Birth Defects and Medical Advancements

Archive for November, 2010

For many women, finding out they are pregnant is one of the most joyful experiences in their lifetime.  For some, the news of a Pregnancy means significant changes in health and eating habits during their nine month Pregnancy.
For some the news of Pregnancy means cutting back on a few drinks per week and eliminating unhealthy eating habits.  For others, the personal choices are tougher as women must decide if they want to quit smoking and stopping through the McDonald’s drive through on the way home from work.
It has long been know that eating healthy during Pregnancy helps create a healthy baby.  Avoiding junk food, soda and other unhealthy items means your baby is reaping the benefits of your healthy choices.  When you overeat, fail to supplement your diet with fruits and vegetables and don’t drink enough water,  your baby may be missing out on valuable nutrients during crucial developmental periods of your Pregnancy.
If exercising isn’t your thing, it might be time to put aside your fear of getting on a treadmill for the health and well being of your baby.  Most Physicians encourage women to continue to exercise even into their third trimester.  By exercising regular, mothers-to-be can improve oxygen flow to their unborn babies that helps ensure a healthy birth.  Some elite women athletes, especially runners, compete in their specialties, well into the fourth and fifth months of their Pregnancy.
If going to the gym isn’t your favorite solution, perhaps making a routine of walking around the neighborhood several times per week would be an excellent exercise solution.   By combining exercising and healthy lifestyle choices, the odds improve that you will have a healthy Pregnancy.
When it comes time to make these sometimes difficult choices, many mothers-to-be think of their babies health and well being and suddenly the choices don’t seem so tough.

There are many factors making Native American Reservations some of the unhealthiest places in the world.   Many Native Americans are plagued by Health problems led by Diabetes and Heart Disease.
Unemployment and poverty – For many, the issues of their Health problems simply comes down to lack of funds.  With unemployment rates near 85 percent on Reservations like the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations in South Dakota, families are unable to afford the fruits and vegetables that supplement most people’s diets.  When a treat is offered, instead of an apple or snack, the treat usually comes in the form of a 32 oz. soda and a big bag of chips. Without proper diet, many of these Native American’s are more susceptible to diseases like Diabetes.
Drugs and Alcohol – Alcoholism on many of these Reservations is commonplace.  Instead of spending available money, some Native’s choose to spend their money on alcohol and drugs.  These types of behaviors compound the lack of food problem, as individuals consume empty calories without eating properly. Inevitably Health problems worsen as alcohol consumption increases.
Lack of proper exercise facilities – You know that comfortable gym you go to every night that is several blocks from your house?  On many Reservations, there are no such gyms.  Without the availability to exercise indoors, many walk during the summer but have little opportunity to lift weights or work out on an exercise bike or elliptical machines in the cold winter.
Without the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, many Native American’s suffer from Health related problems.  Those fresh green beans you purchased at the corner market aren’t available for some that don’t have the means to afford them.
Without proper diet and exercise, many Native American’s reach obesity by their early 20′s.  As their weight continues to gain and exercise deteriorates, the chances of early onset Diabetes and other Health related issues continues to rise.

While mom and dad strut around in their super stylish True Religion apparel, the kids need to look just as good as mom and dad. True Religion has recently ventured into the children’s clothing department so that girls and boys can be stylish and trendy.  No more fighting about what to wear to school or the other kids laughing at the children’s clothes. True Religion wants kids to be stylish where ever they go. Since mom and dad know that True Religion makes the best jeans for adults, why would the quality stop when it comes to the super cute denim skirts, rocking long-sleeved henley shirts , or the stylish jeans? It does not! True Religion is providing a high quality denim product for kids as well as adults.

When True Religion ventured into the world of kids’ fashions, it took some of the sophisticated styles from men’s and women’s denim jeans and incorporated it into the children’s line of clothing. For girls, True Religion chose to offer smaller version of what moms already wear. Jeans from True Religion comes in comfortable boot cut and skinny jeans for girls. Just like mom’s jeans, the intricate detailing on the rear pockets makes these True Religion jeans stand out from other department store kids’ jeans. Since little girls of the darker washes of True Religion jeans, these are the must have for any little fashionista’s wardrobe.

Even little boys like the styling and comfort of True Religion jeans. They can relax in the fit and styling of True Religion’s boy jeans.  Since little boys want to be just like their dads, True Religion has styled the boys denim jeans to look very similar to it men’s line of jeans. Now, little boys can be just like their dad and be stylish too. True Religion has given the fashion world another winner since it has made the whole family super stylish.

