Health

As naturally as it may occur, breastfeeding is not always the easiest thing as it requires much time and investment. As a mom, you want to ensure you offer your baby the best, and for this reason, you may wonder if you are doing it right. Since you might not have all the answers, a lactation consultant in Madison, WI, can help address any of your concerns. While problems such as sore nipples can pop up along your nursing journey, experts still recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months. Here are examples of common lactating problems and their fix.

Sore nipples

Cracked or sore nipples are a common lactating problem that is usually a result of different things, including shallow latching, dry skin, and sometimes pumping the wrong way. Most women get cracked nipples during the first week of breastfeeding when the baby is learning to attach to the breast. Putting up with sore nipples may worsen the pain, and you should therefore seek help from your midwife or doctor. Some women may also experience bloody discharge, which is scary but is nothing to worry about.

Breast engorgement

Your breasts may become firm and rigid, making it hard for the baby to latch. Engorged breasts can be uncomfortable for moms and may even cause pain. It is a common problem during the early stages of breastfeeding when your body is still figuring out milk production regulation. You may also experience this when your baby starts eating solid foods and less breastfeeding. Your breasts can also become fuller when the baby is not feeding well or taking long breaks between feedings. You can make the breasts softer by hand-expressing before lactating the baby, which also flows the milk. Nursing frequently is also another way to prevent or reduce breast engorgement.

Clogged milk ducts

Clogged or blocked milk ducts are usually a result of prolonged breast engorgement. You can quickly tell when there is a blockage in a duct since a hard lump usually forms on the breast. Frequently feeding on the affected breast can help with this problem. If this goes unrelieved, you can develop redness, a fever, and your breast can also be sore to touch, a problem known as mastitis. The ducts can also clog for other reasons, such as wearing a bra with an underwire, improper pumping, and compressing your breasts while sleeping. Squeezing your breasts with a warm towel and massaging them can help break up the clog.

Inadequate milk supply

Breastfeeding is typically a supply and demand chain, which means that the more you breastfeed, the more your body produces milk. For this reason, you may worry that your baby might not be getting enough during the first week of breastfeeding. Low milk supply may be caused by certain medications, taking too long before breastfeeding, or not feeding your baby often enough. Other causes include insufficient glandular tissue and endocrine or hormonal problems. Consider pumping during the day and frequently breastfeeding to boost milk production.

Whether you are a new mom or have experienced the nursing journey before, consult with your specialist at Physicians for Women – Melius and Schurr for in-depth information about lactating.

Being a parent is one of the joys everyone desires at some point in their lives. Medical experts have come up with cutting-edge fertility treatments to ensure that the LGBTQ community can experience this joy. If you are a member of the LGBTQ community and would like to expand your family, the experts at NOVA IVF offer LGBTQ Fertility in Mountain View to help you achieve your dream.

What fertility treatments can lesbians consider?

The professional team at NOVA IVF offers a wide range of fertility treatments for lesbians desiring to become parents. The experts perform a comprehensive fertility workup to determine the factors preventing you from conceiving. They also educate you on the available fertility treatments and recommend the most effective one to help you achieve your parental goals. You can discuss the pregnancy carrier with your partner depending on your personal preferences or medical status. Your doctor examines the uterus and fallopian tubes on the partner carrying the pregnancy as protocol. Some of the treatments that the team may recommend include:

• Sperm donation

The specialists at NOVA IVF work with nationally certified sperm banks to help you select your donor sperm. You can also approach a distant family member or friend to step in as your sperm donor.

• IVF

IVF involves one partner providing an egg and the other carrying the pregnancy. This fertility treatment is more complex as compared to the alternatives. Your doctor tests you and your partner and prescribes medications to boost your fertility. After retrieving the eggs, the team inseminates the eggs with the donor sperm, and after the embryos mature, your provider transfers them to your uterus.

•  IUI

This treatment involves placing the sperm into your uterus using a catheter penetrating your cervix.

What fertility treatments should gay couples consider?

During your appointment with your partner, the team at NOVA IVF conducts a semen analysis to evaluate your morphology, volume, motility, and concentration. Some of the available treatments include:

• Egg donation

You and your partner can work with the NOVA IVF team to choose an egg donor from the facility or choose a family member or friend. The team examines the egg donor to ensure that she is healthy.

• Surrogacy

A surrogate refers to a woman who donates her egg and agrees to carry the pregnancy to term but has no biological link to the unborn baby. Depending on your preferences, you can use a gestational carrier or a close friend as your carrier.

How can you know the appropriate LGBTQ fertility treatment for you?

