Five Steps For Preventing Miscarriage

Five Steps For Preventing Miscarriage:

As someone who has experienced two early miscarriages, I can say having a miscarriage is really, really hard.

Not only did I have to deal with the feeling of loss, confusion, and sadness. But I also had to work through the resentment towards my pregnant friends that would “fall” pregnant every time they sneezed. It has gotten better over the years, but some days it can still be hard.

That is why I want to share with you five steps you can take (and have been shown through scientific studies) to decrease your chances of having another loss and preventing miscarriage by creating a healthy, baby friendly body.

1. Prepare for Conception:

Preparing ahead of time for your pregnancy is the key to decreasing the chances of a miscarriage. There are steps you can take to reduce the chances of another pregnancy loss, but they must be begun months before you become pregnant again. The first step is to prepare your body with a Fertility Cleanse. Fertility cleansing helps to cleanse the liver of old toxins and excess hormones, rid the uterus of any “old” contents, and cleansing the blood.

2. Eat a Nutrient Dense Fertility Diet:

The next step is to nourish and build up your body to be a healthy, baby-friendly body. This can easily be done through eating a nutrient dense Fertility Diet. What you eat has an impact on:

* The health of your eggs
* Your hormonal balance
* Creates a healthy placenta
* Decreases chances of a miscarriage
* Builds nutrient storage for baby
* Creates healthy reproductive system

You will want to make sure you are eating a fertility diet consistently for at least 90 days before you begin trying to conceive for your best chances of creating a healthy pregnancy. You can learn how to eat a nutrient dense fertility diet here.

3. Build a Healthy Foundation:

One of the major foundational steps to increasing your changes of having a healthy pregnancy is to take some basic vitamins, minerals, and EFA’s. There are specific vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a healthy reproductive system, hormonal balance, and ovulation.

Building a healthy foundation is a two punch step. You will want to be taking a multivitamin and omega 3 supplements. But the key here is not to just take any multivitamin. The best multivitamin to take for fertility and pregnancy is a prenatal multivitamin. But be careful when you are choosing which one to take. NOT ALL SUPPLEMENTS ARE CREATED EQUAL. Make sure you are taking a whole food prenatal multivitamin.

Essential fatty acids are also extremely important for miscarriage prevention through creating a healthy body. EFA’s, specifically omega 3’s, are responsible for many fertility actions. But specifically for aiding in possibly preventing miscarriage - they help to reduce inflammation, aid in hormone balance, and are essential for healthy eggs, just to name a few.

4. Apply Self Fertility Massage:

Another important element of promoting a healthy conception is to increase the circulation to the uterus. From our daily lifestyles of not exercising enough, exercising too much, sitting at a desk all day, pretty much life… can decrease the circulation to the uterus. You see the left leg and the uterus share the same major artery with most of the blood going to the legs, especially when we live in a stressful state of fight or flight ( our bodies sends all the blood to the muscles and brain in preparation for running away or fighting), the circulation to the uterus will be compromised.

Through applying a simple massage method called Self Fertility Massage you are able to increase the circulation to the uterus, clear adhesions, clear congestion (if you have endometriosis, PCOS, clotty and dark periods, and heavy cramps during your period, I am talking to you). You will want to use this technique to your program.

5. Follow a supplement and herbal program:

*Note: These are traditional therapies for miscarriage. There are no guarantees being made that they will stop a miscarriage. Most miscarriages are meant to happen due to issues with the fetus. These herbs will not stop a miscarriage that is meant to happen. They are helpful with miscarriages that are caused from stress, poor diet, trauma, weak uterine muscles, or low progesterone levels. Herbs help to provide extra nourishment and strength needed to nourish a depleted body. If you think you are having a miscarriage consult your doctor right away.

Bed rest and removal of stress factors is the most important first step to take. Get off of your feet.

Vitamin E in doses up to 600I.U per day (use only 50 IU if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes)

If your recurrent miscarriages are due to any of the three reasons, there are natural remedies that have been shown to help decrease the chances recurrent miscarriages.

* Immunological
* Hormonal ( low progesterone)
* Chromosomal (you could have some impact, it matters if it is the egg)

Preventing Miscarriage

preventing miscarriage:

There is no time during pregnancy when nutrition is unimportant. Of the nine months of gestation, however, the first three are the most important. During this first trimester the baby grows to about three inches in length and weighs about one ounce. Its sex is determined. It can open and close its mouth and kick and squirm - but as yet is too small for 'mom' to feel it carrying on.

This is the time for mom and dad to visit the doctor and/or midwives to discuss birthing options. (Don't just 'go along' with whatever the doctor does 'routinely'. Do some research now on labor positions, drugs, fetal heart monitoring, episiotomy, labor and delivery place, birth attendants, breast feeding, rooming in, vitamin K, erythromycin or silver nitrate, etc., etc..) A visit to an herbalist is also a good idea - just to make sure all of the nutrients are being supplied in the most easily assimilated form. I generally caution pregnant women away from synthetic prenatal vitamins and iron. Often these vitamins are candy coated and so hard that very few people can digest them. They tend to pass right through - whole. Synthetic iron usually causes bowel movements to turn black. It also causes constipation and/or diarrhea. (A dose to three mg. has been documented as causing death in young children.)

During pregnancy there are some herbs which should not be used at all and several others that may be used very carefully. Most herbs are totally safe when used in moderation and with wisdom. Herbs to avoid are rue and pennyroyal. Both of these herbs can cause miscarriages and many other severe complications of pregnancy. Herbs that need to be used with caution include black cohosh, blessed thistle, blue cohosh, cramp bark, damiana, dong quai, false unicorn, ginseng, licorice, sarsparilla, saw palmetto, squaw vine and yarrow. These herbs all contain steroid-like constituents which could possibly affect the secondary sex characteristics of the baby.

Another herb to be careful with is golden seal ".. one of the active ingredients is hydrastine, which contracts the uterus when taken in large quantities. Don't take more than 1/4 tsp. or one 00 capsule per day." (1)

The first trimester is the period during which most miscarriages occur. Early warning symptoms of miscarriage are cramping and bleeding. Most doctors will say they can do nothing to prevent the inevitable, and while herbs don't always result in a live birth after a threatened miscarriage, the benefits are usually pretty good anyway.

The herbalists rule of thumb is "Herbs will stop it if it can be stopped. If not, then the herbs will speed it along and help mom recover faster".

There are many causes of miscarriage including malnutrition, hormone imbalance, and emotional factors. More than one cause is often involved.

Nutritional requirements of pregnant women are very high. To get the amount of nutrients required the diet must be loaded with healthy, whole, live foods. Herbs and other nutritional supplements may be used to enhance the diet. Fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, sprouts, butter (not margarine), dairy products (if they are tolerated), nuts, seeds, organically raised animal protein (to avoid the hormones and antibiotics used in producing commercial animals) and yogurt are the types of foods to be eaten.

This is definitely a time to avoid smoking and smoke/exhaust filled areas, refined and lifeless non-foods, coffee, tea, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, deep fried foods, products made with white flour, white sugar and artificial colors. All of these items deplete vitamins and mineral reserves and weaken the whole body. Good nutrition can help prevent miscarriage.

The following chart adapted from Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible for Your Kids shows his R.D.A. for pregnant women.

Nutrient:

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin B1

• Vitamin B2

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin B12

• Folic Acid

• Niacin

• Calcium

• Phosphorus

• Magnesium

• Supplemental Iron

• Iodine

• Zinc
  

Recommended Daily Allowance:

1000 IU
400-500 IU
80-100 IU
80-100 mg.
1.5 mg.
1.5 mg.
2.6 mg.
8-10 mg.
16 mg.
16 mg.
1200 mg.
1200 mg.
450 mg.
30-60 mg.
175 mcg.
20 mg. (1)

Remember that these amounts are only to maintain, not to improve health.

Some of the herbs that can be used to fill in nutritional gaps are:

1. Red Raspberry - Acts as a uterine tonic, contains many vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron and B-Complex.

2. Yellow Dock - Blood purifier and glandular tonic. Contains many nutrients, a few of which are organic iron, vitamins A & C, calcium and magnesium.

3. Liquid Chlorophyll - General tonic for the whole body, but especially the blood.

4. Combination of Alfalfa, Kelp and Dandelion - Glandular balancer, general tonic, provides all vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, iodine, B-complex vitamins, eight essential amino acids and vitamin C.

