Chia Seeds During Pregnancy

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What are Chia Seeds?

Chia is as super for pregnant women as it is for everyone else. Chia seeds are tiny edible seeds that contain several vital nutrients. They are full of fiber and packed with Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. These little seeds contain calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and protein and these are important for bone health. Since these nutrients promote overall health, consuming chia seeds during pregnancy can benefit you and your baby. This is a great seed for healthy living.

Is it safe to eat chia seeds during pregnancy?

Some people wonder whether chia seeds are safe to eat while pregnant or breastfeeding. Chia seeds are safe to consume during pregnancy and can actually boost the chances of a healthy delivery. Many expecting mothers wonder how much chia seeds should be consumed daily. Knowing this is essential as excessive intake of these seeds can have certain side effects that may affect you and the baby. Around 100g of chia seeds provide approximately 20g of protein. Consuming 1 tablespoon of chia seeds can provide you with 3g of protein. Chia seeds also contain iron and calcium,  both of these minerals are essential for a healthy pregnancy. These vitamins are great for both you and your baby while pregnant.

Benefits of chia seeds in pregnancy

  • Relief from constipation: Chia seeds are loaded with insoluble fiber that aids digestion. It can, therefore, treat constipation, a common complaint during pregnancy.
  • Can boost your red blood cells 
  • Can strengthen baby’s teeth and bones: Chia seed is a good source of Calcium which will ensure proper skeletal development of your baby and even help build his tooth buds. 
  • Can help prevent anemia.Blood sugar regulation: The fiber in chia seeds can slow down the absorption of sugar in your blood and keep it stable, thereby lowering the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
  • Can help you stay full longer: So whenever possible, add a few sprinkles of chia seeds to your recipes.The more protein-rich foods you eat, the less hungry you’ll feel. 
  • A good source of omega-3: Omega-3 helps reduce chronic inflammation, contributes to eye health, and even eases anxiety and depression. It also promotes healthy brain development in unborn babies and may even contribute to a healthy pregnancy
  • Can help promote fetal development: Chia seeds are a healthy source of protein, which is an extremely important nutrient during pregnancy as it promotes the development of organs (including the brain) and cells of the fetus. 
  • May give more energy: As a healthy fat, chia seeds may give you a much-needed pick-me-up. The seeds aren’t going to eliminate fatigue; they’re a superfood, not a miracle cure. 
  • Improves oxygen supply: Chia contains Iron that is essential for the production of extra red blood cells that carry oxygen to the body system. Chia seeds are one of the easiest ways to get this nutrient into your diet.

Risks of Chia Seeds in pregnancy

  • stomach discomfort can result from eating too much – Chia seeds are healthy and natural, but this doesn’t mean you can’t overdo it.
  • Chia seeds are blood thinners and may lower your blood pressure and cause bleeding.
  • Possible drug interactions do exist – although chia seeds regulate blood sugar levels, they may interact with certain drugs and medication.
  • May trigger allergic reactions – Chia seeds may also trigger allergic reactions like rashes, hives, and watery eyes.

How to Consume Chia Seeds

  • Chia seeds with water
  • Chia seeds smoothie
  • Chia Seeds Sandwich
  • Chia seed pudding
  • Chia protein pancakes

Chia seeds are a necessity for pregnant women due to their high protein content and excellent nutrition profile. Chia seeds might be small in size, but there’s nothing insignificant about their nutritional punch. They are nutritious, and they are safe to consume while pregnant or breastfeeding. So whether you’re looking for a bit more energy or you want to try getting rid of constipation, go ahead and sprinkle some chia seeds over your food. And don’t stop eating the seeds just because you’ve given birth; their health benefits are for everyone.  We recommend that you speak to your doctor and find out whether they interfere with your existing medications before you begin incorporating them into your diet. As always, add one to two tablespoons of chia seeds a day during pregnancy and you’ll be all set for your pregnancy.

