House of Health

Another article I have written on Anorexia in hope it can help those that may be a victim of the disease. Help is out there so please seek it so you can healthy again.

What type of person is more prone to having an eating disorder, in a sense you could say everyone. We have those who stuff their face with cream donuts and Chinese takeaways, and those who at the sheer sight of these yummies would throw a wobbler. Because we as individuals differ in personality shape and form so does our taste in food also. Some people like to eat it and others don't. Let us focus on those who abstain. Anorexia is an eating disorder where a starvation course is purposely sanctioned by a sufferer. Anorexia usually starts in young people around puberty, primarily in teenage girls and men too.

Fear of putting on weight has anorexics live under threat from them self of ever living a healthy life or ever having a life to live. Extreme weight loss is the main display of an anorexic person. Weight loss is normally 15% under the person's average body weight. This is an uncontrollable self inflicted condition. Anorexia has at times had people believe they are fat, so fat they died. Anorexics tend to take on excessive exercise, consume laxatives in great numbers and are inclined to avoid meals; they have an intense fear of being overweight. Anorexics need to be carefully dealt with because they are many sufferers are deeply disturbed because of having to hide many issues that rise from this didorder.

Odd eating habits of the anorexic, like refusing to eat, not eating in front of people are the tell tale signs. An anorexic will avoid eating food but can handle it. It is known for them to cook meals for others. Help and support is urgently needed for the patient. Parents of a teen anorexic may struggle to get their child to see sense. The child may revolt and deny what they do or become angry. You must be patient and persuade them to talk to the doctor. Never push unless you want a major crisis on your hands with devastating consequences.

Anorexia has many symptoms, however not all may be experienced by one individual. Body weight that is inconsistent with age is one symptom; others are their build and height, absence of three following menstrual flows can be a sign, refusing to eat while others are present, weakness, fatigue , delicate skin , out of breath , compulsive calorie checking and consumption.

Health risks involved with this eating disorder are shrinking of the bones, mineral loss, low body temperature and irregular heartbeat. Anorexia is often confused with bulima, there is a great difference between the two so therefore the importance for your GP to check you over and determine which one is present to prescribe the appropriate medication/therapy.

Bulimia has a person eat large amounts of food and throw up. Anorexics do not eat big portions but vomit afterwards to empty the content of their stomach. Seek medical help sooner than later. Most common treatment for anorexia is counselling and consultations on dietary needs. Treatments will vary due to severity and the in-depth of the condition.

People who were once a shell of them self are now leading a normal life thanks to medical experts. We say normal because it is not normal not to eat. Counsellors are compassionate in understanding and help anorexics see this. Treatment procedures for this eating disorder can take time; it is not a condition which results in an overnight cure. Psychological counselling is a powerful approach to helping those who suffer; it helps decipher between both eating disorder symptoms and the fundamental psychological and cultural forces that may well have given cause to its beginning,

Young girls have been known to follow suit of models that host skeletal frames, not recommended and must be avoided at all costs. Fashion houses are now housing the larger model to walk the catwalk due to the fact that "Skinny is Unhealthy." Just ask those who recovered and are now one of those people who love licking the cream of the doughnut.

For your own safety or that of someone close that you see behaving in an unusual manner concerning their eating habits then seek medical attention as soon as.

Teen Sex

Penis Problem

Vaginal Infection

This government's new controversial plan to educate and tell our babies all about the birds and the bees. And comments from Deidre Sanders has impelled me to write this article.

As young as five years of age, kiddies are to be primed for lessons on sex related issues in hope to help lower the number in teen pregnancies.

For gods sake we are talking about babies here who struggle to count to 10 as it is, without number 10 sticking its oar in. At least let the children hit puberty where their understanding is a slight clearer before this action is made law.
Research has proven that early education on matters as such, has helped teenagers to hold back on their urge to sample a taste of two becoming one.

The plan is expected to omit facts on genital warts etc and just provide details on the context of real life relationships not delving into the nitty gritty human plumbing as it was put, so the good news is, our babies escape listening to all the gory details that can result from unprotected sex.

If and when it comes into force and your child starts to show bodily interest in the opposite sex, then surely he/she has the right to know all the gruesome facts. Awareness should be top priority on the list of importance for fear of our children becoming involved with infected partners. The sad thing is not many carriers know that they have an STD and therefore are unaware to the hazardous health risks that they may generate through sexual contact.

