Health Care

By: Heather-jane Hunte

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or around the anus. Women often encounter hemorrhoids during pregnancy due to the increased flow and pressure of blood to the lower half of the body.

Hemorrhoids are more likely to occur during pregnancy to women who have had bouts of hemorrhoids in the past but women who have never had hemorrhoids are still at risk, especially if proper prevention methods are not used. Hemorrhoids can be triggered during the birth of the child or at any stage throughout the pregnancy. Hemorrhoids in pregnant women sometimes disappear naturally after giving birth but this shouldn't be taken for granted as the hemorrhoids can inflame further and become more serious.

Another factor that can trigger hemorrhoids during pregnancy is constipation. Straining to pass stools can cause hemorrhoids. This is bigger threat for pregnant women than non-pregnant women due to pregnant women already having additional pressure on their veins.

If you are pregnant and notice one or more of the following signs, its likely you have a hemorrhoid. Signs include blood coating the stool, blood on the toilet paper, an itchy anus, a mound of skin coming out of the anus and pain while sitting down or during bowel movement.

As always - it's better to avoid having hemorrhoids in the first place than to struggle to cure them. Some useful hemorrhoid prevention tips include drinking lots of water, eating foods high in fiber (to avoid constipation), avoiding lifting heavy weights, 20 minutes of daily exercises (walking is fine), and to svoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.

As mentioned, hemorrhoids can be extremely painful. Some useful pain relief tips include:

- Soaking your anus in warm water several times a day - Applying ice to your anus several times a day - Cleaning the anus well after bowel movement (always use the softest toilet paper available)

These 3 tips will definitely help to relieve pain. The best form of pain relief however is to immediately start treating the problem. Hemorrhoids can be treated quickly if the correct methods are used. A number of treatments for hemorrhoids during pregnancy exist including creams, suppositories, gels, surgery, and a range of different natural remedies.

Different methods of treatment should be applied depending on the severity of the hemorrhoids. Severe hemorrhoids will most likely need surgery while less serious cases can be treated easily using natural treatments.

For more information about how to effectively treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy, including information on hemorrhoids surgery, natural hemorrhoid treatments, and effectiveness of creams and suppositories, visit www.hemorrhoid-cures.com.

Heather-Jane Hunter is an ex-sufferer of hemorrhoids and has since dedicated her life to hemorrhoid treatment and prevention. Her site http://www.hemorrhoid-cures.com is packed full of useful information for sufferers of hemorrhoids including tips on how to cure hemorrhoids and how to prevent hemorrhoids. Visit http://www.hemorrhoid-cures.com for more information today.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

By Arlene Schag

Listeria are mainly soil bacteria, though as a pathogen they are food-borne. The illness caused by the bacteria in people is called listeriosis. Listeria monocytogenes is estimated to cause at least 43 percent of food-borne illness in the United States.

The ability of Listeria to inhabit a wide range of environments coincides with the presence of 331 genes encoding different transport proteins, comprising 11.6% of the total gene compliment of L. monocytogenes. Listeria also has an extensive regulatory repertoire occupying 7.3% of the total genome.

The bacteria propel themselves through the cytoplasm of an infected cell using a tail composed of actin. Both pathogenic and innocuous forms of listeria have the ability to form biofilms, which allow them to attach to solid surfaces where they proliferate and become extremely difficult to remove.

While most bacteria grow poorly when temperatures fall below 40°F, Listeria survives at temperatures from below freezing to body temperature, and grows best at the 0°F to 50°F range. Listeria challenges us because of its ability to grow in diverse environments.

Food processing plant surveys have found Listeria in the following locations (listed approximately in the order of prevalence):

• floors

• drains

• coolers

• cleaning aids such as brushes, sponges, etc.

• product and/or equipment wash areas

• food contact surfaces

• condensate

• walls and ceilings

• compressed air

Control of Listeria relies on detecting and managing harborage sites with thorough and frequent cleaning.

