Very Early Signs of Pregnancy - 10 Pregnancy Signs You Should Know by Lauren Collins-Taylor

Do you know what the very early signs of pregnancy are? Your body is a complex machine - finely tuned and is giving off signals all the time. Pregnancy is a huge change to your body's normal day-to-day functions and when you are with baby, your body will let you know!

Some moms-to-be will get one or two quiet signs at first, others' bodies will scream "I'M PREGNANT" with all 10 signs at once. As hormone levels fluctuate and your body learns how to react to these changed levels, most women will experience practically all of the very early signs of pregnancy. You just need to know what the signs are.

Elevated Basal Body Temperature

A woman's basal body temperature (the lowest body temperature attained during rest) begins to elevate after ovulation, and stays elevated past when you should have had your period. This increase in basal body temperature, usually one-half to one degree Fahrenheit, is a subtle very early warning sign of pregnancy. To get this clue, you should have some idea what your normal (non-pregnancy) basal temperature is.

Tenderness In The Breasts And Nipples

This is a classic early sign of early pregnancy - and one that often goes unnoticed. Many women attribute this tenderness to their bras or other clothing, and tend to ignore it. And, after the body gets used to the new hormone levels - the tenderness goes away. So, you must pay close attention to what your body is trying to say - because it may stop talking after a while.

Darker, More Prominent Areolas

As your breasts change and enlarge, your areolas (the darker area that surrounds the nipple) will swell and get bigger, too. This is a very early sign of pregnancy - normally occurring around the time you expect your period. Some believe that the darker coloring of the areola helps the newborn find the nipple for breastfeeding. After pregnancy, your nipples and areolas should return to normal colors and sizes.

Constipation

This is another very subtle clue - who doesn't get constipated at one time or another - without being pregnant?

The changing hormone levels can play games with your bowels, interrupting the normal frequency and timing of your bowel movements. Many women who are expecting just write constipation off as an unrelated issue. Like basal body temperature, paying close attention really can make a difference.

Spotting

Light to moderate spotting (commonly called implantation spotting) normally happens a week to several days before your normal period is supposed to happen. Pink or brownish spotting is common a week or so after ovulation. Sometimes, spotting can simply be a sign of an early period. If this happens, look for other signs of pregnancy or take a pregnancy test.

Frequent Urination

Another classic very early sign of pregnancy, frequent urination should be a standout. This can be one of the earliest clues - happening a week to 12 days after a rise in basal body temperature, or about six weeks into your first trimester. While rising hormone levels are partly to blame, the most likely reason you feel like you have to pee every 5 minutes or so is the fact that the amount of blood in your body increases dramatically during pregnancy. This leads to a lot of extra fluids flowing through your kidneys - therefore a lot more pee!

Nausea And Vomiting

Commonly referred to as "morning sickness," this early sign of pregnancy usually affects most women and begins around the sixth week of pregnancy. Again, hormone levels are thought to be the main cause. Surprisingly, many doctors feel that morning sickness is a good sign that all is well with your baby's health and development. If your morning sickness is accompanied with vomiting, be sure to stay hydrated.

Menstrual Period Missed

While there are many reasons you may miss a menstrual period - stress, illness, excessive exercise, reactions to foods or medications - this can be a classic sign of pregnancy. If your period is very regular, and you have no other obvious reason to miss one, look for other early signs you may be pregnant.

Cramping

Moderate to severe cramping can be a sign of many conditions - including pregnancy.Implantation cramping happens to a growing and moving uterus getting prepared to sustain a new life. Sometimes cramping can be a sign of constipation or gas in the bowels. Other more serious causes include miscarriage= or ectopic pregnancy.

You shouldn't have cramping after a positive pregnancy test - if you experience cramps with mild spotting, see your doctor to be sure all is well.

Unusual Fatigue And Tiredness

In our rush-rush modern world, it's not unusual to be dead tired at the end of a busy day. Fatigue is different - a feeling of lethargy and exhaustion that seems to happen no matter your level of activity or time of day. The truth is, your body is working very hard to accommodate a new life. And, this work takes energy - energy that is taken from your daily activities.

