The Importance of Prenatal Care – A Comprehensive Guide for Expecting Mothers
Prenatal care includes regular visits to a doctor or other healthcare provider to check on the health of a pregnant woman. These visits help ensure the pregnancy goes smoothly and that both mother and child are healthy after the birth.
Unfortunately, many women cannot access this vital service due to barriers, including geography, culture, and socioeconomic status. This article will discuss three initiatives to address these challenges and improve maternal health outcomes.
Preventing Birth Defects
Thanks to advanced ultrasound technology, many congenital disabilities are detectable in the womb. These tests can help your doctor assess your baby’s health and determine if medical attention is necessary.
Prenatal care Berkeley CA is most effective when women access it early and throughout pregnancy. It can improve health outcomes for mothers and babies, especially those at higher risk of poor pregnancy results. Interventions that increase access to prenatal care, such as Medicaid expansion, have improved outcomes.
Traditionally, prenatal care is provided by an accredited healthcare provider (doctor, nurse or midwife) with extensive training in identifying and managing common pregnancy complications. However, research shows that group prenatal care models can be equally effective and provide additional benefits. These include providing educational material, verbal screening for alcohol, tobacco and drug use and connections to community-based supports for pregnant women.
Preventing Preterm Birth
Pregnancy is a time of rapid development in both a woman and her baby. But if not monitored properly, these developments can result in complications like low birth weight and preterm delivery. Prenatal care allows doctors to spot problems in pregnancy, such as anemia and gestational diabetes, then prescribe the proper treatment.
At early prenatal visits, a doctor will take your blood and urine samples and perform a pelvic exam and Pap test. She will also ask about your medical history, including previous pregnancies …
What Vaccines Are and How They Work
What Vaccines Are and How They Work
With more and more Australians becoming aware of the importance of receiving the influenza vaccine in order to avoid contracting the flu, it is interesting to note that many people don’t really know or understand what vaccines are, how the work – or what different types are available. Although the science behind vaccines can be quite confusing, it is possible to gain a basic understanding of flu vaccinations and other products in order to more clearly realize how they work and why they are so incredibly important.
How Vaccines Work –
In simple terms, vaccines are a weakened disease that is introduced into your body’s immune system. While the organisms found in any given vaccine are not strong enough to actually make you ill, they still contain the antigens that stimulate your immune system to respond. These antigens produce an important phenomenon known as a primary response; this basically refers to the process by which your body’s B lymphocytes detect the antigens and form special cells. These cells evolve into plasma cells which immediately produce antibodies that fight off the organisms you are being vaccinated against.
Over time, antibodies fade from your body’s system; however, memory B cells stick around for many additional years – and this is where your immunity comes from. Vaccines work in very specific and proven ways to use your body’s natural defence mechanisms to protect you from specific diseases and illnesses. The popular flu vaccines are no exception to this, and they help protect you against the most common – and troublesome – flu strains. However, the flu does mutate over time, making yearly vaccinations necessary and highly recommended.
The Different Types Of Vaccines –
There are four basic different types of vaccines available today. Some of them …
Blood Pressure – Finding Natural Ways to Alleviate High Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure – Finding Natural Ways to Alleviate High Blood Pressure
My grandfather who lived 101 years old had often said “Your health is more important than your wealth”. He always reminded us to take care of your body particularly as you age. His perspective was if you invest into your health with daily exercise, a good healthy diet, you should stay fit and healthy for a long time. He was certainly an example of the advice he dispensed. He was a firm believer if you neglected your body and ate poorly, you could end up with major health issues at a young age. He saw many of his friends experience health afflictions and one of the prominent ones with high blood pressure. Fortunately you can lower your blood pressure using natural means and keep it down to improve your health.
While there are numerous medications which can lower your blood pressure, there are just as many natural ways to lower your blood pressure. Unfortunately not all physicians educate their patients about the natural ways. In defense of the physicians, they do encourage eating a healthy diet and removing the stresses in your life. You can certainly lower your blood pressure if you eat well and are relatively stress-free. Realistically stress is one of the major factors that leads to high blood pressure. It would seem obvious to remove stress from your life by clearing your mind, relaxing and not worrying so much. Yoga is a great stress reliever as is many of the medications. Both work, however I prefer the natural way. To me, medications just mask the problem.
Hypertension essentially means that blood is traveling throughout your veins at a unhealthy level of pressure. As the blood hits your vein walls hard, the effects on your body are …
Avoid the Flu Vaccine If You Are in One of These 5 Categories
Avoid the Flu Vaccine If You Are in One of These 5 Categories
Influenza, or flu as it is most commonly referred to, is respiratory condition that is extremely contagious. Being able to take the flu shot gives many people a greater chance of staying healthy during cold and flu season.
