11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
Don’t Mess With Playtime: Trusting Our Toddlers to Forge their Own Friendships
Why We Skipped the Crib: On Graduating our Cosleeping Baby to a Montessori Style Floor Bed
Lactation Consultant Jane O’Connor: Supporting Chicago Mothers for Over Two Decades
10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi
Cramping - Early Signs of Pregnancy
Many women wonder if cramping is an early sign of pregnancy. Cramping can be sign of pregnancy, and sometimes it isn't a sign of pregnancy. Like most early signs of pregnancy, cramping can also mean something else. For most women who are not pregnant, cramping is a sign of a period coming on.
When cramping is a sign of pregnancy, it can be confusing. Many women either feel that they must not be pregnant when they feel cramping, or they feel that there must be something wrong with the pregnancy. In fact, cramping during early pregnancy is fairly common. There are many reasons why women experience cramping during this time in pregnancy.
\"early Pregnancy\"
Implantation
Some women feel cramping when the embryo is implanting itself into the lining of the uterus. This usually happens between 6 and 12 days past ovulation, or about 3 weeks after your last period began. Sometimes this cramping lasts just a brief time, and other times it may linger as it turns into cramping because the uterus is undergoing changes.
Early Pregnancy Changes
Cramping as an early sign of pregnancy may also occur because the uterus is undergoing rapid changes to accommodate the pregnancy. The uterus must stretch and grow to make room for the developing baby and placenta. There is more blood flow to the uterus and it doesn't take long to grow from the size of a fist to the size of a grapefruit. Many women think that their period is about to arrive at any time when it is really cramping due to these changes. Once they miss their period for a few days or a week, they may decide to take a test and find out they really are pregnant.
If you chart your morning temperatures every day, you may already suspect you are pregnant if your temperatures are staying in the higher range. In this case, early cramping may either confirm your suspicions or cause you to worry about losing the baby. Cramping by itself usually isn't a problem, and you can look at it as a good sign. If it is accompanied by bleeding, you should contact your care provider.
If cramping is accompanied by other possible signs of pregnancy like nausea, tender breasts, fatigue, sensitivity to smells, a change in vaginal discharge, and urinary frequency, congratulations! You may want to start picking out names and planning the nursery.
As you can see, cramping is often felt in early pregnancy, and may actually be an early sign. It can just be difficult to decide if it really is a sign of pregnancy, or if it is a sign your next cycle is about to start. Patience is the best way to figure out what your cramping is telling you. Many women will experience cramping from early on in their pregnancy through most of the first trimester. Ask your friends who have had babies how they felt. It will help you through the long days of second-guessing symptoms until you know for sure.
Cramping - Early Signs of Pregnancy
For more information on the earliest date to detect pregnancy, implantation cramping and other pregnancy related topics visit A1PregnancyInfo.com
Thanks To : World Health Club Exercise Workouts
How to Go Into Labor Early - Expert Advice For Natural Ways to Induce Your Labor Today
Being pregnant has been one of the most special experiences of your life. You feel so connected to the child growing inside of you and you cannot wait to meet them. You have worked so hard at taking such good care of the child inside of you. However, if you are near or past your due date, your body is starting to go into complete turmoil. The baby wants to come out, but it cannot. If you are a woman who desperately wants to go into labor, then you need some advice.
You are frustrated and in so much pain all of the time; you don't know how much more of this you can take. All you want is for the baby to come out so you can get the relief that you have been looking for. The pain and discomfort that you are in can definitely bring you to tears and you are tired of living this way. Although there are all sorts of medications that can help you to induce labor, you do not trust them. You want your birth to be completely healthy and natural.
\"being Pregnant\"
Luckily, there are natural ways that can help you to go into labor early. You can get the relief you are looking for in a very safe way. For example, try eating spicy foods. When you ingest something that is spicy, all of the systems in your body speeds up. The same can be said for labor. Your body will speed up the natural process and you will notice that the baby will want to come out with ease.
How to Go Into Labor Early - Expert Advice For Natural Ways to Induce Your Labor Today
Being pregnant is wonderful, but if you're near your due date, or past it, you're living in a constant state of discomfort. Medical induction isn't your only choice when it comes to bringing on the birth of your new son or daughter. There is a safe, guaranteed way to induce your own labor naturally.
You can use effective acupressure techniques to help stimulate contractions. Labor acupressure not only can help you begin labor in the next 36 hours, but it also helps to diminish the pain you'll feel. It's a perfect choice for both you and the baby.
See Also : Natural body spa Massage
How To Lose Weight While Pregnant
While it is never safe to go on any diet to lose weight during pregnancy, there are things that you can do to stay healthy and get in shape. Diets that are focused on losing weight can harm your baby and you. You and your baby need so many nutrients during this time it is not smart to actually try to lose weight like you normally would.
