Women's Health Archives - Remedies Lore

Lifestyle diseases, often referred to as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), are health conditions primarily driven by unhealthy lifestyle choices. These diseases, which include heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and certain cancers, have become increasingly prevalent due to modern habits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lifestyle diseases account for a significant percentage of global deaths each year, making prevention a vital focus for public health. The good news is that many of these conditions are preventable through conscious lifestyle changes.

This blog will explore seven effective strategies to avoid lifestyle diseases, offering detailed insights and practical tips for each. By understanding and implementing these strategies, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases.

1. Adopt a Balanced and Nutritious Diet

Understanding the Importance of Nutrition

Nutrition plays a foundational role in health. A balanced diet provides the body with essential nutrients to function optimally, strengthens the immune system, and helps prevent the development of lifestyle diseases. An unhealthy diet, high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, is a significant risk factor for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Key Components of a Healthy Diet

Fruits and Vegetables: Aim to fill half your plate with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, all of which are essential for good health. Aim for at least five servings per day.
Whole Grains: Choose whole grains over refined grains. Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread retain their nutrients and fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling full.
Lean Proteins: Incorporate lean protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, fish, legumes, and nuts. Protein is vital for building and repairing tissues and can help maintain a healthy weight by promoting satiety.
Healthy Fats: Not all fats are created equal. Opt for healthy fats found in avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil while limiting saturated and trans fats commonly found in fried foods and processed snacks.
Limit Sugar and Salt: Excessive sugar and salt intake can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased risk of chronic diseases. Read food labels and choose low-sugar and low-sodium options.

Practical Tips for a Healthy Diet

Meal Planning: Plan your meals for the week to ensure you have healthy options readily available. This can help you avoid last-minute unhealthy food choices.
Cook at Home: Preparing meals at home allows you to control ingredients and portion sizes. Experiment with new recipes to make healthy eating enjoyable.
Practice Mindful Eating: Pay attention to your hunger cues and avoid distractions while eating. This practice can help prevent overeating.

Example: Start your day with a smoothie made from spinach, banana, and Greek yogurt, switch to a quinoa salad with mixed vegetables for lunch, and enjoy grilled salmon with roasted sweet potatoes for dinner.

2. Engage in Regular Physical Activity

The Role of Exercise in Disease Prevention

Physical activity is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and preventing lifestyle diseases. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, enhances mental health, and boosts overall well-being.

Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines

The WHO recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. This can be broken down into manageable sessions throughout the week.

Types of Physical Activity

Aerobic Exercise: Activities like walking, running, swimming, or cycling that increase your heart rate and improve cardiovascular fitness.
Strength Training: Exercises such as weightlifting, resistance band workouts, or bodyweight exercises (like push-ups and squats) that build muscle mass and strength.
Flexibility and Balance: Incorporate activities like yoga or tai chi to improve flexibility, balance, and overall physical function.

Practical Tips for Staying Active

Find Activities You Enjoy: Discover physical activities that you find enjoyable to make it easier to stay consistent. This could be dancing, hiking, or joining a sports league.
Set Achievable Goals: Start with small, realistic fitness goals, such as walking for 20 minutes a day, and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.
Incorporate Activity into Daily Life: Look for opportunities to be active throughout your day. Use the stairs instead of the elevator, walk or bike instead of driving, and take short breaks to stretch or walk during long periods of sitting.

Example: Aim for a mix of activities throughout the week, such as brisk walking three days a week, strength training two days a week, and a yoga class once a week.

3. Manage Stress Effectively

Understanding the Impact of Stress

Chronic stress can lead to numerous health problems, including heart disease, digestive issues, and weakened immune function. Stress also contributes to unhealthy coping behaviors, such as overeating, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption.

Identifying Stressors

The first step in managing stress is identifying the factors that contribute to it. Common stressors include work-related pressures, financial concerns, and personal relationships.

Effective Stress Management Techniques

Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness practices and meditation can help reduce stress by promoting relaxation and increasing awareness of the present moment. Regular meditation can improve emotional regulation and reduce anxiety.
Physical Activity: Exercise is a powerful stress reliever. Physical activity boosts the production of endorphins, natural mood lifters that promote a sense of well-being.
Adequate Sleep: Sleep is essential for stress management. Poor sleep can increase stress and lead to a cycle of health problems. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Social Support: Connect with friends and family for emotional support. Sharing your feelings with someone you trust can alleviate stress and provide a different perspective.
Time Management: Prioritize tasks and set realistic goals to manage your time more effectively. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Practical Tips for Reducing Stress

Incorporate Relaxation Techniques: Explore techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery to promote relaxation.
Engage in Hobbies: Pursuing hobbies and interests outside of work can provide a necessary break and enhance your overall quality of life.
Limit Exposure to Stressors: If certain situations or people increase your stress levels, find ways to minimize your exposure or create healthy boundaries.

Example: Dedicate 10-15 minutes each day for mindfulness meditation, and take regular breaks during work hours to stretch or take a short walk.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Understanding the Importance of Weight Management

Obesity is a significant risk factor for various lifestyle diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the strain on your body and enhances overall health.