Disclaimer

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

References:

https://www.momjunction.com/articles/chia-seeds-during-pregnancy_00446553/

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/chia-seeds-pregnancy https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chia-seeds-pregnancy#benefits

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chia-seeds-pregnancy#benefits

High Cholesterol And Pregnancy- what you need to know

High Cholesterol And Pregnancy

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When you’re pregnant, making healthy choices benefits not only you but also your growing baby. Your cholesterol and triglycerides naturally rise during pregnancy, as they’re needed for the growth and development of the baby. Cholesterol is also needed to make the hormones estrogen and progesterone which play a key role during pregnancy. For women who already have high cholesterol, the levels can climb even higher which could lead to hypertension and risks. Treating conditions like high cholesterol can be more difficult during pregnancy, even though a variety of medications can manage it in nonpregnant women.

Health profesiosnals recommended to check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels during pregnancy, as they also tend to rise. In rare cases, women with very high triglycerides before pregnancy develop severely raised triglycerides. This puts you at risk of acute pancreatitis, an uncommon but serious complication that can cause severe abdominal pain and fatty spots on the skin (eruptive xanthoma).

What is high cholesterol during pregnancy?

Cholesterol increases significantly during pregnancy by about 25-50% and it can get extremely high during pregnancy. It is a type of fat that your body needs to function, but too much can clog your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. It is carefully monitored in the non-pregnant adult population, where its association with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease is well understood. Researchers do not yet fully understand the effects of maternal high cholesterol on pregnancy and fetal development. However, a growing body of evidence from animal and human studies suggests adverse consequences of high cholesterol levels in pregnancy.

Cholesterol during pregnancy has some benefits:

  • proper development of your baby
  • production and function of estrogen and progesterone
  • the development of healthy breast milk

How to treat high cholesterol during pregnancy?


During pregnancy, your doctor probably won’t prescribe medication to lower your cholesterol. However, if your levels remain high after your baby is born, you may receive medication and instructions to follow a heart-smart diet. Eating a low-fat, low cholesterol diet during pregnancy is extremely important and emphasizes the benefits of the diet.

This might include:

  • increasing physical activity
  • eat more fiber
  • getting healthy fats like those derived from nuts and avocados
  • adding omega-3-rich foods or supplements to your diet
  • get healthy fats from nuts and avocado
  • avoid fried foods
  • limit sugar to lower triglycerides

Blood cholesterol tends to stay high for at least a month after giving birth and the same goes for Triglycerides but might go back to normal sooner in mothers who breastfeed. Wait at least six to eight weeks after giving birth before having a cholesterol test. If you are breastfeeding, wait until you’ve stopped.

In general, people with high cholesterol do not have a harder time getting pregnant than people of the same age without high cholesterol. However, there is one study that suggested it might take longer to get pregnant if a person has high cholesterol.

Disclaimer

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

References:

https://www.thebump.com/

Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

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What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a common, usually harmless part of pregnancy for some women. Many women first develop varicose veins or find that they get worse during pregnancy. They happen when the uterus applies pressure to the large vein (the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.  You may have inherited varicose veins and could also get them during pregnancy.

Varicose veins are the large, swollen blood vessels found predominantly in the legs, but that can show up almost anywhere in the lower half of your body and even your rectum or vulva. Varicose veins are unusually swollen veins that may bulge near the surface of the skin. These blue, red, or purple veins sometimes look squiggly or ropelike and are most likely to show up on your legs, though in pregnancy it’s possible to get them on your lower pelvic area, buttocks, or elsewhere. (Hemorrhoids are just varicose veins in the rectal area.) When they swell above the surface of the skin, they create those distinctive purplish lumps that look alarming but are quite harmless and fairly common, affecting up to 40% of pregnant women, according to some research. 

Pregnancy causes many changes in your body and some of these changes can cause varicose veins.