5. Combination of Kelp, Dulse, Watercress, Wild Cabbage, Horseradish and Horsetail - Good for the heart, bowels, fluid retention (keeps sodium and potassium balanced which is necessary for proper nerve impulse transmission), rich source of potassium and other trace minerals.

6. Rosehips - Good for blood, nerves, heart and capillary integrity, excellent source of vitamins A, B-complex and C, also Rutin (for tissue elasticity), calcium and iron. It can be used like a "one-a-day" vitamin for children.

Of course good natural source vitamins can also be used to prevent miscarriages and enhance the health of both mom and babe. Some that I have found useful are:

1. Vitamin E
2. Zinc
3. Vitamin B6
4. B-Complex

Another cause of miscarriage is hormone imbalance. When I'm muscle testing a client and detect a hormone problem, I work with the anti-miscarriage herbs to prevent a miscarriage. Once the miscarriage is threatening, I have had success working with frequent doses of feverfew, lobelia, red raspberry, catnip and an herbal combination of golden seal, capsicum, false unicorn, ginger, uva ursi, cramp bark, squawvine, blessed thistle, and red raspberry. Many of these herbs are not recommended for long term use during pregnancy because of their affect on hormones. In miscarriages, however, the natural hormones are deficient, unbalanced or ineffective.

Doctor Christopher reflects on lobelia in these words: "Lobelia is a selective herb. When a fetus is dead, or in an extremely weakened condition, lobelia will cause it to abort. However, if the fetus is well and healthy, and the mother is weak, it will cause the mother to heal and strengthen, enabling her to carry the child until the proper time for delivery. Lobelia accurately and intelligently selects which way to go. It is truly a 'thinking' herb." (2)

Specific herbs in the anti-miscarriage formula which act with intelligence to stop cramping include false unicorn and cramp bark.

I generally muscle test to determine the best dose for mom, but when my client is at home or miles away, I encourage her to go to bed and I rely on inspiration to recommend dosages. When a miscarriage is active (bleeding and/or cramping) herbs should be taken every two hours around the clock. When symptoms have ceased, the herbs should be taken four times a day during waking hours for one to two weeks. If the miscarriage does happen, continue the herbs four times a day for three to seven days to help mom get her strength back. Rest and relaxation are vital in the event of miscarriage or threatened miscarriage.

Emotions can also cause miscarriages. A mom in a high stress situation (perhaps unmarried, financial problems, health problems, unstable marriage, unwanted pregnancy, etc.) is more likely to miscarry. Dr. Thomas Verny indicates that a very young fetus is aware of stress outside the womb. He theorizes that some fetuses may choose to die rather than inflict further stress and pain on their mothers or themselves.

When a pregnant woman is under stress, she not only depletes her own vitamin and mineral reserves and her own adrenal and glandular strength, but she drains these things off her baby.

Possible therapies for stress in pregnancy and threatened miscarriage include Bach Flower Remedies, herbs and vitamins, nutrition, massage, and introspection.

1. Bach Flower Remedies - Flower petal extracts that help to heal the emotional hurts of life. I like to use Rescue Remedy along with any other flowers that seem to fit the individual situation. Many books are available on Bach Flower Remedies.

2. Herbs and Vitamins - I have discussed specific herbs and vitamins for these purposes already. They are vitally important.

3. Nutrition - During stressful times, and especially miscarriage, the diet should be as simple, natural and easy to digest and assimilate as possible. Fruit, raw and gently cooked vegetables, sprouted grains, cultured dairy products and broths or light soups should make up the bulk of the diet. I recommend avoiding animal flesh, cheese (except yogurt cheese and crumbly cheeses), milk, breads and such during such situations.

4. Massage - Any mild form of massage can be beneficial at this time. The key is to keep it gentle and relaxing.

5. Introspection - (Self talk and baby talk) - This amounts to digging deep into yourself. Do you really want this baby? Why or why not? Share your answers with your partner and the baby.

I have used all these therapies with clients. We have had pregnancies that doctors said wouldn't last the night go to term and produce beautiful children. We have also had miscarriages speed up and end quickly with not medical intervention required, resulting in a very healthy mom. Remember the rule of thumb. Herbs will stop it if it can be stopped. If not, then the herbs will speed it along and help mom to recover faster.

after a miscarriage

after a miscarriage

your health after miscarriage
HCG Levels
Most women can expect their levels to return to a non-pregnant range about 4 - 6 weeks after a pregnancy loss has occurred. This can differentiate by how the loss occurred (spontaneous miscarriage, D&C procedure, abortion, natural delivery), and how high the levels were at the time of the loss.
Health care providers usually will continue to test HCG levels after a pregnancy loss to ensure they return back to 5.0.
tiredness
It is normal to feel emotionally and physically drained following a miscarriage. If possible take a few days off work, and if you can't, make sure you get to bed early, plan rests where possible and postpone anything that isn't urgent.
Make yourself your first priority.
bleeding
If your miscarriage is complete, you can expect your bleeding to taper off rapidly, i.e. over the next week it should get lighter and lighter and stop. All bleeding and spotting should have stopped by seven days. If it persists or is heavier than a normal period, this indicates something is wrong, see your doctor. While you are still bleeding it is important that you shower, not bath, and that you do not swim in public pools because of the risk of contracting an infection.
pain
When the miscarriage is complete, or after a D&C all pain should cease. Again, see your doctor if you have continuing pain.
temperature
Temperature indicates infection which can result in infertility. If you have one see your doctor urgently. You will be treated with antibiotics and possibly a D&C (or repeat D&C).
discharge
If you are having an offensive discharge this could also indicate infection so get checked out.
lactation
This is normal if the pregnancy has lasted longer than 12 weeks and will stop by itself.
menstrual cycle
You may resume a normal cycle immediately with the next period 28 days after the miscarriage but there is a great personal variation,
and it can take up to 6 or 7 weeks for your period to return, especially if you had a "natural" miscarriage (i.e. no D&C or tablets).
It still may take a few cycles before your regular pattern is re-established.
Ovulation can occur 14 days after a miscarriage so you may wish to take precautions.
sex
Sexual intercourse should be avoided until bleeding has stopped to prevent the risk of infection. Even though your cervix will be closed again, sperm can travel up through it and introduce infection into the uterus, which is still healing.
contraception
If you do not wish to become pregnant immediately, you should start using contraception straight after the miscarriage. Note: The pill should be commenced at the time of the miscarriage. You will not be safe until you have taken the tablets for 14 days.
the physical symptoms of grief
Many women find they experience physical symptoms of grief as well as the emotional aspects. These vary greatly from person to person, and include:
* disturbed sleep and eating patterns
* unexplainable tiredness
* unexpected tears
* disturbing dreams and mental confusion
Be gentle and patient with yourself during this time and take comfort in knowing that these symptoms are normal.