Strategies for Achieving and Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Balanced Diet: As discussed earlier, a balanced diet rich in whole foods is crucial for weight management. Focus on nutrient-dense foods while limiting processed and high-calorie items.
Regular Physical Activity: Engage in regular exercise to burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. Combining aerobic and strength-training activities is particularly effective.
Portion Control: Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overeating. Use smaller plates and bowls to help control serving sizes.
Track Your Progress: Keep a food diary or use apps to track your food intake and physical activity. Monitoring your progress can help identify patterns and make necessary adjustments.
Stay Hydrated: Sometimes, thirst is mistaken for hunger. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support weight management.

Practical Tips for Weight Management

Set Realistic Goals: Aim for gradual weight loss (1-2 pounds per week) rather than drastic changes. Sustainable changes lead to lasting results.
Be Consistent: Consistency is key to successful weight management. Focus on making healthy choices a regular part of your life.
Seek Professional Guidance: If you’re struggling with weight management, consider consulting a registered dietitian or a healthcare professional for personalized advice and support.

Example: Incorporate a balanced breakfast, such as oatmeal topped with fresh fruits and nuts, to kickstart your metabolism and keep you satisfied until lunchtime.

5. Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption

Understanding the Health Risks

Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are major contributors to lifestyle diseases. Smoking is a leading cause of heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses, while excessive alcohol intake can lead to liver disease, high blood pressure, and various cancers.

Strategies for Quitting Smoking

Set a Quit Date: Choose a specific date to quit smoking and prepare for it mentally and physically.
Seek Support: Utilize support systems, whether through friends, family, or smoking cessation programs. Consider joining support groups or using quitlines for guidance.
Explore Aids: Nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches or gum) and prescription medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms.
Identify Triggers: Recognize situations or emotions that trigger the urge to smoke, and develop strategies to cope with those triggers without resorting to smoking.

Strategies for Limiting Alcohol Consumption

Know Your Limits: Understand what moderate drinking means—up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
Find Alternatives: Explore non-alcoholic beverages, such as sparkling water or herbal teas, to replace alcoholic drinks during social gatherings.
Practice Mindful Drinking: Pay attention to how alcohol affects your mood and health. Consider taking breaks from drinking to assess its impact on your life.

Practical Tips for Quitting Smoking and Reducing Alcohol Intake

Stay Busy: Engage in activities that keep your hands and mind occupied to reduce cravings.
Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your successes in quitting smoking or reducing alcohol intake, no matter how small.
Seek Professional Help: If you’re struggling with addiction, consider reaching out to healthcare professionals for support and resources.

Example: Replace your evening drink with herbal tea and explore new hobbies or activities that keep you engaged and distracted from cravings.

6. Schedule Regular Health Screenings

The Importance of Preventive Care

Regular health screenings are essential for detecting potential health issues early on. Many lifestyle diseases do not show symptoms until they reach advanced stages, making routine check-ups crucial for effective management and treatment.

Recommended Screenings

Blood Pressure Checks: Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year. High blood pressure often goes unnoticed but can lead to serious health problems.
Cholesterol Levels: Check your cholesterol levels regularly, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.
Blood Glucose Tests: Monitor blood sugar levels to detect prediabetes or diabetes early.
Body Mass Index (BMI): Assess your BMI during check-ups to evaluate your weight status and associated risks.
Cancer Screenings: Follow guidelines for cancer screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and prostate exams, based on age and risk factors.

Practical Tips for Preventive Care

Know Your Family History: Understanding your family history can help assess your risk for certain diseases. Discuss this information with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized screening plan.
Create a Health Calendar: Set reminders for regular check-ups and screenings to ensure you prioritize your health.
Advocate for Yourself: Don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider about recommended screenings and tests based on your personal health and risk factors.

Example: Schedule an annual health check-up and create a list of questions or concerns to discuss with your healthcare provider during your visit.

7. Prioritize Quality Sleep

The Connection Between Sleep and Health

Sleep is vital for overall health and well-being. Chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to a range of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders. Prioritizing quality sleep can significantly reduce your risk of lifestyle diseases.

Key Factors for Healthy Sleep

Establish a Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day to regulate your body’s internal clock.
Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Engage in calming activities before bed, such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.
Limit Screen Time: Reduce exposure to screens at least an hour before bed, as blue light can interfere with melatonin production and disrupt sleep patterns.
Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment: Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows to support restful sleep.
Watch Your Diet Before Bed: Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime, as they can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.

Practical Tips for Improving Sleep Quality

Limit Naps: While short naps can be beneficial, long or irregular napping during the day can disrupt nighttime sleep.
Incorporate Relaxation Techniques: Consider techniques such as deep breathing exercises or gentle yoga to relax your body and mind before bed.
Be Mindful of Your Sleep Environment: Create an optimal sleep environment by controlling noise, light, and temperature.

Example: Develop a bedtime routine that includes dimming the lights, turning off electronic devices, and engaging in a calming activity like reading or listening to soothing music.

Conclusion

Preventing lifestyle diseases is achievable through conscious lifestyle choices. By adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, scheduling regular health screenings, and prioritizing quality sleep, you can significantly reduce your risk of chronic diseases.