The horrors of unsafe sex STDs genital warts an all is most certainly a deterrent giving kids second thoughts before going back for a seconds. Highlighting the pain and heartache from unsafe sex on a more serious note may help prevention; it is not to be ignored.

Tell me what 5 year old is going to give up their Barbie doll/remote control car for a bit of the other. What next a condom in their lunch box.

No doubt views will differ on this matter, some parents will welcome this decision then there will be the strongly opposed majority.

It seems from the snippet read; apparently parents can not rely on telling their children that underage sex is unacceptable.
Teaching infancy minded innocent children on what their bits are for may cause problems. Give a kid a bike he/she will ride it, give a piece of chocolate they will eat it, give them the ingredients like a penis/vagina/male/female then you have the perfect recipe for an early pregnancy, who knows even at the early age of 5 years old.

Our government already have our children walking round like little Joe Nineties (Boffins) I am totally aware of the importance of education for our families but teaching our kids on how to play mummies/daddies before they can even pronounce the very words, is beyond me.

As a protective parent I would like to think that I still have the right as a mother to teach my kids right from wrong. And what I see right for my child is what nature intended, to grow up and have a have a childhood. Parents will always rely on the advice they give to their children, whether they listen is a different matter.

Hearsay has it to say goodbye to the good old rubber dummy and make way for the new pacifier a rubber sheath.

Teen Sex

Penis Problem

Vaginal Infection

Anxiety and Depression

If every expectant mother were to know that their baby had made plans to arrive earlier than expected then word has it that all pregnant women would be prepared and ready for the arrival of the premature baby. Unfortunately the word premature means just that - earlier than expected with no guideline to times or dates.

We all have faith in our doctor and trust that the due dates he or she gives for the birth of our babies is 100% accurate. So you can understand why a premature birth can come as a surprise or shock for the pregnant woman. It is at a time like this where some confused women question the GPs prognosis. Believe me when I say doctors are never far wrong in their calculations, but alas, they hold no crystal ball to foresee or predict that there is a premature baby on the way.

Premature babies need a lot of care and attention after leaving the womb so this is why we give thanks to the world of modern technology and to all the life saving masters in the medical profession that nurture our before-time babies with their knowledge, thus increasing the odds for their survival. Hospitals today are well equipped to deal with emergencies like early births. The welfare of the premature baby is first and foremost in all hospital maternity wards.

The reasons given behind why a woman may go into labour earlier than anticipated are all health related factors e.g. smoking-poor diet-infections-twins-cervical ineptitude and other conditions that can be life threatening such as pre-eclampsia. All of these can speed up the process where premature baby births are likely.

Premature births can cause problems for the new born baby where their ability to breathe properly is hampered by under developed lungs.
Babies delivered earlier than 32 weeks and weighing approx 3lb 5oz are normally born with under developed lungs which cannot conceal surfactant, a kind of frothy matter that holds back the inner surfaces of the lungs from sticking together and because of this the infant may experience severe breathing problems - Respiratory distress syndrome otherwise known as RDS.
Depending on how early the baby is born the more prone they are to suffer from RDS.

Birthing after the thirty second week then this condition is less of a problem. If doctors feel you are at high risk of going into labour sooner than your due date then a course of injections/injection can be administered to help strengthen your unborn babys lungs.
A premature babys immune system is not fully developed so therefore makes them more vulnerable to infections. Early babies usually develop a touch of jaundice due to an immature liver which is treatable by doctors with the medical aid of phototherapy lamps.

Babies born at 22-23 weeks have a 24 per cent chance of survival, at 24 weeks this rises to 31 per cent. Premature babies delivered at 25 weeks then their chances are increased by 50 per cent and from 32 weeks onwards most babies can survive without medical assistance.

During your pregnancy make sure to ease up on your intake or cut out things that are considered to bring on a premature birth. Pregnant women can become stressed throughout pregnancy (not all) which is not good for your health and that of your unborn child. A great option for you to consider in helping to combat stress is to take up Yoga. This type of exercise will help you relax before and after the birth. Yoga has proven to be very comforting for women. Before any form of exercise always consult your doctor

Premature babies can grow up as healthy as any other infant. November the 12th 1987 was the due date given to me by my doctor but my little boy decided to break the rules and made his appearance on September 23rd weighing in at 3lb 12 oz. My premature baby is now a strapping 6ft 2 mathematician.

