A Step-By-Step Plan to a Healthy Pregnancy

By: Nicky Pilkington

Having a baby is an exciting moment. However, the nine months leading up to the experience can be a bit unnerving. Most women worry throughout their pregnancy about the health of their baby. To alleviate the stress and worry that often creep up during pregnancy, plan instead to have a healthy pregnancy and you can rest assured that you have done your very best to have a healthy baby.

1. Get in Shape Early. When you find out that you're pregnant is not the time to start a new diet or exercise program. If you are planning to become pregnant, make sure you are at a healthy weight and in the best physical activity. Doing this will help you during your pregnancy and can help you to have a problem-free delivery. If your pregnancy is unexpected and you aren't in the best shape possible, don't worry about it. It is possible to have a healthy baby while limiting the amount of excess weight that you gain. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables will give your baby the nourishment it needs while helping you to limit the amount of weight you gain.

2. Your Baby is What You Eat. Your baby depends on the lifeline that you and they share to grow properly. Following a diet that includes all the major food groups is probably the simplest approach to a healthy diet. You may discover your appetite changing during the course of your pregnancy. This is common and shouldn't alarm you if you have unusual food cravings. It is quite acceptable to enjoy "bad" food once in a while, as long as you limit how frequently you indulge in these foods. Since some nutrients aren't abundant in most foods, doctors often recommend that pregnant women begin taking vitamin formulas designed specifically for them.

3. Exercise regularly. While a rigorous exercise program is unsuitable when you are pregnant, it is a good idea to try and get some exercise every day. Many women are nervous about doing anything that may harm their baby. Walking on a daily basis is beneficial for your health as well as for your baby. Before you begin any exercise program, you should first discuss your plans with your doctor.

4. Avoid the big no-nos. If you follow only one step in this plan for a healthy pregnancy, avoid the big no-nos: don't drink, smoke, or take drugs (this includes medications that your doctor has not approved). There are many debates about how these habits can affect your baby. The very fact that it is slightly possible to cause injury to your baby should be enough for you to avoid indulging in any of them during your pregnancy. The use of caffeine during pregnancy is debatable. You should discuss this with your doctor if you normally consume coffee, tea, or soda on a regular basis.

5. Pamper Yourself. Pregnancy is a special time and people will treat you with more attention. You should relish in this time because soon things will return to normal! Don't forget to give yourself special attention. Remember, if you're stressed your baby will feel stressed too. One of the most important things you can do to pamper yourself is to get sufficient rest. If before you were pregnant you spent days burning the midnight oil, you need to make sure you have this habit licked before you become pregnant.

Author Resource:->  You can find additional information about preparing for pregnancy by visiting pregnancy-step-by-step.org.

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The Difference Between Fasting And Starvation

By: Emma Deangela

The body needs food to survive. For sake of survival, Body pushes them to search food when they feel hungry. Searching for food may not always end up in success. A person may decide not to eat for a period because of a specific reason. That is called, fasting.

There is another form called Starvation which means people are willing to eat but they starve to get food due to their low economic condition. Starvation is mainly due to their poverty. The difference between starving and fasting is that a person who starves lacks food and a person who fast does not.

While fasting is a conscious way to abstain from food, starving is a potentially dangerous case that can result in death. Starving occurs as a result of lack of food but fasting can be done in the midst of plenty of food.

A person who is starving is under no delusion about his/her plight and will jump to have food when it is offered but fasting involves completely abstaining from food until at least the time period the person has planned for himself. During religious fasting, the fast is accompanied with prayers for maximum benefit. A starving individual cannot concentrate to pray.

Scientifically speaking, fasting is a great tool to improve the body chemistry and improve the body's metabolic rate. It helps to check one's weight. However starvation shuts down most of the body's processes. It is a mechanism the body uses to preserve energy reserve when the body is not being replenished with new nutrients. When the body's nutrients are not replenished earlier enough, the body will eventually shutdown and death may eventually occur. Starving to death is a slow but painful death.

However fasting and starvation has a thin relationship between them. During fasting, the person feels the pains a starving person goes through, and it has the potential to change people's attitude to the less privileged in the world.