Remember that small, sustainable changes often lead to the most significant improvements in health. Start by implementing one or two strategies and gradually incorporate more as you become comfortable. Your efforts today can pave the way for a healthier future. Prioritize your health, and embrace a lifestyle that promotes longevity and well-being for years to come.

Face Mask

Use Corn Flour Face Mask

Byaqilrl

From delicious dishes to cleaning blood stains, corn flour has a bunch of benefits for daily use. Interestingly you can use cornflour face masks to have an attractive look.

Corn flour is obtained from maize grain and is extensively used in making sauce, soups, syrups, and chicken nuggets. Proteins and vitamins in cornflour make it a great remedy for brightening skin.

Due to our stressful lives and the pollution that we bear, we face a lot of problems with dust and skin. Mainly when it comes to stress and pollution, we should assume that we will be attacked by facial skin problems likewise sunlight tan, acne, uneven skin tone, etc.,

I’ve seen people who’re after expensive cosmetic creams because they claim to give glowing skin. Failing, they jump to the next newly launched product.

Beauty products include refined and chemical ingredients that have less nutritional value. They use chemicals to increase the shelf-life of the product. So why not just try a simple home available face mask to see how it works.

Benefits of Corn Flour Face Mask

Nutrients in this face mask help to enhance collagen production, which improves skin’s elasticity and prevents aging signs.

Vitamin A has antioxidants that fight free radicals, fade brown spots, and reduce wrinkles.

Cleansing the property of this face mask, removes dead cells, impurities, and excess oil off the skin.

Vitamin E protects your skin from harmful UV rays and prevents dryness.

Vitamin B1 and B2 hydrate your dry skin and stimulate the healthy functioning of the skin.

The bleaching activity of this face mask lightens the appearance of dark patches and improves your skin tone.

It effectively absorbs excess oil preventing acne blemishes.

Assorted vitamins and amino acids in cornflour make your skin supple and healthy.

1. Corn flour for skin whitening

As mentioned impurities and prolonged exposure to sun rays result in dark patches. The cleansing property of this face mask will wipe them off and the bleaching effect helps to obtain glowing skin.

Take 2 tablespoons of cornflour, 1 tablespoon of raw honey, 2 tablespoons of orange juice, and 1 egg white in a clean bowl. Mix thoroughly and apply the mask over the prewashed face.

You can apply this mask regularly or twice per week. If your skin becomes dry, apply jojoba oil to it.

2. Corn flour face scrub

Your skin sheds millions of dead cells. Along with pollutants it gets accumulated over the skin blocking skin pores. Using cornflour face scrub you can exfoliate them and make a clear complexion.

Mix 1 tbsp of cornflour, 1 tbsp of coffee powder, 1 tbsp of finely grounded oats, and 3 tbsp of coconut oil in a bowl. Wash your face with lukewarm water and apply this face scrub evenly, massage gently in a circular motion.

After 15-20 minutes rinse it off using a wet cloth.

3. Corn flour face mask for glowing skin

Dark spots, acne scars, dry skin, freckles, and other skin issues ruin your physical appearance. Natural remedies penetrate deep into the skin and remove the root cause of the problem.

Blend 2 tbsp of lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder, 1 tbsp of cornflour, a few drops of rose water, and 1 tsp of baking soda. Mix thoroughly to form a thick paste. Wash your face with water and apply the mixed face mask evenly all over the face. Rinse it off after 15-20 minutes.

Optionally apply moisturizer to hydrate the skin. I recommend applying lavender oil, as its aroma will lift your mood.

4. Corn Flour face mask for blackheads

Blackheads are types of acne that are black or dark. These are formed due to the clogging of hair follicles. This will spoil our physical appearance as well as these can be identified as dirt. Therefore, with the help of cornflour, blackheads can be reduced.

vinegar will help in removing blackheads as it helps in healing sunburns, flaky skin, etc. Because the acid contained in the vinegar helps in maintaining the pH of the skin and will not let the skin dry or to become oily.

Take 1 spoon of cornflour, 2 spoons of vinegar and make it as smooth paste. Apply it on your face as a face mask with a thick consistency, mainly concentrate on blackhead parts. Leave it for 15 minutes and clean it with cold water. Repeat this process three times a week. This will help in losing blackheads.

5. Corn Flour face mask for skin lightening

To lighten the skin tone, we can use cornflour combined with papaya and banana. Papaya has papain that will help in lightening skin and nourishing. Banana helps in avoiding itchy, flaky, and dry skin and produces bright skin by nourishing it from deep.

To prepare a facemask, take 1 ripe banana and ripe papaya. Smash them together in a bowl making sure that no lumps should be found. After smashing add cornflour to it two tablespoons. Mix them all together and make it into a smooth paste. Apply it on the face as a face mask and also remember to avoid it keeping near sensitive places like under the eyes. Leave it for 20 minutes and then clean it with the help of cold water. If you want to get good results, you should use it twice a week.

6. Corn Flour face pack for skin lightening

To make this face pack, we use rice powder as the main ingredient. Rice powder has been given importance from ancient times because of its skin whitening skills. It is suggested mostly for people who suffer from oily skin and acne. Because by absorbing oil, it also makes skin brighter for immature skin tone too. It is suggested to use rice powder to utilize these benefits.