The experts at NOVA IVF offer extensive fertility assessments and consultations to determine the most appropriate treatment for you. The team at the facility does not provide surrogacy services or sperm donation, but they work with agencies to help you complete your fertility treatment successfully. The group offers personalized treatment plans depending on your body’s needs.

If you are an LGBTQ community member and would like to have children, call the NOVA IVF office or schedule an online appointment for effective fertility treatments today.

It seems that this is a famous phrase today. We see it all over the television, on magazine covers, and even on the Internet. The commercials entice us to purchase some product that promises to tighten, firm, and rejuvenate our vagina. What? Why? What exactly are they talking about when they use this term (and what isn’t it)?

Vaginal rejuvenation is a broad term that can include surgical and non-surgical procedures. Some of the more common surgical procedures are vaginoplasty (the reconstruction of the vagina), labiaplasty (the reduction of the size of the labia), and hymenoplasty (the restoration of the hymen). Several non-surgical procedures are being marketed as vaginal rejuvenation. These include laser therapy, radiofrequency treatment, and even electrical stimulation. This article provides more details about vaginal rejuvenation and why you need to visit a Cypress vaginal rejuvenation specialist for any procedure.

Who Needs It?

You may be wondering why you should go to a vaginal rejuvenation specialist. The answer is that only a select group of women need these procedures. If you are looking for a more intimate connection with your significant other, some treatments can help improve the sensation during intercourse.

However, if you have been diagnosed with any form of pelvic organ prolapse, then you may need surgery to correct the problem. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more pelvic organs – such as the uterus, bladder, or bowel – drop from their normal position and into the vagina. This can lead to several problems, including urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence.

How Does It Work?

It is essential to understand how these procedures are carried out. Vaginal rejuvenation is performed by a board-certified doctor who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. These specialists have advanced training in pelvic surgery, including reconstruction of the vaginal canal using various techniques.

The most common surgical procedure for vaginal rejuvenation is vaginoplasty. This procedure is used to reconstruct the vagina and involves the removal of excess tissue from the labia and clitoris. The vaginal muscles are then tightened, and the opening is reduced in size. Labiaplasty is a procedure used to reduce the size of the labia. This procedure can be performed on both the labia majora and the labia minora.

The most common non-surgical procedure for vaginal rejuvenation is laser therapy. This procedure involves using a laser to heat and shrink the collagen in the vaginal tissues.

Radiofrequency treatment is another non-surgical procedure used to tighten the vaginal tissues. This treatment involves radiofrequency energy to heat and shrink the collagen in the vaginal tissues.

Electrical stimulation is a non-surgical procedure used to tighten the vaginal muscles. This treatment involves using electrical currents to heat and shrink the collagen in the vaginal tissues.

In summary, vaginal rejuvenation is a broad term that can include surgical and non-surgical procedures. You may need it to increase sensation during intercourse or have any form of pelvic organ prolapse. It involves different procedures such as vaginoplasty and labiaplasty. Laser therapy, radiofrequency treatment, and electrical stimulation are some of the treatments used.

Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body uses glucose. Diabetic people have high sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin. It is impossible to avoid this condition, but you can change your lifestyle habits. You can also visit Humble diabetes and obesity specialist to learn more habits.

1. Eat Healthily

It is advisable to eat healthy if you have diabetes because food affects your glucose levels. You should focus on eating enough food for the body and eating enough vegetables. Lean meats and nonfat dairy will also prevent this condition.

It will help to shun high sugar foods and limit your carb intake.

2. Workout

It is advisable to stay active if you want to avoid diabetes. You can start by riding a bike or walking. Make sure you have at least thirty minutes of daily activity that will make you sweat.

You will manage your diabetes by living an active life. This is because exercise lowers your sugar levels. Working out also reduces your chances of getting heart disease. It also keeps you free from stress.

3. Handle Stress

Your blood sugar goes up when you are stressed. It becomes hard to handle diabetes properly whenever you are anxious. Stressed people forget to eat well or exercise, which triggers the condition.

It will help to look for stress-managing ways that will keep you relaxed. An example is yoga or working out.

4. Go for Checkups

It will help to visit a doctor at least twice a year to avoid this condition. Diabetes makes you more prone to heart diseases, so you should know your numbers.

It would help if you went for a complete eye test annually and checked for conditions like cataracts.

5. Stop Smoking

Diabetes is associated with heart diseases, stroke, and others. Active smokers are more likely to get these conditions. Smokers hardly exercise, and this is a leading trigger of the diseases.

Kindly visit a doctor to get insights on how to quit smoking.

