Thursday 30 June 2016

Home Remedies for Stress

Some of the home remedies for stress include practicing breathing exercises, yoga, working out, and eating healthy food. The intake of ashwagandha, ginkgo biloba, chamomile, lavender oils, and licorice are also useful home remedies for stress. These are simple remedies without any side effects.
Stress has become a common problem for people all over the world. It not only affects the health of a person, but it also affects the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive sides of a person.
Stress can mean different things to different people. However, it is mostly used in the context of psychology and  biology. Under biological conditions, stress is related to the biochemical imbalances that are the result of a psychological disturbance taking place in in a person. The goal of the body (chemically) is to maintain a steady state or equilibrium at most times. There are psychological aspects of stress as well. Psychologically, each person is different; so is their response to stress. Events or situations such as war, famine, and childhood abuse can lead to stress-related disease known as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Stress in our bodies can also be aggravated due to the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, prescribed drugs, and narcotics.
Stress can be traced back to our early days of evolution. It was stress that helped and is still helping animals to stay out of danger. This concept developed by Walter Cannon in the early 1920’s is known as the ‘fight or flight’ response, where an animal under attack generates energy rapidly with which it can either fight back or flee from the situation.
Today in our office and corporate environments, one cannot opt for either “fight” or “flight”. The accumulation of chemicals such as cortisol and norepinephrine takes place in our body during stressful conditions. These chemicals are not flushed out easily and they remain in our bodies causing health issues. Some of the most common conditions that result from stress include anxiety, tension, sleeplessness, dizzy spells, nervousness, cramps, acidity, heartburn, and backaches. These can be either immediate or short-term conditions.
Stress can result in long term conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, a high level of bad cholesterol, and poor heart conditions. It is also known to affect a person’s immune system in the long run, making us susceptible to diseases. In some cases, stress has been traced back to a low functionality level of vaccinations.

Types of Stress

There are different types of stress that might not be controlled with the same type of remedies.
Acute Stress: This is the most common form of stress found in people. This type of stress 
Stressworkplace
is generally related to the pressures from the recent past and near future.  A small dose of this stress can be thrilling, like the feeling you get from sliding down a slanted hill. However, many people may not be able to enjoy this if the dose is higher than usual. Acute stress pertains to regular pressures and it causes bursts of anger, anxiety, headaches, jaw pain, backaches, heart burn, acidity, constipation, diarrhea, and high blood pressure.
Episodic Acute Stress: This type of stress is the next level of acute stress, where a person will be handling number of pressures or demands simultaneously. The symptoms of episodic acute stress include aggression, anxiety, impatience, tension, short-temperedness, high blood pressure, accelerated heartbeat, backaches, and high acidity. Their impatience and aggressiveness is sometimes perceived to be hostile and they end up being some of the worst communicators. On the other hand, there are others who are very depressed and sad rather than aggressive. Those kind of people can also face the same type of symptoms.
Chronic Stress: A major percentage of chronic stress sufferers end up as alcoholics or drug addicts. Major issues at work, in personal or professional life like estranged relationships, loss of loved ones, or unemployment contribute to chronic stress.  The worst affected are not actually adults, but children. The psychological trauma that a child goes through under such situations may have a profound effect on his or her life in later years.

Symptoms of Stress

Some symptoms to look for in terms of stress-related problems include the following.
Poor Memory: Stressed out people experience poor memory capacity. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol, which can affect the brain’s hippocampus area, which stores important information in the form of neural connections. Research indicates that cortisol can rupture the existing connections and destroy newly formed or currently forming connections. In other words, the stress hormone cortisol can result in a poor memory when it is exposed to the brain in extended or lengthy quantities.
Lack of Concentration: Under stressful conditions, the release of cortisol disrupts the formation of new memories, which is the reason why it is difficult to maintain concentration while under stress. Studies on lab-induced stress and cortisol ingestion suggests that the presence of cortisol, both naturally and ingested, resulted in impaired memory.
Pessimistic Attitude: Pessimism or negativity is one of the symptoms seen in people suffering from stress.
Constant Worrying: Stressed out people often worry constantly for no apparent reason. Sometimes, the reason for worry could be a remote possibility, yet a good amount of energy is wasted in thinking about something that may never happen.
Constipation and Diarrhea: Constipation and diarrhea are also seen in people with stress. Stress causes the rectum muscles to tighten up, thereby leading to constipation. On the other hand, some people under stress can feel the opposite and may not be able to control the rectal muscles. There could also be situations where a person experiences both constipation and diarrhea in continuing cycles. Continued constipation and diarrhea cycles can lead to hemorrhoids or piles.
Faster Heartbeat and Chest Pain: People who are stressed and tense experience a faster heartbeat. This is due to anxiety, which arises from the subconscious thoughts about future uncertainties. This may lead to hypertension or high blood pressure. People suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure have a greater chance of suffering from strokes.
Lack of Sex Drive: Lack of sex drive is yet another major symptom that people complain of whilst stressed. Stress and sex share a few connections in the form of hormones. It has been found that stress can have a direct relationship with diminishing or neutralizing hormones that are responsible for a person’s sex drive.
Eating Disorders: Eating disorders can also be categorized under stress-related disorders. Psychologically, there are two types of eaters. One is an emotional eater and the other is a restrictive eater. Emotional eaters tend to eat whenever they are stressed out, feeling sad, or during any frustrated moments. Restrictive eaters, on the other hand, tend to stay away from food when they are stressed out. They are also known to frequently diet and stop eating certain types of foods. Thus, they might suffer from malnutrition.
Sleep Disorders: Sleeping disorders arise out of over-thinking about the day’s events or future events before going to sleep. Other factors, such as over-working, anxiety, caffeine, and tobacco consumption are also known to create sleep disorders.