To prepare this face pack, take 2 tablespoons of cornflour, 2 tablespoons of rice powder, 3 tablespoons of milk, and 1 tablespoon of honey in a bowl and mix all of these into a paste. Apply this face pack after cleaning your face. Keep it until it dries. Then, clean the face pack with cold water.

Conclusion:

As cornflour has oil-absorbing agents as well as reducing sunburns, it is advised to use it for the face to get glowing skin. It nourishes the skin if it is immature skin and makes the skin in an even tone. Not only for the face, it can reduce sunburns for skin rashes as well as it is used in sweating places to reduce dry skin and also used as a deodorant for underarms. It can be used by combining with additional items in the use of it.

Other than using for making food, corn starch is used for face and skin in this process so that it has abilities to reduce skin burns, itching, and rashes. As well as removes skin tan and makes skin tone even. Therefore cornflour is preferred.

Health Care

How to Get Rid of Uterine Fibroids without Surgery?

Byaqilrl

Uterine fibroids grow in the uterus and these cause health issues. Many of the women generally have fibroids issues. They are also known as uterine leiomyomas, benign tumors, and myomas. The size of fibroids ranges from small to as large as the seed. Either the women have a single one or have multiple growths.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Women suffering from this uterine fibroids generally have the following symptoms:

Getting problem in conceiving a child
Constipation
Difficulty in emptying the bladder
Frequent urination
Leg pain
Backache
Pelvic pressure
Pelvic pain
Bleeding in between periods
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Period lasting for longer than one week.

Types of Fibroids

Fibroids grow in any part of the uterus. They can grow inside the walls of the uterus and these are known as intramural fibroids. When these grow inside the hollow cavity of the uterus, then it is known as submucosal fibroids. When fibroids grow on the outer surface of the uterus, then these are called as subserosal fibroids.

1.Natural Treatment

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In most of the cases, they grow at a very slow rate. Sometimes, they also get shrink. Specifically, after menopause, they shrink their own. But sometimes, they need treatment. Sometimes it involves surgery in which either the fibroid is removed or entire uterus is removed. But sometimes, you can treat them naturally at your home only.

Natural remedies accompanied by a change in diet can help in relieving the symptoms and treating these fibroids. This effectiveness of natural treatments depends on the progress of fibroid growth.

In the natural treatment, it is essential to reduce the overloaded estrogen, improve the lymphatic drainage, reducing the gut inflammation and improving the liver function.

The right diet will surely help in decreasing the size of uterine fibroids and ultimately shrinking of this. Excess refined carbohydrates along with the sugary food might trigger the fibroid growth. One should also avoid drinking alcohol. Avoid simple refined carbohydrates like corn syrup, potato chips, crackers, white rice, soda, boxed cereals, and pasta.

2.Medical Treatment

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Sometimes taking pills is also effective in shrinking the fibroids. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone reaches to pituitary gland from the hypothalamus and triggers the release of estrogen and progesterone.

These are the hormones which are responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle. Their excess production leads to the growth of fibroids in the uterus. So, taking medications against the releasing hormone will reduce the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body of a woman. So, a decreased level of hormones will surely help in shrinking the uterine fibroids.

3.Testosterone Therapy

This therapy includes synthetic medication to stop the menstrual cycle for some time. The halt in the menstrual cycle might help in shrinking the fibroids in the uterus.

4. Uterine Artery Embolization

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In this procedure, small particles are injected into the arteries that are connected to the uterus. This blocks the blood flow in the uterus. As a result, if insufficient blood flow, there are chances that the fibroid might shrink in size.

In most of the cases, uterine fibroids will be treated with these methods. You do not need to undergo surgical treatment. For the best diet, consult the nutritionist and doctor.

Health Care

How To Do Self Breast Examination At Home

Byaqilrl

Cancer is spreading rapidly all over the world, particularly in developed countries. The most common type of cancer among women is breast cancer. Women after 50 or after menopause are more likely to get effected with it.

However frequent self examination of breast can prevent cancer growth as well as early detection, which can help in better treatment making one cancer free. Factors such as lifestyle, eating habits, being active is responsible for 80% of cancer and the rest 20% depends on family history of cancer.

Breast Cancer Screening

Most of the women go for annual mammograms as a preventive measure for breast cancer. Women above 40 are recommended for mammograms, they think they can detect cancer at early stage. However this is not true, mammograms do not detect cancerous cells sooner. Instead it can cause breast cancer due to the radiation as well as pressure applied to the breasts. If you are willing to go for cancer screening ask your doctor for thermography. It is more accurate and much safer than mammography.

How To Do Self Breast Exam?

1. In The Shower

While taking bath is the apt time to exam breast. As wet skin allows your fingers to easily glide over your skin, it is very helpful in examining breasts. Start from the outer most part of your breast, press your fingers gently and go till nipple. Check to find out if there is any unusual lump, thick spot or any other changes in your skin. Make sure to check till armpit as breast tissues spread till that area. Check both the breast thoroughly.

prevention is always better than cure. Every time you are in shower, just give 2-3 minutes to examine your breasts.