Though it is conscious, a person who is fasting cannot deny that it is a painful experience that requires discipline and determination to complete it. This gives the person a feel of what it is like to live on a hungry stomach. As a result, it can potentially increase their sympathy towards the hungry in society.

Author Resource:->  Click here to learn more about Master Cleanse. Stop by Emma Deangela's site where you can find out all about Body Detox and how to undo years of damage of to your body.

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Detoxification Of Your GI Tract: A Basic Understanding

By: Sandra Kim Leong

There are a number of dietary toxins that can accumulate in your system. One way to get rid of these unwanted substances is detoxification of your gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). Blame it on that fatty slice of pork you had for dinner or your daily consumption of junkfoods for snacks. Simply put, improper diet and innutritious food are the root causes of dietary toxins in your body.

There are several body components that help in eliminating dietary toxins, a process known as detoxification. The GI tract itself is further subdivided into two segments, the lower and upper GI tract. The mouth, esophagus, pharynx and the stomach are the organs that make up the upper tract. These are the main organs where food is initially processed. The lower tract consists of the intestines and your anus. Your small intestine is further subdivided into three parts namely the ileum, jejunum and duodenum. The large intestine also consists of three main organs, the caecum, colon and the rectum. The lower tract is basically responsible for the digestion and excretion of your body wastes. Other excretory organs, including the liver, pancreas and kidneys also aid in detoxification.

When your GI tract cannot perform its functions properly, toxic waste builds up in your body. It then becomes necessary to detoxify and cleanse your tract from these toxins. There may be times when cysts, adenomas or polyps breed in your organs, detoxification would help in removing these unwanted components. Detox cleansing also helps in healing lesions, ulcerations and other tissue problems in your system. It also maintains the tone and the shape of your intestines. Detoxification of your GI tract is responsible in keeping things normal and balance by regularizing PH and eliminating harmful bacteria like candida and other harmful yeasts.

There are a lot of ways where you can detoxify your GI tract. The best technique of detoxifying lies in proper diet and knowing which foods to eat. Some people would also find it beneficial to take in probiotics supplements to aide in the propagation of good bacteria in the intestine to aide in better digestion.

There are a number of medicinal herbs that aide in the detoxification of your GI tract, one of which is dandelion roots. They now come in form of teas. Dandelion roots contain insulin that is need by bifidobacteria, a good bacterium that thrives on the intestines. Dandelion roots are found to be very efficient in detoxification through strengthening and cleansing the liver and GI tract.

Detoxification of your GI tract needs to begin with a detox diet. You can take in fruit juices, vegetable drinks and broths and herbals teas. Drinking plenty of liquid is always beneficial. Cut down on the meat and grains. Fruits and vegetables should always be a part of your meal.

A detox diet may also include the intake of some herbs, psyllium and bentonite. These are known to be effective substances in helping your cleansing.

You should always see to it that every part of your body is well maintained. The excretory and digestive components of your body need regular detoxification to ensure that your body functions are all normal. Removing dietary toxins is very vital in keeping your body healthier and livelier. Get started with detoxifying your GI tract today, and see for yourself the difference it can do.

Author Resource:->  Looking to address your constipation, weight gain, poor energy and skin allergy problems? Need to detox and cleanse? Get free research and special reports by Sandra Kim Leong on detox diets, colon cleansing, liver cleansing and juice fasting here on Detox Cleansing Tips

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Acupuncture During pregnancy

By: Jonathon Hardcastle

Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese method of using tiny needles to stimulate specific areas or "meridians" of the body and to rebalance the body's energy, or chi. Because acupuncture is especially effective for chronic conditions, many pregnant women are turning to acupuncture to provide drug-free relief from many of the unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy.

An Australian study showed that women who received acupuncture treatments regularly before their 14th week of pregnancy had less nausea and shorter bouts of morning sickness than women who did not receive the treatment. Acupuncture has also been used to treat the more serious condition hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes serious vomiting that persists throughout pregnancy.

During the second trimester, acupuncture has been used to successfully treat heartburn and hemorrhoids. In the third trimester, acupuncture can provide relief from sciatica, joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, which many women develop late in pregnancy. Acupuncture has even been used to relieve pain during labor and delivery.

