Archive for the Category ◊ Health ◊

Sexual Positions for Conceiving
Author:
• Tuesday, November 02nd, 2010

When it comes to conception there is a lot of discussion about successful positions for ‘making babies’. Unfortunately there is no widely-accepted ‘best position’ but here are some answers to common questions surrounding the act of conceiving.

Are some sexual positions better than others for conception?

Whilst there has been little research in this area, MRI imaging has been conducted which shows researchers exactly what is happening internally during sex.

Rest assured you don’t need to have the flexibility of a contortionist to achieve the best results! Logic prevails and suggests that the “missionary position” is most likely to be successful as it allows for deep penetration with the sperm being released at the opening of your womb.

Having said that, MRI studies have shown that entry from behind also allows for optimal positioning of the sperm at the back (posterior) section of the cervix, whereas missionary placed it at the front (anterior) position.

So in answer to your question, no there isn’t necessarily a best position for conception!

Should I lie down?

Some scientists say to avoid positions where the sperm has to defy gravity and swim ‘up’ – such as positions where the woman is sitting on top of the male or standing up. Although strong healthy sperm should swim, eliminating this obstacle may increase your chances.

Some people also suggest lying down after sex to assist the sperm in reaching their ‘target’. Once again, healthy sperm should have no problem reaching the womb within minutes but it can’t hurt to lie down!

How important is it to orgasm?

Whilst sperm can leak out prior to ejaculation, clearly it is important for the man to reach orgasm in the act of ‘baby-making’! Research however has recently shown that the female orgasm also plays an important role, as contractions associated with orgasm can carry the sperm further into the womb. This process however involves orgasming at a similar time.

If I want a boy or girl are some positions better than others?

While there are plenty of rumours and wives’ tales there doesn’t seem to be any conclusive evidence that positions affect gender. Timing and frequency however may play a more important role. Why not head to our gender swayers forum and discuss this with other Essential Baby members interested in influencing their gender of their next bub!

How often should I have sex?

Timing is paramount to conceiving, and more focus should be given to it than positioning. To increase your chances, ideally have sex one to two days before you expect ovulation to occur, and then again on the day of ovulation.

Charting your cycle will help confirm your ovulation date and you can also buy ovulation prediction kits to assist with this.

Sydney morning herald

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Dandruff Problems
Author:
• Friday, October 22nd, 2010

DEFINITIONS
Dandruff is a chronic condition where there is hair loss on the scalp, characterized by itching and flaking scalp. Although dandruff is not contagious and is rarely serious but it can be embarrassing and sometimes difficult to treat.

Good news is that dandruff can usually be controlled. In mild cases only requiring nothing more than washing your hair every day with a gentle cleanser. In more difficult cases often require medical shampoo.

SYMPTOMS
In many teens and adults, the symptoms of dandruff is easy to see that a white powder, flakes of dead skin on the head of greasy as dots on the hair and shoulders and itchy.

This type of dandruff is called cradle cap in infants may be exposed. This disease, which causes hair loss and scalp, is most common in newborns, but can occur at any time until childhood. Despite a warning for parents, cradle cap is not dangerous and usually disappear over time.

Causes & Risk Factors
Cause

Dandruff can have several causes, namely:
• Dry skin. Dry skin is a lot of causes scalp irritation and hair loss. Flakes of dry skin are generally smaller and less oily than other cases of dandruff.

• Irritation, oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis). These conditions often cause dandruff. Marked by red, greasy skin covered with flake white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis resulted not only in the scalp but also other areas that have many oil glands, such as the eyebrows, the nose and behind the ears, chest and sometimes in the armpit.

• Often do not use shampoo. If you do not clean your hair regularly, oil and skin cells on the scalp can be formed, which causes dandruff.

• Psoriaris. This skin disease causes the accumulation of dead skin cells to form silver scales. Psoriaris usually occurs in the knees, elbows, and other body parts, but also can occur on the scalp.