Home Remedies for Stress

Some home remedies that can help in reducing stress include the following:
Ashwagandha: Withinia Somnifera or ashwagandha, also known as Indian Ginseng, has been used in Ayurveda for treating diseases such as osteoarthritis, Type II diabetes, and cancer. It is successful in treating anxiety and stress. Ashwagandha is available in capsule form and powdered form.
Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo biloba has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for treating various ailments.Scientific evidence suggests that ginkgo is also a very good stress reliever. It is believed to be one of the oldest living trees on earth. The average ginkgo biloba tree is believed to be as old as 4,000 years old.
Licorice: Licorice has been known to be an ancient herb that offers many benefits for millennia. Recentresearch has showed that licorice is also a very good stress-relieving medicine. This herb is believed to be very useful in diseases such as asthma, Athlete’s foot, fatigue, cold and flu, gingivitis, fungal infections, yeast infections, psoriasis, and ulcers.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea is advised to be taken before sleeping so that stress levels are lowered, which can result in sound sleep. Dried chamomile flowers are also used as medicine. It is a good cortisol neutralizer.
Chamomile and Lavender: Chamomile and lavender essential oils can be used for relieving stress. A studyshowed that a massage with chamomile, lavender, and geranium oils reduced stress and fatigue levels in many patients. Daily massages for 5 to 10 minutes would lower stress and fatigue levels considerably.
Healthy Diet: People under stress may ignore nutrition and healthy food. One should have wholesome food that includes items rich in proteins, carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid sweets, deep-fried and shallow-fried foods, as well as plain calories under stressful conditions. Instead, opting forvegetables or fruits can be a very good solution. The vitamins and minerals in vegetables and fruits act as antioxidants and reduce the incidence of stress-related hormones in the body.
Vitamin C-Rich Food: Vitamin C can effectively lower stress levels at both physical and psychological levels. Astudy showed that Vitamin C or ascorbic acid had positive effects on stress levels. It is found in citrus fruits, uncooked vegetables, and herbs.
Yoga: Breathing exercises are known to be very effective in reducing stress in people. Particularly, pranayama in yoga is known to be one of the best home remedies for stress. The process of pranayama includes slow deep breathing, which is very effective in various disorders such as stress, insomnia, hypertension,depression, and migraines.
Regular Exercises: Exercise on a regular basis has been proven to be a very good stress reliever. Take up any kind of exercise such asrunning, cycling, orswimming. Workouts will not only help in reducing stress, but will also burn off those excess calories that you have been planning to shed for some time.
Planning and Time Management: Proper workout plans with goals and deadlines, if made and followed, can help you perform well at your work, achieve goals, and help reduce stress levels. This can also be used in your personal life depending upon the need. However, set your goals in a realistic way so that they are achievable.
Make Time for Yourself:Allocate some time for yourself, especially after work. During this time, do not think about the things that trouble you. Instead, focus your energy on a hobby or on an interest. Pursuing an interest can be a very good stress reliever. Spending at least 1 to 2 hours a day having fun with a hobby can clear your mind from those stressful thoughts and leave you with a good feeling at the end of the day.
Share It: Sharing your bad experiences for the day with a loved one, a good friend, or a colleague can be a good way to handle stress. It will reduce the burden that you have been carrying all day and can give you some relief. Sometimes, the people that you’re sharing your experiences with might come up with some novel ideas to deal with your work pressures.
Spend Quality Time with Family and/or Friends: Try to spend quality time with your family and/or friends. Go for a long drive with your family or friends. It can be fun and will also relieve your stress at the same time. Not only this, it could help reinforce the relationships with your family members and/or friends.
Laughter: Laughter is a good solution to stress. Watch your favorite comedy sitcoms, shows, and movies. You could also think of joining in a laughter club in your location or going to see a comedy show at a club!
Don’t Forget to Sleep Well: It is very important that you get a good night sleep every day. Stress causes sleeplessness and a lack of sleep can aggravate problems. So, in order to avoid insomnia, practice meditationfor a few minutes before you sleep.
Take up Social Work: Help others who are in dire need of your assistance. Your good deeds will not only benefit those around you, but will also leave you with a very good satisfied feeling.
Positive Talking to Yourself: Positive and retrospective talk to oneself can have a significant impact on stress levels. Stand in front of a mirror and talk to yourself. This can give not only positive feedback, but can also instill confidence in yourself.
Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol: Tobacco and alcohol are two of the most important addictions that need to be avoided, especially during stressful times. Generally, addicts believe that alcohol and tobacco are stress-relievers, but scientific opinion states otherwise. Alcohol and tobacco are only stimulants whose effects are temporary.
Avoid Caffeine: Excessive consumption of caffeine in the long run also increases stress levels. Research on college students showed that caffeine increased blood pressure, which eventually resulted in increased stress.