It is smart however to get your body in shape. You want to be prepared for labor, to make it as easy as you possibly can. Exercise also can make you feel better about yourself and ease the aches and pains of pregnancy.
Pregnancies
What are the benefits of exercising during pregnancy?
Exercising while you are pregnant will boost your energy level. Instead of wanting to constantly sleep all the time, you will have more energy to move and get going.
Do you have aches and pains from the quick weight gain of pregnancy? Exercising can get your muscles moving around which will ease some of these aches and pains, ultimately making you feel better.
Another benefit of exercising during pregnancy is it will help you get back to your pre pregnancy weight faster. Why not give your future diet, "Losing baby weight after the baby" a kick start?
Can I continue my same workout I did pre pregnancy?
If you exercised regularly before getting pregnant, then you can continue the same workout and modify it as you need. It is not safe for you or baby to continue workouts such as skiing, horseback riding or any kind of contact sport. These activities can possibly cause bodily injury if you fall or get hurt and could hurt the baby.
What if I did not exercise at all before pregnancy?
If you did not exercise regularly before baby, it is not too late to start.
Take it slowly though, and let your body adjust to the new movements. Do not do anything that could jar the baby or hurt you or baby in anyway.
What workouts are safe for me and my baby?
You can try swimming, dancing, water aerobics, walking, biking, Pilates or yoga. Remember to take any workout slow, even if it does seem easy you do not want to harm you or baby.
How often should I workout?
Try working out 3 days a week. Remember to talk to your doctor and make sure it is safe for you and your baby before starting any workout.
Things to look for during a workout:
Stop working out if you become dizzy or have shortness of breathe. If your heart begins beating too hard, stop your workout. Any type of vaginal bleeding, call your doctor immediately and stop working out.
Other ways to stay in shape:
Eat 5 -6 small meals a day. Eating small meals throughout the day has been proven to speed your metabolism up and assist in losing weight.
Also eat healthy snacks like fruit, crackers and cheese.
Eat healthier.
Forget about all the junk food. You wouldn't stay in shape before your pregnancy eating them, you definitely won't during pregnancy.
Try eating more fruits and vegetables. Substitute fried for grilled foods.
Try to steer clear of fast food restaurants. Most fast food restaurants now have a healthy menu. So if you have to eat at one, try eating a grilled chicken sandwich rather than a hamburger or anything fried. They also now sell a variety of salads.
Remember before starting any workout regimen you should discuss it with your doctor. Not all pregnant women can workout and all pregnancies are different. Talk to your doctor before starting anything.
For normal pregnancies after you talk to your doctor, you should be able to stay in shape and be prepared for the big day!
How To Lose Weight While Pregnant
Gen Mason is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. To learn about losing weight during and after pregnancy go to Pregnancy Without Pounds
Recommend : Yoga The stress no more Massage
Why Can't I Get Pregnant? - Tips on Getting Pregnant
The most important tip anyone can give you about getting pregnant is when you should have sex. Many women ask them selves why can't I get pregnant. Today many women think they will get pregnant the first month they go off the pill, unfortunately this is just not the case. For many women it takes over a year to get pregnant.
To get pregnant you need to make sure you are having sex at the peak of your ovulation cycle. Having sex around your ovulation cycle will greatly increase the chances of getting pregnant.
Pregnant
There are several methods that you can use to determine your ovulation cycle. The best method for determining the peak time to conceive a child is an ovulation kit. An ovulation kit helps you chart your body's temperature, charting the exact time of peak fertility is the key to getting pregnant.
Many women also use an ovulation calendar that charts the days since their last period. The normal cycle for a women is 28 days, 14 days is the peak of the ovulation cycle for most women.
Many couples believe the key to getting pregnant is to have intercourse all the time. This is really a bad idea. When a man has sex all the time he reduces his sperm count and will actually have a lower the chance of fertilizing the women's egg. When trying to get pregnant it is good idea to have sex three times a week during the women peak ovulation cycle.
It is not a good idea for the man to save up his sperm just for the one shot of fertilizing the female. Over time sperm that is not used can become lethargic and slow. It is best to have sex two to three times a week to keep the sperm fresh and give the sperm the best chance to reach the women's egg.
The best chance to get pregnant is to have sex a couple days before, during and after the women's peak ovulation cycle. Spacing out the times you have sex will give the women best chance to get pregnant.
Most couples really don't understand ovulation cycles and the timing involved in conceiving a child. For a non scientific method you may want to try having sex every other day for a month. This will keep the sperm count high and increase the odds of getting pregnant and having the baby you have always dreamed of.
Why Can't I Get Pregnant? - Tips on Getting Pregnant
Getting Pregnant Tips and advice to help conceive faster, here are four problems getting pregnant that many women face today, learn how to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
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Using A Pregnancy Calendar
Many people believe that their pregnancy calendar starts on their date of conception. They are wrong! The first week of your pregnancy is actually 1-2 weeks before conception. This is due to the way that pregnancy dates are calculated.