• Eczema. If you have eczema on the scalp, chances are you’ll get dandruff.

• Sensitivity to hair care products. Sometimes sensitivity to certain hair care products or hair dye can cause redness, itching, and scalp hair loss. Washing hair with shampoo too often or using too many products for hair can also cause irritation of the scalp, causing dandruff.

• Yeast-like fungus (Malassezia). Malassezia lives on the scalp in many adults without causing problems. But sometimes this fungus grows out of control and eat the oil that comes out of the pores of the head. This can cause irritation to the scalp and cause many skin cells grow. Excess skin cells may result in some cells die and fall.

Risk factors

Nearly everyone has dandruff, but certain factors can make you more susceptible:
• Age. Dandruff usually begins at a young age. But somehow that does not mean people with advanced age did not have dandruff. For some people this problem can continue for a long time.

• Male. As more men have dandruff, some scientists think the male hormone has a role in the cause of dandruff. Men also have more hair and skin oil production that contributes to cause dandruff.

• Hair and scalp is oily. Malassezia eat the oil on the scalp. For that reason, has the oil on the skin and hair makes you more vulnerable to excessive dandruff.

• Diet is wrong. If you are deficient diet foods containing iron, vitamin B or some kind of fat, you are more easy to dandruff.

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Death Meter Helping Japanese Kick Smoking Habit
Author:
• Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Put away the chewing gum and nicotine patches. Japanese smokers are learning that all they need to kick the smoking habit is a reminder of death’s steady approach right on the screen of their iPod.

Osaka-based game software and graphics developer Proge Inc. has created a free software application to help smokers roughly determine how many years they have left on this planet based on their age, the number of cigarettes they smoke each day and how many years they have been slaves to nicotine.

Users input the data into the “Death Meter” and a countdown until their likely demise appears on the screen over the image of mocking Grim Reaper with a cigarette between his boney fingers. The countdown can be slowed by inputting a smaller daily cigarette consumption figure, but that requires lighting up fewer coffin nails each day.

More Japanese are now trying to go cold turkey after prices for a pack of smokes surged by as much as 140 yen (USD 1.70) on October 1 to account for the largest-ever hike in the tobacco tax.

Takayuki Suda, an engineer living in Nagoya, has been trying to cut back on his 15-cigarette per day habit after prices shot up, so gave the Death Meter a try.

“It’s an interesting game, but not nearly as scary as a doctor telling me I have to stop smoking,” said Suda.

Smoking remains popular in Japan with nearly 40% of Japanese men lighting up, according to a recent survey by Japan Tobacco Co. Many of these men will likely keep puffing away despite higher prices and the Death Meter countdown on their iPods.

“I can’t imagine work breaks without lighting up,” said Suda, taking a long thoughtful drag on his Mild Seven Extra Light.

Tick . . . tock.

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One Million Children May be Misdiagnosed with ADHD
Author:
• Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Almost one million children in the United States are potentially misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) because they were the youngest and least mature in their kindergarten classes, a US study released Tuesday found. The Michigan State University study found that prescriptions for the misdiagnoses could represent spending of 320 to 500 million dollars a year, with 80 to 90 million of it paid by Medicaid, a public health insurance program for the poor.

The most commonly prescribed drug for ADHD is Ritalin (methylphenidate), a psychostimulant, and its long-term effects are not well known, wrote lead author Todd Elder, of Michigan State University, whose study will appear in the Journal of Health Economics. Elder studied some 12,000 young children.

He found that “the youngest kindergarteners were 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than the oldest children in the same grade. Similarly, when that group of classmates reached the fifth and eighth grades, the youngest were more than twice as likely to be prescribed stimulants” for ADHD.

Though only doctors diagnose the condition, “many ADHD diagnoses may be driven by teachers’ perceptions of poor behavior among the youngest children in a kindergarten classroom,” Edler wrote.

