Ketones in Urine During Pregnancy

Ketones in the urine during pregnancy is a health concern which some women experience during those crucial nine months. Although, it is not a high-risk pregnancy complication, studies reveal that it can be a cause of worry.

Ketones are substances derived from fat breakdown. They are used by the body as a source of energy under emergency circumstances, like starvation or glucose deficiency, in order to survive. In other words, ketones in the urine are formed when the body's fat reserves are used to generate energy.

Ketones in the blood further leads to ketosis. Weakness, nausea, lethargy, and excess sweating are signs of ketosis.

Occurrence

Our body gets its energy from the food we eat, which gets converted into glucose or blood sugar. It is insulin which provides an easy access to this blood sugar. During pregnancy, the placental hormones make the body resistant to insulin, which subsequently restricts the glucose in the blood from entering the cells. Hence, though the blood will be enriched with blood sugar, the cells will be deprived of the required energy. As a result, the cells start accessing other energy sources, like the fat stores, resulting in ketones as the byproduct of this entire process.

Causes

There can be various factors that may contribute to large ketones in the urine during pregnancy; dehydration and bad diet, to name a few. Others are enlisted below:

• Not getting enough calories from the food you are eating
• Long time intervals between meals
• Skipping meals or snacks
• Gestational diabetes
• Diets which include low intake of carbohydrates
• Dehydration - not drinking enough water
• Metabolic disorders
• Nausea, poor eating habits or throwing up
• Insulin resistance from hormones as a result of which the body is unable to access blood sugar
• Testing

Ketone testing is very much different from normal urine sugar tests. You need to wash yourself properly, and collect your urine in a sample box. It is better to let a small amount of the initial urine fall into the commode. This will clear the urethra of contaminants. About 1 or 2 oz. of urine will be sufficient for the test. Then you can ask your health care provider to examine the presence of ketones in your urine. Nowadays, different ketone sticks are available in the market which can be used for ketone testing.

For optimum results, it is better to use the first sample of urine (taken first in the morning) for testing, as due to the overnight fast, the blood sugar levels drop. It is then that the body starts looking for fat stores as a source of energy, which results in giving off or spilling of ketones in urine.

You may have to go on a different diet before you take the test. Please make sure not to consume any drugs before the test. Doing so might affect the test results. The test does not cause any discomfort, as it is carried out through normal urination samples itself. There are no risks either. It is always important to take a ketone test during pregnancy, as high levels of ketones in the urine can be harmful to you and your baby.

If ketones are present in your urine, the test results are said to be abnormal. The abnormality is categorized into three parts. Small is < 20mg/dL, moderate would be 30 - 40 mg/dL and large would be > 80 mg/dL. Small amount may mean that the build-up has just started. Conduct the test again after few hours. Moderate or large amounts may prove to be dangerous. Ask for a doctor's opinion in the latter case.

Prevention

It is always recommended to consult a doctor for this problem. In order to prevent ketones in general, you should avoid skipping meals or having long gaps between each meal. You should eat after every 3 to 4 hours during pregnancy. Also, try having a good bedtime snack which should be rich in proteins and starch. This is because protein slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, which benefits by making energy available to the body for a longer duration of time.

Also, remember not to keep more than 9 to 10 hours gap between your bedtime snack and breakfast, as this will lower the risk of presence of ketones in urine. Hence, consider having small yet frequent meals, high in proteins and starch, in order to avoid the situation.

However, there have been cases when the patient isn't starving, nor is she dehydrated, but still spills ketones in her urine. In such cases, putting on weight by overeating is not the solution. It is necessary to eat nutritious food like fruits and vegetables. Drinking plenty of water will keep your baby healthy.

During pregnancy, one should consume about 1800 to 2500 calories, on a daily basis. Maintaining a food diary or journal should prove helpful to keep a count on what you have been eating, along with the time and calorie count. Seek advice from a nutritionist or refer to pregnancy diets for proper guidance. You could also attend weight watcher meetings.

To conclude, we can say that occasional traces of ketone bodies in urine during pregnancy do not seem to be a very serious problem; unless there are larger amounts or frequent bouts of ketones in urine. Whether traces of ketones in urine during pregnancy is dangerous or not, is a debatable topic. However, some studies emphasize that women with large amounts of ketones, may have babies with learning disabilities or reduced IQ later in life.

Regular monitoring of the first urine in the morning (for ketones by a midwife or doctor), especially in women having gestational diabetes, can help in preventing as well as treating this health ailment.

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Ketosis Side Effects

Normally, our body gets energy from various dietary sources of carbohydrates. When the carbohydrate content is reduced in a diet, our body is forced to obtain energy by burning the body fat. The specialized metabolic mechanisms for the breakdown of fat molecules in the adipose tissue are activated in order to achieve this. Such a breakdown of fats to obtain energy results in the production of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and acetoacetate.

Acetoacetate further breaks down to acetone which is utilized to fulfill the energy requirements of the body. These three molecules are collectively termed as ketone bodies. In the initial few days, the excess ketone bodies are excreted through urine, and the level of ketones in the body remain balanced. Later on, the continuous rise in ketones leads to their accumulation in the body. This condition is referred to as ketosis. The state of ketosis is not only associated with weight loss, it may also prove beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy seizures in children.

How Does Ketosis Help in Weight Loss?