Even though the shot does not guarantee escaping it completely, the vaccine is relatively painless and increases the chance that even if you get the flu, it will be a milder case.
But there are many who should avoid it because of an immune system, which for whatever reason is not strong enough to handle it. If you find yourself in one of the following categories should find options other than the flu shot this year.
Infants Under 6 months — Your baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed, and as such is placed at risk if given the shot. One of the biggest differences between a cold and the flu is fever. If your child develops a fever, consult your pediatrician immediately to determine if it is in fact the flu and get help with ways to deal with it.
Cancer Patient Receiving Chemotherapy or Radiation — Both of these methods of treating cancer involve killing cancer cells and good cells too. It is these good cells that, under normal circumstances, are able to fight off germs and infection. Because the number of cells is greatly decreased with treatments, your body may not be unable to respond normally to the flu shot.
If You Are Allergic to Eggs — Since the viruses that are given in the shot are cultivated in the eggs of hens, they can cause a sever threat to those who are allergic to eggs. If you have had a severe reaction previously from …
Influenza – Treatment and Precautions
Influenza – Treatment and Precautions
Influenza pandemics can wreck havoc among humans, as seen during the 2004 bird flu and the 2009 swine flu outbreaks. Mainly the type A virus is responsible for the large scale outbreaks of flu. While yearly flu vaccinations can help build immunity against the common viral strains, it is the novel types of the flu virus that are difficult to deal with. This article gives you a list of precautions you can take during influenza pandemics.
Basic precautions
Most people often forget to take care of the basics of a healthy and hygienic living during massive flu outbreaks. Do not let the panic overwhelm you. Given below are some of the simplest remedies to prevent transmission of the H1N1 virus:
The flu virus can be spread through coughs and sneezes – 2 very common symptoms of the condition. So always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue paper while coughing or sneezing. Do not reuse the tissue; throw it away immediately. Also encourage others to do the same.
Wash your hands with water and soap, particularly after you touch your nose, mouth or eyes. Do the same after touching anyone else who is sneezing and coughing.
Wear a mask and gloves to avoid catching and/or spreading the virus, particularly when you visit public places.
Influenza is a highly contagious health condition. So avoid coming in touch with individuals who have the virus. Avoid using clothes, utensils or any other personal belongings of any person.
If you have the symptoms of flu, stay at home to prevent transmission of the virus. Take leave from school or work till you recover fully. Keep reporting to your doctor about your condition and take as much rest as possible.
Always follow instructions that are issued by appropriate authorities. …
Is There a Vaccine For Bird Flu?
Is There a Vaccine For “Bird Flu?”
Hopefully, all Americans who are advised to receive the seasonal flu and H1N1 (formerly known as swine flu) vaccines, have done so. There is another flu virus that is a potential threat to international travelers. Is ‘Bird Flu’ on your itinerary?
What is ‘Bird Flu?’
Avian Influenza H5N1, or bird flu, typically infects birds and poultry. However, international travelers are at risk of contracting the disease, which has a high mortality rate. International travelers should consult with a travel physicians for advice on how to reduce your risk. Unlike hepatitis, typhoid, meningitis and yellow fever, there is no commercially available avian flu vaccine. Resistance to typical anti-flu medications is common. Most human cases of the disease occur from contact with live infected birds and poultry, or their droppings. Human to human transmission is rare.
Where are the ‘High Risk’ Regions?
A particularly severe strain of bird flu has been reported in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, which has infected humans. Since last year, bird flu outbreaks have been reported in Cambodia, China, Egypt, Vietnam and Indonesia. Just this month, Egyptian health authorities reported a fatal case the disease in an 18 year-old female, who had contact with infected poultry.
What Precautions Should Travelers Take?
– Avoid poultry farms and contact with live animal markets. Do not regard these sites as ‘petting zoos’. – Wash hands with soap and water regularly
– Use alcohol based sanitizers if soap and water are not available.
– Make sure that all poultry and eggs are thoroughly cooked. If the eggs are runny, then cry ‘fowl’!
– All surfaces that have been in contact with raw poultry, such as utensils and cutting boards, should be scrubbed clean with soap and hot water.
– Do not bring …
Swine Flu Now H1N1- What’s Going On
Swine Flu Now H1N1- What’s Going On
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that first caused illness in Mexico and the United States in March and April, 2009. It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus, but it may also be spread by touching infected objects and then touching your nose or mouth. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a wide range of flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
The first two novel H1N1 patient in the United States was confirmed by laboratory testing at CDC in April 2009. It was quickly determined that the virus was spreading from person-to-person. On The CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to better coordinate the public health response. Also the United States Government declared a public health emergency and has been actively and aggressively implementing the nation’s pandemic response plan.