Miscarriages

Miscarriages

Miscarriage occurs in 15% of all pregnancies.
Spontaneous abortion (SAB), or miscarriage, is the term used for a pregnancy that ends on it's own, within the first 20 weeks of gestation. The medical name spontaneous abortion (SAB) gives many women a negative feeling, so throughout this article we will refer to any type of spontaneous abortion or pregnancy loss under 20 weeks as miscarriage.
Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50-75% of all miscarriages. This occurs when a pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation, resulting in bleeding that occurs around the time of her expected period. The woman may not realize that she conceived when she experiences a chemical pregnancy.
Most miscarriages occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy can be such an exciting time, but with the great number of recognized miscarriages that occur, it is beneficial to be informed about miscarriage, in the unfortunate event that you find yourself or someone you know faced with one.
There can be many confusing terms and moments that accompany a miscarriage. There are different types of miscarriage, different treatments for each, and different statistics for what your chances are of having one. The following information gives a broad overview of miscarriage. This information is provided to help equip you with knowledge so that you might not feel so alone or lost if you face a possible miscarriage situation. As with most pregnancy complications, remember that the best person you can usually talk to and ask questions of is your health care provider.
Why do miscarriages occur?
The reason for miscarriage is varied, and most often the cause cannot be identified. During the first trimester, the most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal abnormality - meaning that something is not correct with the baby's chromosomes. Most chromosomal abnormalities are the cause of a faulty egg or sperm cell, or are due to a problem at the time that the zygote went through the division process. Other causes for miscarriage include (but are not limited to):
* Hormonal problems, infections or maternal health problems
* Lifestyle (i.e. smoking, drug use, malnutrition, excessive caffeine and exposure to radiation or toxic substances)
* Implantation of the egg into the uterine lining does not occur properly
* Maternal age
* Maternal trauma
Factors that are not proven to cause miscarriage are sex, working outside the home (unless in a harmful environment) or moderate exercise.
What are the chances of having a Miscarriage?
For women in childbearing years, the chances of having a miscarriage can range from 10-25%, and in most healthy women the average is about a 15-20% chance.
* An increase in maternal age affects the chances of miscarriage
* Women under the age of 35 yrs old have about a 15% chance of miscarriage
* Women who are 35-45 yrs old have a 20-35% chance of miscarriage
* Women over the age of 45 can have up to a 50% chance of miscarriage
* A woman who has had a previous miscarriage has a 25% chance of having another (only a slightly elevated risk than for someone who has not had a previous miscarriage)
What are the Warning signs of Miscarriage:
If you experience any or all of these symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor or a medical facility to evaluate if you could be having a miscarriage:
* Mild to severe back pain (often worse than normal menstrual cramps)
* Weight loss
* White-pink mucus
* True contractions (very painful happening every 5-20 minutes)
* Brown or bright red bleeding with or without cramps (20-30% of all pregnancies can experience some bleeding in early pregnancy, with about 50% of those resulting in normal pregnancies)
* Tissue with clot like material passing from the vagina
* Sudden decrease in signs of pregnancy
The different types of Miscarriage:
Miscarriage is often a process and not a single event. There are many different stages or types of miscarriage. There is also a lot of information to learn about healthy fetal development so that you might get a better idea of what is going on with your pregnancy. Understanding early fetal development and first trimester development can help you to know what things your health care provider is looking for when there is a possible miscarriage occurring.
Most of the time all types of miscarriage are just called miscarriage, but you may hear your health care provider refer to other terms or names of miscarriage such as:
Threatened Miscarriage: Some degree of early pregnancy uterine bleeding accompanied by cramping or lower backache. The cervix remains closed. This bleeding is often the result of implantation.
Inevitable or Incomplete Miscarriage: Abdominal or back pain accompanied by bleeding with an open cervix. Miscarriage is inevitable when there is a dilation or effacement of the cervix and/or there is rupture of the membranes. Bleeding and cramps may persist if the miscarriage is not complete.
Complete Miscarriage: A completed miscarriage is when the embryo or products of conception have emptied out of the uterus. Bleeding should subside quickly, as should any pain or cramping. A completed miscarriage can be confirmed by an ultrasound or by having a surgical curettage performed.
Missed Miscarriage: Women can experience a miscarriage without knowing it. A missed miscarriage is when embryonic death has occurred but there is not any expulsion of the embryo. It is not known why this occurs. Signs of this would be a loss of pregnancy symptoms and the absence of fetal heart tones found on an ultrasound.
Recurrent Miscarriage (RM): Defined as 3 or more consecutive first trimester miscarriages. This can affect 1% of couples trying to conceive.
Blighted Ovum: Also called an anembryonic pregnancy. A fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall, but fetal development never begins. Often there is a gestational sac with or without a yolk sac, but there is an absence of fetal growth.
Ectopic Pregnancy: A fertilized egg implants itself in places other than the uterus, most commonly the fallopian tube. Treatment is needed immediately to stop the development of the implanted egg. If not treated rapidly, this could end in serious maternal complications.
Molar Pregnancy: The result of a genetic error during the fertilization process that leads to growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus. Molar pregnancies rarely involve a developing embryo, but often entail the most common symptoms of pregnancy including a missed period, positive pregnancy test and severe nausea.
Treatment of Miscarriage:
The main goal of treatment during or after a miscarriage is to prevent hemorrhaging and/or infection. The earlier you are in the pregnancy, the more likely that your body will expel all the fetal tissue by itself and will not require further medical procedures. If the body does not expel all the tissue, the most common procedure performed to stop bleeding and prevent infection is a dilation and curettage, known as a D&C. Drugs may be prescribed to help control bleeding after the D&C is performed. Bleeding should be monitored closely once you are at home; if you notice an increase in bleeding or the onset of chills or fever, it is best to call your physician immediately.
Prevention of Miscarriage:
Since the cause of most miscarriages is due to chromosomal abnormalities, there is not much that can be done to prevent them. One vital step is to get as healthy as you can before conceiving to provide a healthy atmosphere for conception to occur.
* Exercise regularly
* Eat healthy
* Manage stress
* Keep weight within healthy limits
* Take folic acid daily
* Do not smoke
Once you find out that you are pregnant, again the goal is to be as healthy as possible, to provide a healthy environment for your baby to grow in:
* Keep your abdomen safe
* Do not smoke or be around smoke
* Do not drink alcohol
* Check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications
* Limit or eliminate caffeine
* Avoid environmental hazards such as radiation, infectious disease and x-rays
* Avoid contact sports or activities that have risk of injury
Emotional Treatment:
Unfortunately, miscarriage can affect anyone. Women are often left with unanswered questions regarding their physical recovery, their emotional recovery and trying to conceive again. It is very important that women try to keep the lines of communication open with family, friends and health care providers during this time.

Curettage Pregnancy

What is a Dilation and Curettage

Dilation and Curettage is a method of treatment that is applied in women in order to diagnose the ailment and carry out surgery in case of excessive bleeding in the uterus. This diagnostic process falls in the category called Common Diagnostic and Treatment Surgery. Often operated on women this is also a method for assessing cancerous growth in the uterus. The surgical method becomes a necessity if uterus states too bleed excessively which is quite common in women.
Dilation and curettage is a common surgical process that is allied on women particularly in a case of excessive bleeding where it is caused by abortion. Even in a case of miscarriage where some contents remains inside the uterus and causes it to bleed this method is used. The process although very common is critical at the same time, so depending on the patients overall condition it is either operated in the hospital or in private medical chambers. The patient has to be given a doze of mild or strong anesthesia before being operated to reduce the pain.
The uterus wall is covered with endometrial tissues that start to get thick during the early menstruation and in the pre natal stage when the ovulation is about to take place it stops getting further thick to allow the process of conceiving by the woman. But if it becomes a false pregnancy in ways like a miscarriage or abortion or even if the pregnancy does not take place then it starts to bleed.
Following symptoms are seen before the doctor decides to go for a D&C surgery.
Often women suffer from excessive bleeding and also extended period of menstrual cycles. This is when the doctors regard this as a problem and advices a check up. It becomes more common in case of young woman who has just entered the menstrual cycle or otherwise in older woman who is in their menopausal state. Excessive bleeding from the uterus can be symptomatic to internal tumors too. It indicates that there can be some sort of growth that may or may not be cancerous can be inside the uterus. Polyps or the Fibroid tumors are common problems in most women and these growths can be easily operated and removed by applying the Dilation and Curettage method.
But excessive uterine bleeding can also be a symptom of cancerous growth. Slightly older women are more susceptible to the risks of cancer. This is known as eudiometrical cancer that normally happens in women who has entered their menopausal state. A hysteroscopy is another method to find out the cause in the body region that holds the most delicate organs in women known as cervix, vagina, and uterus.

