Cord blood is probably the last thing your thinking of when your delivering your bundle of joy. Saving Cord blood may be one of the most important decisions you can make in yours and your babies life. Cord Blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after the cord is cut. The blood left in the umbilical cord may be used for medical issues or even life threatening illnesses. There are a number of companies that offer cord blood banking, you need to research the most experienced banks and then go from there. Most cord blood banking companies will work with your current physician in collecting the cord blood stem cells. The Cord Blood Banks then receives and stores the cord blood for any future use.
Archive for the ‘Health’ Category
Cord Blood
Friday, March 14th, 2008Does Chamomile Have Side Effects?
Thursday, February 28th, 2008Chamomile is typically found in teas and normally used for anxiety, restlessness, and sleeplessness. The FDA states that chamomile is safe but used in large quantities or at highly concentrated levels there may be a possibility of nausea or vomiting. There also have been instances where people with an allergy to ragweed may also have a reaction to chamomile.
What is a cold and how do you get it?
Thursday, February 28th, 2008Many people get a cold and know that they really don’t feel good, but how many people really know what a cold is? A cold is an upper respiratory infection that is caused by a number of different viruses. The throat, nose and sinuses are mainly affected but the ears, eyes and lymph nodes may also become affected. A cold is normally transferred from person to person contact, where small droplets of a virus floats through the air after a sneeze or cough. The symptoms of a cold start to take affect after about two days but may not be noticed until seven days after exposure.
Children apparently are more apt to catch a cold due to the fact that they haven’t built up as much of an immunity as an adult. If you average out how many colds a child normally gets a year it estimates at about eight to twelve. Healthy adults estimate at about two to three colds a year, but if your a parent to a child care or school age age child it may be more. Also I will add that sitting in a draft, having wet feet or wet hair are old wives tales and will not give you a cold. A cold is a virus that you catch.
Menopause Signs
Thursday, February 7th, 2008Menopause signs may begin between the ages of 45 and 55 although there are a number of cases that women may have signs as early as their 30s or as late as their 60s. Menopause is the natural change in a womans life when the monthly reproductive system cycles discontinue.
The first sign upon entering menopause is typically a shorter or irregular menstrual cycle; this is the first sign of hormonal changes leading into the transition. After the menstrual cycle has ceased the ovaries begin to shutdown. During the ovary shutdown the ovaries no longer produce estradiol. In the absence of estrogen the reproductive organs shrink and the urethra becomes thin. Each woman is different and while these changes begin there may be other body changes occurring. The breasts may lose layers of fatty and glandular tissue when menopause is in transition. Also months after menopause begins women may experience vaginal dryness due to the fact that the vaginal canal no longer needs to prepare for vaginal delivery.
The most commonly known menopausal discomforts are insomnia, hot flashes and night sweats. Depending on the individual the discomforts may be manageable or intolerable. These discomforts normally subside after about 2 to 5 years. Only about 25 percent of women are lucky enough to not experience any discomforting symptoms. It is always best to speak with your physician about all your symptoms and see what kind of treatments they suggest. Research for yourself on what you think may work best in your situation.
Alcohol Abuse Treatment Center
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008An alcoholic going into an Alcohol treatment center will not fix the problem alone. The individual must wholeheartedly participate in the alcohol abuse treatment center program in order to become chemically free. The healthcare workers at the facility are only a small tool in the alcoholics road to recovery. Basically when someone enters an alcohol abuse center the staff identifies what steps need to be taken to reach the patients goals to recovery. The treatment facility will interview the patient to determine any concerns and fears the person may have. In a good treatment center the staff will be honest, assertive and sensitive to the individuals feelings and needs. Trust is a major tool that is imperative for alcoholics to recover in a safe and supportive setting.