The World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of swine flu/ novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world.
To prevent infection:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (about the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice). Advice from the CDC about the …
How to Get Rid of a Cold – Permanently
How to Get Rid of a Cold – Permanently
There is so much media attention given to the common cold, it is reported that at least 15 million people* in the UK alone are affected by colds or flu. Society deems it acceptable for people to be coughing and spluttering as the autumn sets in.
Businesses lose thousands of pounds every week from sick leave related to colds and those who get the cold or flu are put through their own suffering with temperature, aches and pains.
Yet there is NO reason why anyone should ever get colds or flu…period! It is not about eating the right foods or taking the right exercise (these of course help keep your body in shape) to prevent colds and flu. It is ONLY about the frequency you are resonating out.
The science behind the facts:
You see, your bodies function with your organs, muscles, veins and nervous system, yet they only function because of the energy that flows through you. Quantified research by such luminaries as Dr Konstantin Korotkov and Dr Bruce Lipton have shown us that our cells take their signal from our beliefs, these are transmitted through the body via our electrical system (our nervous system) which then determines the frequency of the body.
From work as far back as the 1920 by Dr Royal Raymond Rife we now know:
• A healthy body resonates at 78Hz to 83Hz
• Colds, flu and illness resonate at 57Hz to 60Hz
• Cancer receptors are activated at 42Hz
So you can see that colds and flu happen when your body’s frequency falls to 60Hz or lower.
Why does my body frequency get lower?
As mentioned, your body frequency is determined by your beliefs and this is not the belief that you WILL get …
Affordable Health Insurance for Flu Season
Affordable Health Insurance for Flu Season
Every fall, flu season rears its ugly head. September through January are the months when Americans are in the most danger of contracting the flu. Prevention has become even more important with the advent of H1N1 (swine flu). Although most people survive the flu with nothing but momentary discomfort, those with vulnerable immune systems can suffer serious effects, or even death.
One of the most effective protections against contracting the flu is vaccination. Getting vaccinated is quite easy; nowadays, flu shots are available in virtually every doctor’s office, hospital, and clinic. They are even now available in many pharmacies and drugstores! This makes becoming protected more convenient.
More good news: this year, only one shot is required. The standard seasonal flu shot is now combined with the H1N1 vaccine, giving protection from both at the same time. This is cheaper, more convenient, and less painful.
Since preventative care can lead to more affordable health insurance in the long run, many health insurers cover the cost of flu shots. The shot typically costs 35 to 40 dollars. In the future, the Obama administration’s healthcare reform legislation will make it so that preventative treatments–such as flu shots–must be fully paid for by insurance companies, without any out-of-pocket co-payments or co-insurance percentages that discourage people from seeking the vaccine.
Currently, insurers are most likely to cover the vaccine for recommended groups: children over the age of six months and senior citizens. Children, especially, are most likely to spread the flu to family members, fellow daycare attendees, or classmates. You may have to go to an approved in-network clinic or doctor’s office to have your vaccine covered.
For the uninsured, community clinics offer the shots on a sliding scale of prices. However, they may be located in more …
How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
High blood pressure is considered the main cause for some of the most common, deadly diseases traumatizing the human raise today.
Including but not limited to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, high cholesterol and more and more. The list could go on forever.
Traditional medical system has no solutions for lowering blood pressure except subscribing medications that often cause serious, sometimes even deadly, side effects and may even increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
It’s sad that hypertension takes so many lives every year because it’s relatively easy to keep it under control using only minor lifestyle changes.
Eating healthier and exercising more does help almost everyone to lower blood pressure drastically. Sometimes that’s even enough to high bring blood pressure down to a healthy level.
Diet and exercises however only address the main cause of hypertension in a very limited way. The main cause of hypertension is without a doubt stress.
The society we live in is so full of stress that many people don’t even know they’re suffering stress any more. But their bodies know and react with hypertension.
There are many ways to tackle stress. Don’t take on more than you can handle comfortable. Try not to worry about the things you can’t control. Get good sleep. And again, exercise a little bit more.
But most of us just don’t have the luxury of downgrading our schedule, nor the self-discipline to not worry about things. And who has time to go to the gym every day?
That’s where special mind body exercises come in handy.
Mind body, relaxation and meditation exercises have, in repeated studies, been proven extremely effective to tackle hypertension.
Ten to fifteen minutes per day of focused relaxation can drop high blood pressure down 20 – …