Surgical Abortions

Surgical Abortions

A surgical abortion is a medical procedure that involves minor out-patient surgery. You are not "put under" for this procedure so the risks often associated with anesthesia are not associated with this procedure. You are sedated and given pain killers during the procedure but you remain awake and conscious during the abortion. You may be offered NO2, nitrous oxide, to help with any discomfort during the procedure. There are two different types of surgical abortion, early pregnancy surgical abortion performed between 6-14 weeks, and late pregnancy surgical abortion performed between 15-19 weeks. Most medical professionals will not perform abortions any later than 19 weeks except in instances where the mother's life is at risk.
Surgical abortions can not be performed any earlier than 6-7 weeks after the first day of your last regular period. This means that if you discover your pregnancy early on you will have to wait to have a surgical abortion. Some people find this waiting very hard. Women and girls who discover their pregnancy earlier than 6-7 weeks and are certain they want to terminate the pregnancy may opt to have a medical abortion. For many women and girls it is mentally easier to terminate a pregnancy early when the pregnancy has not yet become a fetus or embryo and is still a simple cell mass. Medical abortions (using pills) can not be performed any later than 7 weeks after the first day of your last period.
When you opt for a surgical abortion expect at least 3-4 visits to the the doctor or clinic. The first visit will be a long one, 1-2 hours, and will include verification of the pregnancy, an ultra-sound to identify the date of conception (to see if you are far enough along for a surgical abortion), blood testing, a pap smear to rule out STDs like chlamidya and cancers, and counselling to explain the procedure and address your feelings on the issue. Most medical professionals will want you to go away and think about the decision for at least 24 hours to ensure that it is really what you want to do.
If you are having an early pregnancy abortion (6-14 weeks) your second visit will be the procedure. You should eat 2-3 hours before going in for the procedure. You will be given a sedative to ease your nerves and dull the pain. You will be offered NO2 to be self-administered during the procedure as you feel you need it. The doctor will slightly dilate your cervix in order to insert the cannula, a small straw like suction device. You may feel slight discomfort as the cervix is dilated or you may feel nothing at all. The doctor will then begin to suction out the pregnancy. You will not see any of the tissue but you will hear the equipment operating. You will feel some cramping during the suctioning, this cramping may be mild or severe. There is no way to predict how the cramping will be for you but you will be offered NO2 to help manage the pain. The suctioning itself lasts from 5-10 minutes. The cramping may last longer but usually stops with the suctioning. In rare cases cramps may last a few days, although they are no longer severe.
A surgical abortion at 15-19 weeks is similar but much more involved and includes one extra visit prior to the surgery. At this visit the cervix will be opened using 3-4 osmotic dilators and you will be sent away for 24 hours. This is because the cervix must be opened wider in later term abortions and the dilators take 24 hours to work. Once the cervix is dilated the abortion is performed as described above only forceps may be needed to remove extra fetal tissue and the suctioning will last longer, 10-30 minutes. Cramping may be more severe as may your emmotional reaction to the procedure.

Termination of Pregnancy

Termination of Pregnancy

Termination of pregnancy (TOP) is a medically directed miscarriage prior to independent viability, using pharmacological or surgical means.
Doctors may have strongly held personal beliefs concerning abortion. Current GMC guidance states
Epidemiology
Incidence
One third of all pregnancies are terminated worldwide. According to Department of Health statistics2:
* In 2006 193,700 abortions were performed, compared with 186,400 in 2005, a rise of 3.9%. This was equivalent to an age-standardised abortion rate of 18.3 per 1,000 resident women aged 15-44.
* The highest age-standardised abortion rate in 2006 was 35 per 1,000 women aged 19.
* The under 16 abortion rate in the same year was 3.9.
* The under 18 rate was 18.2.
* The NHS funded 87% of abortions in 2006; of these, just over half (55%) took place in the independent sector under NHS contract.
* 89% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks gestation; 68% were at under 10 weeks.
* Medical abortions accounted for 30% of the total compared with 24% in 2005.
* Only 1% of UK abortions conducted in 2006 were due to grounds of a risk of severe mental or physical handicap in the child.
Legal requirements
The1967 Abortion Act allows termination before 24 weeks of gestation if it:
* Reduces the risk to a woman's life or
* Reduces the risk to her physical or mental health or
* Reduces the risk to physical or mental health of her existing children or
* The baby is at substantial risk of being seriously mentally or physically handicapped
Most terminations are performed under the second of these criteria. There is a general debate in political and public circles currently that the upper gestational age limit ought to be reduced from 24 weeks to 22 or 20. This is due to the realisation that advances in neonatal care are improving the survival rates of some premature infants born around this time, setting up an environment of moral concern that babies that could survive are having their lives ended. 4-dimensional ultrasound also appears to show 20 week gestation fetuses displaying complex behaviours, prompting a call for a shift from viability as the main criterion, towards sentience.3 Currently, the BMA does not favour a reduction in the gestational age limit for TOP.4
There is no upper limit on gestational time if there is:
* Risk to the mother's life
* Risk of grave, permanent injury to the mother's physical/mental health (allowing for reasonably foreseeable circumstances)
* Substantial risk that, if the child were born, it would suffer such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped. Such TOPs must be conducted in an NHS hospital.
* <1% style="font-weight: bold;">TOP in girls under 16 years
Form HSA1 must be signed by 2 doctors in girls under 16 years age. GMC guidelines are that girls <16 style="font-weight: bold;">Confirm the patient is pregnant.
Counsel to help her reach the decision she will least regret.
Ask her to consider the alternatives (e.g. adoption), ask about her partner (but note that the partner can not consent to, or refuse termination).
Ideally, allow time for her to consider and bring her decision to a further consultation. However, remember that the RCOG guidelines state that 'the earlier in pregnancy an abortion is performed, the lower the risk of complications. Services should therefore offer arrangements that minimise delay'.
If she chooses termination:
* Screen for chlamydia (25% post-op salpingitis if untreated)
* Discuss future contraceptive needs (start pill next day or insert IUD)
* Check Rhesus status, if negative needs anti-D
* Offer follow-up, may be problems around time she would otherwise have delivered.
RCOG guidelines6
* All women should have access to a clinical assessment
* There should be arrangements to minimise delay, eg direct access from referral sources other than GPs
* All women should be offered an assessment appointment within 2 weeks of referral (ideally within 5 days)
* All women should undergo an abortion within 2 weeks or the decision to proceed (ideally 7 days)
* No women should wait longer than 3 weeks from initial referral to time of her abortion.
Blood tests
Pre-abortion assessment should include:
* Measurement of haemoglobin level
* Determination of ABO and Rhesus blood groups
* Screening for other conditions as clinically indicated e.g. haemoglobinopathies, Hepatitis B virus, HIV
* Cervical screening
Ultrasound scanning
All services must have access to scanning, as it can be a necessary part of pre-abortion assessment, particularly where gestation is in doubt or where extrauterine pregnancy is suspected. However, ultrasound scanning is not considered to be an essential prerequisite of abortion in all cases,6 although there is some evidence to suggest routine transvaginal US would be beneficial7; where a woman may just be within the gestational age limit for a medical termination, accurate ultrasound dating may improve the range of options available.8When ultrasound scanning is undertaken, it should be in a setting and manner sensitive to the woman's situation. It is inappropriate for pre-abortion scanning to be undertaken in an antenatal department alongside women with wanted pregnancies.6
Complications of termination
The most common complications are:
* Infection; up to 10% of termination reduced by prophylactic antibiotics or pre-procedure screening for infection.
* Cervical trauma; 1%, lower when termination is performed early.
Uncommon complications are:
* Haemorrhage - 1.5/1000
* Perforation of uterus - 1-4/1000
* Failed termination - 2.3/1000 surgical, 6.0/1000 medical
No clear evidence to link abortion and breast cancer or subsequent infertility or pre-term delivery.
Neonatal death occurring after TOP. Very rare but does occur and can usually be attributed to deficiencies in clinical practice.9
Psychological effects
Only small proportion of women experience long-term adverse psychological sequelae. Although early distress is common it is usually a continuation of the symptoms present before the abortion. There is also evidence of the negative effects on both the mother and the child where abortion has been denied.
The abortion procedure
Ideally services should offer a choice of methods for the relevant gestational age.
Antibiotic prophylaxis6 and/or infection screening with treatment using metronidazole 1g rectally at time of abortion, plus doxycycline 100 mg BD for 7 days starting post-abortion, or metronidazole 1 g rectally at the time of abortion plus azithromycin 1 g orally on the day of abortion.
At under 7 weeks gestation
Avoid conventional suction termination.
Medical abortion using mifepristone plus prostaglandin is appropriate, e.g. Mifepristone 600 mg orally followed 36-48 hours by Gemeprost 1 mg vaginally.
This has been found to be safe, effective and with no adverse outcomes for subsequent pregnancies.10
Early surgical abortion using rigorous published protocol may be appropriate.
At 7-15 weeks' gestation
Medical abortion is appropriate as described above between 7 and 9 weeks.
Conventional suction termination is appropriate at 7-15 weeks although medical abortion may be preferable above 12 weeks.
Local anaesthesia for suction termination may be safer than general anaesthesia.
Cervical priming using gemeprost or mifepristone is beneficial in surgical termination and should be used routinely in women <18>10 weeks.
Surgical evacuation of the uterus is only necessary if clinical evidence of incomplete abortion.
Terminations at greater than 15 weeks gestation
Dilatation and evacuation, preceded by preparation, is safe and effective when undertaken by expert hands.
Medical abortion may be preferable alternative using mifepristone 600 mg orally followed 36-48 hours later by gemeprost 1 mg vaginally every 3 hours to max 5 pessaries.
Aftercare
Medical
Anti-D IgG to all non-sensitised RhD-negative women.
Discuss contraception and supply if accepted.
Written
List of possible symptoms highlighting those that need urgent medical attention with 24-hour number where it can be obtained.
Also, a letter with enough details to allow another doctor to be able to deal with any complications.
Arrange follow-up appointment within 2 weeks and further counselling for small number of women who experience long-term distress.