If you notice some of these very early signs of pregnancy, test yourself with a good quality pregnancy test you can get at your local drug store. These home pregnancy tests have become quite accurate, normally being able to sense a pregnancy 10 to 14 days after contraception. If you get a negative, but still feel you may be pregnant - see your doctor to be sure.

A Disturbed Balance Of Microorganisms Makes Your Body Susceptible To Yeast Infection Symptoms by Dorothy Winter

Candida albicans is a natural condition that in most instances will not do a healthy body any harm. The only problem is that frequently the normal balance of microorganisms that are regarded to be beneficial for the person get in disorder in proportion to other bacteria that are potentially harmful and in their turn cause excessive yeast growth which in turn give rise to yeast infection. Usually this infection be found in very warm and moist places in the body and the common form of yeast infection, Candida Albicans overgrowth, affects around seventy-five percent of the female population at the very least once in the course of their lifetimes.

The Discomfort Of Sudden Soreness And Itchiness

Feeling gradually more or less intense soreness and itchiness and the experience of pain in the course of sexual activity are the most common symptoms of yeast infection. Some more symptoms of yeast infection are a sensation of burning during urinating and the frequent appearance of a vaginal discharge of milky consistency resembling cottage cheese.

Usually there are unmistakable symptoms of vaginal yeast infection that are not to be noticed in any other health issues. However itchiness in the vaginal area can be both a symptom for yeast infection and as well a signal for another irritation such as the contact with chemicals contained in soaps or detergents and even in vaginal creams or douches.

As stated above it is presumable a symptom of yeast infection if sexual intercourse causes pain however it is not necessarily so. It's important to diagnose thoroughly before choosing a treatment. There are medications obtainable that are produced to treat candida albicans but sometimes have a harmful effect. That is to say in case the immune system reacts negatively upon the application which in turn can evoke vaginitis which is an inflammation of the vagina. Some symptoms of vaginitis are very similar to yeast infection such as the pain during sexual intercourse. Therefore it is important not to confuse those two conditions because both of them require different treatment.

Pain experienced during sexual intercourse can be one more yeast infection symptom. In addition there are also medications that are actually produced to cure candida albicans infection which in the contrary make the problem worse. This can happen because of a negative reaction of the immune system as a result of the application that in turn can release vaginitis, an infection occurring in the vagina. Because of the similar kind of pain occurring during sexual intercourse vaginitis is often being confused with yeast infection. But both conditions have to be treated different what's important to know.

Among the common symptoms of candida albicans yeast infection finally there is the typical odorless discharge. This vaginal discharge is not always noticeable but can be identified by its thickish consistency that is white and resembles cottage cheese.

However not only physical but also psychological reasons can play a decisive part in the development of yeast related health problems. One example is stress. A permanently stressed person is much more susceptible to a yeast infection than a mentally balanced individual. Stress is known to weaken the immune system.

Top 10 Websites for Medical Information by Lydia Quinn

If anyone should know medical literature, it should be the Medical Library Association. This group of librarians are who many research physicians turn to when they need documentation for their research and where other doctors turn when they need assistance in searching out symptoms that have them stumped. According to the Medical Library Association, the following sites are where to turn when you need additional information about a disease or treatment.

Cancer.gov is the site of the National Cancer institute. You will find information here about all types of cancer, treatment and research. Every type of cancer is covered here, including many of the latest technologies and advancements in treatment for them.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information about health issues at home and in the work place. If you are concerned about the effect of the environment on your health, this should be your first stop on the web.

Familydoctor.org has an alphabetical listing of conditions and treatments. This site is great for learning about many general medical topics.

Healthfinder has an alphabetical listing of medical conditions, but also has tools for keeping track of vital health readings. The handy tools on this site are what makes it rise above many other health and medical related websites.

HIV InSite has information for dealing with HIV-AIDS and related issues. If you are learning about the disease or are concerned with prevention, this is the site for you. The latest information on treatments is also available here.

Kidshealth is a site you should bookmark and refer to often if you have children living in your home. Since children have many specific health issues and concerns, a site like Kidshealth is something every parent should bookmark.

