it travels through the vaginal tract for fertilisation during intercourse thus, increasing the chances of pregnancy. The gland, at birth, is of the size of a walnut. With age, the gland grows continuously. In some men, this growth makes the prostate bigger enough to obstruct urine flow, and cause other urinary problems.

What could cause enlarged prostate?

The period from mid to late 40s, is considered to be the growing period of the prostate gland. The problem of the enlarged prostate gland, according to experts, is triggered by a rapid multiplication of cells in the central portion of the gland. Now, what causes such an episode is yet to be brought under the light of certainty. Although there is no solid evidence, there are assumptions which are strongly related to it. The first speculation is regarding the hormone testosterone and female hormone (oestrogen) levels in men. Any abnormal change that occurs in these levels may trigger the condition of prostate gland enlargement in younger and older men. Leaving this aside, some doctors claim that a condition known as hyperplasia that occurs in the gland may also be one of the causes. While in some cases, the gland may develop an increased sensitivity towards normal levels of hormone, and this may result in the enlargement too.

Symptoms of enlarged prostate

The symptoms may get worse as men age. Also, the symptoms are not the same for all, and may vary with individuals. Common signs and symptoms include experiencing difficulty in initiating urination, dribbling episodes at the end of each session, and having a weak urine system. Along with these few pronounced symptoms, increased urgency for urination, increased urination at night, straining while urinating, and incomplete evacuation during urination may occur. With time, the symptoms of this prostate problem may become worse and include bladder stones, impaired kidney function, urinary tract infection (UTI) and presence of blood in the urine.

Treatment of enlarged prostate

Not every person who has BPH requires treatment. Only when the symptoms become severe or bothersome enough, one can decide to get treated. Treatment options are many, and severity of the symptoms, the enlargement, medical history, and overall health are some factors which help in determining the best treatment for an individual. Most cases can be managed with the use of medications. These may include alpha blockers (muscle relaxants), and 5 alpha reductase inhibitors (aid in shrinking the gland). In some cases, the patient may need to be treated with a combination of the above two medicines depending upon the condition. If administrating medications does not seem promising enough, then doctors may recommend surgery. The main aim of the surgery is to reduce the size of the prostate so that it can relieve the urinary problems the patient is facing. The patient may choose from a wide variety of surgical procedures.

Along with prescribed medications, there are a few self-care measures that can be followed at home. These measures may help deal with the symptoms to some extent. It is better to limit drinks in the evening, especially when it is close to bedtime. Avoid alcoholic drinks, limit decongestants or antihistamines, avoid delaying the urge to go to the toilet, and do regular exercises. Keeping yourself warm also helps in reducing the symptoms. Speaking of natural treatment, some scientists believe that the herb palmetto may show promising results in treating BPH. However, studies conducted for the efficacy of the herb showed inconsistent results thus, further investigation is required.

Tips to Quit Smoking While Pregnant

It is no secret that smoking is a very harmful and bad addiction. In fact, it's absolutely correct to say that 'smoking kills'. And once you are into smoking, it becomes even more difficult to quit. Smoking is a hazardous addiction which can lead to serious health ailments like cancer, lung and heart diseases, problems with circulation, skin and eyes problems, etc. In extreme cases it can even cause death. Smoking in fact lowers your lifespan. And in pregnancy, it doubles the effects as the child also becomes the victim. A woman should literally not dare to touch a cigarette once she knows about her pregnancy, as it affects the baby's health, and in severe cases, it can lead to miscarriages, abortions, premature delivery, and low birth weight.

Hazardous effects of smoking during pregnancy

A single cigarette contains thousands of harmful chemicals and compounds, like cyanide, lead, nicotine and carbon monoxide. When you smoke, the chemicals enter your body and indirectly enter the baby's body through the blood stream. Nicotine and carbon monoxide narrow down the arteries and this result in lowered oxygen supply to the baby. Babies born to pregnant smokers are more prone to severe health conditions like sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma and lung disorders. Smoking also affects the baby's brain and can lead to learning disabilities and behavioural problems in future. Smoking a pack of cigarettes daily can lower the baby's weight by about a pound, and low body weight in a baby means stunted growth in the future too. The harmful effects of smoking in pregnant woman include vaginal bleeding and delivery problems, which includes ectopic pregnancy, which is a kind of abnormal pregnancy in which the foetus (baby) cannot survive and a still birth takes place, in which the baby dies in the uterus itself.