Dilation and Curettage

Dilation and Curettage

The dilation and curettage procedure is called a D&C. The D stands for dilation, which means enlarging. Curettage (the C) means scraping. Together, this procedure involves expanding or enlarging the entrance of a woman's uterus so that a thin, sharp instrument can scrape or suction away the lining of the uterus and take tissue samples.
Today, the procedure is routine and considered safe. It is minor surgery performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center or clinic. D&C is usually a diagnostic procedure and seldom is therapeutic. It may stop bleeding for a little while (2-6 months), then the prior abnormal bleeding tends to return.
A generation ago, many women were not given this option for so-called female problems. Instead, they were left with the option of hysterectomy (complete removal of the uterus/womb) or other major surgery.
* A D&C is seldom done as a lone procedure anymore. It is most frequently done as an adjunct procedure to a hysteroscopy and/or polypectomy. A D&C is often used for the following conditions:
Irregular bleeding: You may experience irregular bleeding from time to time, including spotting between periods. If the spotting develops into continuous midcycle bleeding, your health care provider may perform a D&C to investigate the cause of bleeding.
Too much bleeding: Bleeding with long, heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause, can signal a number of problems. These symptoms may not need immediate investigation. You may observe and record them. At some point, though, your doctor may look for a cause that is best detected with a hysteroscopy.
Fibroids and polyps: These conditions are very common. In fact, they are thought to occur in about 20% of all women. Fibroid tumors are noncancerous growths appearing in and on the uterus. Some even grow out from the uterine wall on a stalk. Fibroids can cause chronic pain and heavy bleeding. Polyps, like fibroids, are noncancerous growths and are a common cause of irregular bleeding. Polyps and fibroids can have symptoms that resemble other more serious causes of bleeding. Your doctor may still want to perform a hysteroscopy.
Endometrial cancer: Cancer is a scary word, especially when it is said about you. A D&C and hysteroscopy are often performed to make certain your symptoms are not caused by uterine cancer. It is, of course, important to detect cancer in its earliest, most curable stages.
Therapeutic D&C: A D&C is often planned as treatment when the source of the problem is already known. One situation is an incomplete miscarriage or even full-term delivery when, for some reason, the uterus has not pushed out all the fetal or placental tissue inside of it. If tissue is left behind, excess bleeding can result, perhaps even life-threatening bleeding. This is an important reason why your doctor will want to remove any remaining tissue with a D&C.
Your health care provider will avoid D&C in the following situations, except when absolutely necessary:
o Pelvic infection: If you have an infection involving your reproductive tract, there is a chance the surgical instruments that will enter the vagina and cervix can carry the bacteria from your vagina or cervix into your uterus. There is also an increased risk of injury to infected tissue. For these reasons, your doctor may prefer to wait until after the infection is cleared up with antibiotics before performing the D&C.
o Blood clotting disorders: Doctors depend on the body's natural ability to clot to stop bleeding after curettage. Women with certain blood disorders are usually not given this surgery.
o Serious medical problems: Heart and lung disease, for example, can make general, and sometimes local, anesthesia risky.
In fact, D&C is no longer performed as commonly as it was even a decade ago, thanks to advances in diagnosis (e.g., ultrasound and hysteroscopy) and nonsurgical hormonal (e.g., oral contraceptives) and antihormonal (e.g., Lupron) therapies.

Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical Hormones

Amidst the confusion surrounding the use of custom compounded bioidentical hormone therapy for treatment of menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) confirms its support of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other scientific organizations that have warned women about the potential harm from these products.
The term “bioidentical hormone therapy” is often used to describe a medication containing estrogen, progesterone, or other hormones that are chemically exact duplicates of hormones produced by women, primarily in the ovaries. Many of these bioidentical hormones (eg, estradiol, progesterone) are commercially available in several well-tested, FDA-approved, brand-name prescription drugs. A list of government-approved products in the United States and Canada is posted on this site.
Concern arises with the bioidentical hormone medications that are “custom-compounded” (custom-mixed) recipes prepared by a pharmacist following an individual prescriber’s order for a specific patient. These medications do not have FDA approval because individually mixed recipes have not been tested to prove that the active ingredients are absorbed appropriately or provide predictable levels in blood and tissue. Further, there is no scientific evidence about the effects of these compounded medications on the body—both good and bad.
Salivary and blood testing of hormone levels used by custom compounders is meaningless for midlife women as their hormone levels vary throughout the day, and from day to day.
NAMS has much more information about Bioidentical Hormone Therapy. Follow the links below.

Natural Bioidentical Hormones

Natural Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy - are you looking for more information?
Using a natural bioidentical hormone is the best option for women experiencing health effects of early premenopause or menopause without the harmful side effects. Natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can alleviate estrogen excess in the system and restore your body's balance.
Women in industrialized countries begin having problems ovulating in their early 30's, which means that their corpus lutheum does not form. When this occurs, women begin to produce less progesterone, creating an imbalance between her two primary hormones - estrogen and progesterone.
When ovulation does not occur, menstrual periods continue as usual - but progesterone levels begin to decline in the body.
This decrease happens because the ovulation event would otherwise cause the release of progesterone into the bloodstream.
So these lower levels of progesterone now no longer "balance" the body's continuing levels of estrogen... and the resulting condition is called "hormone imbalance" resulting in the appearance of the early symptoms of menopause.
Remarkably, doctors routinely use a synthetic hormone replacement therapy to UNECESSARILY add additional estrogen to a patient's treatment. Clearly, the basic biology of ovulation says this is INCORRECT when the problem can be that the body has lost the ability it once had to produce progesterone.
What women SHOULD BE using is PROGESTERONE - a natural bioidentical hormone and natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, since it is PROGESTERONE levels that are declining in the body with continuous missed ovulations, after menopause or after a hysterectomy - this basic and crucial hormone should be replaced through supplementation of the natural form.
Natural bioidentical hormones means that it is the same as what the body naturally makes. This means higher effectiveness without side effects when used correctly in dosages similar to the body's normal production.
Synthetic hormones are not natural to the body - they are different from the natural hormones so they can be patented and sold by the drug companies.
Women experiencing hormone imbalance and symptoms of premenopause should use: • 1- natural progesterone cream, • 2- take a good quality daily vitamins/supplement, • 3- take fish oil omega-3 supplements, • 4- avoid excessive alcohol intake, • 5- reduce stress, • 6- eliminate cigarette smoking • 7- and reduce exposure to pollutants and chemicals by using natural cleaning products to improve health.

