Category: General Article

Postpartum Panic Attacks: If You Are Plagued With This Condition Here Are 3 Ways To Deal With It

For many women giving birth is a happy time of their life. For others, however, symptoms of depression and panic attacks can occur so strongly as to drastically affect their lives.

Postpartum disorders occur in one in every eight women, so if this your case, you are clearly not alone.

These symptoms go far beyond the typical baby blues that many mothers experience but rather they are intense feelings of not being able to cope and not feeling like you.

What can these women experience?

These new moms worry about really harming their children. This is a large part of the cause for the anxiety as even picturing harming a child can cause anyone to feel just horrible.

Furthermore, the anxiety of raising a child, because of the feeling of not being adequate to the job, is also a contributing factor.

Such questions as how to provide proper care and nutrients to the child just keep swimming in the postpartum mothers mind.

While this depression and postpartum anxiety continues to rage on the feelings will compound, and the situation will just get worse. This is why it is absolutely crucial to seek help at the very first signs of postpartum depression!

Can Postpartum Panic Attacks Be Helped?

Fortunately, postpartum depression can be reversed, and the anxiety attacks that come with this condition, can also be treated. This is certainly not a new disorder and many Mothers go through the same feelings after giving birth.

So What Are The 3 Ways to Deal with Postpartum Panic Attacks?

1.) The best way to start to deal with postpartum panic attacks, are to recognize them for what they are and to seek out a local support group. Just talking to other mothers can reassure you that you are not going crazy.

Furthermore, these groups help to realize that these feelings do not make you a lousy mother.

2.) Another way to deal with these anxiety attacks is to seek out professional medical care. Now obviously you are nursing so the medications you take will have to be taken into account.

Just using some simple and homeopathic remedies has been proven to help many mothers with postpartum depression. As well as relaxing exercises such as some light Yoga or any other relaxing exercise could be very helpful.

3.) The last way is to seek out cognitive therapy and interpersonal therapy. The way this helps is that cognitive therapy helps to overcome negative perceptions, which can result is a lack of energy and depression.

While interpersonal therapy can overcome immediate and difficult problems also help with difficult transitions such as giving birth.

Is This a Common Condition?

While postpartum depression may not be all that common, it is vitally important that you and your family recognize the symptoms of this disorder. Once you have the ability to spot yourself falling prey to this disease it will be …

Using Cinnamon Aids High Blood Pressure Problems

It’s known that spices are natural remedies, cinnamon is one that helps with high blood pressure issues. Of course there are others, but will focus on cinnamon because it’s easy to find. Lets take a closer look at how we can add this to our diets.

There are two types of cinnamon, whole and extract. Both are proven to have a positive affect on high blood pressure. Since high blood pressure and diabetes are a kin to one another, you can look into using cinnamon for both.

So the common question asked is why? There are properties within cinnamon that helps use the hormone insulin in the body. In effect, it lowers levels of glucose and triglycerides (fat in blood) which benefits people with high blood pressure. Anytime you can reduce the accumulation of bad fats inside your arterial walls you step closer to controlling your situation.

Dosage of Cinnamon for High Blood Pressure Problems

There are several ways to use cinnamon, for it to be effective you have to include it in your daily routine. Try this as a recommended dosage.

First, add 1/2 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon daily on cereal or toast or mix into yogurt. Then you can either take one capsule twice a day or you might try buying a tincture and add 30 drops to one ounce of distilled water 3 times a day.

Lets add one more alternative if you don’t want to take the tincture. Use 1/2 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon with eight ounces of boiling water. Let sit for 15 minutes, makes two cups of 4 ounces each. Drink twice a day.

The main thing is to get enough cinnamon in your system so your body can start to reverse some of the damage already done.

There are a few other common spices you can add to your diet, and there are some less common herbs. Start with the common more neutral items, like cinnamon, if your blood pressure issue is more severe you might have to look into a stronger herb.

Keep you doctor in the loop, most spices will not confict with medications, but it’s safer to inform your physician about any changes you make.

There are many other things you can do for your high blood pressure issues.…

How to Take Someone’s Blood Pressure to Check For Hypertension

Blood pressure should be taken in such a way as to ensure that you do not come up with the wrong result, especially when you are suspecting that the individual may be having hypertension. When the right procedure is followed you are sure to avoid errors that could prove expensive in the long run.