In today’s fast moving society, eating healthy isn’t always the easiest task.  For your kids that seem to get busier every year, the challenge of healthy eating gets harder every year.
What follows are some easy tips that will improve your child’s eating habits and ultimately their Health.
Don’t forget about breakfast!  I know you’ve heard this one a million times, but Health professionals across the globe continue to insist that breakfast is the most important meal of the year.  If your child isn’t a morning person, getting them out of bed and getting them a proper breakfast can be a gruesome obstacle.  A bowl of cereal with some fresh fruit is a nice alternative to a time consuming meal of pancakes and eggs.  Even the most sluggish of children can make time for a two-minute breakfast that will keep them going throughout the day.
Know what your children are having for lunch!  While many school lunches are healthy, some offer frozen pizzas and fatty foods that give empty calories without supplying proper Health and nutrition.  If you are unable to control what your children eat for lunch, have a healthy snack waiting for them when they get home.
Most people get in trouble with their evening meal and the accompanying snacks that follow.  It is inevitable that evening meals are the final chapter to your children’s day.  Getting your kids to eat before 7 pm lessens the likelihood that multiple snacks will follow, until they go to bed.  If your children are finicky about eating vegetables, find creative ways to work them into the rotation without giving their presence away.
No day is complete in a child’s life without at least some sort of snack.  Encouraging your kids to have an apple, peaches or a small bowl of cereal is a great way for them to improve their Health by avoiding heavy snacks near bedtime.

All expectant mothers know that drinking alcohol, using drugs and smoking during Pregnancy are poor decisions.  Some choose to ignore what they know, and use these substances to the detriment of their unborn baby.
Here are some cold hard facts for those ‘one the fence’ in deciding whether to use during their Pregnancy.
1. Not even the smallest amount of alcohol is known to be safe for the developing baby.  When an expectant mother drinks alcohol, the alcohol in her blood passes through the placenta and in all cases reaches the baby.  For those that drink excessive amounts of alcohol, the chances of having a baby born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) are innumerably greater.  FAS is known to cause mental retardation, and can be avoided if a mother chooses not to drink during the Pregnancy. In 2005, the U.S. Surgeon General adamantly reminded women to avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
2. For that expectant mother that choose to use drugs during their pregnancy, the same principal applies when the mother’s blood travels to the baby through the placenta. Essentially this means if you use Cocaine, Crystal Meth or marijuana, your unborn baby is experiencing the same high you are in devastatingly greater quantities.
3. Smoking is another vice that has devastating effects on the unborn baby.  Smoking has been shown to dramatically increase the risk of oral cleft defects, limb deformities and heart irregularities.
It is clear that smoking, drinking and using drugs during alcohol are never a good idea during Pregnancy.   A good way to think about this dilemma is, everything that a pregnant mother puts into her system is going to get into the babies system.
We all know that using substances during Pregnancy is a horrible idea, yet some choose to partake instead of looking out for their unborn fetus’s health.

As the years go by, those excess pounds have a way of creeping up on you.  As the pounds increase, a person’s Health typically worsens as the heart and other vital organs work double time to keep the body working to full capacity.
For those that haven’t exercised in a while, the typical excuse usually ranges from exercise is boring to I’m too big to do anything that will help.
While running on a treadmill or going to a gym might not be everyone’s perfect remedy to improving Health, there is something for everyone.  Biking is a nice alternative that gets the heart rate up, yet doesn’t over-extend the joints of the body.  Swimming, hiking, walking are other alternatives that give people ample exercise without killing their body.  It’s important to choose a means of exercise you enjoy, one that won’t have you complaining after the first day and recanting your promise to exercise more.
If you feel you’re too big to exercise, tune into NBC’s hit show, ‘The Biggest Loser’ on Tuesday nights as trainers Bob and Jillian push people that weight 300 and 400 pounds to their limits.  Even 400 pound men are running on the treadmill, lifting weights and partaking in any of the show’s many physical challenges, all within the first week.
One of the great things about exercise is the effects are noticeable in the first few moments after you start.  Even if you’ve had a cruddy day, been stressed out or don’t feel like getting your body to move, after a few minutes, your body will respond to your attempts to improve Health.
A helpful hint when beginning exercise is to start slowly.  If you push yourself too hard on the first day, you will be sore the next day, and that will lessen your chances of continuing on your own personal Health journey.

Many marriages are stressful; it’s a fact of life.  For those suffering with infertility issues, the stressors of not knowing if they can get pregnant run deep within the confines of that most intimate partnership.
With advances in medical technology, many couples are exterminating their Infertility issues and producing happy and healthy children. Breakthroughs in surgery, Microsurgery and Advanced Reproductive Technologies have greatly improved Infertile couples chances of having children.
For those experiencing Infertility, the first step is to visit a doctor that specializes in this area.  Without having a complete exam of both partners, it is impossible to know what problems might be occurring.  For many, minor problems like diet and exercise alleviate their Infertility problems.  It is important to have these checkups before the couple gets too old, as Infertility problems tend to worsen as a couple gets older.  It is also imperative that the male partner have the battery of tests done, as he could likely be responsible for the Infertility issues.
In Vitro Fertilization programs have offered many couples the opportunity to conceive and produce a child that is biologically related to them. With In Vitro Fertilization, a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg are combined in a laboratory.  If this process works, the developing embryo will be placed in the woman’s uterus where it is hoped that it will develop like a normal pregnancy.
In Vitro Fertilization is known to produce multiple-birth pregnancies, and the costs associated are sometimes more than your average couple can afford.
In many cities, there are clinics that specialize in Infertility problems.  It is important for couple that has had no success in conceiving to visit a doctor or a clinic and have their initial exams.  For many, the problems might be insignificant, and easily corrected with today’s improving medical technology.