Hormone Therapy Skin

Hormone Therapy Skin

These benefits were seen in women who had consistently used hormone therapy and had been in menopause for at least five years,” said Hugh S. Taylor, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine.
We don’t believe hormone therapy will make wrinkles melt away once they’re already there, but the results of our study show that hormone therapy can prevent them. Hormone therapy makes wrinkles less severe and keeps skin more elastic,” Taylor added.
How the Research was Conducted
Taylor and his co-authors compared 11 women who had not used hormone therapy to nine long-term hormone therapy users. Demographics including age, race, sun exposure, sunscreen use, tobacco use and skin type were similar. The researchers made visual assessments of wrinkle severity at 11 facial locations.
A plastic surgeon with no knowledge of which women were using hormone therapy rated the number and severity of wrinkles using a Lemperle scale. The team also measured skin elasticity using a durometer.
Researchers found that rigidity was significantly decreased in hormone therapy users compared to nonusers at both the cheek (1.1 vs. 2.7) and forehead (20 vs. 29). Average wrinkle scores were lower in hormone users than in non-hormone users (1.5 vs. 2.2) on the Lemperle scale.
Skin May Mirror Other Organs
Taylor said that what is happening in the skin may be reflective of the functioning of other organs such as the heart and bone, which might also be benefiting from estrogen therapy. The results suggest that hormone therapy keeps the skin looking younger and healthier and may have cosmetic benefits if started early. Hormones seem to keep the skin healthy, but can’t reverse present skin damage.
Hormone Therapy Carries Risks
Medical researchers and the media have given significant attention to the risks of hormone therapy. For post-menopausal women with Alzheimer’s disease, there is a risk that that estrogen replacement therapy can make memory problems worse. For more information, see Long-Term Estrogen Replacement Therapy in Postmenopausal Women with Alzheimer's Disease.
Hormone therapy has also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. U.N. Agency Study Links Birth Control Pills and Hormones to Cancer provides useful information about the risk of breast cancer associated with hormone therapy.
The Herbal Alternative
Many women who want to manage menopause symptoms have had good results by rejecting traditional (estrogen/progestin) hormone therapy and using herbal alternatives like Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, Chaste Tree Berry and others. See Hormone Replacement Therapy: Are There Any Good Alternatives? for an overview of herbal alternatives for hormone therapy.
Is Hormone Therapy Right for You?
Hormone Therapy is a controversial issue because there are benefits and risks. If you are a peri-menopausal (pre-menopausal) woman considering hormone therapy to manage menopause symptoms, it’s important to check with your health care practitioner and to do your own research before you decide if hormone therapy is right for you. A good place to start your research is Managing Menopause: Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Hormone Therapy Drugs

Hormone Therapy Drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent letters warning seven pharmacy operations that the claims they make about the safety and effectiveness of so-called bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) products are unsupported by medical evidence, and are considered false and misleading by the agency. The FDA is concerned that unfounded claims like these mislead women and health care professionals.
The pharmacy operations improperly claim that their drugs, which contain hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and estriol (which is not a component of an FDA-approved drug and hasn’t been proven safe and effective for any use) are superior to FDA-approved menopausal hormone therapy drugs and prevent or treat serious diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and various forms of cancer.
Compounded drugs aren’t reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness, and the FDA encourages patients to use FDA-approved drugs whenever possible. The warning letters state that the pharmacy operations violate federal law by making false and misleading claims about their hormone therapy drugs. FDA is concerned that the claims for safety, effectiveness, and superiority that these pharmacy operations are making mislead patients, as well as doctors and other health care professionals.
We want to ensure that Americans receive accurate information about the risks and benefits of drug therapies,” says Dr. Janet Woodcock, FDA’s chief medical officer and acting director of the agency’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “In addition to today’s regulatory action, FDA is publishing an informational article for women on its consumer health information web page that provides the facts to make informed decisions about these unapproved therapies. Women taking these drugs should discuss with their health care providers the drugs’ risks and whether they’re getting effective treatment.”
The pharmacy operations receiving warning letters use the terms “bio-identical hormone replacement therapy” and BHRT to imply that their drugs are natural or identical to the hormones made by the body. The FDA regards this use of “bio-identical” as a marketing term implying a benefit for the drug, for which there’s no medical or scientific basis.
Firms that don’t properly address violations identified in warning letters risk further enforcement, including injunctions that prevent additional violations, and seizure of violative drugs.
The FDA’s action today doesn’t target pharmacists who practice traditional pharmacy compounding and who don’t make false or misleading claims about compounded products. Traditional pharmacy compounding typically involves preparation of a drug for an individual patient by a pharmacist in response to a valid prescription from a licensed practitioner. This compounding follows a practitioner’s decision that his or her patient has a special medical need that cannot be met by FDA-approved drugs. FDA’s current view on human drug compounding is addressed in its compounding Compliance Policy Guide.
The FDA also recently responded to a citizen petition from Wyeth asking it to take regulatory action against compounding pharmacy operations that produce compounded BHRT drugs. Other stakeholders, including health care providers and consumer groups have also raised concerns about BHRT drugs.

Menopause Hormone Therapy

Menopause Hormone Therapy

I was 45 when I first started having night sweats. I'd wake up in the middle of the night, and even though the air conditioner was running full blast, I'd be covered in sweat. Those night sweats and the other symptoms I began to notice suddenly made me feel old. One day, I'm a young woman in her prime, and the next day, I'm worrying about whether or not I'm prepared for retirement, and thinking about 'getting my affairs in order.' It was a classic overreaction.
I didn’t really worry about menopause. It’s just one of those things that all women go through. Sure, I was bothered by some symptoms. But they were manageable they didn’t slow me down.
No longer having periods or needing to think about birth control was a welcome change!
These women are talking about their experiences with menopause what many women refer to as the change of life" that signals the end of a woman's reproductive years. While menopause used to mean withdrawal from active life for many women, this is not true today. Yet, some women still worry about what will happen and what they should do when menopause arrives. Women may experience a wide range of feelings, from anxiety and discomfort, to release and relief. Most adapt to the changes and continue to live well and remain healthy through these transitions.
Most of today's women will live 25 to 30 years one-third of their lives after menopause. An understanding of the body's changes during this phase of life can ease the transition, and equally important, better prepare you to safeguard your health during your later years. There are many different considerations a woman needs to take as she approaches menopause. Specific treatment for menopausal symptoms will be determined by your doctor based on:
* Your age, overall health, and medical history
* Current symptoms
* Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
* Your opinion or preference
Today, women entering menopause are healthier, feel younger than their years, and lead more active lives and careers than previous generations. Despite the problems menopause may bring, the years afterward are the most productive and satisfying for many women.

Anti inflammation

Anti inflammation

What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is defined as a localized reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection. Symptoms of inflammation include pain, swelling, red coloration to the area, and sometimes loss of movement or function. We commonly think of inflammation as the painful component of arthritis. Inflammation is also a component of chronic diseases such as heart disease and strokes.
Medical Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
Common medical anti-inflammatory treatments include rest, light exercise, weight maintenance, stretching, and medications designed to reduce the inflammation and control the pain. These medications include Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), steroid medications, and perhaps ultimately joint replacement surgery. The NSAIDs are widely used as the initial form of therapy.
For the most part NSAIDs are tolerated fairly well, although they can irritate the stomach and lead to ulcers. In some instances, long term use can lead to kidney problems.
Avoid Pro-Inflammatory Foods
Pro-inflammatory foods will increase inflammation, increase your pain from the inflammation and may also raise your risk for chronic disease. Loading up on junk foods, high-fat meats, sugar and fast foods will increase inflammation in your body. This is partially due to the unhealthy fats used in preparing and processing these foods, especially trans fats and saturated fats. Processed meats such as lunch meats, hot dogs and sausages contain chemicals such as nitrites that are associated with increased inflammation and chronic disease.
Saturated fats are also found in meats, dairy products and eggs. While all of these foods are important source of minerals and vitamins, you don't need the extra saturated fat. These foods also also contain fatty acids called arachidonic acid. While some arachidonic acid is essential for your health, too much arachidonic acid in the diet may make your inflammation worse. Be sure to choose low fat milk and cheese and lean cuts of meat, which will not promote inflammation.
Diets high in sugar have also been associated with inflammation, obesity and chronic disease such as diabetes. Eliminate high sugar foods such as sodas, soft drinks, pastries, pre-sweetened cereals and candy.
Another possible source of irritation comes from the nightshade family of plants. Whole fruits and vegetables are important to eat for their vitamins, minerals, and natural antioxidants. However some vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant may actually make pain from inflammation worse. These vegetables are part of the nightshade family of plants and contain a chemical alkaloid called solanine. Solanine can trigger pain in some people. While there isn't any formal research findings that back the claim about nightshade plants, some people believe they get relief from the symptoms of pain and inflammation.
Choose Anti-inflammatory Foods
Adding foods that reduce inflammation will improve how you feel and help to decrease your risk for chronic diseases. Here are some suggestions.
Fats and Oils
The right types of fats in your diet will impact pain and inflammation in a positive way. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents. They are found in cold water oily fish, walnuts, flax seeds, canola oil and pumpkin seeds. Adding omega-3 fatty acid supplements from flax oil or fish oil may also help reduce inflammation, just be sure to speak with a doctor or nutritionist before taking larger, therapeutic doses of any supplement, or follow label instructions.
Olive oil is another type of oil that will reduce inflammation. In fact, olive oil has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and will help to reduce pain. Other healthy oils include rice bran oil, grape seed oil, and walnut oil.
Protein
Your body needs protein to build healthy body tissues. Good protein sources include lean poultry, fish and seafood, nuts, legumes and seeds. Red meats may trigger inflammation, so cut back on fatty red meats. When you do eat red meat, choose lean cuts of bison, venison and other game meats, or the lowest-fat cuts of beef, preferably grass-fed beef.
Soybeans, tofu, and soy milk are three great sources of soy proteins that may help to reduce your pain and inflammation.
Carbohydrates and Fiber
Most of your carbohydrates should come from whole grains, vegetables and fruits. The bread, cereal and pasta in your diet should be mostly be 100% whole grain products. Whole grains are excellent sources of fiber, and a high fiber diet will reduce your inflammation.
Choose green leafy vegetables, green and brightly colored vegetables and lots of fresh whole fruits. You should eat at least five and preferably more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Green vegetables and whole fruits are also important as sources of dietary fiber.
Berries are also a great food choice, especially blueberries and strawberries which are packed with anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and anti-oxidants. The pigments in brightly colored fruits, vegetables and berries contain many phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory properties. One example is quercetin, which is found in apple and red onion skins and has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Healthy Beverages
Your body needs water in the form of foods and beverages every day. The simplest and maybe best form of water is fresh drinking water. Other good fluid sources include 100% fruit juices, herbal teas, vegetable juices and low fat milk. About 20% of the water you need every day will come from the foods you eat.
Anti-inflammatory Diet Tips
Over all, when you are choosing anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce your inflammation and pain, choose fresh foods instead of heavily processed foods. Here are some tips:
* Breakfast could be oatmeal served with fresh berries and walnuts, with a cup of soy milk.
* Snack on whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables throughout the day instead of cookies and candy.
* Eat more fish and less fatty red meat.
* Stay away from deep fried foods and bake or stir fry your meals instead.
* Choose green, orange, and yellow vegetables for your side dishes.
* Drink plenty of water, fresh 100% fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas and green tea.
Use this Nutrition and Calorie Guide for Men and Women to help you determine how many calories you need each day. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way to reduce your pain from inflammation.