What should you do before taken the blood pressure?1. Ensure the individual is not over excited. If he/she is excited the secretion of adrenaline increases and this would give you a wrong result.2. Be sure the individual has not just finished a rigorous exercise. This would increase the heart rate and alter the result as well.3. Ensure the person has also not just finished eating a heavy meal. This would increase the work load of the heart as it attempts to digest the heavy meal.4. Make sure he/she rests for at least 2-5 minutes after arriving in your clinic before taking the blood pressure.

To find out if someone has hypertension, you need to check his/her blood pressure for the first time and record the result. The individual should then be advised to repeat the check daily (at the same time) or on alternate days for at least one further week to be sure there is a sustained elevation before you could come up with a diagnosis.

How should you check the blood pressure?1. Make the person sit up in a chair or lie down on a bed.2. Squeeze the cuff to expel air if you are using the analog sphygmomanometer.3. Wrap the arm cuff around his/her upper arm, at least half an inch above the elbow joint, with the air tube over the brachial artery.4. Press the ‘start’ button (if you are using the digital sphygmomanometer); and the cuff is inflated automatically. Allow it to deflate on its own and when the measurement value is displayed, you have to take down the reading. Press the ‘stop’ button and return the equipment to a safe place.5. If you are using the analog sphygmomanometer, you have to place the diaphragm of your stethoscope over the brachial artery (after procedure number 3 above) and place the ear tubes over your ears; tighten the knob of the sphygmomanometer and then pump with the inflator.6. Listen to the heart beat as you pump. Take note of the point at which you stopped hearing the sound. Pump a little further before releasing the knob to deflate the cuff.7. Take note of the first heart sound (systolic) as you deflate the cuff; and also the point at which the heart’s sound finally disappears (the diastolic). 8. Remove equipment and record your findings.

The upper sound is referred to as the ‘systolic’ while the lower sound is referred to as the ‘diastolic’ sound. If the reading for an average adult is in the range of 140-159 over 90-99 (140/90 – 159/99), ‘stage 1 hypertension’ is said to exist. But if the reading is …

High Blood Pressure Treatment Strategies

When blood passes through the blood vessels, it exerts force on the walls of the blood vessels called blood pressure. If the blood pressure is always high, the blood vessels can become damaged which can lead to life-threatening complications like stroke and heart attack. Blood pressure treatment is always started whenever a person is diagnosed with hypertension.

When a person’s BP is 140/90 or higher in two different occasions, he or she is diagnosed with hypertension. The good thing is that hypertension can be treated with a lot of various ways. Of course, there are available drugs that are effective in treating hypertension. In fact, anti-hypertensive drugs are always prescribed to persons who are diagnosed with hypertension. What are the different available anti-hypertensive medicines nowadays?

Diuretics are the most common form of drugs prescribed to treat hypertension. Diuretics lead to frequent urination so that the excess salt and water in the body is removed. Once extra salt and water are urinated, blood pressure becomes lower and the heart can pump easily. Diuretics can cause adverse effects like dehydration, dizziness, muscle cramps, arrhythmia, and others.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are another form of drugs prescribed to treat hypertension. ACE inhibitors work by dilating the blood vessels which leads to increase in blood flow, decrease in blood pressure, and easier work for the heart. Also, ACE inhibitors can protect the kidneys from the effects of hypertension. ACE inhibitors can cause adverse effects like sore throat, severe vomiting or diarrhea, dizziness, cough, and others.

One of the most common forms of medicines used to treat hypertension is angiotensin II receptor blockers or ARBs. ARBs can prevent the constriction of blood vessels since these can block angiotensin II. Therefore, ARBs work by widening the blood vessels so that blood flow is increased and blood pressure is decreased. ARBs are usually prescribed to hypertensive people who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors. ARBs can cause side effects like severe vomiting, confusion, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, and others.

One of the most common forms of drugs used to treat hypertension is beta-blockers. Beta-blockers function by reducing the work of the heart which enables it to pump easier using less oxygen and blod. The common side effects of beta-blockers include fatigue, dizziness, edema, slow heartbeat, and others.

Calcium channel blockers are another form of drugs prescribed to treat hypertension. These drugs slow down the movement of calcium to the heart and blood vessels which results to widened blood vessels. Some of the usual side effects of calcium channel blockers are dizziness, dry mouth, edema, headache, and others.