2. In Front Of Mirror

While examining breast in front of mirror, turn and look in all possible positions. Compare the shape of both the breasts, appearance of nipples and skin color as well. Press with your fingers on the sides till armpits and notice if there is any unusual thing. Check by keeping arms relaxed at your sides, arms raised till head and by keeping chest muscles flexed.

3. Lying Down

Lie down of the bed with your head on the pillow. Now keep your left hand under your head and then examine left breast thoroughly, by pressing in and around the breast as well as in the armpit. Gently press nipple and see if there is any discharge of blood or so. Now do the same thing to the right breast.

Here is the list of things to keep in mind while examining the breasts

Blood discharge from the nipple
Changes in size of breast
Lump in breast
Flaky or itchy skin around the nipple
Swelling in the armpit.

Health Care

Soft Food Diet-Foods To Eat And Avoid Post Surgery

Byaqilrl

Soft food basically means, food that is soft in texture and is easy to swallow and digest. Usually doctors recommend soft food diet to the patients who have undergone stomach as well as head and next surgery.

This soft food will give a bit of rest to the digestive system as it is either finely chopped or mashed, making it easy to chew and swallow. Well, mostly post surgery a patient is advised to be on soft food but in some medical conditions calls for having soft food diet permanently.

You need to be very careful in selecting your food, here are are going to help you in doing so.

Foods To Eat Post Surgery

Fruits

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Avocado
Banana
Peeled fruits
Fruit juices

Vegetables

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Boiled and mashed veggies
Mashed potatoes
Seedless veggies
Vegetable soup and juice

Grains

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Well cooked and mashed rice
Soft pasta
Oats
White bread

Protein

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Tofu, finely chopped
Scrambled and poached egg
Meat, fully cooked and chopped
Fish
Fully boiled and mashed lentils and beans
Hummus

Dairy Products

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Yogurt
Ice cream
Milk
Milkshakes
Mashed cheese

Dessert

Custard
Pudding
Jelly
Mousse
Moist cake

Note: The above mentioned food items are recommended post surgery, but make sure to consult your doctor or dietitian as to what you have to eat.

Foods To Avoid

Fruits

Apple
Pineapple
Dry fruits
Fruits with peel
Mango

Vegetables

Fried potatoes
Vegetable chips like kale and beetroot
Carrot, cauliflower and broccoli as they cannot be mashed easily.

Protein

Hot dog
Peanut butter
Seeds
Fatty meat
Processed meat

Grains and Cereals

Popcorn
Toast
French bread
Corn
Bagel
Cereals-unsoftened

Desserts

peanut butter cup cake
Dry cake
Pie
Crumble

Sauces

Hot sauce
BBQ sauce

The above mentioned foods can irritate your digestive system and maybe difficult to swallow or digest.

Tips For Preparing Soft Food

The following tips will be of great help to you while preparing soft food for a patient post surgery.

Always peel the veggies before cooking.
Cook the veggies until soft.
You can blend the veggies and make a puree.
Cook eggs with butter.
Add chicken or vegetable stock to food to moisten it.
Add milk or soup to bread to moisten it.
Do not keep lumps while mashing veggies or fruits.
You can even sieve the puree to avoid lumps.

Women's Health

Finding Difficulty In Conceiving? Try These Natural Remedies

Byaqilrl

Giving birth to a baby is one of the most enriching and soul satisfying experience in every woman’s life. For some women getting pregnant happens quickly and effortlessly and without much planning at all. But for some women it is an exhausting process plagued by failed attempts and costly interventions.

Struggling to conceive is surprisingly common in these days. It is estimated that one in every seven couples experience fertility problems.

Whatever it may be, once you and your partner have made a decision to try for a baby as soon as possible, then you need to immediately consult your doctor. Many things need to take care of while trying to conceive.

But your chances of being able to conceive depend on few things including your age and overall health. Every little thing in your regular life contributes to fertility as well as reducing the risk of miscarriages.

If you have been struggling to get pregnant, some simple life style changes and home remedies will increase your chance of conceiving without any problems.

Natural Remedies That Help You To Conceive

1. Dates

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Dates are power packed with nutrients that will help you to conceiving and also during pregnancy. These are rich source of vitamin A, E, B, iron and other essential minerals that required for your body and good for fertility.

What You Need To Do

Take 10 -12 dates and remove the seeds from it.
Grind them with two tablespoons of chopped coriander root until it forms a paste.
Add ¾ cup of milk to this paste and boil it for few minutes.
Drink this mixture everyday for 7 days from the date of your last period.
Alternatively, you can also include dates in your regular diet.

2. Pomegranate

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Pomegranate boosts fertility in women by increasing the blood flow to uterus and thickening the lining of uterine. This wonderful fruit also helps for healthy development of fetus. Additionally it also helps to boosts sperm quality in men too.

What You Need To Do

Drink a glass of pomegranate juice regularly to improve the strength of fertility.
Alternatively, make fine powder of pomegranate seeds and bark. Mix both ingredients in equal quantities and store it in an air tight jar.
Take a glass of warm water and add ½ teaspoon of mixture and drink it twice in a day for several weeks to boosts your fertility level.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

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According to a study conducted by some health practitioners apple cider vinegar is generally recommended for infertility. It flushes out the toxins from your body and balance hormone levels.