“But these ’symptoms’ may merely reflect emotional or intellectual immaturity among the youngest students.”

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Hand Hygiene – An easy and effective way to prevent infection
Author:
• Friday, July 09th, 2010

Why perform hand hygiene?

Hand hygiene is a simple habit for sanitation. Yet hand hygiene when done properly is the best way to prevent infections from spreading. Throughout the day you accumulate germs* on your hands from a variety sources, such as direct contact with people and animals, or contaminated surfaces. If you do not perform hand hygiene properly, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. You can also spread these germs through contacting with others or touching other surfaces.

Who should perform hand hygiene?

Hand hygiene should be part of everyone’s daily routines. You should always perform and remind your family members or people around to perform hand hygiene as well.

When to perform hand hygiene?

Although it is not possible to keep your bare hands germ-free, there are times when it is critical to clean your hands to limit the number and the spread of germs.

Always remember to clean your hands in the following situations:

Personal Hygiene:

1. Before touching the eyes, nose and mouth

2. Before eating or handling food

3. After using the toilets

4. After blowing nose, sneezing or coughing

After contacting or handling contaminated or dirty materials:

1. After changing diapers or handling soiled articles from children or the sick

2. After touching animals, poultry or their droppings

3. After handling garbage

4. After touching public installations or equipment, such as escalator handrail, elevator control panels or door knobs

Others:

1. Before and after visiting hospitals, residential care homes or caring for the sick

2. Any time you find your hands dirty

How to perform hand hygiene?

You should clean hands with liquid soap and water when visibly soiled or likely contaminated with body fluid. When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70-80% alcohol-based hand-rub is also effective.

Steps for hand hygiene

a) Clean hands with liquid soap and water:

1. Wet hands under running water.

2. Apply liquid soap and rub hands together to make a soapy lather.

3. Away from the running water, rub the palms, back of hands, between fingers, back of fingers, thumbs, finger tips and wrists. Do this for at least 20 seconds.

4. Rinse hands thoroughly under running water.

5. Dry hands thoroughly with a clean cotton towel, a paper towel, or a hand dryer.

6. The cleaned hands should not touch the water tap directly again. The tap may be turned off:

? by using the towel wrapping the faucet; or

? after splashing water to clean the faucet.

Please note:

? Never share towels.

? Dispose of used paper towel properly.

? Store personal towels properly and wash them at least once daily. Preferably, prepare more towels for frequent replacement.

b) Clean hands with alcohol-based hand-rub:

1. Apply a palmful of alcohol-based hand-rub and cover all surfaces of the hands.

2. Rub the palms, back of hands, between fingers, back of fingers, thumbs, finger tips and wrists.

3. Rub for at least 20 seconds until the hands are dry.

* Germs include bacteria, viruses and other microbes

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Beware of Heat Stroke
Author:
• Wednesday, July 07th, 2010

What is heat stroke?

The human body can regulate internal temperature within safe limits spontaneously. When we get hotter, the temperature control centre inside our body will trigger responses such as sweating and increasing breathing rate to cool us down. However, when the environment becomes extremely hot and spontaneous responses cannot effectively cool down our body, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke will occur.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include giddiness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath and mental confusion. When the body temperature reaches 41°C or higher, the sufferer will have convulsion or become unconscious; and this is heat stroke. Immediately, the body temperature must be brought down and first aid be given, or else the sufferer’s life will be in great danger.

Who is at risk?