Besides prescribing drugs, the doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes that can effectively lower your blood pressure. Some of these lifestyle changes include smoking cessation, reduced alcohol and caffeine intake, regular exercise, proper diet, and stress reduction. In addition to using anti-hypertensive medicines, these lifestyle changes include the blood pressure treatment that most doctors prescribe.…

Many people strive to get into shape but just don’t think it is something they are always held back because it becomes too much of a chore. Use the advice in this article and learn the most important aspects of fitness.

You should not lift weights for more than an hour of lifting weights. Muscle wasting can begin in as little as an hour of lifting weights. So make sure to keep these weight lifting to no more than sixty minutes.

Keep your exercise routine interesting by including a wide range of exercises. This can help you avoid boredom from too much repetition and will also maintain your level of motivation.

Strong thighs are important for preventing knee injuries.Torn kneecap ligaments are common sport injuries. Leg extensions and curls are a couple of great exercises to accomplish this.

You can reduce your chance of injury which walking by making sure to observe correct form as you are in proper form. Walk with your back straight and keep your shoulders angled back. Your elbows should fall at 90-degree angle. Make sure your arms are opposite pattern to your foot movements.

Wall sits are fast and improving leg strength.Start by selecting an open wall space for your body in motion. Stand about eighteen inches from the wall. Stay in this position for as long as your legs will let you.

Your goal is to stay between 80 and twenty when you ride your bike. This means that you the ability of riding longer distances at greater speeds without fatiguing or straining your knees. This is the rpm range that you should aim to hit.

Flex your glutes at the top of each rep when you lift weights above your head. This will exercise your glutes a great workout while decreasing the odds of working out in general. This position will allow you lift the spine.

This can help you start for your day and develop healthy habits for you build off of.

You can get stronger faster by incorporating more rest into your routine. This results in muscles harder and will increase your endurance. For example, if your usual workout takes thirty minutes, attempt to bring it down to just 40 minutes.

There are more to fitness than physical strength.Regular exercise aslo has the added benefit of an increase in your sense of well-being and it promotes good emotional benefits. The endorphins released while working out can lead to a feeling of well as some depression medications.Working out also enhances your self-image and your confidence level.You can think of working out as a couple times.

Practice your contact skills. Playing foosball can help improve your volleyball skills. You need great hand-to-eye coordination to beat an opponent in foosball. These skills can then be improved on and can work great things in the volleyball world.

Using the material above, you should be well prepared to boost your personal fitness level. You will always have more to learn, but the only way to do …

Finding The Favor Of God In Difficult Times

Today your life may seem upside down and you don’t know what you are going to do or where to go from here. Today’s society is in a slump and the economy is nothing short of a repeat of the Great Depression. There are millions of reasons to feel depressed and give up on life but you are closer than you think to turning your life around.

It’s so easy to be stressed out and fall into a negative mindset. Nothing seems to go your way and you never seem to get lucky breaks in life. You have grown up with negative people in a dysfunctional family so you may say to yourself “how could I be any different?” Bills may be piling up and the job search is not going well so you pull the covers over your head and try and forget it all. You turn on the television and it’s all bad news about the same old things with the economy, unemployment blah, blah, blah.

You don’t have to follow the other nay sayers over a cliff and lose all hope of turning things around. God knows the beginning from the end and is aware of your situation. He is opening doors even now for you to make divine connections with key people and sending a Breath Of Heaven your way. God created you and you matter to Him. He gave His all and the last thing He wants to see is for you to slip and fall.

Believe in your heart and have the faith of a tiny seed of mustard and you will move the hand of God to intervene in your life. The thing that you fear the most that is happening in your life is a mere wrench in the works of life and God will easily remove it and restart things for you. The problems you are facing are going to turn into huge blessings that will explode on your life. New things are coming your way and all things are possible with God.

God always uses the average people in the world to do great things with. He sees your situation and you are exactly the type of person He wants to use for His glory. He wants only to have an intimate relationship with you and help you become the best that you can be. Don’t despair for your miracle is coming your way and a sweet breeze is coming your way straight from the throne of grace.…

Hypertension During Pregnancy

The Threat of High Blood Pressure

Definition

It is a potentially life-threatening disorder that usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. It is most common in nulliparous (have not been pregnant) women. There are two categories of gestational hypertension. These are:

Preeclampsia

Non-convulsive form of the disorder. It develops in about 7% of pregnancies and may be mild or severe. Marked by the onset of hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation.