6th Week Pregnancy - Symptoms, Baby Development, Tips And Body Changes

As you enter your 6th week of pregnancy, you are reaching a milestone of being halfway through of your first trimester. Whew! There are 5 such phases left to go.
If you have been a woman who is proud of being in control, this could be the time to shed the pride. Your mood may spring from one extreme to other making you feel embarrassed of yourself. But don’t be; it is not you but the upheavals in the hormones that are causing all the changes in your mood and your body.
You are not alone; there are thousands of mommy-to-be around the world who share this predicament with you. Being aware of your 6th week pregnancy symptoms will make you deal with them conveniently.

The First Prenatal Visit:

Your home pregnancy test can predict your pregnancy accurately by the 6th week. You may or may not have confirmed your pregnancy with your gynaecologist yet. If you haven’t been there yet, plan for your first and very important prenatal check up sometime soon.
The visit is not just to confirm your pregnancy, but also to get some necessary and important tests done which include-

  • Blood test
  • Rh factor test
  • Iron deficiency test
  • Pap Smear test
  • Examination of your pelvic region.
  • Test to rule out urinary tract infection.
  • Urine test to check glucose, red and white blood cells, bacterial infections and protein.
The doctors will take necessary tests to ensure that you and your baby will be safe and healthy for the next 8 months. You will have to answer all their questions honestly. If you have addictions, drink alcohol or smoke, confess about it honestly with your doctor. Do not hide information which could mislead them.
Apart from answering their questions honestly, get all the doubts you have lingering on your mind cleared by asking questions. Take your partner along with you, so that he can get answers to his own questions as well. Also, after knowing what is good for you, he will be there to help you make right decisions during your pregnancy. This would be the best time to get clear picture about how sex during pregnancy is going to affect you or your baby.
Most probably you will have to go through an ultrasound scan after the confirmation of your pregnancy. Ultrasound scan early in the pregnancy can detect ectopic pregnancy, which can be life threatening if left undetected.
You need to have a full bladder for the abdominal scanning, because it will provide a wider and deeper field of view. Anyway it would be wise to wait another week or two before going for an ultrasound scan which makes the findings more clear. Often, a scan in the 6th week will show very little of what is going in your uterus or nothing at all.

6 weeks Pregnancy Symptoms and Signs To Watch Out For:

There are no visible changes in your body yet, but internally there is huge surge of pregnancy related hormones that are changing the functions of your organs including the uterus and bladder. You may either gain as much as 5 pounds of weight by the time you step into 6th week of pregnancy, or lose some weight due to morning sickness and nausea. Both are natural occurrences which you need not worry about.
Your uterus is beginning to grow to accommodate the baby and the placenta, but it is not enough to show on the outward. Let us discuss in details some of the 6th week pregnancy symptoms but will continue for few more weeks.

1. Increased Frequency in Urination:

The increased urine output is something you can notice and feel easily, as this can be a matter of discomfort to you; especially if you have to get up in the middle of the night to relieve your bladder.
6th week of pregnancy would be just a beginning, hence you better mend your relationship with the bathroom as you are going to spend more and more time there as the pregnancy progresses.
The mother’s blood volume will expand during her pregnancy, as a result the kidneys will receive more blood flow and moreover the blood is flowing at a faster rate. The increase in volume and rate of blood flow will help better functioning of the uterus and also provides the required nourishment for the growing baby. But unfortunately, this will also increase your urine production. Take plenty of fluids, especially water to keep up with the change.

2. Congestion:

Do not panic and rush pop in pills if you feel as though you are congested or have a cold. It is nothing but the result of swollen mucus membranes which are more mucous due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy.

3. Fainting Spells or Dizziness:

During pregnancy, you are more prone to a vagal reaction, which is a neurological reaction which dilates blood vessels and decreases your blood pressure.
The cardiovascular and nervous system sometimes fails to cope with the changes in blood pressure. The lowered blood pressure decreases blood supply to your brain which may cause a temporary feeling of light-headedness or dizziness.There could be spells of fainting during this period, which will pass away.

4. Mood Swings:

You will be shocked to notice the extreme mood swings you will have during the first trimester of your pregnancy. You may begin to notice that you may feel extremely happy one moment and then start feeling extremely sad the other.
You may keep changing your attitude towards your pregnancy, thinking whether this is the right thing happening to you or not. Do not doubt yourself as a parent because of this, as this roller coaster ride of emotions is common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes occurring in you. Do not hesitate to reach out and talk to your partner or a counselor about how you feel and what you are going through. You don’t have to deal with your emotions all alone.