Quitting smoking when pregnant

After reading the harmful effects of cigarette smoking, anyone would expect the person to quit cigarettes automatically. But this thing never happens. Smoking is such an addiction that one tends to ignore the body health and the cigarette becomes dearer than the health. This is a real challenge. Following are some of the ways and tips to motivate and quit smoking especially when you are pregnant.

• Visualise the Baby- Think of your baby when you get an impulse to smoke. Pregnancy is one of the best phases of a woman's life and every woman dreams of giving birth to a healthy baby. As seen in the earlier paragraph, smoking is so hazardous for your baby's health, so stop smoking at least for your baby's sake.
• Go Cold Turkey- Another method is giving up smoking completely at one go. This is often referred as the cold turkey method. This method can be tough for some as it involves giving up cigarettes completely. In this method, you are supposed to throw away all your cigarette packs, ashtrays and lighters. This technique demands strong willpower, and if you are a heavy smoker you could experience some withdrawal symptoms like depression and stress.
• Stay Happy- Pregnancy is a happy phase and you should enjoy this phase, so don't let any kind of stress bother you as stress is an open invitation to a cigarette and other health ailments.
• Manage Your Surroundings- It's always better to announce your plans to quit smoking to all your friends and acquaintances, because it's like a commitment. You should feel free to ask them to not to smoke when you are around as you might get an urge to smoke. Passive smoking is also very harmful.
• Don't Give Up- Even if you experience symptoms like depression and cannot control that craving for a cigar, don't give up. Instead engage yourself in some other activity, so that your mind is diverted.
• Train Your Mind- The mind is an amazing machine, with immense power. Fix it in your mind that you wouldn't give in to the cigarette urge, your mind has powers to help you control the craving.
• Prepare a Notebook- Jot down in a notebook all the reasons on why you have to stop smoking. Also write the harmful effects of smoking in this notebook. If you get an urge to smoke, go through this notebook, your interest would automatically diminish.
• Enjoy the Benefits of a Healthy Life- Your decision to quit smoking means, you have chosen to live a healthy life. Be positive about your decision and enjoy the new lifestyle. You can also join a good pregnancy class where you would find like-minded friends. Deep breathing exercises are also very good for relieving stress and make one strong.
• Be Strong- Don't let cigarettes become your weakness. You should be strong enough to live without any addiction. It will also give you a feeling of satisfaction that you can live life without the puff.
• Use Nicotine Alternatives- This one is the least recommended tip, but you can go for it in extreme cases. Giving up smoking can be a tough task, especially if you are into this habit for years. But now the demand of time is that you quit it completely and immediately. If on some occasion, the urge is very strong, you can indulge in some nicotine replacements like a nicotine chewing gum. But remember that you should have the replacements only if the urge is very strong.

Ladies, think about the happiness the 'little bundle of joy' would give you once he/she arrives, and use this joy as a tool to repel that dangerous stick, called cigarette.

Does Sweat Cause Acne?

One of the biggest banes of puberty is acne. Your clear, baby soft skin is taken over by ugly, painful acne. This is an unavoidable growth pang that one has to survive till it lasts. Acne is not caused by a single factor. There are many factors that can lead to these ugly zits erupt on one's skin. Over production of skin oil, bacterial infection, hormones, toxins in blood, blocked skin pores, etc. are some of the common causes of acne. But, there are many people who believe acne breakouts can also be caused due to sweat.

Is Sweating Good for Skin?

The human body has two types of sweating glands. The eccrine glands are found all over the body and they help regulate body temperature. As sweating is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain, any increase in the core temperature, triggers the eccrine glands to produce sweat. The other types of sweat glands include apocrine glands. These glands are present only in the armpits and navel area. These glands function only when stimulated or under stress. So, how is sweat good for the skin? Well, sweat contains water, sodium chloride and to some extent potassium. But, when you sweat you open up your skin pores. This helps you perspire. When you sweat, the water also brings along the toxins and dirt in your skin pores. Thus, unclogging the skin pores to some extent and detoxifying the skin. But, you must have noticed, in some cases, sweat tends to aggravate conditions such as acne and even eczema. Let us find out if sweat is actually a friend or a foe in disguise.

