Every female should be conscious of her private parts especially the vagina. Knowing basic feminine hygiene is a must for all descendants of Eve; as this will keep them feeling good about themselves each day. But the real question is: Do you really know how to better take care for your femininity?
To help us ward off wrong notions, Dr. Evelyn Palaypayon, current president of the Philippine Obstetrical & Gynecological Society (POGS), shared important eye-openers when it comes to the right personal hygiene for women.
“The vulva (genitals) should always be dry, not moist. Wipe it dry. But be gentle. Don’t rub it! Just pat,” she advised.
After bowel movement, don’t clean your anus from back to front. Use toilet paper and make sure it’s clean enough. Use soap and water afterwards; but clean it from behind. “When you clean your genitals (during this time), use the other hand. Use a vaginal wash that will serve as soap,” she pointed out. Using your other hand in washing your genitals will prevent infection in the future.
Dr. Palaypayon also discourages women in wearing tight pairs of jeans, as this will allow “moisture to occur.” She added: “Moisture is usually seen in vaginal infection (candida infection).
All women have vaginal discharge. “We normally have whitish or colorless vaginal flora. But when it’s itchy, gives off offensive odor or discolored, then that’s abnormal,” Dr. Palaypayon reiterated. Some abnormal discharges can come as curd-like (similar to cheese—known as Monilia), yellowish, greenish or grayish. When this happens, a woman most likely has bacterial vaginosis. An online resource defines bacterial vaginosis as “an infection that can lead to an unpleasant fishy odor.” A woman with offensive vaginal discharge should see a gynecologist right away. Treatment usually entails oral medication to prevent further infection.
In using panty liners, Dr. Palaypayon advises women to change frequently. “Each day, use clean liners. Don’t use liners once a day. After urinating, it can become moist.” Women who are fond of wearing sling backs (or T-backs) should always make sure its clean, to avoid infection from the anal area.
Shaving of pubic hair is not advisable, Dr. Palaypayon said. “The hair is usually there to protect. You normally shave it up to the hair follicles almost. That’s when organisms can easily enter the hair follicles and cause infection.”
So for proper feminine hygiene, always consult your trusted gynecologist. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in case you notice something not right in your private part. That way, you’ll be given proper diagnosis and treatment to keep you in the pink of feminine health all the time.
* Dr. Palaypayon is a former chairwoman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Far Eastern University (FEU) – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation. An associate professor in OB-Gyne at FEU-NRMF, she is also affiliated to United Doctors Medical Center and Armed Forces of the Philippines-V. Luna General Hospital.
About the Author:
Mia is a senior copywriter of of a public relations agency in the Philippines. She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a degree in AB Journalism. Right after college, she worked as a copywriter; then later as a supplements and features writer in two defunct newspapers.
You will never know what kind of food you’re allergic to if you never had reaction on food you have eaten. Not everyone is allergic to food they have eaten. But there are some who suffer this kind of situation. What about you? Do you have any allergic to something you eat?
Are you vomiting after eating peanuts? Or are you itching after taking only a little amount of seafood? Well, there’s a great possibility that you suffer from food allergy…
Yes, a person can be allergic to certain foods, even foods which are considered common to people like meats, fruits, and vegetables. However, there are actually some foods in which people are more allergic to. Milk, egg, peanut, fish, shellfish, and wheat are some of the foods that can cause food-allergic reactions more than the others.
How to recognize food allergy?What is food allergy actually? Well, before going further, let’s learn first about the general thing - the allergy itself. Allergy is the body’s reaction (an abnormally high sensitivity) to certain substances which are normally harmless. Thus, food allergy means the reaction of the body’s immune system to a particular food that is considered harmful.
When someone with food allergy eats a particular food, the body’s immune system will release antibodies which lead to triggering some allergic symptoms. Some of these symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, itching of the lips and mouth, sneezing, abdominal cramps, and difficulty in breathing.
Can a food allergy be cured? Well, it’s sad to say that food allergy cannot be cured. How do you treat this food allergy then? The only way that can be done is to strictly avoid the food that can cause the allergic reactions or symptoms. Don’t forget to read the ingredients of food you’ll consume. If there isn’t any, ask the store staff to explain the ingredients. If you still cannot get the information, in order to prevent allergic reactions, just find another food which is safe for your body!