5. Morning Sickness:

When you are 6 weeks pregnant, morning sickness is probably the best-known and one of the worst symptom that makes its presence felt quite early. You can identify the morning sickness with the queasy feeling you have and rushing to the bathroom to throw up.
Though there is no sure way to tell what causes morning sickness, like everything else, blame it on the hormonal changes. Morning sickness is going to last you for the whole of first trimester. Fortunately, it starts to subside as your pregnancy advances. Morning sickness can appear any time of day or even in night at times. Lot of things triggers it like the smell of trash (which is natural), smell of tea brewing (now that is surprising) or even the smell of flowers. You will feel the bile rising in your throat and have instant urge to throw everything up. That is morning sickness for you.

6. Concerns about your Body:

It is not unnatural for you to start worrying about your body and worry whether motherhood is going to make you less attractive. Don’t worry about that, pregnant women oozes of graceful beauty and a mother is the most beautiful woman in the world. Practically, you may notice that today, women do not change physically after motherhood if they take proper care of themselves.
The body bounces back to normalcy after childbirth, and on top of that you have your princess to boast of. Don’t go through the guilt, if you are worried about your body, because this is again a part of pregnancy woes.

7. Changes in the Baby:

The most important development you see in your baby in the 6th week is the first movement she makes. Since the early ovum stage when she has been motionless, finally now she is able to make gentle movements that cannot be felt by you, but nevertheless they are there.
Another important change is that the gorgeous mouth, the amazing eyes, the more than perfect nose and beautiful ears of your little princess, which you will not stop admiring in future, are developing in your womb at this moment. Don’t be too excited to have a look at your baby, because all the beautiful features are just taking shape at the moment. She still looks like a tadpole but the tail is not as long now as it was in the 5th week.
The eyes and nose appear just like dark spots on the head that is oversized. The ears instead of protruding outwards appear like a depression at the sides of the head where as the arms and legs look like tiny buds. The neural tube, connecting the brain and spinal cord, closes at this time forming brain at one end and spinal cord on the other.
The rate of your baby’s heartbeat will be more than double of your own. The heart beats somewhere between 100-160 times every minute, pumping blood inside the tiny body. There are tiny lesions which will later develop into lungs, pancreas, liver and intestines. Finally, by the end of 6 weeks of pregnancy, the embryo develops from a layered disc to adopt a C-shaped curvature. It is now fast changing into a curved body form with a head and tail.

8. Size Of The Baby:

The approximate CRM measurement of the baby is somewhere in between 1/5th – 1/4th of an inch or 2-4mm, which is about the size of a small pea or lentil. The shape is yet to resemble a human baby, though the head and torso are fast forming now.

Care and Tips:

Take care of health and avoid situations that will make you sick. Even if you have followed hygienic habits earlier, this is the time to take extra precautions. You don’t want to be sick in addition to suffering from morning sickness; moreover, it could harm the development of your baby.
  • If there are heavy objects to moved around or lifted, wait until you find someone to help you out.
  • There is nothing more important at this moment then the safety of your baby. Pass on the duty of cleaning the toilet, dealing with phenyl, bleach or chlorine to some other member of your family.
  • Cook your food well. Wash the raw vegetables cleanly before you consume them.
  • Take plenty of water and nutrients to substitute the loss through nausea and vomiting. Remember, mineral supplements cannot be substitution for healthy and nutritious food.
  • Get dressed and go out to have some fun and fresh air once in a while. Do not allow the morning sickness to turn you into a bedridden, pajama clad grumpy woman.
  • Eat smaller portions of meal more often than trying to have one big meal. This will help you eat enough and also keep morning sickness at bay as it is worse on an empty stomach.
  • Multivitamins such as folic acid should also be taken as it can prevent neural tube defects of the brain and spine in an unborn baby. Despite the fact that you can take it throughout pregnancy, it’s more important in the early stages of pregnancy and before the conception as well.

For Dads to Be:

Take active part in the prenatal visit your partner will have with the doctor this week. Pay attention to what the gynaecologist is saying about taking care of your partner during her pregnancy. If you have any doubts or worries about 6th week pregnancy symptoms & signs your wife is showing, then discuss them with your doctor.
Most of the time, it will be nothing more than the normal changes taking place during pregnancy. This is the time when your partner is feeling insecure and vulnerable both physically and emotionally. Assure her that you are going to walk with her in every step she takes in the journey of parenthood.
Do not hesitate to rub her back, or bring her a glass of water when she is going through terrible morning sickness if you are around. It will mean a lot to her and will assure her that everything is going to be OK.
Hope you will follow all these useful tips, when you are 6 weeks pregnant. Be smart, remember that you’re staying healthy for two now.

5 Weeks Pregnant - Symptoms, Baby Development, Tips And Body Changes

The lowdown on symptoms, baby development, tips, body changes
Are you pregnant or are you not? If that’s the question that has been troubling you since long, it will be put to rest finally. You are now nearing the time of revelation of the great news. In some cases, the women may have discovered about their pregnancy before the 5th week whereas some may have to wait for another week or two.