Bone Inflammation

Bone Inflammation

Long term inflammation can have the effect of removing calcium from the bones, weakening and shrinking them. According to one web site, "Inflammation-mediated bone loss is a problem of major clinical and economic significance; it occurs in various diseases such as periodontal disease, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis and some forms of osteoporosis.
In dentistry it is recognised that bone loss caused by gum inflammation can eventually lead to teeth falling out. Also inflammation and the resulting loss of bone can cause dental implants to fall out.
Years of inflammation around the coccyx can have the same effect. Several people who have had their coccyxes removed have been told by their surgeons that the coccyx crumbled when they removed it.
My coccyx didn't crumble when my surgeon was removing it, but I have two reasons for believing that it was very weak:
* I asked my surgeon for my coccyx, and he gave it to me in formalin. I boiled it up for hours to clean the tissue off it. When I did this, some pieces of bone fell off the side (see the picture). This doesn't normally happen if you boil up some meat on a bone, so I suspect that in my case the bone was weakened by the years of inflammation.
* My coccyx is in two segments, with a portion of broken bone above those two. I asked my surgeon whether the piece of broken bone could be part of the sacrum. He said that he had taken the coccyx off with a scalpel, and he thought he had cut through the joint between the coccyx and the sacrum. But he agreed that it looks as if he has taken off the bottom few millimetres of the sacrum as well. I am sure that the surgeon could not have cut through the sacrum with a scalpel unless it was already very weak. (The surgeon told me that this will make no difference to my recovery, and my local doctor says that broken bone normally heals over within days.)
Another cause of loss of bone strength that could be of interest to coccydynia sufferers is the use of corticosteroids. It is known that these drugs can cause loss of bone in sufferers from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), who have to take these drugs daily. I don't know whether the injections of corticosteroids given to relieve coccyx pain could also cause bone loss. Possibly these drugs will not have any serious effect on the coccyx because they are usually given no more frequently than once every three months.
One site about inflammatory bowel disease says: In IBD patients who require corticosteroids, the effects on bone mineral density are seen within the first three to six months... Alternate day dosing does not protect bone. Gastroenterologists should determine baseline bone mineral density in all IBD patients and give them calcium and vitamin D, said Dr. Cohen. Weight-bearing exercise, and eliminating smoking and excessive alcohol are important to preventing bone loss as well. Dr. Cohen reviewed the medical options for preventing and treating osteoporosis. These include: hormone replacement therapy; calcitonin, which is now available in a nasal spray; and biphosphonates compounds that inhibit bone loss, such as alendronate. It's clear from randomized clinical trials that biphosphonates are effective. Compliance is poor, however. You have to take these drugs with a full glass of water, sitting up, and they have been shown to cause esophageal irritation and ulcers.

inflammation treatments

inflammation treatments

Therapists treat pain and inflammation. Such treatment makes movement easier and enables people to participate more fully in rehabilitation. Techniques used include heat therapy, cold therapy, electrical stimulation, traction, massage, and acupuncture. For therapists, whether to use heat or cold therapy is often a personal choice, although cold therapy seems to be more effective for acute pain.
Heat Therapy: Heat increases blood flow and makes connective tissue more flexible. It temporarily decreases joint stiffness, pain, and muscle spasms. Heat also helps reduce inflammation and the buildup of fluid in tissues (edema). Heat therapy is used to treat inflammation (including various forms of arthritis), muscle spasm, and injuries such as sprains and strains.
Heat may be applied to the body's surface or to deep tissues. Hot packs, infrared heat, paraffin (heated wax) baths, and hydrotherapy (agitated warm water) provide surface heat. Heat may be generated in deep tissues by electric currents (diathermy) or high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound).