Changed in body during pregnancy:

  • Progesterone – This hormone is increased during pregnancy. It is essential for a healthy pregnancy, but it also causes the veins to relax. Blood does not move as easily through these relaxed veins. As blood builds up, the pressure within the vein increases, and the vein enlarges.
  • Increased blood – The volume of blood in a pregnant woman’s body increases during pregnancy. More blood overall means there is more blood within the veins, and this increases the strain on the vein valves and walls.
  • Pressure from the uterus – The growing fetus within the uterus pushes against the organs and blood vessels in the abdomen. Blood moves from the leg veins to veins in the pelvis, or lower abdomen, before moving back to the heart. The pressure placed on these pelvic veins by the uterus prevents blood from flowing out of the legs.

Tips On How To Prevent Varicose Veins Naturally During Pregnancy

While varicose veins can be hereditary, and you can’t prevent the circulatory changes that occur during pregnancy, there are some ways you can prevent or minimize varicose veins.

  • Avoid sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time. Make sure to take breaks to change your position.
  • Get regular exercise. Talk with your doctor to confirm if it is safe for you to exercise during pregnancy.
  • Wearing maternity support hosiery or thigh-high compression stockings work by applying pressure to the outside of your legs. This helps counteract the pressure within the veins and prevents swelling and bulging. 
  • Avoid crossing your legs while sitting; it prevents blood from moving out of the veins, which increases the pressure within them.
  • Elevate your legs periodically to improve circulation.
  • Sleep on your left side. This will help relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava.
  • Reduce sodium intake to minimize swelling of the veins.
  • Drink plenty of water and eat enough fiber to prevent constipation.
  • Avoid High Heels; it prevents the leg muscles from working, and this keeps the blood in the veins. 
  • Sleep on your Left Side; can relieve the pressure on the veins in your abdomen and help your leg veins drain while you’re sleeping. 
  • Exercise daily. Even just a brisk walk around the block can improve your circulation.

Are varicose veins in pregnancy ever serious?

During pregnancy varicose veins are relatively common and usually painless and harmless. The good news for some women is that varicose veins may improve or disappear after you give birth, especially if you didn’t have any before you got pregnant. If your varicose veins persist and become too uncomfortable to live with, or even if you’re just unhappy with how they look, ask your provider to refer you to a specialist to find out about other treatment options.

Varicose vein surgery is not recommended during pregnancy as varicose veins generally improve after giving birth. . If your varicose veins persist and become too uncomfortable to live with, or even if you’re just unhappy with how they look, ask your provider to refer you to a specialist to find out about 

Disclaimer

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

References:

https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-body/varicose-veins-during-pregnancy_271

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/veins.html

https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/varicose-veins.aspx

Importance of Pulse Oximeter During COVID-19

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The whole world is greatly affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic caused due to emerging novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) which specifically attacks the respiratory system and reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity to develop hypoxia.

Many people with COVID-19 have low levels of oxygen in their blood, even when they feel well. Low oxygen levels can be an early warning sign that medical care is needed. The severely affected COVID-19 patients require ventilators to survive and to fulfill the need for oxygen. However, the number of ventilators is much less than that of the actual number of COVID-19 patients. 

What is a pulse oximeter and what does it measure?

A pulse oximeter is a small non-invasive device that is used to determine hypoxia in patients. The main function of the pulse oximeter is to determine the amount of oxygen saturation (SpO2), which indicates the amount of oxygen in the blood. This can give you valuable information about your health.

Can a pulse oximeter tell if someone has COVID-19?

You may be wondering if an oximeter can help detect COVID-19 early? 

Pulse oximeters are not recommended as a way to tell if someone has COVID-19.  Not everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will develop low oxygen levels. There are people who may have a very uncomfortable fever, muscle aches, and GI upset at home, but never demonstrate low oxygen levels. Get tested if you have signs of COVID-19 or if you have been in close contact with someone who has it. The pulse oximeter can be used in primary clinical care to determine oxygen saturation. Furthermore, pulse oximeters have become a game-changer in the COVID-19 pandemic to detect the oxygen requirement in patients. However, there are several factors affecting the sensitivity of pulse oximeters that need to be understood to get an accurate reading. 