6. Moderate Your Alcohol Intake

You can easily control your blood sugar levels if you do not drink a lot of beer. There is no harm in taking alcohol, but you should have a limit. The recommended limit for women is one drink and two for men per day.

Alcohol can either raise or lower your blood sugar. This means you should check the levels before you start drinking.

7. Replace Refined Grains with Whole Grains

Whole grains are those that retain their nutrients after processing. Foods prepared using whole grains are fine, but those from intact whole grains are better.

You can also replace grains with vegetables for better results.

8. Take More Fiber

Examples of foods rich in fiber are fruits and vegetables. Legumes are also rich in this component. People who eat high-fiber foods take fewer calories and have moderate weight.

Diabetes is a prevalent condition, especially with the old. It is hard to avoid it, but you can change your lifestyle habits to achieve this.

Homocysteine

Homocysteine ​​is an amino acid produced by the breakdown of proteins. The high levels of homocysteine are also known as hyper-homocysteinemia. Homocysteine high levels may cause blood clots and damage the arteries in your blood vessels. High levels of homocysteine indicate folate and vitamin B-12 deficiency. The normal homocysteine level ​​in blood is less than 15 micromols per liter of blood. High homocysteine levels ​​are divided into three main types. Moderate homocysteine is 15-30 mcmol / L, intermediate is 30-100 mcmol / L, and severe is more than 100 mcmol / L.

Symptoms of High Homocysteine

In adults, homocysteine does not cause any symptoms; however, it can occur in children. Symptoms vary from one person to another. Your physician may recommend a homocysteine ​​test if you have symptoms of a vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms are weakness, dizziness, pale skin, mouth sores, tingling sensation in the arms, hands, feet, legs, fatigue, and mood swings. Folate deficiency symptoms are often mild and are the same as vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. These include mouth sores, tongue swelling, fatigue, development issues. Anemia overlaps folate and vitamin B-12 which cause additional symptoms such as fatigue, personality change, irregular heartbeat, pale skin, weakness of muscles and unstable movements, numbness in the hands and feet, weight loss, breath shortness, dizziness, confusion, or forgetfulness.

Causes of High Homocysteine

Homocysteine ​​is usually converted to other amino acids for the body to use. Vitamin B assists the body in utilizing homocysteine. If you have high homocysteine ​​levels, you may have vitamin B deficiency. Most people with high homocysteine ​​levels do not get enough vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or folate in their diet to meet their body’s needs. Consumption of these vitamins often helps normalize homocysteine ​​levels. Other possible causes of high homocysteine levels ​​are kidney disease, thyroid hormone low levels, certain medicines, psoriasis when you have a family history of this condition.

Pregnancy Complication in females

During pregnancy, homocysteine levels should decrease. Although in some cases, the homocysteine levels increase. Hyperhomocysteinemia is linked with neural tube defects of the fetus that cause multiple conditions, including abruption, placental vasculopathy, preeclampsia, and recurrent miscarriage. It is suggested that folate consumption may decrease the neural tube defects risk in the fetus. A study showed that hyper-homocysteinemia was linked to a two- to three-fold increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension, abruption placentae, and restricted intrauterine growth.

Additionally, hyperhomocysteinemia leads to oxidative stress in pregnancy. In uteroplacental tissues, oxidative stress has been recognized in severe uteroplacental disturbance development, an unusual but serious pregnancy complication. Further, hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress were observed in women at risk of miscarriage or premature birth. As a result of hyper-homocysteinemia, these complications indicate the need for homocysteine ​​testing.

Diagnosis of High Homocysteine

To measure your physician may perform a blood test to determine how much is in your blood. It can also indicate the cause of blood clots if you are deficient in vitamins. You may have to fast before the test. Certain vitamin or medication supplements can affect the test results. 

Treatment of Homocysteine High Levels

Once you are diagnosed with high homocysteine ​​levels, you may need to change your diet to lower homocysteine levels. If you are deficient in vitamins, you can increase B vitamins and folic acid consumption by eating foods rich in folates, such as orange juice, green vegetables, and beans.

Conclusion

High homocysteine during pregnancy is linked with neural tube defects of the fetus that cause multiple conditions, including abruption, placental vasculopathy, preeclampsia, and recurrent miscarriage. Folate consumption is recommended to decrease the fetus’s neural tube defects risk.

 

If you are in Toronto Smiles on Queen can help you understand more about how dental care can improve your life.