The first day of week one of your pregnancy is actually calculated as the first day of your period prior to conception. The conception date is estimated to be two weeks after this date, therefore, you could are pregnant for two weeks before you actually conceive. This is how the pregnancy duration is estimated at 40 weeks instead of 38 weeks.
\"pregnancy Calculator\"
Pregnancy progresses are a fast rate, with the embryo and fetus developing faster than at any other stage of life. Each week there are new developments and milestones in your baby's' development. Your fertilized egg will quickly split into 2 cells, then 4, then 8 and so on. Soon it becomes a mass of billions of cells which eventually make your baby.
As your pregnancy progresses there are week by week advancements in development, the heart starts beating, the baby grows in size, the cerebellum starts forming during week 8 and by week 9 you can determine whether you are having a boy or girl. The baby becomes more active after week 9. The muscle structure varies in each baby and the baby starts to show eccentricity by week 11. This is a very important and interesting stage of growth in a child when you analyze pregnancy week by week development.
Of course, one of the most important aspects of a pregnancy calendar is that it helps define your estimated due date and that is something you can really look forward to.
Using A Pregnancy Calendar
From the author of Baby Parenting which includes features and information of pregnancy related matters like Pregnancy Calendars.
Friends Link : How to balance Diet Guide To Herb What to do to lose weight
8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar
Buy a raffle ticket to support Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois
From the founder of the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois:
The Chicago Cubs have been very generous and donated some wonderful prizes as well as autographed CDs by Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry who played on Good Morning America last week!
To buy a raffle ticket please visit http:www.ppdil.org/Raffle2012.
We are a not-for-profit organization run entirely by donations and the hard work of our volunteers and we would really appreciate your help in forwarding this email to everyone you know!
We are raising awareness of Perinatal Mood Disorders (PPMDs) in Illinois and we provide support and information to pregnant and postpartum moms and their families (please see PPDIL.org for more details).
The more tickets you buy the greater your chance of winning a fabulous prize!!!!
Please contact me if you have any questions and thank you so much for all your support.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Dr. Sarah Allen
847 - 791-7722
drsfcallen@gmail.comDirector PPD IL Alliance
www.ppdil.org
Early Signs of Pregnancy
Early Signs of Pregnancy
- Sooooo tired: One of my friends was talking about how she knew she was pregnant with number two when everyday she felt like she hit a wall right after lunch and barely made it past 8 o'clock before passing out cold. Feeling tired is often the very first sign that your body is working overtime to start the creation of a new human inside of you.
- Nausea (morning sickness): A lot of women start having food and odor aversions before they even have a positive pregnancy test. This actually has really important biological significance. In the days before refrigeration and safely preserved foods, a heightened sense of smell (and the accompanying nausea it causes when those smells turn your stomach) kept newly pregnant women away from foods that were potentially spoiled and could cause harm to their new little bundle of cells inside. Morning sickness (or all day queasies, as I found to be a more accurate description) also is associated with healthier newborns and lower rates of miscarriage.
- The missed cycle: This one is usually the biggest sign. Many women experience a little spotting on the day of implantation, which can sometimes throw women off a little thinking it might be their period. But the missed cycle is usually the safest way to know that you've indeed got a little passenger on board.
- Breast tenderness/changes: Big boobs was one of the BEST parts of pregnancy for me, who always tended to be on the smaller side of the lingerie department but getting larger breasts also meant some real discomfort. Nipples can get a little over stimulated too. For mamas who are still nursing a toddler, they may notice nipple sensitivity during ovulation and then again early in pregnancy. All of this of course is due to your body getting ready to produce more milk for the new baby.
- Cravings: See that big bowl of kale chips? Yes, that's the one....And you ate it all, in one sitting. That's okay, it's probably a good sign. Many cultures around the world believe that expectant mothers must be fed the foods they crave or their babies may come out deficient in some way. Other's (like the French, who amazingly seems to stay nice and slim throughout pregnancy) believe everything in moderation is best. I tend to agree with both. If you're craving something healthy, like say a bowl of blueberries, go for it. Indulge. But if you drive by a McDonald's and think "Ohh I really need those fries", you can probably skip it knowing that your baby is not going to miss them. Remember, your growing baby literally eats (and drinks) everything you do...
- Pulling pain in your nether regions: You may never have noticed your uterus before unless it was bothering you with some lovely cramps, but as your baby grows so does your uterus. And guess what? Your uterus is held in place by some mighty fine round ligaments which stretch for the first (or second) time when you get pregnant. This usually just feels like soreness or general discomfort. Anything sharp should be reported to your midwife or practitioner.
- Peeing, like all the time: Most people associate frequent urination with a symptom of late pregnancy, however it can be one of the very first signs of pregnancy. Your body is working over time producing pregnancy hormones, which in turn makes you have to pee more often. Later, the frequent trips are due to Jr.'s head pushing on your bladder.