Mayo Clinic this site of the famous Mayo Clinic has top notch health information for the entire family.

MedlinePlus is available in either English as well as 40 other languages including Spanish. Information is given here regarding many different health issues.

Ask.MD is also an excellent place to bookmark, this is a health and medical topic search engine which covers all the latest health topics like flu outbreaks. The handy search engine searches all the best health websites out there.

Each of these sites may have slightly differing information to offer the patient. All of these sites can give you a better understanding of what your doctor is talking about. Remember that your doctor is one of the greatest sources of medical information that you can trust. If you do not understand what he is talking about, you should feel free to ask him for further information.

By turning to these sites, you will be able to find further information and alternative treatments. If you find a treatment that your doctor has not discussed with you, then you should speak with your doctor about that treatment and its benefits as well as its risks. Remember that you ultimately have the responsibility for your own health.

Folic Acid Deficiency Is Overcome By Use Of Solgar Supplements by Keith Woolley

There's a huge argument going on regarding the dietary supplement utilization in health world. Most of the health professionals states that one would be provided with every significant nutrients through the food which they take in. Few also state that in take of vitamin supplements during the pressured circumstances is fine. However, the vitamin supplement is excellent for common health of a person. 'Solgar vitamins' are one of the most reliable products of vitamin supplement in market.
   Folic Acid: People today face the biggest problem of folic acid deficiency. You will face hefty decrease in appetite and tongue will become sore if there is any deficiency of folic acid. Folic acid is one of those Vitamin B complex vitamins. The fact that is very much surprising is that the plant and animal foods are very much poor in folic acid content.
   The finest option for getting rid of such condition is by taking assistance of the Solgar supplements. Their vitamin supplement is the herbal supplement product from Solgar Company. Several researches have shown that using Solgar vitamin supplement would greatly decline birth defects. It's also shown that many cancers aren't much found in those individuals who contain superior foliate content in the bodies. They've even made use of beta-carotene and vitamin C's supplements. It's even confirmed to decline breast melanoma risk in women.
   Folic acid's significant sources are dark - leafy greens, many diary products, brewers yeast, cow livers, several seafood products and orange juice. Root vegetables and whole grains are also fine folic acid's sources. The supplements of Solgar are obtained from natural sources, thus this company utilizes such natural sources for making fine quality supplements.
   The main sources of folate: Diary products, many seafood, orange juice, cows liver, leafy greens and brewers yeast is said to be the largest source of folate. Even the root vegetables and whole grains are large sources of folate. Using the natural resources, the Solgar folate vitamins are extracted.
    Most of the antibiotics and also war fain are included in this list. There are few other medicines such as ibuprofen and aspirin which would give rise to this vitamin's deficiency. Methotrexate is usually prescribed medication for the rheumatoid arthritis, as well as few cancers are commonly known for boosting up bodies' thirst for the folic acid. One could take in Solgar vitamin supplement by which he or she could fulfil their bodily requirement without affecting their other medicine. One wouldn't face any sort of side effect, if they use Solgar vitamin supplements.
    Before getting the supplements, you have to take the help of a health practitioner as many supplements that are prescribed might affect your health. Under this list, even war farin and many antibiotics are included. The other medications that will cause the deficiency of this vitamin are ibuprofen and aspirin. Methotrexate is the medication that is prescribed commonly for some cancers and rheumatoid arthritis will increase the thirst for folic acid. You will be able to fulfill all the needs and deficiencies of the body with Solgar supplements without affecting the regular medication you are into. With the use of Solgar supplements, it is assured that you will not prone to any side effects.

Diabetes Today, the Disturbing Truth by by: jassicakainth

Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease. Since 1987 the death rate has increased 45 percent. In 2002; diabetes claimed an astonishing 224,092 lives in the United States alone. It is believed that the number was actually higher since most deaths of the elderly had multiple chronic conditions associated with their death including diabetes. Many people do not know that they have diabetes until they develop other life threatening conditions such as, heart disease, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney damage, nervous system damage, dental disease, sexual dysfunction, and a number of other complications. When you have diabetes the above complication are side illnesses, diabetes is this root of all of your medical problems and must be under control for you to recover from the side illnesses period! Being checked by your physician on a regular basis is absolutely necessary for your overall quality of life. If you do not know that you have diabetes, there is no other way of knowing that you have this deadly disease without a check up.