Most of us will encounter tooth decay at some point in our life, to a smaller or larger extent. If you have dental discomfort, it might be a sign of a cavity, and you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Tooth decay happens when food particles and bacteria in the mouth combine to form plaque, which adheres to the enamel of the teeth. Plaque breaks down into acid over time, corroding the tooth. Tooth decay can occur in persons who are genetically prone to it, or it can occur as a result of poor oral hygiene.

What Are the Most Serious Health Consequences of Tooth Decay?
Dental decay and cavities may appear to be small concerns with little urgency, but if ignored for too long, they can have serious consequences for your health. The following are some of the most devastating consequences of untreated tooth decay:

When decay persists beyond the gum line or in deep cavities in your molars, bone loss can occur. When combined with the normal bone loss that happens with age, this might be an issue if you ever need implants or other orthodontic treatment. Gum recession can be hastened by untreated dental decay. This might raise your chances of developing significant periodontal disease.

Tooth decay has been related to an increased risk of heart disease, according to Harvard Medical School research. Tooth decay pain can affect your quality of life, and if it’s severe, it can make you miserable and lead to poor nutrition and sleeplessness. Complications from tooth decay, such as acute infection that enters the bloodstream or septic shock, can result in death in rare and extreme situations.

Good oral hygiene can help prevent dental decay, but even flossing and brushing on a regular basis isn’t always enough to prevent cavities. The comprehensive inspection that occurs in conjunction with bi-annual cleaning and scaling, as well as x-rays to identify concealed deterioration, is critical to your overall health. Cavities can then be treated, or the tooth can be removed if the decay is severe.Dental decay does not have to be a severe health issue if caught early and treated.

Tattoo removal is on the rise. It’s almost like tattooing was a fad that has come and gone. But tattoos are not always something people regret. Many people do want them removed for various reasons, such as changing careers or just wanting to wear certain clothes without having tattoos on show. So how does it work? An anesthetics center in Brooklyn Heights will offer you the proper guidance on the tattoo removal procedure. Before choosing a specialist in tattoo removal in Brooklyn Heights, here are some fascinating facts to understand.

• It’s a Safe Procedure

The first thing to note is that tattoo removal is a safe procedure. It is performed with lasers, and the laser beam passes through the skin to the tattoo ink. The laser breaks up the ink into small pieces, absorbed by the body and eliminated through its natural cleansing processes. 

The procedure is painless, and there are no side effects, although the skin may be red immediately following treatment. This can last a few hours or a day while new skin cells regenerate beneath the surface of your skin, replacing old ink with fresh cells.

• Laser Doesn’t Extract Ink From the Skin

Some people think that the laser beam extracts ink from the skin, but this is not the case. The laser beam breaks up the ink into small pieces, eliminating the body’s natural cleansing processes.

• It Works on All Colors of Ink

The laser can remove all ink colors, although it may take a few treatments to remove the tattoo altogether. In some cases, a touch-up may be required after the initial treatment.

• Some Tattoos are Easier to Remove Than Others

The tattoos that are easiest to remove are those that have been applied in recent years using modern techniques and equipment. These tattoos usually contain smaller amounts of ink and are not as deeply embedded in the skin as tattoos applied using traditional methods. Older tattoos are more difficult to remove and may require more treatments.

• The Cost of the Procedure Vary

Removing tattoos from the lower back, thighs, arms, and shoulders is much cheaper than removing them from places like the face or neck. Laser tattoo removal can cost thousands of dollars. It may be more affordable for you to cover up your old tattoo with a new one.

• You May Need a Touch-Up

In some cases, a touch-up may be required after the initial treatment. This is because some ink may remain the first treatment, and additional treatments will be necessary to remove the tattoo altogether.

• You May Need to Wait a Few Months Between Treatments

The time between laser treatments will vary depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo and the number of treatments required to eradicate it. In general, you will need to wait at least a few months between treatments.

• There is No Recovery Time

There is no recovery time between laser treatments, and you will be able to return to your normal activities immediately. Your skin may be red immediately following treatment, but this should fade within a few hours or a day.

When it comes to removing tattoos, not all are created equal. Some of them may require more treatments than others, and the time between treatments will vary depending on the complexity or size of your tattoo. In general, you will need to wait at least a few months between treatments. However, some tattoos are removable in less than a month or only a single treatment. Seeing a specialist is essential.

Age spots can be described as tiny and dark patches that usually appear on your hands and face as you get older. Typically, these sports are harmless but can affect your self-esteem by making you feel less self-conscious. Fort Worth age spots are managed and treated by a team of experienced specialists who play an essential role in reducing the look of this irregular coloration using skin rejuvenating treatments. Below is all you are required to know concerning age spots.

What are age spots?