The incidence is significantly higher in low socioeconomic groups.

Eclampsia

Convulsive form of the disorder. Occurs between 24 weeks of gestation and the end of the first postpartum (after delivery) week. Incidence increases among women who are pregnant for the first time, have multiple fetuses, and have a history of vascular disease

Currently gestational hypertension and its complications are the most common cause of maternal death in the developed countries.

The Story Behind Gestational Hypertension

There is no exact cause for this condition. The systemic peripheral spasm of the vessels can occur. It affects every organ system. There are researches that support with geographic, ethnic, racial, nutritional, immunologic, and familiar factors may contribute to preexisting vascular disease, which in turn may contribute to its occurrence. The age is considered as a factor. Adolescents younger than age 19 and primiparas (first time being pregnant) older than age 35 are at higher risk.

What to look for?

The following are the common clinical manifestations of a woman who have gestational hypertension:

Blood pressure over 140/90 mmHg or an increase of 300mmHg systolic and 15mmHg diastolic over baseline obtained in two occasions at least 4 to 6 hours apart;

Increase in generalized edema associated with a sudden weight gain of more than 5 lb (2.3kg) per week;

Usually appears between the 20th week and 24th weeks of gestation and disappears within 42 days after the delivery;

A final diagnosis usually deferred until blood pressure returns to normal after delivery; if blood pressure remains elevated, chronic hypertension, either alone or superimposed on gestational hypertension, may be the cause;

Additional signs and symptoms with severe preeclampsia include increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and uric acid levels; frontal headaches (forehead), blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, irritability, and epigastric pain.

What test is being done?

Laboratory tests is use to determine the protein level in the urine. Proteinuria (protein in the urine) is of gestational hypertension. In preeclampsia, there is protein level in the urine that exceeds 300mg/24 hours (1+) and in eclampsia, 5g/24 hours (5+) or more.

How is it managed medically?

High protein diet with adequate fluid intake with restriction of excessively salty foods;

Bed rest in side-lying position;

Close observance of blood pressure, fetal heart rate, edema, proteinuria, and signs of pending eclampsia;

Administration of antihypertensive drugs

How it is managed at home?

When you know someone who happens to have this condition, it is best for you to advise then to monitor their vital signs especially the blood pressure regularly. The fetal heart rate must be closely monitored …

What the Research Is Saying About KMC and Post Natal Depression

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) has been studied now for over thirty years. KMC involves skin to skin contact between the mother and the newborn, specifically having the baby positioned on mom’s chest in an upright position. The concept originates from the Australian marsupial (kangaroo) which carries its baby (Joey) in a pouch for approximately four months after birth. The interaction between mom and baby means that baby relies on mom’s warmth, love and nutrition.

Many studies have shown that KMC is an invaluable therapy for both newborn baby and the new mom. So what is the research saying about KMC and Postnatal Depression (PND)?

Well, back in 2007 Brazilian researchers published a study in the Oxford Tropical Peadiatrics, concluding that Kangaroo Mother Care can prove helpful in warding off Postnatal Depression. The researchers studied mothers whilst they were providing Kangaroo Mother Care and the results were stunning. Not one mother developed signs of postpartum depression during this time. That’s right! Not one mother developed or suffered from any form of postnatal depression.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published an article that focused on the bonding and the encouragement of breast-feeding through Kangaroo Mother Care. With the newborn baby lying in the prone position on mom’s chest, many of the typical after-birth examinations and procedures can be conducted easily, whilst maintaining that bond between newborn baby and mom. In fact in 2006 there was a new mother-To-Infant bonding (MIB) scale introduced, and compared with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale (EDPS), women that scored low on the MIB scale were scoring higher on the EPDS scale. The same was true of women who scored low on the EPDS scale, where they scored higher on the MIB scale.

Kangaroo Mother Care increases the production of Oxytocin through the skin-to-skin contact between mom and the baby. This Oxytocin is what is often called the “cuddle” or “love” hormone, and it is believed that oxytocin helps to ward off symptoms of postpartum depression.