Take a walk down to your local park on any given mid-morning and you will likely see some elderly folks riding their bikes, walking and even jogging or running around the park.
While some seniors have reclined into their rocking chairs, others have made the commitment to get outside, exercise and likely extend their lives with a commitment to Health.  For many, the Golden Years are spent popping pills and looking forward to the next meal, for others the Health choices they make continues well into their 70’s.
Let’s be real here!  Just about everyone can walk.   Walking is one of the easiest and most economical ways to get out of the house and improve your Health.  It doesn’t take much planning to step outside your house and walk around the block several times while getting the heart rate up.  Walking is free, and in most cities where the weather is decent year around, walking can be done well into December.
There is a reason running and biking events have age-group categories.  It’s because all ages compete, even those past their prime.  Men and women as old as into their 80’s regularly compete in 10k’s and half marathon’s as their competitive spirit remains.
Exercising is a great way to make friends or spend time with family members.  As seniors get a little older, it’s a good idea to have a walking companion, and an even better idea to have a family member get out and spend time with their elder.
Health is an issue that is always going to be paramount.  Young people need to exercise, middle-age-people need to exercise, and even the elderly need to get out and move around.  It doesn’t matter if you work sixty hours a day as a designer jewelry store owner, are a busy stay at home mom or an overworked college student; you need to develop the habit for later years.  If you have a loved one that has advanced in age, suggest they join a walking program or take up an activity they love while staying active.

Thirty years ago, kids were outside riding their bikes, playing tag and generally just running around having fun.  Even though the kids of a generation didn’t know it, they were exercising and making a subconscious effort to improve their Health.

Today’s kids are a different story.  While some are playing sports in organized leagues, others are glued to their computers and their hp laptop, adamant about playing video games for hours on end, and generally lack the gumption to get outside and move around.   The explosion in internet games, Facebook time and other social medium is wreaking havoc with the Health of our youth.
With American’s getting fatter, and our children getting lazier, it is imperative that you get your kids outside, keep them moving, and instill habits of fitness before they leave home.
Outdoor chores are a great way to get kids some fresh air while ‘secretly’ getting them to move.  Mowing the lawn, weeding the garden and trimming the shrubs of your yard can get your kids outside and away from their computers/games.
Give your kids something they want.  So the kid’s love computer games, if you own a Wii console, try looking into the Wii fitness that will keep them entertained.  Many of these games have great graphics and will get your child’s heart rate up, while doing something the whole family can enjoy.
Not everyone love’s sports, but sports are a great way to improve your child’s Health.  In major cities, there are sports teams that are less competitive than a high-school team.  If your child has any interest in swimming, soccer, volleyball or football, there are non competitive leagues they can enjoy.
As your child moves towards adulthood, there eating and exercise habits are going to be set.  It’s important to give them an example now that will improve their Health habits in the short term, so they can enjoy the long term benefits.

For many, a vitamin supplement regime is like following a true religion. The health benefits of taking vitamins remains undisputed, and for B-12 in particular there are more and more potential benefits being revealed all the time.

Meats, poultry, eggs, milk and fish are food sources that are rich in vitamin B-12, but if for some reason you’re not getting sufficient amounts of this vitamin then you can consider taking a supplement. One of the most interesting benefits of this vitamin is that it can aid in weight loss. Doctors have known for years that B-12 can provide the body with energy, but this increased energy can help the body burn off excess calories faster by giving you additional sources of energy.

In addition, for people who suffer from the inability to concentrate, B-12 may may be able to help by aiding in mental clarity. This vitamin also helps reduce the symptoms of fatigue, so those with chronic fatigue may find a benefit to incorporating this supplement into their diet. If you’re less fatigued then you’ll have be better able to concentrate.

B-12 may also help the aging population because it works on a cellular level to promote the growth and health of red blood cells. Stronger and more abundant red blood cells will help you age more gracefully and may aid in reducing the number of illnesses. Interestingly, an alarming number of Alzheimer’s patients have shown decreased levels of B-12.

B-12 supplements may also work as an anti-depressant. B-12 has been shown to increase the amount of serotonin produced by the brain. This is the happy hormone, that makes us feel better. Increasing the levels of B-12 have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression in patients.

The health benefits of B-12 are numerous, just be sure to always consult your doctor prior to taking any new supplements.