Carrying a life inside the womb for nine months is probably the most wonderful experience any woman could ever have. In this stage called "pregnancy," it is very important for an expectant mother to pay attention to good nutrition because this is very vital for her and her baby's health. Pregnancy for regular women is complicated as it is, how much more for women who are suffering from a chronic illness such as diabetes?
During the course of the pregnancy, the mother and the baby need all the energy and nutrients they can get. Pregnancy is indeed not the time to lose weight or go on a diet because having a nutritionally sound diet can increase the chances for the baby to have a normal birth weight, proper brain development, and reduce the risk of certain birth defects. All these and more should be of topmost consideration for pregnant women who have diabetes.
What you need to know
Diabetes has three types, the "type 1 diabetes" which is the least common type but predominantly diagnosed among kids and teens, the "type diabetes" which is the most common to all ages and the "gestational diabetes" which are common for women once they get pregnant. It can be said that among these three types of diabetes, "gestational diabetes" is the easiest to deal with because it usually ends once the woman gives birth. However, this is not always the case because there are also those that continue to suffer from the disease that can lead to "type 2 diabetes" if not monitored and given proper medical attention immediately.
Although almost pregnant women are expected to suffer from gestational diabetes at one point during their pregnancy, there are also those who suffer from it even before they conceive. In this scenario, dealing with diabetes can be harder and much more complicated. But now, with the help of modern technology and advances in the field of medical research, pregnancy for women who are diabetics is fairly easier and lesser risk when it comes to the overall health of the baby and the mother as well.
First things first
For women who are diagnosed with diabetes, getting pregnant should be an utmost decision to make. This is because it will greatly determine not just the baby's health but the woman's overall health condition as well. For women who are planning to get pregnant despite suffering from diabetes, the major consideration to ponder on is the readiness of the woman's body. This is very important to ensure that the woman can meet all the challenges and difficulties that goes with pregnancy.
To know if the woman's body is ready for pregnancy despite diabetes, she should undergo a thorough physical examination administered by a licensed physician. This is very important because the physician can tell if the body is ready for the demands of pregnancy and labor and the possible complications that might occur along the way.
Experts say that pregnant women who have diabetes will most likely develop related complications such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, kidney disease, autonomic neuropathy or nerve damage to the internal organs, and cardiovascular diseases.
What you can do
With proper daily management, many women were able to have successful deliveries. The following are just some of the things that helped them along the way:
- frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG);
- administering insulin injections and identifying how to adjust the doses depending on results of their SMBG;
- controlling and treatment of hypoglycemia;
- maintaining an appropriate level of regular exercise or physical activities; and an
- appropriate meal plan specially designed for women who have diabetes.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Understanding Bad Breath and How to Avoid It
It would really be embarrassing to be told by someone that you have bad breath. That’s why we make sure that we always have proper oral hygiene. This way, we can be sure that we will always have fresher breath and mouth taste. But, you know what? Even if we always have fresh breath, there is still a chance that you may experience having bad breath.
But, there’s no need for you to panic. As long as you know what to do, you can always have your fresh breath back. Here is where the importance of understanding the problem comes in. This goes to say that if you really want to be free from bad breath problems, you should first try to debunk the myths surrounding it.
So what really is bad breath? Also known as halitosis, bad breath is the breath with an unpleasant odor. And depending on the cause, you may have bad breath only from time to time or it can be your long-lasting dilemma. Now, you might wonder might be causing this unpleasant odor. Well, you’re maybe unaware but there are lots of bacteria living in our mouth. They are mostly under the tongue. And these bacteria are the most common causes of bad breath. There are other causes of bad breath, they are the following:
• Mouth infections – when you have gum disease or periodontal disease, there is a high risk that you’ll have bad breath
• Poor hygiene – if you’re not brushing your teeth properly, you will surely have bad breath; plaque will most likely to build up around your teeth which can cause bad breath
• Dry mouth – saliva is important in washing away the foods we eat and if there is not enough saliva, the foods we eat will stick in our tongue and the inside of the cheeks; thus, causing a foul odor
• Infections in the respiratory tract – infections in the lung, throat and sinus problems are also causing our mouth to have a bad odor
• Other bad odor causing agent – the foods that we eat are also among the factors why we have bad breath; like if we eat too much garlic and onions or drink too much coffee. Cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing is also a cause.
Now that you have more knowledge about bad breath and you also know its causes, the next thing that you should know is the ways on how you can prevent having bad breath. Here are some of the things that you can do;
• Proper brushing – you have to brush your teeth properly in order to make sure that there are no bad breath causing bacteria left; you also need to brush your tongue and gums after each meal.
• Flossing – according to dental experts, brushing alone is not enough; you need to floss everyday to make sure there are no food particles and plaque left between the teeth.
• Mouthwash – after eating, it would help a lot to rinse with a mouthwash approved by your dentist.
• Have a regular trip to your dentist – it is recommended that you visit your dentist at least two times a year; regular cleaning and dental examination is important.
Aside from the above mentioned ways to prevent bad breath, drinking plenty of water is also a proven solution for combating bad breath. Water is a great way to loosen the foods sticking inside your mouth as well as to make your body produce more saliva.
But, there’s no need for you to panic. As long as you know what to do, you can always have your fresh breath back. Here is where the importance of understanding the problem comes in. This goes to say that if you really want to be free from bad breath problems, you should first try to debunk the myths surrounding it.
So what really is bad breath? Also known as halitosis, bad breath is the breath with an unpleasant odor. And depending on the cause, you may have bad breath only from time to time or it can be your long-lasting dilemma. Now, you might wonder might be causing this unpleasant odor. Well, you’re maybe unaware but there are lots of bacteria living in our mouth. They are mostly under the tongue. And these bacteria are the most common causes of bad breath. There are other causes of bad breath, they are the following:
• Mouth infections – when you have gum disease or periodontal disease, there is a high risk that you’ll have bad breath
• Poor hygiene – if you’re not brushing your teeth properly, you will surely have bad breath; plaque will most likely to build up around your teeth which can cause bad breath
• Dry mouth – saliva is important in washing away the foods we eat and if there is not enough saliva, the foods we eat will stick in our tongue and the inside of the cheeks; thus, causing a foul odor
• Infections in the respiratory tract – infections in the lung, throat and sinus problems are also causing our mouth to have a bad odor
• Other bad odor causing agent – the foods that we eat are also among the factors why we have bad breath; like if we eat too much garlic and onions or drink too much coffee. Cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing is also a cause.
Now that you have more knowledge about bad breath and you also know its causes, the next thing that you should know is the ways on how you can prevent having bad breath. Here are some of the things that you can do;
• Proper brushing – you have to brush your teeth properly in order to make sure that there are no bad breath causing bacteria left; you also need to brush your tongue and gums after each meal.
• Flossing – according to dental experts, brushing alone is not enough; you need to floss everyday to make sure there are no food particles and plaque left between the teeth.
• Mouthwash – after eating, it would help a lot to rinse with a mouthwash approved by your dentist.
• Have a regular trip to your dentist – it is recommended that you visit your dentist at least two times a year; regular cleaning and dental examination is important.
Aside from the above mentioned ways to prevent bad breath, drinking plenty of water is also a proven solution for combating bad breath. Water is a great way to loosen the foods sticking inside your mouth as well as to make your body produce more saliva.
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