Many people who are willing to lose weight through dieting, opt for a ketogenic diet. In this diet plan, the fat intake is high and the intake of carbohydrate is very low. Research studies suggest that such a diet leads to weight loss by reducing hunger, triggering the utilization of fat reserves in the body, and depletion of glycogen reserves in liver along with water loss. However, these effects have been evaluated on a short-term basis only. The long-term effects of such a diet is a debatable issue as yet.

Side Effects of Ketosis

There are several side effects which are observed in people who are following a ketogenic diet. Most of the side effects show up 3-7 days after starting the diet. The most obvious side effect that people talk about, is loss of hunger. Some people rejoice on this effect as it helps them to lose weight but many of them cannot tolerate it. This lowers their energy levels so much that they feel unwell. They suffer from minor problems like headache, nausea, irritability, sudden dizziness, and so on. They may also experience sluggish mobility, as more energy is required in breaking down the fats for production of usable energy for the body. Dehydration and constipation are often observed in the beginning of the diet program. These problems are resolved by drinking plenty of water and eating fiber-rich foods.

Bad breath is another side effect of ketosis which is triggered by the abnormal increase in the ketone bodies. The body gets rid of the excess amount of acetone through breath resulting in halitosis. In fact, breath acetone serves as a diagnostic measure for ketosis.

Ketone bodies are precursors for a toxic metabolite called methylglyoxal. A study conducted at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center revealed a 2-fold increase in the levels of methylglyoxal in people on a ketogenic diet. This molecule induces oxidative DNA damage and also alters protein structure and functions resulting in damage of various tissues and blood vessels.

Ketosis has also been associated with mild euphoria. At the beginning of the diet, people often experience a feeling of well-being. This has been attributed to the increased levels of BHB, which is an isomer of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), popularly known as liquid ecstasy or the date rape drug. GHB is also naturally present in our body and plays a major role in neurotransmission. A detailed study of the effects of BHB and GHB has shown that BHB indirectly induces GHB-like effects but with a lesser intensity.

If a low-carb high protein diet program continues for a long time, it may lead to other health complications. A high protein diet leads to high uric acid levels, and hence has been identified as a risk factor for gout and kidney stones. Moreover, the excretion of these acids through urine requires calcium. Hence, an increased acid level corresponds to increased calcium excretion, which alters the bone density and poses the risk of calcium deficiency and osteoporosis. Ketosis has also been associated with heart palpitations.

Diabetics and Ketosis

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the inability to utilize glucose as an energy source due to a lack of required insulin levels. The body responds to this state by utilizing the fat reserves to fulfill the energy requirements and by increasing glucose levels in blood. The obvious outcome of this is high levels of ketones in blood and urine to an extent that the acid-base balance in urine also disrupts. Such condition characterized by high glucose levels, acidic urine and high ketone levels is known as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and rarely leads to DKA. A ketogenic diet is best avoided by diabetics.

Ketosis during Pregnancy

After the 12th week of pregnancy, a state of insulin resistance is observed which leads to breakdown of body fat. This helps the developing fetus in two ways: glucose is spared for the fetus and the maternal ketones serve as an additional energy source. Therefore, it is normal to observe ketone bodies in urine. However, a ketogenic diet should be followed only with the consent of the expert since it may cause premature birth, still birth or abnormalities in the fetal development.

The effects of ketosis are different for every individual. Some people have the natural ability to deal with them but others may not be able to cope up with the changes associated with it. Diabetics, and people with liver and kidney diseases should definitely avoid a low carbohydrate and high fat or high protein diet. Therefore, at any point of time, if dieters feel that they are unable to tolerate these effects, they should abandon the diet program immediately.

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Bitter Melon Leaves Harmful Effects

Bitter melon is a tropical vine found extensively throughout the Caribbean, Africa, China, India and Southeast Asia. The leaves are dried and encapsulated, or steeped in hot water to prepare a tea, which is a traditional treatment for malaria, hypertension, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes. While the herb does demonstrate many beneficial properties, there are also a few potentially harmful effects associated with bitter melon.

Allergic Reactions

A monograph created by Natural Standard and published online, in part, by Aetna InteliHealth Inc., states that you should avoid bitter melon preparations if you have a known allergy to gourds and melons belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family of plants, such as cantaloupe and honeydew.

Hypoglycemic Effects

According to information provided by Drugs.com, the plant contains vicine, charantin and an agent referred to as polypeptide P, all of which have been shown to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic mice as well as reduce insulin resistance. While these observations may support the historical use of bitter melon leaves to treat diabetes, the use of this herb may actually produce negative effects if you take medications to regulate your blood sugar. Whether you have diabetes type I or type II, please talk to your doctor before self-treating your condition with this herb.

Hematemesis

Although this herb is a traditional remedy for gastrointestinal problems, researchers have found that the ingestion of bitter melon extract may produce ulcers. In fact, the results of a study published in the Jan. 29, 2010 issue of "Indian Journal of Gastroenterology" reported that bitter melon extracts also lead to hematemesis, the medical term for the vomiting of blood.

Impaired Fertility

Drugs.com says that a protein present in the bitter melon plant appears to exert antifertility activity in male rats and in female mice.

Pregnancy

Drugs.com also states that mormordicine alkaloids present in the bitter melon plant, collectively referred to as momorcharins, increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. Do not take liquid extracts or drink tea made from bitter melon leaves during pregnancy. Since it is not known if these agents pass through breast milk, women should also avoid using this herb while nursing.