  1. The obese
  2. The sick
    including those with heart disease and high blood pressure
  3. The elderly
  4. Children

Precautionary measures

Pay attention to the weather warning issued by the Hong Kong Observatory and take the following measures:

  1. Wear light-coloured, loose and air permeable clothing to reduce heat absorption and promote heat loss from sweating.
  2. Bring and drink plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration.
  3. Avoid drinks containing caffeine (e.g. coffee and tea) or alcohol, because these substances will speed up water loss from the body through the urinary system.
  4. Do not engage in prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking under extremely hot weather, as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on one’s physique.
  5. Perform outdoor activities in the morning or evening, if possible.
  6. Choose an indoor venue with good ventilation by opening all windows and using fan or air-conditioning. Avoid doing vigorous exercise in a hot or stuffy environment.
  7. Re-schedule your work to cooler times of the day. If you must work in a hot environment, introduce shading in the work area where practicable, then start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Take breaks every now and then in a cool area to recharge yourself.
  8. Do not stay inside a parked vehicle.
  9. Stop in the course of activity immediately and seek medical advice if feeling unwell.
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General Measures on Preventing Mosquito-borne Diseases
Author:
• Friday, July 02nd, 2010

1. Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and apply effective mosquito repellent containing DEET to exposed parts of the body & clothes.

2. Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.

3. Place mosquito coil or electric mosquito mat / liquid near possible entrance, such as window, to prevent mosquito bites.

4. Prevent the accumulation of stagnant water

  • Put all used cans and bottles into covered dustbins.
  • Change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots.
  • Cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks.
  • Keep all drains free from blockage.
  • Top up all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water.
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Why Kids Need Water
Author:
• Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

To stay healthy and energetic, your child’s body needs plenty of healthy fluids every day. Water is a perfect choice, since it hydrates without adding unnecessary calories. Our bodies use it regulate temperature, eliminate waste, and cushion our spinal cord and joints. Milk and juice offer benefits, too, as a source of both fluids and essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin C.

How Much Liquid Do Kids Need?

You’ve probably heard the oft-repeated advice that you should drink 8 cups of water every day. Does the same rule apply to children? Yes and no. According to the Institute of Medicine (a division of the National Academy of Sciences, charged with advising the nation on health topics), most adults get all the liquids they need every day just by eating and drinking normally–with meals, and when they are thirsty. Any beverages, including caffeinated ones, count toward the daily fluid intake your body needs (which is closer to 10 cups than 8, by the way), and food, especially fruits and vegetables, contains water too.

Kids under 8 years old need a little less fluid than adults, but the advice is the same—they should drink healthy beverages with meals, plus sip water any time they are thirsty. Of course, if they are playing or exercising vigorously, or if it’s very hot outside, they’ll need more liquids to make up for what their bodies are losing to perspiration.

What Should Kids Drink?

  • Water: Straight from the tap is fine (bottled isn’t necessary) but your child may drink more if it’s chilled, and/or if she has a special cup, bottle, or canteen for her H2O.
  • Milk: Make it low- or non-fat (for kids 2 and up; littler ones need the fat for brain development). Serve two cups a day for kids 8 and under, three cups for older children and teens. Kids need the calcium and vitamin D in dairy products, so if your child doesn’t like milk, try flavoring it, or find other sources of these nutrients.
  • Juice: Limit to 4-6 ounces a day for kids 6 and under (that’s ½ to ¾ of a cup). Older kids and teens can have 8-12 ounces a day. 100 percent fruit juice is best—check the label. Fruit drinks, punches, and ades may have added sugars (and calories). That 100% fruit juice does count as one of your child’s servings of fruit for the day—but it doesn’t have the fiber that whole fruit does.
  • Sports drinks: Generally, avoid these since they add calories and sugar, but few nutrients, to your child’s diet. But if he’s exercising vigorously and prefers sports drinks to water, let him drink up—it’s more important that he stays hydrated. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 4 to 6 ounces of fluid every 15 minutes for a 90-pound child while he’s exercising. The AAP also suggests weighing your child before and after he exercises so you can see how much fluid he lost—then you’ll know how much he needs to replace during future workouts.
  • Soda: Avoid. It’s nothing but empty calories.
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Drinking Water and Sports Drinks
Author:
• Monday, June 21st, 2010

Drinking and walking do go together – as long as the drink is water before, during and after your walk.

