Reproductive Health | Health and Hospital Resource

Tired Memory

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Stress has become a common part of life for today’s life. Overworking under high pressure and time constraints is just one of the numerous other causes that lead to development of stress. Along with work stress, there is stress from the personal lives, colleagues, children, spouses, governments, weather, etc. which all together mange to increase the stress to unbelievable levels. Apart from the usual effect of stress on the body where it gets tires, it also over activation of the DNA repair system results the DNA of the individual to get old faster. Taking too much stress also causes the secretion of excess cortisol hormones from the renal glands that are located on top of the kidneys. Over usage of these glands causes then to fail and for the rest of your life you end up with hormonal imbalance in your body.

But apart from these harmful effects, stress has another victim. This unlikely victim is your memories. Too much stress or even obesity leads to the excess production of hormones responsible for handling the increased pressure of the higher stress. Of these hormones gluco corticoids are the major ones that cause the destruction of valuable and irreplaceable neurons from around the body. The effect of these hormones is mostly seen around the pelvic region where the spinal cord ends. It also destroys neurons in the hippo campus region of the brain. Hippo campus is the important part of the brain that is responsible for the creation of memories and learning. The only way to save the un-replaceable neurons is to remove these excess hormones or just avoid stress completely. Students who believe in last minute studies should take note here and stop stalling studies to the last moment, because it does t work to your benefit.Hence it is important to burn these excess hormones by indulging is rigorous exercise and save your memory.

Filed Under: Health Care, Health Tips, Reproductive Health Tagged With: Brain, DNA, Hormone

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

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Erectile dysfunction is a male reproductive organ disorder in which the penis is incapable of stiffening up or becoming erect for a sufficient period of time for copulation. An erection is caused by the hydraulic action of the blood on the tissues of the penis which expand like a sponge while absorbing the blood. Erectile dysfunction is easy to diagnose. A man with erectile dysfunction is unable to get an erection or maintain an erection until an orgasm, even after sexual arousal. The signals obtained from the brain to the reproductive organ fail to initiate increased blood flow or maintain that increased blood flow.

There are many causes for erectile dysfunction. The leading factors are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, psychological problems, neurological problems, drug side effects and hormonal imbalances. Arsenic poisoning can also lead to erectile dysfunction because of changes in the voltage gated sodium potassium channels in the blood vessels of the penis. Drugs such as nicotine and anti-depressants can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Men who are crossing into their 60s, facing problems such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or any other neurological disorder will suffer from erectile dysfunction. Prostrate cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy or a surgery to remove the cancerous prostrate gland, will suffer from this dysfunction. Psychological causes include stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, schizophrenia, personality disorders, etc are some of the causes. Also men who suffer from a failed kidney, will experience instances of erectile dysfunction. Treatments for erectile dysfunction differ from the cause of the dysfunction. Most erectile dysfunctions can be treated by using an erectile dysfunction tube. Other patients may need to use drugs such as Viagra. For some men, it can be difficult to admit they suffer from erectile dysfunction. They may choose to order Viagra discreetly without going through the potential embarrassment of asking for the drug and undergoing a medical evaluation.

Filed Under: Health Care, Health Tips, Reproductive Health Tagged With: Erectile dysfunction, Erection, Penis, Sildenafil

Improve Your Odds of Conceiving

Many couples look forward to having a family with great anticipation. About 85 percent of normal couples who try to conceive will get pregnant in the first year, with a 15 to 25 percent chance of getting pregnant during any given cycle. Wanting a child but not achieving this goal can cause disappointment and frustration. These tips can help you maximize your chances of seeing the little stick turn blue.

• Know your cycle. Learning how long your cycle lasts and figuring out when you ovulate will increase your odds of getting pregnant. Consider buying an ovulation prediction kit to help you identify when you ovulate.
• Plan accordingly. It may seem obvious, but many couples don’t have success because they have sex at the wrong time. A woman is most fertile for the five days leading up to and the 12 hours following ovulation. In this case, timing really is everything.
• Create a hospitable environment. Vaginal sprays, scented tampons and artificial lubricants can mess up your baby making goals so avoid these products.
• To boost your husband’s sperm production, have your partner wear loose-fitting boxers and avoid hot tubs.
• Don’t overdue. Making love every day during your fertile period can leave you and your partner emotionally and physically drained. Shoot for every other day and remember to have fun!
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Try to eat right, get plenty of rest, and exercise regularly. While trying to conceive, you may want to avoid alcohol in case you are pregnant and don’t know it yet.
• Relax and don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Most couples do eventually conceive, so keep that in mind if you feel discouraged.
• If you don’t have success after a year, make an appointment with your gynecologist to have a fertility work up done. Women over 35 should see their doctors after six months of trying without conceiving.

Filed Under: Health Care, Reproductive Health, Women's Health Tagged With: Fertilisation, Pregnancy, Sexual intercourse

The Miracle of Birth

: Image by opheliates via Flickr

Millions of women give birth each year. In the U.S., modern advances have given women several different options for bringing their babies into the world. You and your partner should review all your choices, evaluating the pros and cons of each, so that you can make an informed decision.

Hospital Birth
A popular choice, hospital birth involves delivery supervised by a medical team headed up by your obstetrician. For anyone who has pregnancy complications or a baby that will need neonatal care, hospital births are the safest options. In a hospital, you are constantly monitored, and trained medical personal are available immediately if problems arise. Unfortunately, hospitals often lack the warm, cozy feeling created by other birth options.

Birthing Center
Usually run by midwives, birthing centers have grown more common in recent years. If your pregnancy is low risk and you are healthy, you many want to consider a birthing center as a choice. Birthing centers operate on the philosophy that women inherently know how to give birth. Completely equipped with medications, IVs, oxygen, and resuscitation equipment, birthing centers do not use epidurals, labor inducing drugs, or electronic fetal monitoring machines. At a birthing center, you will have to leave within 12 hours of giving birth.