Pediatric Use

The Natural Standard monograph notes that two cases involving children have been reported in which drinking bitter melon tea caused blood sugar levels to fall dramatically, resulting in coma.

Drug Interactions

The National Standard monograph also states that bitter melon may interfere with the absorption or escalate the effects of several supplements and medications, including diabetes drugs, anthelmintics to treat parasitic infections, chemotherapy medications and antiviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

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Food's to Avoid During Pregnancy Period

If you are pregnant, the only thought that probably keeps creeping in your mind is the healthy development of your baby. You may add a fruit to your fortified breakfast cereal, extra veggies in your favorite dishes, and eat yogurt desserts so that your baby gets enough nutrition and is born healthy.

Nevertheless, do you know that there are certain foods that should be avoided during pregnancy? Perhaps you have read somewhere that seafood is good for moms-to-be, but do you know that mercury contaminated seafood can increase the risk of neural birth defects in newborns? Did you know that undercooked meat and poultry can lead to food borne illnesses and should be avoided by pregnant women? If you are curious to know about the foods to avoid during pregnancy, keep reading through the next section. On the other hand, if you are pregnant, don’t forget to consult your physician about a good pregnancy diet plan.

Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

Unpasteurized Foods

Pregnant women must steer clear of unpasteurized food. Many low fat dairy products like skimmed milk, cottage cheese, and mozzarella cheese are good for health, but if they contain any unpasteurized milk, then they should be strictly shunned. Unpasteurized dairy products may lead to food-borne illnesses and should be avoided by expectant women. Furthermore, while buying feta, blue cheese, brie, or panela make sure they are made from pasteurized milk.

Avoid Undercooked Meat and Poultry Products

Expectant women are at higher risk of getting bacterial food poisoning due to altered metabolism and circulation. As a result, pregnant women should always avoid eating undercooked meat. Make sure all meat and poultry products are fully cooked. You can also use a meat thermometer to make sure that the meat you cook is cooked well. Avoid eating refrigerated meat spreads. Ensure that you only consume cooked hot dogs and deli meats. Still, it is better to avoid such foods fully during pregnancy.

Avoid Raw Seafood

To avoid developing food borne infections, avoid eating raw fish and shellfish, especially oysters and clams. Consuming refrigerated smoked seafood is also not very safe. So, it is advisable to avoid them during pregnancy.

Say No To Sugary Food

Sugary food items like cakes, ice creams, and chocolates are loaded with empty calories with no nutritional value. If you crave sugary food, eat fruits that are loaded with vital nutrients and vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fibers, etc. Consuming food with no nutritional value has no purpose at all and should be shunned during pregnancy.

Deep Fried Foods

Deep fried foods like chips, fried chicken, fries, etc are packed with trans fats that increase bad cholesterol levels and decrease good cholesterol levels. In addition, these foods are also loaded with additives that are not good for the would-be-mom and her baby. Moreover, deep fried foods have excess salt content that may increase the blood pressure in pregnant women. It is therefore always good to stay away from deep fried foods during pregnancy.

Raw and Undercooked Eggs

Raw eggs are sources of salmonella which is a harmful motile enterobacteria that causes typhoid and food poisoning. So avoid eating raw or undercooked eggs like half boiled eggs. Raw eggs can be present in Caesar salad dressings, mayonnaise etc. All these food items should be therefore avoided as well.

Fish With High Mercury Content

Fish is a vital source of protein and can provide important nutrients for the healthy development of your baby. However, some sea fish can be contaminated with dangerously high levels of mercury which can damage the normal development of your baby’s nervous system.

This list of food items gives you a brief idea on what not to eat when pregnant. For more detail information you may seek advice of your general practitioner.

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Symptoms Of Early Pregnancy

It is always good to know the exact time when you get pregnant so that you can consult a doctor and start taking proper care of your health and also that of your baby’s. But not all women understand that they are pregnant until several days after conception, for others a number of weeks may pass before they actually get to know that they are bearing a child.

For women of past and present ages, a missed period has been the first step to test whether she is pregnant. While the symptom is common, there are also other signs to confirm pregnancy in the early stages. Let’s take a look at some of these. However it is very important to remember that the early signs to confirm pregnancy may not be the same in every woman, rather some women do not experience any of these symptoms even though they are pregnant!

Early Pregnancy Signs

Missed Period

For a girl who has had her periods every month at a fairly regular time, a missed period is a sure sign to visit the doctor and get a pregnancy test done. However, you may miss your periods for several other reasons like poor health or sudden weight gain and loss.

Food Cravings

If you are pregnant, you may have an unnatural craving for food. This again is not a sure sign of pregnancy, because food craving occurs even when your body has a deficit of essential nutrients.

Swollen Breasts

If you are pregnant, your breasts will undergo a change within two weeks of conception. They usually become swollen and sensitive to the touch. It is due to the hormones that are discharged in the body at the time of pregnancy that the breasts look heavier. This symptom also occurs in many women before their periods.

Blackening Of Areolas

The skin surrounding your nipples starts darkening when you are pregnant. This again may occur due to hormonal imbalance in the woman’s body.

Implantation Bleeding

After around two weeks of conception, you may notice spotting and cramping similar to the ones you experience during periods. Implantation bleeding is different from periods, because in the former the color of blood is pink or brown. It also does not continue as long as periods. Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg enters into the blood vessels of the uterus. This is almost a sure sign of pregnancy.