Creating Family Traditions
Often we have wine. When I have the energy, we have challah. But every week we light candles. And something amazing has happened. On Friday night the three of us sat down to eat dinner at our dining room table, my husband, myself and our beautiful 16 month old. Before we started eating I stood and lit the three candles that my husband had set out for me. I covered my eyes and recited the blessing for lighting Shabbat candles adding on my own prayers and thanks before uncovering my face and smiling at my family. As we started eating my daughter pointed to the candles on the table, covered her own face singing her own little version of the prayer as she smiled and giggled. This is what I wanted. This is the beginning of a strong family tradition.
Making Peace with the Stroller
by Hallie Palladino
As my friends and family can attest, I’m a dedicated babywearing mama. For the first year of my son’s life I never left the house without my beloved, mystic purple Ergo. At first I started this practice out of a simple desire for closeness, but it didn’t take me long to learn the innumerable advantages of parenting stroller-free in the city. For instance, there is no elevator for strollers at our train station, but with babywearing public transit is a snap. At airports we sail through security while other families are trying to heave their heavy strollers into the x-ray machine. And when my son and I go out exploring, we never have to worry about encountering stairs, navigating the narrow aisles at our neighborhood produce shop or squeezing between tables at crowded restaurant. Even better is all the spontaneous interaction that we share. We get to chat and laugh together on our outings. And having the hands-free ability to nurse any time, any place, anywhere, that just doesn’t happen with a stroller.And yet we do have a stroller, and I have to admit, it’s a super nice one. Back when I was pregnant and before I had ever heard the term “babywearing” I asked around about the most practical stroller for Chicago and was universally recommended the Bob, a state-of-the-art jogging stroller. My father bought it for us as a gift (along with a beautiful crib we never assembled, see my previous post—happily this crib will convert to a double bed when our son is older so don’t worry, Dad, your gift won't go to waste).Then I became interested in Attachment Parenting. I read about the benefits of babywearing in Dr. Sears. Enthusiastic and wanting to learn more, I made the mistake of getting sucked into the babywearing board on BabyCenter.com. I had always intended to wear my baby in a carrier but I had never seen that as incompatible with occasionally using a stroller until I read all that paranoid, ahem, adamant, anti-stroller rhetoric that made me downright embarrassed about even having ever coveted one of these baby-distancing devices in the first place. Add that to the fact that jogging was the last thing on my mind as an exhausted new mother (and while pushing another person, yeah, that was never gonna happen) and the stroller was shoved to the back of the closet where it remained for over a year, occasionally making a cameo as an extra emergency “high chair” when other children came to visit.Then it was spring again, the snow melted, and we were putting away the winter coats, and there it was. “How about a family outing?” My husband suggested. Something about the fact that I finally fit back into my favorite spring dress made me groan at the thought of strapping on the Ergo. A snap decision, we clunked that crazy old thing down our front steps and clicked it open. Soon we were rolling down the street, my son giggling at the novelty of this strange mode of transport. There was a spring in my step. Wow, I hadn’t been out of the house without a twenty-pound person strapped to my chest in quite a while. I felt so light, so carefree, it was almost like a mini-vacation from mothering. Yes, my son was right there in front of us, but walking together on the sidewalk sans baby I felt like my husband and I were practically on a date. “Hmm,” I thought, “this really isn’t so bad.” And my son didn’t seem to be experiencing any symptoms of abandonment or neglect; on the contrary he was thrilled to get a closer view of his favorite neighborhood dogs as they passed by. But what really sold me on the stroller? Starbucks. Picking up grande soy mocha on the way to the playground with no fear of it accidentally spilling on baby fast became the highlight of my post-naptime afternoons.I used to be mystified when I saw parents struggling with strollers in public places. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to just pop that kiddo in a carrier? But for all the advantages of babywearing, my son and I have both come to enjoy our little stroller outings. He likes looking around and having a bit of personal space (especially in hot weather). I like wearing my nice clothes again and having a place to stow my diaper bag. Another big bonus, now that we use the stroller we tend to drive less, we have started doing more activities within a mile or two of our house—the stroller has actually made us greener, who would have thought?The first year of motherhood, I was way too caught up in trying to live up to some impossible ideals I set for myself. I think this is why black and white ideas, like no stroller ever, had such a hold on me. With so much uncertainty on what to do and how much it was tempting to turn things into yes or no questions. But being so stringent can also have its drawbacks by limiting options that might actually be useful, as I discovered in this case. Baby gear, or lack of it, has no power to create or destroy the bond between parent and child—that bond, once forged, is eternal, it can certainly survive a five-minute stroller-ride to the playground. And so, I’ve made my peace with the stroller and learned my lesson about believing what I read on internet message boards. As I am constantly learning of late I don’t have to measure my parenting against some impersonal external standards. There are lots of ideas about parenting floating around out there, we all need to pick and choose what works best for us, and when something stops working, it’s okay to make a change. As my husband is constantly reminding me, “Never say never.” Case in point, you can find us every Sunday taking a family jog with our stroller.