Home Birth
Intimacy, privacy, and comfort often motivate women to choose a home birth. Healthy women having normal, uncomplicated pregnancies can consider home birth as a viable option. During a home birth, labor progresses naturally without a set timetable or medical intervention. Usually women who choose home birth work with a certified mid wife, who monitor the pregnancy with regular monthly check ups, lab tests, and screenings for infection. Midwives who deliver at home will have a physician they consult with in case of an emergency situation.

Filed Under: Health Care, Medicines, Reproductive Health, Women's Health

High Risk Pregnancy Explained

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Having a baby can be the happiest time in a woman’s life. Most women go through the nine months with little more than morning sickness, swollen ankles, and an aching back. Good prenatal treatment and taking care of yourself will also contribute to a healthy, successful pregnancy. In some cases, however, certain conditions and factors can lead to a high-risk pregnancy.

Doctors use the term high-risk pregnancy to define any situation where the mother and/or baby have an increased chance of health problems. Otherwise healthy women can develop conditions that lead to high-risk pregnancies. Although the label high-risk sounds frightening, your physician will use this term to make sure you get the extra care you need and deliver your baby as planned.

Your doctor may consider your pregnancy high-risk if you:
• Develop preeclampsia or eclampsia, which can affect the mother’s blood pressure, kidney function, and liver enzymes. Sometimes women will develop gestational diabetes, which occurs only during pregnancy, and can also lead to a high risk designation.
• Have a pre-existing condition such as HIV, hepatitis C, diabetes, or epilepsy.
• Experience pre-term labor. Anything before 37 weeks is considered pre-term.
• Are under 17 or over 35.
• Learn that the baby is diagnosed with some sort of problem like Down’s syndrome or anything relating to the lungs, heart, or other critical system.
• Carry more than one baby.
• Contract an illness such as chicken pox, rubella, or fifth’s disease during pregnancy.

Once your pregnancy is classified as high-risk, your physician will probably schedule more frequent visits and may order additional ultrasounds to monitor your progress. In some cases, your ob-gyn may refer you to a maternal-fetal specialist to care for you and your baby. As your due date approaches, you will want to review your birth plan with your physician and see if any special care will be needed during delivery.

Filed Under: Child Health, Health Care, Reproductive Health, Women's Health Tagged With: Gestational diabetes, Pregnancy, Pregnancy and Birth, Reproductive Health

Common Infertility Myths

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An estimated six million couples in the United States struggle with infertility. If you are trying to have a baby, your lack of success can lead to disappointment and frustration. Well-meaning friends and family can compound the problem by offering advice. Usually, these tips are less than accurate. Some of the common infertility myths couples may hear include:

Relax and you’ll get pregnant.
You could meditate all day and move to Hawaii to lie on the beach, but if you have physical issues causing your infertility, you still won’t conceive. Infertility is a physical problem, not a psychological issue, so the solution lies in identifying and resolving the cause(s) of your failure to conceive.

Age doesn’t matter. Look at Madonna and Celine Dion.
Although celebrities may have success achieving pregnancy in their mid to late 40s, the media stories don’t always reveal the assistance these women need in order to have children, including donor eggs, several IVF cycles, and failed cycles. Your age does impact your fertility, and anyone over 35 should see a doctor after trying for six months with no luck.

Infertility only affects women.
When infertility impacts a couple, one third of the time it is a female issue, one third of time it is a male issue, and the other third of the time the cause is unknown. Make sure you and your partner both undergo testing so you will have a better chance of identifying the problem.

You are young. It will happen.
Your fertility peaks in your 20s, but age alone doesn’t guarantee you will get pregnant. Conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, and low sperm count for your partner can cause infertility issues at any age.

Since you have one child, you can definitely have another one.
Statistics suggest that 11 percent of couples who have a child face secondary infertility, which occurs when you have trouble conceiving again. Often, secondary infertility is seen as less serious than primary infertility, but it feel equally devastating to the couples who struggle with this issue.

Filed Under: Health Care, Reproductive Health, Women's Health Tagged With: In vitro fertilisation, Infertility, Pregnancy, Reproductive Health

How to Help a Loved One Prepare for Assisted Living

When a loved one has to enter an assisted living facility, the transition may not be an easy one. Often, elderly relatives see the transition to assisted living as a loss of independence, and they may become agitated or depressed. If you’re currently making plans for your mother, father, or grandparent to enter an assisted living facility, here are a few tips to make the transition go smoothly.

De-clutter in Advance

Well before moving day, spend some time with your loved one sorting through their possessions. Help them to decide what they’ll take with them to the facility, what they’ll sell or give away, and what they’ll store elsewhere. Respect their decisions, and work with them as much as possible to be sure that cherished items are well taken care of.

Complete Necessary Paperwork

Spend some time making sure that all of your loved ones medical and legal paperwork is in order. Do they have a living will, a power of attorney, and other necessary documents? Take the time to explain to them how their finances and personal paperwork will be taken care of after they’ve entered assisted living.

Allow Choices

Remember that your loved one has strong feelings about where they’ll be spending their time. Show them flyers and brochures, and choose the assisted living facility that they prefer. Don’t make the mistake of making all the decisions for your loved one; instead, allow them the independence that they’re accustomed to.

Entering an assisted living facility doesn’t have to be a degrading experience. As you make this transition with your loved one, be sure to respect their wishes as much as possible. Reassure them that you’ll visit frequently, and provide them with as many home comforts as you reasonably can.

Filed Under: Health Care, Reproductive Health Tagged With: Assisted living, Health, Nursing home