Nausea & Dizziness

Commonly known as morning sickness, nausea and a faint feeling is what a pregnant woman experiences soon after getting up in the morning. This is because of the drop of blood pressure as a result of the dilating of blood vessels during pregnancy. However, a dizzy, nauseated feeling in the early hours may occur because of several other reasons.

Tiredness

A pregnant woman feels tired and sleepy often. This is because of the drop in blood sugar levels, low blood pressure and increased production of the progesterone hormone.

Abdominal Bloating

Your waistline may increase if you are pregnant. If the bloating of the abdomen is accompanied with a missed period, then you can rest assured that you are pregnant.

Constipation

Constipation is a common problem in pregnant women. Though constipation alone cannot assure the fact that you are pregnant, other signs of pregnancy when clubbed together with constipation hint at a sure-shot sign of pregnancy. Constipation occurs because more progesterone hormones in the body does not allow an easy passage of food through the intestines.

Mood Swings

Pregnancy is often accompanied with sudden mood swings due to a greater hormonal discharge in the body. An expectant mother usually feels happy one moment, excited other and then sad immediately. If you too are going through sudden mood swings along with other symptoms of pregnancy, then chances are you might be pregnant. Hoever, mood swings alone do not indicate pregnancy.

Though the symptoms mentioned above are the early signs of pregnancy, it is always advisable to consult a medical practitioner to confirm pregnancy.

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Stages Of Pregnancy

The nine months of pregnancy is, without a doubt, the most special period in the life of a woman, especially when she is carrying her first child. However, these nine months are also the time when the mother-to-be experiences diverse feelings, ranging from extreme anxiety to happiness. She is sick and jubilant at the same time.

While she is worried about her food and weight gain on one end, on the other side, she is prepared to go to any lengths to ensure a healthy baby. There are some women who do not want to leave everything at the doctor’s mercy and want a detailed explanation of everything that is going on inside their womb. It is for them that we have underlined the different stages that a future mother has to go through during pregnancy. Read through them and enhance your knowledge.

Different Stages Of Pregnancy

First Trimester

The first thirteen weeks of pregnancy is known as the first trimester. This is a time when you have to be very careful and take extra care of your health because this is also the time when the organs of your baby are slowly beginning to develop. The heart and kidney of the fetus start forming by the fourth week of pregnancy. In the first trimester, you may experience laziness accompanied by frequent pains in the body. This is due to the Braxton Hicks contractions that lead to a frequent tightening and relaxing of the uterus muscles. During the later stages of the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus begins to move and kick inside the mother’s womb. The skin of the baby has already been formed and hair and fingernails have also taken form. By the end of the 13 weeks, the mother’s abdomen looks protruded, a sign of pregnancy to any unknown onlooker.

Second Trimester

Week fourteen to week twenty seven in a pregnant woman’s life is called the second trimester of pregnancy. This is also known as the honeymoon phase as it is the time that the future mother bids farewell to the usual morning sickness and instead starts craving for good food. The baby has already grown and continues to do so in the second trimester; it can actually hear voices from inside the womb during this phase! This is the time when a mother has to take the best care of what she eats because the umbilical cord transfers the nutrients to the baby. The mother-to-be should concentrate on having healthy stuff like green vegetables, fruits and animal protein.

Third Trimester

The third trimester of pregnancy extends from week twenty-eight to week forty-two for a pregnant woman. Now that the future mother has crossed the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, she is all set to give birth to her child very soon. The mother has to regularly take vitamins to ensure that anemia does not strike. The pregnant woman also faces labor pains at various points of time during the third trimester of pregnancy. In the case of some mothers, the breasts start leaking but there is no reason to worry even if that does not happen because the colostrum production takes place inside. The baby is fully formed by the end of the ninth month.

During every stage of pregnancy, diet and routine checkups are the most important factors to be kept in mind. Remember that while some mothers give birth before the completion of nine months, others have the child after nine months have crossed.

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How To Increase Chances Of Getting Pregnant

For most couples, it is a one-time effort. But for others, their efforts turn out to be a nightmare. We are talking about couples who are trying to extend their family and conceive. Especially if you are willing to conceive a baby instantly, not many realize that getting pregnant these days is not as simple as one usually thinks of. While some are lucky to hold a baby within days, some struggle for months and years before they attain success.

That’s probably because of the many factors that negatively affect men’s and women’s fertility. For, it is not just the woman who can face various infertility problems, but men too undergo similar troubles. Nonetheless, with some tips and techniques, you can increase your chances of getting pregnant and bearing a healthy baby in your womb. To find a few of them, glance through the following lines that illustrate what you can do to improve your odds of having a baby.

Ways To Improve Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant

Know Your Ovulation Period

Many couples fail to conceive simply because women aren’t able to calculate their ovulation period. As a result, the sperm is unable to meet with the egg. As such, you should learn to identify your body signs for ovulation. But for that, you need to know what exactly ovulation is. It is one part of menstrual cycle wherein the ovary releases an egg to the fallopian tube where it meets with the sperm and fertilizes. If you have a 28-day menstrual cycle, you are most likely to ovulate on the 14th day. Hence, have sex during these days when you are ovulating to increase your chances of conceiving.

Measure Your Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

Sketching out your Basal Body Temperature, or BBT, is one of the most important things while trying to get pregnant. This serves as one of the indicators for your fertility for pregnancy. To add on, even doctors suggest women to measure their BBT, especially to those who are unable to conceive for several years. Consult your gynecologist to learn all about BBT and how to use a basal body temperature thermometer.