Anxiety and Depression

The biggest majority of women who concern themselves over developing breast cancer are the ones who do not even bother to do a self examination (Not all)
Self inspection of the breasts should be a main priority for every woman.
Breast Cancer caught in the early stages of growth will give better odds for the patient to control the disease with the help of today`s modern medicines and technology.

Breast cancer is common among the female species and can be a death sentence if ignored. By neglecting yourself in this department with absent regular check ups then you can expect a painful road ahead - congested of heartache and pain for those close to you as well. Breast cancer is treatable, so now is the time to set a date in the diary for regular self breast examination.

One of the first signs or symptoms of breast cancer is a lump in the breast. You will find that most breast lumps discovered early are rated as 9 out of 10 as being benign. Breast lumpiness can be that of breast change which usually becomes more obvious just before the start of a period,
(Menstruation) particularly in women over the age of 35

Also cysts/sacs of fluid is not uncommon in the breast tissue causing a feel of lumpiness. Fibroadenoma is a collection of fibrous glandular tissue which is more notably known to occur in younger women
If you notice a change in the shape/size of the breast or a lump even thickening then always check this out with your doctor. Other signs to look out for is dimpling of the skin or nipple shape changing, for example, if the nipple turns in or sinks back into the breast. Blood-stained discharge from the nipple or an unusual blemish or rash around the surrounding area needs to be checked out.

A swelling or lump under your armpit can also be a sign. If you have found that you have any of the above symptoms then seek medical attention right away.

Do not worry at this stage because breast lumps as such do not necessarily mean cancer. However the above mentioned inverted nipple or blood stained discharge etc can mean another type of ailment, either way these will need attention

The doctor will examine the breast and if necessary will refer you to a specialist for further checks. If the results from a mammogram or ultra sound shows a cyst, then to have it removed may entail draining it through a fine needle. If the lump is solid then treatment will be with the use of a very fine needle where a sample of tissue will be taken and tested for cancer cells.

This is a disease you can fight but once it spreads, then the breast cancer becomes a battlefield leaving you fighting for survival. Early detection can stop this war.

Pregnancy - It has been said that a woman is at her most beautiful when pregnant. Well I am about to burst your bubble and tell you that there are women out there who beg to differ - especially for those saying goodbye to their 36 -26-36 figure for the next 9 months. Well ladies have I got news for you, this is just one of the many changes you can expect throughout your pregnancy.

Carrying a baby and all that extra weight can take its toll - proving very stressful for some women who tend to feel ugly about them selves at this time, why? When in the world of fashion you have designers who focus purely on the pregnant woman.

In the world of cosmetics we call it a make over and in the world of pregnant women it is called a cover up. This only apply`s to the woman who is still trying to come to terms with her new look similar to that of a sumo wrestler.

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience and even more special when holding your new born baby in your arms. If this is your first pregnancy then you may need a little more understanding on the baby`s development within. At first you may not even be aware of any baby movement like the odd flutter all because the whole process is new to you

It is around 18 to 20 weeks into your pregnancy when you may experience your first sensational sensation. Don`t expect your baby to constantly kick because there will be times baby needs to rest.
From as early as 20 to 24 weeks the activity inside the womb will gradually increase and from then onwards over approximately the next ten weeks, your baby will be in overtime mode with kicks and turns.

From 24 to 28 weeks baby can develop hiccups, which will explain any jolts you may feel occasionally throughout this period. It is at this time the amniotic sac will now contain up to 750ml (26floz) of fluid which permits the infant in the womb to move around freely. Into the 29th week your baby will start to make smaller but more distinct movements because of the limited space - in other words hard to manoeuvre inside a cramped uterus.

Positioning time for baby is classed as normal around the of 36th week where the infant is now in the head-down position, Expect baby`s activities at this time to feel like prodding jabs from the feet and arms followed by a couple of uncomfortable rib kicking episodes.

From 36 to 40 weeks the baby inside the womb will be of a good size therefore less action. Activity on the inside is a lot less frequent now and even more so during the last two weeks of your pregnancy. The infant now waiting to make his/her appearance will have their growth rate slowed down slightly. This is nothing to worry about as it is completely normal.

For all those pregnant women who still feel the need to cover up then go and fashion your self up from head to toe with all the latest trendy designer gear in maternity wear but what you have to remember is, that you can never cover up the end result - can you MUM. Get back in shape.