5 Weeks Pregnant:

Knowing you are both going to be parents can be exhilarating, scary and inexplicable to both you and your partner at the same time. The first thing you need to do in the 5th week is to confirm your pregnancy. Most women decide they are pregnant if their period is more than a week late. However, this may be an unreliable method in modern times, especially if your periods have not been regular in past few months.
Want to know how to confirm your 5th week of pregnancy? Here is your answer.The most convenient way is to take a pregnancy test at home. You may find pregnancy kits are easily available at the every local drugstore; in addition, they are easy to understand and use. There are different types of pregnancy kits available in market which varies in shapes, sizes and colour as well. You can choose from the range of test strips, midstream tests and digital tests.
Pregnancy is a delicate matter. Consult Trusted doctors at Lybrate.

How To Use A Pregnancy Kit:

All pregnancy kits come with their own step by step instructions for you. Typically, you have to test your urine through the pregnancy test kit and wait for a few minutes for the results. If you test either positive or negative, it is always wise to have another back-up test to double check, before you let your emotions take over you. There are some confusing terms involved with these tests, which you must understand before making any conclusions.

False Positives And False Negatives!

Some home pregnancy kits depend on the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) in the urine to detect your pregnancy. The hCG levels do rise steeply after conception, but they take time to reach a level where they can be detected by a urine test. Consequently, even if you have conceived but are quite early in the pregnancy, the result may come out as false negative.
The chances of false-positive result are less compared to false-negative results. False-positive results is, when the pregnancy kit tells you’re pregnant when in reality you are not. This false message is given out when there is either blood or protein present in your urine. Medications taken for controlling convulsions, tranquilizers and hypnotics may also be responsible for showing up false positive results on your pregnancy kit; so if you’re under any of these, it’s always wise to double-check.

Causes Of Failure In Home Pregnancy Tests:

False pregnancy results can happen when you if you:
  • Are on medications
  • Take test too early into the pregnancy
  • Could not understand or follow the instructions given on the pregnancy test kit in a proper way
  • Used a pregnancy test kit that had been on shelf beyond expiry date
  • Collected urine following large amount of fluid intake
Hence, no pregnancy kit is infallible; it is therefore, recommended that you don’t depend on the results given out by your pregnancy kit entirely. Confirm with your gynecologist for further clarification. Finally, do not rush to tell the world you are pregnant this early. Take your time and let things settle down before you let others know.

Clinical Pregnancy Test:

As you cannot completely rely on a home pregnancy test, you’ll have to eventually go to a clinic to confirm your pregnancy. Along with a urine test, the healthcare professional will also have your blood tested for pregnancy. These tests will get you a confirmed answer to your question, whether you are pregnant or not for sure.
In the clinic, you’ll be taking other tests, as prescribed by your physician. A quantitative test will be done to measure the levels of hormones present in your blood which will give you a clue regarding any abnormality present in your pregnancy. Being informed about what to expect will help a lot in early pregnancy.

Choosing a Hospital:

This is another important step you should take once you know you are pregnant. In fact, it would be great if you decide on a good maternity hospital beforehand and have your pregnancy test done there.
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby would be to stick with one hospital, so that they can maintain your record and keep track of changes taking place in you and your baby. Do not hesitate to ask questions and collect information about the hospital you choose. Being familiar with the hospital will make you feel comfortable when you go there for your final D day show.
Your gynecologist/obstetrician is going to be hand-hold you in the journey of pregnancy. He/she is also responsible for guiding you, helping you cope with the changes and detect any abnormalities in the baby or pregnancy. They will guide you about antenatal care and also give you advice about the lifestyle you should follow and nutrition you require for next few months/years. Considering the important role she/he has to play in the course of events unfolding in front of you, make your choice wisely!

Signs and Symptoms: Changes in your Body During 5th Week of Pregnancy:

The first inevitable change you see in your body would be the missing of your menstrual period. The outer signs of pregnancy can be seen only when the bump appears, which is quite far away for now. But there are some early pregnancy signs that may appear in your 5th week itself.
  • The most obvious and inevitable missing of your period
  • Mood swings resulting from changes in hormone levels in your body
  • You will feel the urge to urinate often, though the outcome could be scanty
  • You may experience nausea and morning sickness though it will not be severe
  • Your breasts may feel tender and sore
  • Extreme fatigue which prevents you from carrying out your regular day to day work
  • Excessive saliva keeping your mouth wet
  • Cravings for specific foods, as well as sudden aversions to some
Is the list scaring you away? Don’t worry, all these mentioned 5th week pregnancy symptoms and some more are going to appear during your pregnancy, but handling them will be easy. Giving birth to a new human being is not going to be a piece of cake, but then, the result will be worth every effort.
Pregnancy is a delicate matter. Consult Trusted doctors at Lybrate.

Changes In The Baby:

The baby, now called an embryo, is growing inside your warm and protective womb. At this stage, it looks like a tadpole, sporting a tail as well.
Though your baby is growing at a rapid pace, all it has managed is to reach is 0.118 inches in length. In the early stages of pregnancy, the measurement of the baby is taken from the crown of her head to the bottom of her rear end which is known as CRL measurement.
By the end of 5th week pregnancy, your baby may be size of an orange seed and measure anywhere between 1-5 mm in length.

Care and Tips:

No matter how healthy your lifestyle has been so far, you may have to make certain changes during your pregnancy. A dramatic albeit hidden change is taking place within you. Everything you do now will leave a lasting impression on your life. Here are some tips that would help you when you are 5 weeks pregnant.