Get Rid Of Stress

For those of you who aren’t aware, stress is one of the underlying factors for women not able to conceive. Thus, at the first instance, try to relieve your tense muscles and calm your emotions by carrying out some relaxation techniques. Even a simple breathing exercise will do the trick if you are not able to move outdoors. Inhale and hold your breath for 3 seconds. Thereafter, exhale through your mouth. Repeat this 10 times. Getting the egg meet up with sperm and fertilizing is easier when you are relaxed and stress free.

Have A Balanced Diet

If you are really yearning to have sex and conceive a baby, then eat loads of healthy foods. Include nutrient-rich foods in your daily diet to keep yourself healthy and increase your sexual life. Get most of your nutrients from plant based foods, such as legumes, vegetables, whole grains, and some amounts of nuts and seeds. You can even include fish and eggs in moderate amounts to compete your dietary proteins. In fact, they will help you in getting pregnant faster. Further, foods rich in healthy fats, like avocados, olives, olive oil, coconuts, and coconut oil should be consumed on a regular basis. Supply your body with sufficient quantities of folate and iron found in lentils, chickpeas, asparagus, spinach, broccoli, lima beans, beets, romaine lettuce, oranges, goji berries, potatoes, and navy beans.

Stay Active

To avoid hormones from preventing disruption and influencing ovulation and fertility, it is extremely important to keep your skeletal muscles healthy and working. For if you do not maintain your muscles, the blood sugar and insulin can fluctuate tremendously, causing a barrier to your pregnancy. As such, indulge in activities that build skeletal muscles, such as weight training, hiking, and climbing. Give your heart, lungs, and blood vessels a boost of energy with brisk walking, light jogging, tennis, tossing a Frisbee, swimming, dancing, yoga, and Pilates.

Regular Intercourse

The best way to increase your chances of getting pregnant is by having sexual intercourse at least 3 times a week. However, remember to have sex during your ovulation period. Besides, using a good sexual position is also significant in conceiving. The best position is the missionary position, while keeping a pillow below your pelvic region to allow the sperm stay in your body for a longer duration. Simply lay back, relax, and get up only when you are done, allowing the sperm to travel towards the egg to fertilize successfully. However, avoid positions with woman on the top that reduce the gravity and force the sperm to leak out.

With this simple tips and techniques, you can successfully enjoy healthy sex and improve your chances of getting pregnant. Best of luck and hopefully, you will receive that much-desired good news soon.

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Vegetables High in Iron

Our body requires several nutrients for its proper functioning. These are the macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Deficiency of micronutrients is rare. The exception to this is the deficiency of iron, being extremely widespread around the world. In case of iron, the best food sources are non-vegetarian meals. This presents a particular problem for vegans, who exclude these sources from their diet. To compensate, they need to consume vegetarian foods having a high iron content.

Iron-rich Vegetables

It is well-known that green, leafy vegetables are a rich source of iron. Although, there are vegetables other than these also that contain good amounts of iron. Some vegetables, though, contain substances that inhibit iron absorption, like Phytic acid, Tannic acid, fiber, and some minerals. Certain substances, on the other hand, enhance iron absorption. Vitamin C and citric acid are well-known examples of these.

Vegetable	Processing	Iron (mg/1 cup)
Soybeans	mature, boiled, cooked, unsalted	8.84
Soybeans	green, boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	4.50
Spinach	boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	6.43
Spinach	canned, with solids drained	4.92
Spinach	frozen, boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	3.72
Spinach	raw	0.81
Tomatoes	sun-dried	5.00
Parsley	raw	4.00
Swiss Chard	cooked	3.96
Pumpkin	canned, unsalted	3.41
Pumpkin	boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.40
Turnip greens	frozen, boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	3.18
Turnip greens	boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.15
Beets	canned with drained solids	3.09
Beet greens	boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	2.74
Beets	boiled, drained, cooked	1.34
Collards	boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	2.20
Collards	frozen, boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.90
Dandelion greens	boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.89
Kale	frozen, boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.22
Kale	boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.17
Broccoli	frozen, boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.12
Broccoli	boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.05
Broccoli	raw	0.64
Asparagus	frozen, boiled, drained, cooked, unsalted	1.01

Why is Iron Important?

Iron is a component of hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells that binds with and carries oxygen to every cell of the body. Iron is also a component of the muscle protein myoglobin. Iron is stored in the liver, from where it can be harnessed if the diet proves insufficient in providing it. Iron-deficiency anemia, a condition caused due to insufficient production of RBCs, is common in women, especially those who are of child-bearing age. Anemia hampers one's ability to function. It leads to headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, pallor, etc.

Recommended Dietary Allowance

How much iron a person needs depends upon the age, sex, and special nutritional requirements (the kind that arises during pregnancy), and lactation. There is a lot of variation in iron requirement after taking the above factors into consideration, and the RDA for iron reflects this. Pregnant females between the age of 14 - 50 require the highest amount of iron (27 mg/day). Women between the age of 19 - 50 require 18 mg/day of iron (owing to loss of blood during menstruation). Lactating women require less iron than the aforementioned groups (about 10 mg/day). Males above 19 years of age need 8 mg/day of iron. Apart from these, the rest of the age groups need a level of iron usually found in a complete diet. It ranges from 7 to 11 mg/day.