Summer Vacation!
 |
| Me and the Peanut enjoying Lake Michigan. |
7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi
GENETICS : CREATING A CELL WITH SYNTHETIC DNA
Genetics: Creating a cell with synthetic DNAUnited States - John Craig Venter, an American biologist shows for his research in genome sequencing, has managed his teams to create the first bacterium with a fully synthetic genome.
This bacterium has been made from the sequencing of the genome of the bacterium Mycoplasma mycoides. It's been 15 years since researchers at the J. Craig Venter Institute in Maryland, harnessed to the task. The cell contains more than one million base pairs, which is low compared to six billion contained in the human genome.
This is a great advance in the field of genetics, this research could lead to the design of artificial life forms that could help produce biofuels or pharmaceuticals. Important ethical issues arise, however, due to possible drifts around this technique.
Scanning electron micrographs of M. mycoides
More information can be found on the J. Craig Venter Institute web site at: http://www.jcvi.org/cms/research/projects/first-self-replicating-synthetic-bacterial-cell/Journal Reference:
Daniel G. Gibson, John I. Glass, Carole Lartigue, Vladimir N. Noskov, Ray-Yuan Chuang, Mikkel A. Algire, Gwynedd A. Benders, Michael G. Montague, Li Ma, Monzia M. Moodie, Chuck Merryman, Sanjay Vashee, Radha Krishnakumar, Nacyra Assad-Garcia, Cynthia Andrews-Pfannkoch, Evgeniya A. Denisova, Lei Young, Zhi-Qing Qi, Thomas H. Segall-Shapiro, Christopher H. Calvey, Prashanth P. Parmar, Clyde A. Hutchison III, Hamilton O. Smith, and J. Craig Venter. Creation of a Bacterial Cell Controlled by a Chemically Synthesized Genome. Science, May 20, 2010 DOI: 10.1126 / science.1190719
REPLACING WHITE RICE WITH BROWN RICE OR OTHER WHOLE GRAINS MAY REDUCE DIABETES RISK
Replacing white rice with brown rice or other whole grains may reduce diabetes riskWorld - In a new study, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have found that eating five or more servings of white rice per week was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In contrast, eating two or more servings of brown rice per week was associated with a lower risk of the disease.
Much of the world's population consumes rice. These results reflect the fact that white rice is refined and then processed. Therefore, people must prefer the brown rice. Other whole grains, like wheat, promise even greater benefits. Regular consumption reduces the risk of diabetes by 36%.
This study points out how important it is for health to eat whole grains. This must obviously be done in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, both on the eating habits of physical activity.
Source: Harvard School of Public Health
Link:http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2010-releases/white-rice-brown-rice-whole-grains-diabetes.html
Journal Reference:
Qi Sun; Donna Spiegelman; Rob M. van Dam; Michelle D. Holmes; Vasanti S. Malik; Walter C. Willett; Frank B. Hu. White Rice, Brown Rice, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in US Men and Women. Arch Intern Med, 2010; 170 (11): 961-969
Link: http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/170/11/961
ANDROGEN RECEPTOR MAY EXPLAIN MALE DOMINANCE IN LIVER CANCER
Hepatitis B and liver cancer: why men are more exposed?
Sex hormones play a role in liver cancer associated with hepatitis B
, which could finally explain why men infected with the virus are much more likely than women to say the cancer according to a new study published in the journal "Translational Medicine". These findings open new perspectives for treatment of skin cancer including drugs targeting the androgen receptor tumors.The liver cancer, which affects the largest organ in the body, is the fifth most common cancer and the third in terms of mortality worldwide. Infections due to hepatitis B virus, endemic in many Asian countries including China, are responsible for about half the cases of liver cancer worldwide.
The virus interacts with the androgen receptor:
In this study, researchers have discovered why men with hepatitis B are more likely to develop liver cancer than women. The answer lies in the genome of the virus: it contains a particular sequence of DNA that specifically interacts with the receptor to male sex hormones, androgens. In liver cells, a cascade of reactions harmful to the liver tissue is triggered when the receptor binds to this sequence.
Researchers have discovered that targeting the androgen receptor, rather than hormones themselves, they could inhibit tumor growth in mice significantly. They also produced, for their experiments, the first genetically modified mouse with hepatitis B can develop
liver tumors following exposure to low doses of carcinogen. They then showed the androgen receptor could be removed with a chemical causing the arrest of tumor growth. The treatment had no influence on circulating levels of androgens in the body and showed no apparent toxicity in mice.