If you suddenly get the reactions, there are some over-the-counter prescriptions you can use to relieve them. However, it’s of course better for you to consult with your doctor before taking any medications, especially if your food allergy has become worse.
Talking about medicines your food allergy, you can get them for online. Compare some of them through the Internet and ask your doctor which is best for you.
About the Author:
Novi White writes health articles on various publications. She has been working with doctors for their research publications. You can visit her Website MyAllergyGuide.com at http://www.myallergyguide.com
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the ongoing message that the natural, curvy, womanly body I was born into is unacceptable. I’m tired of being horrified when I hear that five-year old girls already criticize their bodies and think they need to lose weight. I’m tired of the media forcing their limited, unattainable version of beauty on us.
The underweight beauty ideal of today is a complete invention of the media machine. Nature never intended women to look like teenage boys with large breasts, but the relentless media depiction of this body type powerfully defines it as the ultimate in beauty.
Without starvation and plastic surgery, it’s impossible for 99% of women to achieve this ideal. So we learn to dislike our naturally gorgeous bodies and try desperately to change them. The toxic body messages we are deluged with every day cause eating disorders and widespread unhappiness.
53% of 13 year-old girls and 80% of adult women spend every day disliking their bodies. It doesn’t have to be this way. People naturally have all sorts of different body shapes and sizes. We don’t have to let the media continue to define just one type of beauty as the ideal. We don’t have to let them continue to ruin countless lives in their quest for more profits.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Media Watchdog program is working to change the toxic media message. You can help by joining the free program and monitoring magazines, television, and radio. Keep track of what you see then send your positive and negative findings to NEDA.
Every quarter they write at least one letter of praise or protest to companies on behalf of the Watchdogs and post the results on the NEDA Media Watchdog website. Since the inception of the program in 1997, over half the ads they protested have been discontinued.
It’s time for the media’s attack on our bodies to stop. The Watchdog program gives us a powerful voice for change.
What to look for:
Protest:· Ads with a message or image intended to make people feel bad about their body shape or size.
· Promoting thinness as the only acceptable body size.
· Shows or ads that make fun of heavy people or imply that they are inferior or unacceptable.
· Idealizing people who are dieting or starving themselves.
· People shown using food for comfort, stress relief, or companionship.
· Emaciated models or actresses portrayed as the beauty ideal or star of the program.
· Promoting fitness and exercise solely as ways to get thin rather than ways to get healthy, feel good, and have fun.
Praise:
· Ads that have people of all sizes and shapes depicted in positive ways.
· People eating healthy, good foods including desserts.
· Celebration of natural diversity and the enjoyment of life.
If you want to take the campaign even further, write your own praise or protest letter to the advertiser or the media outlet.
Ruffle a few feathers and let them know that attacks on our bodies will not be tolerated and that positive diversity is appreciated. Tell them you won’t be buying their products due to the offensive advertising.
Be sure to thank companies for positive messages, too. Every little move in the direction of healthy body diversity is great. Thank them for being part of a culture that appreciates health and all kinds of beauty.
Go to http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org to join the Watchdog program and be part of bringing about positive change in the world.
About the Author:
©2005 Nancy Hill has helped thousands get free of the dieting nightmare with her ebook, “Undieting - 11 Simple Steps to Reclaim Your Body and Your Life.” Sign up now for the Free 7-Day Undieting Email Course at http://www.undieting.com/sevendaycourse.html and discover how to get your life back.
The body automatically functions, and we automatically take it for granted! We expect our body to keep going and not complain, however much we abuse it. But it does complain, with headaches, backache, indigestion, colds, skin rashes: just a few of the minor warnings. Whether you are running a home business, major corporation or a family if you relate to these ‘mild’ complaints you just may need to pay attention to protect your most important asset: your health, your ability to think clearly and your emotional strength.
Without paying attention to keeping yourself well, you may slip into more serious warnings of ’self-abuse’ and progress to serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. A few simple changes can make all the difference to the long-term health of your body, the clarity of your thinking, the strength of your emotional well-being and the long-term viability of your self-propelled business!