Although vegetables are non-heme sources of iron, they are valuable for those who have to avoid meat or poultry for a variety of reasons. Vegetables also have the advantage of having good fiber content, vitamins, other minerals, and some other substances like antioxidants. Consuming enough vegetables that are high in iron content ensures that individuals, especially vegans, do not miss out on this vital mineral.

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Indications of Low Blood Pressure

When the heart pumps out blood for circulation, the flowing blood exerts certain amount of pressure on the artery walls which is known as blood pressure. In normal health condition, the pressure readings should be in the range of 120/80. When it is 90/60 or lower, then it is considered as low blood pressure. Medically, this condition is called hypotension. There are some people who are healthy but their blood pressure is quite low as compared to others. However, it does not cause any serious health complications in them.

Causes

There are several reasons which can lead to falls in blood pressure levels. In case, there is any heart problem such as low heart rate, valve problems, congestive heart failure, etc. sufficient blood is not circulated throughout the body and the blood pressure drops below normal. Thyroid problems, liver diseases, overdose of hypertension medications, low blood sugar in diabetic patients, nutritional deficiency, side effects of medicines, severe allergic reaction are some of the other major causes. During pregnancy, low level of blood pressure is quite common in the first two trimesters. This happens due to expansion of the circulatory system. Small children may experience sudden drop in blood pressure due to fatigue, tiredness after standing for a long time, dehydration, and excessive blood loss.

Symptoms

The effect of low blood pressure can be first observed in the functioning of the brain. In normal condition, the blood moves against the pull of gravity in order to reach the brain. If the blood pressure is low, then sufficient amount of blood cannot be supplied to the brain. As a result, one may feel dizzy, lightheadedness or faintness. These are minor hypotension symptoms and would disappear as soon as blood supply to the brain is restored.

If the blood pressure continues to be low for a long time, then more severe symptoms like mental confusion, lack of concentration and loss of consciousness can be observed. When it remain low for several days, people tend to suffer from depression.

The other two major organs that mostly get affected by sudden drop in the blood pressure are the heart and lungs. Inadequate blood flow into the heart can cause mild to moderate chest pain or angina. Breathing difficulty or rapid, shallow breathing suggest that the lungs have been affected.

Signs of low blood pressure in children are usually observed for a brief period of time. Some general symptoms are nausea, blurry vision, fatigue, and pale skin which turns cold and clammy. If it is after standing under the sun, dehydration symptoms like excessive thirsty feelings often accompany dizziness and fainting.

In pregnant women, low blood pressure signs show up occasionally particularly after standing up quickly or due to physical exertion or empty stomach. However, in case, dizziness persists for longer time and is accompanied with headache, impaired speech and loss of consciousness, then it is an emergency.

Treatment

Low blood pressure in adults and elderly is treated with suitable medicines which are given to increase the blood volume of the body. As a result, blood pressure rises to the normal level. When it is triggered by some medicines, then the specific medicine is either changed or its dosage is lowered. Children with low blood pressure symptoms mostly do not require any medicinal treatment. Doctors advise them to drink plenty of water and increase salt intake in order to raise the blood pressure. Low blood pressure symptoms during pregnancy should never be taken lightly. One must lie down or sit down and take rest as soon as dizziness sets in. Lying on the left side is advisable as it increases blood flow and improves blood supply to the brain. If the lightheaded sensation refuse to go and aggravates with time, then one should call for medical help.

The signs of low blood pressure cause a lot of physical discomfort. Therefore, you would like to prevent them from coming back again and again. For this, you have to lead a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. Do not forget to monitor blood pressure after regular interval of time.

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Nasal Congestion Home Remedies

Nasal congestion caused by flu or allergies can be quite annoying and discomforting. Though most of us belong to the school of thought that excessive mucus production conduces to nasal congestion, this condition is caused by swelling of nasal membranes. Since the mucus draining from the sinus cavities are unable to move anywhere, it collects until the inflammation reduces. Most of us have gone through such nasal congestion which make us feel miserable at work and home, not to mention how discomforting nasal congestion at night can be.

Depending on the cause of nasal congestion, the remedy will differ. If the congestion has been caused by an allergen, then the removal of allergens from the environment can help subside the condition. However, for congestion caused by common colds, sinus infections, abnormally small nasal passage etc., there are some nasal congestion remedies for toddlers, infants, children and adults.

Steam

Who doesn't know the wonders that steam has on nasal congestion. This old granny remedy is simply stupendous. It clears even the severe nasal congestion. Use a steam inhaler to provide steam to your system. If you don't have the commercial steam inhaler, simply boil some water in a pot. Once it's boiled, place the pot on a platform carefully. Sit on a chair, drape your head with a towel and lean over the pot. The steam from the pot will unclog your congested nose. According to me, this is the best remedy, although one needs to patiently breathe in the steam.

Nasal Rubber Syringe

Since commercial nasal sprays and decongestants can make the congestion worse, it's better to use a nasal syringe to clear the congestion. All you need in one rubber bulb syringe with a pointed tip, one teaspoon salt and 2 cups of tepid water. Stir the salt into the water and keep aside. Squeeze the bulb of the rubber syringe before immersing its tip in the salt water. Now in this squeezed bulb position, drop the pointed end of the bulb syringe into the water. Draw water into the syringe and release this warm salt water into your nostrils. This nasal congestion remedy not only clears the mucus collected, but also helps flush out the pollens, allergens and other irritants.