1. Manage And Maintain A Good Exercise Routine:

If you have been a couch potato for long, now’s the time to start exercising. You need to be extra fit and strong to endure pregnancy and childbirth. If you’re healthy, the baby growing inside you will be too! Exercise will also help you get back into shape easily after child birth.
Don’t Overdo Anything. If you have been exercising heavily, then this is the time to tone it down. Consult your doctor to know what exercises are safe and good for you and your baby.

2. Say No To Alcohol:

There is no evidence to prove what amount of alcohol consumption is safe for your baby. Hence, in the best interest of your baby, it will be great if you can avoid consumption of alcohol as far as possible.

3. Do Not Literally Eat For Two People:

Though there is another life growing inside you, it is just a small embryo and does not require a full meal. Don’t fall prey to the many pregnancy myths you may come across- stick to the basics. Many women tend to eat for two which may lead to weight gain. It is not the quantity but quality of food that is important at this stage.

4. Get Fresh Every Day:

You will already be given folic acid and vitamin D supplements by your doctor, but you need to add oranges, red peppers, kiwi fruit and berries to your diet to get enough amount of vitamin C. The growing cells of your baby will require extra nourishment; hence you need to consume more supplements.

5. Avoid Sea Fare:

Though seafood is very healthy, avoid eating raw or under cooked sea food during your pregnancy. If the seafood is not properly cooked, it may carry parasites like tapeworm which can make you sick; moreover, it will drain your body of the essential nutrients needed for the baby’s growth. Pregnancy is not the right time for enjoying sushi!
Hope you liked our post. Please do share your feelings you have experienced when you are 5 weeks pregnant. Get in touch with your closed ones to find out what’s normal and what’s not.

Improving Sperm Motility














Often, difficulties with conception are related to issues with sperm. There are three main issues associated with sperm, including:
  • Sperm Motility – This means that the sperm struggle to navigate through the cervical mucus and female reproductive system.
  • Sperm Count – The likelihood of conception is lowered due to low sperm counts in the semen.
  • Sperm Morphology – Sperm are not formed properly, meaning that they might be unfit for fertilization.
Luckily, sperm motility can be improved in several different ways.

IMPROVING SPERM MOTILITY WITH DIET AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES

If you’re experiencing issues with sperm motility, making changes in your diet and lifestyle can help.
Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are two of the main issues that can impact your sperm motility. These bad habits also affect the sperm count and overall sperm health in a negative manner.
Nutrition can also affect sperm motility, especially because diets low in carnitine are thought to cause issues with regard to sperm. L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnintine are two amino acids thought to improve sperm motility by providing sperm with energy via the transference of fatty acids to the proper location within the body. Red meats are especially rich in these amino acids.
Deficiencies in certain nutrients, especially vitamin A and C and zinc, can also impact sperm quality and motility. Healthy sperm production is also promoted through consumption of adequate amounts of folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. If you find it difficult to consume the right types of foods or nutrients required for healthy sperm health, high-quality supplements can help. There are some supplements specifically intended to promote sperm motility, making them ideal choices for men suffering from these issues.

LOW SPERM MOTILITY AND HORMONE DEFICIENCIES

A deficiency in testosterone is another common culprit of low sperm motility. However, this issue is easily resolvable. In fact, there are many ways in which you can naturally increase testosterone levels, including:
  • Weight Loss – Being overweight can severely impact both your general health and testosterone levels. By taking efforts to lose weight, you can improve both simultaneously.
  • Intense Exercise Routines – While exercise is generally good for your health, rounds of short, intense workouts can help to build your testosterone levels. However, it is important to keep in mind that longer, more moderate workouts will not produce the same effects.
  • Increase Levels of Vitamin D – Healthy doses of sunshine or taking supplements for vitamin D are essential. This is because vitamin D has been proven to help increase testosterone levels.
  • Reduce Stress – Stress triggers the body to produce cortisol, a hormone that blocks the effects of testosterone. Taking the initiative to reduce stress through exercise and meditation can help.
  • Medication – Sometimes, modifying your lifestyle isn’t enough. Fortunately, there are medications that can help in these instances.

LOW SPERM MOTILITY AND PHYSICAL AND GENETIC ISSUES

In some instances, improving low sperm motility is unfortunately impossible. If a genetic defect is the cause of low motility, there is no way to correct the issue through the use of supplements, medicines, or hormones.
In other cases, low motility is caused by physical defects such as variocele. While the physical problem can be corrected, sperm motility might not improve as a result.
It is important to seek a proper diagnosis for genetic and physical issues. If you find that neither a genetic or physical problem is the source of low sperm motility, you can turn to lifestyle modifications or other methods to effect positive changes.

4th Week Pregnancy - Symptoms, Baby Development, Tips And Body Changes



The week 4 begins like any other week. This is because there is some more time left before you know whether you have missed your period. Though, on the outside everything looks normal, your body is undergoing great changes to accommodate the growing baby in your womb.
Following the ovulation, fertilization and conception taking place successfully; by fourth week the blastocyst is firmly embedded in your uterus. This is the time for more advanced development of your baby. Normally, your body would be getting ready for the next menstrual period by this time; but your pregnancy will trigger new hormonal secretions that will prevent this from happening.
Let us have a detailed look into what is happening inside your body when 4 weeks pregnant.