Can a pulse oximeter be a helpful tool for monitoring COVID-19 at home?

An oximeter can be a helpful tool for monitoring oxygen levels so that low oxygen levels can be detected early if a person has a mild case of COVID-19 and is self-treating at home. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are concerned about any developing symptoms, check immediately with your healthcare provider. If you are experiencing severe chest pain, uncontrollable coughing, or dusky lips or fingers, it’s time to go to the ER.

The pulse oximeter gives only primary judgment about oxygen saturation and it is not at all a substitute for the ABG analysis. Moreover, the pulse oximeter cannot be relied on as a sole monitor to check the various events such as cardiac complications/arrests, respiratory tract-related problems, oesophageal intubation, or failure of oxygen supply.

Disclaimer

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

References:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00194506.2020.1845988

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/aug/can-an-oximeter-help-detect-covid-19-at-home/

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/pulseoximeter.html

How to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

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Being healthy should be part of your overall lifestyle, not just a New Year’s resolution. Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. Feeling good about yourself and taking care of your health are important for your self-esteem and self-image. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by doing what is right for your body.

 

Although it’s hard to get out of old habits, a healthy lifestyle can give you more energy, improved mental health, and can increase your chances of defeating illnesses.

 

Here are five steps you can take to managing a healthier lifestyle:

Step 1  

Maintain a healthy weight. Determine whether you are overweight by checking your body mass index. If you are overweight, it can lead to a higher risk of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and certain cancers.

Do not smoke and drink plenty of water. Smoking can cause preventable diseases such as lung cancer and other cancers. Stay away from secondhand smoke, since this can also be hazardous to your health. You can save money and improve your health by drinking water throughout the day. The natural liquid offers the benefits of hydration, nourishment, and improved well-being. Water can cleanse toxins from the body, improve brain function, energize muscles, control weight gain, and balance body temperature and fluids. It’s recommended to drink about 8 glasses, or 64 ounces, of water per day.

 

Step 2   

Stick with healthy food from each food group. This means staying away from food high in saturated fats, sodium and added sugars. Adding fruits and vegetables is a perfect foundation for starting a healthy routine. Vegetables, like leafy greens, and fruits contain plentiful amounts of nutrients such as vitamins and antioxidants that help boost your immune system and fight off disease causing toxins. Antioxidants help fight eye disease, promote healthy skin, and overall health. The World Health Organization recommends eating fruits and veggies as a regular part of your diet so you’ll have a better chance of fighting some cancers, diseases, and heart disease. Make sure to eat five to nine servings of varied veggie and fruits per day.

Step 3

When it comes to building a healthy lifestyle, it’s easy to concentrate on the physical aspects of health and ignore the mental upkeep. Remember that your mental health is a foundation of your overall health. It’s important to manage and assess your feelings on a day-to-day basis. Make sure your relationships are positive and healthy ones. Surround yourself with people who support you and who you feel good around. Your partner in life, friends and others who are in your life should respect you. If you find yourself in an unhealthy relationship, take steps to improve it or move on.

Some ways you can improve your mental health include:   

  • Exercise
  • Socialize with loved ones
  • Join a club
  • Sleep 7-9 hours every night
  • Do something creative

If you continue to feel unhappy or even depressed, consult your physician or talk to a professional about ways you can improve your mental health.

Step 4

Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day. Take an exercise class, join the gym or just take a brisk walk outside. Making the time for physical activity is a necessity and not a luxury.

Remember to keep your workouts fun. You should enjoy your workout and not feel like it’s a chore.