Maintaining the Right Position in Bed

Lying down or maintaining a horizontal position worsens nasal congestion. So avoid lying down when you are suffering from it. Use several pillows to form a back rest and prop yourself in an upright position. An upright or elevated position allows the mucus to drain freely from the inflamed nasal passages.

Infant Nasal Congestion

For the first six months, babies breathe only through their nose, which is why it is important to keep the baby's nasal passages clear of mucus, or else the baby's sleeping and feeding patterns can get disrupted. Since infants cannot be given steam treatment, pediatricians recommend saline nasal drops to alleviate the congestion. When the congestion is severe, infant nasal aspirators are available that are used to suction out the mucus in the nasal tract. Even humidifiers can be used to maintain the moisture levels in the baby's room, which will reduce the congestion.

Remedies During Pregnancy

Most pregnant women experience nasal congestion regardless of whether they have a cold or not. While some may encounter this congestion only at night, some may struggle from it all throughout the day. One of the best ways to alleviate the congestion is by taking a warm bath and allowing the steam vapors to work their way into the nose and heal the condition. You could also place a vaporizer with a drop or two of eucalyptus oil in the bedroom before sleeping. The vaporizer helps maintain moisture in the room and alleviates nasal congestion.

Nasal congestion occurs far more than respiratory infections in humans across the globe. A slight alteration in the climate can spearhead bouts of congestion, especially in the case of newborns and infants. However, this even causes stress to the mother. In case of babies and children, it is necessary to consult the pediatrician before administering any medications, even if they are natural.

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Pain Relief Patches

Pain relief patches are medicated and adhesive and used to help relieve minor or severe pain. There are two main types of patches. Patches that contain counter irritants are used to treat mild or moderate pain. Patches containing fentanyl which is a narcotic used to relieve moderate or severe pain in opioid tolerant patients

recommended patches

Snogg Patch
Snogg Patch - Pain Relief

Product Features

• Natural Pain Healer that stimulates healing in the back, neck, joints and strained muscles
• Uses only organic herbs.
• No synthetic chemicals
• Size: 8 by10 cm
• Comfortable and thin and effective for most injuries

Product Description

The Snogg Patch is the result of Chinese Medicine. A unique treatment method that is al combination of magnetic field therapy and rare herbal mountain extracts, which penetrates the skin to help the injured or affected area by stimulating the blood circulation at the area of pain.

It is recommended for injuries and pain in muscles bones and joints like the knee joint and all rheumatic disorders. Also including cancer, neck, back, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis pains and pain or numbness in the sciatic nerve and pain from chills etc.

Treatment uses two to six patches. After six patch treatment take a four or five day break. Repeat as necessary.

Snogg Patches contain no alcohol or synthetic ingredients.

Directions: wash the area thoroughly, dry it and put the plaster on to the injured or affected part, leaving it on for 2 to 3 days.

Use carefully if you have sensitive skin, an open wound or during pregnancy.

Keep in a cool and dry place.

You may need a prescription for pharmaceutical pain relieving patches containing lidocaine lidoderm morphine butran or duragesic.

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Getting Rid of Heartburn Fast

Heartburn No More

The word heartburn sounds frightening; anything negative attached to the word heart causes one to worry and feel anxious. Imagine your heart burning in flames, sizzling and smoking, and you can’t do anything about it. Fortunately, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. The symptoms are just commonly felt in the chest area, which makes one think that there is something wrong with the heart. But don’t you worry; your heart’s perfectly fine.

All About the Esophagus

Have you heard about acid reflux? It’s when the contents of your stomach, including the acid, make their way back up the esophagus. What follows is a burning sensation in the chest area, sometimes felt up to the neck.

What Causes Heartburn

Many factors may cause heartburn. The common culprits are the foods you eat. Food and drinks that trigger heartburn include: spicy and greasy foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks. Heartburn is also more common during pregnancy because of the added abdominal pressure. This is also the case for overweight individuals. Smoking and some medications also cause acid reflux to be more prevalent.

It is rare that heartburn is a sign of something serious. Small amounts of reflux is normal and the swallowing of saliva makes the acid flush down to the stomach before you even feel any pain or discomfort. However, there are some cases where heartburns occur on a regular basis or the burning sensation lasts for a long period of time. Consulting your doctor is, of course, always a good thing. But if you think your heartburn is nothing serious, try these tips to cool the flames and get rid of heartburn.

How to Get Rid of Heartburn Fast

1. Keep a heartburn diary.

In order to get rid of heartburn, you need to identify its cause. An easy way to do this is to keep a heartburn diary. Do not scribble here your daily experiences of getting snubbed by your crush. We’re talking about heartburn here, not heartbreak. What you need to jot down are the instances where you get heartburn. Take note of the time, your activities before the burn, and the food you ate. You will eventually see a pattern and determine the possible source of heartburn.

2. Watch your eating habits.

A quarter pounder plus large French fries can really satisfy your tummy; but you may suffer the consequences shortly after your scrumptious meal. Look at your heartburn diary and check if certain foods trigger your heartburn symptoms. Spicy and greasy foods usually get the blame here. However, it is not just about the food you eat; it’s also about how and when you eat. Try eating smaller meals instead of three large meals. Also, even if your wife cooked your favorite food, get a hold of yourself and eat slowly. Your stomach will thank you for it. Bedtime meals or midnight snacks can also cause heartburn. Doctors recommend eating meals at least 3 hours before going to bed.