Word of Precaution:

Before you start reading the article, remember that every baby and pregnancy is unique and this is just the generic information of what takes place during 4 week pregnancy. Your pregnancy or development of your baby may be little or more different from the data here; which need not be a cause of worry for you.
Pregnancy is a delicate matter. Consult Trusted doctors at Lybrate.

Changes Taking Place Inside Your Body:

The two week period following your ovulation is known as the luteal phase. Corpus luteum, which is a collapsed follicle that has remained behind after releasing the ovum, plays a major role in the changes taking place in your body during this period. Hence this phase is known as the luteal phase.
The corpus luteum increases the production of progesterone, which in turn warms up your body and uterus for embryo. Simultaneously it thickens the endometrium, and increases the blood supply which creates a soft cushion like condition to catch the blastocyst when it arrives.
Your brain has already been informed by your reproductive system to stop the procedure of menstruation. Your body signifies what is best for your foetus through hormonal signals and triggers.
Another major change you observe in your body is the secretion of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)hormone. The level of hCG in your body increases rapidly during the first few weeks of pregnancy; it doubles itself almost every day. This hormone is responsible for detection of pregnancy in pregnancy tests.

Inside Your Uterus:

By the beginning of the gestational 4 week pregnancy, the blastocyst is comfortably settled in your uterus. Your uterus has undergone enough changes and has made the epithelium of the uterine wall suitable for the reception of the blastocyst. If the endometrial epithelium is not properly prepared for implantation, the blastocyst will fail in attaching itself to it.
The unicellular zygote which was created few days ago now consists of an inner cell masses that constitute embryoblast, trophoblast and a primary yolk sac by the 4th week of pregnancy. The embryoblast will develop into an embryo and the trophoblast will develop into the placenta.
By this time, a second cavity has appeared within the inner cell mass which later enlarges to become an amniotic cavity. Most of cells that make up the amniotic cavity come from inner cell mass, but some cells are borrowed from the trophoblast.
The placenta cells are tunnelling away into the interior lining of your uterus with their microscopic tentacles known as chorionic villi. The placenta may become fully functional by the end of the week, but at present it is unable to provide nutrients or take away the waste produced by the developing foetus.
Slowly the placenta begins to grow and embed itself in the uterine wall. It is made of two distinct layers at this point. The cells of the placenta are implanting themselves and creating space inside the lining of uterus so that there is a channel created for the blood to flow inside the developed placenta.
The amniotic sac will protect the foetus by cushioning it from any possible damaging pressure which may arise inside the womb by keeping it comfortable, in addition to preventing dehydration of foetal tissues. The yolk sac delivers nutrients to the foetus, since the placenta will take time to develop. It also begins to produce the red blood cells.

Connecting With Your Baby:

Your tiny baby who is now a foetus is establishing its connections with you by growing long projections into the uterine walls. Isn’t that amazing? The tiny little hair like tendrils that enfold around the copious small blood vessels in the lining of your uterus, will develop into a placenta. This is the time when the embryo will develop a membrane around itself which is also the inner layer of the developing placenta.
The membrane known as chorion, establishes a connection between your uterus and your baby, which will continue until child birth. The tendrils provide oxygen and nutrients to the growing foetus until the placenta is fully formed. From now on, you are responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients for the developing baby to survive. It is a great responsibility, but fortunately nature has made every mother fit to carry that duty with natural ease.
Pregnancy is a delicate matter. Consult Trusted doctors at Lybrate.

Changes in Your Baby:

Your baby is fast reaching the embryonic stage during the 4th week of pregnancy. Though there has been rapid cell division, all the baby has managed to reach is the size of a pinhead. The epiblast and hypoblast present during this stage will develop into the body and organs of your baby. All the cells in the zygote were identical until it reached the eight-cell stage, but then it started to form into embryonic stem cells. The foetus will start to function by the end of week 4 with the help of the nutrients and oxygen supplied by the mother’s blood.
During 4 week pregnancy, the embryonic stem cells have a choice to develop into any other specialized cell that is required for the baby’s growth. They may develop into nerve cells, blood cells or muscle cells at this stage, but once they become specialized, they have to perform their function exclusively. They cannot change to any other type of cells after this stage. From the stage of identical 8 cells, now these cells can form all the different tissues required by the growing baby.

Switching Of Genes:

No matter what the IQ of your child is going to be after birth, at this stage your baby is performing a great task of switching the genes on and off with a high degree of accuracy, precision and complexity. The cells at this stage are called specialized cells because they switch off the genes that are not necessary and switch on the genes that are required to make a specific cell work.
The muscle cells have all the genes except the genes needed to make muscle cell proteins. The same applies to all specialized cells which switch off genes that they do not require for the specific function. The cellular actions of switching on and off the growth factors continues at specific times and locations as directed by the signals sent out by the embryo, or precisely by the genetic code present in it.