There are several different types of diabetes such as, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 is the body's inability to produce insulin, people with type 1 are insulin dependent for the remainder of their lives, and they must also keep close track of their diets. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes; diabetes is a chronic disease and has no cure. While an estimated 14 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes it is also estimated that close to 6.2 million are unaware that they have this deadly disease. In 2005 1.5 million new cases were diagnosed in people age 20 and above. If this dangerous trend continues it is believed that 1 in 3 Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime. It is also estimated that 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes today.



Pre-diabetes is a dangerous condition in itself, this is when the glucose level in the blood is not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes yet damage is being done to your internal organs. The body can not handle any unsafe level of sugar or glucose in the blood for any extended period of time.



Diabetes is the body's inability to use the sugar called glucose. Glucose is created when the body breaks down food for energy. The hormone insulin opens up the cells in the body to allow glucose to enter into the cell and be used as fuel. In diabetes the cell never opens up and the glucose flows through the blood stream causing high blood sugar levels. With diabetes the body either dose not make enough insulin or is resistant to its own natural insulin. High blood sugar can lead to very serious complications. Heart disease is the leading cause of premature death in people with diabetes. Diabetes is the major cause of leg and foot amputations in Americans today. Infections are much harder to control in people with diabetes, they are at greater risk of complications and death due to infection. The high risk factors leading to type 2 diabetes is too much body fat and high sugar intake! Diabetes is on the rise; Americans are eating poorly and are lacking physical activity and this is starting to really show in the children of America.



Free-radicals are very active in a person with diabetes. They attack a number of cells at once because diabetes causes an abnormal immune function due to high glucose levels in the blood and organs. Free-radicals are the reason you see so many different complications or side illnesses in this disease. Free-radicals are molecules or atoms that are missing an electron, free-radicals attack healthy cells trying to steal an electron from them. Chronic inflammation is also a major player with this disease and in the side illnesses. Chronic inflammation is being called the silent killer by doctors and scientists. All of the above diseases need medications to help regulate the disease, but you need to know this, medications cause free-radical damage, and this damage is called side effects. All medications can cause side effects. So eating properly to help your condition is absolutely essential for your life.



Think of free-radicals as a school of piranha, they feed on everything in sight, they are not picky eaters. Free-radicals cause healthy cells to become mutated or deformed and they attack any cell they come in contact with. Now if they do manage to steal an electron then that once healthy cell, in turn, becomes a free-radical doing what was done to it. This is a vicious cycle, basically there is a war going on inside your body. You can not see or feel this war but it is there, and one day it will show its ugly head in the form of a serious disease or illness. You must be on the defensive and feed your body what it needs in order to combat these little piranhas.



Inflammation is a bully, after the free-radicals have done the damage the inflammation is sent by the body to help heal but it is unable to heal mutations and deformities so the deformed or mutated cells begin to feed on the healthy inflammation cells. Now the inflammation cells are deformed or mutated and become chronic inflammation cells, the chronic inflammation cells begin attacking your healthy tissues and cells.



You have the power to take your health into your own hands and put a stop to the damage now. As we know anti-oxidants help the body fight against free-radicals, anti-oxidants are molecules or atoms that has an extra electron. It gives this extra electron away and in turn the free-radicals stop attacking healthy cells. Science has proven that ALL diseases and illnesses are caused by free-radical damage and the vast majorities have chronic inflammation as their side kick. There are risk factors for all diseases but free-radicals and chronic inflammation are the source and cause of major complications. Free-radicals can not be avoided; they are in air and water pollution, in the junk foods we eat, and caused by traumas and injuries. Free-radicals are a part of life; they even affect the aging process itself. Anti-oxidants are essential for health, plants contain about 1,000 to 1,500 anti-oxidants, a diet of fruits and vegetables is essential, supplements are key, vitamins and minerals contain high numbers of anti-oxidants. You need to do some research and try to find fresh supplements; they tend to lose their potency the longer they sit on the self.



