Every day, more than 16,000 women learn they're pregnant, according to the American Pregnancy Association. More than 1,100 of those women have no health insurance. That simple fact can turn good news into bad as The Institutes of Medicine reports, uninsured women tend to get less health care before delivery and often have a hard time finding the care they need.
Ultrasound is popping up everywhere. It was once used only sparingly to determine whether a pregnancy was on track. However, ultrasound devices are now used in nearly all doctor's and physical therapist's offices. Surprisingly, most people are still unaware of how ultrasound works. This leaves many questioning the safety of this technology.
Life seems to get faster every day. We are all racing from one errand to another, trying to scratch another task off that ever growing to-do list. Thoughts are constantly flowing through our minds. Eventually, this pace can make us tired and snappy, perhaps even depressed. Meditation can be the perfect antidote to create some inner balance and peace in your life.
A pap smear is that uncomfortable test women take each year to check for cervical cancer. A doctor takes a sample of cells from the cervix, which is part of the uterus, and swabs them onto a slide for examination under a microscope. Occasionally, the cells are abnormal and further diagnostic tests are necessary.
Candida is a yeast that grows naturally within the body in low levels. When the amount of candida increases too rapidly, however, a wide variety of health problems--some minor, some serious--can result. Although health professionals are still learning about candida and its effects on the body, many believe that excessive amounts of candida, known as candidiasis, is a widespread cause of ill health.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, according to BreastCancer.com. Some women who are diagnosed with breast cancer opt to use holistic, traditional Chinese medicine to complement conventional medical treatment. Increased acceptance of alternative medicine---both within and outside of the medical community---means cancer patients have an easier time accessing Chinese herbs and informing themselves about them.
Before attempting to make a period lighter and shorter, make an appointment with your gynecologist to rule out any underlying medical conditions. The heavy menstrual bleeding, called menorrhagia, could be the result of hormones being imbalanced or as a side effect of an IUD or medication, according to the Mayo Clinic. Schedule your annual gynecological visit if you missed your last one, or revisit your physician to alleviate any concerns that a heavy period is not a symptom of a more serious condition. Long and heavy periods that are merely an annoyance may be treated at home with natural remedies. When natural remedies do not work, consider birth control pills that are not natural but are proven to lighten heavy periods.
Having an annual pap smear is awkward but necessary for most women. A pap smear is a test used to detect abnormal cells on the cervix that can ultimately lead to cancer. Fortunately, cervical cancer is easily treated when it is discovered early. Most of the time, pap smears show no abnormal cells. But when a pap smear does indicate abnormal cells, it doesn't mean you have cervical cancer. It simply indicates to your doctor that she should take a second look to determine what's causing the abnormal cells.
Meditation, the art of tuning the mind out of normal, conscious thought and into a relaxed state of awareness, is becoming increasingly popular in Western culture, and it's about time. Meditation has been an integral part of Eastern life and religion for centuries. Health professionals report that people who make meditation a regular part of their lives experience a wide range of neurological, emotional, cardiovascular and immune system benefits. Specific types of meditation have also been identified as being particularly healthful for pregnant women.
The American Heritage Medical Dictionary defines "mood swings" as alternating periods of happiness and discontent. Although feelings normally fluctuate from day to day, and even during the course of the same day, extreme or prolonged mood swings are often associated with mood disorders. Mood swings can also be attributed to stress or pregnancy-related hormonal changes, as well as chemical imbalances in the brain.