Can Sweat Cause Acne?

People, who tend to exercise or undergo physical work, perspire a lot. Especially after one steps out in the hot sun on a dry, dusty day. A good sweat will definitely help open up your pores and flush out the dirt from the skin. But, excessive sweat may make things worse. When one perspires, they should immediately clean it off. Otherwise, it may start clogging your already wide open pores. 

When you sweat, your skin becomes moist. This moist skin attracts dust and dirt that start sticking to the pores. When this happens, the pores start clogging and the oil secreted by the skin makes sure the dirt sticks to your pores. Once it evaporates, it leaves behind all the dirt, dust as well as bacteria on your skin surface. If you do not wash off your face with a face soap and water, the pores remain clogged. And finally, the next day, you observe acne greeting you.

Many times, people tend to develop acne mechanica. This is a form of acne that develops due to rubbing of the skin due to clothing or sports equipment. This means constant friction due to presence of a belt, strap, synthetic fibre or helmets and shoulder pads with the skin along with sweat can lead to acne mechanica. The skin is not able to breathe under the synthetic clothing or material rubbing against it. They start sweating and the extra heat, pressure and friction makes them vulnerable to acne. This type of acne can develop at any age at any time. It may appear not only on the face, but shoulders, back, waist, legs, under the arms or in the groin area.

So, does sweat cause acne? The answer is yes. It does lead to acne as it allows grime and dirt to stick to your skin. But, sweat also helps cleanse the skin to a small extent. So, you need to strike a balance between good sweat and excessive sweat. If you tend to sweat a lot, make sure you clean your face or have a bath frequently. People prone to acne mechanica, like musicians, sportsmen, etc. should make sure they wear loose-fitting clothes or cotton fabrics. Do not wear belts, straps and helmets for a prolonged period. You can try a few over the counter acne treatments and get rid of the ones that you may develop. A little bit of hygiene will make sure your sweat does not lead to acne eruptions.

Diabetes Blood Test - The Two Most Common Methods

Are you feeling the symptoms of diabetes? Do you think that your sensations of tingling, frequent thirst, urination, and increased hunger are no longer normal? If so, you should go running to your doctor for diabetes tests.

It is good that you are able to recognise that you may be suffering from the condition but it is even better if you have knowledge on how you are being diagnosed for diabetes. Understanding the condition will not only help you understand the tests; it will also assist you in your transition to have a healthier lifestyle to manage the illness. This article will tackle the various tests utilised by doctors to diagnose diabetes.

Millions of people around the world are unaware that they already have diabetes or pre-diabetes. This is mainly due to ignorance or merely ignoring the symptoms associated with the condition. Warning signs should be heeded and one should confirm this through diabetes tests conducted by diabetologists.

The Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test

The most popular and commonly used test diabetes diagnosis, FPG is both cheap and convenient. It may miss some diabetes and pre-diabetes but according to the majority of medical world, the test is fairly reliable. This test obliges the individual to refrain from eating for at least 8 hours-the fasting phase.

After the fasting phase, blood will be drawn from the subject for lab analysis. The results will determine if you have or a candidate for having diabetes. There are sets of values of blood glucose levels which are usually measured in milligrams per decilitre that will help you and your doctor confirm the presence of diabetes.

In some cases, you may produce normal results but the doctor may still suspect that you are still a candidate based on symptoms and risk factors. In this case, you will be likely prompted to undergo a slightly different test to be certain of the diagnosis.

The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

This is another test for diagnosing diabetes. Usually, individuals are encouraged to take this test to confirm doubts that were not resolved by the FPG test. Like FPG, OGTT also requires the subject to refrain from eating before drawing blood. The test is usually used to test for insulin resistance, and sometimes reactive hypoglycaemia or other rarer metabolism disorders. Basically, it measures the body's ability to metabolise glucose, or clear it out of the bloodstream.

After the basic FPG test, you will be asked to quickly drink a sweet liquid containing glucose. After 1 or 2 hours, a blood sample will be collected for blood sugar level analysis. OGTT is also done on pregnant women with a slightly different procedure.

There are other tests that assist doctors in diagnostics. The two given above are the most preferred.