These results suggest that drugs capable of targeting the androgen receptor rather that these hormones could be a promising therapy against liver cancer.
References:
Androgen Receptor Promotes Hepatitis B Virus-Induced Through Modulation hepatocarcinogenesis of Hepatitis B Virus RNA Transcript . Ming-Heng Wu, Wen-Lung Ma, Cheng-Lung Hsu, Yuh-Ling Chen, Jing-Hsiung James Or, Charlotte Kathryn Ryan, Yao-Ching Hung, Shuyuan Yeh, Chang Chawnshang. Translational Medicine
Link: http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/2/32/32ra35.abstract
Story Source:
The above story is from materials provided by University of Rochester Medical Center.
Link: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=2863
ANTAGONIZING ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Antagonizing AtherosclerosisFrance - Atherosclerosis or fatty plaque build up on the arterial wall is the source of most cardiovascular diseases. While B cells of the immune system were previously considered as elements of protection against the formation of these plaques, researchers from Inserm now refute this hypothesis. These findings were published online in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the arteries triggered by several factors, including increased cholesterol and characterized by an accumulation of lipids (fats) in the arterial wall in the form of plaques. The rupture of these plaques is responsible for the majority of cardiovascular diseases, like myocardial infarction or stroke. These diseases are the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. It is therefore essential to identify patients at risk and to understand the progression of the disease, to prevent and treat it.
The immune response (macrophages, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes) which varies among
individuals plays an important role in the progression of these plaques and thus in the development of complications of cardiovascular disease. To date, the role assigned to all B cells seemed protective of atherosclerosis.
However, the work led by Ziad Mallat now clearly refute this hypothesis. The researcher showed in fact that using an antibody against B cells and causing the disappearance of 96% of
them provides significant protection against development of atherosclerosis. This antibody is
used very effectively in humans, in the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. The protective effect is due to decreased production of an immune system hormone, interferon gamma which promotes atherosclerosis and increased interleukin-17 a protective hormone.
These findings have important clinical implications. They suggest that treatments directed against B cells currently administered to patients suffering from inflammatory diseases such as
lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, may reduce cardiovascular risk. Clinical trials have been undertaken in this direction by the team and aim to assess the extent of atherosclerosis before and after treatment.
Journal Reference:
Ait-Oufella, H., et al. B cell depletion reduces the development of atherosclerosis in mice. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2010.
Link: http://jem.rupress.org/content/early/2010/06/30/jem.20100155
INCREASING FERTILITY THREEFOLD WITH DHEA ?
Increasing Fertility Threefold With DHEA?Israel - A team of researcher from a Tel Aviv University has studied the effect of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) on women trying to become pregnant.
DHEA is known by consumers as the hormone of youth. Some say it slows the aging of the skin. However, its effectiveness remains controversial. Following rumors, Professor Adrian Shulman and his team focused on its properties in terms of fertility. As part of a program of in vitro fertilization, they found that women who took DHEA in addition to standard treatment had 23% chance of getting pregnant while those who did not follow the usual treatment had only 4% opportunities. In addition, women in the first group lived a pregnancy and childbirth more serene.
These results are nonetheless viewed with caution. In effect , the experiment was performed on only 20 women. It would require a larger study to lead to conclusive results. In addition, researchers have not yet discovered what was the mechanism for DHEA to increase fertility.
Story Source: American Friends of Tel Aviv University.
Link: http://www.aftau.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12457
5 Temmuz 2012 Perşembe
The Best Sex Position During Pregnancy
Many couples who expect to have a baby soon are afraid to have sex due to the misconception that it could cause harm to the baby. This is not entirely true. If it is a normal pregnancy without any complications, then it is okay to have sex once in a while. However, doing the best sex positions during pregnancy should be thoroughly studied by both couple to know exactly their respective roles during the sexual intercourse.
The role of the partner depends on the kind of position they want to use. Let's take for example the spooning position. In this position, the man is the one who takes the initiative to make the thrusting motion while lying on his side behind the woman's back. The woman's role is merely communicate to the man if it's getting painful or pleasurable. On the other hand, in the woman on top position, the woman is the one taking charge. She positions herself on top of the man, while dictating the rhythm of the act with the upward and downward motion of her body. Just make sure to pause for a while when it gets uncomfortable.
\"during Pregnancy\"
There are other sex positions during pregnancy which every pregnant couple can try. The important thing to bear in mind while doing the deed is to be careful, gentle, and to communicate to your partner even a small sign of discomfort. For a couple who loves each other so dearly, having sex during pregnancy will not only strengthen their relationship but will also build trust for one another.
The Best Sex Position During Pregnancy
Many say you have the best sex of your life during your pregnancy. One of the top Obstetricians (and my personal favorite), Dr. Irina, shows when it's safest and how to have the most exhilarating sex during pregnancy in her latest book, Pregnancy from A to Z
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IUI Symptoms - Am I Pregnant?