Anyone with diabetes or even pre-diabetes must re-think their diets, moving towards fresh and properly cooked foods, stay away from fast foods and anything with high sugar content. Taking in a large number of anti-oxidants everyday, is essential to help your body recover and maintain better overall health. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise, as long as you begin now. Pre-diabetes can be reversed.



There are also super charged, super powerful anti-oxidants in nature called Xanthones. Xanthones have the power to defeat a larger number of free-radicals at one time, due to strong carbon bonds that make the molecule stable. Each Xanthone performs a specific biological function inside the body unlike regular anti-oxidants. Universities and scientists have been studying xanthones for over 20 years. Scientists have found that xanthones are able to relieve a variety of problems and also help in the improvement of serious conditions. This is the reason that more and more universities and scientists are becoming involved in the research on these amazing xanthones. Two hundred xanthones have been identified in nature, and 41 are in the mangosteen fruit alone, you can compare that to the Aloe Vera plant that contains only one xanthone. The mangosteen fruit also contains 25,000 anti-oxidants. How can that help your health? The mangosteen fruit has the highest number of anti-oxidants and xanthones ever found in one source. One thing about xanthones you need to know is that they must be consumed in their natural form. For more information on xanthones you can call toll free 1-888-374-4148 and listen to a message about the mangosteen fruit juice and its powerful medicinal abilities.



People with diabetes are ruled by their medications and checking their blood everyday, they must see their doctor on a regular basis in order to keep their blood sugars under control by adjusting their medication. If their sugar goes too far up or too far down, massive damage to the internal organs and tissues is done and even the brain is affected, and can cause comma. This is a very deadly disease, but with the right food intake it dose not have to be, take care of your self.

The Horrendous Act of Cutting or Self Injury by Francis Murphy

"I lower the blade to the pale skin on the inside of my arm, and using a sharp corner of the blade, I quickly make a two-inch slash. I know not to go too deep. And when I'm in control, like now, I can do it just right. And just like that, I'm done. I hardly feel the pain of the cut at all. It's like it doesn't even hurt."


"I watch with familiar fascination as the blood oozes out in a clean, straight line. There is something reassuring about seeing my bright-red blood exposed like this. It's like this sign that I'm still alive and, weird as it sounds, that someday everything will be okay."



Though this is the story of a fictional character, Ruth Wallace (teen novel written by Melody Carlson: Blade Silver), this dangerous act of self injury is on a rise in USA as well as other countries.



Technically, cutting means the intentional use of sharp objects like razor, knife, pins, broken glass etc by teenagers (especially girls) to create cuts on their arms, legs, or other body parts as an outlet for emotional pain or to interrupt strong emotions and pressures which seem impossible to tolerate. It is a type of self injury which usually starts in teen age and if it becomes an addiction it might continue into adulthood also.



Negative emotions like rage, sorrow, rejection, desperation, longing, or emptiness can all lead to this horrendous act because this gives a false signal to the teenager that this might help them cope with pain of troubled relationships or unbearable pressures or strong emotions. Teenagers who think that they are an unfit for the society or that no one understands them often become easy targets of this act. Cutting might also be the outcome of loss of someone close or an escape from emptiness or due to subjection to sexual abuse.



The danger doesn't end here. Self injury is sometimes associated with depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive thinking, or compulsive behaviors. People who take on to it might be victims of other mental health problems which force them to take such drastic steps. Cutters might also get involved in other self-destructive behaviors like drug or alcohol abuse.



Dangers can go beyond physical and mental damage because it's not always possible to judge the depth of the cut. If the cut becomes deep it might lead to stitches or hospitalization. If non sterile instruments are used it might lead to infections also. Moreover, it can become a compulsive behavior (habit forming). The more a person engages in it, the more he or she feels the need to do it.



Let's try and control this epidemic which is spreading at a rapid pace because this action might give a temporary high but its scares are permanent and will haunt you and your child forever.