The body's defense against Listeria monocytogenes and other intracellular pathogens is called "cell-mediated immunity" because it depends on our cells (as opposed to our antibodies), especially lymphocytes called "T-cells." Therefore, it is not surprising that individuals whose cell-mediated immunity is suppressed are more susceptible to the devastating effects of Listeriosis. Persons with AIDS suffer listeriosis 65-145 times more frequently than the general population.

Pregnant women naturally have a depressed cell-mediated immune system; many think that this occurs so that the mother's immune system will not reject the fetus. Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to contract listeriosis. About one-third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy. The incidence of listeriosis in the newborn is 8.6 per 100,000 live births (Tappero et al., 1995). Newborns, rather than the pregnant women themselves, suffer the serious effects of infection in pregnancy.

Symptoms

• Fever

• Muscle aches

• Nausea or diarrhea (sometimes)

If the infection spreads to the nervous system, listeriosis can cause:

• Headache

• Stiff neck

• Confusion

• Loss of balance

• Convulsions

Prevention

• Ready-to-eat foods: Hot dogs, cold cuts, lunchmeats, deli counter meats, and other ready-to-eat foods. Eat these foods only if they're reheated until steaming hot. Even cured meats such as salami must be heated.

• Meats and seafood: Cook these all the way through. Stay away from rare meat and seafood.

• Leftovers: Reheat all until steaming hot.

• Fruits and vegetables: Listeria can grow on some fruits and vegetables. Do not buy sliced melon. Wash all fruits and vegetables with water. Scrub hard produce such as cucumbers and melons with a clean produce brush.

• When you buy pre-cooked or ready-to-eat foods that go in the fridge, use them as soon as you can.

• Clean your fridge often.

• Make sure that the fridge always stays at 40 degrees F or colder. Use a refrigerator thermometer.

• Read labels. Follow instructions on foods that must be kept in the fridge or have a "use by" date.

• Wash your hands with warm soapy water after you touch raw foods. Wash any knives or other tools you used with hot, soapy water before you use them again.

Diagnosis

There is no routine screening test for susceptibility to listeriosis during pregnancy, as there is for rubella and some other congenital infections. The SafePathä Listeria ELISA is a rapid and reliable test, which significantly reduces the time required to screen foods for the presence of Listeria. The assay can detect LM, L. innocua and L. welshimeri. Primary enrichment cultures grown for 24 to 48 hours can be tested in less than one hour, allowing ELISA-negative product to be released sooner than with standard methods. Presumptively positive ELISA samples can be cultured further for confirmation by standard methods.

Treatment

Listeriosis is treated with the antibiotics ampicillin (Omnipen) or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra). Because the bacteria live within macrophage cells, treatment may be difficult and the treatment periods may vary.

http://www.safepath.com/Listeria-96well.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arlene_Schag

Arlene Schag - EzineArticles Expert Author

by: Katharina Bishop

I'm an advocate of truly having your eyes opened and honestly appraising how much power you really have, not pretending that you will have as much power as you desire, just because you really want it. I think that's the essence of informed consent. - Gretchen Humphries

In the course of her pregnancy journey, a pregnant woman will be offered a wide variety of medical tests. The terms for many of these, such as amniocentesis and sonogram, are well known amongst the general population, indicating that these prenatal tests, while originally created to test certain high-risk pregnancy situations, have become standard procedures.

Many pregnant women accept the tests offered to them, without being informed on the side effects, complications and implications of positive test results. It is generally felt that these tests can do no harm. However, some of them have never been rigorously studied for safety to mother and child, and may present physical risks to both. Moreover, prenatal tests may give rise to concerns and anxiety, the very emotions that expecting mothers had hoped to avoid by agreeing to them. Test results can be vague and, more importantly, they can be misleading.

Before any type of medical procedure is carried out, medical professionals are obligated to obtain the patient's consent. It is important to distinguish between consent and informed consent. Informed consent can only be given when the patient fully understands what will happen to them and their unborn child before proceeding with any type of testing or treatment. Nowadays, many tests are prescribed by doctors who simply assume that their patients understand what the tests are meant to assess, as well as their risks to mother and baby.

Specifically, informed consent means a clear understanding of how the procedure is administered, and of the risks associated with it, full knowledge of the alternatives (is there another test or procedure that poses less risk?), careful consideration of the physical and emotional impacts, and the freedom to say no.