Pregnant women seeking to use acupuncture to treat conditions developed during pregnancy should be sure to visit a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. For example, although acupuncture can be used to treat edema, or swelling of the ankles, edema can be an indicator of a serious problem. An acupuncturist experienced in treating pregnant women would be more likely to recognize this problem and refer the patient back to her obstetrician.

The most serious risk of using acupuncture during pregnancy is that it may stimulate labor if it is improperly applied. Choosing an experienced practitioner reduces this risk to almost negligible levels. In fact, many women have turned to acupuncture to purposefully stimulate labor when their baby is overdue. Some women have found that labor induced by acupuncture is gentler than labor induced by drugs such as Pitocin.

In addition to benefits during pregnancy, labor and delivery, acupuncture has been used to promote fertility and to treat infertility. In a small German study, women who used acupuncture in conjunction with in vitro fertilization had a 42.5% success rate compared to 26.3% in women who used in vitro fertilization alone. Fertility specialists attribute this to the overall improvement of health that comes from receiving regular acupuncture treatments.

Finally, acupuncture may have some benefits in treating post-partum depression. Although no research has been done to support the efficacy of acupuncture treatments on post-partum depression, anecdotal evidence shows that some women do benefit from its use. Because acupuncture does not cause harmful drug interactions, it can be a useful complimentary therapy.

Author Resource:->  Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Alternative Health, Nursing, and Weight Loss

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The Antibiotic Flagyl Side Effects

By: Grigoriy Anoshenko

Flagyl is an effective and valued defense against bacterial infection. The generic name for Flagyl is metronidazole.

Flagyl is an effective and valued defense against bacterial infection. The generic name for Flagyl is metronidazole.

The Flagyl antibiotic is used to effectively kill anaerobic (low oxygen) bacteria and certain parasites in humans.

Areas of the body which may harbor anaerobic bacteria include the liver, abdomen, and pelvis. Infections within these regions that are commonly treated with the antibiotic Flagyl are:

• Bacterial peritonitis (of the abdomen)
• Abscesses of the liver
• Abscesses of the ovaries and fallopian tubes
• Bacterial infections of the brain

In addition, Flagyl may be used to treat bacterial vaginal infections and bacterial infections of the stomach, skin, joints, and respiratory tract infections.

Flagyl may also be chosen in the treatment of parasitic infections such as Giardia lambia and ameba, both of which may cause abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea. Patients taking Flagyl to treat a Giardia infection must follow up with their health care professional to ensure complete eradication of the parasite.

Infections not included in Flagyl labeling, but which Flaygl may be chosen to treat include:

• Colitis associated with antibiotic use
• Balantidiasis
• Dental infections
• Gastritis or ulcers caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)

Flagyl may be prescribed to treat other infections at the discretion of a medical doctor.

Flagyl is generally safe for use by all ages, including premature infants, newborn infants, children, teens, and adults. Flagyl may however cause adverse effects in unborn babies and so it is not used during the first trimester of pregnancy. Likewise, Flagyl is not recommended for breast feeding mothers as adverse effects can occur in nursing infants.

Flagyl may be used prior to, during, and following certain medical procedures to treat or prevent bacterial infection. Patients may be prescribed antibiotic Flagyl before and during bowel surgery. Flagyl may also be prescribed to male and female carriers of trichominiasis even if symptoms of infection are not present in order to eradicate the invader and prevent infection.

Flagyl is subject to allergic reaction and side-effects, although side-effects with Flagyl are generally rare and the drug is usually well tolerated. Side effects may include numbness, tingling, pain, swelling, tenderness, dizziness, irritation, and unpleasant taste in the mouth; very rarely, seizures may result from Flagyl use. Any unpleasant or serious side-effects should be reported to your doctor so that appropriate action can be taken.

Flagyl can be affected by and can affect other medical conditions, and may interact with other medications, so it is important to share your complete medical history with your doctor.

Flagyl is an antibiotic that works best when constant levels of the drug are maintained in the bloodstream, so proper dosing schedules of Flagyl should be maintained to the best of your ability.

Author Resource:->  To find out more about antibiotics like flagyl please visit Flagyl side effects

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Hoodia - magic plant for losing weight

By: Grigoriy Anoshenko

Though just recently made available to the general public, this botanical has been used by the native people of the Kalahari Desert, the San Bushmen, for quite some time. During extended hunting trips, these men would eat part of the juicy stem of the plant in an effort to ward off thirst and hunger, as well as for other ailments such as abdominal cramps, indigestion, hypertension, and diabetes.