Some fun physical activities include:

  • Dancing
  • Yoga
  • Aerobics
  • Running
  • Hiking

The body is truly the temple of the soul, and you don’t want that temple to fall apart! Exercise is a great way to stimulate your health and studies have shown that physical activity helps improve longevity and overall health. Try to exercise up to three times a week. The American Heart Association advises for 150 minutes of exercise each week or an hour at least three times a week. Pick a convenient time schedule out time. You could exercise for 30 minutes the morning to get energized for your day.

 

Step 5

Know when and how to de-stress. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Sometimes it’s beneficial to stop, take a deep breath, and relax. Try some relaxing activities to help you relax. Take advantage of meditation, listening to music, reading, watching a comedy, or exercising. These activities can help you unwind and they cause feelings of happiness and calm. If stress becomes so severe that it is interfering with your sleep or ability to cope, talk to your doctor or a counselor.

 

 

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

 

Resources:

https://www.branfordhall.edu/5-ways-to-maintain-a-healthier-lifestyle/

THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON OXYGEN LEVELS IN THE BODY

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Alcohol does many things to the human body. It can make you happy, angry, relaxed and it can make you the life of a party. However, too much alcohol can also interfere with your body’s ability to absorb oxygen and on the other hand moderate alcohol consumptions may provide health benefits.

 

Oxygen Desaturation

Alcohol can lead to oxygen desaturation in the body. The oxygen desaturation index (ODI) is the number of times per hour of sleep that the blood’s oxygen level drop by a certain degree from baseline. The ODI is typically measured as part of standard sleep studies, such as a diagnostic polysomnogram, home sleep apnea testing, or with overnight oximetry.

Blood Sludging

Blood sludging is the clinical term used to describe the phenomenon of alcohol and your red blood cells, which, in turn, impacts your body’s ability to absorb oxygen. Once the alcohol has entered your bloodstream, it causes your red blood cells to clump together.Sludged blood in which the corpuscles, as a result of some general abnormal state, for example, burns, traumatic shock, and similar stresses, become massed together in the capillaries, and thereby block the vessels or move slowly through them.

COPD and Alcohol consumptions:

Glutathione deficiency: This antioxidant is found in the lungs. Since drinking alcohol lowers your body’s glutathione levels, it can aggravate your COPD symptoms and cause a flare-up. Decreased lung function: Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with decreasing lung function in patients with lung disease.

Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits, such as:

  • Reduce your risk of developing and dying from heart disease.
  • Possibly reduce your risk of ischemic stroke (when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow)
  • Possibly reduce your risk of diabetes.

What causes oxygen level to be low?

Lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) Strong pain medicines and other drugs that hold back breathing. Heart problems. Anemia (a low number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen)

Ways to get more oxygen in your blood?

Exercise is one of the best ways to cope up with oxygen.Even a small amount of exercise will help to improve your respiration ability, as your breathing rate increases and deepens your lungs can absorb more oxygen. You may also increase your water intake. Water is made up of oxygen so by increasing your water consumption you can increase the amount of oxygen in your body.

To feel assured with your normal oxygen range, simply check your oxygen saturation 4 times a day for 5 days using your fingertip oximeter. Record each measurement in the activity log and be sure to also record what you were doing prior to checking.

It’s your personal decision whether you want to drink alcohol or not, but the decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. The best approach is to discuss your personal risks with your doctor first so he or she can assess your medical history, current health, and medications. During the discussion, you and your doctor may come to a conclusion about how much alcohol you can consume without endangering yourself.

Live healthily, live longer. Making just a few changes in your lifestyle can help you live longer. A recent study found that four bad behaviors—smoking, drinking too much alcohol, not exercising, and not eating enough fruits and veggies—can hustle you into an early grave, and, in effect, the age you by as many as 12 years.

 

 

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

 

Resources:

http://www.domorewithoxygen.com/bid/308175/Life-With-COPD-Effects-of-Alcohol-When-You-Have-COPD

https://healthfully.com/effects-alcohol-oxygen-absorption-8017604.html