Generally, age spots form on your shoulders, arms, face, and hand. Most importantly, these sports commonly form in body parts that get exposed to the sun. They are brownish and are found in most people who are fifty years and above, but you can have them if you keep spending most of your time in the sun or live in sunny places.

According to most physicians, these age spots are not harmful, but cosmetically, they make you appear older and less attractive. Therefore, you are advised to use sun protection products and stay out of the sun when it is hot and intense. However, if you already have age spots, various treatment options are available.

What treatments treat brown spots or age spots?

Specialists offer various treatments to make the age spots or brown spots fade effectively, and a more effective skin complexion is formed. They are as follows:

PicoFOCUS is one of the effective options available to treat both age spots and brown spots. It involves using a gentle and fractionated light-based treatment that is very safe for every skin type. PicoFOCUS also helps reduce acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. 

The second treatment option available is IconMaxG photofacial which emits light that passes through the upper layer of your skin, targeting melanin and hemoglobin.  Melanin and hemoglobin are pigmented compounds that play a role in skin discoloration. The emitted light is absorbed and dissolved by the coloration and later eliminated by your body. Another method is by taking chemical pills, which increase the rate at which old skin cells shed and new and evenly pigmented skin forms. Alternatively, you can also use topical creams to treat mild discolorations on your skin because they make them fade. The best creams are those prescribed by the physician.

Which is the best treatment for your age spots?

The most effective treatment for your age spots depends on the health of your skin, how many spots are there, and the depth of these spots. However, before deciding which treatment option will work best for you, the health care team begins by performing a thorough analysis of your skin. After that, the care provider will recommend the best treatment option to improve your skin tone significantly. The expert team always ensures that each patient receives an individualized treatment plan to attain their aesthetic goals.

In a nutshell, if you have brown spots or age spots, call or consult Skin Deep Laser MD today, whereby the care provider will perform a thorough analysis of your skin complexion. Afterward, the health care team will recommend a particular treatment that suits your needs and attain the desired outcome.

Peripheral artery disease is a severe medical condition that can be painful and result in severe complications like amputation. Therefore, if you are diagnosed with any peripheral artery disease, you are required to seek consultation early enough to help your specialist find these complications on time. The Plano peripheral artery disease specialists have learned how this condition could negatively affect your life and hence offer innovative treatments to help lower your complications and risks. In case your significant blood vessels pass through the whole cardiovascular system, reach out to an experienced cardiologist.

What is peripheral artery disease?

Peripheral artery disease is an illness that occurs when plaque accumulates in your arteries leading to reduced blood circulation. Therefore, peripheral artery disease typically restricts blood flow to your lower extremities, even though this condition can affect arteries on any part of your body. Due to reduced blood circulation, you might experience leg pain with exertion or rest. At times you can also experience cramping, discolored skin, dry skin, aching pain, wounds that won’t heal quickly, and a feeling of heaviness, cold, numbness, or weakness in your legs.

What are the risk factors for peripheral disease?

Some risk factors are high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, tobacco use, being above 50 years, and heart disease. It can also cause leg and foot sores. And if these sores are left untreated, they might get infected and lead to leg amputation or severe limb ischemia. This condition is also accompanied by an increased risk of heart disease and reduced blood flow to your heart, leading to heart attacks and Angina.

What are the treatments for peripheral artery disease?

The care provider offers customized treatment plans and various effective treatments for peripheral artery disease, including supervised walking therapy, medications, minimally invasive procedures to help open up blocked arteries, physical rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes like exercise and diet. It is also essential to understand that before treatment, the doctor starts by assessing your condition based on your family history, symptoms, and medical history, among many factors. He begins by inquiring more about your lifestyle, particularly concerning your lifestyle, including exercise and diet. He also makes use of other treatments when need be. Generally, a healthy lifestyle that incorporates regular exercise, stress relief, and a nutrient-dense diet can help prevent and manage peripheral artery disease.

A minimally invasive treatment can be performed to restore blood flow to the legs, thus preventing feet or leg amputation.  However, if a minimally invasive procedure is completed, you can be discharged home on the same day; hence won’t affect your busy schedule. Some of the effective minimally invasive treatments include:

• Stent- it involves the use of a metal scaffold to keep an artery open.
• Atherectomy- it involves the removal of a plague from your artery to allow sufficient blood flow.
• Balloon angioplasty- balloon angioplasty involves the insertion of a tiny tube into your blood vessel to help flatten the blockage and increase the flow of blood.

Suppose you are having peripheral artery disease symptoms and want to prevent your leg or foot amputation, call Prime Heart and Vascular today.