Since hoodia is a relatively new on the weight-loss scene, there is not a substantial amount of published research available on its efficacy, but what is available is extremely promising. Scientists have isolated a number of particular compounds in the hoodia plant that work to suppress thirst and hunger. In particular, they have identified a molecule that they have name P57. P57 is steroidal glycoside, which is a chemical that reacts much like glucose in the body, but is substantially more active. Essentially this means that hoodia is 100,000 times faster and more effective at signaling the body that food has been consumed in an adequate amount. Once the P57 molecule triggers the signal that the body has been satiated, the hypothalamus then sends out its own signal to let the body know that it?s time to turn off the appetite. Fundamentally taking hoodia tricks the brain into telling the body that it is no longer hungry. In addition to all of this there are no known adverse side effects to taking hoodia.

Though this herb has so far proven to be highly effective, it is not easily or cheaply available to the general public. Since the plant itself needs about four or five years to mature, it is not a quickly replaced resource. This keeps the prices for this herb quite high, but so far research has shown that individuals who use hoodia reduce their caloric intake about 40 percent on average, so it seems well worth it.

Without the same stimulating and dangerous side effects that come with the now-banned ephedra, hoodia appears to be an excellent option for those looking to lose weight. Of course you should always check with your physician before beginning to use any kind of weight-loss supplement, hoodia seems to be a gentle and effective avenue to a thinner, healthier lifestyle and body.

Author Resource:->  To find out more about hoodia plant please visit Hoodia

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Medical Billing Software Development over the Last Decade

Medical Billing Soft

By: Nick Roggers

The development of medical billing software over the last decade has allowed medical professionals to spend less time on paperwork and more time treating their patients. In addition, all levels of medical administrative staff have benefited from a wide variety of available platforms, increased functionality, and ease of use. We have transformed from paper-bound, handwritten notes to systems which allow doctors and nurses to access and share information with one another and with pharmacists and health insurance company billing departments.

One of the most substantial improvements has been in the area of stand-alone systems available to small- and medium-sized medical delivery professionals. As medical billing software has been developed for smaller providers, these professionals have become able to enter, retain, access, and share information about their patients in minutes instead of days.

One example of this growth is the level of communication between health care providers and pharmacists. For certain medications, of course, a written and signed prescription still is required. However, even in such cases, pharmacists and their support staff benefit greatly from their increased ability to review patients' medical histories and medication histories, especially if an electronic health records system is used. In this way, the development of medical billing software over the last decade has allowed this crucial information to become available to the widest variety of health care professionals possible.

There are certain disadvantages which are serious concerns to both patients and doctors. Primarily, these involve issues surrounding patient privacy and the inappropriate use of confidential information. One crucial component of newer electronic health records software and hardware platforms is the increased security with which they arrive on-site. These include elemental components (e.g., login and passwords) as well as more advanced pieces of the security puzzle (e.g., data encryption and secure data storage). With such safeguards in place, an increasing number of medical professionals have become willing to take advantage of the advancements made in medical billing software development of the last decade.

Another benefit - one which helps doctors, patients, and insurance carriers - is the increased ability to securely transmit data between the point of service (a doctor's office or medical clinic) and the provider of health insurance coverage. A simple task such as determining coverage could have taken hours - or even days. Thanks to the multiple advances in development of medical billing software over the last decade, these delays no longer are routine. In fact, obtaining accurate and immediate coverage information allows doctors and medical support staff to deliver the most appropriate coverage for patients in the timeliest manner possible.

One last area of increased convenience is available to the consumer, also known as the patient. Prior to the development and improved delivery of medical billing software within the last ten years, patients often had to submit cumbersome paperwork and await reimbursement from health insurance carriers. These days, such delays are becoming a relic of the past.

Improved medical billing software has become a boon to all parties involved by saving costs at the doctor, for the patient, and the insurance company.

Author Resource:->  ADSC has truly the ultimate in EHR systems. MedicsElite is developed, marketed, and supported by Advanced Data Systems, a solid company with over 30 years of experience automating EHR and EMR medical practices.

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