The Tiny Miracle:

Imagine the tiny embryo embedded in your womb that is tuning the signal strengths and turning the switch of the growth factors and receptors on or off according to the requirement, depending on their location. This is one of the greatest miracles of the rapid development taking place inside your womb.
The baby is already establishing its own identity in your womb. Even from the very early stage of your pregnancy, the blood of your body does not mix with the blood of your baby. The placenta pays the gatekeeper in this situation. The vascular network of your baby is developing and performing the functions of transporting blood, oxygen and nutrients from you blood stream through the umbilical cord.

Size of Your Baby:

Finally by the end of the week 4, you baby can be measured, though it is very tiny. The embryo is just a collection of cells measuring 0.4 mm or 1/25th of an inch, but is already functioning like a human being. Imagine the long journey your foetus has taken from being just a hollow ball, with just some cells growing as a cluster within to this stage. That is a giant leap.

Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy at 4 Weeks:

Though you are officially pregnant and your baby is growing in your warm womb, it is still too early for signs and symptoms of pregnancy to show. However, if you are fertile and planning on conceiving, you should watch out for early signs and symptoms of pregnancy at 4 weeks; because this is the phase when most of the major development in your baby takes place and also this is time when she is very vulnerable.
Knowing you are carrying a precious foetus may help you make wise decisions quite early in your pregnancy. Here are few signs you may watch out for in week 4, but know that they are highly individualized. Some women experience all the symptoms of pregnancy whereas others sail through their pregnancy with just a bump to show. Do not panic if these signs are present or absent.
  •  There is rise in the levels of pregnancy hormone hCG which may lead to anxiety, dizziness and nausea.
  • Your breasts may become sensitive and you may notice a tingling sensation in them. In some women the breasts tend to be sore, tender and full.
  •  The change in hormones will lead to mood swings, hot flashes and crying spells.
  •  Shortness of breath can be present.
  •  Your olfactory function becomes highly sensitive, and you will be smelling many things you did not know existed earlier.
You may observe implantation bleeding which may appear little before the time of your period’s arrival. This is also called as spotting. Do not confuse it with menstrual bleeding which may be disappointing if you are trying to conceive.

When the blastocyst embeds itself in the wall of the uterus, in some women it is accompanied by slight spotting. But if there is no spotting, just know that you are not one of them. Spotting is not necessary during implantation.
If you have a short menstrual cycle, then by the end of week 4 you will know that your monthly visitor has not arrived. Now that you know 4th week pregnancy symptoms, lets see some care and tips.

Care and tips:

Week four is the time when the stage is being set for the development of your baby’s heart, head, brain, spinal cord, tissues, hair, organs, teeth, muscles and bones. Your baby has firmly established its connection with you for another 36 weeks. Take care to make the best of the connection and help your baby grow safe and healthy. Here are few tips that would have a positive effect on your pregnancy.
  • Talk to your partner about parenting and also about how you feel. It is important for him to know that there will be changes taking place with you, both physically and emotionally during pregnancy. This will get him ready for the extreme fatigue, mood swings, growing bump, weight gain and other changes taking place within you. It would help you a great deal if he is ready to help and cope with the change.
  • This is the time to opt for the pregnancy test kit. The results are more accurate if you test yourself first thing in the morning.
  •  Consume folate which is available in the synthetic form known as folic acid. This will go a great way in preventing spina bifida, which is one of very traumatic birth defect that can affect your baby. Proper supplement of folate during pregnancy can reduce the risk of this developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube by 70%
  •  Pass on the duty of cleaning the cats or other pets to some other member of your family. Cat faeces may cause Toxoplasmosis in you, which is an infection spread by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Generally the infection causes a mild, symptomless illness in people with healthy immune systems which is not harmful. But it is hazardous during pregnancy because the parasite may infect the placenta and your unborn baby.
Even after safe implantation in the uterus, the chance of you having an early miscarriage is about 20-30%. So take care of yourself during the fourth week by avoiding activities and food that may felicitate the unfortunate event.

Word Meaning Bank:

  •  Corpus Luteum – A hormone-secreting structure that develops in an ovary after an ovum has been discharged but degenerates after a few days unless pregnancy has begun.
  •  Luteal phase – The second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation.
  •  Follicle – It is a fluid-filled structure in the mammalian ovary within which an ovum develops prior to ovulation.
  •  hCG – Hormone produced during pregnancy.
  •  Endometrial epithelium – Uterine wall.
  •  Unicellular zygote – Fertilized egg before division.
  •  Embryoblast – Mass of cells inside the primordial embryo that will eventually give rise to the definitive structures of the fetus.
  • Trophoblast – The outermost layer of cells of the blastocyst that attaches the fertilized ovum to the uterine wall and serves as a nutritive pathway for the embryo.
  •  Amniotic Cavity – It is the fluid-filled cavity that surrounds the developing embryo.
  •  Chorionic villus – It is a minute vascular projection on the fetal chorion.
  •  Spina Bifida – A congenital defect in which the spinal column is imperfectly closed so that part of the meninges or spinal cord protrudes, often resulting in hydrocephalus and other neurological disorders.
Hope you are clear with 4 weeks pregnant symptoms now and will follow the tips and take care. Happy Practicing!!