In order to give informed consent, it is important to understand the tests and procedures that are routinely administered during pregnancy. The most popular ones, ultrasound, the triple screen, amniocentesis, and chorionic villus sampling, are discussed below.

Ultrasound (Sonogram)

An ultrasound exam is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture (sonogram) of the baby and placenta. Ultrasound is used for two purposes. It may be used in cases where the woman has a known medical condition, or where previous tests have indicated a risk. More often, however, ultrasound is performed as a routine procedure during pregnancy to screen for potential problems, even where the woman is not at any particular risk. Most ultrasound exams last only a few minutes. The procedure is painless for the mother, although the full bladder that is usually required may cause some discomfort. Further uses of ultrasound include the Doppler, or Doptone, a small handheld device used to hear the baby's heartbeat after the tenth week, and electronic fetal monitors (EFMs), used by most hospital maternity wards to monitor the baby's heart rate during labor. In general, ultrasound is more accurate to explore a specific situation, such as a predicted miscarriage, than when used in a generalized, routine way.

Ultrasound is generally seen as very safe. However, The National Institutes of Health (USA) cautions against routine use of ultrasound, suggesting that "the data on clinical efficacy and safety do not allow recommendation for routine screening at this time; there is a need for multidisciplinary randomized controlled clinical trials for an adequate assessment."(1) The World Health Organization (WHO) also urges prudence: "Ultrasound screening during pregnancy is now in widespread use without sufficient evaluation. Research has demonstrated its efficacy for certain complications of pregnancy but the published material does not justify the routine use of ultrasound in pregnant women."(2)

The Triple Screen

This blood test is usually carried out between the sixteenth and eighteenth week of pregnancy. It measures the levels of three chemicals in the mother's blood: hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estriol, which are produced by the placenta, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is produced by the fetus. It does not identify the existence of any specific abnormality, only the presence of chemicals that are indicators of a risk. The test is done to evaluate the risk of Down syndrome, spina bifida (a disorder where part of the spinal cord develops outside of the baby's body), anencephaly (where the skull fails to grow over the brain), and other abnormalities. If a fetus has Down syndrome, for instance, the hCG levels in the mother's blood are often higher than normal, while estriol and AFP levels are often lower. High levels of AFP, on the other hand, may indicate risk of a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly. Factors such as the mother's age, weight, and ethnicity, whether she is diabetic, if she is having twins or other multiples and the gestational age of the fetus all influence the levels of the substances being measured and need to be taken into account in interpreting the test result. Generally, if a woman receives a result indicating risk, she will be advised to take the test again. If she receives a second result indicating risk, further testing, such as ultrasound and amniocentesis, will be recommended, along with genetic counseling.

The triple screen is an elective test. It is not medically necessary. It is important to consider that this test does not identify the existence of any specific abnormality, but only the presence of chemicals that may indicate risk. Test results are thus inconclusive and open to interpretation. For instance, while high levels of AFP are associated with spina bifida, they may also indicate the presence of more than one fetus. Low AFP levels associated with risk of Down syndrome can simply mean that the fetus is younger than was previously thought. The triple screen test is the least invasive of all prenatal tests, but it has a high rate of false positives, which incorrectly indicate risk in healthy pregnancies, resulting in weeks of anxiety while further tests are evaluated. Between 96 and 98 percent of women who first receive a positive triple screen result will go on to have normal babies, making the risks of this test emotional rather than physical.

Amniocentesis

During this procedure a thin, hollow needle is inserted into the mother's uterus through her abdomen and a small amount of amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the fetus) is removed and tested. The amniotic fluid has passed in and out of the fetus' body, and therefore contains some of the baby's cells. These cells are used to obtain information about the baby's genetic makeup and the potential for genetically inherited diseases. Conditions tested for include Down syndrome, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, sickle-cell anemia, and anencephaly. Amniocentesis carries a miscarriage risk of 1 to 3 percent, almost three times the miscarriage rate in a pregnancy where amniocentesis has not been performed. Side effects of the procedure itself include cramping, bleeding, and leaking of amniotic fluid. These side effects may be minor, or severe. Women whose tests have to be re-administered double their risk of miscarriage, from 3 to 6 percent.