Food is FuelWhat you eat and drink provides your body with the fuel to carry out all the physical and mental activities that get you through each day, including breathing and blinking! Some foods, such as fruit and vegetables, provide excellent fuel, with lots of beneficial nutrients. Other foods provide the body with poor quality fuel laced with undesirable chemicals, such as over-processed junk foods. What percentage of your current diet is providing fuel-efficient, nutrient-rich food? Find out by keeping a diary over the following week - jot down everything you eat and drink and then analyze your fuel source. The better your fuel source, the longer your life expectancy…
So improve your choice:
Choose meals and snacks that are kind to the body, i.e. naturally-produced and chemical free. Fresh (preferably seasonal) fruit, vegetables and salads retain their nutritional content - they are ‘living’ foods. Avoid foods that have been over-processed, stored for too long or stored in contact with metal or cling-film. You could class these as ‘dead’ foods, with little to offer nutritionally. Variety is also vital, helping you obtain the broad range of nutrients your body needs.
Less is more
Eating large meals puts a great strain on the digestive tract. Choose smaller, more frequent meals, which help keep your fuel tank topped-up throughout the day. And never forget that the more you eat, the more your body has to either burn off or store as fat. So eat to live - don’t live to eat!
Give your stomach a fair chance
Slow down and enjoy your food. Chewing is essential - you have teeth for a reason - to assist the digestive process. Eating food quickly, or while stressed, disrupts digestion and the absorption of nutrients. The ‘how’ and when’ of eating is just as important as ‘what’ you eat.
Life - Giving Water
Nature’s nectar. Your body is 70% water and it needs to be daily replenished with a fresh supply to ensure that body cells are hydrated and energized. Ideally, we need to consume two litres of water every day.
Get Active!
You need just enough activity to keep all your moving parts in good working order, lean and strong. Too much exercise uses up resources needed for normal growth, repair and maintenance, and creates premature wear and tear on the joints and ligaments.
So how much exercise are we talking about?
Enjoy a good brisk walk in the fresh air everyday - or even every second day - swing your arms, hold your head high, fill your lungs and lengthen your strike. Or, consider purchasing a home fitness video. There are plenty to choose from, just make sure it incorporates a good stretching regime to avoid pulling or straining any muscles. The same applies to any team sports or gym work - warm-up first. The message is, yes, you need to use your body to prevent it from ‘getting rusty’.
Relax!
Proper ‘quality time’ should not be confused with time spent watching endless television, or playing games on the computer. Energetic computer games and emotionally-charged TV soaps activate the release of ‘fight-or-flight’ stress chemicals - hardly a form of relaxation. Switch the TV off and take time-out once or twice a day for between 15-30 minute to rest your thoughts, and your body, completely. Sit or lie comfortably, close your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly, perhaps listen to restful music, and drift into your mind’s theatre of beautiful landscapes and memories. No interruptions, no demanding family or friends, just you and your attention focused on health, happiness and abundance…that’s quality time!
Sleep
We all need 6-8 hours quality sleep every night. Get to bed before midnight and start the day early and alert after a restful, refreshing sleep.
Love makes everything workable For complete harmony of mind, body and spirit, the final ingredient needed is a huge helping of love. Surround yourself with people you love and who love you!
© Kim Beardsmore
About the Author:
Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. Tons of recipes, articles, resources, free newsletter and more to help you lose weight and keep it off forever. Estimate your healthy body weight or receive a free weight loss consultation at http://www.weight-loss-health.com.au
Being pregnant means following a healthy lifestyle is more important than ever. It’s crucial to understand what steps you can take to keep you and your baby in good health.
Prenatal care is one of the vital factors that ensure a smooth pregnancy. The first checkup should occur during the first 6 to 8 weeks of your pregnancy, when your menstrual period is approximately 2 to 4 weeks late. For women who are relatively healthy and have no complicating risk factors, you will probably see your health care provider every 4 weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy, and then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks of pregnancy. After that you will have an appointment every week until you give birth through inducing labor or otherwise.
Nutrition:
Proper nutrition is one of the best ways to enjoy a happy pregnancy. Because you’re eating for two, it’s doubly important to consume healthy foods and stay away from things that may harm your baby as it develops. When you’re pregnant, dieting and cutting calories is not a good thing - you will need to take in about 300 more calories a day to ensure you and your baby are properly nourished, especially as your pregnancy progresses. Caloric intake, however, can vary from woman to woman. For thin women, and women carrying twins, you may be required to consume more than 300 extra calories. Or, if you are currently verweight you might need less. No matter what, you’ll need to contact your healthcare provider to determine what’s best for you.