3. Drinking habits.

As mentioned above, some drinks also trigger heartburn. Do a little experiment and see if cutting down your coffee consumption helps get rid of heartburn. Do the same for bubbly drinks like soda. It is also suggested that you drink before and after meals. Drinking during meals fills your stomach and increases the likelihood of pushing the contents and acid back up.

4. Elevate the head of your bed.

This is one way of protecting your esophagus while you are sleeping. It helps keep the contents of your stomach from slipping back up to the esophagus. You can put some books under the legs of your bed to elevate it. Note that piling pillows is not an alternative as it increases the pressure on the abdomen.

5. Don’t lie down after eating.

Resist the urge of lying down right after having a meal. It is better to let the stomach empty first. Wait at least an hour before you lie down.

6. Maintain a healthy weight.

Those extra pounds cause more abdominal pressure. It is also better for your overall health if you maintain your ideal weight. Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

7. Wear loose clothing.

That gorgeous belt and tight pants may look good on you but they do no good to your stomach. Try to wear clothing that is not too tight so as not to put too much pressure on the stomach.

8. Watch your medication.

Some medications, especially painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can burn the esophagus. It is best to consult with your doctor first and seek for advice regarding which medications won’t harm your esophagus and stomach. On the other hand, there are over-the-counter heartburn treatments such as antacids and acid blockers. These medications neutralize stomach acid. While you can buy these without prescription and can help you get rid of heartburn fast, it is recommended to see your doctor first and ask for proper directions regarding the use of these treatments.

9. Don’t smoke.

Nicotine irritates the esophageal sphincter, the valve between the esophagus and the stomach. This makes the valve perform less efficiently, increasing the chances of getting heartburn.

10. Avoid stress.

One of the most neglected ways on how to get rid of heartburn is avoiding stress. Stress affects the esophageal sphincter and can increase acid secretion.

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How to Deal with Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects up to 5% of all pregnancies. Such condition arises for the first time during pregnancy, usually during the second or third trimester. Women who are overweight, have close family members with diabetes, or had gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies are at higher risks than others to develop this condition. Needless to say, it is important to treat gestational diabetes properly to ensure the health of yourself and your baby.

Choose the Right Food and Eat Regularly

Having gestational diabetes does not mean you have to starve yourself. A change in your diet patterns and on the type of food intake can normally bring about obvious improvements. In order to maintain your blood glucose on a steady level throughout the day, it is recommended that you eat regularly. Three small meals and three snacks (or even more), preferably at similar times every day, are advisable. It is also important not to miss any meal, as missing one meal would easily lead you to eat more in the next one and this can make your blood glucose level rocket.

As carbohydrate foods have the greatest impact on blood glucose levels, choosing the right type of foods is of paramount importance. The key here is to choose ‘slow-release’ carbohydrate foods whenever possible, as they are helpful in stabilising blood glucose levels. For example, swap white bread with wholegrain varieties such as granary or multigrain bread. Choose wholegrain rice or basmati instead of other varieties, and stick to high-fibre breakfast cereals such as porridge or oat flakes. In general, you should go for starchy, wholegrain foods that are high in fibre as much as possible. A smarter choice of food means you should not feel starved and can keep your sugar level under control.

While carbohydrate foods are the kind of food you need to pay particular attention to when you have gestational diabetes, it is important to bear in mind that you need to have a balanced diet so that the developing baby can get sufficient nutrients necessary for growth. The food pyramid provides a helpful guide on the recommended intake of different food groups and is particularly useful when you are pregnant.

Close Check on Blood Glucose Level

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your midwife or obstetrician would advise you to closely check your blood glucose level before and after meals. A blood glucose meter, such as One Touch Verio Pro, is needed. By keeping a close eye on your blood sugar levels before and after meals, you would be able to identify the types of food that are right for your body. If your blood glucose level is exceptionally high after one particular meal, it could be that the food you have just eaten has greater impact on you. You can then alter your diet and avoid that particular type of food the next time and see if your sugar level improves. Of course, if your blood sugar level remains consistently high, it is important to seek professional help from your midwife, obstetrician, or dietician.

Be Active

Apart from choosing the right kind of food, one effective way to keep your glucose level in control is to be more physically active. It is understandable that pregnant women might not have great stamina to engage in a lot of physical activities, especially in late pregnancy. However, you would be amazed to find out that even a little bit of moving about would help with your glucose level. Walking is the best – not only that it is said to be able to ease or even shorten your labour process, but also that a short walk of 15 to 20 minutes would help lower your sugar level.

Try to walk around for a short time after every meal, but if you are unable to do it, either because you are too exhausted or are at work in the office, attempt to move about or stand for some time after a meal. For example, you can go up the stairs instead of taking the lift when you go back to work after lunch, or do some washing up and household chores after dinner at home. The key thing to remember is: do not lie down or sleep right away after a meal.

Be Relaxed

Your mental state does have an impact on your glucose level. Evidence has shown that when you are stressed, it is more likely that your blood sugar would rise. It is because stress hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol would kick in when you are stressed, and one of their main functions is to raise blood sugar to boost energy when it is needed. While it is natural to feel concerned or stressed about the health of yourself and your baby, try to be relaxed and not worry too much. It is after all always best for mothers-to-be, whether they have gestational diabetes or not, to feel relaxed and optimistic.

This Article is written by Fiona H.W. Wong and posted by blogger guest.

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