Before agreeing to this procedure, it is very important to consider the implications of a positive test result. For women who feel the need to emotionally prepare themselves for a sick, disabled, or dying newborn, amniocentesis may be a useful test. Amniocentesis is also performed for women who consider terminating a pregnancy with a serious birth defect. Mothers who feel that amniocentesis results won't change their intention to carry a pregnancy to term or to parent a child with a birth defect may wish to consider not taking the risks associated with this test.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Using ultrasound as a guide, a thin tube is inserted through the vagina and cervix and a tiny tissue sample from the chorion (the outer sac that surrounds the embryo during the first two months of pregnancy) is gathered along with the villi (hair-like tissues that protrude from the chorion). These are then studied to assess the fetal chromosomes for genetic abnormalities. CVS is usually performed around the tenth week. It is an elective test and is not medically necessary. CVS is generally reserved for cases in which earlier knowledge is important to the mother due to a high genetic risk for certain diseases. It is not as accurate as amniocentesis in assessing the presence of Down syndrome, and it is not capable of assessing the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

CVS carries a miscarriage risk of 1 to 5 percent, a higher rate than amniocentesis, and nearly six times the average miscarriage rate. The risk is lower when inserting the needle through the abdomen (as is more common now) rather than through the vagina. Other suspected complications associated with CVS include higher rates of preterm birth, limb and facial deformities, cervical lacerations, and maternal infection. Problems are more likely to occur if the test is carried out before ten weeks. CVS has higher rates of false positives and failed tests, where the procedures have to be repeated, than amniocentesis.

Making an Informed Choice

Prenatal tests, especially if administered routinely and frequently, serve to ‘medicalize' a pregnancy. By transforming a healthy pregnancy into a medical experience, tests can cause unnecessary worry and stress. Parents may not permit themselves to bond with their developing baby until test results have ‘proven' that everything is okay. Mothers who are especially nervous and seek reassurance by having these tests may want to take into account that test results can be misleading unless there is a true indication of high risk. In order to make an informed choice it is important to reflect on each step of the decision, and review the possible consequences of prenatal tests. It may prove helpful to discuss any concerns with a sympathetic doctor or midwife before making a decision that is right for you.

1. NIH, "Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging in Pregnancy," Consensus Development Conference Statement 5, no. 1 (1984, Washington, DC).

2. World Health Organization, "Diagnostic Ultrasound in Pregnancy, WHO View on

Routine Screening," Lancet 2 (1984): 361.

Katharina Bishop is a freelance writer. She holds a BA (Hons) in Modern Language Studies. She is the owner of Wondrous Gems, a business specializing in designer gemstone jewelry and luxury Baltic amber teething necklaces for babies and children. www.wondrousgems.com

Ever since it was first extracted from common spinach leaf folic acid has been found to have an increasing number of uses. Originally folic acid was discovered to help correct the anemia women sometimes developed during pregnancy and later it was used to help correct anemia from other causes including a deficiency in other vitamins. Although it wasn’t a replacement for these other vitamins it certainly was found to be very effective at treating anemia due to all kinds of causes.

Folic acid is involved in the replication of our DNA and RNA and it was quickly found that those taking folic acid for anemia had less chance of giving birth to babies with certain birth defects. These defects are Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate and limb defects. In fact folic acid is so effective at its job in maintaining DNA that doctors estimate half of the nearly four thousand babies born with neural tube defects yearly develop the defects due to a folic acid deficiency. Imagine being able to cut that number in half just by making sure that women have enough folic acid in their diets.

More recently there was a connection found between folic acid, homocysteine and certain diseases. Homocysteine is a by-product of the metabolizing of protein that we take in in our food. More specifically it is released when the body breaks down methionine, which is an amino acid and a component of protein.

Homocysteine is toxic to the lining of our blood vessels and though its a part of the breakdown process of protein, normally we have enough folic acid present in our systems to help convert homocysteine into another compound. Those who have a deficiency of folic acid can also develop a high level of homocysteine over long periods of time.