Though it is in acidic in nature, it helps to maintain PH level in the body both your saliva and vaginal environment to facilitate conception.

What You Need To Do

Mix one table spoon of apple cider vinegar and one table spoon of raw honey in a glass of warm water and drink it twice in a day.

4. Vitamin D

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Lack of vitamin D in your body often leads you to experience miscarriage and infertility. Therefore it is utmost important to spike up your body with required amount of vitamin D. Even many scientific researches have shown the adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency on female fertility.

What You Need To Do

Include foods which are rich in vitamin D such as salmon, egg yolks, mushrooms etc.
Try to expose your body to early morning sunrise for about 10-15 minutes.

5. Maca Root

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Maca root is extremely beneficial for treating infertility for both women and men. This root is especially beneficial for balancing hormonal levels in the body which results in improving fertility.

In addition, it contains high amount of iron which is important for women prior to conception. It also helps to improve sperm count and motility.

What You Need To Do

Mix ¼ teaspoon of maca root powder in a cup of hot water and drink it regularly.
You can also include maca root supplements only after consulting your doctor.

6. Cinnamon

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This is a wonderful spice often used for improving the taste of certain recipes. This spice also helps in better functioning of female ovaries and thus helps in warding off infertility. It is also used in the treatment of PCOS which is one of the major reasons of infertility in women.

What You Need To Do

Add teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of water and rink it regularly for few days.

Women's Health

Best Stress Relief Tips For Busy Moms

Byaqilrl

If you are one of those moms who are feeling stressed and overwhelmed throughout the day, then you have reached the right place. You are not alone, more than 70% of moms also feel far more stressed than our own mothers were.

Becoming parent is one of the best thing in the world, but handling those kids throughout the day is quite little difficult. While its human nature to put the needs of our children before our own. Doing every little thing on regular basis to our children we drag us to live in a state of constant stress and fatigue.

We slowly start to lose interest on everything that happen around us and literally our life feels like a battle and eventually we take our feelings out on the people we love.

Instead of hurting others with our words or actions, follow the below tips to distress yourself and to be calm and active in all situations.

Stress Relief Tips For Busy Moms

1. Rise Early In The Morning

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Jenniffer louden, author of the womens retreat book says, “it’s wonderful for busy womens to wakeup 15 minutes before their children and take a little retreat”. Use this time to do some yoga or read something spiritual that give peace to your mind or take few breathes deeply and relaxes.

2. Plan Ahead And Be Organized

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Planning and being organized is the vital skill that should be done by working moms. Organizing things helps to promote a greater sense of control which in turn will help you feel less stressed and anxious.

3. Start Small

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This is the most important thing to keep in your mind while starting your day as a working mother. While you aspire to do something huge like go back to school or train for marathon, you will become much more successful if you take baby steps in the beginning and then add extra to your goals.

4. Learn To Say No

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As much as we want to be everything to everyone, the truth is that we are human and we cannot overdo things to make others happy. We do have the same hours as the opposite person and we need to feel better of setting boundaries with our time so that we can prioritize to take care of our family. Sometimes, it’s best to say No directly without hesitating.

5. Take A Break

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Yes, you may not be able to avoid all the stress in your mind but you can give yourself a few minutes to feel less overwhelmed. Giving yourself a break of few minutes is the best way to release stress from your body.

6. Get regular Exercise

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Regular exercise is not only the best way to maintain good health, it even boosts your mood and immune system. In addition to health benefits, it also keeps you mentally focused and allows you to sleep better during night. Instead of thinking daily exercise as one more thing to fit in, remember the ways it will improve your productivity and reduce overall stress in your life.

7. Take Up A Hobby

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While it seems impossible to find time to work on a hobby, choose something you’re passionate about. Being a parent and spouse can do wonders to your soul, just take out sometime for the thing you love the most, you will definitely feel amazed after spending time doing something you LOVE.

8. Write It Down

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If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, take 5 minutes to do brain dump and write everything you feel on a paper and then prioritize each item accordingly. Identify your most important task to be completed in that day and stay accountable without feeling overwhelmed.

9. Use Essential Oils

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The calming and soothing effects of essential oils can help you sleep better. Chamomile essential oil can reduce mental anxiety, hostility, it is also a great stress booster that has been found to help with insomnia and muscle tension and jasmine essential oil works to regulate feelings of stress and anxiety.

10. Pamper Yourself

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Before you were a mom, you didn’t think twice about scheduling a trip to a spa. But, now everything seems to be hard and it’s even hard to imagine getting five minutes alone in the bathroom, much less an entire afternoon.

It’s not easy to find time for yourself, but nurturing yourself is important. Just go for a walk in fresh atmosphere or spend time with your friends or take little time to play with your kid.

Women's Health

5 Early Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer women should Never Ignore

Byaqilrl

Cancer is one of the most dangerous disease and many people think it as a death sentence in their lives. Unfortunately, it’s becoming true in someone’s lives.

According to American cancer society, there are more than 21000 women have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. Even though it’s rare, it is a deadliest of all female reproductive cancers.

Unlike breast, uterine and cervical cancers even ovarian cancer can also be detected early. But only 20 percent of ovarian cancer cases are being diagnosed before they are advanced.