Deciding to undergo IUI is a big step in your journey to fertility, and you'll probably start wondering the day of insemination whether or not you'll get pregnant. As with most fertility-related things, though, it's important to keep in mind that these things do take time. Even if the egg was successfully fertilized, it still has to travel to your womb and implant there, which could take almost a week. Learning about IUI symptoms of pregnancy is important, but it's also important to be as un-obsessive as possible so that you don't drive yourself crazy with stress. But, if you really must know, here are some of the early pregnancy symptoms you might be on the lookout for.
Earliest Conception Signs after IUI
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Symptoms of pregnancy can vary widely from one woman to the next. Some women get terrible morning sickness within a week of conception, and there are actually some women who still have light spotting throughout their pregnancies who may not find out they are pregnant until they're several months along. In general, though, these are some of the most common symptoms of a very early pregnancy:
*Missed Period: This is the most obvious symptom, although you can also miss a period because of rapid weight loss or gain and because of other causes, such as extreme stress. This isn't the only important symptom, but it's the one that we normally look at first.
*Light Spotting: Sometimes when the egg actually implants into your uterus, you might experience light bleeding and cramping. Some women mistake this for their periods, but it can actually be a sign of pregnancy. If you've recently undergone IUI and these symptoms keep happening at odd intervals, you might want to see a doctor.
*Breast Tenderness: Many early pregnancy symptoms, like this one, can also come across as PMS symptoms for some women. However, breast tenderness can be an early pregnancy sign.
*Fatigue: Most women don't feel overly tired for an entire pregnancy, but it's not unusual to feel exhausted within the first few weeks of conception. If you're really dragging after IUI, this could be a symptom of pregnancy.
*Backaches and Headaches: For many women, the hormonal and physical changes caused by early pregnancy can cause lower backaches and headaches.
*Nausea/Morning Sickness: Morning sickness is really a misnomer, since some women are sick all the time and others actually get sicker in the evenings. However, if you're feeling sick some of the time, it might be a pregnancy symptom.
It's important to keep in mind that the symptoms for an IUI pregnancy are about the same as the symptoms for a natural pregnancy and that all of these symptoms could be tied to other things. While you should definitely note changes in your body and mind during this waiting period, you shouldn't obsess over these changes. Some of them, such as headaches, nausea, and tiredness, can even be induced by stress, so you don't want to bring them upon yourself!
When to Take the Pregnancy Test after IUI
Choosing when to take a pregnancy test is vital when you've undergone IUI. Whether you're showing signs of early pregnancy or not, it's important that you take the test about two weeks after you were inseminated. You need to wait this long because, like we said, it can take the fertilized egg almost a week to implant. After that, the body starts producing new hormones, which is what a pregnancy test looks at. While a professional lab test would be able to confirm an implantation within a couple of days of pregnancy, a home test needs for you to be pregnant for a few days before it will work.
Even this fourteen day period can vary, though. Take the test on the morning of day fourteen, but don't lose it if the test is negative. Wait two days, and then test one more time. If this test is also negative, you should wait a few more days to see if you get your period. If you don't, then schedule an appointment with your doctor to find out what the issue might be.
IUI Symptoms - Am I Pregnant?
Diana Farrell is the author of the trademarked Full Embrace series of books on overcoming infertility that have helped many couples get pregnant. If you would like to know more about IUI symptoms and lots more information about getting pregnant, visit http://www.PregnancySuccessProgram.com.
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Problems in Older Relationships 1- Sexual Anxiety
In time, sex with the same perrson inevitably loses some of its wild excitement, which should be expected and accepted, not taken as a sign of any loss of love. In long-term relationships, the emphasis gradually shifts to familiarity and ease with each other. Intense sexual excitement is then gradually replaced by comfort and security, affection and touching. Many people often get 'performance anxiety' trying to push themselves to achieve multiple climaxes, or the simultaneous orgasms they used to have when they were younger. Then they become disappointed and feel inadequate when it doesn't happen. But worry and anxiety are not a part of enjoyable sex. It becomes a chore then, something to be avoided.
Anxieties and distractions are actually intruders during love-making, draining the moment of its passion. Taking them to bed with you squeezes out your spouse and guarantees no enjoyment. Personal questions and concerns about the sex act deserve attention, but at a time and place where a useful answer can be available, not when both parties are trying to enjoy each other. Often anxiety is not caused by the quality of the sex, but by the quality of the actual relationship which reflects itself in the couple's sex life. Thus if there isn't openness, honesty or less inhibition, we cannot really be loving and tactile at such intimate moments. Expressiveness is the key to sexual expression and when that's missing, it is difficult to enjoy the moment.