So by taking folic acid or making sure it is in the diet it is possible to help prevent a build up of homocysteine in the blood. The damage to the blood vessel walls caused by homocysteine leads to arteriosclerosis or a stiffening of the walls.

Arteriosclerosis can lead to other cardiovascular diseases by making the heart pump harder, and keeping parts of the body from getting enough blood and oxygen. This also leads to an increased risk of heart attack.

Also there have recently been links made between high levels of homocysteine and Cancer, Arthritis, and Osteoporosis. Currently there are studies being made to try and determine whether homocysteine is one of the causes of these conditions or if it is simply an indicator or symptom of these conditions.

So you can use folic acid to help prevent:

Ÿ Anemia

Ÿ Certain Birth Defects

Ÿ Cardiovascular disease

Ÿ And possibly some forms of dementia (including Alzheimers),

Ÿ Cancer,

Ÿ Arthritis,

Ÿ And Osteoporosis.

By:David Viniker

If your pregnancy symptoms are earlier and more pronounced than you'd normally expect, you may be carrying a twin pregnancy. However, only a health professional can tell for sure.

1. You just feel that you are carrying more than one baby. Some mothers of twins (or higher order multiples) say that they knew right from the start that they were carrying more than one baby.
2. You experience more nausea and/or morning sickness. If you are having more than one baby, you may have an elevated hCG level (hCG is a pregnancy related hormone). This hormone is the one associated with morning sickness.

3. Other typical pregnancy symptoms may be exaggerated. Many women -- but not all -- who are pregnant with twins have more intense pregnancy symptoms, probably related to the extra hormones circulating through their system. You may find that your breasts are extremely tender, you have to urinate frequently, you are hungry all the time and you are always very tired.

4. A higher than average weight gain in the first 16 weeks may be your first clue that you're carrying more than one baby. Good weight gain in early twin pregnancy is associated with a favourable outcome.
With each additional fetus a woman carries, the range of weight gain will increase. For example, a woman who starts a pregnancy in a healthy weight range might expect her weight gain to be as follows:
One fetus, 11 kg (24 lb) to 16 kg (35 lb)
Twins, 16 kg (35 lb) to 20 kg (44 lb)
Triplets, 20 kg (44 lb) to 23 kg (51 lb)
Quads, 23 kg (51 lb) to 25 kg (55 lb)
5. Your uterus seems large for gestational age. If your last menstrual period indicates an eight-week gestation, your uterus may feel more like 10 to 12 weeks to your obstetrician. This may prompt a request for an ultrasound examination.

6. You are told that you have elevated levels of AFP. AFP is one of the chemicals tested to screen for Down’s syndrome and spina bifida abnormalities. AFP levels are higher in twin pregnancies.

7. Your health care provider hears two fetal heartbeats. Two separate heartbeats can be distinguishable with a Doppler in your care provider's office from around 18 weeks. At around 28 weeks, it may be possible to differentiate two fetal heads and multiple small parts when doing an abdominal exam.

8. You have a positive ultrasound. If you believe you are pregnant with twins, an ultrasound can be performed quite early in pregnancy. With a skilled ultrasonographer, two gestational sacs, two embryos and two distinct fetal heartbeats can be seen six weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period. Many twins have been diagnosed as early as five weeks -- when you're just one week late for your menstrual period.
9. In later pregnancy, you may experience difficulty catching your breath, swelling (oedema) of the hands and legs, an unusual rate of weight gain and abdominal enlargement and excessive fetal movement. Anaemia or low iron (decreased haemoglobin) is also common with twin and multiple pregnancies.
10. There is considerable disagreement among medical professionals as to whether a woman carrying twins is more likely to feel movement earlier. But many mothers do claim that those early flutters and flips were their first clue that they might be having more than one.

David A Viniker MD FRCOG is a London Consultant in OB/GYN who strongly supports patient choice. You are welcome to visit his websites which explain the pros and cons of the various options for women’s health, pregnancy and childbirth:
www.obstetric-health.com
www.2womenshealth.com