Thankfully, there are certain signs and symptoms that will help you to get know about the condition of ovarian cancer before it jumps in to advanced stage.

So, it’s always better to know about the early signs and knowing signs is every woman’s greatest defense against cancer. Let’s see 5 early signs of ovarian cancer that every woman should be aware of.

5 Early Signs Of Ovarian Cancer

1. Irregular Menstrual Cycle

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Generally, women get menstrual cycle for every 28-30 days and each cycle lasts for about 3-7 days. However, irregular menstrual cycle is one of the most common early symptoms of ovarian cancer. It means missing a cycle, being late on cycle or abnormally long, heavy and irregular bleeding during menstrual cycle.

According to a study conducted by group of scientists, concluded that sever pain during menstrual cycle is associated with increase the risk of ovarian cancer. So, make sure to keep an eye on your menstrual cycle every month.

2. Swollen Or Bloated Abdomen

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Bloating and immense pressure in your abdomen can also be symptoms of ovarian cancer. You stomach increases in size, and you will feel totally bloated with full of gas in your tummy. This condition can easily detectable when your clothes begin to feel tighter around your waist and hips without weight gain elsewhere.

According to a study conducted by Dr. Elizabeth dewell, almost half of patients have been reported that they experience abdominal discomfort and abdominal bloating. Do consult your doctor immediately, if you experience these symptoms.

3. Vaginal Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding is another common symptom seen in women with ovarian cancer.

However, for every woman blood is no surprise but there is a difference between menstrual cycle bleeding and vaginal bleeding. Often the blood during the cycle has thick consistency with dark color but vaginal bleeding will have different consistency including immense pain.

Immediately consult your doctor, if you are bleeding outside of your menstrual cycle especially if the blood seems to be in different color and consistency.

4. Loss Of Appetite

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Loss of appetite is common symptom of ovarian cancer where many people aren’t aware of. And this is the reason why, it’s very hard for the people to notice themselves of being affected with the cancer without any symptoms.

Along with loss of appetite, most of the women also feel full quicker and they only able to eat smaller meals.

5. Pain From Sexual Activity

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This is very common symptoms in the women with ovarian cancer. This cancer causes cysts in the ovaries that lead to increase the sensitivity in vagina and cervix. Finally, this results in causing pain in intercourse.

If you are experiencing pain during sexual activity, then you must immediately reach to your doctor for proper treatment.

You should always speak with your doctor about the abnormal symptoms often he might go for pelvic examinations, ultrasound scans, blood tests to diagnose the illness in right way.

Bottom Line

Ovarian cancer has been increased from past few years. So make sure to know about all early signs and symptoms and if you have a history of cancer in your family, you need to overlook for new and other abnormal symptoms when it comes to ovarian cancer.

Women's Health

Signs That Shows You Have Calcium Deficiency And Ways To Overcome It

Byaqilrl

When you think about calcium, the only thing that comes in your mind is healthy bones and teeth. And this is the only nutrient that found in every part of human body including blood and all cell tissues for healthy functioning.

Calcium also plays major role in muscle functioning, hormones, blood pressure, heart health, body weight and preventing prostate cancer etc.

Calcium deficiency is one of the major problem experiences by many people across the globe, especially among the elderly and postmenopausal women. This is caused due to the lack of calcium in body or it can also be caused by low vitamin E, D and hormone levels in the body.

People often tend to neglect the signs of this condition until it becomes severe. It is important to be aware of the signs to treat the condition in initial stage without neglecting it and to maintain healthy body.

Daily ingestion and proper absorption of calcium is important for maintaining optimal health. You can get enough calcium by eating variety of foods rich in calcium such as dairy products, milk, yogurt, leafy vegetables, fruit juices etc.

We are going to see some warning signs of calcium deficiency that you must be aware of.

Signs Of Calcium Deficiency

1. Weak Bones

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As this mineral is vital for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Insufficient calcium in the body often weakens your bones and increases the chance of osteoporosis and fractures. In long run, it can also impact a person’s stature and overall strength.

This is why, it’s crucial to feed children with calcium rich foods especially when they at growing stage. Even women after menopausal stage should consider taking calcium supplements to prevent bone loss and fractures occurs at that age.

2. Frequent Illness

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Calcium is an essential mineral to maintain healthy immune system to fight against viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi. It is also considered as important alkaline mineral that increases the oxygen flow in blood.

People with calcium deficiency tend to have weak immune system and they are more likely to suffer from infections like cold and flu.

3. Difficulty In Losing Weight

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According to a study, it has been found that obese people do not consume sufficient and recommended amount of calcium on regular basis. Lack of calcium in your body also makes it difficult to lose weight too.

Another study in 2004 found that dietary calcium plays a major role in regulating energy metabolism that accelerates weight loss whereas low calcium diets attenuate weight and fat gain.

4. Muscles Cramps And Aches

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Muscle ache and cramps is one of the strongest sign that your body is lacking in calcium. Generally lack of calcium causes nerve cells to become extra sensitive that results in sudden muscle cramp and pain.

Moreover, a low calcium level can impair the nervous system which in turns affects the functionality of nerves in your body.

Make sure to reach out to your doctor if you are frequently experiencing muscle cramps and aches on regular basis.