Inflammation Remedies

Inflammation Remedies

With the fanfare of a holiday parade, drug companies last year unveiled two new Cox-2 inhibitor drugs-Celebrex and Vioxx-to treat arthritis, inflammation, premenstrual syndrome, and potentially even cancer. All the hoopla paid off. Since then, doctors have written more than seven million prescriptions for these "super aspirin" drugs, earning hundreds of million dollars for their makers.
Cox-2 is short for cyclooxygenase-2, one of the key enzymes that helps the body produce inflammatory hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins and cytokines. Cox-2 is essential-without it, we wouldn't be able to fight infections or heal injuries. But when the body overproduces Cox-2, the result is chronic inflammation and pain.
The intensive marketing and advertising of Cox-2 inhibitors obscured why many people overproduce the enzyme. Too much Cox-2 appears to result from imbalances and deficiencies of certain nutrients. Rather than correct these underlying dietary problems, pharmaceutical Cox-2 inhibitors only mask the most visible symptoms. Relatively minor dietary changes, plus some vitamin and herbal supplements, correct the underlying problems.
Problems with Cox-2 Inhibitor Drugs
For years, people have used nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, to treat the inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. NSAIDS ease inflammation by inhibiting the activity of both Cox-2 and Cox-1, the latter an enzyme that helps maintain homeostasis (biological equilibrium) protect the stomach lining. Because stomach ulcers occur in about 25 percent of NSAID users, pharmaceutical companies worked to develop NSAIDS that blocked only the activity of Cox-2. The idea was that a selective Cox-2 inhibitor would reduce inflammation but not irritate the stomach.
The motivation was profiting from a potentially huge market. An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis. In a typical year, physicians write about 60 million prescriptions for NSAIDS-to say nothing of their over-the-counter sales. However, each year some half-million people develop complications from NSAIDS, with an estimated 80,000 people requiring hospitalization and 8,000 dying.
Though touted for their relative safety, Cox-2 inhibitors may be far more hazardous than originally believed. While gastrointestinal problems with Cox-2 inhibitors occur less frequently, they can be severe. Just four months after the FDA approved Celebrex, 10 deaths from the drug were reported. One study has even suggested that Cox-2 is important to the gut and healing ulcers, suggesting that pharmaceutical tampering with the enzyme may not be wise.
The Double-Edged Sword of Inflammation
Nutrients supply the most basic building blocks of the body's powerful inflammatory compounds. The "parent" nutrient is linoleic acid, found in many foods but especially concentrated in vegetable oils (e.g., corn, soy, and safflower oils). The body converts linoleic acid to the omega-6 family of fatty acids, including arachidonic acid. Cox-2 plays a critical role in converting arachidonic acid to the hormone-like prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and to the cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa), all of which promote inflammation.
According to Robert F. Grimble, Ph.D., of the University of Southampton, England, once an infection or injury stimulates production of IL-1 and TNFa, these two proinflammatory compounds can further stimulate each other, as well as IL-6. In addition, IL-1 and TNFa trigger the production of free radicals, which encourage the production of more proinflammatory cytokines. The proinflammatory reaction essentially feeds on itself, setting the stage for chronic inflammation. ,
Ideally, the body balances these compounds with a group of antiinflammatory compounds that originate with alpha-linolenic acid, found in cold-water fish, leafy green vegetables, and flaxseed. The body converts alpha-linolenic acid to the omega-3 family of fatty acids, which include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Preformed EPA and DHA are also found in cold-water fish.
Much of the problem with inflammatory disorders actually stems from a lopsided imbalance in dietary intake of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids-and the consequential cascade in proinflammatory activity. Artemis Simopolous, M.D., director of the Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health in Washington, D.C., has shown that people historically consumed roughly equal amounts of the proinflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and the antiinflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
However, over the past 30 years or so, Americans have replaced much of their dietary saturated fat (a bystander, so far as inflammation is concerned) with omega-6 fatty acids. Simopoulos estimates that people are now eating 20 times more omega-6s than omega-3s. From a biochemical standpoint, this sets the stage for powerful and chronic proinflammatory reactions.
Indeed, inflammation plays a role in many diseases, including arthritis, gingivitis and most of "-itis" diseases. Recent research has pointed to the role of inflammation in heart disease, stroke, and even Alzheimer's disease. In addition, Bruce N. Ames, Ph.D., of the University of California, Berkeley, has estimated that chronic inflammation and infection cause about one-third of all cancers.
This relationship between diet, inflammation, and cancer was recently demonstrated by researchers at the American Health Foundation, Valhalla, New York. In animal experiments, they noted that corn oil (rich in omega-6) increased Cox-2 activity, whereas fish oil (rich in omega-3) blunted Cox-2 activity. The researchers also showed that the omega-6 fatty acids could promote the growth of colon cancer, whereas the omega-3 fatty acids prevented cancer.
In addition to a diet containing too many omega-6 fatty acids, a shortage of nutritional antioxidants, such as vitamin E, also contributes to chronic inflammation. The proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1 and TNFa, trigger the release of free radicals. A diet rich in antioxidants-found chiefly in vegetables and fruit-can help neutralize these free radicals. But relatively few people-9 to 34 percent, according to different researchers-eat the recommended five daily servings of vegetables and fruit. Between an excess omega-6 fatty acids and a lack of omega-3 fatty acids, and inadequate intake of antioxidants, the body's proinflammatory reaction goes out of control, leading to chronic inflammation and pain.
Quenching the Fires of Inflammation
The simplest and most biochemically sound way of turning down the body's proinflammatory prostaglandins and cytokines is by restoring a balance between pro- and antiinflammatory foods. From a dietary standpoint, this means switching from vegetable oils to extra-virgin olive oil (high in antiinflammatory omega-9 fatty acids). It also means avoiding most processed (boxed, canned, or frozen) foods, because their makers frequently add omega-6 fatty acids. By eating simple unprocessed foods-such as baked chicken, a salad, and steamed vegetables-it becomes easier to consume a more balanced ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
However, if you're like most people, you've been eating a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in antioxidants for years. Simply restoring a balance is not enough to quickly offset accumulated damage, because the fatty acid composition of the body's cells reflects their dietary ratios. It's imperative to increase consumption of antiinflammatory fatty acids and antioxidants.
These are the supplements to emphasize:
· Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Found in fish oils, EPA and DHA are essential building blocks for the body's antiinflammatory prostaglandins (e.g., prostaglandin E1) and for turning off Cox-2 and the body's proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNFa). In addition, omega-3 fatty acids block the activity of an enzyme that breaks down joint cartilage. Daily dosage: 3 or more grams.
· Gamma-linolenic acid. Although GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid, it has antiinflammatory properties. Relatively little GLA is converted to arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2. Instead, GLA increases production of the antiinflammatory prostaglandin E1. Robert B. Zurier, M.D., of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, gave GLA supplements or placebos to 41 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Two-thirds of those receiving GLA had a 25 percent reduction in their arthritic symptoms. Daily dosage: 2-3 grams.
· Vitamin E. Although Cox-2 and prostaglandin E2 levels rise with age, animal studies have shown that vitamin E supplements reverse the increase in Cox-2 and prostaglandin E2. Vitamin E also turns off nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), compounds that turn on inflammatory genes. One recent study found that arthritics taking supplements of natural vitamin E (600 mg twice daily) for 12 weeks had their pain reduced by about half. Daily dosage: 400-800 IU.
· Vitamin C. Long recognized for its antiinflammatory properties, the effects of vitamin C are enhanced by other nutrients. In a study of people exposed to simulated sunlight, researchers found that vitamin C and E worked synergistically to reduce skin inflammation. In a cell study, Italian researchers noted that quercetin and vitamin C worked together to protect cells from inflammation-induced damage. Daily dosage: 1,000-2,000 mg.
· Polyphenols and Flavonoids. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, recently reported that the antioxidant polyphenols in green tea had antiinflammatory properties by inhibiting Cox-2 and TNFa. Genistein inhibits prostaglandin E2 and Cox-2, and quercetin inhibits the activity of inflammation-promoting "adhesion" molecules. It's likely that Pycnogenol, grape seed extract, and other flavonoids work through similar mechanisms. Daily dosage: 25-500 mg.
· St. John's wort. Better known for its antidepressant effect, this herb also has antiinflammatory properties. In a laboratory experiment, researchers from the University of Frieburg, Germany found that hypericin, one of the constituents of St. John's wort, inhibited NF-kB, which activates proinflammatory genes. Daily dosage: Because product forms vary, follow label directions.
· Silymarin. A cell-culture study found that silymarin, the antioxidant extract of milk thistle, inhibited Cox-2 formation. This role of silymarin may partly explain why earlier cell-culture studies found it to inhibit the growth of prostate, breast, and skin cancers. Daily dosage: 100-200 mg.
· Ginger. With a long history as a folk medicine, ginger inhibits Cox-2 and another proinflammatory compound, 5-lipoxygenase. This simple herb and condiment contains almost 500 different compounds, many of which are antiinflammatory, according to Thomas M. Newmark and Paul Shulick, authors of Beyond Aspirin: Nature's Answer to Arthritis, Cancer & Alzheimer's Disease (Holm Press, Prescott, Arizona, 2000). Daily dosage: 100 mg.
· Rosemary. This common kitchen herb is rich in ursolic acid and many of its derivatives. In laboratory experiments, Swedish researchers found that the ursolic acid extract of rosemary was a potent inhibitor of Cox-2 activity. Daily dosage: 100 mg.
· Curcumin. A natural pigment that accounts for the yellow color of the spice turmeric, curcumin is also a powerful antioxidant. A recent cell study by researchers at Cornell University, New York, found that curcumin blocked the activity of Cox-2. The researchers suggested that this property might explain some of the herb's anticancer effects. Daily dosage: 2.8 mg.
· Cat's Claw. Known as una de gato and Uncaria tomentosa, this Peruvian herb has a long history as a remedy for inflammatory arthritis. Recent cell-culture and animal experiments at the Albany Medical College, New York, found that cat's claw inhibited inflammation by blocking the activity of NF-kB. Daily dosage: Because products vary, follow label directions.
The take home message in all this is relatively simple: pharmaceutical drugs, while providing rapid relief of symptoms, do not correct the underlying cause of chronic inflammation. The cause of frequently a diet that's either unbalanced or lacking in key nutrients. No drug can correct a nutritional deficiency or imbalance. Only nutrients can do that.
The information provided by Jack Challem and The Nutrition Reporter™ newsletter is strictly educational and not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, consult your physician.