Of course, pure calorie consumption is not the only goal - you need to make sure that what you eat is nutritionally sound. Nutritious foods contain the essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to a baby’s growth and development.
Although a healthy diet is fundamental to caring for your body during pregnancy, it’s actually quite simple to integrate healthy living into your daily life. Maintain a well-balanced diet by following basic dietary guidelines. Lean meats, fruit, vegetables, whole grain breads and low-fat dairy products are all essential to maintaining good health.
Real, healthy food will provide your body with much-needed nutrients. At the same time, during pregnancy certain essential nutrients are required in higher-than-normal amounts. For example, calcium, iron, and folic acid are especially essential in the diet of a pregnant woman. Although your doctor may prescribe vitamin supplements, your diet still needs to contain nutritious food to provide your body with most of its nourishment.
On a normal basis, women need 1,000 mg of calcium per day, but during pregnancy, calcium consumption should rise in order to keep up with calcium loss in your bones. You can get calcium from a wide range of food products, including low-fat dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt; orange juice, soy milk, and cereals that are fortified with calcium; dark green veggies such as spinach, kale, and broccoli; as well as tofu, dried beans, and almonds.
A pregnant woman requires 27 to 30 mg of iron per day because iron is used by the body to make hemoglobin, which is what helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. A lack of iron leads to a dearth of red blood cells, meaning the body’s tissues and organs don’t receive enough oxygen. With a baby on board, women need to pay extra attention to their iron intake.
Iron is found in both plant and animal matter, but the body absorbs it more easily from meat sources. The following are some foods that contain a good amount of iron: red meat, dark poultry, salmon, eggs, tofu, enriched grains, dried beans and peas, dried fruit, leafy green vegetables, blackstrap molasses, and iron-fortified breakfast cereals.
Many people have already heard about how important folate (folic acid) is for a pregnant woman. For pregnant woman, or those planning on becoming pregnant, it is recommended that you take 0.4 milligrams of folic acid every day. Many women choose to supplement their diet with vitamins in addition to any folic acid intake they receive from food.
It has been found that consuming folic acid 1 month before and during the first 3 months of pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects by 70%, which is why it’s considered so critical. The neural tube is formed during the first 28 days of pregnancy, which is usually before a woman even realizes she’s pregnant, and it eventually develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Lack of sufficient nutrition, particularly a lack of folic acid, may result in a neural tube defect such as spina bifida.
To remain healthy while pregnant, it’s also key to drink plenty of fluids. During pregnancy your blood volume increases, so drinking plenty of water is the best way to avoid dehydration and constipation.
Exercise is a great way to feel great throughout an entire pregnancy. There’s no reason to stop physical activity once you become pregnant; in fact, dietary guidelines suggest that you take 30 minutes or more each day to work out at a moderate pace.
During pregnancy, regular exercise prevents excessive weight gain, reduces problems such as back pain, swelling, and constipation, improves sleep, increases energy, promotes a positive attitude, prepares your body for labor and lessens recovery time after labor.
Proper sleep is another factor in maintaining health and comfort during pregnancy. Pregnancy can take its toll, and after a long day you will feel more tired than usual. As the baby grows bigger, it will be more difficult to sleep, but try to sleep as best you can - it will do wonders for how you feel!
Once you are ready to give birth and are considering inducing labor it is wise to consider all the advantages and disadvantages. (http://www.healthline.com/yourdoctor/pregnancy/inducing-labor/obip02-03tct-p1.html ) Indeed, several authorities recommend you give informed consent before labor is induced. Of course, the baby is an important concern when considering induction of labor, especially the baby’s ability to breathe once delivered.
Following a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, exercising, and drinking plenty of fluids are all important to your overall well-being during pregnancy. If you strive to eat nutritious food and maintain a positive attitude during the course of your pregnancy, the good moments will definitely outshine the difficult ones.
About the Author:
By Katerina Mitrou sponsored by Healthline who provides information on topics such as inducing labor: http://www.healthline.com/ Please link to this site when using this article.
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