Archive for the ‘Vitalism’ Category

Morning sickness

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Here is an article posted at www.mymorningsicknessremedies.com. There is a lot of good information available about morning sickness and while you are there sign up for the free mini-course.

Pregnancy Nausea within the First Few Weeks

It is unclear the exact cause of the nausea most pregnant women experience known as morning sickness.  One theory is that vomiting and nausea in the first few weeks of pregnancy may be due to hormone changes produced by the placenta and the fetus.  Changes in the gastrointestinal system may also play a role in morning sickness because the stomach empties more slowly under the influence of the hormones of pregnancy.  Morning sickness affects about 70 percent of pregnant women.  It usually begins at four to eight weeks of pregnancy and subsides by fourteen to sixteen weeks.  Even though it is called “morning sickness” the vomiting and nausea in early pregnancy can occur at any time of the day.

But experts agree that it does play role within the pregnancy for one reason or another.  Morning sickness is thought to protect the fetus.  Contained in many plants are chemical toxins that protect the plant from being eaten.  Adults have defenses against toxins such as these including extensive arrays of detoxification made by the liver and the surface of tissues of certain other organs.  These defenses have not fully developed within the fetus.  Even a small dose of plant toxins might have certain effects on the adult but might be lethal to the fetus.  Pregnancy nausea causes the woman to become nauseated when exposed to the smell of taste of foods that are likely to contain toxins that might injure the fetus therefore protecting it.

Morning sickness may also protect the mother as well.  The immune system of a pregnant woman is suppressed during pregnancy most likely to reduce the chances of rejecting tissues of her own offspring.  Because of this, consuming animal products containing parasites or harmful bacteria can be especially dangerous to a pregnant woman.

Luckily, mild to moderate nausea and occasional vomiting associated with morning sickness won’t threaten your baby’s well-being.  If a pregnant woman does not gain any weight in the first trimester, it generally is not a problem.  As long as they are able to stay hydrated and aren’t starving, the fetus will remain healthy.  In most cases, the pregnant woman’s appetite will return soon enough and they will start gaining weight.

Most women tolerate morning sickness pretty well.  They have to make sure they are keeping themselves healthy and are letting their doctor’s know if there are any problems along the way.  Young women who are experiencing their first pregnancies and women who are carrying twins or multiple fetuses might experience more morning sickness then others.  Some women have nausea and vomiting beyond their first trimester and a few have it continually throughout their entire pregnancy.  Pregnant women do need to be aware that severe or prolonged vomiting has been linked to a greater risk of preterm birth.  It can also lead to low birth weight or newborns that are small for their gestational age.  If a woman is having problems with morning sickness the doctor might prescribe anti-nausea medication to ward off dehydration and further pregnancy complications.

What can cause Panic Attacks

Friday, March 19th, 2010

A panic attack is the sudden onset of intense anxiety, characterized by feelings of intense fear and apprehension and accompanied by heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling plus several other symptoms.  It is not understood what the cause of panic attacks is but several things could play a role including a combination of factors like biological and environmental.

Experts have looked at genetics for a possible cause for panic attacks in some people.  In the same way that hair or eye color is passed down by one or both parents, a panic disorder has also been shown to run in families.  It might be that a person is predisposed to having these attacks.  Some panic attack sufferers have been shown to have a family member who has or had a panic disorder or some other emotional disorder like depression. (more…)

3 Ways to Drink More Water

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
After a little research it is apparent that nobody really knows where the saying that you need to drink 8 cups of water per day comes from. Some people trace it back to a study in the 1980’s, and other people claim that doctors starting telling people that amount because it was a good goal, but didn’t have any scientific research to back it up with.
Either way, the point is clear, water does wonders for your body, and your brain. Water is well known to cleanse your body of harmful chemicals through your intestines and also throughout your urine tract. Without proper water intake, our bodies break down very quickly, in a matter of days. Without food, however, some people can live for a week or two. That just shows how important water is to our bodies.
Here are 3 quick tips for taking in more water.
1. Always have water available.
I like to buy the 12 ounce bottles of water and keep them in the fridge. Whenever I go to the gym I grab a bottle. On my way out the door to work, I grab a bottle. Before a trip that will be 30 minutes or longer, I grab a bottle. When I watch a movie, I grab a bottle.
Whenever I am sitting watching TV or a movie, I will keep the bottle in my hand with the lid off. I take a lot of little sips until the bottle is gone. A great way of making sure you drink more water is to make sure it is easily accessible.
2. Keep it cold.
I don’t know many people who like to drink room temperature water, I sure don’t. If you keep your water cold, you will drink more. I make sure there is always ice in my freezer, this make it very easy to have a cold glass of water anytime.
3. Chose water in restaurants.
Whenever I go out to eat, I always drink water with some lemon. The lemon adds a little spunk to the taste and the water is always nice, cold and refreshing. After a short time you will stop craving your old drink of choice and will begin to appreciate the taste, or lack of taste, that water provides.
Give water a shot and your body will be thankful!

After a little research it is apparent that nobody really knows where the saying that you need to drink 8 cups of water per day comes from. Some people trace it back to a study in the 1980’s, and other people claim that doctors starting telling people that amount because it was a good goal, but didn’t have any scientific research to back it up with.

Either way, the point is clear, water does wonders for your body, and your brain. Water is well known to cleanse your body of harmful chemicals through your intestines and also throughout your urine tract. Without proper water intake, our bodies break down very quickly, in a matter of days. Without food, however, some people can live for a week or two. That just shows how important water is to our bodies.

Here are 3 quick tips for taking in more water.

1. Always have water available.

I like to buy the 12 ounce bottles of water and keep them in the fridge. Whenever I go to the gym I grab a bottle. On my way out the door to work, I grab a bottle. Before a trip that will be 30 minutes or longer, I grab a bottle. When I watch a movie, I grab a bottle.

Whenever I am sitting watching TV or a movie, I will keep the bottle in my hand with the lid off. I take a lot of little sips until the bottle is gone. A great way of making sure you drink more water is to make sure it is easily accessible.

2. Keep it cold.

I don’t know many people who like to drink room temperature water, I sure don’t. If you keep your water cold, you will drink more. I make sure there is always ice in my freezer, this make it very easy to have a cold glass of water anytime.

3. Chose water in restaurants.

Whenever I go out to eat, I always drink water with some lemon. The lemon adds a little spunk to the taste and the water is always nice, cold and refreshing. After a short time you will stop craving your old drink of choice and will begin to appreciate the taste, or lack of taste, that water provides.

Give water a shot and your body will be thankful!