All of this is very compelling information that hospitals and birthing settings should be taking into consideration. Mothers of newborns need to be encouraged to use KMC from the moment of birth. It is common knowledge that the first hours of life are extremely important for the mother-baby bonding process. Did you know that if a newborn baby and mom are separated, there is a risk if bonding failure and that the likelihood of successful ongoing breastfeeding is reduced.

The fact that KMC requires no drugs, chemicals or other things that can interfere with the natural mother newborn relationship, and that the research has shown KMC to be very beneficial, makes it a natural option for all new mom’s especially in reducing the potential for PND. Research will continue, but for now it is safe to say that all studies show KMC is a beneficial and positive for both mom and baby.…

Five Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Did you know that about 65 million Americans have been diagnosed with high blood pressure? The good news is that some new research shows that many of these people have been able to get their hypertension under control without taking medication. Here’s how they are doing it.

Potassium relaxes your blood vessel.A� Studies show that increasing your intake of potassium-rich foods could cut your blood pressure by as much as 13 points.A� Some potassium-rich foods that you should consider are dried peaches, beet greens, spinach, white beans, dates, raisins, potatoes, refried beans and tomato sauce.A� All of these food choices contain more than 800 mg. of potassium per cup.A�

Consume sesame oil.A� If you can consume at least 1 oz. of sesame oil daily, your blood pressure could drop by as much as 32 points in two months.A� It sounds incredible, but apparently sesame oil relaxes blood vessel walls, therefore preventingA�pressure spikes.A�

Lower volume on electronic devices.A� A recent study at the Lund University Hospital in Sweden revealed that repeated daily exposure to noises above 60 decibels raises your risk of having hypertension by more than 25%.A� By listening to soothing, relaxing music, you can automatically slow your breathing and heart rate, which will, in effect, lower your blood pressure.A� So, turn down the volume on the television, PlayStation, alarm clock and radio.A� It will be to your benefit.A�

Eat more barley.A� Barley is a simple, inexpensive side dish which contains 13 g. of soluble fiber per cup.A� New research has shown that by consuming one heaping cup of barley daily you can normalize your blood pressure in just two months.A� In addition to fiber, barley is also loaded with artery-relaxing minerals which also helps lower your blood pressure.A�

Sit up straight.A� You know how your mother used to tell you to sit up straight?A� Well, apparently that was good advice.A� Surprising research has shown that sitting with your neck jutting forward and your shoulders slumped can lead to a 16% spike in your blood pressure.A� Apparently the nerves that keep your blood pressure in check come directly from your spine and slouching will hinder their function.…

How to Reverse the Symptoms of Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure as it can also be known is becoming a common health condition in many people. Hypertension happens when the arteries in the body get narrower. This increases the pressure of the blood flowing through the arteries. Arteries become narrower due to age or due to the diet we eat. If we eat a diet that is high in saturated fats then we can increase the risk of getting hypertension. Foods high in fat are linked to the creation of plaque which are waxy deposits that attach themselves to the lining of the artery walls. Over time as these deposits build up the artery tubes become narrower. This makes it more difficult for the blood to flow through causing an increase in pressure. The hardening of the arteries can eventually lead to heart disease and stroke.

However, the following are ways to reduce your risk of getting high blood pressure as well as alleviating the symptoms:

Reduce you intake of saturated fats

Foods that are high in saturated fats can eventually cause these fatty deposits to line your arteries. Therefore, review your diet and if you find you are eating a lot of red meat and fried food try to cut these out or at least reduce them.

Cut out salt

The walls of the arteries contain muscles that make sure the lining stays round and firm. A diet that has high levels of salt in them can weaken these muscles. All processed foods contain sodium to make them taste better. In some products there are unhealthy levels of salt. The salt is so well masked due to other additives that many people cannot taste it and therefore, add more salt to it. Review your diet and cut down on your intake of salt.

The benefits of eating fish

Fish contains the essential fatty acids omega 6. This is considered to help reduce heart disease. Omega 6 has anti-inflammatory qualities that can help reduce the inflammation of the arteries which can cause damage. Fish oil is also considered to help thin the blood in conjunction with vitamin E. If you do not eat fish then consider making it part of your diet. Try and eat fish 2 times a week. There are also a variety of fish oil tablets that contain a combination of the omega 6 oil and vitamin E. These are a suitable substitute if you are not able to buy fish.

If you have food allergies or a medical condition consult a doctor before you change your diet.…