5. Week Teeth

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Calcium is an important constituent of teeth and hence its deficiency can cause delayed and defective tooth formation and other oral problem. This symptom can be mostly seen in children and elderly people.

6. Sleep Problems

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Lack of calcium also leads you to experience numerous sleep problems such as insomnia. Because calcium aids in the production of melatonin, sleep hormone which helps to maintains the body’s sleep wake cycle. This sleep hormone generally increases during night to help you sleep soundly.

When there is lack in calcium, this hormone is completely hampered and reduces your sleep period throughout the day.

7. Numbness And Tingling

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People who lack in calcium often complain about numbness and tingling sensation in their legs, finger tips of hands and near the area of mouth. This occurs because lack of calcium makes nerves and muscle fragile and easily excitable.

Simple Ways To Overcome Calcium Deficiency

Apart from eating calcium rich foods, here are some tips to follow to prevent calcium deficiency.

Include foods which are also rich in vitamin D in your regular diet.
You can even enjoy early morning sunlight daily to help your body to get vitamin D.
Avoid consumption of processed foods and beverages like soda, caffeine which can interrupt the absorption of calcium in your body.
You can even opt taking calcium supplements, but only after consulting your doctor.
Include foods such as spinach, kale, green beans, whole grains, pumpkin seeds which are good source of magnesium that even helps in increasing the calcium absorption in the body.

Women's Health

Everything About Second Trimester Of Pregnancy

Byaqilrl

Second trimester! Generally pregnancy period is divided in to three trimesters and the period from 13- 28 weeks is called as second trimester.

Most of the women feel very comfortable, energized in this trimester as they subsides morning sickness and mood swings. This is the period where all women gradually see the growth of little bump and later start to feel moving of a baby in their little tummy.

Everything About Second Trimester During Pregnancy

At the beginning of second trimester the fetus is generally about 6 inches and weighs only 4 ounces, once you step out from the second trimester and enter in to the third one you’ll start noticing your fetus grows in to double to about 14 inches in length and weighs about 21/2 pounds. This was confirmed by American pregnancy association.

However, during pregnancy your body undergoes lots of changes that causes you discomfort especially at the starting stage of pregnancy that means in first trimester. But, all the aches and pains that are accompanied in the first trimester often cannot be seen in second trimester and there is no risk of miscarriage too.

The best thing is, during second trimester your hair growth will improve and you will have the nice pregnancy glow on your face.

However, apart from all these things some women also associated with some discomforts during second trimester.

Let’s see some of those discomforts during second trimester in this article.

Discomforts Associated With Second Trimester During Pregnancy

1. Back Ache

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According to several studies, back pain is very common in pregnant women especially during second trimester. Because, this is the time where your baby’s grows faster and that makes you feel extra weight in your womb and put a strain on your back.

Try to utilize good back support while sitting to alleviate the symptoms of pain. And while sleeping on your side tucks a pillow between your legs and that makes you feel comfortable.

Most importantly, avoid picking or carrying heavy things and never forget to wear comfortable shoes that give good ache support.

2. Swelling In Ankles And Feet

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Mild swelling in your feet and ankles is also common in many pregnant women. It usually starts in the week of 21 and lasts until delivery.

Swelling is often considered as normal part during pregnancy, it is caused by over production of blood and fluids in your body for healthy development of your baby.

To reduce swelling in your ankles and feet, avoid standing or sitting for longer hours and keep your feet alleviated when you are not moving.

3. Constipation

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Constipation is quite common during pregnancy especially during the second trimester. This condition is nothing but having fewer than three bowel movements in a week.

This happens due to the hormonal changes throughout the pregnancy which affect digestion and slow down bowel movement. Even regular intake of iron supplements also leads to constipation.

Drinking lots of water, intake of more fluids and following healthy diet are the most practical ways to treat constipation during pregnancy.

4. Heartburn

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Heartburn is also common in pregnant women. This condition generally continues to increase from the first trimester.

According to several studies it has been found that it increases from 22% in first trimester to 39% in second trimester and 60% to 72% in third trimester.

Heartburn is caused by a hormone in the body called progesterone that helps to relax the muscles in lower esophagus. The frequent relaxation of muscle in the tummy will lead to flow back of stomach acid in to esophagus, especially when you are lying down to take a nap.

Having smaller meals 5-6 times a day rather than having 3 large meals will certainly help you to reduce heartburn faster during pregnancy.

5. Bleeding Gums

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Pregnancy also leads to experience swollen and tender gums that bleed for many women. This happens due to hormonal changes in the body that sends more blood to your gums and makes it more sensitive and causes them to bleed easily.

Use soft tooth brush and mild toothpaste to take good care of your bleeding gums.

Tips To Follow During Second Trimester

Always consult your doctor before taking any type of medicines.
Don’t forget to follow regular exercises and breathing exercises that help to reduce stress and tension in your body.
Eat healthy and nutritious food and get plenty of rest.
Do not miss your regular checkups with your doctor to make sure everything is going well.
Always try to sleep on your side as the weight of your growing fetus can put pressure on vena cava which can interfere with circulation.
It is important to maintain healthy weight. Track your weight throughout the pregnancy as too much weight is not good for you as well as your unborn baby.