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When we are older, sex is often sabotaged by anxieties. When men have trouble getting or keeping an erection, which can cause a lack of interest, there is likely to be a physical health factor or cause. If sex is not enjoyable, perhaps because a climax cannot be reached, the whole process might then be avoided. However, for most of the time, lack of interest from both partners is likely to be caused by psychological factors such as depression, money problems, being disturbed by the children, feeling tense, fear of pregnancy, stress at work, feeling unattractive, fear of intimacy, anger towards - or a power struggle with - a partner, old beliefs about sex being dirty, traumatic experiences, guilt about extramarital interests, a fear of not being able to perform sexually or, most commonly, 'feeling tired' (Knox 1984; Masters, Johnson & Kolodny 1985).
All such anxieties limit the enjoyment of sex, even though good sex certainly increases the level of love and reduces the tension. It seems that couples who have a more equal relationship have the best sexual satisfaction rating because there is less inhibition, less power play and more respect for each other. Overall, if we engage in sexual intercourse with tenderness and enthusiasm, if it occurs in a comfortable setting and if both parties are unconcerned about pregnancy or guilt, it can be one of life's greatest joys, a cherished memory and a fantastic way to bond with another human being.
Nevertheless, we need to bear in mind the many couples who love each other deeply and, for whatever reasons, enjoy each other's companionship without having much interest in sex. They tend to be much older, have obviously lost the urge, perhaps have a disability or have been together for quite a long time.
Problems in Older Relationships 1- Sexual Anxiety
ELAINE SIHERA (Ms Cyprah -http://www.ecademy.com/user/elainesihera and http://www.myspace.com/elaineone) is an expert author, public speaker, media contributor and lifestyle columnist. The first Black graduate of the OU and a post-graduate of Cambridge University. Elaine is a CONFIDENCE guru and a Personal Empowerment, Relationships and Diversity Consultant. Author of: 10 Easy Steps to Growing Older Disgracefully; 10 Easy Steps to Finding Your Ideal Soulmate!; Money, Sex & Compromise and Managing the Diversity Maze, among others (available on http://www.amazon.co.uk as well as her personal website). Also the founder of the British Diversity Awards and the Windrush Men and Women of the Year Achievement Awards. She describes herself as, "Fit, Fabulous, Over-fifty and Ready to Fly!"
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Early Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week
Early in pregnancy, symptoms may start to appear that will give a new mother-to-be the first sign that she is pregnant. These symptoms are not always the same for every woman, but there is a standard list of pregnancy symptoms week by week that can be used as a general guide for women hoping to be pregnant.
In the very first weeks of pregnancy, symptoms range from the obvious to the more subtle. The ceasing of menstrual periods is often among the first signs of being pregnant, but earlier symptoms may be present such as fatigue and tenderness of the breasts as a result of the pregnancy hormones spreading through the body.
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Morning sickness generally appears in the first six weeks of the pregnancy, and can affect women at any time of the day. If you are pregnant diets filled with bland foods may help to reduce the nausea. Some women continue to experience this symptom throughout the pregnancy.
If you are following your pregnancy symptoms week by week, you will notice that some seem to come and go, while others are present for a while and then are gone completely. The progression through your pregnancy will result in a number of changes to the symptoms over time.
Some women become very concerned if they do not have all of the symptoms or even have much in the way of symptoms at all. A lack of symptoms isn't usually a cause for concern; every woman experiences pregnancy differently. Some women merely know they are pregnant because they just "feel" pregnant, but you can always see your doctor to confirm pregnancy, and make sure everything is ok.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week
Daniela O'Neil is a work at home mother of three children. She is a writer as well as a fertility and pregnancy educator who is dedicated to helping women have healthy, happy pregnancies. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, and enjoys camping, hiking, and mountain biking in her free time.
To know more on pregnancy symptoms week by week, pregnancy stages or other pregnancy related information you're welcome to visit Daniela's blog at tips-for-getting-pregnant.info.
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Decode the first signs of pregnancy
Nausea, tightness in the stomach, dizziness ... The symptoms are there and you wonderif you are pregnant. But they are all specific to the pregnant woman?
Your nipples have become much darker
Under the influence of the pregnancy hormone and largest irrigation, areolae of the breasts and vulva become darker. Small bumps on the areolas, the glands ofMontgomery, emerge more and have a darker color than usual.
Your breasts are very sensitive and recently, you can not sleep on your stomach
The hormonal change that occurs immediately after fertilization is swelling the glands inthe chest. This one takes the volume and becomes firmer giving you a feeling of painful tension.
The date of your period is over but traces of blood appear
In early pregnancy, such bleeding are possible, but talk to your doctor. However, nothing indicates that they are necessarily related to implantation of the egg in the uterus.
Cooking odors bother you
Many mothers are very sensitive to smells. It appears that nausea be a parade of the body so that pregnant women do not ingest things wrong during pregnancy: Readily perishable foods, like meat or fish, but also alcohol, coffee in large quantity orcigarettes. They are due to the pregnancy hormone hCG.