Hydration Guidelines for Walkers

  • Plain Water: For walks of an hour or less, plain water is the best drink.
  • Add Salt: When your walk is going to be longer than an hour, a sports drink or salty foods such as pretzels can help with water absorption in the body as well as replacement of salt and energy.
  • Drink Before You Walk: Prepare for your walk by drinking a tall glass of water (17 ounces or 500 mL) 2 hours before your walk. This will allow time for any extra to pass through you body before you hit the trail.
  • Caffeine: Avoid caffeinated beverages before your walk, they cause you to lose fluid, making you thirstier as well as making you take inconvenient stops along the way.
  • Salt Before a Long Walk: Before long walks, have a bit of extra salt with your meal or snack so you will have enough sodium to stay in balance.
  • Plan for More Water: Carry water with you or plan for water stops along the route where you will be able to get a full drink of a cup of water every 20 minutes. A water fountain may not be able to deliver enough water for you to get a full cup.
  • Drink When Thirsty: Older guidelines said to drink before you are thirsty, but new guidelines by USATF in 2003 for long distance runners and walkers say to use thirst as a guide and to drink when thirsty.
  • Drinking When Sweating: If you are sweating more than usual, drink more than usual.
  • High Altitude: You lose even more fluids at high altitudes, in heat and low humidity and need to drink more than usual. Again, let thirst be your guide and drink as soon as thirsty.
  • Flavor Your Water: Make your water taste good so you will want to drink more. Add a squirt of lemon and keep it cool.
  • Drinking After Your Walk: After your walk, end with another tall drink of water. After a long walk, do not overdo on plain water, use sports drink and/or salty foods to replenish salts as well
  • Walking Water Calculator: Find out how much water you should be taking along or drinking from fountains, etc.

Signs of Dehydration

  • nausea after exercise
  • dark yellow urine or no urine
  • dry, sticky mouth
  • dry eyes

Pure Clean Water

  • Tap water is perfectly fine for most purposes – in the US and Canada.
  • Some walkers prefer the taste of filtered or designer water. Be sure to clean and dry single-use bottles before refilling them.
  • Do not drink water from a lake or stream unless you filter or purify it. In many places there are nasty parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium in the “unspoiled” mountain streams – because they are in the local squirrels and other animals.
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Drinking Water to Maintain Good Health
Author:
• Sunday, June 20th, 2010

Drinking water is so important for good health. When you were a kid in school, you learned that each molecule of water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. You may also have learned that it was great fun to fill up your squirt guns with water, at least until the principal caught you. What you may not have learned, however, was how much water you needed in order to be a healthy human being.

Why You Need to Drink Water

Your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.

Signs of Dehydration

You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active, you lose more water than if you are sedentary. Diuretics such as caffeine pills and alcohol result in the need to drink more water because they trick your body into thinking you have more water than we need.

Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles,lower back pain, headaches and constipation. A strong odor to your urine, along with a yellow or amber color indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B Vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.

How Much Water do You Need to Drink?

A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. If you exercise you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day. As you can see, your daily need for water can add up to quite a lot.

Twenty percent of your water need will come from the foods you eat. The rest of your water need should come from the beverages you drink. Water is the best choice. Sodas have a lot of sugar in them, so if you drink sodas, you may take in more calories than you need. Herbal teas that aren’t diuretic are fine. Sports drinks contain electrolytes and may be beneficial, just look out for added sugar and calories that you don’t need. Juices are good because they have vitamins and nutrients.

Caffeinated beverages will also add to your daily water need. Even though caffeine is a diuretic, if you regularly consume caffeine, your body will regulate itself to that diuretic effect.

Drink Enough Water

It may be difficult to drink enough water on a busy day. Be sure you have water handy at all times by keeping a bottle for water with you when you are working, traveling, or exercising. If you get bored with plain water, add a bit of lemon or lime for a touch of flavor. There are some brands of flavored water available, but watch for extra calories.

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