Depending on the stage of alcohol abuse determines the treatment required for the individual. There are four stages of alcohol abuse with varying signs and symptoms. The first stage is Pre-alcoholism, this involves occasional drinking and an increase in alcohol tolerance. Prodromal is the second stage where there may be blackouts, drinking in secret and the denial that there may be a problem. The Crucial stage is third and just like the stage name this is the time where an alcoholic begins to lose control and rationalize the drinking to others and themselves. During the Crucial stage there is a loss of outside interest combined with self pity and a loss of self esteem. The fourth stage is the Chronic stage, this stage is where the individual is constantly intoxicated or binges for days at a time. During this stage thinking is seriously impaired which affects relationships and job performance due to obsession with drinking.
Any of these stages may require alcohol abuse treatment and should always include a support group during and after treatment like AA (alcoholics anonymous). Recovery from alcohol abuse is a very difficult process and requires support in all aspects of an alcoholics life.
Health Insurance Plan Comparison
Tuesday, February 5th, 2008This is a health insurance plan comparison that won’t name companies but gives you a better idea of the type of insurance plan that will work best for you. There are many health care coverage companies on the market and it can truly be confusing to understand.
The more traditional insurance is a fee for service plan also known as an indemnity plan. The indemnity plans are a pay as you go plan, your provider will issue a bill for each visit or procedure. Pay the bill directly and then the insurance company will reimburse for the covered expenses. These plans generally cover costs for general practice care, dental care, medicines and psychiatric treatments.
The majority of the medical insurance plans are known as managed care plans. This has been designed to keep the rising costs of health care down. The innovative concept of managed care plans was to find doctors and hospitals willing to keep healthcare costs to a minimum. Some of the managed care plans are Capitated (per capita or per head) where doctors and hospitals are paid a certain amount each month for each added patient in their care with the preferred insurance plan. Other providers will charge a lower rate in order to be sent a higher volume of patients; this is called a discounted fee for service plan. Managed care plans have a lower premium expense and are not limited to a certain amount of doctors visits. The only two negative aspects of the managed care program is if you currently have a doctor they may not be a participating provider and the other issue is they may restrict treatment options that may be necessary for the individual. Always research for your personal needs. If you currently have a physician find out who they are organized with, normally they have more than one. If you have a health issue check and see what companies cover the treatment or treatments needed.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Monday, February 4th, 2008Tricyclic antidepressants are used for depression to increase the serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. There are different degrees of depression and the Tricyclic antidepressants are generally used to treat depression, insomnia, sexual impotence and cognitive decline.
The possible side effects that commonly occur are sedation, urine retention, dry mouth, weight gain, blurred vision and blood glucose changes. It is not recommended for people with hypersensitivity, asthma, heart disease or alcoholism. When starting this medication these antidepressants tend to take about 2 to 3 weeks to become effective. Professional counseling and or support groups are very effective along with Tricyclic antidepressants. It is imperative to keep a good quality relationship with your physician during the duration of treatment.
Antidepressants During Pregnancy
Saturday, February 2nd, 2008There has been a lot of controversy about antidepressants during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, taking antidepressants during pregnancy may be harmful to the unborn child. But it may also be harmful not to treat severe or extreme depression for the mother. When an individual has severe depression they are more likely to be a danger to themselves and their unborn child.
There are a few different antidepressant options to keep in mind if depression is so severe that it is necessary to take something during pregnancy. Tricyclic antidepressants are mood elevators and increase the level of serotonin and norepinephrine, these are suggested for someone who may have decreased amounts of the two neurochemicals. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) increase the availability of serotonin to the brain and are used to treat various illnesses along with depression such as impulse control disorders, obsessive disorders and anxiety. Also MAOIs are generally used after other depression medications have not worked. MAOIs have a number of side effects and seem to be the most dangerous of any other antidepressant during pregnancy. All of the above medications have side effects and if you find out you are unexpectantly pregnant and are taking an antidepressant consult your physician before discontinuing the medication. Discontinuing antidepressants during pregnancy may cause a number of physical and psychological symptoms that could harm the unborn child.